Revery grows to like the plains. After the cold wastes, and the extreme desert, the plains are a comfort to travel in. He recalls the druid Pandemic and wonders what his life must be like.
As they go, he takes it upon himself to try solve the enigma that is Swenj's notes. They seem somehow historically important. He tries variations on the new moniker, Pravus Mortis, which has an extra letter. Rigor Mortis? and other permutations... Also he tries the ten letter Cazic Thule, and any variations he can think of. He recalls any word said by the caster before he turned to a pile of burning flesh. Only something Sajeek had understood. He asks Sajeek what Swenj had said just before he expired. "And just in case, what are your parents' names?"
The women remind him of Arwen, especially the elf, Justis' mother. He wonders if Arwen will wait for him...
Justis. She was kept aside, apart from the others. Why? When he has a chance he asks her last name. And he asks Kwen if she has told him why she was isolated from the others.
Revery sorts through the notes using every anagram of Pravus Mortis, rigor mortis, Cazic-Thule and even random arrangements of the words into things that aren't words. Every word that Swenj had spoken, including anything that Sajeek might remember, were included, but none turn out to the be the key word or phrase.
Justis reveals a last name of seeming unimportance, for it is not a name you have heard before, and it does not work as part of the cryptic puzzle that the human wizard left behind. She was always treated well, and kept in the cage for some reason that is unknown at this time, but she tells you that she is wearing another girl's clothes: a little girl named Rahn.
"Please tell me about Rahn," says Revery to Justis, "and why you are wearing her clothes."
Revery had at first kept his floating pet up only during his watch at night, but as he noted the material component for the spell was dwindling, he decided to keep it going. So he had told everyone, especially all the children, about the dangers of attacking him lest his magical guardian retaliate of its own accord. "I know none of you would attack me, of course, but even a mock or joke attack might set it off."
When the bandits are spotted, he looks around at the others. "Perhaps a show of force would suffice to scare them off? Or fear?"
He looks for a scout, or if there is no such outlier, a leader, to be the target of his spell (Fear).
Spot:
Fear (7 mana)
Lasts for rounds.
Save: Will 21 negates
(hp: 42/42, mana: 101/108)
"Hmm?" Sajeek said after returning from hunting. Rev had cornered him with another question. "Oh, some prayer in Shissar. I recognized bits and pieces of what he was saying." The vah shir says with an off hand shrug. As if the language was commonplace. He had been thinking about the title that the mothers had given the group. It seemed a bit strange to have a title to refer to the group. But if it made the mothers happy, he wasn't about to say anything.
The Beastlord settles into a routine of hunting as much food as he can to help fend off starvation. They were all very lucky that Noggy was able to create bread and water was not a major concern. A nice change from the harsh Desert of Ro and it's ever stinging sand.
Sajeek had been expecting some type of trouble as they traveled. It was just to large of a group to not think something might take an interest in them. The vah shir had been a little surprised to see that it was bandits. A hungry predator or group of them could be warned off. Scavengers as well for that matter. Bandits were an unpleasant surprise, not something he could scare off. They usually require killing to get the point across.
"We've been spotted by bandits," Sajeek hisses, getting the word spread without causing a huge panic. Get huddled together and get your pickaxes out. Those with javelins, get ready to throw them at the bandits if they charge. After that, wait till they get close and just treat them like there a stone wall. Chop with all your might," Sajeek gives out a few quick pointers as he get readies to fight. The Beastlord was glad he had been making it a morning ritual to enhance Bast.
Getting Bast to hide close by in the tall grass was little to no problem at all. The tiger hides, waiting for his spirit-brothers call to attack.
"Well, this is going to be a bad day to be a bandit. Picking a bunch of broke adventurers and a bunch of armed mothers protecting their cubs to rob," the vah shir chuckles.
Kwen thanks the gnome for removing the poison from his wounds, glad to no longer be suffering from the ill effects. Kwen tries to ponder what the cipher could mean, racking his head about what it could mean gives Kwen a headache. It was a puzzle, puzzles annoyed Kwen, the only ones he wanted were locks and traps, those were the types the rogue was good at.
Kwen was slightly taken aback by the name that the party had been given, not sure on how he felt about being named. On one hand, this could help the party get a better deal in towns on the other hand, others would be more likely to pick a fight with the party as well. Still, Kwen felt a small measure of pride at being in a party that was named.
Giving a sigh, at seeing the bandits, Kwen spends a moment, reapplying poison to some of his weapons, sure that the bandits were going to launch a volley of arrows first, then have the melee members of the bandit troupe charge forward.
Letting the others know this felt silly, as they were all experienced at fighting, never had they faced so many foes, with such a large protection detail. The women and children were in danger, hoping that this could be over as quickly as it happens, Kwen lets a small sigh of worry out of his mouth.
Kurki=
Summoned animations, no matter the power of the spell, are plodding and sometimes meandering in their movements (all levels have a base movement rate of 20'). Traveling with a gnome (20' speed) in full plate (15' speed) permits the enchanter to never have to worry about leaving his construct behind. Even Nogglegrop looks fast compared to the speed of the throng of children and women that follows the group. They call for stops more than they move, forcing you to carry people more often than not.
Heads stand out atop the closest hill (hide check so low that an addled lunatic would find them) like zits on a teenaged face, but Revery discerns no obvious leader. One of the would be ambushers decides that anywhere would be a better place to be than here, and though the spell only lasts a few seconds, he heeds the impetus of the magics and keeps running for the safety of his bedroll, tossing his sling aside as he sprints for safety. 10 heads pivot to watch one of their number hie for the yonder hills.
Will Save: (fail)
Duration (rounds):
A drooling Gwendalyn releases a verbal ejaculation that sounds something like, "Gurpf!", as she is taken unawares by the entire scene (no action taken).
Bast belly crawls, perfectly at home in the tall grass, disappears in a flanking maneuver.
Sajeek tightens his grip on his javelin, prepared to launch at the first sign of an opening.
A kukri is doused with poison, and Kwen is ready to slide it home.
As soon as the potential ambush was perceived the women and children had been slowed by the cleric, and Nogglegrop remains at the fore of their line, ready to engage any that would seek to target the group's charges. His drawn mace was tiny, but it would snap forth with the power of Fizzlethorp. The tiny gnome waits for the first attack to be launched, before he follows suit with words spouted loud enough to reverberate his metal helm, "Oh you picked the wrong group to f$#* with!"
(end of surprise round)
(tag PCs for round 1)
You are within 58' of your prey. The bandits are not looking happy to have their advantage turned against them.
Gwendalyn is puzzled by the name that the slaves give their little group. Surely it describes their foes better than themselves -- first wicked, then dead? But then, she hadn't been able to think of a name herself, so she could hardly quibble.
When they see the bandits, who don't seem to realize that they've been spotted, she gives everyone in Pravus Mortis a boon to make them all a little tougher, including Revery's semi-disposable animation but not herself (Inner Fire). It takes a fifth of her mana, but she gambles that with so many foes, it will pay off in wounds prevented.
"Remember, concentrate our attacks like we did with Zaruksis." She drops most of the named iksar's gear, except for his spiked chain and belt pouch of valuables. "Ready? Let's go!" She pulls out her two-handed hammer, calls for a blessing of the wild on herself (Fleeting Fury), advances ten yards, and then hits the biggest, toughest-looking bandit with the cold of her homeland (Frost Rift).
MA: draw weapon
Round 1
FA: Fleeting Fury (Gwendalyn)
MA: move 30'
SA: Frost Rift (Reflex DC 17 for half):
18 AC, 54/54 hp, 43/60 mana
Active Buffs
Talisman of the Beast (Bast, Gwendalyn, Kwen, Nogglegrop, Revery, Sajeek): +3 buff Str, indefinitely
Inner Fire (Bast, Kwen, Nogglegrop, Revery, Revery's pet, Sajeek): +1 insight AC & +3 buff hp, 60 minutes
Fleeting Fury (Gwendalyn 3): +1 insight AC, +4 Dex & +4 Str, 3 rounds
Justis is the first one that referred to the group as "Pravus Mortis." When asked, by Kwen in elvish, since she continues to look at him with dreamy eyes, she reveals confusion in learning that the group did not refer to themselves that way. Apparently Swenj called the group that name for months before their arrival, for their arrival was foreseen, expected and sought after.
Rahn was Swenj's daughter. She had died, but the gods refused to take her to her final resting place. Swenj said that Justis reminded him of his beloved daughter, which is why he treated her so well.
Gwendalyn launches her spell and stands without a weapon in her hand (no action taken during the surprise round). The spell does not take full effect, but the bandit is still caught by the edge of it.
Reflex Save (vs. DC 17 Frost Rift):
Nogglegrop is torn. He wished to help the party, but his legs weren't long enough to slip back and intervene if the bandits decided to hold a child hostage. He cuts the difference and tries to get close enough to cast healing spells. The sound of his mace repetitively slamming into his armoured palm betrays his nervousness.
" So you are morons, you can leave alive, if you throw down your weapons, other wise..." Kwen stops slides is kurki into a sheath, while drawing his bow, and let's fly an arrow at one of the bandits.
damage DC 15 fort save.
" Let it be known that was a warning shot, there will be no others." The rogue calls out, bluffing of course but hey, it would be worth a shot yo get them to flee.
It is nothing more than a grazing shot, but it is enough to get the poison into the man's system (please include what the poison does in your next post).
Fort Save (vs. DC 15): (fail)
Kwen focus on the lie of the word (bluff attempt failed since it requires a full-round action at a minimum), rather than making it sound ominous (intimidate), which removes much of the implied/overt threat.
Sajeek waits until they bandits get closer to throwing range for one of the few javelin he had held on too. Bast continues to wait in the tall grass.
Sajeek's javelin digs deep into the hill. Bast continues to belly crawl around on a flanking maneuver.
Revery contracts the drooling disorder, leaving a long line hanging free of his gaping maw (no action).
10 men stand as one, each wielding a shortbow drawn back and aimed at one of your hearts. One of their number is not looking so hot (poisoned).
Much is revealed in this move that suggests these men are less of a threat than one might initially imagine. They:
- failed to hide properly
- have far too many numbers to be efficient
- are keeping their bows drawn, rather than smoothly drawing and releasing, which is why you see some of the arms shaking under the weight of the pull
- have stood losing any advantage they might have in cover
- have fully revealed their numbers
- established the group's speaker, who is most likely the leader
"You have to pay to pass through Estect's Valley! Hold or we will cut you down!"
You do not hold, for there is too much at stake.
Most importantly they are letting you continue to walk forward, wasting time with words, when they should cut you down.
The call to loose arrows comes a bit too late.
(end of round)
(start of new round)
You are within 28' of the bandits, leaving you within 50' of Nogglegrop and 110' of the women and children.
"Get the children out of arrow range!" Sajeek shouts over his shoulder after he watches his javelin lay deadly waste.., to the hillside. The Beastlord turns his burning emerald gaze towards the bandits.
A deep growl rolls off of the dark grey furred vah shir. The dark red tiger strips that claw through the grey, greedily drink in the sunlight, leaving them looking more like bloody gashes. The dervish robing wearing vah shir suddenly darts towards the group of bandits, loose lengths of cloth streaming behind Sajeek. The sharp blades of his clawed wraps glint in the light as he charges.
"DIE!!!" roars Sajeek as the Beastlord slashes with his claws. He was very aware of the bandit's drawn bowstrings, and his thoughts flicker to Bast sneaking forward. Not wanting to dig arrows out of the hide of a 500 pound tiger, Sajeek calls for his spirit-brother to attack.
Bast had been silently sneaking up, patient like the hunter he was. Ears suddenly perking straight up at the sound of his spirit-brothers call to attack, the tiger tears into a run. The tiger's claws gash open the plains dirt and sod as he goes from a slow belly crawl to full legged run.
The tiger roars a few heartbeats before sinking his fangs into one of the two legs.
Kwen shakes his head 'Amateurs' he thinks to himself, ducking possible arrow volleys he fires off another arrow at another target target letting the poison that he had picked up or so long ago softening up the bandits.
Kwen also had a troublesome thought, this could be a diversion, after all the plains were a dangerous place. After all this work that the party had done in the last month, it made a sick kind of sense, pushing that worry to the back of his mind he lets fly another arrow, then starts moving forward.
damage
poison DC 15
damage from poison
10 rounds later another 1d4
movement 20 ft holstering short bow.
These highwaymen are green, thinks Revery. Best to scare them off, if Bast hasn't effectively done that already. He buffs himself with a quick spell (Minor Shielding; AC armor bonus +2). Then he chooses a bandit, a large one this time, as the subject of his Fear spell.
Quickened Minor Shielding, free action, no AOO (8 mana)
+2 Armor Bonus to AC, +2 buff bonus to HP (HP bonus doesn't stack with Inner Fire's)
Fear (7 mana)
Lasts for rounds.
Save: Will 21 negates
(AC 13, hp: 45/42, mana: 86/108)
A Northwoman is never truly unarmed, for her body is a weapon. Standing 6'10" tall, not including her distinctive horned helm, Gwendalyn jogs over to the would-be ambushers' spokesman and simply slams into him with over 350 lbs. of muscle, bone and kit. "Banditry is wrong! Run away or face the justice of the Tribunal!"
MA: move 30'
SA: slam for damage
FA: speech
Current Status
18 AC, 54/54 hp, 43/60 mana
Active Buffs
Talisman of the Beast (Bast, Gwendalyn, Kwen, Nogglegrop, Revery, Sajeek): +3 buff Str, indefinitely
Inner Fire (Bast, Kwen, Nogglegrop, Revery, Revery's pet, Sajeek): +1 insight AC & +3 buff hp, 60 minutes
Fleeting Fury (Gwendalyn 2): +1 insight AC, +4 Dex & +4 Str, 3 rounds
The first recipient of the rogue's ranged attack had seen better days.
Poison Damage (initial):
Fort Save (vs. DC 15 10 rounds later):
Poison Damage (10 rounds later):
Nogglegrop nods, heeding the beastlord's wise advice, and starts to herd the civilians back from the battle site. His voice does most of the work since his little armoured legs are painfully slow (15' base speed x3 for running in heavy armour). They easily outpace the gnome, which takes your cleric out of the battle.
(please include a DC 18 spot roll in your next post to see the two bandits that are sneaking along the hill to endanger the women and children)
Spot (Nogglegrop): (fail)
Bast charges seemingly out of nowhere, catching the closest bandit unawares, but his heavy paws fail to pierce the man's chain shirt. The kejek tiger steals the man's attention for Sajeek's follow-up blow, which easily finds a crease and leaves large gashes in the man's shoulder.
Kwen's second arrow is as accurate as his first, though this one finds a bit more meat. The poison once again bypasses the man's defences.
Fort Save (vs. DC 15):
Fort Save (vs. DC 15 10 rounds later):
Poison Damage (10 rounds later):
The rogue moves forward still holding his bow in hand (drawing/sheathing a weapon is a move action in itself).
Revery's spell descends on one of the larger men, oddly avoiding the spokesman of the group, after the enchanter was seeking out someone with a bent towards leadership. Either way the man decides that he has other things to do than mess with the physical presence that is Revery. The man beats feet.
Will Save (vs. DC 21):
Gwendalyn throws herself into the closest man she can find, leaving a large welt running across the man's forehead where her helmeted head had found purchase.
2 men have been poisoned.
2 men arre running scared.
2 other men have disappeared.
Another has been slashed by the beastlord, another barely missed by a giant tiger, and another by the barbarian.
The spokesman speaks again with the words one would expect from foes so overmatched, "WE YIELD! You may pass in peace.."
A number of hands shoot into the air, and your ears hear a cascade of bandit's weapons hitting the ground.
It takes time to gather up the scattered bandits, and by that point many civilians can die. Only sharp eyes will have made the difference.
(end of combat)
Revery sighs and glances around suspiciously, wondering where the other two have disappeared to.
Spot:
Seeing the two sneaks, he points, and calls out, "Danger! You two there, don't do anything you'll regret! The tiger is hungry!"
Gwendalyn is actually a little surprised when her melodramatic threat seems to work, then sighs when Revery points out the two trying to flank them and get to the women and children. She looks around for the ones that ran away from Revery, to make sure that they weren't trying anything similar on their way back.
Spot:
"You know, I have quite a range on that spell -- but I don't actually have to hit them, when you're right here." She draws Zaruksis's wicked-looking spiked chain. "A leader is responsible for his commands. Tell them to back off, and I won't have to punish you for their actions."
Gwen adds, "Tell us which way to the bridge with the portal, and..." She pauses and considers. "What do you think is a fair trade for that?" She looks around at the others of her group within speaking distance. "Dropping their weapons when we see our destination, so they won't be helpless?"
The mystic has another idea when she looks at how hard it would've been for so few of them to protect so many, if the bandits had better leadership. "Perhaps we could even hire them as guards, in case we encounter worse ere we get there. What would be the going rate for that?"
"Hire them as guards? How hard did you hit your head?" Sajeek stares at Gwen. "Hire the same a&~&#**s who were getting ready to attack and kill a bunch of women and children? Spirits woman, no. Just no. I say kill them now, so that they won't be attacking anymore travelers." The vah shir shakes his head, metal claws still uncomfortably close to the neck of the man he had attacked. "Or they can start running now and never, ever cross our path again."
At the call of the two sneaks, Sajeek follows Rev's pointed finger, his emerald eyes seeking out the two whom were hiding.
Not spying them, Sajeek emerald gaze burns into the apparent leader of the bandits. His eyes narrow.
"Call them back or you all die. Painfully." Sajeek growls staring at the man. There is no attempt at a bluff or intimidation on Sajeek's part. There is bloodlust in his glare. He would die before he let any of the bandits lay a finger on any of the kids or their mothers. And he would certainly kill the bandits if they tried anything aggressive.
The points of his claws dig into the throat of the man he had cut, just enough to cause blood to well up around the points of the metal claws. A deep, feral sound growl comes from Bast as he waits for Sajeek's word to attack or stand down.
Kwen spins around, taking a hard look for the other two that Revery called out.
Spotting the two trying to sneak off to attack the women and children, Kwen stops moving, brings his bowstring up to his check then yells " OI!! Stop moving now, If you wish to live! "
Taking aim with another arrow at the two greenhorn bandits, hoping more or less to scare them, if they kept trying to creep onto the women and children, one of them was getting in arrow.
ranged attack if they keep moving toward the women and children
It only takes a few words and a bowshot to alert Sajeek and Bast to the danger, but more importantly to stop the men in their tracks. Seeing how impossibly quickly the rest of their force had been easily routed, they also surrender. Keen eyes and quick tongues had dealt with a threat as easily as a claw, bone, sinew and magic could have.
A few of the men take the distraction, of their fellows being caught, as a perfect opportunity to run far from this place. Such cowardice was likely a prerequisite for such a vocation. At Sajeek's comment about running for the hills other men slowly back away and work on their sprinting skills.
Like reeds blown in a heavy wind a number of the raised hands blow to the west in answer to Gwendalyn's question about the direction to the bridge. You are a few hours from the river, if you continue south, and 16 days to the bridge.
Seeing that the threat has been dealt with the gnome and his charges start to tentatively move back towards the group.
You are left with just a handful of bandits that are not sure if running is just a ploy to kill them when their backs are turned.
"I say we let them go. We are busy and I really don't want to bury anyone right now, or worse, drag them along with us," says Revery to the others.
"They should use their bows to hunt game, and trade for the fur and meat they garner from that hunting."
Sajeek looks at the few bandits that didn't run.
"Leave your arrows," he points at the ground. "And then never cross our paths again." The Beastlord growls as he watches the bandits.
After they flee, Sajeek looks over at Rev and grins.
"I figured a few more of the mothers having bows and some arrows couldn't hurt. Well, depending on their aim, it might."
17 days pass of traveling alongside the raging river. You have committed far too much to this direction to easily make the decision to turn back.
A few creatures were encountered, including a distant flying pegasus, and a walking tree, but none came close enough to really threaten the group.
It takes awhile, but the women lose their guarded stance, and comfortably mingle with the party. They take your names, calling the group 'Pravus Mortis' the whole time, and tell you about them. Friendships are formed, and you have an open invitation for dinner anytime you are near their abodes.
Pieces of information attract your attention:
- None that they know wrote the words, "Bewarr Swine."
- Firiona Vie remains lost and the war continues to rage on Kunark between the iksar and Koada'dal.
- The prince of the dwarven kingdom of Kaladim is a mute.
- The civil war in Freeport rages in the streets.
Nogglegrop had given up on holding any mana in reserve, and instead has spent his entire magical compliment to ensure that everyone has 3 squares a day. The treacherously-fast river provides all the fresh water anyone would ever want.
It is an overcast day when you glance ahead and see something strange. It is a structure like none of you, save Sajeek, have ever seen. It dwarfs any structure seen before with runed spires, made of white marble, reaching up hundreds of feet towards the heavens. These spires are like 4 claws coming out of the ground and nearly touching each other.
You have arrived.
An hour south of inactive spires is the bridge and the guards that station it.
You stand amongst the spires as the first Qeynos guard approaches. Your passing was tracked long before this moment, but this is when they offer aid. The women will be cared for and brought back to their homes. Many tears are shed as they say their goodbyes to the party and are brought into a small stronghold, which straddles the bridge that leads towards South Karana and Sajeek's parents.
"Pravus Mortis" faction adjustments:
(+1 faction with Qeynos guards)
(+2 with karana gypsies and farmers)
You are free to cross the bridge, as are all with a goodly bent.
" Get a real job, go back to the cities and learn to be either a true thief, join a guild, or get an honest job. You are not cut out for this, in the least be glad that you alive, I hear that you are in the area doing this again, well we will hunt you down.... have a pleasant journey." Kwen says to the ones that were slow to follow the others fleeing for their lives.
" Good call Sajeek, better to arm the other's, worse case they shoot you in the butt. " Kwen says with a chuckle after the last of the bandits had fled out of ear shot.
Gwendalyn is truly impressed by the spires. I wonder what it's like to be a wizard, and make such great things? Her feelings about saying goodbye to the women and their children are more mixed.
When they were on the move, she was all business; but when they camped, she enjoyed the attention of the little ones, answering their questions and telling the stories of the North. However, it was a constant reminder of what she couldn't have, as long as she continued to adventure -- not that she felt ready to settle down yet, but still. She was happy to be able to hand them off when they got fussy or bratty, but sometimes she'd see a mother interacting with her child and wonder what it would be like...
Anyway, protecting and providing for such a large group was a large responsibility, and one that she was happy to be done with. "Where's the nearest trading post? I'm getting tired of lugging that lizard's stuff around, and I wouldn't mind learning a new spell or two."
The guards do a double take when they see Sajeek. Vah shir were not uncommon on Norrath, but the portal had not been active in months...
With a bemused smile the guard points to the northwest, then northeast and south. As he points he says, "Qeynos, Rivervale, Oggok, all months away." Qeynos would be an option, though Rivervale is a question because you don't know how you would be received by the halflings. Oggok is a totally different matter, since you're positive that the ogres would not be all that helpful."
They offer to purchase the spare items (50% of book value), and will sell supplies (book value) but have no spells to sell.
It must be a lonely duty to man an outpost so deep in the wild, but these human soldiers maintain a polite mien and a friendly demeanour. You are positive that there are many more within the outpost that you have not seen yet.
"Can we help you plan your journey? Where are you off to?"
Nogglegrop had connected most strongly with the children, possibly due to most of them being at his eye level, and it is the children that take his leaving the hardest. The gnome offers to pay what he can for the women and children to find their way, but the guards wave off the offer.
If you are willing to wait a week you can join a caravan traveling south.
Well this is very nice Kwen thinks, looking at the outpost, feeling a bit more relaxed after traveling for so long, watching out for trouble had been stressful to say the least. Kwen had been friendly enough to the women and children, not truly understanding that Justis had such a crush on the half elf, he was just glad that she was alive, and that no one had died under his watch.
" I don't know, where will our next stop be? Qeynos? Are we in a hurry?" Kwen asks the others, once they had a better idea where they would travel the rogue would ask the men stationed at the outpost for some more information.
The time had marched by as the large group travels towards the portal spires. Sajeek and Bast had moved around tirelessly, trying to keep an eye out and keep the freed slaves safe. Not to mention hunting, Noggy had prayed and was blessed with a bounty of bread to feed everyone, and Sajeek preferred meat in his diet.
Much to the amazement of his friends, Sajeek doesn't seek to share bedrolls with any of the woman. The vah shir is all smiles and flirts a bit after the freed women start to open up after their captivity, but remarkably restrained. Of course, the vah shir has been pushing himself pretty hard. Between scouting and hunting, still keeping watch, Sajeek falls asleep nightly, holding the sheet that briefly talked about his foster parents. The few sentences written by a madman had reignited his drive to find them.
After all, it was completely his own fault that they had Luclin in the first place. Sajeek stares off into the distance as he he hopes that they are still alive.
The sight of the spires brings a smile to his muzzle. They had done it. They had gotten the mother and their cubs to the spires. Alive, fed and physically healed. Sajeek was very pleased with himself and his friends in getting everybody here.
Saying his goodbyes, the vah shir hugs and give cheek licks. He thinks about resupplying and nods at the guards offer.
"Well, I'm heading south. I looking for my adoptive parents. They were heading south the last I knew." The vah shir tells the guard that asks them if they needed any help. He tells the guard what they looked like, sticking mostly with fur coloration.
At Kwen's question, Sajeek shrugs his shoulders.
"I'm heading south, that is where it was written that my parents my have gone, so I'm back on the hunt," Sajeek says. He mulls over the thought of waiting for the caravan. "I'm not sure if I want to wait around for the caravan. They move to slow and seem to draw more attention. I'm pretty sure we can move a hell of a lot faster. The main perk I can think of with traveling with the caravan is the extra number of people around in case of being attacked."
Revery had tried the combination "bewarr swine", since it was eleven letters, and even though he didn't expect it to yield any results. Perhaps it was an anagram for something else. There are plenty of those, but he couldn't think of any that made any sense. But he tried it anyway.
Evenings were spent this way, and perusing the iksar paper, and also educating the children. He found the children to have a range of abilities; some were quick to pick up new concepts, while others were liable to get bored and run off after a frog or a rabbit. That bothered Revery, but he tried to lighten up; after all, this was not their real school, it was just an opportunity to help them move ahead a little in their educations.
The trip had been long, and they had discussed what would be coming next. Revery had agreed to go along with Sajeek, since he had nothing else to do at the moment; though he did hope they would be able to figure out the Iksar's writings soon and move onto whatever was next in order to get closer to solving that particular problem, the one with the longing...
Finally the spires of the portal came into view, and Revery is suitably impressed. He is at first wary of the guards, but soon finds them to be quite satisfactory. He asks them what will happen to the women and children, when they are 'relieved' of them. He says goodbye to each of them in turn, saying their names and only getting a few of them mixed up. He has recorded their home addresses and names, on the chance that he may be near one of those locations at some time in the future.
He is surprised that there is not more of a 'town' here, but, he supposes, being so far from major centers keeps it this way.
When asked about directions, he absent mindedly says "South" as he knows that's where Sajeek's parents had supposedly headed. He adds a question to the guard: "Will the caravan master pay us to help guard their caravan, if we go with them?"
" Alright so we are going south then, works for me. I'll see what I can learn about the road ahead of us, although at little bit of coin to be made, working with the caravan at least there could be some safety in numbers. At the very least some minor resupplying, that way poor Noggy won't need to spend all of his spell power in feeding us." Kwen says with a smile, ruffling some of the kids hair, glad that they were going to be alright. The ones that Revery had trouble with teaching them things Kwen had taken under his wing, teaching them a few tricks that the rogue had learned. Nothing involving stealing, this was more or less about some dagger tosses, moving quietly and a few basic lock picking lessons, since the rogue didn't have a spare lock for them to work with.
" Also Gwen do you mind if I use the chain shirt that we found, my leather armor is starting to collect a lot of holes in it from all the arrows I ate." The Rogue says with a grin, pointing at a few of the arrows holes that were made from the traps.
"Not at all!" Gwendalyn smiles back. "In fact, I was about to ask if anyone would like any of that stuff before I sold it. I'd like to keep the spiked chain, since I sold mine awhile back in Freeport, for boat fare. And the belt pouch is handy; I should've gotten one ages ago. But I don't really need anything else."
Thinking for a few minutes, Sajeek shakes his head "no." The vah shir had eyeballed the stuff off of the melted iskar. Nothing really popped out at him, so he was good on the burnt smelling gear. He pauses for a moment.
"Wait, I lied, I'll take the lantern since one of you, not going to point fingers," Sajeek points his finger at Rev. "decided to throw my lantern into a pit."
"Oh, by the way, we are heading into giant territory. Just thought I'd give everyone the heads up," Sajeek smiles at his friends, before turning his gaze southwards for while.
The comment was made this very day, so you have not had sufficient time to translate the "ramblings." Letters fall into place as the keyword "bewarr swine" is applied to the cipher. It appears likely that it was Swenj's hand that "penned" that message, and lead you to the top of the hole, then urged you inside to see it. Tonight you will know all.
Some of the women are known to the guards, as can be seen in short order as more guards pour out of the stronghold. The guards will work with the women to put them on caravans to get back to their families, or in the case of those that do not have families, to find them a place where they would like to end up. They agree to all leave their information with the Qeynos guard should the group seek to find them later on, and considering that the group is wanting to own property in the future these might become some of the earliest homesteaders.
The guards nod, it is likely that the caravan master will pay the group. It will be a pittance compared to the wealth they carry, but their meals will be covered.
None of the guards recognize the markings of Sajeek's foster parents, but they do provide the lay of the land south of the bridge, and give the most likely route a traveler would take to get to the mountains, which are the likely destination for someone seeking out giants.
The expansive Plains of Karana roll on farther than most people in Norrath have ever traveled. Farmers have hard-earned homesteads across the land, and they gather in small communities, about a day's walk away from each other. Meanwhile, bandits, gnolls, undead and hill giants all seem to be in competition to see who can take over the plains first. Of course, this is practically impossible. Even if the farmers weren't tough as shoe leather, the plains are so large that total domination is nearly unfeasible. The guards tell you about an aviak town near the Mountains of Rathe.
Enormous Lake Rathetear feeds the Greenblood River via a magnificent 300' waterfall. The area around the lake is fraught with dangers, from the obvious goblins and gnolls, to the subtler danger of being cheated by gypsy traders. Small bandit "kingdoms" also pop up in and around the lake, with the bandit kings often warring with each other.
The Mountains of Rathe in southern Antonica are home to many giants and their kin. Legend has it that an unknown number of sphinxes await those bold enough to take the challenge of a riddle that would yield unknown fates. Deep within the shadow of the mountains, the gloomy spires of the Temple of Malice ascend overhead. The followers of the Child of Hate, Lanys T'Vyl, founded this landmark.
(Congratulations: ding level 7!)
Revery looks at Sajeek and protests. "It was a gnoll who did that, not I. And it was a chasm, not a pit. And you did point. But thanks for the heads up, about the giants!" Revery looks up and smiles at Sajeeks bad joke.
He speaks only to the others in the group: "I may have unlocked Swenj's code. I shall try the entire document when I have some time later. Now, about those giants. I am not comfortable having a fifteen foot tall person hitting me with a big pointy club. Is there anything we can do about that?"
"Unlocked the code, excellent. I have to admit to being curious to know what is in his journal, or whatever you want to call it," Sajeek says with a nod.
"As far as what we can do about the big, mean person hitting you, I recommend dodging," the vah shir says, his emerald eyes twinkling. "In seriousness, I don't really plan on running up to every giant we see and picking a fight. More of sneaking around and trying to avoid drawing attention to ourselves. Not really the greatest plan, more of a thing. Respect the thing." Sajeek grins.
"Oh, and the guards mentioned a town near the mountains. If I am even vaguely lucky, someone there will have seen my foster parents," the young Beastlord scratches Bast's ears. The tiger had returned from licking a few of the children. "Big softie," Sajeek mutters to the tiger.
The guard waits for an opportunity to speak, "I spoke of an 'aviak town', which is an elevated town peopled by a race of animal-level intelligence birdmen. You will wish to avoid them, for they will steal anything brightly coloured and shiny on your person. Should you attack them you will likely rue it for they are powerful creatures."
" Thank you that is very good to know, I think only one of us has something that would be bright and shiny. Of course some of us are dressed in dark color's, they might try and steal Sajeek here." Kwen says with a grin, trying to plot out how to attack flying creatures if it would come to that.
"Revery, I'm glad that you were able to figure out the journal, sorry that I didn't get a chance to help out more with that." the rogue says with a apologetic smile.
"Noggy, perhaps when we get some down time and another safe place to stay, perhaps you wouldn't mind taking a look my lock picks, and seeing what you can do to make them just a bit better." Kwen whispers to the gnome.
" Perhaps good man you wouldn't mind letting us take a few more moments of your time and letting us know a few more things about the route south, please, any other surprises to keep an eye out for." Kwen asks the guard
dipolomacy
gather information
"Okay, uh... hmm." Gwendalyn is starting to look more dubious as she considers their plan. "Are we sure that we're ready for this? I remember the last time we tangled with giants, and I still have nightmares." She shudders, remembering an explosion of blood and gore spraying from Cazel's foot, and a woman's scream being silenced in Vies's mouth. "Perhaps we should come back later, when we have stronger magic. Like Pandemic. Remember how he stuck that giant in place and just ignored him? I'd like to be able to do that."
"The rest of you can do as you wish, I'm not saying anyone has to come with me," Sajeek with a shrug of his furry shoulders. "This is as close to their trail as I have been in years. And considering it's my fault they came to Norrath in the first place, I am going after them." The vah shir looks off into the distance. "No matter what, I will find them, everything else can wait."
"If you don't want to come, let me know where you want to met you in a few months to a year." It goes without saying that the vah shir will be taking the page written in Iskar blood with him.
Nogglegrop virtually explodes with excitement at the proposition that someone might require his tinkering services. Tinkering is both the greatest endeavour and greatest achievement of a gnome's existence. Such an application of gnomish science, in the engineering of a variety of mechanical products, was a noble pursuit and actually the only thing his family had ever lauded him for. His next words come out so fast that they seem to be just one long one, "IfanyofyoueverneedanythingmadejustaskandIwouldlovetohelpbecauseI..." He draws in a rapid breath, "thinkthatsometinkereditemsmightactuallyhelpoursurvivabilitywhatdoyouthink? " By the time you recognize that he had turned the end of the sentence up, in the matter of a question, he is already speaking again about things that you only have catch.
The long story short for Kwen is that it will take 77 pieces of gold, 5 pieces of silver, to hand over his thieve's tools, and to find the gnome a rat and sever its ear. Nogglegrop flops down and makes the attempt over the next 13 hours, either as the group waits for the caravan, or able to do it as they walk.
Tinkering (vs. DC 13): (success)
Kwen is left with a sophisticated set of prodding gears that seem to take on a life of their own in his hands. The reason for the rat ear is not entirely clear, but the lockpicks only spin aimlessly without it.
The gnome looks to the others, wondering if they have the funds and interest for him to craft them something.
He was a long way from his dream, of wandering Norrath in a set of Clockwork Watchman Armour that he had crafted himself, but his skills were getting better each day.
"Many weeks will it take to trek from this spot," With this the young human male stomps his foot onto the solid stone of the construction of the bridge releasing a dull thump, "to the shores of Lake Rathetear."
His voice echoes forth from his helmeted head, and his platemail gauntleted hand redundantly points to the south, so all are on the same parchment.
Glancing into the distance, as if seeing everything he is talking about, he says, "You will find aviak, shadowed men, gno..."
Seeing your faces crinkle in confusion he chuckles, likely wondering if you know what you are about to get into, "Shadowed men are a race of invisible men who wander the world seeking some secret magic they claim is destined to make them all-powerful. They are naturally invisible and seem to have no need for sleep, food or rest. I have heard from those that can see invisible creatures that they are black-clad humanoids, charcoal gray in colour and with emotionless, vaguely elven features. They are strong, swift and ruthless, needing little provocation for attack."
The guard continues, "Gnolls, undead, treants, centaurs, the occasional giant, pegasus..." He leaves the thoughts to linger as an introduction to some of the highlights rather than a comprehensive list of the hundreds of creatures that call the Karanas their home.
You recognize how well-trained these guards must be to have such powerful foes on each side of their bridge, with their closest support possibly weeks away.
"Lake Rathetear is a large lake, almost a small sea, that sits nestled in the distant wilds of Antonica. Many individuals who like to get away from the main population centers come to here and the Rathe Mountains because of their relative seclusion, and the lake and its surroundings are home to many who have carved out their niche. Aviaks, spellcasters, aqua goblins, ogres, bandits, barbarians, gypsies, sharks, gnolls, and the occasional hermit all reside in this area."
You see a flash of wanderlust in the guard's eye, perhaps showing a bit of good-natured jealousy that the group gets to adventure while he is bound to one place.
"Caravan riders are your best bet to avoid the static dangers, like the Splitpaw Lair, but they move slowly, and your journey will take longer."
A choice lies before you whether to go now, or wait a week.
Revery's agile mind replaces some letters, on the first sheet of parchment, and is surprised to find that the note has been specifically scribed for their eyes.
“To the five that will invariably slay me: Pravus Mortis,
Please ensure that my daughter is cared for: this is all for her.”
Sajeek looks at the guard and remembers to keep his mouth from falling open. He had been running around in the plains before he had been captured by slavers. The vah shir realizes how lucky he had been. He had ran away alot, but still. Damn lucky. 'That takes a bit away from the whole "Me being cursed thing," other vah shir muttered when I went by,' Sajeek thinks with a grin.
The young Beastlord looks out over the plains as he thinks. While he had Lithia and Raji's trail once more, he had to be smarter about searching for them. He wasn't just gambling with his own life anymore. There was Bast and the rest of his friends as well. If they waited, it would give everyone a much need mental break. The stress of getting the freed women and children had been immense.
"Okay, I've thought about it some more," Sajeek turns and nods his thanks to the guard. "After hearing some of the highlights of what might await us, it would be smarter and safer to travel with the caravan. Honestly, my foster parents won't really need rescuing if their still alive," Sajeek smiles rather proudly.
The next message:
“I am not, nor have I ever been, a good man. My means were always selfish as I sought out angles that would best benefit me, and I never truly mourned those that I crushed under heel to achieve my ends.
Then she was born and everything changed.
My past had long before caught up to me. My arrogance had long before resulted in the gods turning their backs on me. Power ran through my fingertips, but it was derived from another source.
That source was the Shissar.”
"Hmm, what kinda things could you make Noggy," Sajeek asks his gnomish friend a little bit later. "Anything thing that would let me see in the dark without light? Or maybe something that would help when I go out hunting?"
Bast bumps into Sajeek's hip, almost knocking the vah shir over. It was the tiger's little way of reminding the Beastlord that attention had not been cast his way in perhaps 15 minutes. Sajeek chuckles and scrathes behind Bast's ears. A loud, rumbling purr echoes from the big cat and his eyes are half-closed. The very picture of a content feline.
"Somebodies growling all friendly like," Sajeek teases as he keeps scratching. He was curious to know what Noggy could whip up for them. The Beastlord was also very interested to know what Rev had discovered in Swinj's journal.
Revery looks at Nogglegrop. "Yes, Noggy, I would like a suit of armor that doesn't interfere with my spells. I know that's impossible, or perhaps extremely expensive, but you did ask..."
Revery takes some time to unscramble the words of the clever Swenj, using the letters of "bewarr swine" as the key. He relates what he finds to the others, when there are no guards around, or other ears not trusted by Pravus Mortis. "He must have written this before his daughter, Rahn, died. Unless Justis is also his daughter? But no, she is pure elf and Swenj was human."
" Justis is wearing Rahn's clothes, although I wonder if Rahn died due to an aliment, and not because Swenj needed Rahn soul for something else." Kwen says with a sigh, his thoughts turning dark at what Swenj could have used a innocent soul to power his disturbing acts.
" Noggy, thanks! I'm sure I can think of other things that I might need your skills for, or at the very least I'd like to hear some ideas you might have as well, even if we have to wait until we have the right materials and money." Kwen says, pleased at what the gnome had created for the rogue.
" Revery, I'm not sure what to think at the moment, what else does the journal say? Do you need any more help with translating it, or have you unlocked the cipher completely?"