The Valwick Chronicles (Inactive)

Game Master Signore di Fortuna

Gashka moves forward with Anyka beside her.

The tunnels are covered in webs, making it difficult to proceed. You may either try to burn the webs or cut them down, though each option presents its own hazards.

---

The Summoners step through the portal after Naadhira and now you in the middle of the sprawling City of Brass. Spires reach toward the intimidating red sky and rivers of magma flow through the canals in the streets. Your guide turns to you. "Where do you need to go?"

Toni produces the compass and looks at it. "It looks we need to go that way."

She points down one of the main streets toward a sizable building.

Jin looks around, "Woooowwww....."

Gashka looks at Anyka, "So, should we try to burn them away, or cut them down."

Laenid takes in the scenery as well. "I don't feel comfortable here."

Before stepping through, Hitome utters a quiet prayer, reciting the rote phrase as a sudden coolness envelops her body. Moving into the area, she takes it all in, keeping herself a bit ahead. "This is definitely......different."

Cast Endure Elements.Unharmed and comfortable in conditions between -50 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit (-45 and 60 degrees Celsius) without having to make Fortitude saves.

"Cutting them might run the risk of getting stuck in them or losing our weapons." Anyka replies, looking at the webs that fill the area.

Vishanti slips her goggles on, allowing her to see as well in the dim light as the others, her vision peering into the darkness beyond.

Donning Goggles of Night

Jin rubs Laenid's arm in an attempt to comfort her, "I know it's all a little overwhelming, and maybe even a little scary looking, but you're not alone and we won't let anything happen to you. I promise. We're going to take care of what needs to be done, and then we're all going back home. Okay?" She moves her hand to her back and rubs it gently, "Okay Ms. Toni, we're ready when you are."

She nods, "Okay, so we'll try fire then. The rest of you move back a little first, you too Anyka." She says as she gets ready to put thed torch tho the webbing. Once Anyka and everyone else has moved back a little she raises the torch to the webbing. Once it starts to catch, she quickly moves back as well so as not to be caught in the flames as they wait for the webbing to burn away.

The webs burn quickly and, in the darkness beyond, Vishanti can see movement...a lot of movement.

---

Naadhira gives Toni a look of disapproval, but shakes her head. "Come along then. This is the road to the palace. I hope, for your sake, the one you seek is not there."

She strides forward, but at a slow enough pace for the others to keep up. The efreet carries a large blade at her side and you notice that her hand does not stray from the pommel. You catch sight of many races wandering the streets, usually in the company of a powerful outsider. Devils walk the streets freely, several with slaves in tow.

"Do not wander off," Naadhira warns. "Many here would be more than happy to enslave you."

Jin narrows her eyes, "They could try." She says, not easily intimidated. She listens to their guide and stays with them though. Taking Laenid's hand she gives it a comforting squeeze.

"They're coming. A lot of something, these caverns are full!" Vishanti says in warning to her companions.

"And fail." Hitome says calmly.

Looking around she asks, "Well...what should we do? We can't just leave them in here. We're gonna have to deal with it one way or another. Should we try some of the potions first and get them to scatter and just take on a couple or few at a time?"

Looking at Anyka and Chris she says, "I don't really know, I've never dealt with spiders before really. Well...there was one, but someone else took care of that. We can try the alchemist fire first and see if it thins them out enough for us to take on a few at a time. What do you guys think?"

"We could draw them back toward us, so we're not rushing headlong into a bad situation," Chris suggests. "And we can take them out a few at a time."

Naadhira leads the way towards the palace. "What does your fancy compass say now?"

Toni checks again as they near the imposing structure. "To the right."

You're not sure, but you think you hear a sigh of relief come from Naadhira's lips. She turns down a road by the palace and leads you to a wide plaza. Several platforms are erected here and you determine that this is a slave market.

Laenid is sickened by what she sees, but keeps her temper in check.

She nods her head, "Sounds good to me. Let's move back a bit so we don't get bottle necked in here." She suggests.

Jin tightens her grip on Laenid's hand slightly, but keeps herself in check. There were far too many powerful beings here to start a fight, and they wouldn't stand a chance.

Toni checks her compass before stopping at a stall. "This one."

Jin looks up and tries to figure out which person they're looking for, "How do you know which person it is, and how will we get them out of here?"

"All Summoners have a symbol on their forehead," Malyoxa answers. "Hopefully, we can just do a little negotiating."

"I'm sure the slave owner knows his worth," Naadhira says. "I suspect that the price will be five hundred gold."

"I don't want to act too eager though," Toni says. "Is there some sort of ruse we could use?"

"If they see our marks, it will give us away. I could disguise myself and stand with Gyo and Ms. Naadhira and act like I'm looking for a sevant, I could also try bargaining with them, and if all else fails I could try intimidation." She says as she tries to come up with different options. "You guys should stay back out of sight in case it goes bad. Ms. Naadhira, would itg be more believable if I acted as your slave, and you were the one trying to buy them? I could still used my words to try and drive the price down. What do you think?"

"We will not stay out of sight," Konstantyná states. "It would bring danger to either us or you."

She thinks for a bit, "Okay, you're probably right about that. So, I'll change my appearance and pretend to be Naadhira's slave and try to keep the price low? I've never really had to be sneaky in a life or death kinda situation before, but I think I can pull it off."

"I have an idea, if you are not too proud to wear some of our traditional slave outfits," Naadhira says. "Do not worry. They are very, very, very, very conservative."

"How conservative?"

"Only your eyes will be seen," Naadhira answers.

"Are you talking about burkas?"

"You know of them?" Naadhira asks, surprised.

Toni simply nods.

"No objections then?" Naadhira asks before glancing at Gyrthr. "You may have to wear something else. Burkas are a garment meant for females."

"As long as it is not a loincloth, I shall wear whatever makes this mission easier," Gyrthr says.

"I'm okay with it if it helps our cause. Should we leave our eidolons on their own plane for now? The disguise would probably work better if we didn't have them all around us...but we'll do this however you think is best since you know how these people operate. It would keep our marks hidden as well." She says, thinking out loud.

Svanna grins slyly as her husband says 'loincloth'.

Jin looks at Laenid, "Do not worry. I won't let anything happen to you. I know this is very hard on you, but we can't afford to lose the battle here. We are in their world, so we must play by their rules if we are to succeed in our mission. Okay? If it starts to go bad, I'll just pop over to the one we seek, pop back with them and we'll get the hells out of here. Sound good?" She says, trying to offer some kind of comfort to Laenid, knowing what kind of hell she had been subjected to, Jin knew this was not easy for the other summoner.

Naadhira approaches Jin. "Since you have a silver tongue and that might come in handy, I will dress you up as a slave of importance. If you need to speak to the slave trader, you will be able to do so."

She then looks at Gyrthr. "I will find you clothing fitting of a house guard, though your armor is a bit conspicuous. You needn't speak, but bring up the rear of the group."

"And the rest of us stay quiet?"

"If you wish to keep things simple, then yes," Naadhira answers, leading the group back toward the main road and down another to arrive at a bazaar. With a practiced eye, she selects appropriately-sized garb for everyone and a suit of flimsy chainmail for Gyrthr. "I expect to be repaid for these purchases."

"Sounds like a solid plan." Anyka says moving back. "Last thing we need is to rush in and end up surrounded."

Hitome dons the unusual garb and falls in behind Jin and Laenid.

Gyrthr struggles with the turban and the sashes of his outfit. "Is it customary for your house guards to look like garish prostitutes?"

"The number of sashes correspond to a guard's station," Naadhira answers without humor. "It is an emphasis of form over function."