"There's a Legion that never was listed"- Party 2

Game Master Ghost1776

Cerene "Nine altogether, if you can spare them Mr. Forge. My schoolmate here forgot to include a Captain of the Imperial Guard who is traveling with us. Some of our group is arranging other details of our trip to Khofre."

"Nine?" Forge raises an eyebrow "Well that was a bit more than I was expecting but for members of the Great Houses I think I can do something, altough I'm afraid you'll have to take a mix." He whistles in a distictive pattern and a number of groomsmen bring over nine horses. All have clearly been combat trained (2 light warhorses, 5 medium warhorses, 2 heavy warhorses)and all are of excellant health and quality. "Now your father Cerene sent along a generous letter of credit, but it won't cover nine of my horses and their gear, I'll need at least another 500 gp, 2000gp would be the price for anyone else. I'll just send that bill to your father then?"

Granny Odd says with a grin "Bait. They're bait potions. Just enough magic to attract young eyes to my store. Oh the magic's real enough, cure light wounds and oil of magic weapon but their purpose sitting in the window is to draw the attention of young weilders before the Imperials find them." She pauses for a moment as a thought clearly occurs to her. "You do know that no one ever fails out the Imperial Mage Academy unless they have powerful political connections or massive wealth? Would you find it strange that real number of IMA graduates is much lower than the official one? In fact the ratio of those who finish to those that start is three out of five the same as the ratio of pre Backlash magical schools. You ever wonder whatever happens to all those failed students?"

"Let me guess: they're used as test subjects for the graduating class." Tassira replies, dryly.

She's joking. At least, that's what she's hoping.

"Probably why I'm glad I never went to the Mage Academy."

"Hmmm" Granny reaches below the counter and puts a copy of Mathematics, Magic, and the Ancients on the counter. She then places something that looks a lot like a Thassilonian memory crystal on the counter, only unlike the one you saw at the Professor's will reading this one is dull angry looking red, it makes you uneasy to look at it. She then places a globe like metal device that you don't recognize next to it, but you can see several buttons on the side near the base and there is a slot to slide the crystal into it.

"About 30 years ago the Imperial Magical Corps of Engineers started using crystals to 'power' magical devices." She takes the crystal and puts and the device. "Freeing up the mages of the corps from mundane duties like water purification and sewage treatment or water pumps for the mega cities of the empire." She presses one of the buttons and a light fills the room as if the light spell had been cast. "They are being used for other things too, I have it on very good authority that their almost done retrofitting one of the air battleships. They claim the crystal is supplying the power. My question to you, where is the crystal getting its power?"

"We can pay our own way.He pulls out his money purse with the 40 platinum."I'll have to come back with the rest, but here is some of the money."

Tassira has a look in her eye that clearly says she doesn't want to know.

But of course, she has to ask.

"...mages?" She asks, her face rapidly draining of color.

Great. First a teenage girl has her parents slain in front of her, then slavers start looking for us, and now I've just learned that the Empire is taking the term 'human resources' too sodding literally. Lovely day, all around.

"...I think I begin to understand the problem here." Kariel blinked, looking surprised but not as upset as some people might have expected. It wasn't like a revelation of this type changed her fundamental goals and plans - it was just an additional consideration to help people move away from. Even worse, it was an unfortunately short-sighted effort, so getting them to move away might actually be fairly easy once a better alternative could be offered. Self-interest was a very effective motivator.

Granny sighs "I think so, I truly think so, but I can't prove it." She taps the crystals "I really expected this to a mage's soul trapped in here but it's not. I think, after talking to a elderly Tien monk I know, that it may be the energy generated by a mage's soul if that's true I have no idea how they're pulling it off." She shakes her head "anyhow the reason the potions are in the window is so that I can remove a few of the young ones before they 'disappear'."

Forge accepts the money. "I will write up a bill of sale and give you a week to pay before sending a bill for the rest of the price onward to you head of house. Have a good day." One of the groomsmen helps you get the horses and their gear back to Inn, where you discover that Forge has had your rooms provided to you at no charge.

Tassira can only hope that the crystals Granny Odd is referring to are voluntarily made and powered. The alternative...

She shudders.

"Thank you for your time, Ma'am." She says with a quick bow.

She looks over at the two potions in the window.

"How much for those potions?"

"Wait." Vigar interjects.
Taking another 10 platinium pieces and handing it over.
"This should make it paid in full now."

1 platinium piece is 5 gp pieces so 50pp is 250gp, so you still owe another 250gp for the horses and riding gear

Back in the shop

Granny says "You can have both potions for the cost of Miss Wings wearing the hat while she's in my city. She can will it to like like a hat or ribbon or a comb, whatever as long she tones down the attention that she's drawing to herself."

Is that a setting thing, because I just looked at the srd and it says 10gp to the platinum.

Hmm That would make it pretty difficult to pay up then. We would have to pool everybody's cash pool together and even then it may not be enough, seeing as half of our party is out shopping.

Tassira nods in gratitude to Granny Odd.

"My thanks."

She takes the potions from the display stand and pockets them.

She turns to Kariel and Marrovak (who had been curiously quiet the whole time). "Shall we be off?"

And, incidentally, has anyone heard from Marrovak's player?

Kariel's expression seemed... a little concerned, perhaps, as she calmly returned the hat to Granny Odd. "Thank you for your consideration, but I don't think the mild convenience of the potions is worth the lies I'd have to tell to get them. However, please rest assured that we will not be in the city for very long anyway, so you will not have to suffer the burden of our presence for more than a little while. Tassira, please put the potions back." Quite calmly, she stepped outside of the shop and back into the light of the sun, where she waited for the others to conclude any business they might have had.

Tassira shrugs her shoulders and returns the potions to their spots in the display stand. She has a concerned look in her eye, though.

She waves goodbye to Granny Odd and moves to catch up to Kariel, dragging Marrovak & his wolf behind her.

"Are you sure that was a good idea?" She asks. Her eyes glance all around at the streets & buildings of Varde, worried. "Hanging onto that hat would make it easier to blend in here... we could be here for longer than you think."

Kariel nodded. "I'm sure. Hiding who I am would certainly be easier, but being easy doesn't make something right. The gods healed me so that I could speak to the people for them, and make a change for the better in this world, and to hide myself simply for the sake of convenience goes against everything I believe. If I'm willing go against the mission I've been called to do simply for the convenience of a pair of potions, then what would I find myself doing if something truly important was on the line? I suppose that others might laugh at me for this, but whether it's easy or hard, I will follow my path to the end." Her mouth twitched slightly.

"Besides, being famous is a kind of protection in and of itself. Most slavers are self-centered individuals, and they fear reprisal from beings in authority - and when they realize that the gods are still watching them, perhaps they will reconsider their ways. I'm not afraid of being cut up, either. In all the years I spent as a slave for the wealthy, the worst they ever did was bleed me a little, and they never liked that particular experience. They seemed to think I was much more valuable in one piece..." She held up her artificial arm and looked at the grains. "...Well, mostly in one piece, anyway. And if I'm going to convince people to listen to me and help me change this world for the better, then I'm not going to start out by deceiving them for my own benefit."

"That's the problem, though; we aren't famous." Tassira says. "At best, were just some random Alenkine girls (and one half-orc) who might be worth something if we're held for ransom. At worst, we're abnormally beautiful women who likely won't be missed if someone up and decides to kidnap us."

"Sure, the worst your old captors ever did to you was bleed you, but I doubt we'll be meeting your old captors. Instead, we'll probably run into someone who isn't nearly as concerned with collateral damage and is just looking for an easy score." She continues. Her voice is thick with worry.

"A-and... there are more immediate concerns right now than what the gods think of you." She finishes, her voice becoming very subdued. "We need you here." Her voice is shaky.

Kariel gently hugged Tassira. "Don't worry, I have no plans to leave you behind." the Aasimar said. "But you shouldn't let your fears of what might happen stop you from doing what's right. There are countless ways for any action to go wrong, and I think it would be much worse to try and fail than to never try anything at all. Just have a little faith... and if you're not ready to believe in the gods, then believe in yourself instead." she smiled cheerfully.

Tassira feels herself blush when Kariel hugs her.

"I wish I had your optimism..." She says. She returns Kariel's hug.

She looks all around. "We should get back. Odds are, the rest of the gang is waiting on us."

Nice bit of RP between Tassira and Kariel there. Character development and Marrovak's being missing for a while.

Kariel simply clasped her hands behind her back as she started walking back towards their resting place. "I don't really think of it as optimism." she said, considering Tassira's words thoughtfully. "Another way to put it is... I know the Gods. They're not abstract ideas to me, like words from a preacher or writings in a book. They touched me, and even now all I have to do is concentrate in order to touch their power. Regardless of what happens to me in life, I know that they're waiting to welcome my soul someday... for me, my destination is secured, so I'm not too picky about how I get there. Even the worst pains and punishments are temporary at best, and that gives me the courage to face them. I wasted decades of my life in anger and torment, turning away from all that was good, and now... now I just want to do the best that I can. Maybe I'll succeed, maybe I won't, but at least I'll always be able to like the person I see in the mirror. That's the sort of life I want to live."

Horse Buyers

Forge accepts the money "I'll have paid in full put on the bill of sale."

You all head back to the Inn where you are soon joined by the shopping expedition and Captain Miles.

Hello again Captain. I trust your errands went well.

Tassira arrives on the scene with Kariel, Marrovak & Chalimar in tow.

"Hey everyone."

She walks up to the meeting point, wringing her hands.

"So, what happened while we were out?"

Nothing much. We have horses now. How did shopping go? Anything thing good?

Tassira cringes.

"Well... I got my hands burned, Chalimar got covered in whipped cream (don't ask), we met a nice old lady who knew Professor Crispin, and we learned that slavers & mad scientists and all other sorts of unsavory types are looking for Kariel and I." She says. Her voice is alarmingly dry.

"Apparently, I'm in the 0.5th percentile of beauty. Kariel is even more so than that." Her eyes look all around. "Word got around."

Vigar whistles.
"Well you're both among the most beautiful women I've seen in my life if the most and that's being honest. I need to speak to Kariel and to all of you. Hirako here said she would like to be siblings with either yoursef Tassira or me. If Kariel would do us the honors of performing the sibling rites and we can get the relevant documents up. It would keep Hirako safe from Imperial hands."

Looking at Chalimar....
"How? Never mind, Let's see you get cleaned up.
Glancing at Tassira
"Burned? If you're with Kariel, I supposed she healed your hands but come let me take a look at them if they still sting. A good wash with cool water should take it off. Shall we? I never bathe a wolf before. Hirako? Tassira?"

Kariel cleared her throat. "Yes, there should be no problems with performing the rites. Just tell me when you'd like to get started." the said, smiling at Vigar. Among other things, her ties to the gods did give her a certain amount of authority to perform ceremonies, and it wasn't actually that complicated to do. Well, except for the paperwork, anyway. That was the way things went. It probably was best to get things done earlier rather than later, too...

Tassira is surprised (to say the least) that Hirako wishes to be her (or Vigar's) sibling. The idea that Kariel can perform the necessary rites reminds her of something she forgot to ask.

"Um, Kariel... how does the sibling-bonding-ceremony-thing work? I'm afraid I'm not very familiar with that sort of magic." She asks, blushing a bit.

"And, Vigar, maybe it'd be for the best if you gave Chalimar a bath. You're Marrovak's twin; he'll likely listen to you more than me. And if not... then allow me to apologize in advance. Don't worry about me; my hands are fine now."

Nodding, he brings Chalimar to the back to give him a bath.
"Hirako, do stay with them please. I need to see about giving a wolf his bath."

Handle Animal 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
The battle begins!!!!
Vigar fills the tub with water
Chalimar jumps right in, splashing it out and everything else around.
Vigar is damp but resumes filling the tub with water.
Chalimar shakes.
Vigar is now wet and grabs the soap.
Chalimar runs and Vigar now chases, Vigar slips and falls on the soap, crashing into Chalimar and managing to pin Chalimar down.
Vigar uses Soap!!!
Chalimar whines!!!
Vigar uses water from tub!!!!
Chalimar shoves Vigar and soap into tub.
Vigar is soaked.
Vigar attempts to dry off Chalimar.
Chalimar shows Vigar how it's done with vigorus shakes and skips off.
VIgar changes clothing after letting the wolf run free.
Time taken 1 hour.....
Result Chalimar 1 Vigar 0. Chalimar is now clean. Vigar now has a change of clothes.
Battle Ends!!!

Returning, Vigar glares at the wolf as it pads in pleased with itself. like a boss

"It's a type of ceremonial blood magic, made accessible to anyone the Gods recognize as being of a suitable position - even those who can't normally use magic." Kariel explained. "According to the texts, mingling the blood of the two intending to become siblings holds a special form of significance, allowing them to be bonded at a level much deeper in words. As far as the gods and magic alike are concerned, they will be siblings in truth, and treated accordingly. It won't take very long."

While Vigar gives Chalimar is bath, Captain Miles responds to Rowan's question. "The Li's will be burried the day after tomarrow in the Imperial Military ceremony just outside of town unless Hirako objects. It turns out the funeral director knew Mr. Li's cousin and he had one of his workers send for the family lawyer who will met with us here at the inn tomarrow morning. It seems that Mr. Li had already taken ownership of the bussineses via correspondence, and was in the process of transfering his legal affairs to the local law firm. The lawer seems to think that there is a current will already in place."

That night Kariel performs the sibling ceremony.

You are just about finished in Varde. I'm not sure how you want to handle the sibling ceremony, I'll give you the opportunity to role play it if you wish. The meeting with the lawyer the next day can be roleplayed out as well or just taken care of in a few lines. After that the party will be ready to leave Varde for Khorfe, after the Li's funeral if they wish to stay for it. At some point if no one else suggest it Cerene will point out that Hirako will be safer in Khorfe under the watchfull eye of House Trin than left on her own in Varde.

The trip to Khorfe will take you 4 full days of 8 hour a day travel and 6 and 1/2 hours of a fifth's day's travel (Captain Miles with his armor on means even a heavy warhorse travels only at 28 miles a day). You might want to buy any extra supplies you want before you head out.

Vigar will treat the ceremony with the proper respect it'll deserve whether of not Hirako chooses Vigar or not. Cerene's Suggestion is warmly welcomed for Vigar knows that where the company is headed is not suitable for a child like Hirako and will ask Krag formally if House Trin will keep an eye out on Hirako and accept her into fosterage.

Vigar will look into buying Extra rations for the journey.

Although Tassira is rather leery of any sort of magic that involves blood, she participates all the same. She conducts herself with grace and dignity, no matter who Hirako picks to be her sibling.

Tassira makes sure to avail herself of the inn's bathing facilities before heading out tomorrow.

Kariel quietly waited within one of the rooms, a small knife lying on the table in front of her as she sat and waited for the others to arrive. This form of adoption was a very serious bond, and it was important that everyone participating do so willingly and with a clear understanding of what was going on. One of the participants was a child, so that made it even more crucial - for the most part, children had difficulty understanding choices and consequences, and forcing something onto a child that would only cause them grief later was a terrible thing to do. Thus, Kariel was quite determined to see to it that everything was done properly.

Rowan will watch the ceremony interestedly, but silently.

I have only read about these in books. I will be interesting to see this i person.

He will take notes.

When he talks to the lawyer, he will ask questions pertaining to the Li's business contacts, particularly with Forge (just checking up on his suspicion) as well as asking about appointing a proxy for Hirako until she comes of age to run those businesses.

Kariel performs the adoption ceremony with care and Hirako becomes Tassira's and Vigor's sister in blood. The next morning a very boring meeting with a lawyer occurs this despite the addition of a lawyer sent by the House of Trin's factor in Varde showing up. Very quickly a trust is put into place that will oversee and run Hirako's intrest's in Varde until she turns 21. The paper work is filled and Hirako is now an Alenkine.

You spend the next two days traveling to Khorfe. The ancient Imperial Highway takes you through a region of or low rolling hills (not even high enough to be marked on your map) and farmlands. This is a peaceful region which has been settled for generations. Krag and Captain Miles have passed along this road more than once and the area is familiar to them. The skies have poured a cold rain on you for most of the last two days and you are looking forward for a hot meal and a warm bed.

You've been on the road today a lot longer than you intended and darkness is staring to fall as you descend through a wooded valley to the ford of the river Volar (again not large enough to be on your map)and the small town of Pommeville. You are tired and cold, and it's a good time to stop.

The Volar is cold and swift, and you lead your horses across the ford and into the town. Pommeville is a prosperous village, and you can see stores and cottages to either side of the road. A steep, wooded hill rises above the town, hiding ivy-grown ruins on its crown.

You spy the welcome light of an inn, with the sign of a green griffon proudly displayed. Few people are out and about, but from inside the inn you can hear voices in conversation and the clink and clatter of dishes.

Kariel looked curiously towards the top of the hill. The town was obviously prosperous, but they hadn't done anything to rebuild what could have been a nice, solid defense... perhaps they simply felt they were in no danger here? If so, that was a good sign, though it was best to avoid jumping to conclusions. "Well, it looks like we're here." she said cheerfully. "Usually, you... get a meal first, right?" she sounded a little hesitant and confused, even as a few whispers sounded from just beside her ear.

The memory of the bonding ceremony was still fresh in Tassira's mind as they approached the village of Pommeville. She looks from her hand to Hirako and back again, a small smile on her face.

I wonder... does she need a spellbook to use magic? Or is it instinctual for her, as it is for me?

Kariel's question catches her attention. "That's one of many potential first things you can do when reaching a new town." She says, glancing at the inn.

She hops off her horse and walks toward the inn's door.

Shaking off the cold, you hitch your horses and step inside. The inn's common room is comfortable, with a dozen or so villagers and travellers enjoying a roaring fire and tankards of ale. A short, broad-shouldered man with a drooping mustache approaches with a smile. "Welcome to the Green Griffin," he says. "My name is George Marsette, and I'm the ostler. Have a seat by the fire and I'll have my nephew look after your horses."

Taking a seat, you look over the crowd. Most appear to be villagers-a tall man in a smith's apron, a brash young man dressed as a craftsman, a pair of weathered old farmers-but you also see a couple of travelers. One is a towering monk, the other a half elven trader or merchant.

Vigar after saying his farewells to his newest sister, found the journey barely bearable being used to walking and not riding. Seeing the Inn in the distance to be a welcome sight.

Taking his seat with the rest, he looks forward to a refreshing drink.
"I'll have an ale to wash down the travels of the road. Also what is available on the menu today?"

Sorry about that. Probably should have said I wouldn't be able to post last weekend. Grad school interview.

Cerene and Rowan spent much of the ride arguing again about who knows what. The last few hours, however, has been pretty quiet.

"I'll have to same."

He studies the room around him.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Kariel looked around the common room with interest, apparently fascinated by the interior design of the place. She slowly moved closer to the fire, a little unsure about how close she should actually get to it. Put her in a nice mansion and she knew exactly what to do, if only because she'd seen others so often. A nice, common, country inn...? Not so much. She made no move to order any food, though, nor anything from the menu of drinks.

Tassira takes a seat next to the fire, quite grateful for the heat. She holds her hands out, feeling the fire's warmth through the bandages on her arms.

Is Hirako still with us? If so:
Tassira beckons Hirako over to share the fire with her.

Hey, might as well try to do some sisterly bonding...

"I have to ask, Hirako--you mentioned that you could read a spellbook without any formal training. Have you ever tried to cast a spell before?" She asks after ensuring that no one else is listening in on them.

Otherwise, Tass just sits at the fire.

Hirako is still with the party, you are only about half way to Khorfe.

Mr Marsette laughs "I know it's a cliche for a roadside inn, but today's specail is the stew, I'll bring out a bowel for each of you, some ale brewed right here in the villiage and some black bread baked today."

Cerene moves over to Tassira and Hirako in time to hear Hirako say "No, I haven't."

Whoops I thought Hirako wouldn't be with us.

Tassira looks over at Cerene as she approaches. She gives her a friendly nod before turning back to Hirako.

She can probably cast read magic without a spellbook, but then again, any arcane spellcaster can do that.

"So, when you looked at that spellbook, you just instinctively knew what it said? If that's the case, it's very likely that you're like me in that respect--your magic comes to you intuitively."

She leans back in her seat. "It's entirely likely you cast a read magic cantrip without even realizing it. Wizards and sorcerers alike can prepare that spell from memory, but wizards have to actively learn the spell first. Sorcerers, on the other hand, can cast it just like that." She snaps her fingers at the word 'that'.

She looks over at Cerene, blushing a bit. "Not that I'm saying that's always better. It IS rather unsettling to be able to cast any spell you want without preparation..."

"You are all just lucky you can cast anything at all. I know as much as any wizard or sorceror about magic, but I can only use it with the aid of items."