[B]"this is a ring of wishing. One wish left, but the aura is... off. Can't quite tell how. I'd be careful making any wishes with this."[b] he says, handing it back.
As Balik and Finnigan enjoy a night of dancing things seem peaceful for them, as if the troubles of the past fade and all that matters is the night, the dance and, the partner. These evenings have been both memorable and good for the soul.
With her ring of sustenance Kyomi need only sleep two hours a night, but years of looking over ones shoulder had tort her even with that small amount of time to be careful. She made a fake body to place in the bed out of clothing, and other bits,
Then she placed a few bits of clothing under the bed, changed into her fox from and got behind them, and was soon asleep, she sister next to her, keeping a look out.
In the morning, when the sun rises Sixth and Seventh are already awake. They eat something and wait for the others to show up.
"Unless you guys want to do something important here, I think we should get moving west."
I had a wonderful time in the city, but there is more adventure to be had elsewhere! I am ready to depart when everyone else is!
Finnigin gets up and starts to get all of his gear together.
At the very least we should get better service from this guy now.
Byron reappeared to what was left of the group at the table, shrugging.
Guess I get paranoid sometimes, but I still think someone is out to get us.
Byron got enough sleep to recover some energy and then spent the rest of the night studying about trapped souls.
After two hours Kyomi awoke and got her things, by habit she reset the room as if she had not even been there. Then changing to the handmidens form and placing her sister back away she headed out of the in, it was still dark so as soon as she was clear she shifted to fox form and headed to the new wagon they had got, once inside she started to look around, sniffing to pick up any off sents.
Then she set off around the inn seeing if any one was spying on them,
Soon light started to come she hid in the wagon again changed into her most used form and entered the inn from the outside, seeing Sixth, she comes over sitting down.
"O hope you had a fine night Sixth, the dawn has come, time again to do things"
Then she waits for the others
Kyomi gos over to Balik
"Balik last night I was given a gift if some silk, with it I had two new kimonos made, one is for you."
She holds out a bundle rapped it paper.
"I think the size it right, but if now i can get it altered "
She bows and hold it out to you
"it is a gift"
"Don't worry. What could possibly go wrong?"
With these brave words Cilian pockets the ring and heads out.
I'm going to sell this to the first sucker I see.
Cilian walks into the room as quietly as as he can.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?"
In the morning Cilian walks up to the group.
"So, I need my marble back. I'm fine with giving it out to study when we get ready to rest, but I want to protect it while we travel. That and it is my father in there."
"That marble... I don't think you should let anyone else see it." He pulls Fortune Slayer from its sheath slowly and lays it across his knees. The inky black blade sits motionless, but the watching sensation from it is stronger than ever and somehow it appears... hungry.
"That prison of your fathers was created by an extraordinary power and it is an extremely powerful thing in it's own right. That gem allows your father's soul to be used as a power source by those with the right ability. Using his soul in such a manner does not kill him, but it is exquisitely painful, even more so than the torture he is currently experiencing. If the wrong person saw that who knew what it was, they would do anything to claim it for themselves."
He nods down at the weapon on his knees. "Fortune Slayer here wants to keep the marble inside itself. Says it will make him stronger and keep the marble safe. He's not lying about that. The blade is truly indestructible and the marble would be safe from prying eyes. That said, I do not fully understand this weapon yet and would not ask you to part with the object of your revenge unless you wished to do so. My main reason for calling you here was to make you aware of the danger showing that thing to others represents.
Cilian carefully considers Seinal's words.
"Thank you for telling me about how other people might react to that marble. I don't think I want to give it up just yet, because while I do trust you, I'm not so sure on Fortune Slayer yet. Has he told you how it would make him more powerful, and would the union adversely affect you?"
I have no desire to persuade you either way because it is so far beyond my understanding that I cannot tell you what would happen either way. Keeping the marble loose is a danger, that I know, but while it would be physically safer in the sword I cannot say whether that is the wisest choice. Take your time to consider it. Perhaps we will gain more wisdom in this matter in time."
"When we have more wisdom on the matter then I think what we need to do will be clear. Maybe these visions will eventually help us understand what would happen in this event, but I think you are right to want the marble kept safe. For the moment I will try to keep it out of sight from anyone else we encounter."
"Thank you. I love to 'do' things, and today sounds as good as any" - says Sixth to Kyomi - "Why don't you grab something to eat? The bartender is specially sweet today. He even offered a discount if we stayed some more time. I wondered what made him change his mind..."
Cilian immediately takes his hat of disguise and changes form to an unassuming half-orc tough. Before he changes he whispers one word.
"Trap."
"Thank you. I love to 'do' things, and today sounds as good as any" - says Sixth to Kyomi - "Why don't you grab something to eat? The bartender is specially sweet today. He even offered a discount if we stayed some more time. I wondered what made him change his mind..."
"Thank you but I've all ready eaten Sixth, I think discount or not we shall be going today"
"Trap."
Sixth makes a weird face and takes a look around, looking for signs of trouble, but makes no more effort than that.
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"Why Kyomi, that is lovely. It is certainly exotic and beautiful - and not like any thing I've had before. Next time we are somewhere civilized I'll have to ask you to help me... decorate... to suitably complement such a beautiful dress." Balik shyly strokes the garment, before reluctantly re-packaging it, and packing it carefully (almost reverentially) into her well used pack.
With a lingering touch on the flap of her pack, Balik registers Sixth and Cilian's observations, and her eyes harden. Her good natured chivying and brief moment of sentimentality fall away like leaves in the autumn - leaving winter in their wake.
"Someone get Canim in the wagon. Vacation's over. Shop is closed for business. Crew, we are leaving now."
"I can still climb into a wagon. For now. Once I am done, I will be only capable of locomotion by spell! but I'll have so much blood to power my spells with...." he trails off, taking his time climbing into the wagon under his own power.
Kyomi gos out to the wagon and stows her new outfit away, then readys herself for the trip, claiming into the wagon with Canim.
Cilian quickly and quietly walks up to every member of the group this morning, and tells them what he thinks about this situation.
"That bartender is up to something. If he is offering us the chance to stay for a discount today I think we had better get out of here."
"Don't worry Cilian. He is harmless, but somehow he was all smiles today. I just think our visit scared some unwanted guests. Or maybe this is indeed a trap, but we're leaving anyway."
After his night on the roof Norbert looks tired the next day.. He spends most of the next day in his carriage brewing up something.. "If anyone needs a potion or two brewed up just let me know.. Or if they need other items, I'll be in my carriage.. Try not to disturb me otherwise.."
Good memories indeed! Sad to see this place go, but there is a ton more adventuring to be done! Lets see what lies ahead!
Finnigin is extremely excited at the thought of traveling to the coast.
We could go swimming, or fishing, or...
He continues on to himself for a bit until everyone is in the carriage.
Kyomi sits in the wagon, using her parasol to keep the sun off her head.
She seems to be enjoying the ride and view. Her sister has come out and is siting next to her.
"Sea air they say is good for the lungs
Seinal hops up into the wagon and finds a comfortable position. He puts his battle mask on and rests Fortune Slayer across his lap.
"I'm glad we're moving. I didn't care much for this place."
"Sister your right and lets hope some find rich nobles have houses by the sea as well"
As you travel to the southwest hoping to get ahead of the Avorals on their circuit through the coastal cities you can't help but notice the condition of the countryside. If Taldor was anything it was a land of decadence, decay and, taxes, where Andoran appears a land vibrant, growing and wealthy. Travelling is pleasant but does take 3 days before reaching Riverford a halfway point in your journey to the coast.
the Andoshen river. An old stone bridge sprawls across
the shallows and gives the town its name.
a town on this site for 3,000 years, and at least 10 major
battles have been fought in the surrounding farmland.
Farms and orchards form a patchwork with monuments,
graveyards, and barrow mounds, and farmers regularly till
up new relics of the past, be they old coins, arrowheads,
or something more valuable. The fear that land might be
confiscated to preserve or research a significant find causes
many farmers to “shovel, sell, and shut up,” unloading
these items as quickly and surreptitiously as possible.
Balik If your a black fox then Kyomi with changer to her red/brown fox form to scout the other side, of course her sister will be riding her.
Norbert will share the information he knows about the town.. And again he'll ask a guard upon entering the city if there's any special rules regarding the selling of alchemical supplies/potion/magic items..
With the income we have there's no reason not to start making use items for either us or the group.. Perhaps some cloaks of resistance or something..
The city guard seems confused for a moment and then, "I don't there are no rules on alchemy in da city." Before returning to picking his nose.
"Hmm.. Well it seems they have "special guards", in this city.."
He'll flag down a runner boy asap and pay him a silver for info on places to stay and where the market is..
He points you to the market. It's a large open air affair.
Kyomi makes herself very visible as the enter the city, sat next to a large rotund mage, looking very kept.
Before they enter the inn Kyomi will beak off from the group and go see what nobility is doing in this city, hopefully not as dull as the last one.
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After finding an inn and getting basically settled, Balik will excuse herself. "All right everyone - I'm out for the same drill as last time. I plan to be back early evening. If I'm not back by morning, something is wrong. I'm off to speak with my local informants."
With that, Balik walks out into the surrounding countryside, speaks with the birds, looking for Avorals, and cruises thermals as a great black-and-gold eagle, hoping to attract the attention of an Avoral, while at the same time scoping the surrounding countryside for several leagues around.
"Watch yourself Balik. Hey Norbert, if you're gonna stay here Imma take a walk around town, just to know the place. I'll be back before nightfall."
Sixth and Seventh will walk around the market, and later farther away from the city center, checking the security of the place, the guards behavior, and asking for rumors about the Avorals and the local events.
Byron had finally come out of the back of the other wagon. He had spend the day secluding himself in study.
He was pleased to see that they had come to a much larger city. He made his was to Norbert and sat beside him as he drop the cart in.
"I have to say that the pearl with the soul in it really disturbed me." Byron looked almost thoughtful, a genuine look of worry had overtaken him.
"I mean, that thing is so far beyond what I am capable of and I had no clue how we could even use it... very disturbing."
"But now I believe I know where we can take our research. Magic itself is a long slow process. It needs help. I think we may be able to effectively combine our crafts to do something original."
"Your potions pack a lot of power and you can produce vast quantities, my magic devices take a long time to construct but they are channeled in a way that makes them last. Perhaps we can find a way to have your alchemy power my effects!"
Cilian is simply riding in the wagon if there is room. Everyone nearby can quite clearly see that he is constantly rubbing a ring in his hand that has one ruby still inside of it. He doesn't say much on the trip over quite muted from his regular self.
Hopping off the wagon, Grimward looks around town (while still in disguise) making notes of any major temples and inns.
Carousing
Full Disguise
Knowledge (Nobility)
Diplomacy
Profession(Gasher)
Knowledge (Local)
looking for local Information
To find out any more info from mark
Diplomacy
or
Spell if she thinks its worth it.
To get something nice from a rich mark
Diplomacy
"For me really of you should not have...
or
Sleight of Hand
"O that looks so nice'
Once we get to a new city (dunno if this is a city or a village or hamlet or what), Canim will look for a place to research dusty tomes of arcane knowledge.