Dmitri sighs as he looks at the map, studying the map and looking between the Capitol and the coastal city. I don't think we'll have any hope in checking where the person came from, as it looks like he may have left the Capitol. Lanx, how busy is this port town? Would newcomers be noticed?
Almost 20 years ago, the fishing village to the south had just elected a mayor and started hiring guards. Likely it is a little more bustling than before, it might be just fine. Do note, you only followed the trail about a half day north of the road, it goes further north and a bit west from what I saw. Also we never made it to see what happened with that druid encampment I helped settle to the east. If you want to head south, we can surely do that. It is three days journey to the coast."
If you want to purchase a wand of CLW, you will find that in the capitol for sure, but the caravan doesn't have it. It will likely cost twice as much as the book says and it will take a day or two, even with Lanx being more than three times faster than the group. That said, all you have to do is request Lanx to get it for you.
We did not follow his trail all the way, true enough, but I'm begining to think perhaps we should track down the source rather than the sources origin. We should be able to learn from him whether he is working alone or with a group, Dmirti retorts, before pausing for a moment and saying, but I will admit I am interested in these druids, they may be able to tell us about these zombies. That was their domain, after all.
Pokes the group in the eye...hoping to get a response...
Standing beside Dmitri, TD has a hand placed to his mouth as he contemplates their options.
"By now, I wonder exactly how far ahead of us that wolf-corrupter is... They could be long gone. They may have hidden their tracks, or become obscure from others travelling along a path with them... Druids, on the other hand? They're stationery - and they can probably teach us a lot of good things about the 'ways of this world' too. I wouldn't mind meeting these people - maybe the incident with the wolves is just one of many that they have had?"
As he begins thinking about the coast, he is reminded of his trip to the Gulf of Mexico back home and begins daydreaming of how beautiful it was there. "...Though, if we're due for a beach party at the coast, I'm game for that too! What do y'all think?"
Toby is present but silent, as usual.
Once again, he would choose to entirely avoid the so called 'specialist' Lanx seemed so insistent on setting him with, finding the entire idea of learning under oneself to be hideously surreal. While sitting at the table with the others, he studies from a tome, absently petting his rat behind her ears.
"I want to see if that town is still intact after... all those things came by. To be honest, I don't see why we came all the way out there, only to come back here just for a map when Lanx likely could've gotten to it and back within a few hours...." He sighs, putting the book down to rub at his eyes from beneath their glasses. "The taxes in this land seem overly extreme... In this book in particular, it details some... techniques, I suppose, on how to create a multitude of items. Perhaps I should put that to use."
Your supplies are available in the caravan. You can craft your wondrous items in the temple.
Lanx returns quickly from the South, having headed for the coastal town instead of the capitol, with a wand of CLW 30 charges (1D8+1).
Waiting for the group to be ready to leave for their next part of the journey.
While Lanx is away on his retrieval of the wand, Jeremiah spends his time create an odd device which may possibly help with his spellcraft...
He smiles, as the Armillary Amulet starts to slowly spin. The tome he read about this device stated it offered some sort of protection to some ancient place, but he was only looking forward to the effects it had on enhancing his ability to create similar works. "This... this is truly magic..." He says aloud, as he places the pendant over his neck. Already, he feels more... competent, when it comes to spellcraft.
I doubt they have watermelons, so it'd hardly be a true beach party... Dmitri says with a snicker. Let's see the druids first and see if they can tell us of incidents similar to ours, and we can build a sort of heat-map. With that, we may be able to pinpoint the most likely location for our culprit. He pauses for a bit, looking at the map and at the group before sighing and continuing, or we could see if we can still follow their tracks. While you decide, I'm going to see a man about a horse...
Dmitri goes to visit his double, discussing the ways of the warrior and what years of experience can offer. He also searches the perfect suit of armor for his tastes, settling on a suit of O-yoroi that would probably be at home on the set of a Kurosawa film. It's not exactly magic, but it certainly feels impressive. And... right, somehow. I'm gonna need your help every morning to get it all on, Justin!
"Hai! It would be my honour, Kendo Sensei." The rogue speaks and offers a stiff, exaggerated bow to Dmitri with a smile.
Seeing Jerimiah essentially create new life, the rogue has to investigate. "You created... an enchanted a necklace? Fascinating! Can you do more? What about..." Leaning forward to cram himself next to the arcanist, Justin begins flipping through the book and trying to find something of use to him. Quickly reading about one item in particular, he points his finger to it and finishes his question with, "..that? Can you make that? I will pay for the components, of course. Is this within your capabilities?"
Showing Jerimiah the section he's interested in, he can see the rogue has his sights on some Gloves of Reconnaissance.
He's obviously visibly distressed about Justin just shoving his way in order to sit next to him, but he's quickly distracted by the words on the page. He mutters to himself in his native language, something regarding the implantation of a scrying spell, but at the end he smiles confidently, readjusting his glasses.
"With the magic I imbued into this necklace, I believe creating something like this is almost... trivial, in a way. Even including the fact I lack the primary spell involved in it's creation, which should be replicable with the right ingredients and appropriate skill." He smile turns into a somewhat cocky grin, "Which I now posses. If you provide the glove, and... I believe these substances, It should easily done within the day."
He jots down a lit of various herbs, remedies, and odd sounding powders, all of which summing to about a thousand gold. It seems he's willing to do this without added labor costs.
Justin throws his hands into the air and whoops in victorious excitement before taking the list heading towards their local caravan dealer of sorts. "WOO-HOO! You got it! I'll be back before you can even realize I was gone!"
Upon arrival at the pseudo shop, he hands over the list to the owner, collects the material, and purchases the required components plus one pair of fingerless leather gloves. Paying the 1000 gold, he swiftly rushes back to where Jerimiah was and presents he bag full of all the necessary items.
"Back! Here you go! I really appreciate it! I'll get you something nice too whenever I can!"
The German man is quick to gather up the materials, checking over them to confirm they are indeed the required components for construction. "I am a part of this... team, yes, am I not? Perhaps this can be considered my roll, our physician," He grimaces here, "And the implementer of practical magics into things we as a group can benefit from. In fact... I have an idea for something, but it will have to wait until after we've dealt with the present issue. Now, if you'll excuse me Herr Ray..."
He takes his leave here without room for reply, heading towards his quarters where he'd spend the next several hours enchanting the gloves into something truly magical and useful.
As the arcanist leaves his company, Justin cannot help but find himself doing his excited victory dance, though something about Jerimiah seemed off.
Aww, he seemed unhappy.. I don't think he's fully adjusted yet.. Hell, I don't think any of us ever really will be. Have to do something nice for him later on. Let him know that we do appreciate his company, and not just for magical trinkets.. And Speckles too, or whatever his rat's name was again.
Trailing his thoughts away from the matter, Justin gave another excited leap before skipping off to see his specialist self and to learn more that there is to be taught.
Lanx Kotan arrives the next day, carrying a much needed wand of cure light wounds. Taking a moment to stop by and drop offof the item. He gathers the specialists together and offers them a clean bit of instructions and a fresh batch of ingredients.
"Tonight, my friends, I offer a fair bit of news to help settle your concerning hearts...and a feast of foods you may remember from your time in the modern world. There will be a celebration on your behalf. You may not have saved the world yet, but you are well on your way. Countless years ago, I was in your very same situation. I was plucked from my simple life in a modern Michigan...yes the Detroit Lions were still losing almost every game, even at that time. I know your struggles, for they were mine, years ago. I am exuberant for your success, because it is my success. Magdah chose us...through time, space ace the great cosmos, we were selected. It is our calling to save our future. This land is the world we already know and love...but far longer in the past than any history book has recorded. If we fail...there is no modern time for us to return to. We must succeed...we can and we will! I will aid in every way that I can. I long for the time that we might fight side by side once again. Thank you, my friends...thank you for working to save the world before it even knows of your existence. You are all epic and glorious heroes! You deserve more than the pittance of goods I can offer from the temple. I have brought with me the ingredients to make any meal you could wish for while we are at the temple. Enjoy your time here. Ask for anything you may wish for and I will do what I can for you in thanks for your efforts. Thank you again, my friends."
Jerimiah, who had finished the gloves and given them to TD the previous evening, stares at the their 'host' with an intense look of doubt and caution. There was nothing in his mind that allowed Lanx's words to paint a clear and effortless picture, as feelings of distrust easily bred their way to the forefront of his consciousness. Him, part of the same world we came from? Maybe. But Time travel? That alone sends warning bells off. Just one cursory look around is enough to give the impression of an entirely different realm. He has always been something of an amateur historian, but even his meager skills were enough to reveal that there was never such a mention of "Ancient heros" or some "Great powerful evil". To him, it just didn't make sense.
In the end, he decides to keep his head down and mouth shut, to perhaps wait for when he was alone with his fellows to reveal his own thoughts regarding this situation. But what if they were in on it too?
As Lanx had said, this time you are in takes place long before the history books, even the religious books or even evolutionist theories began. There would be no mention of this time, this place. For all you know, your entire existence in this time will never be lastingly recorded. None in your modern time will know of your exploits. They will, however, enjoy the fruit of your success. You succeed and that will allow the bibles to be written and the history books to start and science to later theorize. If you do not succeed, you will never be written about in any timeline.
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After a sumptuous feast where the red wine flowed like the Nial and the red meat was consumed by the steaming plateful, Brian sleeps like the dead and after ten hours' nap awakes refreshed. As he slept he dreamed, and in his dream he is again visited by an avatar of Propoket the Many. Therein he is shown many wondrous things--sigils and signs and symbols of non-Euclidean geometry that seem to fold in on themselves yet are greater on the inside than the outside. He learns how to fold his mind in on itself so that his mental capacity is increased tenfold. He lays waste to the laws of physics he had known until now, and gains greater insight into how to rend the very air itself to make it scream and deliver forth treasures and riches beyond the harvest he already reaped and called bounty.
After waking and consuming a massive breakfast, Brian stands and stretches, announcing, "So. Ready to go visit some druids, guys?"
Lanx said he helped to settle an encampment of druids to the west, the trail you were following was to the west than north.
Either quest path is open to you.
I've never met true druids before, the closest I've gotten is shintoists in Japan, but that's hardly the same, Dmitri says with a chuckle while Justin helps him into his armor, let's go meet them. Or at least check to see that they are still extant, I suppose.
Heading west again. After gearing up to head out of the temple, you all find yourselves easily on the same path you were, before the enchanted wolves attacked from the South.
Finding that same location taking a little bit of a pace to make sure you get through this area but being careful as to not stir the other wild creatures. In your exuberant pace and watchful canter, you notice the very spot you had your tussle with the wolves there is a forked tree just north of the road. To the South is the wolves den as you remember. Continuing west toward the Druid Encampment Lanx told you that he helped settle more than two decades ago, you find nothing but lush forest, easing into the noon hours (I'm assuming you started at day break from the temple) the forest almost abruptly breaks and you can see...a tall wooden circular wall in the distance, surrounding about a five mile radius. It still seems a couple hours away, but you can easily see the shiny armor of city guards. The lumber shaved meadow around you gives way to the idea of how that wall came about, and answers the question of if the Druid Encampment is nearby. You hear a silent gasp from beside the group as Lanx sees the scene in front of him.
Obviously startled by the development, he becomes a little sullen at the missing friends of his from days long past. "Let's continue...we should make it there, even if there are no druids to find there. We may find where they went, or maybe there is something else that needs our attention here. Onward, my friends."
He decides to keep his thoughts and suspicions private, until he can speak with the others in private. Going along with the group to the druid encampment, he keeps himself in the back.
This certainly looks too developed for a druidic encampment, unless I'm out of line in my understanding of druids.
I'm just worried about causing people to want to leave. I lost a player because of that sort of thing. I just hope I don't cause that. It's a concern of mine.
Eyeing the alleged "encampment," Justin can't help but feel that it seems more... urban than previously described. As they approach, he whispers to Dmitri, "What do you think this means? I was honestly expecting a type of fairy-esque, forest people... Or some Irish folk. This doesn't seem to fit either criteria."
Glancing down to his gloves while they walk, he idly chimes, "It's ironic that you would use this as your signature when making these gloves too, Jerimiah - in the Chinese zodiac, I was born under the sign of the Horse... The Horse and the Rat hate each other." With a chuckle, he grins and adds, "Seems like Ms. Speckles and I are destined rivals!"
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"Ach? Are they now?" He readjust his spectacles, but smiles. "I was unaware of the culture of our fair Eastern neighbors. Rivals, you say? I should make to ah... train her, was it? Like in those handheld games? Perhaps she may even evolve." He scritches the rat on her head, which the little rat seems to enjoy.
But then, he looks over at the approaching settlement. "I am one to wonder as well, if this truly is the 'druids' you have spoken of. What I recall from the tomes and scrolls indicate they seem to detest the use of refined earths."
[Ooc]Please take a moment and let me know cash on hand, as well any magical or wondrous items you carry.
As far as I know, all I have is a mwk Dagger and about 675 gp remaining from starting cash, unless we got treasure I missed.
"You are right, the trees are cut from here on out, the wall up ahead is made of the same wood that is missing...they would never abide such woodland brutality. Maybe we can find what happened to them from those inside the walls. There are some guards posted outside the wall, it is likely they may wish to know of our intentions in the city."
Walking for an hour or so, you near the large gate in front of the wall, two guards are posted outside. One calls out, "Who goes? State your business!"
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Brian looks at him askance. "Eh? What rule is written that says druids can't enjoy a little modern architecture? Maybe they have SO much wood and metal that they decided to goose things up a bit? Good on them for being 'progressive' druids. Maybe they'll serve up some really nice sushi and goose-liver pate."
Brian mumbles "Alright, time for big daddy to go to work," flexes his chest, and boldly approaches the guard, all smiles. "Greetings unto you, good sentry. I am come by rumors of a great druidic encampment here, and had such peckishness to see the sights that I have journeyed far and greatly. But Lo! I see that such statement are either greatly falsified, or much diminished of the glory I hath seen.
Hence, curiosity now fans the flames higher, and I would entreat you to allow my party entry so that we might enjoy such exotic sights and sounds as to make the journey worthwhile!"
With a little laugh, he finds himself quickly wondering if Jerimiah's rat might actually evolve due to magic or something of the effect.
As Brian finishes, Justin laxly smiles and takes a step toward them, gesturing to Lanx as he speaks, "We are merely a simple travelling band seeking out some old friends of his - we don't mean any harm." Curiosity creeps its way into the rogue's mind as he wonders about their aggressive behaviour, prompting him to ask, "Has everything been alright in the city lately? We were just attacked in the night about a day ago by some wandering undead - have you been threatened by something lately?"
(It was a few days ago, that was to the north east.)
The guard mutters under his breath about monastery folk bring out of touch, the other guard piping up after Justin further explains and opening says, "Ahem, it's nice to see travelers in these parts, we don't get many. What Bjorn was saying is that we never heard of druid encampment or the like here. I was part of the scouting party that found this locale about 10 years ago. There were some large tents in here when we spotted the forested area, but the commander said we shouldn't bother them. As we began to clear the north western edge of the forest to make room, they fled. None could have tracked them, we sent our best. None the less, you say you traveled far? I'm going to be off shift in a while, maybe we can share some ale and a few stories, later?" The other guard jumps in, "Jaarn, they traveled a lot, let them get in for rest. You all can go on in, inn is to the center of town than turn north, can't miss it. Tavern Keep, will give a discount, I hear, if you like his ale." Whispering, "It's not really a discount... 2 gold for an ale, a free one for the compliment and 1 gold then on out cause you're pals...same cost as the capitol...just saying..." They both seem to be a little more friendly with you after your joint explanation.
Personally, I'd enjoy your company, it's been so long since I've heard news from a local, Dmitri says and sheepishly turning to Lanx saying, no offense, friend. How about you come find us when you're done and we'll talk, Jaarn?
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Walking for an hour or so, you near the large gate in front of the wall, two guards are posted outside. One calls out, "Who goes? State your business!"
Go and tell your master that we have been charged by G-d with a sacred quest. If he will give us food and shelter for the night he can join us in our quest for the Holy Grail.
Lanx is covering basic room and board anyway...but nice Monty Python reference.
Entering the town, you can see immaculate buildings and streets, no clutter, no dilapidation, there are no beggars near the entrance, you do not see any poor, destitute, no negative social status as fat you can immediately notice...no orphans, no urchins, no elderly, no sick, lame or anything similar in sight. Lanx, looks intrigued by the situation but soon pockets his facial expression. All this is very readily seen. You can take a ten to see this. There is more to see of course and there is more to know.
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"Well this is...odd. According to Wikipedia most medieval towns are akin to third-world countries crawling with plague and dirt. But this is...exactly what would happen if magic was a thing and was used a lot. Y'know I once had a plan to get a 1E cleric to 5th level and then open a high-profit restaurant just by making food using Create Food and Water? But, yeah, if you had a whole bunch of clerics working full time without pay (like some dirty, dirty socialists!) then, ya, I imagine you could pull this off, yeah?"
He looks around, a little curious. "That sounds like a rather advanced form of magic, I can't imagine most the people capable of such a feat would be... Bothering, with something so low I suppose. But I assume there would always be some who would be."
I don't trust my eyes on this... Dmitri mumbles while looking about, There's ALWAYS people who are less well off... Keep your eyes open, I have a feeling about this place that doesn't set right.
We should ask around, see what people can offer as local news. Perhaps being discrete about the whole "wandering hordes of zombies," thing.
"I hate to bring this up," Toby whispers, "but maybe they're "dealing" with the poor once they become a problem. Some tourist areas on our Earth were known for that..."