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Truth be told, I had another vision from Malphas that said I could restore the blade but it would be difficult. I'd have to go to a temple of Malphas in the Western Cliffs. It seems the temple has been desecrated by an evil presence so I don't know what I'd find there but the means to restore the blade I trust would be there. Does any of that make sense to you?
Temple in the Western Cliffs? he ponders for a moment Hmm, that could be referring to the Bladed Shrine. I haven't thought of that place in years, the monks there were not necessarily friends of the Holy Order. They were in their own words "pure blooded keepers", all from the sublime path.
They were very secretive didn't allow anyone in. Lots of rumors surrounded that place, some say they studied the ancient fighting techniques of the First Men of Enderal. I'm not entirely sure where exactly the shrine is but I do know it had a large winding staircase up to it.
Well, you will be heading to the Western Cliffs today to go to the Aged Man Party perhaps after that you could search for the Bladed Shrine. I know in all the years since the blades of Malphas were created they have never been destroyed. If you had a vision then it is Malphas will for you to restore the blade.
Yes, sounds like a great idea. Perhaps we should see if there is anything in the Temple library about the Bladed Shrine? Shall we go find the Quartermaster first? Poppo adds.
Where can we find Chester? Poppo asks.
Chester is in barracks basement. Be swift, don't want to be late to the party. The Archmagister says as you exit the researching chamber and heading over to the quartermaster's store.
You haven't been to this area of the temple and upon entering the basement you see an arsenal of finely made weapons crafted with different metals, shelves full of scrolls, and a large amount of potions on other shelves. A forge sits in one corner of the room along with an anvil and all the necessary things required to smith weapons.
Wrapping the handle of a longsword is a dwarven man with a long braided brown beard. A long scar goes down the dwarves face and over his left eye which looks to be completely white. Upon entering the dwarf gets up from his chair Keepers. What can I do for you today?
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My name is Nalia and this is Poppo. We learned that we might be able to use some of the temples equipment and supplies in our tasks to aid the city. Could you confirm this and maybe evaluate what we have and let us know what help you'd be able to share with us? We are on a tighter timetable according to Archmagister Lexil Merrayil. We have a party to attend tonight in the western cliffs, and honestly I don't know how long that will take to get to. You look like you know what you're doing....we have an odd archer friend and an equally odd small elven psychic. So supplies for them would be great as well. Would that be ok?
As quartermaster of the Holy Order I am able to fill out requisitions for members of the Holy Order. I can supply each of you with two thousand gold pieces worth of potions, scrolls, arms, or armor.
Chester stares Nalia in the eyes, then briefly glances down when Nalia does what she does. No this equipment is for Keepers of Order only i will not budge on that. I will offer you one hundred more gold for you to use, but your outsider companions don't get a free ride to get whatever they want from a Holy Order Quartermaster. The very notion is ridiculous.
Poppo smiles at exchange between the Quartermaster and Nalia, Is that a small sized, mithril chain shirt I see over there? An incredible find, I'll take that. And this scroll of Fireball! and this one of Fly. And here, a Scroll of Invisibility.
Poppo takes of his old Studded Leather and leave it behind, putting on the chain shirt.
Great thanks Chester! Come on Nalia make your selections!
Chester hands you all of the requested items Please sign here, here, here and here. With the papers signed you finally head out of the Sun Temple, quickly meeting up with Vynya just outside and Archie carrying several birds a short while later.
You retrieve your mounts and begin heading out of the city in the direction of the familiar town of Tallfield, before heading south toward the Western Cliffs. Did you want to buy anything before heading out?
I have a sense of impending trouble. We should all have a few drinks before the party. Maybe we should invite that bard along to sing tales of our valor and drinking ability?
Poppo and Nalia note that you haven't told Archie about any sort of party.
When Nalia and Poppo come out of the temple, they see Vynya muttering to herself in a side alley across from the gate. When they approach her and greet her, she looks up and it is a full and awkward 15 seconds as she stares at them with no recognition. Then, blinking, she exclaims: Lady Nalia and Maester Hedgehopper! I thought I had been left behind again. I had no visions of your death, so I was hopeful that you still lived. Let us go find Archie. I have been summoned to a party and I am afraid to go alone.
Oh how, do you two know about the party? Nalia and I only learned about it. Poppo asks Archie and Vynya.
Did you also get invited?
Poppo asks as they walk along to Tallfield.
Some guy woke me up last night and said something about it. said you would be invited as well. go figure. Drinks? I got some deaad birds to eat as well.
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Wait a second, the archmagister at the temple told us we're to go to the western cliffs to the aged mans party. But he said we only had two tickets. I had hoped you guys would come along in secret or posing as guards or something. Did you both get invitations as well? We can all go? That will make me feel better.
We'd want to make sure we all have mounts (think we do) and provision for travel for us and the mounts. Can't remember how far but didn't think too far. And maybe some presentable clothes for when we get there but still wearing our arms and armor. Maybe give our armor a bit of a shine to look better.
Do either of you guys know much about the aged man or this legendary party we've been invited to? I know very little. With that, I relate all that has happened, conversations and all to get everyone up to speed.
Yeah you guys have mounts, I think Archie would probably have a horse and Vynya could borrow Turnguts horse.
If you want to know more about the Aged Man you can roll a knowledge nobility or knowledge planes.
Nalia you don't really know much of Enderalan noblemen since you've only been here a short time. However you know that the Aged Man is a legend revered around Vyn. A mysterious fellow, no one even knows what he looks like. His manor is massive larger than some castles, some towns. As you've already been told he has a party every ten years, highly exclusive. Then you remember something curious, the last time he had a party it wasn't in Enderal, but in Nehrim. That's all you know.
Nalia tells you with this knowledge as you continue you the ride. Eventually passing through Tallfield the small village appears to be all but abandoned with its inhabitants likely fleeing to Ark or somewhere else because of the Red Madness and rumors of a war.
You begin to head south from Tallfield, taking the dirt road less travelled into the Western Cliffs region. You can see amid the cliffs a familiar castle, Anor Colair. The path begins to rise as you are flanked by a sheer drop to your left and nothing but mountains on your right. Eventually the mountainous terrain leads you to having to carry on foot.
As you guys are going along the path Poppo and Vynya are keeping on alert and you notices the movement of four large figures behind rocks about to attack you. You both get to act in the surprise round.
Initiative Order Surprise Round
Poppo
Archie
Hill Giants
Nalia
Vynya
Poppo you're up in the surprise round!
Poppo spots the giants and calls out,
He then retreats backwards putting some distance between him and the lumbering giants.
Poppo begins to run as four hill giants appear and begin throwing large stones, one at each of you.
Tiny man flee! Tiny man die! the blue one throws a large stone at Poppo but the nimble halfling is able to dodge out of the way. The purple one throws a large stone hitting the unsucpecting Archie The red one throws a rock at Nalia but it just harmlessly pings off her armor. Finally the yellow one throws a rock at Vynya hitting her in the torso
Vynya you can act in the surprise round. Poppo and Archie you may act in round 1.
Poppo dashes out of sight and under the nearby tree. Trying to be hard to spot, he gets up next to the trunk or near some branches and vanishes from sight completely.
On the road to Tallfield, Vynya appears very uncomfortable with the wide open "natural" surroundings. Having never left Ark (and rarely left the Undercity) in her life, she is both mesmerized and terrified. She does however confirm that she, too, received an invitation from some strange boy in the middle of the night.
Riding on Turngut's horse, Vynya mutters to herself. Yes, yes Marthak! It is beautiful and I can see how you miss it, but I have not been out here before. It is all so large and frightening. Then turning her head as though to speak to someone else. I have told you this before Adovoxis, I don't own any "contract" on you and leaving Ark doesn't constitute a exoneration of services. I don't even have any terms of service!
Still muttering and chiding the various personalities within her, Vynya is jerked to the present by Poppo's cry of danger. Instinctively she releases a burst of psychic energy to invigorate her allies.
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Ok, I'm posting for when after Jon posts. First I'll move down to bottom of screen, should be 6 spots for my movement, no difficult terrain. On the way I'll swift fervor a shield of faith. My move comes before Vynya casts haste so I can only move my 30 foot of movement but if I double can I get up to the top? If so, trying to make it 10 foot from him so I don't incur any attacks of opportunity.
ps. later if and when I hit what does Valorheart do? Magical wave of kinetic energy to the shield does what?
pps. Guess I should possibly reserve the right to change my plan based on what the giants do before I have a chance to act.
ppps. possible glitch in that my last two rolls are both 20. Games probably broken
@Matt - Vynya cast haste in the surprise round. You will have haste up on round one. :)
Giants! I love these guys when they aren't jerks and then to the giants Hey what's up how's it going? Archie then runs up and fires 2 arrows at the guy to the north.
Vynya with psychic energy casts haste.
Vynya one of your personalities likely the elven sage Avallac'h recalls some information. The Aged Man has been around for centuries maybe even thousands of years. His manor, a massive house larger than some small towns has the capabilities to travel great distances through a tremendous amount of magic. One could assume the Aged Man is a powerful wizard or perhaps a powerful spirit. But even Avallac'h doesn't know entirely about the Aged Man.
Initiative Order Round 1
Poppo
Archie (11 Damage)
Hill Giants (Blue: 23 Damage)
Nalia
Vynya
Poppo dashes away and seemingly vanishes out of thin air Where little man go!? one of the giants calls out.
Archie darts up and fires and arrow hitting the giant right in the belly. The giant looks sad then appears to get very angry. One of the giants calls across the way Hey! He shot Ringo! Get him!
The yellow and red hill giants haphazardly try to hit Archie with rocks but they both miss. Ringo the hill giant very angrily climbs down the hill and hits Archie with a club The final hill giant tries to throw a rock at Nalia before she moves up but Nalia is once again able to deflect the rock.
Valorheart is a +2 longsword and a +2 heavy steel shield. Upon a successful hit with the sword the shield's magical bonus increases to +3. This effect does not increase on consecutive hits, and only ever goes up by +1. This effect lasts until the start of your next turn. Additionally when Valorheart lands a critical hit this AC bonus lasts for 1 minute. Any additional critical hits that may happen during this minute do not extend the time but instead reset the time back to 1 minute.
Nalia darts over and climbs up onto the hill with the giant who does not look happy to see her.
Vynya you can go in round 1, Archie and Poppo you guys are up in round 2.
Poppo activates his arcane pool, then casts Shocking Grasp. He runs behind the giant drawing his weapon as he goes. Then takes a mighty swip and reappears.
well be that way then
Seeing her travel companions spread out, leaving her vulnerable in the middle of the road, Vynya creeps up underneath a tree to try to gain cover from the rain of boulders. Reaching out with her mind, she sends tendrils of psychic energy into the feeble brains of the 2 giants on the ridge (yellow and red) and isolates parts of their minds, attempting to prevent them from functioning in a coherent manner.
Id Insinuation II - 2 targets. Both gain confusion. Roll twice and take the worst result (caster chooses which one). Duration conc +1 round.
The yellow hill giant looks confused.
Initiative Order Round 2
Poppo
Archie (31 Damage)
Hill Giants (Blue: Dead, Yellow: Confused)
Nalia
Vynya
The red hill giant climbs down and smacks Vynya with a mighty greatclub . The purple hill giant swings his club at Nalia twice, hitting once .
Everyone can go
Poppo hustles over to the red hill giant, stepping in close and staring up at the massive giant.
5 foot step and then
I'll save you Poppo sir
Vynya grunts as she gets slammed by the giant and tries to maintain focus on her spell.
However, the pain is too great and she loses concentration. Scrambling backwards to get away from the giant, , she rushes over to Archie while drawing her wand.
Save us! She whispers hoarsely while attempting to activate the wand.
Nalia with new sword in hand delivers three slashes across the corpulent belly of the hill giant.
Vynya loses concentration of her spell, leaving the giant only confused for six more seconds. Trying to escape the grasp of the giant Vynya tries to move away but before she does the hill giant takes a swing but only crushes a nearby log.
Initiative Order Round 3
Poppo
Archie (31 Damage)
Hill Giants (Blue: Dead, Yellow: 8 Damage & Confused, Purple: 50)
Nalia (19 Damage)
Vynya (16 Damage)
Poppo double moves to the hill giant but having already taken an attack of opportunity it does not try to strike you.
Archie steps up and fires at the hill giant but only manages to hit with one of his arrows
The purple hill giant tries to strike Nalia with large lumbering blows but the heavily armored and quick Nalia is able to avoid both of his attacks. Why you so mean?! the giant loudly says.
I found the tiny man! the red hill giant yells and swings at Poppo twice hitting the halfling with one of the blows
The yellow hill giant quickly shakes his head and then notices Poppo Oi! Squash you like jelly! with that the yellow hill giant runs and leaps over the cliff edge trying to squash Poppo but once again the halfling is able to dodge out of the way. Ouch! George kill little halfling!
Everyone can go!
Seeing the giants gang up on her diminutive friend, Vynya feels concerned for a moment, but the remembers the strength of the halfling's resolve. Still...it can't hurt to nudge the fight in his favor. She scrunches her face in concentration as she again probes the minds of the giants and strategically squeezes key areas of their psyche.
Id Insinuation II again vs Red and Yellow. DC 20 Will negates. Otherwise, confused and roll twice on first round, taking the worse one.
Must be a slight wind shift, Ah the butterfly on that tree moved. That current must have knocked my arrows off target.
HOLD Still you stupid butterfly!!
Poppo surrounded, attacks the prone yellow giant.
AYY!! He shouts as he attacks.
Nalia is able to hit the hill giant twice but the hill giant is still up.
Both the red and yellow hill giants begin to look confused.
Initiative Order Round 4
Poppo (22 Damage)
Archie (31 Damage)
Hill Giants (Blue: Dead, Yellow: 60 Damage & Confused, Purple: 77, Red: 47 Damage, Confused)
Nalia (19 Damage)
Vynya (16 Damage)
Poppo attacks the giant while he's down while Archie hits with two of his arrows.
The purple hill giant can't make it through the brick wall that is Nalia. The red hill giants eyes glaze over and despite Vynya having control over what the confused do, the two choices are attack the nearest creature which is Poppo. The hill giant hits with both attacks The other confused hill giant batters himself
Everyone can go!