DM jwert02 |
The courtyard outside of Sorrina Westyr’s office is a tribute to the element of earth. Large, dark boulders jut from a carpet of smooth pebbles. Wildflowers and moss spring from the cracks between the stones. The Master of Spells’ slategray skin seems to blend into the rock she lounges on in the sun-dappled courtyard, her face upturned to the cloudless sky.
Having been summoned to the Master of Spell's offices a few hours ago, you have joined a number of your companions from the Society and look to one another waiting on Westyr to address you.
Sorrina stretches luxuriously before turning to smile. “Enjoy the open air while you can, Pathfinders,” she says. “You are to be among the first agents sponsored to explore the planes, the Plane of Earth, to be exact. Reyshal ik Jalman, the Society’s contact on the Plane of Earth, recently alerted us to a rare opportunity. The Sultana’s constant war with the City of Brass means the shaitan empire needs more soldiers, and they have begun recruiting off-world mercenaries to train alongside their military. That’s where you come in.”
Westyr leaps to her feet in a fluid motion, pulling an amethyst crystal wrapped in copper wire from her pocket. “Please travel with Reyshal to the Opaline Vault. He can pull some strings to get you in with the mercenary company known as the Ungrounded. Complete the basic training and prove to your superiors that the Pathfinders are useful allies. Reyshal and I believe that working with the Ungrounded will lay the foundation for an alliance with the Peerless Empire. What’s more, this is an excellent means for you to establish your own professional credentials and connections.”
Westyr pauses to brush a fallen leaf from her hair. “I’ll contact Reyshal as soon as you’re ready.”
Krystiana |
"Greaaat. Boot camp. Again," the soldier grumbles. "Quick couple questions. Why are the City of Brass and the Shaitan Empire at war? What is the Peerless Empire? And do we really have to go through Basic again?"
Raynard Milton |
"Do we have a time limit?" says high blonde human and starts to clean the nails with his knive.
"And yes, I am Raynard!"
Leaned back on the wall he listens the words of others and watchs their movements to study them.
Kala, daughter of Krokum |
[smaller]"And are we sure we've picked the right side?" Kala mutters to herself as she idly scratches Stinky's upturned stomach with the toe of her boot. The work of basic training, based on what she's heard through the grapevine before, sounds simple enough. Life in the Realm of the Mammoth Lords had prepared her for physical, taxing hardship long before. But taking a side in a war that is not their own? It's hard to know for sure what the motives of each of the parties truly are. Who's to say that the Peerless Empire should be in charge?
But whatever. I'll get some good experience, anyway. Should be some "down to earth" folks. Hehehe.
Stinky the Wolverine |
Oooh, that feels good! Your boot smells good too. Stinky playfully gnaws at the edge of the leather sole of his person's boot. Mmmm! I like what you stepped in. Yummy!
Krystiana |
Krystiana explains, "Basic training or 'boot camp' is a way to break all of the bad habits new recruits have in order to instill in them the proper way to act. There's also a lot of physical fitness involved and weapons training." She slouches and holds her longsword in a flimsy stance, "To turn you from this to," she stands up straight and takes on a solid defensive stance, "this." She salutes with her blade and swiftly sheathes it.
Avi Solrem |
Avi rolls his eyes at the explanation.
At its worst, it's a way to erase your varied expressions and manifestations of self so that they can build your broken-down form into the plain, unquestioning fighter that is convenient to be utilized in large numbers.
He scans the room recognizing much of his recent team. Well met friends, this promises to be very different from the last venture. He nods at Kala and kneels down to see if her wolverine is any more receptive than before, offering a bit of jerky from his trail rations.
He sighs audibly. The Shaitan Empire. Why do I get the feeling they're going to be a particularly stodgy bunch. Indeed, how did you determine that they are the right side of this conflict? Or is there simply some advantage to be gained from this alliance that renders such ethical questions irrelevant? I find the City of Brass to be a reasonably stable pocket of civilization among the elemental planes.
He wanders over to the newcomers Lina and Raynard, offering his hand. I assume my teammates already introduced themselves? I'm Avi. We take care of our own, I'm sure you'll fit right in. You notice he currently has a bit of an odd tick in his right cheek.
Stinky the Wolverine |
He nods at Kala and kneels down to see if her wolverine is any more receptive than before, offering a bit of jerky from his trail rations.
It only takes half a sniff for Stinky to determine that the proffered jerky is indeed edible and delicious. He snaps it out of Avi's hand without hesitation and begins chewing it with abandon. Each droplet of drool is quickly lapped up so as not to lose any of that delectable flavor. Mmm! Yum! Num! Yummy! Oh my gosh! So good! So good!
Kala is momentarily forgotten as his mind centers on the bliss of this meaty food. (Then again, Avi is too. Go figure.)
Kala, daughter of Krokum |
"I assume my teammates already introduced themselves? I'm Avi."
Oops! "Oh, yeah. I'm Kala, and the voracious monster down there is stinky. That's his name, too." Kala points down at her beloved wolverine. The impressively tall Kellid woman sports a brand new haversack and armor, and seems like she's still getting used to the idea of having such fancy gear.
Lina Tova |
I am Lina Tova, and hopefully they don't change too much when we go through this, after all I like the way I fight.
the character is based on the image, no she is not wearing chainmail but if you know who it is, then you might be surprised
DM jwert02 |
"My my, such complaints from a few soldiers. You didn't like basic training?" With a raised eyebrow, Sorrina laughs "How surprising."
She fetches a glass of wine and turns back to you. "The Peerless Empire is a magnificent and expansive shaitan civilization. Its capital is the Opaline Vault, a metropolis home to over six million. Words do not do its splendor justice, but you will soon see it for yourselves."
Drinking a small draft, she inclines her head to Raynard. "No time limit. Completing your basic training should be enough to attract the interest of powerful allies in the Opaline Vault, not to mention ingratiating the Society with the Ungrounded. You need not make a long-term commitment to the company after that—unless, of course, that’s what you desire.”
She waves her hand at Avi's question "We have no side in the conflict, merely an opportunity to increase our influence in the region and have the ability to actually measure what is happening. We have very few contacts and very few opportunities on the Plane of Earth to become engaged in our mission."
Kala, daughter of Krokum |
"Okay, so no affiliation. Just intel. Got it. Well, I'm ready. Let's go." Kala gives one last scratch behind Stinky's ears and rises, ready to head to the door.
Avi Solrem |
Hmm, influence then. Very well. Ready.
DM jwert02 |
Sorrina listens politely to you and when Raynard expresses his preparedness, she gestures behind her. The boulder opposite Sorrina Westyr’s seat ripples like water. What appears to be a towering stone statue of a muscular man clad in gold-lacquered armor emerges from the stone. He bows dramatically to the Master of Spells.
“Well met, Trail Seekers,” he grins wryly as Sorrina frowns in irritation. “Of course, I mean Pathfinders. Just a jest between friends.” The shaitan steps forward and inclines his head in a shallow version of the bow he just performed for Sorrina. “I am Reyshal ik Jalman, humble servant of Her Radiance, Ashadieeyah bint Khalid, and sworn ally to the steadfast Master of Spells. Today I am honored to escort you to the Opaline Vault, the glorious home of my ancestors. I hope that together we can cement the bonds between our peoples, dear Pathfinders. But first, please, introduce yourselves!”
Avi Solrem |
Well met, Reyshal. I'm Avi, touched by chaos. I'm a sorcerer of very mixed blood, but currently I am attuned to deep earth in honor of our forming alliance. May it serve us both well as it blossoms.
Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Kala, daughter of Krokum |
"I'm Kala. This is Stinky." Kala gestures to her wolverine, who has plunked down to gnaw on his back foot.
Krystiana |
Standing at attention and saluting she responds, "Krystiana Aeron Patricia Guiomar Zorion." Her Taldan accent tipped a little too far to the upper-class side as she said her name. She clears her throat back to the usual snarky grunt side she traditionally shows. "A soldier of Lastwall."
DM jwert02 |
"Ahh so very good to meet all of you. I understand from your introductions that you'll make fine recruits to the Ungrounded! No nasty dwarves or others that, well, would be discourteous to the Peerless Empire." Pausing to reflect a second, "Well, dwarves can't all be bad can they?"
Motioning you over to him, he gestures for you to join hands. "My companions, I shall in a minute shift us from this material plane to my homeland. It will be, disconcerting."
After you have approached and joined hands, Reyshal ik Jalman begins to chant quietly to himself. Within a few seconds your vision blurs and there is a lurch within your insides. Your vision clears to a spinning tunnel of shimmering crystals that gives way to the inside of an immense geode, a cavern so vast that the walls and ceiling appear as a distant night sky. Multicolored twinkling lights hang in the air like stars, painting shifting auroras across the geode’s walls. At the heart of the city, radiant spires of gold and platinum emerge from a churning lake of liquefied gemstones, connected by soaring bridges. “Welcome to the Rainbow Metropolis,” Reyshal whispers.
The Plane of Earth is fixed in location and comprised of a vast network of tunnels and caverns. Though the plane itself is generally suitable for humanoid life, common hazards include cave-ins, poisonous gasses, and pockets of molten rock near its border with the Plane of Fire.
Creatures indigenous to the Plane of Earth include crystal dragons, earth elementals, mephits, oreads, shaitans, xiomorns, and xorns.
The Opaline Vault, also known as the Rainbow Metropolis, is the breathtaking capital of the shaitan’s Peerless Empire, and a planar hub for entertainment and trade. Sultana Ashadieeyah bint Khalid rules from a gemstudded palace that towers over the city’s skyline. The Vault’s diverse population includes a small percentage of noble shaitans known as pashas, as well as dwarves, elementals, elves, and oreads.
Kala, daughter of Krokum |
When it is time to hold hands, Kala kneels to grab Stinky's paw, asking Avi: "Hey, would you mind getting his other paw?" She's leery of and nervous about this magical travel between planes, and hopes that the wolverine doesn't pick up on that. During the transition, all she can think of is how relieved she is that Stinky's reaction to the unsettling sensation is to freeze, not fly into a rage.
At the sight of the Rainbow Metropolis, Kala's jaw drops. "Wowww..." I didn't know things could be so beautiful!
Stinky the Wolverine |
Oooh, my stomach! That was so weird! Kala, I think I'm gonna be sick! Oh gosh... Kala? Kala, pay attention to me! Stinky whines and nuzzles Kala's knee to get her attention.
Kala, daughter of Krokum |
Distractedly, Kala ruffles his ears. "Oh, sorry buddy. It's okay." After a moment, she goes back to staring around like a starstruck tourist.
Avi Solrem |
Avi winks back at Kala. Don't sweat it, the little guy will be fine.
He takes the paw and prepares for the transition, getting a bit of an excited, zealous look in his eyes (not quite "crazy", but heading there).
Nothing like a little uncertainty to prime our senses. Let things land where they may!
On the other side he exclaims that was a good rush! I feel changed by it. Let's get moving while it lasts. Lead the way Reyshal.
Krystiana |
Krystiana looks around at the inside of the massive cavern they've arrived in and quickly becomes dizzy. She closes her eyes for a moment and mutters, "The horizon isn't what I'm used to... Arshea steady me." She points her head down at the ground and opens her eyes. She slowly looks up until she finds this plane's horizon. "Sorry, it appears planar travel just takes me a moment."
GM Sapphire Fox |
looks like it was a smooth travel this time, thank you" "shall we continue on to our destination"
DM jwert02 |
Reyshal nods politely at your request to carry forth and begins to lead the way. You are several miles from the city center and it's a comfortable walk from your shift location towards your destination. Along the way, Reyshal often stops to point out key landmarks, such as the Peerless Embassy which houses diplomats from all the known planes, and also the Slab, the largest of the barracks for the Sultana's shaitan regular army troops. You pass many residents and visitors to the city, with most having a warm glance or smile.
After about an hour, you arrive in the Outer District, a bustling area characterized by crowded streets and shabby domiciles. Many of the buildings sport the flags of various nations and organizations, some recognizable as indigenous to the Material Plane. The permanent residents of this district are merchants and slaves, as well as their families. Reyshal explains that many off-world organizations conduct business and diplomatic missions here, all seeking the pashas’ favor.
After a moment, Reyshal leads you down a side street towards the Ungrounded Barracks. Reyshal explains that it was founded 4 decades ago in an effort to funnel soldiers into the empire’s constant war against the efreet, the Ungrounded mercenary company maintains a facility resembling an interconnected network of squat stone warehouses. The windowless buildings rise to a uniform height of 20 feet.
Banners bearing the company’s sigil, a crossed scimitar and spear on a field of yellow, mark the main entrance to the company’s headquarters. The Ungrounded headquarters receives prospective recruits and houses the offices of the company’s higher ranking members. The building’s interior is drab and sparsely furnished. A few engraved plaques and portraits of famous Ungrounded soldiers adorn the walls. Covered passageways connect the headquarters to the adjoining buildings: the mess hall and the bunks. At least a dozen Ungrounded mercenaries of varying rank mill about the barracks at any given time, full members designated by a cloak pin bearing the Ungrounded sigil.
Pausing beside a door labeled "Captain Othis", Reyshal turns back to you. "Any further questions I can answer before we meet with the Captain? Captain Othis is a hard woman, so expect the rough end of the treatment, but I'm sure you'll represent the Pathfinders well!"
Kala, daughter of Krokum |
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Kala points out one banner as they walk along: "Look. Apsis. We should keep our eyes out for 'em."
Outside Captain Othis's door, Kala shrugs when Reyshal asks if they have any questions. "Anything we shouldn't do in there?"
Before they part ways, Kala will be sure to thank Reyshal for escorting them to their destination, offering her hand for a firm handshake.
Avi Solrem |
Good eye Kala. It seems we can't go anywhere without shaking the Aspis from our presence. We don't want word to get around that we're from the Pathfinders, or they'll definitely take note and meddle in our affairs.
He nods in agreement with Raynard, that they're ready to meet with the captain.
DM jwert02 |
Looking to Kara, Reyshal smiles. "Well, I suspect the usual manners will do you well. Captain Othis tolerates fools and disrespect equally, that being poorly." Turning back to you as a group, "Thank you companions for your courtesy. Onwards!"
The heavy wooden door opens to reveal an immaculate office barely large enough to house the writing desk and bookshelf within. The unpainted stone walls are devoid of windows or decoration. A stern, middle-aged human woman with darkly tanned skin and close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair sits in a rigid pose behind the desk as she studies an open ledger. She lifts her chin and glares at the open door.
Reyshal produces a paper-thin, intricately chiseled stone tablet and hands it to the woman, and speaks carefully. "Pathfinders, I introduce Captain Marlene Othis." Turning to the Captain he continues, "This is an introductory letter and recommendation from my lodge. It describes their distinguished character and potential."
Captain Othis studies it for several minutes, pausing occasionally to look up and frown at you. After finishing the letter, Captain Othis stands and gives a servile bow to Reyshal. "Thank you Lord, I promise to take the Pathfinders under our wing and begin their accelerated training program. Trust in the Ungrounded!"
Reyshal nods, and exits the office, closing the door behind him. After a few seconds, Captain Othis crushes the tablet with her bare hands, shattering it into dozens of pieces. “So, you think you have what it takes to be Ungrounded?” the captain bellows, circling you combatively. “I’ll be the judge of that. You look softer than night soil to me. Your friends in high places won’t help you when you’re down in the trenches, or when there’s an efreeti scimitar at your throat. Now, get out of my sight. Your trials start tomorrow. Dinner is at six o’clock sharp. If you’re late, you can starve.”
A nervous recruit suddenly arrives, wide-eyed as he opens the door. The Captain spares him no time "Dell Darkblade you oaf, knock dammit! Take the 'fresh meat' to the 'meatlocker.'"
Kala, daughter of Krokum |
Hehe. Sounds familiar Kala has known peril and hard living all her life, but knows better than to act cocky with this captain. She puts on an expression of determination, squares her shoulders, and gives a crisp nod of respect to the Captain before following Dell Darkblade out of the office. Stinky, heel.
Of course, what Kala doesn't realize is that her previous life, while harsh, was not nearly as rigidly regimented as life in the army is. She was accustomed to being able to do her own thing, within certain boundaries, and has no idea how little freedom fresh recruits have.
Stinky the Wolverine |
Huh? Oh, we're leaving? Are we going to get food? I'm hungry. I'm also sleepy. When is it time to sleep? Hopefully right after a big meal... Stinky follows dutifully along beside Kala.
Avi Solrem |
As the captain crushes the tablet, Avi rolls his eyes but tries not to sigh audibly as the script he expected to be run unfolds.
Oh here we go. Intimidation breaking us down to the "base form."
He keeps it all internal and simply shrugs his shoulders slightly as they turn to follow Dell Darkblade.
DM jwert02 |
"You have the right of it recurits, 6/12/6 is the routine for meals. Come with me and I'll show you the rest." Upon following Dell, a busy afternoon begins. Dell leads you through a number of areas and is generally sullen at first but starts to react more warmly as the afternoon goes on and is treating you better as you approach your quarters. Areas that you spend some time and glean things about:
Bunks - Your quarters are last, but you pass a number of other rooms and areas. They typically hold three stone bunks, two high, with a communal bathroom. The complex looks to hold about 300 soldiers, but is mostly empty.
Training Yard - This training yard is designed to accommodate a variety of drills, demonstrations, and gatherings. It consists of stone viewing stands encircling a large, oval-shaped area of flat ground, from which rise four stone pillars.
Mess Hall - New recruits and veteran members alike take their meals in this institutional cafeteria-style dining hall. Several dozen stone tables surrounded by stools occupy the spotless room. A partial wall separates the kitchens from the dining area, providing space for two separate serving lines, though only one line is currently in use. Many of the Ungrounded are deployed, so while a hundred or so mercenaries attend each mealtime, several tables always stand empty.
After the tours, Dell leads you to your specific quarters. As you enter the chamber you immediately note it is in shambles from the previous occupants. Upon further count, there are only enough bedrolls and sheets for five individuals. Dell seems startled by the state of the room, and speaks slowly "I'm sorry this is a wreck. Captain Othis is very particular about neatness and I recommend you use the next hour to get this squared away. I have to get back to duties, but remember, 6PM sharp for Chow."
Avi Solrem |
I.. uh, okay... Avi seems flustered at the state of the room.
They expects to not only live in this landfill, but clean up after the last occupants?
He sighs audibly and starts making piles of things to sort and putting away things if they have obvious places. He turns to Kala.
Should we keep one pile of rubbish in the room for Stinky to sleep on?
He pushes one such pile to the edge of the room and sets a piece of jerky from his rations down in front of it to lead the wolverine over to it.
Kala, daughter of Krokum |
"Umm, no. Stinky doesn't sleep in trash. What the heck, man? Besides, I'm pretty sure get in trouble for leaving that mess. My guess is someone knew that new recruits were assigned to these quarters and trashed it for us as a welcome gift." Hope it wasn't the Apsis. "Let's just clean it up. I can sleep on the floor tonight if we don't get another bedroll in time." Kala's frustrated and wonders if this is a sign of how things are going to be here. Still, she gets to work with gusto, even managing to keep Stinky out of the way once he snapped up the jerky left by Avi.
Stinky the Wolverine |
Do I smell...? Yes! Yes! Meat! Where is it? Oh, here it is! Yum! A little tough, but oh, it tastes so good!" Stinky gnaws and chomps on the jerky he found on the floor, strings of drool hanging from his jaw. He's happy to plop down in a corner to finish his snack as the people clean the messy room.