"Wow". The dwarf stook awestuck by Rollo's ability to remove the mist.
She steps back from the door as the mist clears. Her form shift back to that of Lady Lyra
Rollo seems to merge for an instant with the blue mist and then the mist finally vanishes (Rollo sensing the gate closing, having crystallized a vision of the area of the tower).
Theorin, the remaining blue-feathered creature, fades again the blue sky as he beats a fearful retreat, his disturbing shrieks fainter then ceasing.
Paritosh flies down to join the others. Seeing things under control, Lord Ghent goes back into the ballroom/movies-theater.
Lady Lyra and others may roll a retrospective sense motive on Aran's words. Clearly Lady Lyra's guesses were close to the mark and the two creatures might have revealed more when provoked.
Moira's talk is well received and the crowd finally exits the theater and Lord Ghent's house servants appear and offer preserved meats and wine in the court yard.
The reception/party proceeds with no sinister interruptions on into the evening. Lady Lyra and Moira are somewhat mobbed with a variety of nobles, master craftsmen, actors, musicians and others seeking to create crystal movies, invest in crystal movies, act in crystal movies, make music for crystal movies and so-forth.
Rollo, Arlo, and Paritosh can keep a lower profile if they wish. Delores, Arlo's friend, shows up and is excited to see the next two movies shown and is among the knot of people excitedly talking of the possibilities. Breathlessly to Arlo she says at one point, "Oh such miracles are appearing, what a time to born into. Now, if my father could only see I need to out and about, seeking parts which suit me!". Rollo can take up with Matilda where he left off he wishes.
Everyone, let me know if you wish to meet people, strike up friendships or relationship, etc. Roll some appropriate skill and assume you succeed with 5 or better on die or 14 or better total. Let me know how you enjoy the party - the excitement is palpable, this is a historical occasion for Ovium and for Between-Earth-and-Sky.
You'll return to Ovium from reception and begin preparations for the trip to the Tower Of Egon.
The small ship that Anzarra set out on returns to port without her. Her crew seeks out Moira to say that she simply vanished at sea a week into the journey and so they return to port. They are unsure the destination she intended. However, they offer the trading enterprise to Moira if she's interested in investing in it, otherwise they will sell the assets. The ship would come in handy for the journey to the Tower.
Arlo ushers Delores to find a good seat to watch the crystal movies, while he returns to the back of the theatre to watch for security risks.
Rollo closes his blue eyes as he embraces the magic. The Sorcerer swells with it. He then lets out an even breath. He opens his eyes. He whispers
I have the location of the Tower. We should make preparations to go there before they have further time to increase their machinations.
The dhampir will be absent during the afterparty. Rollo will be busy prepping for the Tower in the gardens.
Lady Lyra works on deals and Contract outlines for the tech side with a number of guests with Lord G.
Moira will duck out of the party early without fanfare and return to the city proper, anxious and distracted.
When Anzarra's crew approaches her over the next few days, she'll take them up on the offer, becoming a sailor once again.
The crystal movies opening goes well, if sending shivers of excitement through the entire town of Ovium qualifies as well.
Lord Ghent take on ambitious plan to produce ten more movies and have two theaters with shows Monday, Wednesday, Friday and weekends, he directs the more technical questions to Lady Lyra. He recruits a stable of potential actors and actresses - he will take Delores if her family will allow. Lady Lyra will be extremely busy with all this.
Rollo scans the image he has gleaned from the mist, making a complete sketch of immediate area, considering the contours of the mountain sides and their particular writhing and it hits him. This is a demiplane, with one side of the mountain somehow stretching over to the side. Hmm...
Getting back to town and consulting with Aria who had previously attempted to discover the Tower's location as well as with Moira, the situation becomes clear. The Tower is on a demiplane that impignes on this material at a mountain range south of Ovium and East of the small port of Mendsol. Moreover, Moira previously made a fairly exact calculation concerning a point in time when the demi-plane would become accessible to the present plane; approximately eight days from the current day, at dawn.
Mendsol is less than a day sailing, on the edge of Musburg, the area Matilda mentioned as where the inhabitant described having strange dreams.
The area where you believe the Tower Impinges is ten miles inland, in a range of extremely steep, trackless hills. It could take two or even three days to get through the densely overgrown area unless the party happens to find a path. Rollo's notes and some old maps give some idea of the tower's location so you have some idea but the road are likely entirely overgrown.
Moira will have to spend some time learning the organization of Anzarra's operation. It all works but it's a little different than she'd expect. The small ship would come in handy.
Half the people entering Arlo's club already claim to be in movies...
Rollo will completely share his understanding of the Tower, it's location, and its relationship to the town of Musburg; as offered from Matilda.
Our path should most likely start there. We should leave as soon as possible for early is better than late. May I suggest the morning after tomorrow? That should allow each of us to procure what we shall need for overland travel into the mountains.
Rollo bows to Moria.
With your leave; the usage of that ship would be beneficial to expedite our arrival in time.
The dhampir bows to their host.
My Lord Ghent. If you may provide the necessary supplies for the journey; we would be most grateful. Also, I will be representing your actors in this marvelous endeavor! Should be quite the adventure in showbusiness!
The new Agent to the Stars! spends the following day; recruiting, smoozing, writing up contracts, setting up an official office (with the proper licensing), and he even makes time for a late dinner with Matilda.
The following morning, the Sorcerer is seen at the ship; prepared for the journey.
Lyra is working on a secret project, meetings in the night with crafters and leading minds from around the city. From her rooms come the sounds of talking, arguments, applause, and sometimes booting and cusing.
Soon odd citizens can be seen out and about, with notebooks and odd items. Such small eye classes staring at plants and rocks. If asked what they are doing they are happy to say. 'Natural philosophy' and they are working hard on a book that would explain some Natural phenomena or other. One very smart young gent is working on a book he calls, the grand theory of Mathamagics and related calculum.
Anzarra's crew also tells strange tails of the area of Musburg and suggest that if you travel there, avoid sleeping in the town and perhaps disguise yourselves as peddlers.
Also the information that Moira and Paritosh share with Rollo is that the Tower is a construct of the ancient theocrats of the First Empires - a construct that the Dark Traders or some force aligned with them have bent to their will. The party has already encountered one construct of the ancients, The Soul Well. With this, the key was restoring the sanity of the original Guardian. It's possible the only way to deal with the Tower Of Egon is also restore whatever controlled it in ancient times. (Rollo could visit the Soul Well to get a sample of its magic). The history of plane.
And researching his vision, Rollo has come to believe that swirling auras he saw in the tower were condensed dreams. May be released in the fashion of the mist at Lord Ghent's villa or they might be carried, contained, in counterfeit crystal movies. Rollo feels he has a strong intuitive grasp of the dream magic involved and with luck he may able to command it (the party saw something of this with the Soul Well also).
On entering the tower, the party might be able to overcome whatever entities are guarding it, Rollo might be able to destroy the condensed dreams by force of magic and will, you might be able to find some kind of controlling entity or device to wrest the Tower from the Dark Traders. Oh, and hopefully can rescue Delores' sister. You might consider getting potions of invisibility.
Also, the Tower seems to have a conventional door or two the bottom but it is also at the top. Deciding which to go through once you arrive is going to be one challenge.
The simplest plan is to take three days, one day starting at dawn at the port of Mendsol and walking through Musburg to get to the hills. Then hike through the hills, timing your arrival to moment Moira's book suggested.
Another plan is to arrive earlier and first search the area of Musburg, scouting out the apparent influence of the Dark Traders, their plans and try to learn even more about the tower from them.
Feel free research further or choose plans.
Also, Rollo
Lord is willing to contribute resources to the journey but he say "I suggest you don't take any of your stars ... unless your aim is to dazzle the enemy, hmm... we haven't tried to construct a crystal movie projector with offensive powers ... yet. hmm...
"Let's head out early to get more scouting in and find out whats wrong in the town. It's easy enough to ask around. I don't see why we need to involve Lord Ghent in this expedition though, we have more than enough resources within our own organization for a small expedition like this. Shadow keeps us well supplied."
Once we get to town, Moira will do some quiet investigation around the docks, drinking with her new crew and asking around for leads.
Arlo nods at the human paladin, and will go out early to scout with her.
Paritosh will ensure that a sufficient amount of feed (insects, rats, etc.) are brought along to keep Moonbeam well fed.
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Rollo chuckles at Lord Ghent's jest.
No need to take them, since they have just started on this venture. May I suggest a 3 part movie chronicling our latest venture? I shall take notes for certain. Perhaps, you and I could co-write the piece? I do have a bit of the performer in my veins.
The dhampir jests....
On the morning of their departure, once aboard, Rollo quizzes all those familiar with the Soulwell; it's workings, images, feelings, and any information that he can squeeze.
I may be able to force it shut; but an alternative method would be more ideal.
The Sorcerer will spend the day onboard studying.
Soon after Lord Ghent's opening, Rollo finds time in his busy schedule and takes Arlo with him to the Soul Well. He meets the crafting spirit Imchek and speaks with ancient, powerful guardian spirit. The magic of the Soul Well is similar-yet-different to the dream magic of the Tower Of Egon. Both touch on the unconscious and the mind, of course. Imchek, hearing about Rollo's aims offers to craft a Soul Shield for him similar to those he helped craft for the rest of the party .
Lady Lyra's efforts have the wiser heads in the city buzzing while the rest of city is excited by the movies - there have been 4-5 showings by the time the party leaves.
By the time the party leaves, the ship is filled with all manner of equipment, from climbing gear to more obscure things.
The trip to Mendsol, of course, takes less than a day. Mendsol port ships grain to Ovium and elsewhere and is also a common smuggling destination - goods go overland to Mendsol and are then shipped elsewhere or the reverse. A series of other hidden coves around Mendsol also serve this purpose (one of these where the Zombie-ship from a bit ago was amushed). The Portmaster has a reputation for corruption.
The first thing you notices coming into the harbor is the array of small boats and even rafts lining the harbor. A bit of inquiry finds that "people sleep in the harbor to escape the dreams." And indeed, the moment you step onto land a eerie engulfs each of you - akin to the anticipation of the blue mist or similar things. Not yet challenging you will but threatening to. Sleeping in the ship seems wise ... but if you're ambitious you try challenging or investigating the dream aura hanging over the city.
During the first day, you see many people seeming to be walking in a strange dream barely aware of their surroundings. You notice a large ship, appearing to be grain hauler but with open secret compartment in the sides, not yet filled. And you notice other things (depending on your actions).
All those investigating Mendsol port and surrounding the countryside, give me either a knowledge local, bluff, diplomacy, stealth or related roll to gather information. Something is clearly up here, you have sinking feeling the Dark Traders are controlling the entire city, but to get information about the tower in particular you will need to do a bit of digging. Possibilities include finding those unaffected by the aura lying over the city, bluffing those affected by the aura, sneaking around government buildings, trying to trace the lines of command in the city, probing the aura itself, and etc. I'll assume you all have modest disguises that would prevent you from being recognized at a distance.
Paritosh will lurk around some of the municipal structures and see what he can discover...
+2 Urban
Arlo nods at the human paladin, and will go out early to scout with her.
Rollo feels the heavy magic in the air as they dock. The Sorcerer then approaches the group.
This town is absolutely infested by that dream magic crap. I would like an hour, or so to engage with it; but preferably from the highest location in town; and with a bodyguard. I may need to be elsewhere for this.
The Sage then awaits any responses...
Things seem to be going well so Lady Lyra heads to Moira and the ship.
To spend some time with her.
Moira and Arlo walk through orderly shipping zone near the docks. Mendsol exports grain, meat and vegetables so there's dusting of flour everywhere. They're with a couple of the more experienced members of Moira's new crew, Davin and Rosar. Davin was born in Musburd and Rosar has spend quite a bit of time here. They confess they've felt the eerie feeling here for the past few months but thought nothing of it; it sort of snuck up on them.
Watching the workers move cargo or fill boxes, the group carefully works out who seems most of affected by the weird energy and who less so. Striking up a conversation with a foreman dock named Handley, who seems in his right mind, Moira asks what's happening. Look around, Handley says: Must be some curse or spell laid on this place lately, probably dreams coming to people. Why I sleep in the bay now. Makes directing my men easy but it's too weird, I'm looking for a ship out of here. What's more, that upstart Amelia seems to be directing everything. She was scullery maid till recently. After a bit more discussion, it comes out this woman, Amelia somehow direct various actions in the city - she seems to be very deeply in trance and all those other in trance seem follow her. She's directed the loading of the strange ship in the harbor. That's what Arlo and Moira gets from the dock area and the group returns after about an hour for consultation.
Paritosh flies stealthy around the central, administrative districts, viewing the custom house, the courts and the State Council buildings. Things seem to be going smoothly - normal city operations. Spying on an upstairs chambers, he is able to listen in the conversation of a man who appears to be a high councilor or adviser, talking to a trust servant. Looking out the window, he says, "Nothing I can put my finger on, yet I feel like every day control slips further from our grasp.
Rollo While the others do an initial reconnoitering of the small city, Rollo stays on the dock, move up the invisible magic bubble, making very preliminary assessments of its properties. The basic plan is the party will get a lay of the land and then return to the ship for further action.
I shall remain onboard while you all take a look around. I will study the magic in the air. It is extremely thick with it.
Paritosh will continue to loiter and listen to more of that conversation.
She sits on the deck, watching the sea and deep in thought. As she does she plays with a small rode like item, every now and then holding it up to her ear.
The man Paritosh overhears in the high tower is dressed in the sort of robes generally warn by high nobility. You could guess that he is a member of or an alternate to the ruling council of Mendsol, similar to the ruling councils of the larger cities Ovium and Selium. The room he's in is a plain antechamber with a couple of rosewood chairs, with the walls lined with cabinets and bookshelves, most likely books of regulations, since the Dutchy has significant bureaucracy. You'd guess the council itself lower in the building, with the higher parts of the tower devoted to look-outs.
The servant now answers, "Lord Plutock, do you have a plan?" The answer seems to slightly startle the man. "Oh yes, I suppose I should have a plan. Yes. My mind feels so cloudy these days. Yes, my plan is you should prepare my bath and then I will don plain clothing for the outdoors and stroll down to the docks, to clear my head and to investigate that ship they are building. " With that, he stands up and proceeds to an inner chamber, where Paritosh basically wouldn't be able to follow without revealing his location. The discussion seems over in any case. [Stealth 40 to follow].
Rollo studies the aura, more defuse than that at Lord Ghent's villa but similar, only the slightest feeling of an opening to another world. The intuition seems good that to grapple with the aura effectively, a high place would be needed. Moreover, things seem to be behind the aura, such that they might emerge if the aura is neutralized. With your earlier efforts, recent study and Imcheks' "shield" you feel fairly confident. But a body guard would be good. At the same time, dispelling this effect certainly would announce the group's arrival, so that is another consideration.
Paritosh declines to follow, and he returns to the other to report his findings, and also to let them know the man might be an easy bag if we catch him by the ship, or on the way to it.
When Arlo returns from patrolling, the dwarf will accompany anyone who wishes to delve deeper into the mist.
When Moira, Arlo and Paritosh return to the ship, it is about 1:30 pm.
Rollo describes the plan to go to the highest in the city and begin dealing with the magical effect lying on the city.
Strolling calmly and dressed casually, there doesn't seem like there's any reason to expect anyone to notice the group - indeed in the state the average person seems to be in here, they would be less like notice anything.
The highest convenient flat point in the city is a well kept park on a hill, just in the front of town council building that Paritosh was at. The highest point in the city overall is that buildings' tower, where Paritosh was eavesdropping recently.
The group sets forth. About halfway along the rout, you see Lord Plutock, now casually dressed, walking with three guards (Paritosh relayed his story to everyone). All of them seem alert, far more alert than the average person on the street. (Plutock didn't see Paritosh but he's clearly looking for anyone not under the daze).
If anyone wishes to speak with him, roll diplomacy. To avoid them entirely, roll bluff (to appear under the effect of the "daze").
As the others explore the area, she works below decks in some like of makeshift lab.
Rollo decides to study the Mist in the area without actually disturbing it. He will mentally solve the puzzle to be applied later.
Once the group reunites onboard to discuss each's discovery, the Sage will approach the problems concerning the Mist.
I could--most likely--dissolve it from the area. I do believe, though, that will alert our targets.
Once the group does depart the boat for further investigating; or, even, beginning the journey to the Tower, Rollo will cast Extended Heroism and Extended Heightened Awareness. He also cast Message on the group.
The dhampir whispers
I do believe that Gentleman could be an ally.
Smiling ever-so friendly, the well attired exotic human-looking gentleman politely approaches Lord Plutock. Bowing at the waist, pro-offering his hand, Rollo's blue eyed gaze never leaves his eyes.
My good Lord. I am here to help. If I may venture to guess that you are free as a bird; then, perhaps, a proper place to talk shall be in order?
Lord Plutack looks carefully, appraisingly at the four adventurers and say "Good afternoon friends, am I to guess? The noble delegation from Ovium I have been expecting? I am Grigory Plutack" As Rollo shakes his hand, he whisper "Yes, free, let us go to a location where we may talk, until then say nothing important". He steps back, smiling and leads the group back to the council building, the guards walking behind the group.
Once at the council building, he enters through a side entrance that opens with a key and invites the group to come with him. he takes the group to same room Paritosh saw him in earlier. He asks the group to be seated and sits down himself. Looking you over again, he gestures all around him, "There is spell here, all around us, I can feel. My magic is rudimentary but it is enough to know that. I have been sleeping in my yacht in the bay or it would effect my dreams. I hear stories. But surely, the council of Ovium sent a wizard or maybe several. I have attempted to send messages but was afraid they were being intercepted. I am a member of the Council of Mendsol but I cannot vouch for the other members, sadly. Some strange plan is hatching at the docks. What would you do?"
You can tell heroism did not work on Lady Lyra,
cus she is an android and can never get moral bonuses :(
"Lady Lyra, my lord, and a good day to meet. Yes lets us talk in privet of business matters"
Once in the chamber.
"Have no fear some of your messages got through, we have mages and also other skills that I know will aid you. Most of all we have some understanding of what is happening here and who is behind it. We aim to find them and put a stop to this. If that is what you also wish then we shall be allies."
Moira tags along, the group seems to have things well in hand.
Rollo will defer to Lady Lyra; once introductions are made. He listens intently though for further clues and insight into the Mist.
She smiles at him.
"The mind fog that has engulfed this place, I that we can blow it away, but we will need to do a little more, I think we will have to wake this town up. And I have a plan for this. If your willing to render aid that is"
As she talks she is twiddling a small cylinder.
What she is holding is a music player, one she must have gotten from the sunken hotel in the sea
Lord Plutack relaxes slightly. "Yes, Lady Lyra, word of your excellent newspaper and other accomplishments made it's way before this "fog" descended. I could imagine the council would send you. How can I aid you?"
"For now there is some equipment on our ship I would like you to have brought here. When the time os right we will use it."
Rollo , appearing to have is full attention on the conversation, is actually determining the exact effects dismissing the Mist from this area would unleash?
The Sage muses a bit; whispering his findings to the group.
...also seems as if this immediate area is a centralize emergent point. I can dismiss the Mist from here, but it will bring somethings in its place. We should be available to confront its
He sips his tea.
+FE Bonus
Clueless, as always, Paritosh lets the others take the lead.
Looking at the group, Lord Plutack now seems a bit more dejected. "Normally, I could request a gang of teamsters and have your equipment here in a short time. Now, there are maybe 3-4 men I trust in the city for a mission like that, everyone else is either touched by this or hanging back... I could go with you, taking Morwan and Seldo and we could do what we could to help deliver this... whatever it is ... here. How heavy is it.". He looks ready to begin.
Rollo realizes that Mondingo's text; "Essay Concerning Spells and Enchantments of A Extraordinarily Wide Area" was actually perfect! The Sage wonders (not for the last time) about Time; specifically about how to manipulate it. It's as if Mondingo wrote it for just this moment!
Following Mondingo's comments and exploring the auro a bit more, Rollo is able to narrow the nature of the bound outer planar being to more or less this creature, though this one might be a little less powerful. Moreover, he could probably decide where it would manifest, though it would be have to be at least 20' off the ground.
Rollo whispers his findings to the group. The Sage appears to be considering something.
We may wish to wait; if that is an option. Although, eliminating this threat sooner, may well further endure us to the local populace.
The dhampir smiles.
Perhaps, Paritosh could scout out the best and safest spot to confront the Dream?
Paritosh snaps to attention, "Moonbeam and I will gladly perform whatever service is required."