Strandel:
Once the reports are in, Ari, Armaund and Strandel have an night that strains each their vast stamina levels.
Bethia comments to Strandel, "Working in the organization requires tremendous care, calculation and commitment. Heroics, yes but also adaptability and considerable work. It's better that a member resign when other things call than that they let personal matters get in their way. Whatever is happen with Arlo as well as his wife Lyra, I wish them well. They may provide help to the Organization some time in the future." Under her soft, gentle demeanor, you can sense steely commitment to the Organization.
Gift:
At the Fey club, a sylph named Donnee does his best to keep up with Gift's dancing and to treat her with a courtly adoration. Still, it seems abstract, a matter of politeness rather than infatuation. The Fey Ari is with have a feeling of great age - they are gay, friendly and playful but beneath it is a feeling of world weariness from living through millennia... Still, the food is exquisite, the conversation entertaining, the decor is lush and the practical jokes are lively, you can't go through an evening without breaking a few thousand year old urns.
Gift's seminar is well received. After her formal presentation, Kargal (who began life as a warforged battle droid in the Hell Galaxy but has become much more) and a couple beings from technological worlds compare notes on conflicting versions of quantum equations in different world and similar questions. The discussion is enlighten but no definite conclusion is reached.
Terex:
In one of the many discussions of planar structures, a an ancient treant named Eruendo comments: "One possibility would be to seek a strand of order extending sufficiently deep into the realm of chaos. We know of a few such strands but with a wide multiverse, most likely more exist. With such strand you could reach an area of sufficient complexity for your friend to find their way without either of you dissolving. If I had more time, I could join that search but I fear another plan is going to take me away at the end of this."
The discussion after the seminar throw ups some interesting questions and findings, what was interesting was that while tech seemed to wax and wain, Magic seemed far more stable across planes. But that would have to wait, the hiatus for note comparing was coming to an end. And new missions would be coming. She went home to her adopted mother and father and waited for the call.
"Siigh"
After near-constant reminders from Ari and Bethia, Strandel the Sublime finds a quiet office at the new Organization building with a ink and inkpen to draft his report.
The calmly tells the reader he can only write of his experience as he was teelported mid-mission to the location. The satyr goes into detail of his new party members, opinions, strengths, likelihood of having sex, etc. Then Strandel talks about his experience fighting the titanic worms and retrieving the scales for research.
The next paragraph goes into meeting the Tarnuvien for the first time, and their addiction/compulsion for entertainment to stay cohesive. Strandel goes into detail of getting in front of the Tarnuviens and seeing them transform before his eyes. The bard explains what melody and subject matter he used. Strandel goes into detail on the basic shape of his new Strandelelians, but adds their is also a lot of variation. Strandel also noted how the creation of this new race was helping to bring new vegetation to the area.
Next Strandel writes about his experience with aggressive alternative forms of Tarnuviens, and his conversion of other groups into new Strandelelians. Then, the stayr takes a short break to explain what he taught the new Strandelelians was a variant of his Path of Free Use Commune philosophy from Galarion.
Strandel then writes about his first experience with the location soon to be called The Hill, and the ritual used to communicate with the earth elemental sleeping there. The fey goes into detail about the 'Earth Spirit' and his willingness to help.
Next paragraph, the bard explains the group activites to extract the 'evil egg' from the plane's astral plane.
Strandel then concluded with the changes that occured once the 'evil egg' was removed from the plane, the stabilzation of the Strandelelians and eventual sprawl of the populace into the newly-renewed world.
"And done!" The satyr gets up from the desk with his report and thanks the halfling woman who was under the dress, giving oral support to Strandel to complete his report. "Come with me while I turn this report in, then we can complete what you started."
Highlight overheard: "So the worms and other world-destroying monsters are expression of flaws introduced earlier? But how? And how to stop them".."why are not the so-called Gods involved? Have they abandoned the many world?"...
At one point in the events, Ari corners Armand and Strandel and whispers "We must get together ... once you two have written your reports" and she asks other similarly at other times. "I want to know what went well and who you could have done better, what you learned about the Traders, any changes we could make to our approach...
Terexaltherin considers this carefully. When he next meets with Ari he responds, In addition to what I pointed out in my report... I think we need to find ways to be more proactive. We're too reactive, too much on the defensive most of the time, which gives the Dark Traders too much leeway to do their work. We have to find more ways to pressure them, more places we can attack them, so their agents have to be constantly looking over their shoulders for fear we're right on their tails. Of course, that's easier said than done...
Terex:
In one of the many discussions of planar structures, a an ancient treant named Eruendo comments: "One possibility would be to seek a strand of order extending sufficiently deep into the realm of chaos. We know of a few such strands but with a wide multiverse, most likely more exist. With such strand you could reach an area of sufficient complexity for your friend to find their way without either of you dissolving. If I had more time, I could join that search but I fear another plan is going to take me away at the end of this."
The little dragon cocks his head to one side as he considers this suggestion. ...huh, that is a good thought. Let's see... I could start from the known ones and look for ones that might be similar... yeah, I'll start from that!
He quickly tackles this new line of thought in his next spare research time.
Gift sat on the balcony with her mother,
::"They will be shipping us out soon, we so they say, we are going to try and find out how traders place flaws in planes at their creation."::
Lyra nodded
::"It would be the logical thing to do, but I get the feeling you not worried about that gift, come out with it, I know you getting your memories back was a shock but we have talked about that so whats up"::
Gift did not know if she should say something but then made her mind up.
::"I gave a talk on using tech, and there was some talk after, I think I am starting to relay on it too much. I work with this gnome Minna, and she is able to use magic and tech. Mix it up you know, I lumber around with your old gun just trying to shoot everyone, it just feels you know not me anymore."::
Lyra felt for her adapted daughter,
::"When you got your old life back, you feel back into doing things that way, we do, can't really help it non of us. But you lived another life, one with me and your father. You have a soul now and feelings. That fey on your team, he is all about that from what your saying and I get the feeling your pulling away from them. You should not, they are part of you"::
Gift nodded,
::"ye I thought about that, I just don't know what to do"::
Alya smiled and hugged her daughter, she pulled her back and looked her in the eyes.
::"Then find that place between your two lives, stop being one or the others. change things up, you do that all the time, look at what you are and what you do, and find you!"::
Gift hugged her mother back
::"I know you would know what to do, thanks mum"::
And she felt right in saying the words, she would do that, look to herself to find the real here. She did not need the trapping of the old life nor the ones of a Suregat child, she must find who she felt happy being.
The discussion after the seminar throw ups some interesting questions and findings, what was interesting was that while tech seemed to wax and wain, Magic seemed far more stable across planes.
As Gift is sitting in one of the comfortable lobbies away from the main seminar rooms and thinking this, one of the older research mages, seeming to read her mind (and who knows), says "Yes, I believe magic is more stable across the planes because it is an expression of the will of a spirit and that is what travels the planes in the end - while technology is a relationship between reason and the order of a given plane. Of course, it could be that we simply cannot travel to those planes where magic is weak, opinions differ here...
Terexaltherin considers this carefully. When he next meets with Ari he responds, In addition to what I pointed out in my report... I think we need to find ways to be more proactive. We're too reactive, too much on the defensive most of the time, which gives the Dark Traders too much leeway to do their work. We have to find more ways to pressure them, more places we can attack them, so their agents have to be constantly looking over their shoulders for fear we're right on their tails. Of course, that's easier said than done...
Ari looks carefully at Terex (and he can notice she can have a feral, animal quality when she concentrates). "Yes, we were on the defensive recently, even when I was destroying their planetary headquarters we in that sense on the defensive. Still, now we can dig more deeply and discover ways of preventing the enemy from acting. I will speak with about this later."
Later, Ari and Eruendo the treant together approach Terex, Gift and Strandel. Ari says: "We are considering an interesting mission. It is bold and speculative. You may wind-up chasing Wilo-The-Wisps so I must warn you about frustration to begin with. The target is the land of Curenai - an area of both humans humanoids and rather alien creatures - living flowers. Eruendo will be one contact, being able to assume their form readily" here Eruendo responds "However, these creatures, the Cucurai, are strange even to me, stranger even than humanoids to me. They are reputed to experience the past and the future differently than ordinary beings.".
Ari continues: "The situation is this. Before I became involved with The Organization, I was close to a group of adventures - Zorlander The Great, Kaliac the Black, Fentor The Golden - or so they styled themselves. Kaliac, somehow, obtained a strange book gambling at the Pillars of Time. On it was recorded numerous planes that had been infected by the Dark Traders. I only was able to see the book a handful of times. What remembered from it later aided The Organization. However, when those heroes betrayed us and vanished, the Organization tracked the book fruitlessly for years. Now I wish to move oppositely - through rumor and divination, we have indications that the book passed through and maybe was creating in the land of Curenai. Our plan is to investigate this in more detail. Those with strong minds are needed because the Cucurai are reputed to have power of mind and of prophesy and we must evade these. Your first destination - the area accessible by planar travel - is Ganjee Town, an area of jungle settlements of quite miscellaneous humanoids on The Great River Unash. The humanoid settlements trade with Curenai deeper in the jungle and with interdimensional travelers on this River - The Unash reputed to be tributary of the River Styx but is naturally quite different flowing through material planes. And it indeed flows through many in this area of the multiverse. Ganjee Town is described as raucous and also time is reputed to flow differently there - people may loose years of time suddenly and people long dead can be seen regularly on the streets. Your goal would be to go there and investigate Curenai and the origins of the book. A dangerous and maybe fruitless quest - but a chance to take the offensive. You can think about this and decide how it suits you. Also planeshifting there is impossible but we can travel to another part of the Unash"
"Hmm." The fey considered. "Curenai. Sounds like a place full of life, wild and otherwise. Good. I was beginning to think it was responsibility to terraform the planes." Strandel grinned to the others. "Still, I hope my nature lore will be of use. And surely there must be some fey about in such a wild place. They may be able to help. Plus, I'm for anyplace where I can show more fur confortably." The bard winks at Minna.
Sitting unobtrusively at a table, sipping a steaming cup of green tea, Rollo Qantas listens intently at the debriefing by Ari. The dhamphir appears rested, ready, reliably resolved of his previously presented personal proclivities.
Wearing a sand-colored robe, adorned with gold threaded runes of Arcane power, the Sage stands to engage with his follow agents.
Well met, my friends. I apologize for my sudden extended abstinence, concerning the conclusion of our previous mission. I understand that you were successful and returned unharmed. I am happy having heard such results. I have been given permission to join this new expedition by leadership, if you would welcome back your Magic Specialist?
The smiling dhamphir winks.
The satyr walks up. "I'm not sure if we met on the last mission or not. It was so..so much, all at once. I'm called Strandel the Sublime, bard extraordinaire. But you can just call me Strandel."
Strandel extends his hand for a handshake, a curious mortal meeting ritual.
Gift got the call while the family was sleeping.
"The chamber is ready, and power building, can you get here within the hour?"
She replied to the lab tech's request.
"On my way"
She jumped up and grabbed her stuff, on her way to HQ she reflected on how she had got here. She had been sitting in one of the comfortable lobbies away from the main seminar rooms and thinking over how magic did so much better than tech, when one of the older research mages, seeming to read her mind, She did not have her mind-guards up and would not make that mistake again. just came out and said to her
"Yes, I believe magic is more stable across the planes because it is an expression of the will of a spirit and that is what travels the planes in the end - while technology is a relationship between reason and the order of a given plane. Of course, it could be that we simply cannot travel to those planes where magic is weak, opinions differ here..."
She looked at him and asked back.
"Let's say what your saying is true, then what of psionics, that is the very essence of mind over matter."
"That is true, and that is also why I have sorted you out Agent Gift, we have hypothesized ad an experiment, one you are uniquely able to help us with."
"How so?"
"What if we had a subject that had both technology and psionics in tire nature, no their very being. And we stripped away all tech from a subject and focused on their psionic side. We would study them beforehand and then after. To see how effective their Psionic only abilities are on the planes."
Gift was intelligent, in fact, she was programmed to be.
"You want me to be the subject"
The old mage smiled and shrugged.
"As I said, uniquely qualified"
looked around the lobby.
"Because I am Both Mecha and psionic"
"Yes indeed, and you have a soul, that is critical as well."
The old mage made clear.
She looked back at him.
"But how can you focus me down to only my psionic side, I am by my form tech."
She held up her Andriod arm.
The mage seems excited now.
"Let us worry about that, but I can see you considering it."
He then winced and made a yelping sound.
"You mean you read my mind, it's never a good thing to try and read a psions mind, most of all a telepath. We bite. But yes I think if we are going to get to the bottom of this we have to try radical things. I will do your experiment. I don't want you to tell me what you're planning. That will bies the results. Just try not to kill me."
The mage was exstatic,
"We will call you later once we have everything in place."
That had been this afternoon, later seem to be the wee hours.
She was at HQ and the old mage was in the lobby waiting for her. The place was still buzzing, the planes never sleep, as they say. She followed him to an elevator and down to one of the subfloors. A short walk and three-doors past security and she was in a Lab lit only in blue. Cables and power crystals were all over the place and at the center of the room. A crystal sarcophagus, open and waiting.
"Please change into the robs in the side room, remove all tech and items but the clothing. Your bare Psicyrtal is to get in with you, please hold it once laying down in the sarcophagus."
She did as told and was soon laying down, the cystal lid of the sarcophagus locking into place. All sound stopped, and all she could see was the mag and others working. A voice came to her telepathically.
"Greetings Agent Gift, I will be your assistant while you go throw the transformation. Please focus on my voice and only my voice"::
She did and felt others, other psionic minds around her. There were focused in a way she had never seen before. They where...
and her mind exploded in pain and pour psionic power hit her.....
Gift comes into the room late and picks up a small psicystal drone she had sent ahead. So as you see here, at once, you see there is something very different about here. For a start her eyes glowing blue, her skin seems to scintillate with psionic power, and her now jet black hair has a force sheen about it.
Then her body, as always it looks almost human, but not in not that odd Andriod look, no, this is some other kind of construct.
She had become an Elan, a psionic construct in place of a tech one. Nether Orga or Mech, she is Aburaint.
::"Sorry I'm late"::
She takes a seat.
::"O hi Rollo your back"
She winks at him.
"GIFT?" The satyr looks on in disbelief. "Is that you? You..look fleshier from the last time I saw you!"
Terexaltherin radiates a mix of surprise and amusement when he sees Gift's new form.
I'd be more surprised by this if you hadn't changed so many times before, the little dragon says, a thread of humor woven in the otherwise serious message. So you decided to go full psionic instead of mingled psi-tech?
Then Terexaltherin gives Rollo a nod. Good to have you back! he 'says'.
Last he focuses on Ari and Eruendo. Well I'm always excited about a book hunt, he jokes, then grows serious. Do we have any more information on this book? Appearance, anything about its contents beyond having information about the Dark Traders? Do we have any more information on the time effects there, enough to defend ourselves against them?
She shrugged
::"This time it's a little more permanent Terexa, , there is no going back from this."
"And the way, is because we are testing one of the key theories that came out of the seminar, That effects directed from the mind and spirit of an individual agent are more universally more compatible with plains travel than effects derived from 'plains linked effectors'. Sorry that sounded overly complicated. The idea is magic and it's like derived from the mind and will have more use than a constructed single plane stuff, as a planes tech."::
She held up her hand and it glowed blue,
"This effect is more compatible with more planes than say a barratry powered touch. And our experiment seeks to answer just how much so. This is critical for the organization to know. I have been shifted in body and mind from one form of constructed bring to another. From Android to Elan, The idea now is to see if I am less or more effective as an agent."
She put her hand down.
"The content changes Terexa were all about finding who I was in the planes. And finding a way to express 'me'. Odd as it sounds I have never felt more 'me' than I do now. More live and tangible. I was trying to be two things at once. A being of the mind and a being of tech. One had to go. And tech is such hard work. Just getting that craft to the last plane took soo much work. Yet you and Rollo affect things as second nature. Even shimmer just 'is' in the planes. So instead of fighting the mind I have at last embraced it. And well, we shall see if it works"
To Strandel she says
'Yes Strandel I'm flesh and blood, well of a kind, if you count the psionic flued that pumps around this psionic frame as flesh and blood. I'm more psicystal than flesh and blood to be truthful. But I sleep now, well kind off again, more replenishing rest. But it was still interesting. So charming as you are to some you lusty old goat, I will not be sharing that sleepy time with anyone."
Continuing the discussion with Ari and Eruendo
About the book, Ari says: "I was unfortunately only able to glance at it from distance. My comrades were quite careful. It was bound in a dark blue material resembling dyed leather but likely something more exotic. It was strongly, very strongly, resistant to magical sensing. The Cover had only a series of symbols on it, symbols utterly unknown to me. The inside seemed like a personal notebook with planes listed by their alchemic and other characteristics as well areas of burial of something. I saw at ten entries fully and fragments of another twenty. There was many more. A few of the symbols on the cover occassionally reappeared in these entries. The origin of the book was mysterious to me until I met Eruendo who noted that the symbol I showed them reminded them of work-marks of the Curenai. Given the Cucurai have strange insights into the planes, it seems quite it was created by one of their groups. So we aim to figure the details of this process, whether the knowledge exists in other forms. Naturally, the quest to find the book itself as well continues but we have had few leads in the past years. The organization has investigated all the entries I saw over the year as well. Seven planes have been saved, so far"
Eruendo adds "Strandel, your knowledge of nature will invaluable for understanding the Cucurai, even a plant myself I find them mystifying. A magic expert could invaluable as well. I will be able to enter the plane through method available only to plants so you will have to enter through the river River Unash as traders, probably in some highly sought product - mid-level tech weapons are popular but simple valuable will suffice. Most cities along the Unash are quite lawful. We can transport you to Ghent, a typical city somewhat nearby - if one uses a planar compass (we have several)"
Ari comments: "We can lend you the folding yacht from the last time or even that thing Gift had might work. You might consider something less eye-catching to enter a den of thieves, however. Maybe buy something Ghent. I will leave it to you to make your plans"
Gift interjects.
"Ari, I have a means for you to relive the events of seeing the book. A means to aid you in recalling more you may have forgotten or see more clearly what you experienced. I can also allow us to be there in your mindscape when we do by means of Hexqils hive mind. Would you consent to this, it could be invaluable to us, and we may get just a few more clues."
Memory Modification
Allow the subject to recall with perfect clarity an event it actually experienced.
Mind Probe
You can learn the answer to one question per round, to the best of the subject’s knowledge.
So for however long the GM says the memory runs, we can get a number of questions answered. Max 13
"As for my mother's yacht, after the last time I don't think she will lend it to me again for a while, it was in a bit of a stage when we got back apparently."
She says
Rollo bows in greeting to Strandel.
I have read the reports from our previous mission. Well done. Gift, as always, you are an absolute delight to behold. Terex, it is well that your magical expertise had been available.
The Sage thinks for a moment.
I may have run across some extra tidbits about our destination.
So charming as you are to some you lusty old goat, I will not be sharing that sleepy time with anyone."[/b]
The satyr chuckles. "That's funny. You'd think we'd sleep."
Strandel composes himself. "But you are dreaming for the first time in your existence, huh? Good for you. I'd recommend studying some of the Gods of Dreams. They have always been ardent protectors of the fey. Good folk. Helping to produce good dreams."
Gift interjects: "Ari, I have a means for you to relive the events of seeing the book. A means to aid you in recalling more you may have forgotten or see more clearly what you experienced. I can also allow us to be there in your mindscape when we do by means of Hexqils hive mind. Would you consent to this, it could be invaluable to us, and we may get just a few more clues."
The beautiful elf stops and looks pensive. "Hmm, I has been a few years since I used spells on these memories. And yes, if nothing else, it will give you an idea of the situation. It would be instructive. We can assemble a small group of the trustworthy to observe...."
So by the next afternoon, a group of ten individuals is assembled in one of the secure rooms, Gift activates her and the show begins... [i]Ari relives the memory of entering a near-Sigil demiplane christened by it's owner, the elf Zorlander, as Spiderhead and home to Fentor Fizlebrow, Kaliac The Black and Urlain The Blue. She has had a number of dealings with this fairly amoral bunch and has come to negotiate their services again. Entering the front office of the main building, she's greeted by Zorlander's wife Kierra, a somewhat severely dress, taciturn wood elf who chats with her. As she chats with Kierra, she notices a door fifty feet down a hallway, open just a crack and through this crack, her remarkable eyesight is able discern Zorland talking with Kaliac, Fentor and Kaliac... handing Kaliac The Book, the tall, blue-bearded elf says "I know you were the one who won this but if you try to hold unto it, I swear to the Gods I will kill you and you know I keep"[b] to which the enormous Oriad replies: [b]"I know boss, I just want to look at it and see what all the fuss is about" and Fentor giggle disturbingly. Then Zorlander takes the book back and positioning now so Ari can partly see it, says "Look at these coordinates. If I'm not mistaken, this will give us many more worlds to loot". At the point, Minna (the Minna you know, apparently working as a servant of Zorlander) comes to the door and says "Sir, Ari Shadowfire to see you" and at which point Zorland whispers loudly "Ari? Put that away, close that door. You know her senses..." and the memory end. With the memory very slowed down, you get a picture of the ten complete lines and 20 incomplete lines, adding a few more characters to the lines Ari previously wrote out for you.
Rollo searches his usual sources and comes up with more information on the Cucurai. Like many strange things of the multiverse, once these strange creature intently studied by sages but interest in them then waned and they virtually forgotten. They something like animate flower creatures, moving in a strange, flowing fashion. But what is most strange about them is that they don't communicate in ordinary language but through dreams - injecting metaphors and symbols someone's ordinary dream experience. This allows them to conduct trade but makes asking question difficult. Also, look ago, they were studied intently and the Phinamin Interplanar Archeological Company many still have still have agents in the area.
Strandel decides to take this opportunity to shop for the gear, particularly jungle gear for Curenai. The satyr is looking for a tropical kit, and a leather thong.
This kit is intended for hot and moist environments such
as jungles and warm marshes. It includes 1 dose each of
antiplague(UE) and antitoxin, five fishhooks, a hammock (UE),
a kukri, 1 dose of vermin repellent (UE), and a water
purification sponge(UE).
Rollo looks up from a book.
We have any contacts with the Phinamin Interplanar Archeological Company? Seems like a good place to start.
The Sage then turns to Ari.
Can't we just pose as students studying the area? Is this Ganjee Town a known entrance point to the world by other travelers?
I'd say a beat-up old ship would be better, Terexaltherin suggests. I'm not sure students would be quite the way to go... tourists, maybe? If there's any kind of tourism in the area, it has some unusual features but that doesn't necessarily mean people travel to visit it. Maybe small-time merchants if nothing else would blend in well.
Ari says, "Well, Eruendo has visited the area much more recently than I..." and she turns to the Treant, in the form of animate manzanita tree, considers their words carefully, "While you mammals may be a bit hard for me to understand, my impression from observing the area is you have a string of towns devoted primarily to various kinds of criminality. It attracts the greedy and the desperate. Not that it doesn't some order to it - apparently there are banks, newspapers and even schools. It's not a place for anyone give signs of weakness."
On the Phinamin Company, Ari says "The Phinamin company is a very unprincipled group we try not to deal with. Yet, it's possible for they know something and could be paid for information of this sort. It would be best to approach them in a way that wouldn't connected to our Organization. It would require care as they are quite suspicious"
Gift sits up and looks sharply at Ari her eyes flar blue.
"Ari I would remind you that I am as constructed as I ever was, As both and manufactured Android or Elan I was made and am not a mammal having no reproductive organs. And Yes, other cultures can be hard to understand, but that dose not make them less or more valid as a way of life. To understand this we start by not being condescending to them and using what little empathy we have."
That said she sits back.
Circumspect! My forte!
"And Yes, other cultures can be hard to understand, but that dose not make them less or more valid as a way of life. To understand this we start by not being condescending to them and using what little empathy we have."
Strandel looks side-eyed at GIFT. Oh! Really! The satyr thinks to himself. I'll remember this conversation!
She looks sideways at Strandel
::"Don't you start you randy old goat":;
She sends to him with is look.
::Behold! She hypocrites herself again! 'Randy Old Goat'! You have called me 'strumpet' multiple times! Yet! You show little empathy for my lifestyle! Personally, I wouldn't normally care what you say about me, because I often find greater pleasure and comfort in others, but I have to now deal with you on a daily basis! So kindly cut your 'kink-shaming' dialogue around me, lest I find something equally unkind to say of you!:: Strandel retorts mentally.
::"You are right, I did not see that, but I do now, O this new form and a soul lets me have complex emotional states. How fascinating. I will reframe from using hurtful language and use only factual language. Like say nymphomaniac-fey or gregarious-copulator, how about, body-fluid-exchanger See none hurtful and accurate."::
Hmm... down-on-our-luck merchants with some strong bodyguards? That might blend in well enough? the little dragon suggests. And looking for 'business opportunities' would give us reason to move around and talk with people. I wouldn't trust talking with the Phinamin Company, though. Too much chance they'd sell the fact we asked about the Cucurai to someone else.
Ari replies to Gift, "My dear, you are certainly right and it is important to keep this, the need for empathy, in mind in our missions, especially now considering the Cucurai are reputed to be extremely challenging to our understanding. Your unique experience is one reason I am asking you to be on this mission by the way. However, you might have misunderstood Eruendo, who I think might have simply been trying to express some humility concerning their ability to analyze humanoids. I'm sure Eruendo also values empathy highly, do you not my friend?" She puts an arm on Eruendo and makes a complex bow of respect to Gift and the Treant.
To Terex, Ari replies "I think that may be a good suggestion though your team naturally will decide among yourselves in the end"
Strandel is ready for the jungle adventure to begin. His jungle kit is safely inside his portable hole, and the satyr is sporting a leather thong instead of his forest green kilt which leaves little to the imagination.
Gift, looks as she did in the meeting, she was not affected by extremes of weather, as she waited to start. the only difference between her being an Android and being an Elan was the Dark hair and blue eyes that looked like they were lit from the inside.
She seemed to brim over with psionic power as if she was made of the stuff. Her Psicystal Drone Hexwil as always was by her side. But now there was a second Psicstral, identical to hexqil, She brought up the local net for everyone to join.
::"Cannecting, can everyone hear me?"::
::I heard you, Blue lady.::
Hmm, your voice does feel a bit different now, Terexaltherin comments. Now, do we want to go with pseudonyms this time? We've tangled with the Dark Traders enough times now that our names might be known to them. On the other hand, unless we're disguising... well, me, mostly,--a thread of humor in his thoughts here at how the group has changed--And Rollo, I suppose, it wouldn't be too hard to guess who we were.
::"Sorry about that Terex, it seems my feelings leak, it has been noted. I think we should have made-up names and backgrounds that link us. You could be our leader and we, your entourage. I, could be your accountant or secretary, Rollo your advisor, and layer. Standel could be your manservant or Valet, he loves nice clothes, and he could dress you every morning. That kind of thing."::
So the seminar continue along with the discussions on the
Now, do we want to go with pseudonyms this time? We've tangled with the Dark Traders enough times now that our names might be known to them. On the other hand, unless we're disguising... well, me, mostly,--a thread of humor in his thoughts here at how the group has changed--And Rollo, I suppose, it wouldn't be too hard to guess who we were.
Ari "Yes, you absolutely must disguise yourselves and create new identities, it's not just the Dark Traders who might be in the area but a variety of interplanar actors. We know the Phimamins may be involved, just to start. We can find one if anyone is lacking the equivalent of a hat of disguise. Defense in layers. Have both a magical and conventional disguise. This is at least as serious and delicate Syranix where you performed carefully and well. You must be like water, shifting from form to form." As she speaks, Ari shifts from her usual appearance to that of an olive skinned human to a dark-skinned half-elf to imperious Drow and back to her usual form, her voice and mannerisms shifting seamlessly. "Also, you should consider hiring a number of moderately skilled locals who get most of the attention. You have serious experience and accomplishment in the Organization but I realize your last couple assignments haven't had secrecy as a major requirement but this is going to be different. Assume once you arrive in Ganjee Town that nothing will be as it seems. All that said, androids, satyrs dhampyrs and pseudo dragons won't be that rare but still not being you, somewhat known agents, will be important. This is why I'm sending a small team - even if I didn't other plans for him, Armaund would have too big a 'footprint' in this situation, no matter what he did."
So, with that introduction, Ari gives Gift the planar coordinates of Ghent as well as further coordinates to reach Ganjee Town sailing by planar compass and the party gets a variety of simple disguise material, a good quality planar compass, the folding boat you had for Syranix and a chest filled with rare alchemic material worth between 10,000 and 100,000 depending on the desperation of the buyer.
The port of Ghent has a seedy and less seedy side. The kingdom it is within has only a moderate level of magical and technological development , the locals are mostly slender, ebony skilled humans - . Dimensional travelers are regular on the Unash but they seldom stay and normally avoided. The party could easily buy a boat and recruit a crew of either locals or river-nomads.
Gift in response shifts to look like Ari.
And slips on some shades as no matter what she dose her eyes still glow blue.
"Elan, not an android anymore"
She says in Ari voice.
Once they are ready she uses the planar coordinates to Ghent to get them there then posts them to the town.
Her look is that of a Noble female Andriod so that her glowing eyes blend.
Her psicsyatls in a psionic staff.
"Hi, Ari", Strandel said with smooth confidence. "I have a problem. You see, my bard spells are focused 'good times' and making new friends. I didn't learn any bards for subterfuge", the bard explains. "I've never had to worry about hiding myself before, to be quite honest. And I imagine a handsome blonde satyr will stick out like a erection in a calistrian temple. I could use some help looking different. I don't know, maybe I need to dye my fur, or use a hat of disguise or ring of alter self, or something of that nature. What do you think?"
Rollo begins to reach in his robes. He searches, pulling out many strange and mundane trinkets. He finally pulls out a pair of glasses and a moustache and places them on his face.
I may need to learn a new spell.
I should pick up a couple of wands and scrolls before we go... what if I use "alter self" to be a kobold in public? I could probably pull that off. And we should have some healing wands and scrolls just in case. Terexaltherin makes sure to gather these things before the group departs.
Ari's reply to Strendel, "My persuasive friend, let me tell you a secret - you don't need to not be noticed, you merely need to be noticed as something other than what you are - a stupid and annoying slave is always noticed but just as quickly forgotten. Play a part, just a part everyone wants to quickly forget" she punctuates her comment assuming the visage of a gape toothed and smelly old human woman and she turns to Gift to say: "My dead, if you've changed form permanently, so much the better, keep that. I didn't mean just androids were common, simply that strange races don't get much notice. I fear you may still have some of that android literalism still in you, but no matter..." finally returning to her own form.
... So the party plane shifts to Ghent invisibly and quickly finds the Shadow Docks. Shadow Docks; the the cordoned-off section of South Town where pirate and interplanar ships quietly dock, pay the high fees and resupply, recruit and trade certain goods. Here, you size up the sailors, merchants, fixers and roudies who frequent the area. Thus, you find yourself quietly negotiating with "Shaky Babby:, an thin, ostentatiously dress half-orc who swears he can put together a ship and a full crew given a day or two according a specification and sufficient gold (a claim you verified before contacting him). "Excellent my friends. I believe I can represent your interests effect in Gamjee Town. While I have never been to the area, I've spend ten year on the Unash, I've heard several tails of the town and I've represented a many merchant with the locals in similar odd burgs. Just name the size of the ship, the crew size and how shady they should be - though you'll want the type that can take care of themselves and they run double or more."
::"Then I will stay as I am, they don't know me in this form and it's just simpler"::
Ari's reply to Strendel, "My persuasive friend, let me tell you a secret - you don't need to not be noticed, you merely need to be noticed as something other than what you are - a stupid and annoying slave is always noticed but just as quickly forgotten. Play a part, just a part everyone wants to quickly forget" she punctuates her comment assuming the visage of a gape toothed and smelly old human woman and she turns to Gift to say: "My dead, if you've changed form permanently, so much the better, keep that. I didn't mean just androids were common, simply that strange races don't get much notice. I fear you may still have some of that android literalism still in you, but no matter..." finally returning to her own form.
Ari returns to her hotness and walks off. Strandel looks dejected, unsure what to do. From out of then shadows, Bethia smiles and walks up to the satyr.
"Strandel. I got this for you from the magical archives." Bethia places an object in her tentacle in the bard's hand. It appears to be a simple non-brim white hat.
"Oh, Bethia! Is this what I think it is!?" Strandel smiled.
"Put it on", Bethia said expectantly.
Strandel puts on the plain hat and immediately thinks about having dark brown fur. The hat transform into a small comb in the satyr's head, while his fur and becomes a dark taupe.
Strandel spins around to show Bethia. "A hat of disguise ! Thank you!"
The dark and mysterious looking satyr takes Bethia in his arms and kisses her madly.
Oh, that will work! Terexaltherin says as he takes the medallion.
After switching between a couple different forms he settles on ferret for his disguise. It helps that I can 'speak' without anyone I don't want to hearing me, he comments. Who wants me to be their pet ferret? If people don't think I can speak it's less likely they'll pay attention to me, so it's convenient if they don't think I'm a familiar.
This being the case he leaves it to the others to negotiate with 'Shaky Babby'.
Earlier: As Strandel embraces Bethia, she vanishes like smoke and appears ten away, looking a little flustered. Then shaking her head to clear it, she "Ah, I understand such liberties are in your nature, my friend but being a bit skittish on such contact is in my nature in turn, so let us end this with you being grateful and mysterious. The cap indeed is indeed perfect for you as I imagined." and with everyone provided for, Rollo, Terex and Strandel join Gift...
Now: With a simple outline and a significant retainer, Shaky Babby puts together a skilled and adventurous crew of 10, a collection of half-orcs, half-elves and other obscure types who serve as nomadic sea hands on Unash and happen to be in-port currently. "My friends, I know not to pry, still I will tell you what I have learned of Ganjee Town. I have heard - it looks like nothing special but it is a market par excellence certain rare magics. It is large enough to have some usual amenities; merchants, wizards and tradesmen plying their trade - and it has things you would not expect; two temples, a hotel, a weekly printed sheet they call a "newspaper" and other strange things - there are rumors of giant, talking flowers inland. Still, most strangers stay in their in harbor, eerie rumors of people vanishing for years are heard. Amon and Celeric among the crew have been there but stayed in their ship, you may speak to them if you are curious...." Later,
"The Dawn East is a local boat we can rebuild to our liking. Seaworthy already, we can build the appropriate secret rooms for you and your cargo. Forty five long with a large hold, it can carry everyone with in modest comfort we're used to - five to a room all. Another three days and we can be ready for sail. You have the magical compass, am I right? Without that, all is for naught - as I understand such things, one of you must be above deck to operate it. Of course, we'll have a box for you to stand in to avoid revealing yourself. Such things are common on the Unash."
Rollo also procures a simple Hat of Disguise. The dhamphir then returns to speak with Shaky Babby. The Sage observes and listens to the provided procedures.
We are honored to be guests on your ship. Your discretion is honorable.
He then goes off to interview Amon and Celeric.