Volcano's Land - Mercury Morn

Game Master Miner Cotren

Waiting for the return of the messenger, Osna take a perch on a stair leading to the side entrance of a room.

"Okay, now that we are in place, how do you want to approach this one discussion? I think I should give you a little more so you have all the information needed."

He rolls his shoulders to relieve some tension and goes on. "You see, when I first learnt my magic, I used it to gain access to place where I was not supposed to be and find enough to feed my family and some of my friends. But I got cocky and got caught in the Mansions by the watch with my hand full of borrowed jewelry."

He shrugs. "Should have spent a long time in prison for that. But someone higher up was looking for someone with my skills and made me an offer I couldn't reject. That's why I ended up working for Inquisitor v'Ardente. She had me track magic users and artifacts tainted by the Dark. I worked for her a number of years before all that moonstuff threw everything down. Not that I like the idea of the Inquisition per say. But the Dark is way worse and the jobs I had to do were for the good of all. "

After a moment he goes on: "So about this meeting with Inquisitor v'Ardente. There's three angles we can approach it from. First, we got attacked by some strange creature and she may have a clue about how they are made. Second, she may know about the kind of alchemy that was used to make the mind controlling potion. And third, she may know a thing or two about the v'Apore new business. But there's the risk she's working with them. So do you think we should raise those three points or only some of them or others?"

Overhearing the slyph, Phon instinctually moves closer. "Well this is a surprise." She had heard some of it before, but some of it caught the undine off guard.

"Well, I have to say Osna if you hadn't borrowed that jewelry I don't think we ever would have crossed paths, and I fear my world would be a lot less interesting if it wasn't for that."

Phon thought of the question, realizing that she didn't want to dredge up her bad memories before an important meeting, and decided that answering Osna would suffice in the empty air for the time being.

"We should go in with the intention of achieving a goal, whatever that goal is. Then determine as the conversation is going, what we are willing to pay to reach that goal. It may be one, two, or three things." The undine had a good feeling when dealing with people, unsure if it was her natural skill or divine guidance, she was proud of knowing when folks were trying to fill the pond with ink.

"Would it not be prudent to pool as much information as possible? If she is trustworthy, then why don't we let her pick her chosen role in this situation? As a noble, she's bound to be motivated by her own self interest, right? Wouldn't framing it in a way that shows her the danger she is in be sufficient to get a positive action?"

Osna smiles at Phon's remark. "Yes, small actions may have long term effects. And I'm happy we came to know each other through that. Let's keep doing the most interesting things then."

She turns to Samen and the rest of the team:

"Thanks for your advice. I'll keep that in mind when we start talking. But negotiations are not my forte, I'm better at coming in and out unseen so I'll need your help when we're there."

When the kid sylph cones back with his request, Osna stifles a laugh: "You know, you remind me of myself when I was your age."

He jumps down from his perch and squats by the boy with two silvers in one hand and three in the second one: "That will get you two silvers. But you can get three more if you describe everything you saw and heard and give me the reply you got."

The boy nods. His eyes get a faraway look as he recalls the scene. The information comes out steady, clipped tones; lLike most street children, he knows how to observe and survive, even under the stress of being blindfolded.

-He thoroughly lost track of where they took him - there were tunnels or sewers at one point, but they could have just as easily marched him in circles to confuse him

-There was an argument at one point behind a thick door. He made out two voices, one female, one male. There could have been the word "Smiler", but he is unsure.

Finally, the boy leads you to a spot down a nearby alley where he brushes aside some trash and a rotting box, leans down, and picks up a sealed letter. "Didn't think you was, but had to hide it in case you was a pluck, see? No money, no message, see? Nothin' personal, chem."

chem: sylph slang to refer to an older sylph, maybe roughly the equivalent of a kid calling an older guy "pops" in the...I think American 1940s or so

assuming you pay him

Phon waits for Osna to return and looks to the others, "I think you exercised some good insight there Samen. While I would like to assume I know how people would act, our morning has given me cause for alarm."

Osna pats the kid on the back as he pays him. "That's a job well done. I may have a need of a reliable messenger in the next days. Where can I find you and who should I ask for?"

Then, he joins his companions and announces: "Ok, the game is on. She's in hiding but she got the message. We have a meeting tomorrow night."

He then proceeds to describe the messenger's recollection and message. "The smell is the right one and she used a date only the two of us should know. So I'm confident it was her."

He thinks some more : "But that means I'm out of idea on what lead to pursue until that meeting. What do you think we should do?", he wonders.

to Osna

"Sylphies don't belong in the Steams--beg your pardon, Stems--no more, so only place left is the ruins of Brightfield. Ask around for Cackid." He pauses, then awkwardly nods to you again. "Well, see you around, chem." Turning down another side alley, he disappears from sight.

Brightfield was the brutbreve arena of Hearth, but recently blown up by a violent alchemical explosion a month or two ago. Amidst all the other chaos, none of you ever heard the full story on what happened, as you had other various concerns. Regardless, the ruins are a shattered, dusty place, so this kid is living in one of the worst spots in town

to recap other potential things to investigate (not saying these MUST be done at all, just a friendly reminder

the presence of a Quiet Elder tree in Hearth, and the oreads who are living in the "Stem" Slums these days

what is the mood of the city with the representatives of Forge arriving tomorrow?

checking up on the remaining Happy Swords?

Wamblee puts away the green crystal he calls Obdurate. His eyes come back into focus, away from inner contemplations. He regards Samen for a moment. "Brother, isn't this a strange time to parade about in a suspicious form? All these city-els are already on edge about the Moon-god. I am worried we draw undue attention to ourselves."

Samen looks around at the bystanders all around and nods in agreement. He dismisses the transmutation and returns to his normal Oread form.

"You're right, Wamblee. We need the right folks to panic about Moon elens, not the general public.

Should we go check the rest of the mercenary company to see if anyone else is affected? Seems to me like the group that has already been proven to be infiltrated is a good place to start looking."

Osna grins : "I'm not sure which one to be more frightened by, to be fair."

He gives a small bow. "Nice to meet you Samen. But I'm not sure I'm following you on your philosophical journey. You can chose who you are, but you're not fundamentally changing what you are with your spell. Even if it transforms you, the minute it stops, you're back to your original form. So you can decide to alter yourself for a short time only."

He waves a hand : "Your last suggestion, I can follow and fully agree to. We should check on the men and maybe see in the captain's tent if we find other clues."

Samen considers diving into the finer details of aspect theory and elen mutability. It's a rare thing, but it seems Osna is both interested and astute enough to have a stimulating conversation on the topic. It would certainly be more entertaining than detective work.

However, the urgency of the situation and the rest of the group's presence means it's probably not the right time. He struggles for a moment to find the right words, and finally settles on, "Ahh, well, you see... Erm... Let's talk later, once we have things in hand."

I wonder how Samen would react if he saw my first teacher. That would be something to see.

"You're right, we'll need to discuss that longer and in more detail, but I find your theory very intriguing. And I agree we have more pressing matters."

Osna turns to the rest of the group. "Phon, Iniga, what do you think ? "

I'm curious - being a pantheon worshipper, does Phon Vos show any signs of faith on her clothing, armor, etc? Wamblee would likely comment if he saw one person wearing the symbols of multiple gods.

For the sake of expedience, since Osna seconded the idea we'll move forward with double-checking the staus of the Happy Swords.

Let me know any prep you wish to make, otherwise we will head out of town (as narrated by Osna, that's where they are located. I like it - the town is probably overbooked for the most part due to the incoming delegates)

I'll plan on a bigger update tomorrow after everyone has had a chance to post.

Phon tries to show it as respectfully as she can, knowing that it may cause her to be ostracized.

Phon considers Samen, "You are peculiar, but so am I." She shows her talismans and focuses. "I believe by disregarding one of our parts we take away ourselves. This is true for gods and for us." She nods when they say to move forward, "I think we should see how our fellow Swords are doing. The tracks will get cold if we tarry too long."

"I'm fine for us to check the wellbeing of the Happy Swords. They had a limited amount of the mixture so I'm uncertain if the whole company would be affected but I guess it doesn't hurt to check."

It is seventeenth candle. Dinner time.

The direct route from the Temple and north out of town takes longer than usual, thanks to the crowds of gawkers, buyers, and merchants. You see a greater presence of the Tall Watch, the black-garbed guards that patrol the walls and gates of Hearth. Spring mud clings to your boots as you tromp along the templeroad and out the ebony-and-ivory Welcome Gate.

Several miles outside of the city, you come to the camp of the Happy Swords in a clearing between wheat fields. On sentry duty you see Nervous and Pinky. Nervous is a good scout, and spots you immediately as you come into view. Recognizing Phon Vos and Osna, the twitchy sylph returns the friendly signal to you. Pinky waves a four-fingered greeting.

Only Phon Vos and Osna recognize their fellow Happy Swords. I think Iniga's experience is limited to Phon Vos, Osna, and the Captain.

The smell of camp soup, rich with local game and a dash of good spices, wafts from the nearby fire, the cauldron singing boiling praises in a fiery tongue. Nervous nods to Osna, then Phon Vos. "Lieutenant said to get a bite, then go see 'im." His eyes flick over to the tattooed Samen and the passive Wamblee. "You guys too. Think he wants to make a plan."

this is the Captain's second in command, Fillipo, whom you left with your other magic users, with the plan of warding Fillipo in particular

Phon gives a finned wave back, looking at the sentries and their positioning. They still need some work.

She pulls her helmet back, relaxed with the air. The nearby Happy Swords are a natural distraction from her pain and the undine is always glad to have people to chat with, even if it is business.

"I believe food should be in order if you all wish to stay." Giving a shrug in the direction of the food, she continues, "Fillipo can wait. I think we should speak frankly to each other." The plate is heavy, and she slowly works her way to a bowl, giving her hellos to the others.

"It is a nice broth afterall." Just like Hien used to do it.

Her respite was short.

Wamblee simply says, "Speak, then."

not sure if you want the PCs to talk frankly, or if you had more to say, so Wamblee is unsure as well :)

Just before entering the camp, Osna pulls a small pearl from one of his pocket and rolls it between his fingers before casting a quick spell.

Osna uses a pearl of power to re-memorize mage armor and cast it again, a more than 7 hours have passed since he cast it last

As the group passes by the sentries, Osna catches the look from Phon and returns it with a nod.

He clicks his tongue and launches in Sylph at the sentries with a friendly word: "Okay guys, I don't care if Lieutenant Phon and myself come with all the gods escorting us, or stark naked and drunk, you're supposed to ask for a password, not wave at us."

He waves a hand, mutters a few words and a small electric bolt strikes each of the Sylphs left ear. "You should be happy it's just me and not Fillipo right now. And you can pass the word around. Today is not the day to relax."

Using Jolt but as both Sylphs have DR electricity 5, it will not do anything to them, unless they are not Sylphs :)

Then he listens to the message from Fillipo and joins the rest of the group around the cauldron where he proceeds to fill bowls for everyone.

"Go ahead Phon, I'm all ears, your wisdom would be appreciated on what we are facing."

Samen awkwardly moves to the table and sits down as well, brows furrowed. "You don't trust us, do you? While probably wise, it's counter productive. Iniga's the one with the silver tongue, but here's my best attempt to assuage your concerns:

There. Someone trying to ingratiate himself disingenuously wouldn't call your worldview cacca to you face, would he?"

Wamblee puts a hand over his face, chagrined by his brother's blunt words.

Samen turns to Wamblee. "What? She said speak frankly."

Great. I've stepped in it again, haven't I? Why does anyone even let me talk?

Osna stops mid sentence and burst out laughing until tears come out of his eyes: "I've put my foot in my mouth more than my fair share but you're a master aren't you?"

He looks the Magus up and down :"Didn't you go to one of the fancy schools in Light, where your kind learn your spells? You could have learned how not to offense people. But I give you full points for candor."

While speaking, Osna keeps an eye on Phon ot figure out her reaction.

"Can we keep to the point and not get sidetracked by philosophical considerations, please? From my side, I don't have a problem of trusting you for now. We were all the target of this creature, so we must have been a problem for it. My questions are why is that, what are they trying to achieve and who are they beside the v'Apor familly?"

Autopass that with a +14

The undine bites into the spoon when she hears Samen, before swallowing the soup and putting the bowl down quietly.

"I do not trust you. It would be foolish to when our opponent has the ability to control minds and shift bodies. I wanted to ensure we were all on the same page." Standing up, she takes a gauntlet off, "Obviously you have no way to trust what I'm going to say either, but all the gods watch us, and they grant me their blessing of truth." Her eyes look at Samen peculiarly, "I wish to assuage my fears. Allow me to place my hand upon you; Wamblee and Iniga I would ask the same from you."

This is more for flavour than any actual information obviously.

Looking at Osna she gives a glance, Thank you but I must speak plainly.

Her eyes steel when her gaze turns away from the slyph, "Everything may be transactional to you Samen, but I would not wear the garb of a whole pantheon if I didn't believe in them. I wouldn't walk the streets being a pariah for something I didn't believe in." Perhaps he would still be alive if I had believed at the time.

The resolve on her face melts quickly into sadness at the thought of him, "I would ask that if you want to speak of my worldview, we don't do it with slander and attacks. I have lost much, as have many people and I think that your cavalier attitude makes light of what can be done. Transaction or not." Walking back she thumbs her necklace, "Though I appreciate your honesty Samen, it is refreshing." Donning the gauntlets the war priest feels her armor of faith growing before turning around, "I must be honest with you as well, wherever the dark walks and touches I will be there to hunt it down. If it takes you, expect no less from me. If you can understand why, and agree to those risks, I will be happy to call myself your ally in this journey. Differences and all."

Samen consents to the touch, passively allowing Phon to do whatever she needs.

After she finishes speaking, he grins broadly and extends his hand in friendship. Wow, that went better than expected!

"Ha! I would expect nothing less. And trust that I'll return the favor for you."

He points out the tattoos of the various elemental traditions covering his body. "Despite our differences, we may be more alike than either of us care to admit. I'm glad we cleared the air!"

He leans back and responds to Osna, "No, actually. I learned in a shack in the woods with overdue library books. People didn't take kindly to my ideas."

"Now I can easily understand why. You would not have lasted long there, if what I've hear about the University is true. Well, it's not like we're going to know now.", he adds, sobering at the thought of the fall of Light.

"I did not think there were so many of us out there. I mean not schooled in university. That's a blessing because there's going to be more of us to remove the threat we're facing. And that those who turned will not know as much about us and what we can do." He gets his pensive thought, starring in the distance as he tries to project himself into the future.

"You know, I am thinking there are a few spells we could use to get more clues about those vials tomorrow. I think I'll be able to locate any of those vials if I'm close enough to them. That won't last long but I think it's worth it.", he adds as he grabs a bowl, fill it with soup and starts shoveling food into his mouth.

"Come on, grab something. Eat while there's something left and it's hot enough."

Phon Vos, you feel an odd kinship with the essence you find in Samen: the four elements, and more, all strive within him. Where this idea gives you peace and the hope for unity, however, Samen only finds tension and conflict. There is nothing of the Dark in him.

Wamblee also agrees to the touch of Phon Vos' magic.

You sense a deep reservoir of earthly endurance and fortitude. His companion, Obdurate, emanates a strange power that you cannot quite put yoru finger on - the elemental can see into the future in a limited way, but can only exist in the present very, very slowly. Again, nothing of the Dark.

Fillipo comes out of his tent--indistinguishable from the others to the untrained eye--flanked by Half-Blind and Gimlet. Both of the guards are on full alert - you can tell whatever small bit of mind-clouding magic that was affecting them early is gone. From the sour looks on their faces, you wonder how unpleasant the cure was.

Firmly but not unpleasantly, Lieutenant Fillipo asks you for the latest passcodes, which Phon Vos and Osna both give in turn. He nods in satisfaction. At Fillipo's gesture, Half-Blind looks all of you over with his alien eye, rectangular pupil swimming in the brown, watery sclera. The gaze is sharp, like bee-stings on your skin, but the pain fades quickly as the eye roves on.

I doubt that any of your characters has ever seen an octopus, with the possible exception of Phon Vos, but that's roughly what I would compare this to

"Clear," Half-Blind grates.

"How are things, Fillipo ? Did you get anything with the body ?", asks Osna.

"On our side, we have fond a vial that was on whatever the Captain was turned in. We know who got it manufactured. But..." he looks around.

"Maybe it's better if we continue in your tent, out of prying eyes."

Fillipo pauses for a beat, assessing all of you. Then he nods again. "Sure." His voice is soft, like an earth tiger's footfall. "Just had to see you myself first. Come on."

inside the tent

"Only lead we found was the stitch work. It looks the same as a local cult we spring up now and again. Think you already knew that though."

He stays standing, clearly tense in the role of acting Captain. "Go on with your story, Osna."

Osna straightens and goes on "We followed the lead on the vial found on the corpse. If was bottled by an alchemist in the Charlatan's quarter. From what we understand, the preparation is making people more sensitive to mind control or alteration. The mixture came from the patron ex-inquisitor of the v'Apore family. They used to run the steam baths and anything related to that."

"We also have contacted an old contact I had in the Temple. The idea is to get more about the v'Apore family and their current dealings. We'll have more news tomorrow."

He looks at his companions: "I think that's the gist of it, but I may have missed a few details. Please don't hesitate to add to my summary."

Osna is purposefully not mentioning the name of the contact nor the location and time of the meeting.

Phon gives the password and looks at half-blind, she was still unsure about what it was, her touch never revealed much information about it.

"Cult?" She overhears the word and moves in with a stride, internally stifling the pain. Taking a moment, she decided that this would be best followed up with later.

"There was one major factor Osna, the thing we found in the tavern." She scans the room before continuing, hoping to see any of them flinch.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

"Captain Margherita is presumably dead."

you don't notice anyone acting suspiciously

Fillipo says heatedly, "You don't know that. Could be some magic copied her looks, and they've still got her somewhere. Could be they need her alive." He is angry, but seems unconvinced of his own arguments.

Turning away to face a small portable writing desk, he continues. "Follow up on your contact. I'll see if any other Sword has a connection to the v'Apore family. In the meantime, don't go anywhere alone."

"And Phon Vos, Beautymark wants to talk to you. She's tending some of our sick at the back of camp."

anything else to say? otherwise this is basically a dismissal

Osna takes his time to reply: "I'm with Fillipo on that one. We're not sure if that was the Captain killed and reanimated or turned or if that was a construct made to look like her."

bluff: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32 This time Phon can't read Osna ;)

Then he continues and asks the acting Captain: "Maybe it's a stupid question, but have you tried to have someone scry on the Captain? I mean, we should have some hair or something of her in her tent."

"I can't do it but maybe someone else can?", he looks around, including his companions in the question.

I'm supposing Osna knows about scrying spells. He knows divination spells like locate object and will be able to cast scrying when he has access to 4th level spells.

Samen shakes his head, sad to disappoint his new magically inclined friend. "Sadly, no. That's not one I've picked up yet. Given time to prepare, I could call an elemental to do it for us, but the bargains they drive are rarely worth it."

A tiny tongue of smoke slithers from Samen's staff, curious, questing. A charcoal whisper, barely heard by all, "Maybe a friendly elemental, my love? I am sure your brother's star can see very far in the Breathless Valley."

A darker whisper, but still audible. "We trust these new ones with our secrets now, yes?"

Phon wants to believe Osna and shakes her head, "Of course."

Hearing about scrying, Phon thinks out loud, "I can of course. Divinations are one of my specialties. I can in fact locate an object, speak with the dead or contact an outsider, but I would have to pray to the gods and see if they grant it to me."

Phon has access to all 3rd and lower Cleric Spells, including Locate Object, Speak With Dead and Planar Inquiry.

Before she has a chance to do begin reciting prayer in her head she hears a noise and becomes alert with her hand gripping her weapon.

I'll let you decide if she notices anything more than the noise.

Abbygailiwy is typically not a creature of subtlety. Phon Vos and Osna both see the small, smoky shape easily enough.

Samen can't help but turn up the corners of his mouth at Abby's acrid caress. He inhales her wispy essence as one might an expensive perfume.
"Good point, my dear. I was thinking more of Stof than the star, but of course yours is a much better idea. It would be good to commune with him once more, though if Phon has a more practical solution, we should probably pursue that. Tell us more about this speaking with the dead; That seems more direct even than scrying."

Osna is turning to Phon to further their discussion when the creature appears. He tenses up, snapping his heels and looks like he is disappearing for a moment.

"What new...." He cocks his head, watching the creature with one eye then the other. "Secrets piled on secrets, I see. Maybe you could introduce us to those new companions.", he asks Samen with a little acid in his voice.

He then eyes Wamblee warily: "I did not catch that earlier, but the "Obdurate" you were referring to earlier. Is it kin to that one?"

"Obdurate would likely object to being called kin to Stof. Nonetheless, calling them cousins is close enough."

The elemental now becomes a woman's face wreathed in smoke, seeming to grow from the staff. "Abbygailiwy you may call me, and I am far superior to any cloud of dust or boulder. They are more like servants than family." A lilting laugh, slightly off-kilter.

No longer interested in the conversation, Wamblee moves over to Iniga, a troubled look on his face. "Obdurate...hmm. Obdurate thinks..." His own speech mimics that of his silent companion, slow and ponderous. "That Iniga is occupied by visions."

this shouldn't turn into a "let's help cure Iniga" thing. I like where the narrative is going right now, this is just to help bot Iniga. Wamblee will be keeping watch over her as she is mostly preoccupied with her visions, besides basic self-care, eating, and some distracted conversation here and there