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Recalling that the monthly fee from his prior agreement with Agreg, Belwick by necessity collects some offered coins from Caelius and Baghotir. "This will go a long way, I assure you."
The nobleman goes to meet with the Centurian, expecting to also see Ulzer and the others of his troop. Once formalities have been met, Belwick gets down to business"I require your services for one month to hunt down the gnolls who are threatening this region. Our previous arrangement was 450 gold pieces, but I recognize that this is likely a challenging endeavour and you will need resources. Thus, I am willing to pay you 750 gold pieces."
"In addition, I will offer you this," he holds out the Gem of Brightness. "The magic within can provide light, but with the appropriate activation word can be made bright enough to temporarily blind your enemies. Lastly, I will share with Ulzer the abjurative knowledge of countering magicks. Something that you have seen me employ to great effect. I see this as an incredibly generous offer, and as such expect to see results. Proof of your success."
Baghotir wonders if the mercenaries will take the very sweet deal.
They do, in fact, take this very sweet deal.
Ulzer is beyond delighted to learn the magic spell. You find him unlike anything you've heard of Hobgoblins in the past. He's very type A, Lawful perhaps to a fault, but he has none of the aggression of his kin.
Agreg has found additional mercenaries to add to his company--they did suffer significant losses in the dungeons beneath the Tower of Zenopus.
They accept payment and set off immediately to hunt Gnoll. The lawful Hobs are ecstatic to be hunting down minions of Chaos.
If the next objective is The Barrier Peaks, describe the preparations you take and how you travel.
If as a group, you'd rather handwave this, we can.
Baghotir collects his things. He meets once more with his loyal crew, and gives them instructions on what to do in his absence. He spends very nearly his last gold (call it 10gp?) on food that will weather the journey, an extra pair of socks, etc. He already has cold weather gear, which he brings just in case.
Then he hunts down the party, eager to be on his way.
Magic Items for sale this week:
Quatermasters of Iuz:
Spell Scroll of Cure Wounds 75 GP
Greater Potion of Healing 300 GP
Spell Scroll of Evard's Black Tentacles 2500 GP
Spell Scroll of Dominate Monster 25000 GP
Potion of Storm Giant Strength 50000 GP
Deck of Illusions 300 GP
Ring of Warmth 300 GP
From Issac:
Weapon +1 of your choice... 300 GP
Grey Bag of Tricks 300 GP
Spell Scroll of Mighty Fortress 25000 GP
Scroll of Protection from Fiends 2500 GP
Wand of Secrets 300 GP
Spell Scroll of Cure Wounds 75 GP
Baghotir passes on the magical purchases. None grab him at the moment, even if he had the cash to buy anything.
PRICING ADJUSTMENTS...
Spell Scroll of Cure Wounds... 100 GP
Potion of Greater Healing 150 GP
Spell Scroll of Evards... 400 GP
Spell Scroll of Dominate Monster... 800 GP
Potion of Storm Giant Strength... 25K
Spell Scroll of Mighty Fortress.. 800 GP
Sorry about that. It's 2024.
Caelius does a bit of shopping as he wears a new ring and a gray pelt bag at his waist. "Think I am ready."
Alisanne joins Caelius for the shopping trip and picks up a nice new rapier.
Preparations made, the party departs on a grey morning, a little unseasonably cold.
Background: You are journeying to The Barrier Peaks, following in the footsteps of Omar Kwalish, a legendary archmage who was renowned for his inventions and skills as an artificer. Hundreds of years ago, he was part of an expedition to The Barrier Peaks, where he went searching for a mythical city, a city called Daoine Gloine, inhabited by, "People of Glass".
Omar Kwalish and his entire expedition never returned from The Barrier Peaks. They were never seen again.
Stories spread about Kwalish, about the secret lab he constructed in The Barrier Peaks where he continued his work and built marvelous machines and discovered great magical power, power for the taking if one were brave or stupid enough to go find it.
Captain Xendros has faith that *somebody* in the expedition survived, and returned with the map to Kwalish's Laboratory. She needs you to recover an Apparatus of Kwalish for her, to fulfill a contract for another buyer.
Alisanne, you heard a rumor: Fey woods surround the foothills of the Barrier Peaks. A dryad queen once ruled there, and her grave is now hidden among the trees. Beware, for those trees remain guarded by sprites that still honor her
Venn hears some scuttlebutt: Kwalish’s grand experiment? I’ve heard tell of a suit of armor as powerful as it is cursed. Whoever dons the suit channels powerful magic, but must fuel its capabilities with their own body’s vitality.
Belwick, you heard: Daoine Gloine was found in the Barrier Peaks, all right, but it’s long been deserted. Its last residents left ages ago, though a few of their descendants are said to scratch out a meager existence along the old mountain passes.
(Baghotir and Caelius failed the check.)
The journey is going well. Venn is an expert guide and you avoid many dangers as you make your way north. A few days into your trek, at about midday you are travelling up a well-known road when there is a flash of light and an explosion!
, Dexterity Save DC 12 for Half Damage.
The smoke clears, rocks and dust scattering and falling around you. There is a crater in the middle of the road. In the crater is a metallic sphere a few feet across, glowing red from being super-heated.
Alisanne will cautiously approach the impact crater to get a closer look at the sphere.
It appears to be a perfect sphere, made of metal, glowing red-hot, though the red is fading as it cools. You can see details in the sphere, etchings or seams perhaps.
Condition: None
- - -
vs DC 12 for 13hp damage
”Now that’s mighty un-neighborly of someone.” he draws his warhammer looking for trouble.
"Please, be careful Alisanne," Belwick says, moving a few steps behind the bard. "If you suspect the presence of magic, step back and let me study it. I can perform the necessary rituals to identify it."
Several small bits of debris smash into Caelius as he shields his eyes. As the dust settles he stares at the orb. "Where did that come from?!"
Venn is uncharacteristically caught unawares. He immediately moves to cover before inching back out. "What in Hextor's hairy ass was that?"
The sphere cools faster than expected. In a minute, the metal is no longer red. The sphere sprouts mechanical legs, wings are arms. It stands as tall as a dwarf. A single eye opens in the center mass of the sphere. It chirps and whirrs and the eye turns towards each of you, looking you over. It darts rapidly taking in all details.
What do you do?
Caelius takes a step back holding his hands in the air, but ready to grab his sword if things turn south. "Think it can understand us? Any of you understand it?"
Baghotir studies the creature, er, thing, back. "Looks like some sort of magical construct. Did it blow us up? It doesn't look hostile. Just... weird."
He can't make head or tails of the thing, but keeps his warhammer ready in case it turns out to be hostile. For now, he gives it the benefit of the doubt and waits for the smart folk to figure it out.
"Talk to.... it. It's stiff and artificial. Belwick, talk to it like a fellow noble, it may pick up what you're putting down."
You hear clicks and hums and whirrs and an old timey squawkbox appears on an extended arm from the construct's back. A series of horn sounds, not unlike trumpets sounds. Then a voice, mechanical sounding without emotion.
"Hello. This monodrone's designation is Gearbox. It is an agent of Mechanus, serving Primus. You travel to Kwalish's lost laboratory. Primus requires data. Gearbox will travel with you and gather information. It will assist you. Unit programmed with utility powers. No secret agenda. End of Line."
The old timey squawkbox is retracted into the construct. It stands there, continuing to regard you with its darting eye.
"Mechanus.... huh."
Venn looks with utter suspicion, but ultimately acceptance. "Oi. Stick that thing back out and explain what utility powers we're talking about here."
Baghotir isn’t sure what to make of their new companion-wanna-be. He too looks to the more diplomatic to make contact while he harrumphs nearby.
Belwick steps forward, taking the mantel of group speaker with practiced ease. "Well met, Gearbox. I am Baron Belwick Donnamoor, one of many lords within the Country of Keoland. You have correctly identified our destination. And while we are not averse to assistance, I would like to know how it is you came to know our destination. I would also ask that you detail what 'utility powers' you possess. We are a resourceful group already."
The nobleman also considers his past studies. Perhaps my magical mentor, Oriel Blackmane, has mentioned these creatures, or Mechanus, in the past? Or maybe there is a tome about it in my library?
"It should be noted that I know of your kind," he says this partially for the benefit of the others. "You are a modron, a being of law and order. You hail from Mechanus, which is not of this plane of existence, but a realm filled with creatures bound by order."
"I do hope that you are not a harbinger of another march..."
Caelius stares in awe on how much the Belwick knows. "Mech Anus? Am I saying that right?" He watches the strange metallic creature unsure of what it wants still, or even how it got here.
Caelius stares in awe on how much the Belwick knows. "Mech Anus? Am I saying that right?" He watches the strange metallic creature unsure of what it wants still, or even how it got here.
Belwick blinks several times. "Close enough."
LOL... Maybe a little retcon is in order.
This is a MONODRONE, and capable of very little. It can deliver a short message, but aside from that is dedicated to ONE task (mono). It speaks only the Modron language. It is intelligent, but not problem solving. People can be less intelligent, but barely. It is capable of speech.
The message you heard was not this thing speaking, but delivering a message. It can carry only one of these messages. You may have been hearing the voice of Primus itself.
Its one task appears to be the mission described. Anything outside of that would be... Extraordinary.
"See? This is what lack of free will gets you."
"Hrm. It does seem that I misidentified this creature. At least a little. It is indeed a modron. But I thought maybe it was a duodrone or something more advanced. But this is a monodrone. The most simple, singular purpose version of its kind. And it should be fairly harmless."
He studies the modron for a moment, then shrugs. "I see no harm in you following us, Gearbox. You may join us."
And assuming that it does not understand his words, Belwick adds a beckoning gesture to show it has permission to follow along.
"Harmless huh?" Baghotir resists the urge to poke at it with his hammer. But he trusts the Baron's knowledge of such things and does not question it.
He presses on, though for starters, he keeps the modron in his sight.
The bleeding and bruised Venn spits at the ground, "HaRmLeSs."
"I understand the sentiment, Venn. Although it is harmless on its own, how it arrived here was... less so. I would liken this to a single ant, walking the earth with a single purpose. The ant is nothing to you and I, but remember that it hails from an ant hill larger than anything we could imagine. Their strength is in the collective."
He gives the others a pointed look. "Please, don't piss it off."
When Baghotir makes to move on, Baron instead sits. "I need a few moments, please. I'm feeling a bit sore, what with all that explosion leaving me singed and bruised. Let's all take a moment to sent to our wounds, yes?"
Condition: None
- - -
”Sure thing Baron.” Baghotir shrugs. It isn’t much of an injury, but they’re clearly getting close. They should take a break and prepare.
He too conserves his spells and takes a rest.
"Your analogy is flawed. If I threw an ant at your face, it wouldn't hurt. Fine, we can rest."
"Excellent. I'm ready to move on."
"Your analogy is flawed. If I threw an ant at your face, it wouldn't hurt. Fine, we can rest." [dice=HD]1d10
Depends on the ant...
Okay, by my very quick and dirty math the journey by foot, overland will take like... 60 days.
You meet Gearbox on Day 5.
Do you want to play out the journey to and from or should I just take us to The Barrier Peaks?
A coach between Saltmarsh and Niole Dra will be 15 GP each.
The ride is comfortable. I imagine Venn bristling a bit at the relative luxury. The ride still isn't the most comfortable--it is unseasonably cold and you experience torrential rains for much of the trip.
Gearbox spends his time looking at each of you and your possessions VERY carefully, as if cataloging it all. One of his Utility Powers reveals itself.
Caelius helping the coach crew unpack supplies and mutters to himself a curse that the darkness is making it impossible to see. Gearbox then casts the Light cantrip, and then makes it his business to cast it frequently. Incessantly. Whenever it appears to the modron that one of you might need a little extra light.
One day the rain stops--as if by magic. You hear the coach driver say something like, Blessed Pelor when suddenly the carriage stops and he kicks the boards above your heads. You peer out the side of the carriage and you're surrounded by about a dozen men wearing hoods, masks, and levelling heavy crossbows at the carriage.
"Blessed Gods INDEED, Friends. If it continued as it were, we'd have buggered off to someplace dry. But as luck would have it, you came along. We're here to collect the tolls on this here road. Now empty your pockets or we'll empty them for you after you're all dead. What'll it be?"
Condition: None
- - -
Though he’s down to a few silver, he’ll be buggered if he’s going to hand it over to these lot. Besides, it’s just plain rude to leave them behind to ‘tax’ the next poor traveler. He mutters to the others, ”We can take ‘em.”
If no one disagrees, he’ll cast a fourth level version of his Spirit Guardians. Then he’ll follow the others out of the coach! He designates the party, the horses, and their coachman so as not to be affected by the spell.
Wis 15 for half
As requested...
Yeah, Baghotir gets out of the carriage last... :)
From the comfort of the interior of the carriage, Belwick retrieves a gold-inlaid vial and begins casting his most potent conjuration spell.
Seconds later a shape made of stone and dirt emerges from the ground near a bandit. It immediately sets to striking them down.
AC 15
HP 50/50
Speed 40 ft.; Burrow 40 ft.
Resistances Piercing and Slashing
Immunities Poison; Exhaustion, Paralyzed, Petrified, Poisoned
Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Passive Perception 10
Alisanne leans out of the carriage and begins playing her flute. Scintillating colours burst forth around the bandits.
Caelius takes a short rest to catch his breath and sothe his new bruises from the orbital creature.
"Not sure I would be blessing the Gods just yet friend. you are robbing a guard of Saltmarsh."
He hops from the wagon, drwing his massive blade as he swings it at the nearest bandit's chest.
HP 67/67
AC 21 (+2 (23) w/ Shield) (14 w/o armor)
Short Rest Die 7/7
Second Wind 1/1
Action Surge 1/1
Superiority Die (D8; Disarming Attack, Sweeping Attack, Menacing Attack): 5/5
The show of force is overwhelming.
Alisanne befuddles half of the bandits with her spell as Caelius charges the leader and the front line. Crossbow bolts fly and the bandits curse in shock and alarm!
The Elemental appears and... Well, that's pretty much it. Any bandits not killed or scared away see Baghotir appear in a swirling mass of radiant damage and they head for the hills.
"LET'S GET THE HELLS OUT OF HERE!!!"
The, "battle", is over in seconds. The carriage driver laughs, and hoots. There are four bandits still dazzled by Alisanne's spell. A few are dead, and the others may never stop running.
Each of you earns 290 Experience Points
You are free to continue your journey, un-robbed.