Zaidel paused as he put both hands over his heart in appreciation of the compliment, and bowed his head at the two.
"How Cow! You both killed a white dragon?! That's amazing! Congratulations!" Zaidel gushed over Mia and Angelica.
"Well, I'm serious about petitioning a performance at The Temple of Shelyn today", Zaidel informs the two lethal ladies. "I think it would be a great cross-faith function and it would help The Boss get in good with The Eternal Rose."
She beams at the congratulations then offers her own encouraging words, "Good luck with that maybe we will look for another quest. Now that most of us are here maybe we can take on a harder quest."
"Thank you, you're probably correct about meeting Calistria. I mostly wanted to pay respects in any case, and if you could deliver the gift, that would do nicely. I certainly wouldn't want to risk offending the Savored Sting." He says, smiling.
"Regardless, thank you again for the lesson, and the pleasure of your company and experience." Stratton kisses her hand with a bow.
I need to get a lot stronger, incidentally someone just pinged me with a quest to procure Litheria blossoms which have disappeared in transit.
Alexandr informs the parts of the groups not currently engaged in something very private.
Zaidel listens to Alexandr's request.
"Hmm. Litheria blossoms?"
"Now, this person that 'pinged' you? Does they want the original shipment back, does do they want replacement blossoms?"
The person can telepathically communicate, but only with other Russians, some type of Alpha-version bug? She wants the shipment back.
Having completed his second Daily Quest, Stratton puts his Boost Points to good use, choosing to increase his Con by 1 and gain a bonus feat (improved quick draw.)
When Alexandr and Zaidel begin talking quests, he volunteers "I'd be glad to accompany you on the quest Alexandr. Us noobs gotta stick together." he says with a smile.
"Well, luckily I still have locate object memorized from yesterday. It can help, but only if it's relatively close, within 400ft. And only for five minutes", Zaidel sighed. "Did the telepathic message give any indication on where to start?"
Litheria Blossom
Aura moderate necromancy; CL 7th
Slot none; Price 1,400 gp; Weight —
Description
The litheria blossom is a rare but naturally occurring flower with large, pink petals. The pollen of the litheria blossom bridges the gap between life and death, functioning like an elixir, though inhaled rather than imbibed. A creature inhaling the pollen gains the benefit of the death ward and deathwatch spells. Both effects last for 10 minutes. If plucked, the flower remains vibrant and alive until the pollen within the flower is inhaled, at which point the flower wilts and dies. The pollen remains potent only so long as it held within the flower or immediately thereafter. If removed from the flower for longer than 1 round, both the pollen and the flower become nonmagical.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, death ward, deathwatch; Cost 700 gp
Adding red lotus petals can also make it more potent.
The rewards for doing the daily quest a second time is a dungeon instance key, and a piece of another key.
She points out as the boys speak of quests, "It might be wise to get a bit stronger before running off on an errand that there is no telling what could be waiting for you."
"Are we taking up the blossom quest, stick around town, or do another quest? What is the reward for the blossom quest?"
Zaidel listens to both Mia and Matthew with a morose expression. "There no telling what's going to happen the minute we get out of bed. I mean, we got teleported to the middle of a necropolis. I'm pretty sure I got a phone call from a lich. And the other shocking thing that happened yesterday", Zaidel said as he looked to the ground, kicking a small pebble.
"The thing is we don't know what could happen from minute to minute. Especially here on Arcanium." The cleric then turns his attention to his the warden. "The reward for doing a quest is helping someone in need. I also remember a small ferry town called Owl Port still has a problem with displacers and ankhegs. I hope to go back there to help them to, regardless of reward."
"But this should be put up to a vote", Zaidel says democratically. "I vote to help our newest member help a former countryman. Majority rules", as the satyr raises his hand.
"Gladly" Stratton acknowledges. "I think Mia is suggesting it would be wise for Alexandr to consider making his wish before intentionally heading off to any dangerous destinations. Either way, I'm in on the job."
He nods with consideration painted on his face, "True, we should help as many as we can. We should go back to the Owl Port to help deal with those creatures." He nods at the democratic notion and raises his hand. He pops open the blue screen and looks for the quest using Lithia Blossoms in the search function.
The blue screen does not show such a quest for Matthew or the others. But once Alexandr opens the blue screen he sees a message:
Unique Quest - Find the Missing Shipment
***
Do you accept this quest?
***
Once you accept it you may share it with other players.
She offers clarification to her thoughts, "Yes Stratton. Wish for sure, but there are also other areas around town that can give you boosts like the magical garden and Hera's statue. I thought that was the plan today, is this quest of yours graded and is it time sensitive?"
Quest accepted
Also, I wish to gain the powers of resilience associated with the X-Men hero Collussus, specifically his steel skin on command, and the regenerative powers of the X-Men Hero Wolverine.
Alexandr does his wish,
Lets see if this works!
How would I know if something is graded and time sensitive? The quest giver implied access to improved racial and class templates, as she is apparently a Half-Succubus Gunslinger-Urban Skald, whatever that is.
The blue screen then states:
Unique Quest - Find the Missing Shipment
***
Distance to shipment 88 miles.
***
Difficulty D to C.
***
Optional: Return Red Lotus shipment too.
Optional: Bring the thieves alive in for their crimes.
***
Time Limit: 14 days.
***
Rewards: Access to improved racial templates: half demon, half celestial, half Medusa.
Reward: 2,000 off of racial improvement, it can be compiled with other deals.
Or
1,000 gp for up to 5 participants: 5,000 gp for the group.
As Alexandr holds his wish stone and says the words, it begins to glow. Then magic explodes and surrounds him. Mia's back begins to arch back as she begins to float up.
Alexandr gains:
+2 Con
The ability: Steel Skin, at will take less damage. You pick between the following three specifics then it is set:
Adamantine Skin-DR 5/-
Mithril Skin-DR 10/Cold Iron or silver
Magical Skin-DR 15/magic
Also he gains Regeneration based on his Con modifier.
Those nearby also gain an increase to their DR or Regen/Fast Healing. If they have neither then they choose.
Alexandr gains the bonus equal to that of those who gain the bonus.
Alexandr turns his skin into black adamtine steel, and back to human form again, and back, and back again.
Hah! that makes me a fair bit more tanky, and I understand the rules from where to get more DR! Eh, f@!@ me, I dont because Steelblood archetype trades out DR, Stalwart feat chain still works though!
He punches himself, and quickly regenerates the damage.
Con mutagen is going to be pretty drat usefull too!
Let me get that straight Tovarish, you have Adamantine skin at will now, meaning you can get *hard*, damage reduction and fast healing? Once I get the Litheria blossom shipment, there may be some *jobs* available. Pushups and jumping jacks aren the only way to train your, *constitution*
Are you reading my mind?
Only passively when you think of me!
Zaidel stands amazed as Alexandr changes back and forth from metal skin to flesh.
You're Wolver-lossus! That's bada$$!!"
"or should we call you Piotrine?" Stratton cracks himself up.
"Eighty-eight miles and back in 14 days. With town portals, we can maybe cut the return back trip out of the equation, but we ought to allow time to deal with the bandits. I think we maybe have time to visit those places Mia mentioned and gain their boons before we leave, maybe help each other early tomorrow with the Daily Quest so we all get it done early for an early start on the journey, make the daily run part of our travel plans?" Stratton suggests to Alexandr "Unless you want to maximize the amount of time we have by starting the journey today without the benefit of the boons we can get right here?"
Jean I see you have missed our new options for daily quest, taking 10.
Aid from Acolyte +2, Aid from Acolyte +2, Guidance from Mia +1: +5
1/2 hour
1/2 hour
Rest an hour.
1/2 hour
1/2 hour
Rest an hour.
1/2 hour
Done in 4.5 hours!
Random Loot Box: ⇒ 28
You gain a key with a compass on it.
When are you going to advance in size!
He states after Zaidel and Stratton, "Pretty impressive. If I didn't have my title and fast healing from sublime I may copy it. So we going to head out now or tomorrow morning? We should get some horses at least for the trip, we should look into getting air mounts or air transport in the future."
Those nearby also gain an increase to their DR or Regen/Fast Healing. If they have neither then they choose.
Alexandr gains the bonus equal to that of those who gain the bonus.
Zaidel chooses DR 10/cold iron, and feels it take effect.
The satyr smiles to himself, knowing his new DR matches some of the more powerful and well-known fey. Zaidel feels like he got a little promotion."Right now, my thoughts are leaving tomorrow. I think the horses are a good idea, and it may take some time to purchase them. We can ask some at Old Reunions if they know a good horse seller. Plus, I still need to buy my new amulet of resurrection from the temple."
"Everyone has an amulet of ressurection? Its just better for everyone to have one, then if needed I will offer mine. With that settled and everyone'sdaily quest done shall we go tour New Faces?" He asks clarifying on what Zaidel had said. He then leads the group to the first place.
Matthew leads the group to some stables first.
"At the stable you can try to throw a horse shoe."
"At the small garden with a grass lawn. He offers the group to take a plant to eat. I believe the carrot gives a +1 luck bonus on ranged attacks and +2 perception. What else did others pick?"
Roll:
"Getting to the archway press the same three stones in the same order, which each glow."
"At the large fountain devoted to Hera, balance on the rim. Then walk to the statue and kiss one of its body parts. You may want to thank her for the blessing or something like that."
Alia already has all the bonuses the group knows and seperates from the group looking for more events.
Mia already has all the bonuses the group knows and seperates from the group looking for more events as well.
She is able to speak with some locals and is guided to three new events. She struggles in knowing what she should do. Except for the last event.
bonus
5-6 gain a skill bonus
bonus
Walking into a fenced secluded grove she sees lights glow on the first step. She tries to remember the pattern and jumps where the glowing showed.
ability
bonus
5-6 gain a skill bonus
bonus
Lift the stone of the singing bird, Str DC 10, 12, 14.
ability
bonus
5-6 gain a skill bonus
bonus
This building is in ruins but you can see the glowing sigils along the doorway. The roof is gone and looks to have three stories in its prime. Different large trees have grown through the floor boards.
As you walk under the entrance the trees glow for a moment and the three paintings on the back wall. Each painting is at each different level.
Birch, Maple, Mahongony, Willow, Oak, Cherry, pine, apple, walnut, pear, apricot, redwood.
Anhelica already has all the bonuses the group knows and seperates from the group looking for more events.
This nondescript dome holds a much bigger space within. In the far distance you can see the domed walls but around you are dunes of sand. A light above makes the room and sand visible.
As you enter the dome fires begin to erupt randomly.
Stratton is grateful for the tour.
At the horseshoe pit.
Ranged Toss
At the garden, he looks to see if there are radishes and eats one if so.
He presses the stones as shown.
He walks over to Hera's statue and says, "Thank you for thirty years of wonderful, faithful marriage with Cheryl, and the blessings of our daughter Jennifer." and kisses the statue on the belly/womb.
Acrobatics
Zaidel stays with Stratton and Alexandr as the two newest members do their tasks. The cleric provides context and banter as the two adventurers attempt to complete all tasks, all the while magically refilling his tankard to share alcoholic beverages.
|
Jean walks in with the toddler and looks for a cleric. When one approaches he says, "Hello, I am a Chosen. On one of my adventures I ran into this kid who is apparently an undead. But he seems different then the other undead in the necropolis. I came to see if your god could give insight into this creature?"
An acolyte approaches you. He looks at the creature seeing just a toddler, he asks, "He is just a toddler? Isn't he... I will get the high priest, please take this side room." Once you are in the room a few more acolytes come in and stand on either side of the door. The original acolyte offers, "Precautions as mandated, the high priest will be here soon."
A few minutes pass and the door opens to reveal two armored figures walk in with a shield on their arm, their weapons sheathed or on their belt. Then followed by them are three priests. The obvious higher order priest offers, "You say this toddler is an intelligent undead, but it is so cute!" Another of the priest states, "It is a Cannibal Child. Though it's aura says it is still living." They cast a few spells to analyze the child once done they move to the other side of the room to discuss. When they come back the uncharmed priest asks, "You found it in a Necropolis... we need direct contact to the Mistress she will know what can be done. Summon Her oracle. Please stay here if you need anything ask."
An hour passes and a radiant beauty walks into the room.
Radish=+1 on Con.
|
She comes into the room with magically glowing blue eyes. She swears under her breath, "Mistress what is this?"
Then she asks, "You care for it correct?" With your likely answer of yes she states, "It is a cannibal child that was given life essence to act as a conduit or something in a ritual, no doubt. We would like to give it a place to stay and ask if you could guide me there? To the Necropolis? Whatever it has been apart of needs to be stopped and likely minions of the force that made it are on their way here. How many days have you had it in New Faces?"
Mia took the longest to find and try to deal with her events, 4 hours. She arrived last at the statue of Hera.
After 3 hours she arrives at the statue to Hera and happily states, "I found another event, shall we wait for the rest?"
Alia returns to the statue right before Mia and shakes her head at her failure. She walks over to Zaidel and states, "Give me something strong to drink, way too much talking for my like."
Matthew offers his empty mug to Zaidel as the others finish the tasks. As they wait he ponders and asks, "Zaidel if we could make coke bottles, or make something similar, would you be willing toass produce it? Maybe we just stick to the strong stuff as we can get more money with that, what do you think?"
Later he states, "I did the daily quest twice today. 200 pushups, 200 so on, and I got the normal awards but once I finished it to 200 in all exercises I got this!" He presents a key that had a magical flame upon it, the key was in the form of a dragon. He also presents a little key. "I am sure this is a dungeon instance key. The little one has some etchings on it along its length like it may connect to something else."
"Stratton and Alexandr tell us about yourselves? Goals? Aspirations?"
---
"Yes. Have a seat we are waiting on Mia and Alia, has anyone heard from Jean or Jeler?"
Quick question, the last I remember on earth was getting stabbed, in 2004. Which years was the last one you remember?
In terms of goals well, hierarchy of needs I guess? Survival first, and I am pretty sure that survival here means getting more and more powerful. Discovering what is actually going on here second?
He seems quite contemplative.
"I came from 2022. Let me tell you, you didn't miss much worth talking about back there." Stratton says. "As for me, I'm still finding my feet. I had a good life, but I want to experience some new things this go around. On Earth, I studied, got married, got a job, had a kid, took fifteen years to pay off my student debt, spent my whole life working and supporting a family I loved, and died of a heart problem I only discovered when I tried to get my eyes fixed. I had a great deal of religious indoctrination growing up and really rejected it after I grew up. Organized religions on Earth..." he trails off, finally settling with "... were not for me. Here, though, there are tangible gods with manifested benefits- and restrictions- to be gained from their worship. Zaidel has found a god he truly adores as well as worships, I wouldn't mind finding that kind of faith again."
"Survival is definitely the way to get to that point, Tovarish." Stratton smiles at Alexandr. "And for survival, it is best to have comrades and allies. So, I'm hoping to meet a lot of new friends as well. Other than that, my goals have always been the same: to be the best kind of person I know how to be."
Alia returns to the statue right before Mia and shakes her head at her failure. She walks over to Zaidel and states, "Give me something strong to drink, way too much talking for my like."
"Coming right up", the satyr smiled as he took the druid's tankard and filled it with dragon punch whiskey, and handed it back to her. "Enjoy your drink. We can chat if you like later."
Matthew offers his empty mug to Zaidel as the others finish the tasks. As they wait he ponders and asks, "Zaidel if we could make coke bottles, or make something similar, would you be willing toass produce it? Maybe we just stick to the strong stuff as we can get more money with that, what do you think?"
Zaidel also takes the warden's tankard and fills it with the same dragon punch whiskey. The cleric sighs as he considers his answer. "I won't pretend I haven't thought of the same thing, Matt. Making alcohol for my adventuring party, as gifts, and for Cayden is all fine and good. I'm just worried mass-producing alcohol will take business away from Old Reunions and other spirit makers who make it the traditional way. I'm not sure that would be the caydenite thing to do. I would likely try such a venture with non-alcoholic drinks. There I don't see a conflict of interest."
Quick question, the last I remember on earth was getting stabbed, in 2004. Which years was the last one you remember?
"I got killed in 2022 by a psych patient in the hospital I was working at. I died stupidly: putting myself in danger when more qualified people were around to deal with the situation better. But in the brightside: I now live here, on Arcanium, with all of you, having a wonderful time." The satyr seems lost in revelry for a moment.
"I had a great deal of religious indoctrination growing up and really rejected it after I grew up. Organized religions on Earth..." he trails off, finally settling with "... were not for me. Here, though, there are tangible gods with manifested benefits- and restrictions- to be gained from their worship. Zaidel has found a god he truly adores as well as worships, I wouldn't mind finding that kind of faith again."
Zaidel nodded as he listened to the new oni. "The Divine seemed so very distant back on Earth, compared to Arcanium. I've been told that The Gods tend to listen to the prayers of mortals, especially heroes, more clearly here", the cleric nodded. "On Earth, everything was so orthodoxical, patriarchal, and used to lord over others. Cayden doesn't go in for any of that. Probably because he was once mortal, too: having to deal with so many rules to 'be a good little boy'", the fey said with air-quote fingers. "In this universe, Heaven is not the only good option. And thankfully, THANKFULLY, I have a close personal relationship with my deity, who's really a cool guy."
"If Cayden was worshipped on Earth, my dad would have been a caydenite. He worked hard and played harder. While I was mainly raised by my irish catholic mom. And being catholic was being good at all costs. 'Gather your treasures in Heaven', Joe. 'A better life awaits in Heaven', Joe. I was a good boy. But I feel like I barely lived. Don't get me wrong! I glad I was raised to be a good person, married a good woman. But a good person often doesn't live an exciting life, and a good wife often doesn't make for an exciting bedroom", Zaidel frowns slightly. The cleric fills up his own tankard with dragon punch whiskey and drinks.
"Coming right up", the satyr smiled as he took the druid's tankard and filled it with dragon punch whiskey, and handed it back to her. "Enjoy your drink. We can chat if you like later."
With mock disbelief she raises her wooden holy symbol before her. She then winks at him as she takes a sip of the drink.