|
"Thank you very much, Jellena", the satyr smiles at the gift and graciously take it. "I would like to start a correspondence with you. You're a Chosen from Earth that is also your Familia's spiritual center. I think just like I am. Where the best place to send letters to you. Or do you have a magical cellphone too?"
"You are welcome. That will be fine with me. Don't bother with letters unless you are out of town, in that case send them to the Temple of Death." She then steps back, raises her right arm and whispers to herself which Zaidel and Jean hear as if she was talking plainly. Her words are subtle, "You just have to activate the ring to use message among those wearing rings."
She also pulls out her cell phone and asks, "What's your number?"
Zaidel pulls out his new cellphone and gives the oracle his new number. Both divine casters exchange numbers and put them in their respective contact lists.
"Please let Aeria Gloris know if we can help The Mistress or her Familia", the cleric smiled.
As they walk, he strikes up a conversation with Lady Black once more. "Do you happen to have a ritual available to place you in a new body, or were you considering doing it as an act of will alone?"
"Those concubines you were pointing out, was that just generally for me to know what kind of body you were looking for, or were you considering a way to take one from one of them. Don't think that's the type of deal I'm looking for, but I should know if you are capable of doing such a thing against a creature's will."
"I'm hoping one of these shops would allow you to be reincarnated into a body more your choosing since they alter races, but I'm not sure if they need a flesh body to do so. Perhaps they may have a way for your to change into a golem-like body. Would that be acceptable? Or are you looking for flesh?"
"I have a vague memory of the ritual but we will need to have some research done. Hopefully we alone can do the research. Though this kind of magic is frowned upon, so keep it secret.
Not against their will, we would need to convince them first. Yes the general type of body and yes I was considering most of my selections as prime candidates.We can see what these body shops may have before running to any absolutes. Without the right magic a golem like body would likely be more preferential."
Zaidel pulls out his new cellphone and gives the oracle his new number. Both divine casters exchange numbers and put them in their respective contact lists.
"Please let Aeria Gloris know if we can help The Mistress or her Familia", the cleric smiled.
She does the same and smiles, "You will be one of the first."
"Mia, it obviously looks so natural for you to be on a throne", Zaidel smiled. "What have you learned so far? Like does the Spire have defenses against invaders? If we leave it, will it recognize you as it's mistress when you return? Was the previous Weeb Lord able to feed and take care of his concubines through the magic of the Spire or did he use his vast wealth to buy supplies?"
[dice=Diplomacy (with Charming)]1d20 + 44 + 4
She nods her thanks for the cleaning service. Then smiles at the compliment. "First I have learned that the abilities and knowledge here is vast. The teleportation ability was only brought to the forefront because it was being used. There is just so much to fathom, it's going to take weeks to get a basic understanding. Once I have fully bonded the throne through attunement, it will recognize me as its master. Yes the preservation magic is strong within the tower and automatic. I think at least that is how it is, nonetheless I need much more time with it. Angelica and I will stay here. You go get the mission with Alexandr finished."
As they walk, Stratton finds another place he was looking for, a small alcove with a sagging roof and cobwebs filling it. He brushes aside the curtain-like webs, finding a dark hole and two wheels decorated with spiders.
Nature
He spins the wheels like he's on Wheel of Fortune, ending up with the Tarantula and Assassin spiders face the hole. He places his left hand in the hole.
Randomized Spiders
Damage -5 DR
Fort Pass vs Tarantula
Fort Pass vs Assassin
"Ouch" Stratton rubs his hand. "Maybe we should ask the vamps if one of them wants a soul. Go all Angel/Spike on them."
\"First I have learned that the abilities and knowledge here is vast. The teleportation ability was only brought to the forefront because it was being used. There is just so much to fathom, it's going to take weeks to get a basic understanding. Once I have fully bonded the throne through attunement, it will recognize me as its master. Yes the preservation magic is strong within the tower and automatic. I think at least that is how it is, nonetheless I need much more time with it. Angelica and I will stay here. You go get the mission with Alexandr finished."
The satyr folds his arms, impressed. "Wow, Mia! You did it! You are a Queen of your own making! I'm very proud of you!"
Zaidel takes out his tankard and fills it with wine, after changing it from water. "Cheers to Queen Mia Thornrose! Long May She Reign! And given our sublime natures, that could very well happen!"
"Me and my new lady are headed into town to shop around for bodies and visit this Spider Shrine I read about if anyone wants to tag along. I'll probably meet you back at Caiden's Pub around supper time."
The satyr folds his arms, impressed. "Wow, Mia! You did it! You are a Queen of your own making! I'm very proud of you!"
Zaidel takes out his tankard and fills it with wine, after changing it from water. "Cheers to Queen Mia Thornrose! Long May She Reign! And given our sublime natures, that could very well happen!"
As she blushes she replies, "Why thank you but this would not have been possible without you." Her smile broadens as the compliments rain down from Zaidel.
"Me and my new lady are headed into town to shop around for bodies and visit this Spider Shrine I read about if anyone wants to tag along. I'll probably meet you back at Caiden's Pub around supper time."
Zaidel's horned brow furrows. "Sure, Stratton. That's doesn't sound weird or creepy at all." The satyr brightens up and says, "Good luck you two. Remember, no Evil."
As she blushes she replies, "Why thank you but this would not have been possible without you." Her smile broadens as the compliments rain down from Zaidel.
"Queen Mia, I want to see if I can get Old Reunions involved with relocating those former concubines who wish to go home. May they still use the Spire as a living quarters until we get events moving?"
"Jean! JEAN!" Zaidel yells at the retreating dragon. "Let Cayden know what's going on here in the Spire!! WE'LL SEE YOU THERE!!"
Zaidel's horned brow furrows. "Sure, Stratton. That's doesn't sound weird or creepy at all." The satyr brightens up and says, "Good luck you two. Remember, no Evil."
"Awww, what's the point of having a new life if you can't try new things?" Stratton says, mock pouting, then sticking out his tongue at the satyr. "I'll try to minimize it to the lesser of whatever dozens of evil present themselves."
"Cya!"
Zaidel rolls his eyes and looks to the skies as the Hidden Blade Bushi Warder and his intelligent weapon make their exit.
"Queen Mia, I want to see if I can get Old Reunions involved with relocating those former concubines who wish to go home. May they still use the Spire as a living quarters until we get events moving?"
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 44
She warmly agrees, "Yes, I will look into the magics that govern their suites and make sure I am not missing anything. They are welcome to stay as long as they wish. There is also plenty of room for a few hundred more if you find anyone that needs shelter."
Zaidel's mouth dropped open, smiling. "Really?! That's awesome! Thank you for your generosity."
The cleric's thoughts turned to more practical measures. Looking to both queen sorcerer and likely huntress consort, Zaidel asks, "What will you do if law enforcement or officials from nearby New Faces come to call? Angelica, you said you're staying here to watch over things. Will you two be okay?"
A bit of concern crosses her face and states, "Why would they? Oh I suppose a massive tower emerging one day would draw some interest but I am more concerned about the unsavory type of people that come to loot and pillage. I suppose I should look into defenses that will be my second goal." Looking to Angelica she nods, adding, "I think we should be fine here on our own. Maybe let Cayden know about the Spire and he can assist in securing it for now?
"I shall do just that, my Queen." Zaidel bows a courtly fashion, only to kiss both women on the lips and quickly leave the throne room. The satyr bends down and pets Jock before leaving.
The cleric finds the several concubine refugees and relays his plans, explaining they can still stay here in The Spire until their returns home are underway.
Zaidel finds Alexandr in The Spire and asks if he and his vampiric ladies want to come to Old Reunions with him. Once that's settled, Zaidel presses his blue door tattoo on his arm and a glowing blue door appears. Going through takes ends at the front door to Old Reunions, Cayden Cailean's temple and tavern in New Faces.
The blue portal does not open. Luckily the magic doesn't activate.
☆☆☆
Soon enough Zaidel makes his way to Old Reunions, Cayden Cailean's temple and tavern in New Faces. The bouncer let's you in after you take a drink from the barrel and drink it. Cayden is not in sight. Aurora is at the bar cleaning a mug. Being well before noon there are not many patrons in the bar.
She looks up at the attempt of the activated spell and states, "Yeah that is not going to work in here. You can jump out a window and then should be able to activate the spell, or the next possible place would be a teleportation circle room down a level."
Soon enough Zaidel makes his way to Old Reunions, Cayden Cailean's temple and tavern in New Faces. The bouncer let's you in after you take a drink from the barrel and drink it. Cayden is not in sight. Aurora is at the bar cleaning a mug. Being well before noon there are not many patrons in the bar.
GM Wolf, if you will allow me. I'd like to retcon the above.
Soon enough Zaidel (and possibly Alexandr and his vampire crew) makes their way to Old Reunions, Cayden Cailean's temple and tavern in New Faces. The bouncer let's you in after you take a drink from the barrel and drink it. The bouncer stares at Zaidel in disbelief. "Cayden, mate!" The bouncer says as he just stares at the satyr.
Cayden is not in sight. Aurora is at the bar cleaning a mug. Being well before noon there are not many patrons in the bar. But those that are there stare in awe of the magnificent specimen before them. Some people felt compelled to get out of their chairs and stare at Zaidel.
"Now, now. Boys and Girls. It's just me, your ever-loving humble holy cleric of Cayden Cailean", Zaidel spoke to the astonished small crowd of patrons and waitstaff. "Please enjoy your drinks and give praise to The Drunken Hero!"
The satyr gingerly walks up to sit on a stool near Aurora, who also is staring intently at Zaidel. "Hello, Aurora. You're looking well? Um, where's the Boss?"
Stratton continues on his journey of discovery and bodies. He talks to the shop owners about their methods, and tries to determine if something like reincarnation would even work on Lady Black.
He also looks into soul transference and the possibility of swapping LB into a construct or golem like thing.
Lastly, he also looks into the possibility of adding shape-changing abilities to the sword so that it can just change itself into a body of some kind, either flesh or metal.
Gather Information
Profession (Clerk)
"So, if we were to find someone willing to have you in their body, how would that work? Would you take over? Exchange places? Be some kind of symbiote? Work out a time share? Maybe there's something about your ritual in the mask of 1000 tomes."
Aurora looks over at the door where Spade's office is located. She offers, "I am sure they would welcome your presence."
Stratton continues on his journey of discovery and bodies. He talks to the shop owners about their methods, and tries to determine if something like reincarnation would even work on Lady Black.
He also looks into soul transference and the possibility of swapping LB into a construct or golem like thing.
Lastly, he also looks into the possibility of adding shape-changing abilities to the sword so that it can just change itself into a body of some kind, either flesh or metal.
Gather Information 1d20+18
Profession (Clerk) 1d20+13"So, if we were to find someone willing to have you in their body, how would that work? Would you take over? Exchange places? Be some kind of symbiote? Work out a time share? Maybe there's something about your ritual in the mask of 1000 tomes."
You quickly find out that the reincarnation process would most likely not work for her.
There are no specialists for soul transference to a warforge or golem like body, within the city. Though many of the clerics and scholars that you speak with do know about the idea of it.Giving the weapon shape-changing abilities might work though your best bet with that is wishcraft.
"So, if we were to find someone willing to have you in their body, how would that work? Would you take over? Exchange places? Be some kind of symbiote? Work out a time share? Maybe there's something about your ritual in the mask of 1000 tomes."
She tries to explain it but gets lost in thought a lot, "It all depends upon how much the first soul is willing. It could be me taking over for most of the time, or possibly a symbiote. Time share... yes that will likely be the best strategy. Combat I would take over and they could spend half of the downtime as they wished. It could be, there isn't much that isn't in that mask."
Aurora looks over at the door where Spade's office is located. She offers, "I am sure they would welcome your presence."
Zaidel smiles. "Thank you, Aurora." Before he get off the stool, the satyr stops himself and says, "That's right! Aurora! I got you a gift! Please humor me and close your eyes and holds out your hands."
Zaidel waits for the sorceress to close her eyes and have her hands extended, to go into his new bag of holding, and as quietly as he can place the marvelous pigments in Aurora's hands. "Surprise!"
Jean waves to Zaidel as he enters and then goes to the bar to see if he can order a dozen racks of lamb for a light snack.
Zaidel walks toward Space's office, but stops at the bronze dragon.
"How are you, Jean? If you need some coin to help pay for your snack, let me know."
The satyr looks around, still seeing patrons trying to to look like their staring at the cleric.
"Jean, when you flown in, did you happen to see any kind of response to The Spire's new location? You know, increased patrols? Guard mobilization? Anything like that?"
Aurora looks over at the door where Spade's office is located. She offers, "I am sure they would welcome your presence."Zaidel smiles. "Thank you, Aurora." Before he get off the stool, the satyr stops himself and says, "That's right! Aurora! I got you a gift! Please humor me and close your eyes and holds out your hands."
Zaidel waits for the sorceress to close her eyes and have her hands extended, to go into his new bag of holding, and as quietly as he can place the marvelous pigments in Aurora's hands. "Surprise!"
She humors you and with a sigh she closes her eyes and reaches out her hands together. She looks at the gift and nearly squeals, "ArethesewhatIthinktheyare?! EEEEEEE!!! Thank you Zaidel!"
She nods her head and shouts to the kitchen, "We need a dozen racks of lamb... did you want them toasted, roasted, or just brought out?"
She humors you and with a sigh she closes her eyes and reaches out her hands together. She looks at the gift and nearly squeals, "ArethesewhatIthinktheyare?! EEEEEEE!!! Thank you Zaidel!"
Zaidel bows. "You are very welcome! Hopefully later if I'm not too busy with humanitarian aid, we can talk more."
The caydenite cleric walks up to Spade's office door. Zaidel takes a breath, then knocks three times.
"Yeah?!" Spade calls from behind the door.
"It's me, Zaidel. May I come in?"
"Yeah! Come in!" Spade responds.
The satyr meekly enters the office.
They both are sitting at a side table with a chess set upon it and each of them holding a glass of brown liquor. Cayden is thinking about his next move as Spade looks up, "Yes?"
The unique satyr cleric of Cayden Cailean walks into the office and closes the door behind him.
Zaidel nods to both men. One mortal, one deity. Clearly nervous, the cleric asks, "So? How's winning?"
They both look at the cleric with looks of confusion. Cayden realizes what Zaidel meant and states, "Spade has a good understanding of the game and has a few good strategies. Though I do have the edge on him. I believe I have won 53 games to his 6. As Spade has implied, what do you have for us, what do you need, or are you just saying hi? If the latter pull up a chair!"
Zaidel looks to Spade. "Wow! Congratulations, Spade. Winning six games against a deity is nothing to sneeze at, my friend."
The satyr does take the seat, though. "I have some news. I can relay it as I watch you both play."
Zaidel explains the joint effort between The Mistress's Familia and Aeria Gloris to defeat the Evil Weeb Lord who invited Zaidel via his new cellphone. The cleric recalled the battle and their opponents, and how they achieved victory. The satyr then went on to explain that Mia was the new Queen of The Spire, and was hoping Cayden might visit to best advise her on it's defense. Zaidel also spoke of the several dozen former concubines who were slaves, who now have their freedom, and would like help in finding their ways back to their homes.
"Cayden. Spade. Can I have some help from Old reunions to help bring these former slaves to their homes?"
Next, Stratton searches the merchant quarters for any items that may catch his eye, mostly in terms of clothing, a sturdy set of travelling clothes, same casual wear, and the like.
I don't need much, just don't want to be in the same bloody clothes all the time. Maybe I can get some sort of self-cleaning and mending clothes once I have more coin.
Hmnnn... haven't done this lately either.
Stratton pulls up a screen and sees if there are any available quests listed.
"Cayden. Spade. Can I have some help from Old reunions to help bring these former slaves to their homes?"
Cayden questions and then states, "What did you have in mind? I am one all for freeing slaves. If you bring them here we can work on getting transportation for them back to their homes."
An obvious leader walks forward and asks, "Yes we have many questions. What threat does it pose to New Faces. What are its denizens. Can we approach it safely and about fifty more..."
He changes his thoughts to assist sooner than later, "You know I want to go check out this Spire of yours. Come along Spade we can finish this game another day. Muster the Familia we go to aid Areia Glorius."
Soon enough the bar is emptied and behind Cayden, Spade, and Zaidel is a dozen or so Familia members including Aurora, the Bouncer, and some of the regulars.
Cayden is enjoying stretching his legs and talks about 'This one time...' telling of a previous adventure.
The group gets within a mile of the Spire and see the front doors wide open. Cayden at seeing that asks, "Did you leave it like that?!" With a negative response from Zaidel he raises his hands doing several things. His buckler and rapier appear in his hands. The group feels tipsy but inspired, +5 luck bonus to d20s and damage rolls.
Aurora takes to the sky.
She continues to sort through all the data from the throne and has Angelica pull tomes from the library.
When you get back the throne room is covered in tables, chairs, and shelves, all packed high with books. There are diagrams all over the room as well.
Before the Familia gets to the tower, he and his family has returned to the Spire. They are moving things around in the rooms they claimed.
I got some boots! Nothing magical so he donates them.
Cayden questions and then states, "What did you have in mind? I am one all for freeing slaves. If you bring them here we can work on getting transportation for them back to their homes."
"Excellent, Boss. I'll bring those who wish to leave the Spire with me back here." Turning to Spade, Zaidel adds, "If space will an issue, I'll volunteer my bedroom as their place to sleep, and I'll stay with the 'working girls' of the temple.'
He changes his thoughts to assist sooner than later, "You know I want to go check out this Spire of yours. Come along Spade we can finish this game another day. Muster the Familia we go to aid Areia Glorius."
Zaidel smiles wide! "Heck Yeah, Boss! I'll bring the drinks!!"
Soon enough the bar is emptied and behind Cayden, Spade, and Zaidel is a dozen or so Familia members including Aurora, the Bouncer, and some of the regulars.
Cayden is enjoying stretching his legs and talks about 'This one time...' telling of a previous adventure.
As the Familia members make there way to the Spire, Zaidel chimes up.
"Boss. I've decided that once I get to 7th level, I'm going to take the Leadership feat. I think I should be training the next generation of caydenite clerics, bards, and swashbucklers. There's not enough of them around. And our incredibly helpful adherents could use some more support."The group gets within a mile of the Spire and see the front doors wide open. Cayden at seeing that asks, "Did you leave it like that?!" With a negative response from Zaidel he raises his hands doing several things. His buckler and rapier appear in his hands. The group feels tipsy but inspired, +5 luck bonus to d20s and damage rolls.
Aurora takes to the sky.
"I don't think so, Boss." Zaidel replies to his deity. The satyr audibly gasps as Cayden Cailean pulls out his legendary rapier and buckler, feeling the divine energies radiate from it.
Stratton looks at the screen as the cursor blinks in front of :Enter Quest Search Parameters"....
Hmnnn.
He taps on the screen, entering moderate level-appropriate solo quest, sharable, aberrations, magical beasts, single location, local.
Two quests appear on his screen:
Night at the Magic Museum.
The exhibits at the Unnatural Wonders Museum have come to life and taken over the Museum every night, even killing a guard. Speak to the curator Mademoiselle Freda Hechburg to accept this quest.
Journey to Hidden Falls.
The falls in the Glen of Auvery hide a secret cave, within which lies dangers to face and treasure to secure. Accept/Dismiss
"Hah! I never could resist the Magic Museum! I wonder if Hechburg is a PEF." Stratton chuckles.
"What, pray tell, is a PEF?" Lady Blackwood asks.
"Oh, you know, a Pointy-Eared-F+$#er, like an elf."
"How utterly racist."
"Nah, it's more about being crass than about race, works for Vulcans too, really anything with pointy ears except maybe rabbits, for whom it's a bit too on-the nose."
"I find myself wishing one of us would shut up now. Since it's apparently not going to be you....::click::"
Stratton laughs a hearty laugh. The sound of a phone hanging up was a nice touch.
He asks around a bit to find out the location of the museum and heads that way.
Diplomacy Gather Information
People are kind enough to point the way out, and the Oni-man finds the museum. Several guards dressed in smart vaguely germanic uniforms wielding halberds stand outside the entry, crossing their weapons as he approaches.
"Sorry mine friend, but the museum is closed until further notice.' the shorter of the guards says as Stratton approaches.
"Right. Well, I'm not here to see the museum as such. My name is Stratton, and I am one of the Chosen. I've come because of information given me that indicates you're having a problem with some exhibits demonstrating unfriendly behavior. I'd like to speak with Mademoiselle Freda Hechburg if she is available." Stratton puts on a polite tone.
Diplomacy
"I will send someone in to check if she is accepting visitors, Mister Stratton."
"Just Stratton, no mister needed."
The guard nods and another guard enters the museum.
A few minutes later, Stratton is escorted into the curator's office. He gets a glimpse of a couple of otyughs and even a destrachan. Perhaps it best if he sahre this quest with some of the others after all....
The curator's office is small, but efficiently organized, with many assorted filinng cabinets and examination tables. As sure as he had guessed, Mademoiselle Hechburg has pointed ears, although rather than an elf, she was a curvaceous gnome with severe black hair woven so tightly into a bun you could hear it crackling under the strain. She wore a tight-fitting uniform not unlike that of the guards, although darker in color and with a low-cut jacket that allowed for her frilled dark green blouse- which perfectly matched her eye- to splash some somber color onto an otherwise drab outfit.
"Ah, the Chosen. Come, sit down."
"Thank you. You've already been told of my intention, then?" Stratton inquires as he sits.
"Indeed, indeed, and we are glad for the help. You see, we specialize in the spectacle of many strange beasts. We have a special team of medusae who track and hunt them down for us. This is rather an effective means of live capture and transport, as well as display. Usually. However, something has been negating the medusa's curse at night, and the statuary comes to life, de-petrifying. As the sun rises, the curse re-asserts itself and the displays return to stone, but it is only a matter of time before one or more of them break free of the museum and threaten the townsfolk, in which case we will truly be shut down for good."
Stratton ponders this as the curator takes a breath in.
"Truly, what we need is for someone to render them unconscious so that I may study them during the hours the curse is lifted. We do not wish for any of the animals to perish, although we know the dangers involved may require it in the cases of the most dangerous creatures. The more samples of affected creatures you can get for me, the quicker I will find the solution to this puzzle."
|
As the Familia members make there way to the Spire, Zaidel chimes up. "Boss. I've decided that once I get to 7th level, I'm going to take the Leadership feat. I think I should be training the next generation of caydenite clerics, bards, and swashbucklers. There's not enough of them around. And our incredibly helpful adherents could use some more support."
He smiles agreeing, "Yes Zaidel that sounds like an excellent idea!"
"I don't think so, Boss." Zaidel replies to his deity. The satyr audibly gasps as Cayden Cailean pulls out his legendary rapier and buckler, feeling the the divine energies radiate from it.The group gets within a mile of the Spire and see the front doors wide open. Cayden at seeing that asks, "Did you leave it like that?!" With a negative response from Zaidel he raises his hands doing several things. His buckler and rapier appear in his hands. The group feels tipsy but inspired, +5 luck bonus to d20s and damage rolls.
Aurora takes to the sky.
The other Caydenites pull their weapons getting ready for a fight as they charge after Cayden and Spade. Spade seems to almost teleport 100 feet forward, then runs for a bit before teleporting again. He gets there well before your group.
"I don't think so, Boss." Zaidel replies to his deity. The satyr audibly gasps as Cayden Cailean pulls out his legendary rapier and buckler, feeling the the divine energies radiate from it.
The other Caydenites pull their weapons getting ready for a fight as they charge after Cayden and Spade. Spade seems to almost teleport 100 feet forward, then runs for a bit before teleporting again. He gets there well before your group.
"Oh Sh|t!" The satyr spoke. "I didn't know he could do that!" Zaidel fought the urge to join Spade, but the elder caydenite clearly was scouting ahead to make sure they knew what to expect.