Alden shows a clear bit of discomfort at Kevan's embellishment of the negotiation process. He casually steps into the nearest shadow, as if he was merely pacing, so that the dimness hides the flush in his face and neck.
"I did consider our group as 'one'; perhaps you are correct. Yes let's go...home..."
"Same!" Rabbit chirps, but unlike Eochaidh, he is eager to return to the village.
***
"Yes, Mr. Cooperson did a great job talking to the dragon! And we have a truce negotiated! We'll have to be careful to keep clear of her terms but I think we can do that. And look, now there's two gems but they've merged into one!"
Rabbit shifts his weight a little foot to foot as he talks. Some part of him is eager to go see about the ideas that were brewing in his head for a mantle of etherithread.
Kevan tries to find ways to entertain himself while waiting for the next merge. He plays games with the children (he's pretty good at hide and seek), he tests various compounds for his eventual try at a grenade, collects small bits of metal for the same, and walks the edge of the world every now and then.
Milana seems easily pleased with the result of the negotiated peace, pouring the party some fruit juice that Norian magically warmed. Outside the wind picked up a bit, sending snow spiraling. "So we'll have half a year of peace." the woman mused. Those awake conversed quietly with the group before all laid down for the evening.
The following morning the events were disseminated to the rest of the village, and the Tooms family and everyone else simply went home. It was unlikely that too much would be done in the immediate future. Deep into winter, there was little in the way of farm work to be done, and Tel Bey's quarrying was slowed even with Norian's aid.
There was some work accomplished in the next pair of months all the same. The bath was expanded, and two new tubs were added. Eochaidh was enlisted to aid in the work there, and Martin Tooms had Alden help him with repairs to his barn.
When they do return back to their fledgling settlement, Rabbit sees to it that Deshrit and Delian are rested on a comfortable small pillow with "a view" of the inn's common room, even if comfort means two different things to two sentient gems. He then barrages both gems with earnest questions-- was Talschornvox nice to Deshrit while he was in her custody? How far back can Delian recall? What were her impressions of the dragon-lady? Did either of them see much else of interest in the new shard?
The gems and Rabbits keep busy with conversation, and with much of note to be said. Talschornvox was indeed nice, the gems both confirm, speaking with them simply as Rabbit was want to do. They both spoke favorably of her. Deshrit seemed ambivalent about the forest, and even though it had technically been Delian's shard she too didn't seem wildly enthused about the forest. As to her recollection... that seemed to be a point of interest.
"Since the merging we both understand ourselves a bit better." Deshrit explained, "Or rather good Rabbit, we remember some of our previous lives now. I was a scribe serving in Oppara, and the fine Delian was a merchant's assistant in faraway Katapesh."
Winter's harsh edge softened, and over the next three months spring showed hints of starting. By the 11th of Gozran snow was starting to slowly melt. But just as thoughts started to turn to spring, there was a sudden change of plans...
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The two gems suddenly start to glow brightly. Their dual facets casting shadows on the illuminated walls and overlapping. The light grows stronger, two shadowed silhouettes being cast. One was of a tall, thin man. The other was a shorter female whose silhouette was shrouded by a robe and head covering. The two gems suddenly shot out of the inn, streaking across the sky to to southeast.
The smoky border was struck, the smoke billowing out as it was pushed away. A brilliant white glow clashed with the emerald light. The wall of smoke parted, and in the distance a new shard seemed to have merged with your own. The shards fell in the direction of the new land.
The new shard seemed to be a wide swath of plains with some minor farmland, but the biggest thing of note was the furthest corner of the area. A city wall stood just over twenty feet tall. Portions of the wall had collapsed near the border of the shard. Some of it partially rebuilt into a gatehouse and a defensive position, and some of it piled up to prove more impassible. It wasn't clear with a glance, but it seemed there might be a portion of a larger city beyond.
Feel free to continue the conversation or throw actions into the downtime if you would like. We can always roll back to that and resolve it retroactively if anyone has anything they missed.
Eochaidh blinks in surprise when he learns of the new situation and tells anyone around, "We should immediately set out to find the new gem and visit our new neighbors."
He will quickly retrieve his gear, get his armor on, shield strapped, and ready to adventure.
When Alden sees the now familiar burst of light, he drops what he is doing and runs towards the inn. When he arrives, he looks around for the rest of his traveling companions. "Who activated the Stones? How? We're not a six months, yet."
When Alden sees the now familiar burst of light, he drops what he is doing and runs towards the inn. When he arrives, he looks around for the rest of his traveling companions. "Who activated the Stones? How? We're not a six months, yet."
"I suspect the answers to all of our questions lies with the new shard in the new area."
"Since the merging we both understand ourselves a bit better." Deshrit explained, "Or rather good Rabbit, we remember some of our previous lives now. I was a scribe serving in Oppara, and the fine Delian was a merchant's assistant in faraway Katapesh."
"Wait-- you-- you were people!? Hang on! I need to get the others!"
Rabbit scampers off like his namesake to round up the rest of the group, babbling excitedly about the gems' new revelation before the others return to hear more about it...
***
Plans of various items of clothing to make get interrupted halfway through the supposed six months of peace when sudden blazing light marks a new shard. Rabbit gasps, and runs from the tailor's shop to go join the others.
"So maybe someone out there is trying to... to merge with us? Oh gosh. Oh gosh I hope our gems are okay. Let's go find them!"
He hurries to get his gear, following Eochaidh's lead.
"I'll run grab my gear. Meet at my house, that'll give me enough time to get my armor on," Alden replies.
"Oh, look at that. Other players have joined the game." Kevan says when he sees the display set off by the gems. He was out walking alone skirting the edge of his little prison, "One can only hope they are interesting. Perhaps even hostile, that would make for a good story." He said to the wind before taking off at a jog to meet the others in town.
Once things settle back to normal Jaxom works to create a new weapon for himself. While he prefers to use his fists, he feels that he needs something else for special use, a cutting tool.
When the new joining happens he is mostly annoyed. He sets whatever he was working on down and moves over to where his equipment is piled. "Is that a city wall? The dragon won't be happy about that! We might want to tell her that we didn't do that. Our six months haven't passed yet!"
"Wait a minute! Where'd our gems go? We didn't activate the joining!"
He follows Alden, "I'll help you with your armor if you need it."
He glances back to the others, "Can Norian send a message to the dragon or the swan lady? Let them know what happened? I think we need to find our gems!"
Upon arriving home, Alden wastes no time donning his armor. He pulls on his gambeson, and begins buckling each piece of armor in place as quickly as he can without doing so incorrectly. he is grateful for Jaxom's assistance, as it greatly expedites the process.
Once he has finished, he buckles on his belt with sword and dagger, slings his quiver and bow over his shoulder, and grabs the rest of his gear.
As Alden and Jaxom exit the house Kevan comes jogging up. "New people to meet. You guys ready?"
As Alden and Jaxom exit the house Kevan comes jogging up. "New people to meet. You guys ready?"
"Let's hope we are ready Kevan. What's more let's hope, if it is indeed a large city, our 'patron' isn't upset at its presence."
"We should probably get moving," Alden says. "I would prefer to recover the Stones before the residents of the new shard do."
He makes a quick check of his weapons, armor, and gear to make sure that all the straps are securely in place, nods to the others to make sure they are ready to go, then moves in the direction of the city.
"We should probably get moving," Alden says. "I would prefer to recover the Stones before the residents of the new shard do."
He makes a quick check of his weapons, armor, and gear to make sure that all the straps are securely in place, nods to the others to make sure they are ready to go, then moves in the direction of the city.
"Especially since we weren't the ones to trigger the merging this time. I wish we had horses so we could travel faster."
"Speed would be good. My papaw was an excellent pony rider. He was a messenger for an army. As a matter of fact he trained up a group of halfling pony riders who moved messages between military camps and the capital. People started calling them the express pony riders but I think Pony Express would have been better." Kevan says as he follows along with Alden.
Deshrit attempts to explain, but Rabbit is too quick as he fetches the others. Upon their return the gem seems to "look" at each member of the assembled group. Or think carefully over what to say. Honestly, many of the gem's actions tended to send light twinkling out of it's facets across the room.
"I told Rabbit that we were able to remember some of our previous lives. In particular that Delian was a merchant's assistant, and that I was a scribe. In Katapesh and Oppara respectively. Deshrit explains carefully, "Though I do not remember much more than that. The last thing I remember is a tall stack of books falling on me when the wall behind them collapsed. Hard to maintain structural integrity when the world splits apart I suppose."
A moment later Delian spoke as well. "One of the men in the caravan I was in, he believed the sundering was the work of his dark god. He tried to use me to shield himself from a sandstorm the sundering kicked up... I would not wish to say more."
As the group hurriedly assembles and dons their respective gear and armor they find the local inhabitants gathering at the inn in the same manner as before. There was a general mood of unease, but thankfully no one seemed to be panicking. As the group begins to head out they do so knowing that the population is once again as secure as they can be.
The new shard lies over wild plains, but ahead there is dirt path leading between the partially collapsed wall and the fields set up before it. This shard seemed to be in the same spring thaw as their own shard. In the furrows and rows of those small fields there were the ruins of a fair portion of the previous years crop. Clearly the attempts at farming had not met with the level of success you all enjoyed.
Standing across the width of this dirt lane was a group of seven armed and armored men. One in the center of the road slightly ahead of the others, with three flanked out to either side. They were still a ways off, and seemed to be waiting for your own group.
Alden continues a steady, unhurried pace towards the line of guards. He keeps his sword sheathed and his bow slung across his back.
If nothing prompts him to stop before getting within sixty feet, he will reach out with Erasil's power to sense the nature of the men.
Rabbit trots along with the others, nervously fiddling with the clasp on Mister Whisper's satchel but trying not to be overt with his anxiety. It had seemed like things were going so well, but what if the new inhabitants are like the goblins and there can't be any peace?
His weapons, such as they are, are not drawn as they approach. Rabbit tries to smile at the armed group, his hands upraised and obviously empty, though conversation must wait til they're closer.
Kevan scans the area as they walk looking for signs of a sniper or a trap. ”Be polite but don’t trust them. They’re obviously expecting trouble. They may have an ambush setup. And don’t get too close for the same reason. Alden, do you want to talk with them or shall I?”
"Let me try. If they end up being hostile, I will be in a position to hold them off, I hope, long enough for the rest of you to bring magic or ranged weapons to bear," Alden replies.
"I'll go as your bodyguard." When there is a pause, Kevan continues, "You can never be too careful. You do the talking and I'll keep an eye on them."
Eochaidh nods at the plan formulated.
If you're looking for something akin to his personal nature or patron I would suggest looking into other wonderous items that could have their effect given to the cloak. There are also rules for making magical items with specific bonuses such as a competence bonus. If you'd prefer I make suggestions then PM me about it and we can continue.
Eochaidh can spot some of the nearest plants and see they are sad things. At a distance it's hard to tell the exact reason they failed, but given their size and shape it might be safe to say lack of nutrition in the soil.
Looking to those that stood before them it seemed the men were well outfitted humans, mostly men.
The man in the center and the two men immediately flanking him were wearing breastplates and had swords at their hips and shields at their side. There was no iconography on their armor or clothing.
The end of either flank was occupied by a combination of two men, and a man and a woman. Each pair had one wearing scale armor with a halberd and the other in a chain shirt and cap with a readied heavy crossbow, though not raised.
The center of the line stood ready but seemingly confident. One flank, with the two men, seemed apprehensive if not nervous. The other flank seemed curious.
The lead man removed his helmet as Alden and Kevan approached. He was dark haired, with a neatly trimmed and pointed mustache. His features marked him as Chell, and he gave a thin smile as he looked the both of them up and down. "Greetings outsiders." he offered.
Alden's glance noted evil from one member of each of the three groups. Most notably from the man in the center. Not just the aura of a wicked man, but of a devoted individual to some wicked cause or deity.
You recognize this man, though you only ever met him a few times. He was the personal body guard to a member of the Aspis Consortium. That man was Barik Kron, and this man is Tymos Boh. His charge often visited your mistress. You had the distinct displeasure of being kicked across the room for daring to get within five feet of his charge when he was present. This slice of city must be a small part of your home.
Ostenso, easternmost city and former capital of Cheliax.
As they approach the men, if Alden continues past sixty feet he puts out a cautionary hand at forty-five feet to get the paladin to stop. "Let's keep our distance." he whispers. Then he waves at the armed men.
Alden stops a pace past when he senses the malevolence of the men’s commanders.
”Greetings friends, I am Alden Cooperson, servant of Erastil, the Stagfather. It appears you have found the means to reuniting the shards of our shattered world. We have no intention of harming you. Would you be willing to meet and speak peaceably?”
Rabbit tenses up visibly as the leader of the group of warriors removes his helmet. For a moment, all he can think of is running-- perhaps his own thoughts, perhaps sent to him by the rabbit that is now restlessly squirming in the pouch.
If they're here, then.... then.... then maybe Mistress is too. Oh no. Ohnononono....
He tries desperately to calm his breathing, and manages to be... at least less on the verge of panic as Alden smoothly greets the newcomers. He ducks a respectful-- or cringing, depending on your view-- bow to the warriors, and stays hanging back at the rear.
There's no way to speak entirely discreetly, of course, but--
"Be careful to stay on the road, there's snakes around here I think, in the grass," he blurts to the others. "Kevan, did you ever see snakes in your travels? Um, there's one, I forget the Taldane name, it's called a--"
A few words in the piping sounds of the Halfling tongue, which he sure hopes Kevan speaks: "I know the leader! Mean. Kicked me once. Bad people!"
The center of the line stood ready but seemingly confident. One flank, with the two men, seemed apprehensive if not nervous. The other flank seemed curious.
Jaxom's hawk like gaze takes in every little detail of the opposing people at a distance. The terrain was undisturbed, with no sign of a trap or hidden enemies, so his focus had to go onto the details of those opposite him. Their armor and weapons were in pristine condition, but those on the flank didn't have their gear entirely in order. There were loose and improperly secured bindings, and one of the crossbows was not held steady. The three in the center though, their armor was worn as it should be. Not only polished but oiled for use. Some of the leather was well aged through use, though still in good condition.
The group straightens as Alden and Kevan get as close as they dare, and then visibly relax as he speaks. The lead man mumbles something and then speaks quietly to the man to his right. His features were stern. "Well met." he called back. His voice was sharp and sounded clearly over the distance. He seemed no stranger to sounding off. "Paladin." he added after a moment, "Do you lot speak for your... shard? If so my master would like to speak with you. As you say, to speak peacefully about how we may continue. My name is Tymos Boh. Loyal servant to the master Barik Kron, savior of Ostenso!"
It seemed a boast given there was no way any significant portion of the city could fit into such a space.
Ostenso is the easternmost city in Cheliax. Their largest port city and the former capital. A DC 10 Geography also identifies Tymos as being ostensibly Chell.
Tymos stood confidently after exchanging words, a hand on his hip and his chest puffed out proudly.
Eochaidh waits for an opportunity to share his information with the others.
Kevan looks to Alden and quietly asks, "See what he has to offer, kind of like the dragon? It sounds as if this could go sideways though if we refuse to bow to this Kron fellow."
Alden turns his head away from the men, and back towards his companions. ”I’m not familiar with the kingdom they’re from. Do any of you know who they are, and if the can be trusted to keep their word?” he asks in a soft tone, hopefully not overheard by the strangers.
[Dice=Knowledge Geography, Untrained]1d20-1
Alden turns his head away from the men, and back towards his companions. ”I’m not familiar with the kingdom they’re from. Do any of you know who they are, and if the can be trusted to keep their word?” he asks in a soft tone, hopefully not overheard by the strangers.
"I remember that Ostenso was the eastern most city in the former Empire of Cheliax. It was the largest port city and a former capital. Tymos appears to be Chellish."
Jaxom stays behind the group, watching and listening, and not interfering with those that have social skills....
[Dice=Knowledge Geography, Untrained]1d20-1
Alden turns his head away from the men, and back towards his companions. ”I’m not familiar with the kingdom they’re from. Do any of you know who they are, and if the can be trusted to keep their word?” he asks in a soft tone, hopefully not overheard by the strangers.
Rabbit swallows thickly. "The Chelish.... keep their word, as a rule, but give it-- rarely. Abide by the letter of an agreement rather than the spirit. ....This man is cruel, Mr. Cooperson. I met him before."
Alden nods.
”We will speak with your master as emissaries on behalf of our people, Sir Tymos Boh. We request safe conduct to, the meeting with him, during the meeting with him, and from the meeting with him, back to this location. We will not draw weapon against, strike blows, nor cast spell upon any of your people, as long as you, your Lord, or any person or being capable of these same actions within your land’s borders does not do so first. We will retain our armor, weapons and all other possessions for the entire duration of this process: the journey to your lord, the meeting with him, and the return to this location. I offer
my oath as a servant of Erastiil to abide by these terms. Are you able to make such a reciprocal binding oath on behalf of yourself, your lord, and all those in his service and under his protection?”
Eochaidh notes that Ostenso was a large port city on the ocean of the inner sea, and the home of the Cheliax navy. Looking at the terrain, it is unlikely that this part of the city bears any of the major features the city offered.
Kevan remembers some key features of the city from idle gossip. Among it's major features was the Aspis Building, headquarters to the Aspis Consortium. It was built by Jhandorage Vaulnder Alexayn, among with numerous statues and tributes to himself. Also home to Citadel Krane and the Order of the Pyre. Lord-Mayor Idressia Henderthane rules, but not much is commonly known. It's also home to a Bellflower network, being so close to Andoran and the slave trade operating out of the city.
Tymos gives Alden a hard look and considers. "Those terms are acceptable." he finally says with a thin smile, "It is... nice, that we have come across such a servant of the law in what we thought a little backwater. Be sure that you stay close to us."
The pairs on either flank step out to either side of the trail, and the two men flanking Tymos join them. Leaving him alone in the center of the road as he beckons you to follow. The man seems unconcerned as he moves to start escorting your group to the city gate.
Eochaidh will follow Alden's lead.
"Stay alert, stay close," Alden whispers to the others before moving forward into the formation of soldiers.
"Lead the way, sir," he says to Tymos, with a nod of the head.
As they walk up amongst the group of armed men Kevan says, ”Well howdy do,” and waves at them all. Then he breaks into a story. ”I once worked with this rapscallion, Dirk the Knife, greatest guy you’d ever want to meet, just don’t leave your purse unguarded around him. Anyway, Dirk and I had the opportunity of discussing terms for our crew with a tribe of cannibals.”[b] He looks around him to make sure others are tracking, [b]”you know, people who eat other people. So,…” he continues to regale the group with a long meandering story of Dirk, how brave the man was, the successful negotiations, and Kevans luck at being present and available to assist.
Jaxom moves in to follow. Hearing Kevan start another story he just gives a "Hmm...." and ignores it.
Rabbit follows along, radiating nervousness, one hand in his animal satchel to pet Mr. Whisper and try and get some reassurance from that.
Tymos turns to lead the group on and the other soldiers flank the party as they walk. Keven's story and the tromp of boots on dirt the only sound as they approach the gate.
The gate of the wall was mostly a section of the existing wall that had been excavated away and buttressed with beams to create a passage. Atop it a ballista had been secured, and the group can see three bedraggled looking guards atop it. They aren't aiming it at the group, not directly anyway, but it is ready to fire.
Passing through the gate the party is led down a street of houses and small shops. Some of the buildings are destroyed or abandoned, and there doesn't seem to be any people about on the street.
Eochaidh keeps an eye out for any possible trouble and also tries to remember how to get out of the 'city' if need be.
Alden walks next to Tymos, keeping his manner as calm and nonchalant as possible. As they walk, he tries to make note of how many armed fighters he sees, relative to noncombatants.