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Been tossing around the idea of an Awakened Raven magic user of some sort. Could a bird like a raven feasibly wear a ring? Thinking about what option to take for the Foci talent. Awakened Raven spellcaster? I might have played one or two of those... :D I'll have to give this a look, see if I have time to make a character.
Brennus listened to all of these things with interest. It was unclear if any of them were connected to anything they were dealing with... but they all sounded like they were worth checking out even if they weren't. The fence would be the easiest one to investigate, of course, so he decided to focus on that avenue of investigation. He flew over to where the fence was rumored to be located, taking pains to appear like just an ordinary bird looking around for scraps of food. In truth, though, he was casing the joint, so to speak, trying to get a feel for the place and its security. Then he returned to the inn, slipped back in the window, and slept the rest of the night. In the morning he spoke with Emme and Arshee. "The best lead I have in town is a dealer in magic items. Given this is Daggermark, he's probably not a safe person, so we'll need to be very careful speaking with him. What we want is to look around at what he has and see if any of it might relate to us, or at least be useful, and then we can see about buying or trading for it. Let me do all the negotiating." His eyes glittered just a bit in anticipation of the challenge... and its possible rewards. "We'll go after breakfast, unless either of you have another idea."
Brennus basks in the feeling of power that comes with the vision, but not long after it ends he starts picking it apart. Was it a true precognitive vision, or simply his own mind picturing what he wanted? Did it presage a greater ability to absorb the powers of others, or would it all be... whatever it was he was getting by eating their eyes? There was one thing he felt certain wasn't quite right about the vision, though... when it came to power, he didn't think he'd ever really be full. Still, he didn't really want to show this side of himself to Emme, so he did his best not to show anything out of the ordinary along the carriage trip. He did spend some time examining the items he'd found--he was disappointed but not surprised that none of them were powerful--as well as some time meditating, trying to search within himself to feel if anything had changed after eating the Neh-Thaggu's eye. ************** Brennus did his best to not draw attention as he listened around town, though a few times when it seemed appropriate he flew into an unobserved spot to switch to Tengu form to ask a few questions.
When he and Emme enter Holgarin's shop, Brennus gives the smith a small bow. "Greetings, Holgarin," he says grandly. "I'm sure you remember Emmeline," he waves at the young sorceress, "but you're probably wondering who I am. I am Brennus, one of her traveling companions. We have news, but first, business." He and Emme bring out the items they wanted to sell and spent a bit of time talking price. Once done, Brennus looks around a bit as if checking for eavesdroppers. "Now... I'm sure you're wondering, and yes, we do have this." He reaches into his handy haversack and pulls out Starfall. We found it in the possession of a powerful undead cleric, who we were able to defeat in a great battle. Now... there is something you should know about us." He lowers his voice dramatically. "We are struggling against a great foe--a powerful demon whose minions hound us. We'd hoped to lose them, but, well... after we decided to stop and help with this, I'm afraid we've lost time." "Now, as you may have guessed, the point of all of this is that we'd like to hold onto this for a little while. Its power could be the one thing that lets us stand up to this demon and his forces. We would, of course, return it when we're at last free of this threat. So, what do you say, good man? Will you let us use the staff against the powers of the Abyss?"
Things Brennus might be interested in: Sleeves of Many Garments
Also assorted wands and potions--though he'd be more interested in them for filling his arcane reservior than for the spells in them, mostly.
Brennus finds a convenient place to hide and change shape out of sight, creates some illusionary clothing, then rejoins Emmeline. He suggests a clothing store first, though he doesn't say aloud that he wants to do it first so he can change before his spell runs out. He picks out a couple of loose-fitting robes, both for the wizardly look and because clothing just feels strange on him. He does his best not to show his delight in his new form in public, but... probably draws some odd looks in spite of this. Once that's done they go looking for buyers for the armor, the pearl, and the scabbard they'd found. With the funds from the sales he then takes Emme in search of a shop selling magic scrolls, a hungry gleam in his eye as he considers the potential they represent for yet more knowledge and power. Sadly, he can't find anywhere selling scrolls, though they do stumble across a small shop selling a few magical sundries.
"I've already thought of that," Brennus replies, with another caw-laugh. "Well, as soon as you've had your breakfast we can get started."
Brennus's eyes glitter with mingled humor and excitement. "I won't have to keep using magic when I want to read or pick something up, and of course when it comes to certain kinds of magic it'll be a lot easier... you know, you human-types really don't know how good you have it. Sure, sometimes life is messy and complicated for you in ways it'd never be for an animal, but there's so much you can do and especially so much you can learn..." He trails off for a moment, then changes subjects slightly. "Speaking of learning, we really need to learn what more there is to what happened to us at the shrine. I just figured this thing out this morning, so I suspect there's more than the obvious going on with both you and Arshee. If it wasn't for the staff I'd suggest studying that right away."
"I'd show you, but I don't have any clothes," Brennus replies, cawing a laugh. "That's why we need to get some! Think of all the things that'll be easier when I have hands!"
"Well... I've figured out one of the new things I can do." Brennus lowers his voice and leans forward conspiratorily. "I can change forms into a humanoid raven!" he proclaims.
"Although... there's not really a rush to return it," Brennus adds, eyeing her cautiously for her reaction. "We could use a day to rest and practice with our new abilities--and I want to study the staff a bit longer. I think I could learn a thing or two from it. And we could work on your magic some, as well." Assuming Emme agrees, Brennus proceeds to spend most of the day in fierce concentration, intently focused on the riddle of the staff Starfall. Just where did its wondrous power come from? What was it capable of? And more importantly, how could he benefit from it? He did take a few breaks to help Emme out with her magic (when she reminded him) and to head out shopping.
"Not all night," Brennus replies, a glitter of humor in his eyes. "I am surprised I woke up before you, though." He stretches his wings out and hops a step closer to Emme, thinking of how strange and wonderful it was going to be to get used to having hands and longer legs when he wanted to. "I suppose the first thing we need today is breakfast... and we'll need to do some shopping, too," he muses. "At some point we'll have to try convincing Holgarith we need to keep the staff. We may let him know part of what we're up against--saying we'll be using it to fight the minions of a powerful demon might be enough."
Brennus just barely keeps from cawing in shock. How had... had he managed to cast a spell in his sleep? Or was something else going on? Looking himself over, he concludes (after the surprise wears off) that he looks more or less like a Tengu. He'd never seen one himself, but from what he'd read they were basically raven-like humanoids, which describe his current form well enough. ...This meant he could wield the staff himself. Brennus freezes for a moment as the thought strikes him. Almost immediately after that he has to stop himself from immediately lunging for it. There would be time enough for that in a bit. The first thing he needed to know was, could he control the change? Could he turn back into a raven and then return to this form? Concentrating inward, Brennus tries to focus on shifting back to his natural form, hoping he wouldn't find himself stuck without this new form by doing so.
Brennus had known the staff was powerful, but his eyes practically gleamed with avarice as he started to get an idea of just how powerful it truly was. They had to keep it, he must unlock its secrets and claim its power for himself! This was just what they would need to face the minions of a powerful demon (or two, they may have just angered another one by killing the ghast). If only they hadn't promised to return it to that smith... Holgarin, wasn't that his name? Perhaps they could convince him to let them keep it for a while... or maybe Brennus could convince Emme not to try to return it. Though Arshee would probably see right through his intentions. Convincing the smith it would be, then.
Brennus is silent on the way back to Tymon, too focused on studying the Staff to make any conversation. There was so much to study right now--his Book, his new powers, Emme and Arshee's new powers--but the Staff seemed the most time-critical, given he wasn't sure if he could convince the person they were supposed to return it to that they needed it for a little while. As he studied, he noticed a little something--he could channel part of his new power into enhancing his efforts. Eagerly he did so for the last half of their journey back. He was almost too eager to continue studying to bother with eating when they got back to the inn. He mumbled something to Emme about bringing some food up to the room and then swiftly hid himself away. After a moment's debate Brennus pulled his book out of his bag and turned it to the Words of Power section. Monnuus and Haroth had both proven useful--who else might he call on?
"Perhaps, though that still leaves some mysteries..." Brennus murmurs in reply. He's a bit surprised that Emme doesn't just carry the staff herself, but then again, she might not be quite as eager as he to hold onto powerful magical artifacts. In fact... With a bit of a humorous gleam in his eye, Brennus flies onto the disc and lands atop the staff. "Let's start heading back," he says, looking down at his perch. "I'll see what I can learn as we go."
"Interesting..." Brennus muses, both about the cache and Haroth's words. He liked the greater power bit, though he wondered just how Haroth knew this. He looks over at the archon. "The power of the shrine is letting you stay here for longer than normal. Can you feel how long you'll be able to stay?" After listening to Haroth's answer, Brennus uses his magic to lift the scroll and the wand from the cache into his bag. "We'll have to decide how to use the rest," he comments. Then Brennus flies over to the staff and looks it over one last time. "I do wonder how the ghast managed to find this," he says, reaching out with one talon to touch it again. "You'll need to carry it, too, Emme, since I obviously can't."
Brennus's eyes glitter with mingled curiosity and ambition. Perhaps it wasn't so bad that the shrine had lost most of its power if said power had flowed into himself and the others. Sure, it would have been kind of nice to get it all himself, but he wasn't going to begrudge his allies some power. It was useful to have powerful allies, after all. He did wonder if it was just the new power that Horath was talking about, or if he had more insight into this whole 'great destiny' thing than he was letting on. "Well, we'll have to investigate just what's happened when we have the time," Brennus says aloud. "For now, let's get what's here and get moving. I'd rather not do this kind of studying out in the woods." His gaze lingers on Haroth for a little while, and he decides he might as well ask. "So just what kind of 'great destiny' are you talking about here?"
Brennus nods slightly. "Did all of you notice its power flowing through you as we fought? I think it didn't like the ghast trying to desecrate it. For that matter, I think a bit of the shrine's power is still lingering with me. How about the rest of you?" He looked over the others, thinking on the oddities in their auras he'd detected earlier. "Do you feel a bit different, too?"
"I see..." Brennus muses, thinking the information over. That would certainly explain the power this place had... of course, it meant it was unlikely to come back anytime soon. Especially... ...Especially since some of it had settled into him. Now that he wasn't quite so focused on other things, he could feel it, deep within his being--a new power, just beginning to bloom, but already mightier in a way than anything he had before experienced. What might it, what might he grow into now, if he continued to feed it? For now, though, he was curious what was in this cache. But first... "Thank you, Haroth. I hope you won't find my occasionally calling on you too onerous. Given that you're still here, I'm guessing that's the case?"
"I suppose the couatl saved us as much as we saved it, then," Brennus says, bowing his head briefly in respect. Inwardly he was disappointed by the diminished power of the shrine... and curious about what was going on with his companions (and likely himself). Had the resurrection had some aftereffects of some sort? "What more do you know about this shrine, Haroth?" he then asks, flying over and giving it a look. Unfortunately its power seemed mostly expended. Still, he looked it over as best he could, hoping to at least discover the secret of how it had held such power. When he turned up nothing, Brennus flew over to the staff. "At least we've recovered this staff," he comments to the others. "Emmeline, you're probably the only one of us who can carry it, for obvious reasons." He caws a brief laugh as he studies it. "We'll probably want to head back and rest now," he states. "We probably don't want to stay here too long. All the magic being thrown around here might attract more attention than we want just now."
Brennus first wants to make sure Emme, Arshee, and Haroth are all right. He's simultaneously checking them out for odd magical auras with see magic.
Next he wants to try to figure out what's going on with the shrine--in particular, if he can somehow draw on the power it just displayed to empower himself.
He'd like to figure out what happened with the couatl, as well.
Kind of as-he's-doing-this, he'd like to figure out what the ghast was trying to do in specific, though he doubts he'll get much more than 'desecrate the site'.
He wants to check over the staff, to make sure it's safe to carry and see if it has any particular resonance with the shrine. (And see if he can quickly siphon off a bit of power for himself without anyone noticing)
He'd also like to figure out what's going on with Emme casting healing magic, though he suspects that will be a longer-term investigation.
Brennus discovers that he's on the ground now rather than in the air. He must have crashed to the ground during that whole mess. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised that the ghast would be vengeful enough to set up a contingency like that, though its power had surprised him. Had it used the staff, or had it truly been that powerful? Whatever the case... it was over now. They were lucky the power in this place seemed to like them. The power in this place... he had to figure out what was going on! Especially if there was a chance of getting some of that power for himself. But first... "Is everyone all right?" Brennus asks, again taking to the air and looking the others over. He channels one of his weaker spells into re-activating his see magic ability as he does so, checking them for any odd magic... and also hoping to see that the aura that had aided them in battle had not been expended in bringing them back from the brink of death.
There was almost too much going on for Brennus to process, even with his considerable intellect. What was clear was that they needed to finish this battle quickly, so that he could figure out just what was going on... and how to get the most benefit out of it. That being said, the unexpected effectiveness of his 'false' summons meant he had a very good distraction... probably one better than his fake wizard, at this point. In fact, if he stopped maintaining the illusion of the wizard, said image would remain for a few seconds... long enough to heighten the confusion amongst the undead, and hopefully enough to keep the ghast from going for the staff. Speaking of the staff, here he was standing on it, his arcane reserves nearly empty. He might not be able to wield the staff, but he could probably draw a bit of power from it...
With whatever power he had, he then hurled flame at the ghast through the illusion of the wizard, which ricocheted from it to two of the ghouls.
Then Brennus takes off and flies at an angle, aiming to bring himself slightly closer to the ghast and the ghouls while being high enough in the air to be out of their reach, hoping the staff is safe on the ground with a semi-solid dinosaur between it and the undead.
Brennus's little heart thrills more at the taste of power than it did from the adrenaline of battle. Here he'd come hungering after the staff, with only a side thought of there possibly being something interesting in the shrine... but now there was some power here that was boosting his magic even without him trying to draw on it! So what might he be able to do if he were to draw on it? And for that matter... given the abilities he'd been discovering to consume and absorb magic... might he be able to take some of this power for himself? That thought set his heart racing even faster.
He needed a distraction. Fortunately, he's good at those, and the ghast is a bit busy with Arshee at the moment, anyway. He made a mental note to raise his estimate of Arshee's strength again. Brennus dove and landed atop the staff, cawing out a spell as he did so. Around him, an old, bearded man in a robe appeared. He bent down and picked up the staff (though a quick eye would notice that a staff was left behind), then strode forwards, his flowing robes concealing the staff left behind him. "You are undone, foul undead," the man proclaimed, raising the staff and beginning to cast a spell.
Brennus instructs Haroth to guard Emmeline, suspecting that she will become a target to the ghouls. When they reach the clearing he splits from the others, getting behind the ghast while the others are more in front. Once he's in position, he activates his greater invisibility and then caws once--the signal for Emme. He circles invisibly and waits for her attack to attempt stealing the staff, hoping the distraction will increase the amount of time it takes for the ghast to realize he's missing something.
"I don't see another way to keep this ghast from killing and desecrating," Brennus replies. He hesitates a moment. He hates blowing *everything* on one battle, but when the alternative might be death... "There's one last bit of help we could get," he says. He turns slightly. "Haroth, come to our aid," he grandly pronounces, calling on the Hound Archon whose true name he had learned.
Hmmmm... well that wasn't good. At least he had some time. He hated getting Emme involved in this mess, but they were only going to get one shot at this, and that meant maximum 'firepower'. That meant risking Emme, too. (Arshee he wasn't as worried about--he was confident the Silvanshee could handle herself) He flies back to the pair. "They're trying to sacrifice the couatl to desecrate the shrine," Brennus tells them, "Which I don't think I need to tell you is bad. We've got to stop them--which means ambushing them with all we've got. What most worries me is that Staff, so here's what we're going to do." "I'll make both of you invisible when we get close. After a moment to get into position, you two will surprise them--a magic missile to the ghast's face should get their attetnion. At that moment, I'll steal the staff from the ghast, which should do a lot to even the odds. From that point on, Emme, you do what you can while staying out of reach of the undead, I'll throw my best spells at them, and Arshee... you know what you can do better than I do." He looks the other two over with one eye. "Are you ready for this?"
As he nears the area Brennus refreshes his invisibility. He has no desire to be spotted before he has a plan of action. He gets as close as he dares and activates his See Magic ability, giving the scene a quick study, trying to determine what the ritual was doing, how long he had to stop it, and if he could twist it against the ritual-casters without destroying the forest (and, more importantly, himself). Know (arcana): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
"Hmmmmm..." Brennus hums, thoughtfully. "Probably they need a celestial, or at least something good-hearted, to touch the meteor in the shrine... whatever the case, I think it's better for me to get there first." "You have done well. Return to your home, Monnuus," he commands, then turns to Emmeline and Arshee. "I think I'd better get to the shrine first. You two stay safe."
Brennus shakes himself slightly as the images end. "Did you hear what they forced the coatl to do?" he asks of Monnuus. "They may have already dismissed it if they got what they wanted..."
Interesting... how was Emmeline progressing so fast? How could she be getting aid? And perhaps more importantly, who was helping her? The demon prince? Arshee? Someone else entirely? He'd have to track this down sometime when there wasn't so much else going on. He narrows his eyes slightly as Monnuus returns. He wished it wasn't in front of the others, but... there were other things to worry about now. "A couatl? Show me," Brennus demands of the devil.
"Hmmmmm..." Brennus cocks his head slightly. "I didn't see anything, but I suppose it's probably not worth the risk... though I don't like not being there when the ritual finishes. That might be the best opportunity to mess up their control--and I don't think we really want these things to have something of this type of power under their control for long." He also didn't particularly want to be in their sight when Monnuus returned, but of course he didn't say that aloud. "So I suppose I'll stay until the ritual's done. Which means we have a few minutes." He looks over the two of them. "So, Emmeline, any questions about magic while we wait?"
"Yes," Brennus replies. "Now, they're in the middle of some kind of summoning ritual. It's got enough power involved in it that interrupting it would result in future cartographers naming a large crater in this area in our memory. But the funny thing is they seem to be summoning something celestial... which means we may have an opportunity." His beady little eyes gleam slightly with the promise of mischief. "Depending on just how they're doing this summoning, it might be possible to free whatever they summoned... who, being from Heaven, will probably be quite willing to stomp on the evil undead who summoned him. The trick will be pulling it off. But you two had better stay safe while I do this, and definitely don't come interrupting anything. So promise not to follow me?"
As he flies, Brennus pulls out one of his less useful wands and drinks some of its power in. He suspects he'll be needing it shortly. It doesn't take him long to find Emmeline and Arshee. He finds a perch near them, and as he's landing, says, "Emmeline! Arshee! There's some trouble up ahead. Four ghouls and a ghast who has a staff." He looks straight at Emme. "The staff we're looking for wouldn't happen to be made of pale green crystal, would it?"
"Interesting..." Brennus murmurs. He gives the devil a sidelong glance. He wants to ask just how it knows him, but now doesn't seem like the time for a long and possibly frustrating conversation. No doubt the little devil would enjoy toying with him that way. "I will return shortly. Keep watch until I come back. If they succeed in their summoning, come find me as quickly as possible as soon as you've seen who they've summoned," he commands instead, then takes off. It was time to tell Emmeline and Arshee what was going on, before they got worried and blundered into it. Summoning something from Heaven? Was it possible they were trying to force the spirit of Javri Sevenstars to obey them? It seemed likely they were using his staff, so it was possible... just as likely they were summoning some other celestial being, though. No wonder they had to use so much power--unlike devils and demons, celestials generally weren't interested in being summoned by anyone they didn't like, so it must be taking quite a bit of power to force the issue.
"Oh?" Brennus perks up a bit. "Very well, I'll stay here a few minutes and you can translate for me before I depart."
Brennus narrows his eyes slightly, but decides to put off the questions until later. "Over that way, there is a group of ghouls and a ghast engaged in a summoning ritual. Observe them while remaining unseen until their summoning is complete, then for five minutes afterward, then return to me and report." He pauses a moment, then adds, "Do this, and next time I'll summon you for something more... fun." His beady eyes glittered with the promise of future mischief.
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