Eli Wynnstock's page

"NO! I go ALONE! There are too many lives at stake, and too many have already died since I have arrived in this land. This fiend does not make idle threats, remember Haleen's finger? He has her, and Rayhan, and Jameena and will not hesitate to kill any of them to get what he wants, and he wants me alone. We can not hid from him, he knows things that no one on this continent should know so I would bet he will easily see through any disguise or magical subterfuge. I will not be alone, I have Tempest with me and Mahath will keep the Scroll of Kakison. The rest of you must remain with him and keep it safe. This is the hand we have been dealt, this bastard is not bluffing so instead of pushing all in we have to fold. I will go and see what he has to say, and perhaps I will be able to learn something about our foe that we can use against him, or at least figure out where our friends are."

Eli is reading the the note out loud to the group, "I do not have the patience to wait anymore. You want to know where your friends are and who has them, meet me alone on the roof of the Municipal building tonight at midnight. Your presence is required Aletoriss....." He stutters as he starts to read the name, and drops the note to the table unable to finish reading. The last words on the note are Aletoriss Van Zandt. Eli sits, his face gone pale. Mahath suggests going but Eli shakes his head, "NO! I go alone, he wants to speak to me and I will not let Jameena, Haleen, or Rayhan suffer for this anymore."

Eli is eager to head out and deal with this, "We are wasting time. Dogtown may be mostly deserted at this earlier hour, but we may be able to find a drunkard passed out in an ally that we can convince to share with us where, or how to make contact with the Jackal. We can scout around and see what can be learned, when evening comes the low-lifes will be out in force, and I would bet the house we will get Father Jackal's attention."

"I apologize Abd al Halim, I am Eli Wynnstock. Quzman and I first dealt with this criminal when I first arrived in this land over a year ago, well at least his agents. The Bandit, who kidnapped April, the one who was plotting to kill Princess Almah. He was an agent of this Father Jackal and is one the Pactmasters see as a foe. I believe as well that Dumah and Bahyii were trying to help Heleen pay back debts to him."

"Folktales from the lands of Osirion say that the Templars of the Five Winds were a group of five powerful genies from antiquity, and although they disappeared centuries ago, locals in that area still atrribute miracles or odd occurrences to them. It was rumored that the five genies and their mistress fought a great evil hundreds of years ago against an evil genie near Pale Mountain."

"Of these genies, Davashuum represents the fury of the wind from all directions. Kardswann, represents the south wind, the most well-traveled and worldly of the winds. Pazhvann, represents the east wind, upon which the whispers the gods and advice from the elders is carried. Vardishal, represents the north wind, a wind said to carry the battle cries of all armies. Zayfid, represents the west wind, upon which secrets thought hidden were carried."

Eli touches the hilt of his scimitar, "This blade was gifted to me by Vardishal, or at least his spirit, in some way he has been guiding the efforts of the Sand Stalkers against Zayfid who we have run up against as well and may even be behind the work of this Father Jackal. Both are against us and both seek the Scroll of Kakison. A scroll we now have in our possession, the reason that Jameena, Rayhan, and Haleen are in danger."

"The Scroll of Kakishon is said to contain an entire world inside of it, the personal paradise of the wizard king Nex. The scroll is the doorway by which Nex could enter and exit the realm. Kakishon is a paradise, a laboratory, a menagerie, a hunting ground, and even a tomb. The legend of Kakishon falls into increasing obscurity after Nex’s war with Geb began. All signs point to the strong possibility that Nex had grown dissatisfied with Kakishon and had lost interest. When he vanished from the face of Garund in the year 576 AR, he left the Scroll of Kakishon behind. Legends say it was stolen from his castle and that it has passed through many hands. Some have used it as a prison for their enemies, others as a place to impress allies or as a vault for their treasures, at least according to the stories say. The closer to the present day we get, the more obscure the rumors grow since no sign of the Scroll of Kakishon seems to have surfaced over the past several hundred years. It is thought that the last person to own the scroll was a Keleshite wizard named Andrathi. The accounts of his life are vague and fragmentary, but it would appear that he was the lover of a genie named Nefeshti, the leader of a group known as the Templars of the Five Winds. Legend holds that the Templars fought somewhere in the mountains against a cruel efreeti warlord named Jhavhul, and that while the Templars of the Five Winds managed to defeat Jhavhul, the defeat was shadowed in loss. No sign of Andrathi or the Scroll of Kakishon remained after the battle. Except we now have the scroll and Zayfid has hurt our friends and is doing everything in his power to get it, and it seems Vardishal does not want that to happen."

How odd...it is in your posting history. My bad! Yours was less emotional and I added another sentence but both posts give the same gist for the story: Jameena is captured and being tortured and beaten for the location of the Scroll.

Are you seeing my post? it starts "Father....I would push all in.. it is a direct reaction to Mahath responses to what he is seeing in the ball? It also works as the response to your post, Eli hearing the telling of the phrase Father will be disappointed with you makes Eli think of the crime lord Father Jackal.

"'Father'....I would push all-in that he is referring to Father Jackal. It seems all our troubles start with him. " Eli's anger seems to shift from frantic to committed, "Well maybe it's time we finally face this terror. I say we head back to Dogtown, and let the word out we are looking for him. I am sure in no time at all we will have an audience with that son of a motherless hyaena." Eli checks his gear once over and heads towards the door, "Quzman, Ty do you want to come with me? Mahath? I know that this Jackal fellow is the one Haleen owed money, Dumah was trying to raise the funds to clear her debt. Now is your chance to avenge him and find her. Halim, you are welcome with us if you wish, but know it will be dangerous. Several people have already died because of the plotting and scheming of this Father Jackal and the Templars of the Five Winds. I do not know what each of them desires, but it seems all of them desire the Scroll. Let us go get Jameena, Haleen, and Rayhan and end this crime lords reign of devilry once and for all and let him know what it means to cross the Sand Stalkers!"

"If she is not in the cell, can you scry her somewhere else? She wrote this note can it not help you locate her?" Eli shoves the paper at Mahath with hope, or maybe desperation in his eyes.

Eli returns to the main room, the note tightly clenched in his hand, "Everything seems in order where she slept and all her gear is gone. Now we need to see what Mahath can divine with Rayhan's crystal ball. " Eli turns to the mage expectantly waiting an answer to Jameena's location.

Eli grasps Quzmans arm, but keeps his focus on the stranger.

"Well she is not here, she answered your summons and if you are not there to greet her I am sure she will be cross with you. Jameena has more important things to do right now than deal with temple politics. There are kidnapers and conspirators that must be dealt with, urgently." Eli is short, curt and none to friendly to the priest on the door step.

Suddenly he turns and dashes across the villa to the room Jameena had claimed leaving Quzman and Abd al Halim standing there. Shouting to the others as he goes, "Something is wrong! Mahath, scry that cell again see if Rayhan and Haleen are alone. Ty check the house see if anything different is disturbed. Quzman, I am glad you are back, check the grounds. I think Jameena may have been taken!"

Eli doesn't wait to see if the others react, but flings open the bedroom door and begins his own search, looking for anything out of the ordinary. He also studies the note to see if anything with it is amiss.

Perception to search: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Linguistics to detect forgery: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

No problem, and please don't take it personally that Eli is not going to trust Halim at first. If you have read any of the thread up to this point it hasn't been working out to well for him and he currently thinks anyone new might be an agent of his enemies.

Suspiciously Eli says, "You say she summoned you, where is your proof?"

Lucendar asked us to do that awhile back. When you edit your profile put the [ hp AC Saves] in the Race box and the [Int Percp] in the Class level box and it will show up under your name. Just follow the format we are using.

Its the same as your Wildebob profile having [ m human Player 3/GM 2] in it.

Eli starts the night fueled by anger, anxiously pacing throughout his watch and then tossing and turning as he tried to get some sleep. His mind raced with everything that has happened since arriving in Katapesh, the Scroll, Zayfid, Tamir and the other interested parties. Quzman gone, and now Jameena slipping of to the temple before dawn has him irritated. Heleen and Rayhan are in trouble and to many have already died. For what? Eli's anger has subsided, but in its place is apathy and uselessness.

When the sound of the door reaches his ears, he quickly leaps to his feet and draws Tempest and moves to the window while signaling Ty and Mahath to be ready. After a peek, "Quzman's back and I think Bahiyy is with him." With a sigh of relief Eli sheathes his blade and rushes to the door, "Quzman my brother you are back in less than day, how is that possible? And where did you run into Bah....wait you are not Bahiyy." Eli's guard goes up agian and his hand moves to the hilt of Tempest once again, ready to draw should the stranger be another enemy. "What is going on?"

Still furious at the events that have taken place this day Eli paces, then suddenly moves close to look over Mahath's shoulder, "Let me see!"

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Can Eli see the images that Mahath has conjured up in the crystal ball? If so can he make out anything unusual about the guards, any emblems or ornamentation that could give us a clue as to who they are or who they might work for?

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 Knowledge-local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Do you want to write Quzman back in before we move to the next day, in game he has only been gone for a few hours.

Hmmm...Abd al Halim looks familiar.

I am super excited that this is going to start up again!! Just an FYI this weekend I will be going back home for a weekend of RPG's with my old table group. Its a last fling before I move away from the local area in a few weeks, so I probably won't be posting on the boards much if at all from Friday afternoon until Monday morning when I am back on campus.

Jameena, you will be missed...don't take to long getting back, Eli needs his conscious.

Welcome Wildebob, looking forward to meeting another adventurer willing to run with the Sand Stalkers.

If Jacob needs time to get settled in before we get started again....we have waited this long we can wait a little longer if need be. I'd love to get going but if its losing a player or taking a little longer to get going I'd rather wait and get us all back together.

You know I am up for it. I love this character!

Eli watches on as Mahtah peers into the crystal orb, pacing back and forth.

My DOT didn't stick either

"Curses! It seems we are holding a dud hand and and our life depends upon the pot! We need to find Rayhan and Haleena, we need to keep Zayfild from getting this Scroll, and we have no solid leads! Curses! Let's get back to Rayhad's and look for anything that can lead us.

DOT

Eli shouts out the house, "Stay out of my way, never come near the Sand Stalkers again!

Unusual rage seeps from Eli as he storms away from the house, people are dead and friends lost all because of this damned scroll and Eli has had enough. "This must be more of the Djinn's trickery. We need to find a eliminate that horse's arse once and for all."

Pulling out Tempest he presses his forehead to the hilt reaching out furiously with his thoughts, I know you can sense this, hear this! Zayfid desires what you compelled us to find. If you do not desire your enemy to acquire it, then lead me to him so that we may eliminate him. Do this Vardishal, or the Scroll is as good as his!

Sense Motive 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Eli will shove the notes in the foul little fellows face.

"We will only talk to you about the scroll when we see Heleen and Rayhan safe again! Eli shouts at the foul little man.

Eli boldly walks up to the door and begins to pound on it incessantly, even if there is a bell or more official knocker.

"Go, your duty to your people is important to us. We will deal with this scum and await your return while Rayhan finishes discovering the secrets of the Scroll."

"Then check on them, but hurry up!" Eli's anger is flaring very uncharacteristically.

"If your coming, then come but this ends today!"

"Enough is enough, I am going to deal with Tamir!" Eli turns to leave and go to the Dawn Gate district.

Sorry...thought that was obvious. The halfling Tamir.

Furry rages in Eli's eyes. "Where does he live?

Knowledge Local 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

"If this is a trap, to lure us out it might be to attack the Villa or it might be to ambush us on the way back." Eli thinks about the trek in and considers where the most likely spot for an ambush on the way back is.

Knowledge-local 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 Knowledge-geography 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

As he is thinking about this he will search the gazes of those who are eying them. Sure that all the gnolls in the place are staring, Eli is looking for one who is watching them with a purpose instead of curisoity or plain disgust.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 Sense Motive (Versatile Performance) 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

As they enter the establishment Eli will place a calming hand on Quzman's shoulder. "Be at ease, this is not the fight we need though I know it is going to strain your senses to be here amongst these folk. If it too much, say the word. There is no shame if you wish to return and keep an eye on the villa. The rest of us can handle this."

That helps, I guess I am hoping to circle a few blocks around the One-Eared Gnoll to get an idea of alley's or dead ends or groups that could be trouble or help. Just so we get a better idea of the quickest way out or the way to go to try and through off pursuers, from the immediate area. I dont think we need to spend a lot of time doing that 30-45 min, an hour at the most so that we get to the location (INN, BAR?) between 2 - 2 1/2 hours to case it and get a feel of the place there as well.

We had 4 hours, My idea was to leave right away to have as much time at the location to watch what is going on and have an idea of who and what we are dealing with. I think you said it takes an hour to walk there, and if we take extra time to circle are way in scouting as we go that is at least another half-hour to an hour I guess that is up to you who knows the map of the city. That would put us there at least two hours earlier than the meeting. It is my hopes that we will be there first, unless of course this is their home base. I have no doubt it is their territory I just hope we can learn and figure out enough in advance that we might be able to turn something into our advantage.

Perception Check for scouting on the way in. 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

As the party makes their way to Dog Town, Eli tries to place the establishment in his mind. Does he know anything about it and who might run things there.Knowledge -- Local 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 He also wonders about the local hierarchy, who really runs Dog Town and who wants to? Who might be an ally, or at least the enemy of our enemy.? Knowledge -- Local 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

As we get close, we should circle into our destination even if it takes a little bit longer so we can see the best way back out of Dog Town as well as look for signs of potential trouble.

When they arrive at their destination Eli will gather everyone up, "There is no use in pretending we are not who we are, and I am sure they know Mahath is connected to Haleen. We are definitely the short stack in this game, but we are holding the Royal Flush. Our goal is to get Haleen, keep the Scroll, eliminate Zayfid..if he is mixed up in this...,and make sure Tamir knows who the Sand Stalkers are. Let's get inside and find a seat that is easy to defend and easy get out from."

To be clear, Eli has the Scroll's Case with a fake inside (maybe a cheap spell scroll to help disguise the magic nature) close to Tempest on his belt, and Mahath has the Scroll in a plain case hidden deep in his Handy Haversack. Do we all agree to this plan?

Eli returns ready to leave saying, "I will carry the scroll, at least our enemies with think so. Jameena is correct, I think they will assume I have it so why not live into their expectation. I will carry the scroll case, with a substitute scroll inside while Ty or someone else is carrying the true Scroll. If I tuck it into my belt next to Tempest her magic should disguise the scrolls. Mahath, your magic haversack, would it's magic disguise the fact the Scroll is inside it? Our enemies live in lies and distrust, let their own mindset work for us. They would never trust an item of such power to a stranger, so they would never expect we would. If the haversack can help disguise the presence of the Scroll, I say we let Mahath carry it, but make it appear I have it, including having Jameena and Quaman stay close to me as bodyguards. Ty can look after Mahath. Whatever we do we need to go quick, we must go to the meet now so we can prepare. Our enemy is holding cards, if Tamir is bluffing I am going to go all in and call him. We need to know the layout, what ambushes they may be setting and what traps we might need to avoid. Time is wasting.

Eli tosses the note to the table, "Someone is going to die. We leave immediately." Then he goes and collects his gear.

Tamir, as I told you yesterday...an announcement concerning the validity of what we have discovered will be forthcoming. If at that time we decide to enter into dealings for the sale or trade of that item, should we learn it is in fact the real deal, then an announcement will be made as to how that can be done. There are many who will pay dearly for this item, so if you wish to keep your name among the parties we might deal with then you will respect our wishes and wait until the announcement is made. Until then good day.

I say this before the next day; I see you posted while I was working on my post.

"I respect that all of you want to deal honestly with those who would seek to purchase the Scroll, but there is at least one party whom will kill for it. If word gets out that we do indeed have the artifact he seeks, I would not bet against Zayflid coming here to steal it and do just that in the process. He wants the scroll and, I am sorry to say, your reputation master Xobhadi will not stop him from trying to take it, even by force. He is manipulating the markets and the crowds to try and force our hands and I would bet he is behind at least one if not more than one of the offers that have been made to procure the scroll. We need to redirect everyone's attention while we wait for you to uncover the the mysteries of how to make the Scroll work. We should rest and make some sort of plan on the morrow.

Eli will retire to his room until it is his turn to take a watch.

The next day he will meet the other Stalkers. "As soon as we learn how to work this thing, we should head though to the realm and seek whatever it is Zayflid is after. Until then we need to decide what to tell the greedy buyers who are after it, and also preare for the trip. We need supplies and we need knowledge.

Wouldn't Tamir have been sent away by the guard?

Rayhan smiles, "As you wish Jameena. I will instruct the guard to allow no further visitors without your express permission or until told otherwise."

"Wherever ever this scroll leads, and what ever it holds...we cannot let it fall into that evil ones hands."

"Friend Tamir it seems we can not get a moments peace in regards to the acquisition of the Scroll you refer to. There are many who are interested and we do not yet know if what we have is indeed the true Scroll or some impostor, or some other item entirely. Should we learn that what has been found is valid, we will make an announcement as to when and where offers for the procurement of the scroll may be made. Until then good day."

After the halfling leaves Eli will address the group. "I suggest we do one of two things once we find out if this scroll is the real deal. One...we take off and see where it leads us and twenty four hours later have Rayhan announce that the item was a fraud. That will hopefully cause some of the interest in it to dwindle while we discover the secrets of the scroll. Or two...we announce that is real and set up an auction to sell it to the highest bidder. Of course we take a fake to the auction, but maybe we can lure out Zayflid and end this nonsense with him."

"Well it seems our strategy to try and turn attention away from us is not going to work. So if we can not beat them, let us join them. Why not let them all know we do indeed have it. We can start scheduling meetings with any interested parties who wish to make on offer on owning this valuable artifact. Then next week, Rayhan can announce to the crowds that the Scroll we found, while magical and old is not the legendary Scroll of Kakishon. He has the authority that people will believe, especially if we have some kind of magic trick that could help mask the truth to arcane and god gifted eyes and scrying. I could go out and tell the tale in true bardic fashion, Rayhan can break the bad news to the crowds latter. Of course not until we already have a good head start in figuring out where this scroll leads us."

Meanwhile, could Eli provide me with 3 Diplomacy Checks and Knowledge (Local) rolls?

REQUESTED ROLLS

Diplomacy {versatile performance} 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Diplomacy {versatile performance} 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Diplomacy {versatile performance} 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Knowledge -- local 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Knowledge -- local 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Knowledge -- local 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Eli will ask to borrow some clothes from the household staff and will try to work up some disguises for himself and Ty. He works to make them look nondescript, like a typical tourist fresh off the boat and a local street porter. Once they are ready he says, "Alright, we start near the docks where out of country visitors will be arriving on the ships and we might be able to fade in more. Then we will work our way in towards some of the finer established inns. We should stick together, no sense in trying to trick people into thinking we are not. I stand out, as a non native so I think we should go under the ruse that I am a visitor from Absalom and I have hired you as my local guide. Are you ready?"

Plan to go tavern to tavern or inn to inn (but none too close to the other) seeking to hear anyone spreading the rumors about the Sand Stalkers, the Scroll, or Zayflid. When we find someone talking about it Eli will attempt to alter the current speakers belief. We have three goals, spread a rumor the scroll is a fake or has been proven not "THE" scroll, sow doubt that the the street prophet might actually hold the scroll, and try to locate where Zayfild might be holed up. I will spend some coin on food and drinks, some touristy purchases (local crafts and the like), and tips or bribes if they will help keep up our disguise or accomplish our goals. At each establishment I will use a different tactic and a different story to help make reversing where the story came from difficult. I will say things like, "Oh I heard from a merchant that the scroll was found to be a fake." "Is the scroll you are talking about the same scroll that the bankers were saying is actually held by an evil Templar, did these Sand Stalkers take if from him? How unlikely I bet they are just telling tall tales to improve their reputation." "Wow this prophet sounds amazing I wonder where someone would meet a guy like that?" Always using different but plausible sources of information that my current target would find realistic and reliable. I will use different aliases with each and imply different reasons I am here in Katapesh to help with the confusion. Alberr a wine merchant here on a shopping excursion, Dommic a merchant of rare animals, orTrent a scholar here to study the ruins looking to hire an expedition might be some of the falsehoods I imply. Ty can try to step into groups of other local porters, inn or shop staff, and ask questions like, "Did you hear the mages have proven the scroll is a fake?" "My employer was telling his banker that he knows for a fact the street prophet holds the Scroll and is keeping it for himself." "I wonder how I could become a follower of this prophet?"

"We seem to be finding ourselves in that proverbial stuck between the rock and a hard place. We can sit here and wait, we can go out and try to do something about it. Either way we are at the disadvantage. I agree with Ty, we should see if we can try to track our foe down and exact some payback. If I go out into the city in disguise, with Tyronel for added protection, the rest of you can prepare the villa's defense. I can see about spreading some rumors that the Scroll is a fake and maybe find some leads on to where Zayflid may be hidding, as well as try and turn popular opinion against him."

Once the group is alone Eli will share is concerns, "I do not like the fact that everyone in Katapesh seems to know our business and that everyone knows we are here at Rayhan's. Zayflid is up to something letting everyone know we have this Scroll, pulling all the interested parties out of the woodwork to harass us to sell it, or if that won't work steal it or take it by force. If what Rayhan says is true, even good men may opt to kill us for what the Scroll may offer them. We know that Zayflid wants it, and we know he wants everyone to know we have it. I say we get the rumor out that what we have is indeed a fake. If we can get the movers and shakers of Katapesh to forgo the efforts to locate it, then maybe we will be able to see our true enemy in this matter."

"If you have heard the rumors spread by a street prophet then I am sure you have heard the tales of our exploits as well. Would it not seem plausible that the Sand Stalkers would have developed a relationship with a historian such as Rayhan, and is it also not feasible that he would be excited about any ancient artifact that we may have uncovered? It is true we are here learn about such a device, but to leap to the conclusion that it is this Scroll of Kakishon seems a bit premature for one as intelligent as yourself. Why, we have only just ourselves learned about the Scroll due to this fast spreading rumor, though it's tale is indeed intriguing. Perhaps you would like to share with us any history, myth, or legend you know about the Scroll and offer to fund an expedition to locate and recover it for you and your family. Of course, we must finish our business with Rayhan first."