Search Posts
When the cloud of pollen surround her and Jax, she takes a step back and puts a sleeve over her nose and mouth. She closes her eyes by instinct. She opens them when she hears Marrant calling for assistance to see him trying to hold back Jax with Bey’s assistance. Taking a breath through her sleeve, she attempts to grab one of Jax’s leg.
As Malbrighka steps closer to the pale yellow flowers, standing behind Jax and looking around his body, she holds her breath, not wanting to inhale the thick dust. After about ten seconds she steps back and begins to breathe normally.
”Here watch me,” the half-orc says as she slowly writes
in Common then draws a line under it. Below the line, she makes small dashed letters in the same script. ”This says the same thing in Draconic,” she says tracing the first letter. ”Just trace the dashed lines...like this,” she adds as she does the second letter. Malbrighka hands the piece of chalk to one of the girls with a smile. "It says, 'The wishing gold is not yours to take.' If you want to have another message, just tell us and we'll write it."
Malbrighka is about to reverse her greataxe and offer it to Jax to help him climb out when Beylinda tosses him the rope. She grabs a length of it behind Beylinda and gets ready to pull. ”Clearly some of us have given offense,” she says to the girls. ”Others of us have attempted to make amends.” Others were willing to leave him too,” she thinks suddenly missing the trust and companionship she had with her tribe. We’re all fools at one point or another. Will they leave me when it's my turn? In time we may grow close and become friends. For now we are loosely bound allies. Looking at the cave’s walls for a place that won’t get wet, she takes out a piece of chalk and holds it up with one hand. ”You said you wanted to play. How about we play with this? I can show you how to make symbols. Symbols that will tell others to respect wishes and leave the treasure alone.”
Malbrighka shakes her head. ”This feels wrong, Jax,” she hisses, echoing what others in the company say. The girls speaking in unison sends a shiver down her spine. Perhaps the rules of magic are different here, she thinks. Wishing doesn’t bestow anything so far as I know. If they are enchanted my cantrip for lifting small items wouldn’t work.
”Hello?” she says as she enters the room with the small pool of water reflecting sunlight. She focuses her attention on the water, looking for anything special.
”Did you hear that?” she says. ”Sounded like children...or just the wind playing with the cave.” She whispers arcane words as she traces a labyrinthine pattern in front of her with a piece of leather. A brief glow indicating a mage shield surrounds her.
”Pretty,” Malbrighka says as the water changes colors and rings like a bell. She holds her axe across her body, as she approaches the cave, ready in case something charges her. At the entrance she will listen for any noises emanating from deeper within.
”That’s a great idea concerning the scrolls Farrin,” the half-orc says. ”I look forward to some copies.” --------- After hearing Jax relate his tale, Malbrighka nods. ”Welcome. Farrin has our charter which you’ll need to sign. I’ve heard of these pistols, but have yet to see one used. What god did you say you worship?”
Malbrighka reaches for the spinning disc once more.
Malbrighka studies that spinning parts, watching the pattern of mushroom, leaf, and flower blur. She stands before the device, hands poised for the moment — Now!
Malbrighka takes a step back at the sight of the ghost. Seeing it’s transparent body, she feels almost like a dream has bled through one realm and into another. ”Greetings,” she says with a bow. ”As Beylinda asked, what can we do for you? Are you here needing our aid or here to warn us?”
The half-orc wakes with excited from last night’s Dreams. It was a symphony of bursting light and chanting words, culminating in a profound awareness and insight into the realm of arcana. As she eats breakfast, she knows at any moment she could create a burst of light to dazzle one person. ”The other pipe it is then,” she says. ”Did Zee leave any next of kin information?”
Character sheet is updated.
Malbrighka examines the star in Beylinda’s hands, looking for clues to its origin, purpose, or utility.
”I think exploring more is a good idea. There might be more treasure here,” the half-orc sorceress says.
I’m still here and very sorry for not missing rounds 2-3. Thank you for providing appropriate actions DajellyMan. I’m impressed, nearly stunned in fact, with the amount of games you guys have. I’m usually playing in 2 ± 3-4 games pbp.
Malbrighka yells in shock as Zee disappears within the plant creature. She grips her axe in her left hand while her right performs complicated gestures in time to her quick chanting. Her hand’s final motion spreads her fingers, palm facing the creature as an orb of acid streaks towards the plant monster.
Malbrighka chants while tracing a pattern with a piece of cured leather in front of her. For a moment a glow surrounds her then disappears. ”Now, I’m ready for what’s next,” she says hefting her greataxe.
Her headache nearly gone, Malbrighka groans as Farrin disappears into the pipe. She rubs her head as Beylinda casts a light spell and follows. Looking into the pipe, the half-orc shakes her head and follows Beylinda.
Beylinda’s channeled energy washes over Malbrighka’s limp body and causes rapid eye movements.
The half-orc sorceress whips off the leather sheath from her axehead and advances towards the creature. She sees an opening in the creature’s defense and attacks.
”Do you typically sing as you walk through the forest?” she asks Beylinda. ”I’m not complaining. It’s a pretty song. Do you know any about rainbows?” After a few minutes of looking at the woods and feeling the wind on her skin, she asks ”Do you think this place is unchanging? I mean it feels like autumn. Do you think it always is?”
”Forgive my bluntness,” she addresses her companions. ”Are we going to help this gnome and restore the planes? Or will we seek adventure elsewhere? Finding adventure isn’t difficult. It’s the rewards that are harder to find.”
”What purpose is there to create these paintings, these fractured demi-planes?” Malbrighka touches the ground and a few of the trees and flowers. She sniffs one of the flowers as well. ”I know little of planes.” The half-orc peers into the lake, thinking perhaps that will show the room they just came from. Since her clothes are not wet, she realizes that she probably didn’t pass through the lake after all.
Malbrighka reads the book titles in overwhelmed wonder. She has a new respect for the deep gnome to collect such a trove of knowledge. Probably each of these books is unique and found nowhere else. She turns as Vai calls her name. Into the painting!? the half-orc thinks. She grabs her axe and leaps into the same painting as the others.
”How wide are the tunnels? What should our order be when walking single file? I don’t mind being second,” she says lifting her axe slightly and catching the light on the sharpened head.
As they follow the svirneblin, Malbrighka ponders the magical nature of these beings and paintings, recalling what her teachers drilled into her.
”Do you mind asking him about these books? And how long has he been here? He must have been here before this place was discovered by us surface dwellers.”
Malbrighka is peering down the well, judging how easy it would be for Zee to climb down, when the gnome approaches speaking a language she doesn’t know. Beylinda and the gnome seem to share a familiarity with another language Malbrighka doesn’t know. She watches the conversation unfold, reading the svirfneblin’s body language for deception or subterfuge.
The half-orc stares at Beylinda. ”What we found made my worst nightmare seem like a summer daydream,” she says softly. ”We found a foul, corrupted place. It used our weaknesses against us. Three of ten survived.”
”The last time I was here, we went left,” she says. ”I’d rather go straight or right.”
”You are too kind with your praise, but thank you,” Malbrighka says as she puts her harrow cards into a little wooden case.
She double checks the ties holding her axe to her back then grabs the rope to begin her descent. She handily reaches the bottom. Once there she removes her axe from her back and takes off the leather sheath from the axehead. She smiles at the gleam along the edge. Hello, don't you look lovely after your sleep."
As Marbrighka places the nine cards face down, she says,
Slowly she turns over each card, moving down the columns and from left to right. ”The past: the Uprising, overwhelming strength, powerful forces that catch you, neither for good or ill. The Juggler, sometimes we are the juggler and sometimes the juggled. Whether destiny, deities, or those who play with our fate, it is difficult to to know precisely. A strong constitution will more likely lead us to the answer. The Rakshasa, represents slavery and domination. It’s crossed by the Uprising signifying an end to that domination through strength. “The present: The Brass Dwarf, a being invulnerable to a current threat. A favorable card for endurance, obviously. The Queen Mother, knowledge, an aid to the underclass and powerless. Few are lower than a former slave. This is a good card combined with the Brass Dwarf. Lastly, the Vision, knowledge of an esoteric and arcane nature, however taken in the extreme it may lead to madness. Two founts of knowledge in one aspect. Very favorable. “The future: The Trumpet, facing danger aggressively, since you can endure it. Ah, but not so fast! The Joke, a monster that can only be defeated by trickery or humor. Hmmmm. A time not to be stubborn or obstinate, indeed to yield offense and strike from the side. Do you feel wily? When was the last time you laughed? Finally, the Liar, destructive love like those of star-crossed lovers or an obsession. This is worrisome. Like a cliff, even a great endurance can be worn away. You must be mindful of knowing when to press and when to yield in your search for Darter’s son. This coupled with the Joke may be seen as advantageous. Are not many jokes lies that tell the truth?”
”First there is the choosing, what knowledge do you seek? Hold these cards, focus on your question, and then speak that question aloud. Finally which of the six attributes all beings possess shall frame the answer given by the cards? Strength, wisdom, or dexterity, for example. The choice is yours.” Malbrighka hands the deck to Farrin. After he has asked his question and chosen the attribute, she takes the cards and shuffles them six times. She places nine cards face down in a three by three square.
cards drawn:
Malbrighka’s smile curves slightly at the tips. ”Enjoy the peace of the moment. Soon enough I’m sure we’ll be fighting for our lives.” The half-orc stares at the sky for nearly half a minute. ”There’s nearly always enough time for a harrowing. Care for one?”
As she shuffles, he shakes her head. ”No hook of any type. Some of us haven’t met before. My name is Malbrighka of the Kir Dunraghk tribe.” She wears a black silk robe with an abstracted flower design in pink running along the hemline, neckline, and cuffs. She stands 5’4” and weighs 187 pounds. A double axe covered with a leather sheath is at her feet.
Rope is always a good idea. I wish I had thought of that ealier. As far as the setting goes, I think using the same concept would be okay. Maybe this ancient complex was only discovered a few years before so the city above has more of a boom town feel. Three taverns. Two stables. One shop selling really limited minor magic items. I’d have to rework my PC’s background a bit (good bye Floating Petals), but that’s okay.
I’m willing to return too. I can’t guarantee multiple posts a day. The time I was going to spend on this game has been taken by another, but that’s moving slower than anticipated, so I think I’ll be able to keep up with 5 posts/week, not including posts where only a roll is needed. Thank you Dajelly Man for taking over the DM responsibilities.
I vote for ending the game, or at best hiatus. I think having one game running really well is better than two games that are struggling. I enjoyed the time spent in the campaign. It was a fun concept. Good luck with your other game. Oh and thanks for being upfront and honest about your difficulties running two games. I've seen too many games just end without any communication.
The half-orc holds her greataxe in a relaxed yet firm grip. ”Before we go too far, Farrin do you have any idea where this Winslow you are looking for is?”
”Last time I was here, we had a map. More like scratchings on parchment. We went that way,” she says after getting her bearings. ”I recommend going this way,” the half-orc points in the opposite direction.
Malbrighka arrives with curiosity gleaming in her eyes. Her backpack is full and her greataxe appears freshly sharpened. ”I wish I had better news, but I found nothing. I hope you had better results and didn’t spend time talking with cretins and dregs.”
I didn’t mean to give offense,” Malbrighka says to Vekaessena, ”nor any disrespect to you. When I first arrived here, we stayed in a lean-to. A leaky one at that.”
”The Darque Veil. Hmmph. Until evening then,” the half orc says.
Having stamped the documents, Malbrighka puts away her items. She gives a small smile to Vekaessena as she stands. ”I will enquire. What part of the city did the theft occur? That may help me narrow down where to start my search. Here, buy some rations.” She leans closer placing three coins on the table in front of the woman and whispers ”If they frequent a certain establishment for the womanly comfort, finding them will be easier.” The half-orc takes a step from the table and then laughs, ”Ah! Where shall we meet again? Here, the same time tomorrow?”
”Cooidjaghtys,” the half-orc repeats the word, practicing it, feeling the sound. ”I like that! Let’s just call it Cooidjaghtys LLC.” She presses her wood block into the ink stone’s basin. ”Is the contract ready for me to stamp?”
"Recovering the armor and fulfilling this last request," Malbrighka says to Vekaessena and Farrin, "sound important. Let's do that before we...enter below. What else do you require, Vekaessena? A bedroll? I will spare some of my coin to buy rations for you. I recommend Budgrik's salted meat. He prepares it one of the traditional half-orc ways, blocks of salt rock pressed into the strips of meat." She passes the ink pen back to Klokk. "How about 70% buyout? That seems fair to me. As far as a name goes, I was thinking maybe the dwarven word for ‘freedom,' the half-orcish word for ‘dream,' and the word Kata could form our name. Is that too complicated? Or perhaps ‘Deep Roots,' followed by that LLC. We all appear to have deep reasons for being here. Not simply the acquisition of gold."
Malbrighka places a hand on Farrin's forearm. "No, I don't know that name. I am so sorry to hear of your history. Besides not calling you ‘Master' is there anything else we can do to ease your suffering?" The half-orc whispers arcane words and swipes her hand over the paper to make the numbers disappear. She begins to write some new numbers while drawing circles that she sections into various wedges. She takes a sip of her ale then returns to her calculations. "I didn't expect this venture to get so large. You are planning far in the future. For now, let me ask you this. Any employees we hire will be paid from the twenty percent group shares?" She smiles at the human. "I suspect the treasure I find will be wisdom, ultimately. Time and perhaps Dreams will tell. A kata? What is that?"
Before Vekaessena arrives: "What we found made my worst nightmare seem like a summer daydream," she answers the paladin staring at him right in the eyes. "Three of ten survived. We found a foul, corrupted place. It used our weaknesses against us." ----- Malbrighka nods in greeting to the human as she joins the group though looks surprised when as she sits in the reversed chair. Listening to the dwarf, she frowns when he mentions "fifty percent." Taking the silver pen offered by Klokk, she scribbles some numbers on a piece of paper unfolded from another small bag. "Are you saying that the time and effort I put into the company will only be half rewarded? How is that fair? Does the two shares to the company get added each month? If there are five of us, wouldn't that make seven shares in the first month and twelve shares in the next? If someone left then they'd take only one of the two shares they had. That remaining one share is split between the four and not the four and company?"
Malbrighka stands in the doorway for a moment, a silhouette against the bright sky, before she steps aside and allows the door to close. She scans the room with a half smile as she holds her great axe inverted so that the head's middle spike rests on the floor. She waves demurely and crosses to a table. "Here you are," she says settling into a chair like water being gently poured into a tea cup. She rests her axe behind her. Seeing the documents on the table she takes out a small pouch from her vest's pocket. "Please forgive my delay. My name is Malbrighka of the Kir Dunraghk tribe." Removing an ink stone she pours a small amount of water in the reservoir and begins to mix black ink. When ready, she takes a small block of wood about the size of her thumb and sets it near the stone. "I dreamt you," she indicates Garret, "are seeking a relic of Iomedae. I seek...I was sent to acquire wealth. That first attempt ended in disaster. This will be my second endeavor."
Malbrighka glances at the dwarf then looks at his face closely. She nods while suppressing a frown. After a moment, she straightens her back and clears any troubled emotion from her face. ”What kind words,” she says with a smile, bowing her head slightly to the side. ”Please do not feel embarrassed to speak with me. Is it because I’m half-orc? Surely you’ve heard of the Kir Dunraghk tribe? I’m Malbrighka. You know, I recognized you. I dreamt of you. We were in the vaults with some others. Imagine that.”
|
