Agreed, take care of yourself. I'll be here if you ever have a desire to pick back up.
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Just checking in to make sure everything is OK as I haven't seen a post in a while.
At the mention of Achaekek Maslyn raises his eyebrow. "Engaging the Red Mantis Assassins is neither easy nor without risk. If this was indeed a Red Mantis agent I am afraid we may not have not seen the last of her. My understanding is that they pursue their contracts to the death." Maslyn casts detect magic and attempts to puzzle out the magical aura on the page while distractedly following Delia. Perhaps it is some sort of secret page, or residual magic from an odd sending? If it were explosive runes or a symbol its magic would have already been triggered...
Without glancing up from the paper, Maslyn says, "Be on the lookout for any unusual carvings or drawings. A knowledgeable spellcaster might be able to project her consciousness into an image of herself."
"Barring more evidence those all seem like reasonable conclusions. What would motivate such an assault?"
"Technically one would suffice. While I am fascinated by this, I would suggest that further speculation is pointless without further evidence. Perhaps we should move to the exterior of the building where the holes lead and search for further clues?"
"That seems needlessly destructive. At the very least we should ask permission of the owners. Perhaps we can determine where it goes without such drastic methods?"
Examining the small holes, Maslyn speculates aloud. "Perhaps she needed these holes to escape after she assumed a gaseous form, either through her own magical power or that of a potion or scroll?"
Keeping his voice low and covering his mouth so his lips can't be read, Maslyn whispers to Delia and Songan. "Those in the extradimensional space can see out of it as if a 3-foot-by-5-foot window were centered on the rope."
Just so you are aware, I'm leaving for GenCon tomorrow night. I'm not sure what my availability or connectivity will be while I'm there, but I'll try to post when I can. I'll be back in about a week.
Maslyn cautiously moves forward to look into the room which Delia entered, around the doorframe, without entering it.
Maslyn grasps the amulet he wears about his neck and intones some words. He produces some powdered corn and a twisted loop of parchment from a pouch, sprinkling the former through the latter, then holding the loop of parchment up to his left eye.
GM Question:
BTW, the opening to a rope trick is invisible, so I should be able to see it with see invisibility. Let me know if I do, as if I don't that means the dangling rope is an illusion and not an actual rope trick.
Maslyn points up toward where the rope disappears into the ceiling. Whisper to Delia: Delia, I believe that is a rope trick spell, which creates an extradimensional space. The opening is where the rope disappears. Spells won't cross the barrier, but physical objects should be able to.
Maslyn whispers to Delia: "I believe she might be hiding in the rafters of that room." Maslyn points to the open storeroom beside Delia.
A curious suspicion overtakes Maslyn. He looks at the stableboy and casts detect magic, doing his best to move to exclude other people from the cone of detection.
Maslyn rushes after Adir as quickly as he is able, frowning slightly as he notes the shattered statuette on the floor.
"I'm afraid that magic missile is ineffective against objects. I do not know if the object is magical or weighs more than five pounds, though if you are able to produce a mage hand then by all means attempt to do so."
"It could be an explosive of some kind, be careful!"
Slightly disappointed that the woman did not attempt more spellcasting, Maslyn rises from his seat as he casts a spell to ward himself from further ham and steps toward the dropped object. [dice=false life]1d10 + 4[/dice] "I wonder what that is? Perhaps it is dangerous?"
Maslyn had been enjoying the feast and the polite conversation of the locals, though the shadows at the edges of the light occasionally caused him to start. It was just one of those starts which happened to bring his vision to bear on exactly the right place at exactly the right time to witness the fireball. "It takes an arcane caster of considerable skill to produce such such a conflagration!"
"I am ready to travel whenever you are, should your preparations be complete. Should you have a request for a particular spell, please let me know and I shall do my best to accommodate you." Maslyn produces his spellbook and gives a top level explanation of all of his available spells, and a more in dept explanation on request, as well as which spells he typically prepares.
Maslyn relates his deductions. "Perhaps they could request that the church of Iomedae in Vigil perform the required services?"
Maslyn ponders the question of laying the unquiet spirits to rest.
Maslyn taps his glowing jade wayfinder as he examines Agrimmosh with the aid of his cheat sheath. [dice=Spellcraft to identify a magic item w/guidance]1d20 + 17 + 1[/dice] "The enchantments on Agrimmosh are extremely intricate. I am afraid it will require further study for me to tease them out. None of the legends surrounding the hammer hint at it being cursed, however."
Maslyn taps the jade wayfinder which burns with heatless flame and hangs from his bandolier as he considers Delia's question. [dice=Knowledge (religion) w/guidance]1d20 + 14 + 1[/dice]
Maslyn regretfully hands the magical compass back to Songan and returns his cheat sheath to its place in his bandolier. Regretfully he relates his findings to Songan. "Perhaps with time and continued study I might decipher its meaning. But I am afraid its mysteries defy my investigative abilities at this juncture." He replies to Delia's inquiry.
Maslyn reaches toward the compass. "With your permission?" He gently accepts the compass if offered and attempts to decipher the inscription.
Then takes an ornate leather sheath covered in tables of magical notation and arcane formulae from his bandolier, and lays both it and the compass on the table. Casting detect magic Maslyn proceeds to study the compass's magical aura.
"That is truly a sad tale. Perhaps we can discover your origins together?"
Maslyn nods at Songan's introduction. "I would be happy to examine whatever relics you have, Songan. And I certainly do not mind telling you of my previous experiences. I welcome the chance to pursue scholarship with you, as the eye of the amateur may often see old facts in new light and offer new insights."
"You are a catfolk? I have never encountered one of your kind before as I have never traveled to the Mwangi Expanse where your people are most densely populated. I am eager to learn what you can tell me about your culture." Maslyn nods at Songan's description of Agrimmosh.
He isn't properly part of your expedition (at least yet), so he probably wouldn't request any of these materials.
As Delia takes Maslyn's hand she notes that not only is his skin unnaturally pale, but his flesh is slightly clammy. "I shall endeavor to balance the needs of both groups, Delia. I consider myself a guest of you and this town, and it would be foolhardy of me to put you at risk for by extension I would be putting myself at risk."
Maslyn considers Delia's question. "By this area, I assume you mean the Hold of Belkzen? It is fascinating. Before Earthfall it was the Thassiloninan province of Gastash, ruled over by the Runelord of Gluttony. Shortly after Earthfall the dwarven migration, commonly referred to as the Quest for Sky, forced the Darklands orcs to the surface here where they came into conflict with the native giant culture. Several hundred years after the orcish arrival the dwarves completed their Quest for Sky and created their Sky Citadels, one of which, Koldukar, currently serves as the 'capital' of the Hold of Belkzen under the control of Grask Uldreth and the Empty Hand orc tribe. Thousands of years after orc colonization of the Hold of Belkzen, which takes its name from the orc warlord who most successfully united the orcish tribes and captured Koldukar, in the wake of the Shining Crusade the nation of Lastwall created the Sunwall to contain the orcish threat. The Sunwall stood for roughly 400 years before being overun. Lastwall forces fell back to Harchist's Blockade, constructed at the behest of a general who foresaw the fall of the Sunwall. Harchist's Blockade stood for roughly 200 years before being overrun. Lastwall fell back to the Hordeline, a series of earthwork defenses which held the orcs for only two years before falling to orcish advances and the border now stands as it is."
"I am certainly no fighter, but I should emphasize that I am not only a scholar of many fields I am also a student of the arcane arts." Maslyn gestures to his spell component pouch. "Certainly my magic would be of some benefit to you? For example, I have a spell which will allow you to rest comfortably in your armor. Thus, if attacked in the middle of the night it should help mitigate the dire consequences of such a situation. I am also well versed in the identification and classification of magical items of all types so that you may take appropriate advantage of such items of power which you may acquire on your journey." Assuming Agrimmosh is in evidence:
Maslyn's eyes widen as he notes the blacksmith's hammer engraved with the symbol of Minderhal. His hand reaches out in wonder in the direction of the hammer. "Is that... Agrimmosh?"
Maslyn nods in deference to the group as he steps forward. The elf has an ioun torch circling his head, a jade cased compass depends from a bandolier across the elf's narrow chest also glows with light, as does an amulet which depends from a delicate silver chain. Also in the bandolier are a few wands and scroll tubes. The elf wears a suit of quilted cloth armor fashioned from darkleaf cloth, and a complicated pack rests on the ground beside him. "It will be a pleasure to make your acquaintance, I am sure. As your friend mentioned I am indeed a scholar of ages past, though I will not bore you with the details... unless you might find them interesting?" The elf cocks an eyebrow. "I am a Pathfinder, and I am grateful that our mutual interests align in this instance. A Pathfinder team has been lost in the Hold of Belkzen, and I hope that by traveling with you and aiding your endeavor I will simultaneously accomplish my own." Maslyn pauses. "Perhaps you can inform me what prompts your own mission? I take it that this Grenseldek..."
"...a giant of some kind I would judge by the name's etymology? Is responsible for the tragedy which has befallen Trunau? I am certain there will be plenty of time to learn the details as we travel."
BTW according to the map in the Pathfinder Society Primer, the closest lodge is in Vigil (which isn't too far away all things considered).
He is a member of the Scrolls, but not a member of a particular faction (e.g. Dark Archive).
GM Requested Rolls & Info: I'd prefer to join the group in Trunau, and I don't plan to hide my reasons for trying to tag along with the PCs.
Here is my submission. All required information should be in the alias's profile, or the linked Myth Weaver character sheet. Full disclosure, I am running this AP for a home group (they are nearing the end of book two) however I am confident that I can separate my in character and out of character knowledge. Thank you for considering me!
Here is my character (check profile for game stats).
OK, here is my wizard. Please let me know if I need to replace any spells, equipment, or alternate racial traits. Or if you have any other feedback or suggestions! |