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As they arrive, the Professor is all business. He begins searching for a boat to take them towards the exploration site. They were already behind and had to catch up.
It seems to be happening in a game called Maximum Profit.
Dakaal will clap along with the others. It was an impressive feat. "On time as usual, Mira?" he says with a grin.
The professor boards with his brother. He also begins looking around, noticing the intricate web of elemental control nodes across the ship.
As he examines the design, me murmurs to himself "Mmm, good. Britlethwaite's"
Then I think that we're ready.
"I think that we're ready otherwise." he says, looking around for signs of agreement.
He does listen, and pauses to think. "True, but the ship can't take us all the way. We'll have to trek through the jungle with all of our supplies. What's more, I'm also considering the exit. It's unlikely that we'll be completely undetected, so a hasty retreat may be in order. If we are relying on a boat operated by a third party, then it may be a long walk pursued by enemies. Or be forced to steal their transport." "If any one method of flying is taken out, then we can double up at the cost of a little speed. An inherent safety margin. If two methods are taken out, then we are back to the original state." "If you are concerned with controlling it, the magic does help keep control. I can't do much about a fear of heights, but I don't suspect that from anybody living in Sharn." "As for carrying supplies, I have an extradimensional bag. Golin'Kurar has saddlebags and muleback cords. We can purchase more extradimensional storage if necessary. And of course, this is an issue whether we fly or not."
The professor shakes his head at the sudden shift of the universe, but the transition of two of the people in front of him appears to of less importance than their planning. "With you two on brooms of flying and we goblins riding Golin'Kurar, then it uses up 89.6% of our funds, but it provides fast transport that doesn't depend on waterways and gives us the opportunity to avoid many ground-based hazards. Technically, we could use one broom, but it would be slower and require both of you to spend many hours in close proximity. This is up to you two." He also takes out a new journal and a straight edge and quickly enters a proposed budget.
How about an introductory post from the new characters. Then I can go back into planning mode.
We also have an option between the 30 RP version and the 11RP samurai Sheepdog version. 20 RP minotaur It retains large size, if that's interesting.
Oh, I think an arcanist can be a scholar. But those two classes definitely have some good points to them and fit in with the adventuring scholar mindset.
I think Elton was waiting on us, because we have been asking Ivo for some background information, and I've been asking for feedback on prep work, specifically if we want to be a completely airborne party. If Ivo doesn't want to speak, a post saying he's keeping quiet would clarify this. I'm definitely willing to go over any connections. While Dakal is officially attached to the mathematics department, he has a very wide base of knowledge and would be open to collaboration in just about any field. Or a rivalry. I could also have worked with your mentor/colleague/roommate/significant other. I don't have a good grasp as to how he and Ivo may have come across each other. Also, since we've just started, we could possibly retcon Kozzemo's interactions with Ivo. I also think it might be good to consider just how much Kozzemo is playing into the not understanding common. Goblins are integrated into society and we are part of a successful business. You've got average int and cha, so there's no need to do this unless you really want to.
So, are we going to try and recruit new people to replace the ones who died or is this a TPK by insidious carbon monoxide?
eh, there's a pill for that.
Since Ivo seems oblivious to the fact that people are waiting for him to explain his capabilities, he will continue with the planning. "I have some ideas for the expedition planning. While some of it involves consumables, it also involves some permanent items. Those can of course, be resold upon our return to further expeditions. Here are my proposals." "If we have combat, magical healing will be needed. We also have the normal hazards of the area. In the best case, Kozzemo and I will be able to provide it, but we'll plan for the worst case. I beleive two wands of curing would be appropriate and a pair of healing potions for those without their own means of healing. Kozzemo can deal with most of the other things we'll face like diseases and both of us can deal with the effects of poison. Four antiplague and four antitoxins will help ride things out and a couple scrolls of neutralize poison for particularly potent toxins. Oh, and a potion to deal with blindness, as that is curiously outside of druidic influence. If we have no debate, that is 4,250 on curatives." "Food would be next. I don't need any, as mathametics is enough to sustain me. That leavs one regular sized person, two oversized people and one oversized carnivorous bird. Airship passage will inclue meals, so one month should be sufficient. After that we can acquire local rations or rely on our hunting duo. Waterskins for all, and Kezzmo can create water. Fifty gold for provisions." "For shelter, I suggest the expedition paviliion. Not only is it space-efficient, but it holds in sound, light and scent. With camouflage netting, we will be difficult to spot. It's about as effective as anything outside of sleeping an an extradimensional space. This is 6,500 gold for this option. If we want a less expensive option we could go with the field scrivener's desk for a little savings of the safecamp wagon for more savings." He pauses before the conclusion. "Transport has the most options. We've discussed hiring a boat to take up partway up to the dig site. If any of us have experience as a sailor we could use a folding boat and have more control over our voyage. But I have a different idea. Kozzemo and I are used to flying on Golin'Kurar. This would use up almost all of our budget, but we could get a pair of brooms of flying and have everybody fly. We wouldn't need to follow the water and it would improve our overland speeds as well. We would only have about ten persent in reserve for unexpected expenses, so we might consider a more frugal living arrangement."
He gives his twin a glance in their own shared communication. twinspeak:
"You're right, but we need to work with him." He'll nod at Ama, knowing this isn't in her normal comfort zone but also trusting in her magical skills. He expected that she had untapped depths behind her veils. But he then joins in the expectant look toward Ivo. Word was that he had a number of expeditions under his belt, most successful. Even the couple of failed missions brought people back alive. He supposed that made up for his attitude toward preparation.
This is the best time to rethink your character. Let us know when you have a concept down.
Each of them accepting the alien part of each other has always been part of their bond, but also a frustration.
The professor doesn't seem offended, merely that this is an excuse to educate you. "It matters because knowing your enemy helps you to sneak past 'em or smash 'em. Kech Volaar is likely to include more magical support than the others. Almost certainly bards and possibly wizards. They'll also have more support in magical items. If we have a simple fight that they withdraw from, most likely it's a test to determine our capabilities." Kech Shaarat are going to be disciplined skirmishers. If they have the numbers, they will use multiple hit and run attacks, attempting to weaken us while limiting our ability to retaliate. If they know the terrain, they will use that and channel us into hazards or terrain that limits us. Ghaal'dar are going to be more straightforward. They are the most direct and they try to hit their foes hard. They'll likely have more guul'dar - "bugbears" We should avoid a direct battle and focus on evasion and skirmishing. Taarka'khesh will be sneaky. They know the wilds and will use that. I don't think that they'll be the main force, but any of the groups could bring along a unit of them. Soldiers for LLesh Haruuc will likely be more varied. We won't know as much what to expect and if these are adventurers, anything goes." He'll pause here. "I was planning to do this on the airship, but this seems to be the time to do it. We should each talk about our capabilities. I am Professor Dakaal, nominally of the the mathematics department because they do not yet have a discipline covering the essential patterns that underlie the universe. By referring to this more essential level of reality, I have insights into most fields of knowledge. In more practical terms, this gives me insight into locks and security devices, observation, concealing myself from observation, and so forth. With the addition of a little mental energy, I can transform myself to optimize different abilities. Sneaking, climbing, swimming, etc. Offensively, I look for the errors in expression between the ideal and actual manifestations of our opponents. By calculating the stresses, a minor amount of power results in those patterns failing. Sadly, such ability requires knowing the local conditions and so only works at close range. Frankly, I'm near useless at longer ranges. My twin brother Kozzemo has our family's way with animals. Ja'Kor Hawkery is our family business, and Kozzemo has a deep spiritual bond with Golin'Kurar, one of our riding hawks. He wields the magic of nature and a wicked crossbow. At times I'll be riding on the front harness for mobility."
We have been given a mission, plans for transport and a budget. The prof has asked if there are specific needs for mundane adventuring equipment for the group. If not, then we can fast forward.
Apologies for the delay. Work has me at a veeery early a.m. shift. It's been an adjustment. I appreciate your patience. Oh, I've had some jobs that start "Dark and early", and I'm also bad at adjusting to time changes - even small ones like daylight savings.
Rook will walk over to Ivo and Ama and check to see if they still have a pulse.
"Mazo." he responds confidently. Internally, he is collating lists of expedition supplies and cross referencing them to suppliers. Including some livestock for Golin'Kurar, at least for the flight. He turns to the silent members of our group. "any particular equipment needs. Ration preferences?"
"when does the skyship leave?" asks the professor.
"He means hiring a boat when we get to Stormreach." clarifies Dakaal. "What funds are available for the expedition? If nobody minds, I can keep track of the expense logs. Subject to auditing to avoid any appearance of impropriety."
[b]"If they are that close, I assume that you've procured suitably fast transit?"[/]b he asks.
He is irritated at the lack of detail of the report. "So we have no idea if they are Kech Volaar, Kech Shaarat, Ghaal'dar, or if they support Lhesh Haruuc? If they are military, do we know which unit they are? Knowing their motivations and methods might be essential if we have to face them. If there are competing groups we might be able to play one off of another."
Having built up momentum, he continues, "What's more, a successful mission could disrupt the power balance between the different groups of Darguun and the possibility of conflict on our borders. Shaarat has already absorbed some lesser clans and it's only a matter of time until they feud with Haruuc. The Volaar are playing a longer game, counting on restoring culture and inspiring people. Potentially taking over without bloodshed. I doubt Haruuc has such long-term plans. He's getting by on charisma and victory. But as the current ruler, he has all of the maintenance issues as well as keeping his head in place. I suspect that your contacts at the crown want to keep the stalemate for as long as possible, but they also know which way they want the sticks to fall when it does go down. Having these artifacts could be tools for future influence on how this goes down. Well worth any ill will caused by taking them out from under them."
There's a sudden shift in tone as he transitions from speculation about the far future to speculation about the near future. "So what information do we have on the locations of these artifacts? If they have significant forces searching Xen'drik, then it's pointless to send us unless we have information narrowing it down to a specific location." "For the local site, we have home field advantage. They'll likely have a smaller group. We should expect taarka'kesh and/or shaarat'kesh. If they don't know the origin of the troops, then they will likely have missed the more subtle forces."
"Do we know which groups from Darguun are looking into this?" he asks with definite concern. "Some of the groups would be more intense than others."
"Which treasures?" asks Dakaal, "The Dahkaani Empire covered most of the continent and lasted for ten millennia. All of the treasures can't be in one place."
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My spatio-temporal coordinates are in alignment with those referred to as "here".
I think we were waiting for your rejiggered character and Me'mori's character.
I'm not a fan of random backgrounds. We do have a common connection through the university. I prefer not having gone into the field with each other, but knowing each other directly or indirectly. Dakaal has a wide range of interests and works with people in many fields. He's also known for being crazy and believing the world is a big mathematical simulation. Dakaal is also an artist. People interested in art would know about him. Kozzemo would be on campus to meet Dakaal a lot. A man-sized red hawk would be a good conversation starter. I suspect that people at the university would also use courier services for books and materials. He could be taking classes or dating a student. With Ivo, he could be visiting an old colleague who is at the university. Since psionics aren't quite so common, it would make sense to introduce Dakaal to him. Or they may have merely notices psionic energy and introduced themselves. I'm sure that when we get backgrounds there will be ways to connect everybody.
Alright. Anyone else with a fleshed out concept? This adventure is going to be like the movie Uncharted, but with a twist! You mean that it started as an adventure about young James Bond?
And the other brother... |