The power of the Shadow Clock assails Alahazra drawing power from her body and mind, then refills her. She shudders from the experience and begins to wander within the clock.
Free explore, encounter Blessing of the Gods. --> Auto Acquire
Shadow Clock Card 1 - Blessing of the Gods:
RotR
Blessing B
Traits:
Basic
Divine
To Acquire:
None
If you encounter this card, you automatically acquire it.
Discard this card to add 1 die to a check.
Discard this card to explore your current location.
You may instead treat this card as if it had the same powers as the top card of the blessings discard pile.
She swells with divine might, then spends it to search more. The ebb and flow of power feeling like a reflection of the clock itself.
Discard Blessing of the Gods --> Encounter Shadow Clock Card 2: Zombie Horde
Shadow Clock Card 2 - Zombie Horde:
RotR
Barrier 2
Traits:
Elite
Skirmish
Undead
Zombie
To Defeat:
None
Each character at an open location summons and encounters a Zombie Minion henchman. If any character does not defeat the Zombie Minion, the Zombie Horde is undefeated.
Apologies, my friends, I should have seen that coming, Alahazra thinks, worried about the damage that might come from the monsters she's unleashed.
The Sihedron makes the fight closer than is should be, but she continues her search.
Discard Blessing of the Gods to explore --> Encounter Skinsaw Cultist
Shadow Clock Card 3 - Skinsaw Cultist:
RotR
Henchman 2
Type: Monster
Traits:
Cultist
Human
To Defeat:
Combat 11
If undefeated, shuffle to top card of the blessings deck into this location deck.
If defeated, you may immediately attempt to close this location.
Confident but cautious, Alahazra infuses extra divine power into her blast of flame, incinerating yet another cultist.
With the death of the cultist, the Shadow Clock begins to tremble. There's a chance to seal off its power, but Alahazra knows there will be a cost. She hesitates to pay it. Someone must stay. Then, from the rear, the Magical Child approaches and puts a hand on Alahazra's shoulder. "Let me do this, mistress. I know I can't make you forgive me for when I betrayed you before," she says, eyes cast down. "But I hope this will make you think of me more fondly when I'm gone."
Alahazra smiles sadly. "I forgave you already. I think I was cruel to you so this moment would be easier - I must have sensed it in our future... But it was wrong to treat you as I did."
Banish Magical Child to close Shadow Clock.
Cast Cure on Hayato to top him off
Recharge Blessing of Spellbound to scry Garrison, revealing Mercenary
Displayed: Deck: 5 Discard: 2 Buried: 1
Hero Points: 1
NOTES: Available Support: Blessings are available for use, as are any skills that allow scrying.
Other: Hi I'm Alahazra! Please bot me if I need to Guard my location!
Deck, Discard, Buried:
Reloaded: Middle of Deck (Unknown Order): Blessing of the Gods 2
Recharged: Blessing of the Spellbound 1, Blessing of the Spellbound 3, Life Drain, Pyrotechnic Blast,
Discard Pile: Blessing of the Gods 1, Cure, Buried Pile: Researcher,
Favored Card: Spell Hand Size: 6 ☑ 7☐ 8☐ 9☐ 10☐ 11 Proficiencies: Light Armors POWERS:
You may recharge a card that has the Divine trait to examine the top card of any location
deck
At the end of your turn, you may discard a card that has the Divine trait to add a card that has the divine trait from your discard pile to your hand
If your combat check has the Attack trait, add 2 to it
Maybe it's the remnants of the electricity, but Haunt's blow doesn't quite hit the mark. The mpeshi, stands, lowering its head at Much to ram her. Much has something to say about that before it happens though.
Xhokan nods at your question and starts counting out coins. Dispassionately, he says, "Golems. Fake souls. Or worse, stolen souls. No mind. No will, just a task. Worse than slaves. No better than necromancy."
He counts out the 25 gold, looks at you all then adds 5 more. "You did the world a favor."
As far as you know you've never heard of Xhokan giving out a single copper more than he had to, let alone extra gold.
Ducreyi avoids the worst of things, but still gets lightly battered and heavily soaked. He sputters and gasps before taking a step forward. "You forget who you are, 'Sah, and you have clearly forgotten who I am." Ducreyi says, with menace in his voice. And then he sees the hulking gnoll warrior, quietly exuding the promise of violence..
Angry Much:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
...And rethinks things. He visibly gulps, then turns back to Teacher Ot and says, "Perhaps I could clean up before we continue?"
"That will come. Our first priority is this wounded griffon." Ot says, gesturing to the downed creature. Ducreyi begins to object, and Ot cuts him off, gently moving some feathers aside to show the flesh beneath. "Look at this... She is emaciated, and there are signs of the lash. This creature has been abused and is starving. It probably saw you and your friends as food."
"Maddox, thank you for bringing these prospective students to us. I would have you rejoin your cohort now. You still have much to offer in support of each other."
"Haunt, our conversation was cut off a bit. In truth, I fear we have moved beyond my expertise, but do not worry. I know someone who may have more insight. Janatimo was my mentor, just as I am yours. He is one of the Magaambya’s cleverest lore-speakers, though he rarely stays in one place for long. I would like to gain his wisdom and, to be honest, introduce your impressive group to him. We will discuss with him in person the next time he returns. In the meantime, thank you for all you have done. If I could ask one more favor, please go to Ahassunu and let her know I need her here. Laesah and Much, could you take care of that?”
Ahassunu is another teacher - an iruxi lorespeaker that specializes in predatory animals and is known to you. Feel free to stay in this scene if you want, but we are otherwise done with this moment, and this book!
Later: "Aunty Laesah, is it true you're a hero now? Does that mean you'll go on adventures? Can you bring us stuff?" Asks Tzeniwe's son Zachva. Zanvi, his twin sister looks scandalized. "Why would you leave? Can't you feel how that this is home? Don't leave, OK? But if you DO leave, I want a boomerang."
Even later: "Of course I know she's a lass. I just recognize her as a warrior first, and for a dwarf that makes you a lad, you know? That's not to say Laesah isn't a warrior, too... Ah, hells." Haibram flushes, takes a big drink and starts muttering into his cup. "I know she's a lass..."
Later still: Esi stands between Ignaci and Chizire, keeping them from fighting. "You were out of line, Chizire. You know this." She says. Chizire rankles and snarls, "I told the truth, as I always do. Maybe you forgot? And maybe Ignaci has forgotten how easily I can find bee venom."
"And maybe HE has forgotten how easily I can make explosives!"
Esi hits her limit. "Nobody is poisoning or exploding anyone. I think you have both forgotten that I while you run off and fiddle with your potions, I have a sword, and I'm quite good with it." The two men quiet down. Esi looks at Chizire and says, "You missed your friend when he was pining over some boy. You are too proud to say it. You became cruel."
Chizire sniffs, but says nothing. To Ignaci she says, "And you set aside everyone. You nearly lost your life for the sake of a man you could never be with. You were a fool."
She steps out from between them looks at them both deliberately and says, "Now, hug it out." Neither man moves. Her eyes narrow. "Hug. It. Out"
End of the night: Anchor Root has Much cornered looking up at the bone that hangs around the larger gnoll's neck and says, "I feel even more of an ancestor presence here than before. Perhaps it's from your encounter with such a powerful ghost, but the spirits move around you now. You are not alone," she says mysteriously. The words of a Bonespeaker, said without any of her customary fear.
And then Haunt has Anchor Root cornered, telling her about her chicken. Pelaksana stands proudly as Haunt compliments the bird.
From the other side of the room, a song bursts out led by a very drunk Ignaci and Chizire, embracing each other and swinging full mugs of wine.
"SWEET CALLISTO! BAH-BAH-BAAAAHHH! GOOD TIMES NEVER SEEMED SO GOOD!"
One at a time, or sometimes in pairs, people leave the party, stopping to embrace and thank members of the pack when they do. When all is quiet, Binji emerges from one of the maintenance tunnels, flanked by a couple of spellskeins and begins to clean. By the morning, everything will be as it was, even though everything has changed.
...and realizes that while gremlins are usually weak to cold iron, this one eats rocks, so maybe he's weak against HOT irons. Wait, that doesn't make sense, the gremlin has no hair. Are any other minerals cold? (Haunt is flat footed as he confuses himself trying to sort this out)
When knowledge fails him, Haunt doubles down on physicality, rushing in and thrusting out with his rapier.
Haunt stabs down through the top of the tiny gremlin's head, and you see his blade pierce out the bottom of the jaw. It's probably dead from such a wound, and just doesn't know it, but it spits out a mouthful of blood and keeps fighting.
Round 1
Initiative
1. Barnabus
2. Haunt
3. Gremlin (red) - 25 Damage taken
4. Much 31/43 HP
5. Laesah <-- We are here
6. Gremlin (blue)
"Oh Madame....I just don't know. I'm supposed to be preparing for my masking ceremony, and I should be proud and happy....but I'm not."
Tears spring unwanted into her eyes, dripping down her cheeks. Laesah drops her mashing tool on the bench and reflexively grabs onto her braid.
"I don't know how to mask myself further! I already feel like I have to hide parts of my self from everyone, or, at least, I have to warn them before I change into my full anadi form....I don't want to wear a mask as well."
Chef Yao gently lifts Laesah's chin and dabs at her tears with the towel that is always draped over her shoulder whenever she is in the kitchen. She looks the young anadi in the eye and says, "My sweet child, you're not divided, you are layered."
Yao reaches down and uncovers the bowls she placed on the table and a melange of rich smells fills the room. Inside each bowl are roasted seeds: Fennel, cumin, and coriander. Yao sets a large stone mortar and pestle on the table as well, pours in the coriander, and starts grinding it into paste.
"Each one of these ingredients is fragrant and delicious. I could take just one type and use it as a base to make a dish that would please almost anyone." The speed she moves at is practiced and perfectly efficient. After a quick moment she reaches out and adds the fennel. "But the secret to a curry is the layers. It's building depth and complexity and then building even more depth and complexity. Each layer is the product of hard work, skill, and care, and each layer celebrates the other."
She adds the cumin seeds and grinds them too. When that is complete, she hands Laesah the pestle and fetches another plate of bowls, uncovering them. Cinnamon, clove, mustard, peppers, turmeric, and more - A range of colors, flavors, and heat.
She smiles at Laesah and says, "Now, you get to grinding, dear. You're responsible for getting the layers right tonight, and I'll be here to help. We'll taste as we go, we'll adjust... And when in doubt, we'll add some garlic."
She gives Laesah's braid a tug of her own, winks, and says. "Don't let those fools make you think you need a mask to hide yourself, dear. Or to change yourself if you don't want to. Masks can be used to celebrate, too."
The spellskeins hear your intentions to kill the silverfish and follow you out, keeping a cautious distance. When they see the dead silver fish, the spellskeins get visibly excited. Two of them fold into hands and high five. The other turns into a teabag and bounces up and down on the face of one of the giant silverfish corpses.
When you swing the door open, there are no new creatures waiting for you, just another room with desks and papers. It looks like this room served as a staging area for someone’s attempts to organize the whole library. Several books sit open on one desk with notes next to them, atop scrolls with long lists. The other two desks precariously hold up several stacks of books and closed boxes. More boxes overflowing with books sit on the floor nearby, as if still waiting to be sorted.
The spellskeins peek over your shoulders, and when they see the room is free of bugs, they zip in and start pointing to one of the boxes stuffed with books. A closer look reveals the box is actually a chest with carved writings all over it, which is the Collected Field Notes of the Druid Mata Digemari.
And sends the gremlin straight to sleepytown with a savage critical, but nonlethal, hit. I took the liberty of using the guidance bonus there, since I assumed you'd want to stop any potential attacks. If that's wrong, you'd still crit and just use it as you see fit.
Round 3 1. Much - 4 damage <-- We are here
2. Haunt
3. Gremlin #1 (blue) - 4 Damage
4. Gremlin #3 (green)
5. Gremlin #4 (orange) - 19 Damage - KO
6. Laesah
7. Gremlin #2 (red) - 18 Damage - KO
Much takes some sniffs, and then remembers the skills she does have. As one of bola hunters of her pack, she's used to tracking the movements of birds through the air. She stops to feel the air, thinking about the force that would propel the chicken, it's limited flight abilities, and... Her eyes lock onto a building in the distance where she sees some movement on the roof.
Laesah, just a step slower, also finds Pelaksana on the roof, but her process is more intuitive. For a moment she thinks she sees a pattern in all the possibilities, then she squints and sees the bird, up on the roof.
Haunt is looking under some nearby rocks, but his two friends collect him before they get the bird.
With Laesah's climbing abilities, it's no chore to collect Pelaksana. The normally pugnacious bird coos happily as she's brought down.
Anchor Root is still inconsolable when you find her. She screams with delight when her familiar runs up to her and gives her foot a gentle peck.
She leaps up, then calms herself. Taking a bearing Much would recognize as serious, nearly ceremonial. She approaches Much, placing her hand on her elbow, gently showing her neck, and saying, "Thank you, Much. I am happily obliged to you, and can't wait to repay this service."
She takes a deep breath, and cautiously reaches her hand out to touch the bone that hangs at Much's neck. She shows more of her throat and says, "And thank you, Great One. You guide your kin well. Wisdom and strength endure."
She has many words of thanks for you all, and gives you each a Rythmn Bone.
Much struggles mightily, and the game seems hopelessly beyond her. Laesah and Haunt don't have much thought behind what they do, and while they make some good rolls they struggle to manage solid contributions to the game overall.
Okoro winds up being the sleeper agent, but doesn't get very far. Maddox is on top of things from the first roll of the dice, and even when the dice fail him, his strategy makes up for it. The android has an instinctive understanding of the most broken parts of the rules, and exploits them instantly. Soon, there is no stopping him, and Maddox carries the team to victory, finding and eliminating Okoro's sleeper agent almost single-handedly.
The normally intensely competitive Okoro doesn't seem to be bothered by the loss. He's completely wrapped up with Laesah's dancing. As soon as the game ends, he quickly shakes Maddox's hand and mutters "Good game," his eyes fixed on Laesah the whole time. He's two drinks in, but doesn't seem to be showing many ill effects, and goes to quickly grab another round for himself and Laesah so they can get to dancing.
While he's gone, Noxolo and Tzeniwe slide over. Tzeniwe chuckles ruefully and says, "Your timing is impeccable, Laesah. Noxolo was just showing me some dance moves. Much, you should join us! Let's have the girls take over this dance floor."
Chizire, looks back and forth between Laesah and Haunt, a grin spreading across his normally aloof expression. "You two are a rare delight. So earnest, yet effective."
He takes the jar of bugs, holding them delicatedly. "So, Laesah, you just... asked her for these? And you are not a pile of ashes? She must like you quite a bit. I approached the subject with her and I thought she was going to feed me to her mantipedes. And I know she favors me. How could she not?" He says.
"And you, cousin... I have no idea what to make of you. Are you a savant, pulling old lore from the ether? Are you playing a prank on me, and this elaborate story is a ruse? Either way, I am impressed, and you are a credit to our people. Always make them guess about you. Always know more than they think you do. You will get the first glass at the party."
He places his paw over his heart, and stands up straight. You realize you have never seen him with good posture, he's always lounging or slouching. "I am at your service, should you ever need help studying for the Cascade Bearers, and hope you find your way into their ranks. And here, let me share this with you."
He places the jar into his bookbag of holding and produces his spellbook. "I believe you both have an interest in insects? This will help."
He teaches you the spell Verminous Lure. The details will be in our discord.
The Sicklehand tries to mount a defense, but Haunt is too fast - too accurate. The first strike stabs through the wrist joint of upraised sickle, severing the limb and sending it spinning to the ground. The construct spares a glance at the stump and Haunt runs it through, damaging the internals and powering it down. The shoulders slump and the pilot grimaces.
The fight is over.
Mafika enters the arena and strides out to Haunt and Much, taking each by the hand.
"Our winners of the first Combat Society are... Haunt and Much!" He raises the hands of Much and Haunt in victory, and the crowd cheers. Looking out into the crowd it's clear that the "secret" nature of this event is gone, with dozens of students and staff looking on and applauding.
Teacher Ayuwari reaches into his robe and pulls out a small statue, carved to look like a canine. He hands it to Much and says, "As the MVP of this event, I present you this onyx dog wondrous figurine. You cannot fight what you cannot see. Well, you can, but it's very frustrating. This will help you find your enemies."
The applause carry on for a bit, but with the fighting done, people start to file out. Esi approaches you and says, "That was amazing. Well done! But just know that I intend to win the next one."
She looks at Haunt with a bit more seriousness, and says. "You have an amazing capacity for destruction. It seems both instinctive AND skillful, but your boldness almost got the better of you. We should study and train together. As future members of the Tempest-Sun Mages, we will be fighting side by side some day." The adopts a wry grin and says, "It would be nice to learn how to coordinate our attacks and defenses now, so we can avoid the blaze of glory you seem to want to die in."
Haibram and Mariama amble over. Haibram says, "Yeah, let's leave the blazes to Mariama. It's her specialty." Mariama punches him in his wounded arm and he winces, but laughs.
Off to the side, out of the way but positioned near you, is Ignaci, surreptitiously selling his alchemical wares to a couple of strix. You overhear him saying, "...I'm something of an unofficial sponsor, really. I provided them with that alchemist fire that turned the battle around. And now, you can use the same gear they did!" You see him hand the male strix a potion with H&M painted on the side, and hands a couple healing potions with the same logo to Haunt and Much - enough to top off their HP.
The pilot flinches as Haunt threatens him, and his construct pauses for just a moment. But a moment is all it takes. Haunt aims his burning rapier at the arcane cabling connecting the legs to the torso at the hips. Two lightning quick thrusts later, and a surge of power thrums audibly out into the crowd and light begins to build within the construct.
Mafika yells, "NO" extends a hand and siphons off some of the building energy. In the arena, the impending explosion fades, and the construct falls into 3 pieces, each leg detaching from the main body.
In just a few seconds, you have dramatically decimated your opponents and the crowd ERUPTS into applause. The leshy within the construct has a dewy sheen of sweat on his brow as he pulls himself from the wreckage.
As you leave the field, chants of "HAUNT-ER!" and "MUCH!" ring out.
The next couple matches don't go nearly as well for the students. Hasti and his partner are out of spells, and get tripped and swarmed with haste. Haibram and Mariama have a bit of bad luck as one of Mariama’s strikes causes the construct to implode in a burst of branches that knock her and Haibram unconscious (leaving a shocked sicklehand as the lone victor).
It's time for the final round! Who will step into the ring, and are you doing anything in preparation?
Shade approaches Laesah where she's fallen and reaches towards her, a viney hand rolling out and resting on the anadi's shoulder. Dew collects under the eye holes of the pumpkinesque face, glistening like tears. Shade frowns with concern and says, "Don't be afraid, you are with friends. These bugs are a nuisance, so we asked for help, and they sent you." The frown turns into a gentle smile. "You will help us. The leaders of this school know what they are doing. If they sent you here, it's because you are the right person for this task. Take heart."
Slowly, leshies appear from within the garden, placing leaves, vines, and bark-like appendages on Laesah's shoulders, head, and back. One says, "Thank you." Another says, "We're here." All of them have some affirming sentiment as they circle the young woman, arms outstretched, then still, providing contact and support for as long as it's needed. Patient as an oak tree.
I must seek out Madame Yao, she thinks. At least, someone with time and compassion for teaching...
Yao smiles slightly and says, "From what I heard, your 'martial prowess' was very important to the survival of your group. knowing how to fight and wanting to fight are two very different things. I am glad that you know how. I am also glad that you don't want to. I'd hate to lose my newest kitchen assistant in some pointless brawl. But I was very proud to hear of her using her abilities to protect her friends."
She reaches over and gives Laesah's braid a gentle tug, a sign of affection shared between the two of them.
"As for Koride... She's brilliant. Like a diamond. And like a diamond, she can cut through almost anything. Some students love her for her directness and her passion. Some students hate her because of her callousness. And she plays favorites, too. You'll know very quickly which group you are in."
She looks at your plate of mush, and nods once.
"Get the garlic and butter, Laesah. We're making mashed cassava." Yao gives Laesah a patient, meaningful look. "Not everything will fit a perfect pattern. Sometimes your mood makes a decision for you, and you improvise. And when it doubt, try to fix your problems with garlic and butter."
LATER ON...
Laesah Doul wrote:
"I think that there are two allegorical meanings to it. The first is that more power equates to more responsibilities, and that can lead to more isolation. The second is," here, Laesah glowers at the professor.
"Don't piss on those you serve or you'll get stoned."
She then sits down...
"Insightful." Koride says, seemingly oblivious to your glowering. "Your points are well made and well sung. I would add, 'Have a care how you treat people with the power to help you. Push them too far, and you might find yourself alone.'" She gives Laesah's desk an appreciative tap and addresses the room. "That's it for the day, class. Remember, next session be sure to bring one jar full of carnivorous insects.
As the class files out, Koride stops Laesah and says. "Very impressive work today. Bring your friends and meet me in my office some time within the week. I have a problem I need to delegate." With that, she returns to her desk and starts jotting down notes.
She then looks up at Teacher Ot. "How should we go about announcing our intentions to the branches that we've chosen as major and minor influences?"
"Telling me is as good as telling them. I will pass along your decisions. But for now, you will take classes from all the teachers, and when the time for tests comes, you will take those through your chosen branch, and hopefully grow in knowledge and renown."
Laesah Doul wrote:
“Teacher, do you think they’ll come back?”
"Yes, they'll be back, unless we get more wards up. I think this Kurshkin is not the leader, but a lieutenant." Ot squints slightly, looking down at the corpse of the gremlin. "I believe I know this pugwampi... Yes, during the last time the gremlins came, I found this one, and packed her in a sack out of town. I had hoped she'd have the good sense to stay gone. She was vicious before, but not deadly. Something has changed."
Ot nods as you speak, still looking sad, but understanding. "By now you know that gremlins aren't usually killers. They delight in pain and tragedy, but not murder." Ot says, frowning slightly and looking at the wounds of the group. "Something must have been driving this. Either an external leader, or a sense of vengeance. One of the reasons we try and avoid killing is because of the cycle it creates. I have no doubt that this gremlin was connected to the time before, when they came to the campus and were met with death."
He sighs, collects himself, then addresses you all with his more formal tone. "You can't be blamed for defending yourself from mortal danger. I apologize that you had to do so alone, and that I wasn't hear to help you. While this is not the initiation ceremony I would have planned, it will have to serve. You have proven yourselves capable all week, solving problems with wit, skill, compassion, and strength. You will make fine students, and it is my pleasure to welcome you and begin your instruction."
He hands you each a black bead, similar in shape and color to the obelisk in the center of the school. "This is to help you remember your goal: to add your name to that obelisk and join your predecessors in strengthening this school, and all of Golarion. And to remind you that many other have endured the struggles you are about to. Their wisdom and strength is still here, waiting for you should you need it. You are never alone.
He drops his formal tone, and the smile returns to his face and voice. [b]"You have already had quite a morning. You should feel free to introduce yourselves to any staff or students you see. They may even start to seek you out. Enjoy your day today as you see fit. Classes begin tomorrow."
Ot lingers, knowing that more teachers and students will be coming to have their own ceremonies for the other cohorts, but you are released, and get the impression nobody will think poorly of you if you don't stick around. Ot would have told you otherwise.
You are initiates! That means school starts, along with the associated minigames. Please lock in your branches to start with.
ALSO - Welcome to level 2! Please send me your updated sheets! I'm very happy to work with anyone on all these decisions.
The crash of Much's stone rope against the tree is sharp in the general quiet of the campus. A window from the dorm opens, and Mariama pokes her head out and shouts, "Yes! F&~! that tree in particular! It knows what it did!" She then slams the window and is gone.
Okoro looks impressed by Much's display of arms, and Haunt's argument. "I love sports, but I've never really tried fighting. Maybe I should? And there are certainly many tales to be told from the battlefield... I will see you there, friends."
As Oroko walks back to the dorm, Noxolo approaches Haunt. She's not dancing, or skipping, or anything of the sort, just walking, her face serious.
"I was born to my power, so I guess I'm like your parents that way. But I also know what it's like to have family telling you want to do, or making you feel like you'll never live up to their expectations. I came here to get away from that..." She tucks a braid behind her ear and smooths her dashiki. You notice that it's more of a man's cut, but she somehow wears it well. "Maybe we can't escape our families. We probably can't even silence their voices in our heads, but we can find our own place here. I'm pretty sure of that. Good luck with initiation tomorrow."
With that she walks off after Oroko.
That's the end of the day's needs! Initiation is tomorrow AM. Do you do anything prior to that, or do you turn in?
Before leaving Darvit, Laesah surreptitiously presses a gold piece into the farmer’s hand. ”For your trouble,” she murmurs, not certain what customs she’s transgressing, but certain she’s doing something incorrect.
As you walk away, you hear a bit of conversation over your shoulder.
"Did... Did that nice woman just give you a gold for that dead cow?" Hamp asks, awed.
Hero point reroll!:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 <-- Critical success due to Maddox sharing his lead, and a +2 for high-quality RP!
Both men seem cowed, and the crowd is consumed with watching you de-bone the bovine. It's a slow process, and a messy one (You, or anyone, can roll survival or medicine to see HOW slow and messy), but you wind up with a bag of bones for your trouble.
Darvit begins to ask you for money, to make up for the loss of the cow, but Hamp hushes him, bopping him on the head with his pipe (which requires a leap for the halfling to reach). "You idjit, just be thankful these ones showed up to get the damned carcass off the road without making YOU pay a removal fee."
After combining your efforts, you put together a poster that looks pretty good. You plaster some up around the campus and turn in.
The next day, Anchor Root, Mariama Keitana, and Chizire wait at the usual meeting spot. As you approach, Anchor Root again shows her throat to Much, but has a little better composure than the first time.
Chezire has curled up on a blanket in a miraculously dry spot and seems half asleep. Mariama observes the drowsing catfolk with detached interest before turning to raise a hand in greeting. “From an objective standpoint, it’s really impressive how he can sleep anywhere. Anyway, we’re Cascade Bearers. Or at least, I am, and Anchor Root is filling in because Chizire is... Chizire. Cascade Bearers advance magical theory. It’s also our job to make new magic safe for everyone to use, so we don’t have a repeat of the exploding nose incident. We don’t talk about the exploding nose incident."
“Since you’ve shown the bosses that there are gremlins around, we’re been asked to do some sparkly finger wiggles and help deal with it. We need some special oils to do the ritual, though. Anchor Root’s here to tell you what to get.”
The small gnoll squeaks and flinches as attention turns to her. “U-um... we need scarlet cap oil, bone oil, and...” Anchor Root whimpers and fidgets her paws together. “C-caterpillar oil. But they need to be the right... u-um, I’ll just show you.”
“If you have trouble making the oil, come back here and I’ll wake Chizire up. He’s good at brewing,” Mariama adds. “Be done in eight hours, or you’ll miss dinner. And try to have fun!”
Anchor Root explains that you must recover bones to render into bone oil, a specific type of red mushroom growing outside the city, and several fuzzy caterpillars found in the nearby jungle.
She tells you that it's hard for most people to tell a lucky bone from a regular bone, so it's a good idea to just bring a lot back and she'll sort them.
As for the mushroom, Anchor Root shows you all a cluster of dried, red, cup‐shaped mushrooms and hands you one to help identify the right fungus. She describes the area of the jungle where she found the fungi and suggests that you all could find fresh mushrooms there (as dried mushrooms can't be used to make the oil). Fortunately, the scarlet cap mushrooms don’t look like any kind of poisonous mushrooms in the area, meaning it's unlikely a fatal miscategorization will be made, but she needs mushrooms that have received a lot of sunlight and moonlight, which means harvesting the mushrooms growing high on a jungle tree. Anchor Root also adds, “Redridge mother calls them tree blood” before flinching and apologizing. The area looks to be about an hour outside the city.
For the caterpillars, Anchor Root cautiously shows off a pet caterpillar of hers as an example of what the heroes should look for: a colorful larva with fuzzy tufts. She warns the heroes that the fuzzy‐looking caterpillars are extremely painful to touch and must be collected very carefully. She also shamefully admits that she can’t bear to watch the heroes kill the caterpillars to make them into caterpillar oil.
OK, that was a lot! Any questions? Where do you begin? What... do you do?
Teacher Ot it still in his office, so he's easily found. He sees you approach and waves you in, pointing you to a seat across from him. You explain your circumstances and he winces. When you conclude, he says, "When I was a younger man, I was targeted by gremlins as well. I often wondered why. As best as I could deduce, it was because I had committed myself to helping others throughout Nantambu, and this was an affront to the gremlins, who so often enjoy watching people struggle, fail, and live in disappointment."
Ot's characteristic smile crosses his face. "I took it as a compliment. An annoying, sometimes dangerous, compliment. In a very real way, it speaks well of you. You have also committed yourself to using your powers to defend others. To helping, and to being an active force for good. And given the nature of your powers - your ability to find the weaknesses of a creature and use it against them - you are something of a gremlin to the gremlins. Your powers are not dissimilar, yet you use them to better the lives of others and torment the tormentors. It is somewhat natural that they would hate you."
Now the smile fades, and he sighs. "Still, I am surprised they have returned to the school. The last time they did so, in an effort to continue vexing me, it went very poorly for them, and sadly, many gremlins died."
He rubs at the anteater charm on his wrist, then detaches it and hands it to you. "Here. This will help you resist some of their more traditional effects. But we can't have what happened before happen again. That lead to some dark times. We will look for a more peaceful way to get the gremlins off campus before things get out of control."
Catching up… Haunt - you can definitely use Find Flaws this way IMHO. Until we find a place it feels bad, I’m going to say any time you could use a Lore check regarding a creature you can Find Flaws.
As for the bells, Haunt and Laesah remember seeing silver bells in the inventory at the Powderpile. Ignaci might also be able to get them, perhaps.
"MmmmHmmm," hums Lumusi, index finger tapping her lips. "Best not to start with foods you can't eat. You'll want to taste, taste, taste as you go."
She nods her head sharply, making a decision. "The first step of being a chef happens before the knives come out. You must ensure your ingredients are worthy of your guests. Bring me some of these grubs that you like, and we will make a meal to delight all but the most narrow-minded of fools. You can probably find them out in the jungle, or perhaps even in the garden we keep out back. Whenever you bring them to me, we will begin. If you need help, perhaps ask Anchor Root? She and her chicken have a great sense for finding such things, and sometimes work here as foragers."
Down the table, Ignaci is chatting with Haunt. "Hah! I thought the same thing! 'Why name a branch, branch?' It's because wizards stink at marketing. Don't tell any I said that..." He shoves some eggplant into his mouth and continues. "The Green Branch branch studies the world as it is. We study the communities, people, and events of the present day, if you will. There are some people who feel that simple observation and investigation makes us the Magaambya’s spies, but that misses the point entirely."
He leans in and takes a more hushed tone, that only you can hear. "Someone has to keep the school connected to the world. If we happen to make a sale, learn a secret, or return with a dangerous artifact, what's the harm?" He says with a wink.
"I'd be interested in helping with the Mark 3. As long as I don't have to pretend to be from a foreign country, or scare off a mouse."
"Oh, Excellent!" Haibram says. "I heard about you. You were the first one from your cohort up the spire, right? You're just the kind of person I want on the team. And anyone else with a high tolerance for risk and any skill sourcing or working with various materials."
Much scans the market and searches for an arms and armor dealer.
Much sees a pale, well-built, heavily tattooed human standing in front of a table with a sign that says, Maximum Murder for the Minimum. There is an Orc Necksplitter and a spiked shield hung from a pole by way of advertising.
The man's voice booms out as you approach. "Greetings! I am Max, one of Gorum's favored sons! I am happy to bring more murder into your life, and more death for your enemies. Do not disgrace yourself, your family, or your god by entering combat ill-prepared. What do you seek, to aid you on your road to valor? Let us find it together!"
As far as inventory, any common weapon, armor, or rune up to level 5 is available. Uncommon and rare items may be here, but we'd want to discuss on the side first.
Maddox silently slips through the window in his room, just as Haunt silently opens the one in Much's room. Much moves to the window and hoists herself up and out. As she swings her let out the window, she loses her balance. Flailing, she grabs the curtains in her room to regain her balance and stops her fall.
After a beat, she begins to pull herself back up using the curtains, which promptly rip out of the wall, sending Much sprawling to the ground with a crash onto the southern porch and dropping the curtain rod to the floor with a CLANG.
Keen ears might hear a BAMF sound, and then the southern door to the dorm flies open. Esi is there, hair held under a silken wrap, her sword glowing and held in a defensive posture.
"Show yourselves! Wait, Much?" She walks over and looks through the open window at the rest of you. "What are you all doing? Where were you going?
A gentle laugh comes up from the ground. Chizire is laying there, leaning against the wall, drinking wine straight from the bottle. "Esi, my dear, I think I may have won our earlier argument."
Esi pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs. "Well, I'm sure at least Maddox listened to me."
Maddox slips out the window and softly hits lands on the ground, stealthily padding around the campus. At night, the school is subdued, but still active, with the occasional student milling about. You see the strix from earlier, Jarek, Teacher Ot called him, walking with another strix. A lithe woman with large, canted eyes, high cheekbones, and a single indigo feather sticking out at a jaunty angle from the left side of her head, near the top.
"I tell you, Kara, I've never seen anything like it. I think there is some sort of magic in his skin!" He opens his notebook and waves the pages in front of her face, jabbing them with a clawed finger. "I wrote it all down here. He started glowing, but I couldn't identify the effect. And those LEGS! They even call him 'Firebreather' now. I hear he ate a whole bush worth of wiri wiri."
Kara calmly rests a long finger on her chin, her head tilting at an unnatural angle. "Fascinating," she murmurs. "You have clearly misidentified technology as magic, but you are right about one thing - I've never seen anything like it."
She twitches her head to the side twice, then turns her head to look almost completely behind her directly at the bush Maddox is hiding behind, while still addressing Jarek. "We'll need to have him over for... study when time allows."
She snatches the book from Jarek, writes into it quickly, rips out the page, and places it under a rock by her feet. Then she walks off with Jarek, continuing their conversation.
As you cast your spell, glowing lines begin to form on the copper nameplate of your door. First the lines spell "Welcome" in your native script, then they flare and spark and finally die down, leaving "Laesah Doul" in common, etched in place.
This is followed by an insight where you somehow know that you could also decorate your door with some simple illusions if you chose.
As the last of you enters the room, the woman who waved you in takes a seat by the doorway, quietly studying all of you. A middle-aged man with brightly patterned robes, a carved anteater trinket on a cord around his neck, and a bark covered staff in his hand steps into the center of the room, addressing you with a gentle voice. "Welcome, and a kind hello, new students. It is my pleasure to instruct you. You may call me Teacher Ot."
There is a ritual formality to his words, but also a genuine warmth.
"You are here because we believe you will build upon the strengths of the thousands who have come before you. You will add your intellect and passion to theirs, and be shaped by their wisdom and spirit. We follow the footsteps of Old-Mage Jatembe, who showed us that the price of magic is the responsibility to better the world."
He pauses, and smiles warmly at each of you. "But before all that, let us greet each other properly. Some of you I know, some I do not, and I believe you are all strangers to each other. Once you leave this building, you will no longer be strangers. You will be classmates and cohort, bonded by this and many moments to come. So, as is appropriate for a school, we start at the start." The gentle rain outside has become a downpour. A flash of lightning is visible through a window, and Teacher Ot pauses his speech to let the thunder have its moment.
"Tell me, and each other…" he leans forward slightly on his staff and cocks his head, giving you all his full attention. "Who are you?"
