Zandra Dawnsetter's page

I don’t know how you would feel about it, but I could play a second character to have a cleric in the party. So the other players can play what they really want to?

I made up a Qualinesti Cleric of Mishakal. Her deity’s favored weapon is the quarterstaff. I took two weapon fighting because, although she is an elf and could use shield and sword, I see her (at least initially) trying to avoid shedding blood as she follows her chosen path as a healer/protector. However, when she set out for her pilgrimage, her father made her promise to wear his chain shirt under her vestments and her brothers bade her to keep a bow and dagger alongside her healers kit. She had enough money for a single healing potion which might come in handy with a fledgling party.

She is fit from her recent community work, lithe and dexterous, quite intelligent and learned in religion. She is possessed of great charisma and though she tries to downplay her beauty, it can only be blunted so much and her personality makes her all the more attractive.

Zandra was inclined to humor the wizard. After alll, the food smelled delicious after so many days at sea. She recounted the story from her point of view being to sure to explain the finer points of what her natural magic had revealed to her. She spent quite a bit of time detailing the strange force that reigned in her Raven as the infested ship was sent to the bottom as it had puzzled her greatly and was freshest on her mind.

"So here are the things I collected from the captains wardrobe and the laboratory. Karthan made these sketches here, but I think Fir 'umil made his own. This is the candle and here is the captain's log. . .

Zandra continued to unload the items she had collected from the magic satchel, leafed through a few pieces of paper before setting one of the sketches before Tabir.

"This one gives you a good idea of it. The middle of the far wall was dominated by a bizarre machine standing nearly 5 feet wide and 10 feet tall. It was a hellish amalgamation of brass gears, smoking pipes, and glowing red orbs, the device superficially resembles a great leering fiend. I don't know that it was gnomish, it had a different intelligence behind it that I could not identify. Worse yet, the machine contains a swollen brain-like fleshy mass with two ropey arm-tendrils and a wide, many-toothed maw squats in the center of the machine, linked to it by dozens of metal wires, gurgling hoses, and shimmering chains. Its arms and legs had been surgically removed."

"The demon gave us its name, Ugoxyl’glek. As I mentioned we had to destroy it. It was so powerful that even when it welcomed our presence it threatened to overwhelm our minds with its mere curiosity. . . A waste to be sure, but necessary."

"Oh, I think I know what you mean. We had to take the priests directly to the temple. When we went to retrieve them off the ghost ship we discovered that it was not as abandoned as the Merfolk believed. Instead, it was occupied by minions and creations of chaos."

"In fact we may have stumbled upon a powerful wizard, or an alchemist, that might be a part of the larger plot. There was a pocket plane accessible from the ship that contained a subdued and surgically altered demon housed in some clockwork device."

"We can give you the full details later, but we had to destroy the demon and hopefully the room. Fir'umil collected what he could. We were then set upon by another ship captained by another presumably chaos touched helmsman and crew."

"One of the clerics was compromised in his holy vessel, two remain. Sacredos is planning on freeing the spirits at the temple."

"Well Tabir, we fortunately did not have to bring bodies before you today, but we do have some interesting adventures, magic items and evidence to show you."

"Hardly Thor, look at him he is a human."

Zandra looked about to see if anyone deciphered what Tabir had just said.

"Feedmill is obviously Fir'umil, Sandrawing is obviously me, but how could Ragathalian be? His dead apprentice?"

Zandra nodded and the walking dribbling mass of mud trundled over towards the brass box. The roughly humanoid shape grasped the box as its abdomen obscenely extended and forced penetration of the the rubber seal. From without the mudman was visibly diminishing as its body spilled into the interior of the vessel like a mudslide. The mudman lost its form and collapsed over the top of the box and slid down the sides. His mass spreading out over the fine rugs which covered the floor.

Then with a snap it was gone. Gib-Gib was safe and sound in its new enclosure.

"Thank you for the complement Magus. I am glad that I could be of assistance. Now that it appears to be well secured, may I ask what this thing is and how you came to create it?"

Zandra peers in at the slug like prisoner.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 knowledge nature
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 Spellcraft

Zandra ogled at the land loving sea cucumber that sped towards her. She suspects the thing had to be far more dangerous than it looked at first glance. Her first reaction is to kill it before she found out, but knowing wizards she had better clarify what he meant first.

"Do you mean stop it? Or kill it?"

Tabir responds with heightened incredulity, "Don't kill it! I just made it!"

Zandra considered her options quickly and began to intone a summoning spell.

She opened her hands and flung dirt from one and a stream of water from the other. The earth and liquid mix in a ever growing puddle of mud that then begins to froth and rise like leavening dough. This animate pile of mud seems barely able to maintain the semblance of a humanoid form made of dripping sludge as the mud elemental rises then slams itself down on the oncoming invertebrate.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 Slam attack to stun for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The thingy needs to make a Fort check DC 14 to avoid being entrapped in the body of the mud elemental.

"There is nothing wrong with our connection. . . Keep your guard up in case my cousin is drawn to that place because of specific danger."

"Because THAT one, can actually turn you into a god."

Zandra takes care to mark the temple and its angles so that she can inquire to Olivia about it later.

"interesting. . . I would have thought him to have been more interested in the big one in the middle of it all."

"Don't worry about him, he just has an odd way of saying thank you sometimes. Here, a silver for your service and for the way you treat the animals under your charge. An animal with a beloved name is more seldom mistreated.". She says to the boy.

1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 2 = 26 Perception

"That may backfire on them. If they insist on that for too long half the city will be burned, crime will be a thing of the past and they will be out of a job! In all seriousness though, how bad is the political fall out and have there been any interesting developments while we were gone?"

Zandra is inwardly amused at Fir'umils dramatics over having to ride a camel, but she doesn't let it touch her face.

"Hummm, maybe now I understand why my brother went to such pains to bring his horse over on the ship. These camels sure seem to be much different than we are used to, but they must have some advantages."

"And good luck to you brother, I hope you find the answers you are looking for. I am ready Fir'umil. I took back the items that might be of interest and carry them here in my bag. Let's be on our way. I can ride Thor unless you wish to take the coach."

Zandra gives a happy wave to the paladin.

"We are back and in no less than 10 seconds from the time of our reunion, we need your assistance. My cousin and I must go to the Arcanium with all due haste. I see that you are well. I hope you have better news to share than we do for our part, but ours must wait until we have reached the wizards sanctum."

"We all know that many eyes watched for our return. I feel it is safest that Fir'umil and I go as soon as possible to the Arcanamirium before welcoming parties can be moved into position. Speed and action will be our best shield."

"Look, I know you have your reservations, but listen to me. I trusted you when Onura put you in charge on the Wake. Now it is your turn to trust in me and let me go and do this."

"Besides, look into your heart. I know your need to be here and see the outcome of that kukri."

Karthan turns his head sharply to look at Zandra as though he is about to speak before she holds up a dimunative hand to still his protests before he can voice anything.

"Thor and I shall go with him."

"Well, not everyone is as lucky as to bond with something as magnificent as you Thor. I am reminded of that humbling fact everyday."

After her brother moves away, Zandra steps towards Onura and takes her hand in hers. In the way of females of all races across the world their eye contact held the volume of the communication that transpired between them silently. An entire conversation of words literally in a few blinks of an eye.

"Thank you." was all that Zandra spoke aloud.

"I hope you are right Captian. If nothing else we should be able to trust the sun and stars, unless this discordic event is more powerful than any I have heard of."

"To answer your other question, I must first thank you."

Zandra removes a magnificent jade figurine depicting Thor swirling and snarling.

"Due to your wise counsel, I prepared a spell that allows me to change Thor into this . . . I had intended to use the spell in the event we had to disembark, but when Thor fell to the contagion that afflicted the crew . . . he was able to warn me of his condition. By transforming him into this figurine, I placed him in stasis. I am thinking I should keep him in this form until we reach the temple. I shudder to think what would have happened had the infection taken over his mind. Thor makes a formidable ally or enemy."

Is there something we missed? Did we release something? What could cause this? . . . raven come to me I need you.

Zandra walks to the side of the rail and summons the raven that pops into position 30 yards and pumps its wings to gain altitude and soar above the ships to get a top down view of the situation.

She returns back to the navigator to see what he is writing in response.

Zandra thinks quickly.

"Do you have anything else that has been or might be affected? Like a ships clock or anything else clockwork? Even a plumb bob?"

"The rest are in excellent condition, just the way you loaned them to me Mr. Scribbles. Please tell me what is happening with the instruments and such. It is very important that you do not leave out the details however small they might seem."

Discordia. Chaos . . . It has come aboard ship with us. Something is not right.

"Well the good news is that I managed to bring most of your maps back to you in great condition."

Zandra gathered up the charts she needed to return and headed for the helmsman's post.

Tread carefully, I fear you are overmatched.

Zandra remained still. It was good that her brother was forced into a position of responsibility. It did appear to be true that if you wanted someone to act responsible you sometimes have to give them some responsibility in order to make that occur. She watched the Captian and the crew as her brother addressed them trying to get a handle on how they were reacting. Afterall there was no hiding the tangled carcas that was sprawled all over the deck. Her eyes also searched the Lucky Slip for clues about what it had endured.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 Sense Motive

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

"Well I suppose that if there is only one way in and one way out, we should be able to secure the door and carry it out like a large bag of holding. I guess that we could use detect magic to tell the difference between the enchanted and mundane portions of the ship if it is built in."

"If there was another way out that we could find and use we would likely be able to follow it straight back to the brother."

"A primal reaction that appeals to me as well, but let us think on it a moment before we act. Right now the wardrobe is a nice place . . . Well A place to flee to should the ship begin to sink, it is taking on water after all, or should we be attacked."

"The screams of any dying animal found in snare by its trapper. It wasn't attacking it was just its psychic cries. Look, U was dangerous and we could little afford treating with him much longer. We just weren't equipped or prepared to deal with him right now. I will finish up collecting what's here."

"Fir'umil, can we take this dimensional space with us or seal it somehow?"

"Don't let yourself dismiss his worth or significance so easily. He gave counsel to people who were able to construct this contraption around him and bind him to it and this place. He was obviously valuable to them. And what were they extracting from him? Essence of chaos itself? This ship was sent out with him aboard and on a specific mission. Luck of arms allowed us to destroy him, but I am not even sure he was even trying to attack us. What we felt was simply him giving us his attention."

"He said, "Why did the gods create the five umbilicals of the Apocalypse that rise toward the struggling light to reveal the sins revealed only to those who enter the great tapestry." I am not clear on what he meant by that. How about you Sacredos? Do his words hold any more meaning for you?"

"We lost an opportunity when we had to destroy it, but I am not sure any of us knew how to question it. I am versed in the trade of an apothecary, but this lab is a bit beyond me."

"Did we end it prematurely Fir'umil? I was worried to let it continue once it pierced Karthan's defenses. My spells are exhausted and we have been exposed to enough chaos for a day."

1d20 + 4 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 5 + 2 = 26 fort save

Because, I represent the will of this world and all of the native souls in it. Your empty has no place here. You will die in this extra dimensional space! May you never see the mists and forever remain in stillness. however, should you ever make it back to your layer of the abyss, or corner of chaos, I am sure your master will reward you lovingly for your failure and that won't be a "short span problem for you."

"Mother, guide my hands Karthan is in trouble!"

1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 = 24 to hit
1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14 to confirm

1d10 ⇒ 1 min
1d10 ⇒ 9 max

1d10 ⇒ 4 Damage

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 Initiative

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 +bonus of sword?

Zandra feared that striking the thing in the contraption might be dangerous, but she had to act. She quick draws her mothers sword and plunged its tip into the creature with as much force as she could manage.

1d20 + 6 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 5 + 2 = 30 willpower save

Zandra starts to load up her bag.

I wish I had the gift of foresight. Had I known we were to find all of this I wouldn't have spent all of our gold at the temple for many of these same things.

"How did you come to be here? It is a unique position you find yourself in."

1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24

There are better places formy hand to be. Zandra reminds herself as her hand strays to her sword.

What does it mean by that?

"Be careful whom you intend to feed upon eater of thoughts. Tell me your purpose."

"I am guessing that yours is black? I know that your loving meat father saw it as deeper and deeper shades of black until recently. What was it you and he spoke of? He mentioned you have been withdrawn lately. What is it you last fed upon."

Zandra consciously placed her hands in her pockets. She did not want to feel the depths of depravity and corruption that must be awash in this place. Zandra looked at Karthan and Sacredos out of the corner of her eyes.

The inquisitor stood his ground, but that was not surprising. Sacredos had survived crusading against much more dangerous beings than this . . .

No, that is a mistake, just because this thing is seemingly bound to this contraption does not in the least mean it is harmless. After all you already know that it has mental powers and that keening might be a potential form of attack as well.

She looked to her brother. Karthan looked relaxed, but undoubtedly he was ready to strike. He did look a bit caged however. His eyes looked for am avenue of escape, but he remained stoic to the others she guessed.

No, that isn't correct either, Fir'umil would see through it. Karthan is learning to let go his need to control everything and relax his urge to rail against the things he could not master. He seeks our input about our understanding of the situation and releases control while at the same time placing trust in our abilities. He is beginning to treat me more as an equal."

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20 Perception
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 Knowledge Nature

An interesting use if organic compounds to create new things with them. Ingenious, but at the same time frightening. Alchemists playing at creation and manipulation and without divine or holy magic.

Zandra looked about the room.

Zandra stepped out and sent up her summoned minor ally. As she watched him fly up and up she wondered at it. She supposed her place in the world was much like his. She was summoned here for a reason. If the Raven was destoyed here it didn't really die, it just found itself returned to the Emerald Dream. If Zandra died she too would awake in another place. It was the way of the Natural Order.Zandra wasn't ready to leave this place or her brother yet, but those were just her own selfish feelings. If people like her failed to fight the void the natural order would cease to exist, that had ever been the way. The absolute end was always nothingness and that had no purpose.

"Tell me what you see."

"If Sacredos feels secure in leaving the clerics in the care of the crew then I suppose I can make this leap of faith. Let me send up a raven though to see how the windseer fares, before we abandon our place here."

"If it is possibly a viable way out then why didn't the Captain use it or mention it in his log?"

"You and I both know the quality of the tutalage Fir'umil recieved from The Grey. Let us hope that Beleg scrys for us."

"Wait!---what foolishness! He may well have just jumped off a cliff or walked in to a random door in the twists to see what was behind it! How could he do that in good judgement and leave us here!?"

"I could send one, but if it is an instant teleport my connection would be severed immediately. If is is more of a portal, then that would work."