P.S. Anyone else attending GenCon?
Only in my drams pal, only in my dreams,... ;P
You have fun there, bring back (digital?) goodies for me! :D
We'll see you when you get back!
-Laters-
Off-topic, I see that today the WotC website added an article about 4E Rituals. There are now several new rituals, of varying levels, to look at and play with! Perhaps this may help in Sant's 4Excursion?
Hey! I just found the "Nualia has purple hair" description!
On p. 22 -- After the fight in the glassworks, Ameiko talked to the mayor and then met with the group for a late-night discussion at the Rusty Dragon. Among other things:
"Nualia was an orphan. Taken in by Tobyn, she had a good home and a good upbringing. But she was different, too. Her eyes were bright purple and her features were not quite human. There were awful rumors about her: that she was a fey creature of some sort abandoned by her parents for looking too human. I did not know her well. Few did. She was very distant."
You have no idea how long that's been bugging me.
On to other issues:
• Slidell seems very excited about the giant in the dream and the giant skull that makes Thistletop. I seem to recall that the group is planning on going to Thistletop at some point. What else do we know about the place and the goblins there? (e.g., Ripnugget)
• Is the whole party supposed to be at the city council meeting? Zieke's example seems to be that it's a dress-up occasion. Salome's best adventurer's outfit was singed by a certain demon...and may not be able to present herself appropriately.
• Has everyone done their independent information-gathering stuff? Does anyone have an idea for how to re-gather the group?
• We still need to settle on loot division.
Hey! I just found the "Nualia has purple hair" description!
On p. 22 -- ,... Her eyes were bright purple and her features were not quite human. There were awful rumors about her: that she was a fey creature of some sort ,..."
You have no idea how long that's been bugging me.
I'm sorry Dreamer, I've been devouring information on D&D for so long, I keep forgetting that other people haven't! I thought that we had (OOC) discussed this already. Meta-gaming,...
I'm pretty sure that she is an Aasimar, which is the descendant of a human and an angel. (Just like a Teifling is descended from a human and a devil).
On to other issues:
• Slidell seems very excited about the giant in the dream and the giant skull that makes Thistletop. I seem to recall that the group is planning on going to Thistletop at some point. What else do we know about the place and the goblins there? (e.g., Ripnugget)
SLidell is just easily entertained, ;) What I didn't bother to type up earlier is, if Thistletop IS the remains of an ancient monument, then it probably is hollowed out with areas inside of it, like the statue of liberty. Otherwise, Sli has no other (useful) info on it.
• Is the whole party supposed to be at the city council meeting? Zieke's example seems to be that it's a dress-up occasion. Salome's best adventurer's outfit was singed by a certain demon...and may not be able to present herself appropriately.
I don't think that anybody but Zieke knows about the meeting yet. I'm sure he'll be by to let us all know soon. I don't think it's actually a dress-up occasion, I think that Z is trying to make a good impression.
• Has everyone done their independent information-gathering stuff? Does anyone have an idea for how to re-gather the group?
Sli still needs the report back on the box. And he still needs to get a positive ID spin on the glasses and goblet. Those can probably be fast-forwarded by another visit to either Gandethus or Quint. Both of whom I plan to see before we go anywhere!
• We still need to settle on loot division.
Yes, yes we do! AND we need to get Salome on the payroll! (I know she is independent, but if she were to ever actually MENTION her lack of funds, I'd bet she would have no problem finding volunteers among her new friends to loan her money.) ;)
Suggestions:-Let's get through the mayor meeting.
-Then let Sli pay a visit to Quint afterwards Re: cup and glasses. (We don't have to RP it if you just want to FF it JSL),
-Take a day (or two) for scroll scribing, 'training', lvl up, etc,
-Sli will meet with Gandethus and get the skinny on our box,
-THEN we can finalize the distribution (I think we pretty much agreed on what we're going to do, we were just waiting on these items to be ID'd to fine-tweak it)
-and LAST, we take our divvied loot, build/buy our items, check our supplies, and go find Nualia!
Does that cover what we need to do? DId I miss anything?
Ehlissa knows about the meeting. Zieke told her.
S'all cool, Just thinking out loud! ;)
I need to update a couple of my PbP character's, including Sli! (I have the adds listed on my char sheet, just haven't DONE it yet!) ;P
Was looking at what spells to add for Sli's update, and noticed that there are a couple of higher lvl versions of Color spray in the Spell Compendium. (Basically low-lvl Prsmatic Sprays) The randomness of the dmg type appeals to Sli's, erratic, nature I think! :) (Or, In his justification, "I don't care WHAT your immunities are, I've got a 7 out of 8 chance of hitting you with something that your NOT immune too!"
I still want to do the 'Sonic Rod' thing, But now I'm thinking about a 'Rainbow Rod' instead/as well! ;) (I REALLY need to prioritize, I spend WAY too much time thinking about these games!) :S
|
I'm around and can add to the Vesh/Mal conversation if Arctaris would like, but Vesh is otherwise ready to meet with the rest of the council.
Sorry so intermittent this weekend, I'm in the unenviable position of having to look for another job (sort of) because the funding for my current job will end in the Spring. My co-workers are not currently looking to jump ship, but hardly any of them are married, let alone parents. It's a shame, because I really like what I do. So, I'm in job limbo which does nothing but add to my stress level and decrease the amount of time I have to engage in a little escapism over in these parts. :(
On the bright side, I still have a job I like for a little while longer! So, I shouldn't complain too vigorously.
Huzzah! I have returned!
After braving the challenges of GenCon, I'm eager to jump back into the game. Looks like I didn't miss much with JSL keeping the game in a holding pattern while Santinj and I were gone.
Going back to Rag's and Dreamer's questions about the meeting...I believe there are actually two meetings. The first one is an open-house town council meeting. That's the one Zieke is going to attend for the first time...and play dress-up while he's at it. The second meeting will be with the Mayor and the Sheriff...to which we're all cordially invited (if not required) to attend. Zieke informed Ehlissa about that meeting, but didn't advertise the town council meeting.
Regarding Sli's next spell selection...I think the low-level prismatic spray sounds right up the wizard's alley. Chaotic, random, but usually quite effective. ;-)
My two-cents,
--Neil
Is it just me, or did we somehow get stuck? Is it just real-life busy-ness, or is something supposed to happen that I don't know about? I would really like to finish re-upping and would like another "what do we know?" session, particularly about what we know and still need to find out about Nualia and Thistletop before venturing that way.
Catalyst, anyone?
I really don't think we need anymore than what we have.
Oh, did I mention that in real-life play, I'm the instigator of the group? :D
Is it just me, or did we somehow get stuck? Is it just real-life busy-ness, or is something supposed to happen that I don't know about?....Catalyst, anyone?
I think we're in a bit of a holding pattern waiting on JSL's response unless Santinj wants to add something to our report for the Sheriff. Anyone heard from JSL lately? He hasn't replied in the 4e game yet either. I assume that's real-life busy-ness?
I've got a bit of that coming up as well. I've had an article query accepted by Kobold Quarterly that I'll be working on over the next month. Nothing too time-consuming, I hope. But it does come in the midst of a family vacation to the beach August 27th thru September 1st...and three major contract negotiations I'm tackling at work over the next several weeks. So...um...yeah. Real-life busy-ness for me, too. ;-D
--Neil
Anyone heard from JSL lately?
Don't look at me!
Just kidding. Work has kept him really busy all summer with major projects and major disasters (like an underling whose major goal in life is apparently to turn every building project into the Winchester Mystery House. Upside-down stairs, anyone?), plus he has had to bring a lot of work home and I've been relying on him to take on more of the load at home because I've been working more and have less energy as the pregnancy progresses.
I noticed the slowdown, but also PRE-sumed, (I never A$$-U-Me anymore!) that it was just real life slowdown. I hear that some people have real lives. I'd like to try that some day,... just to see what it's like. ;)
On that note, I just got the word that I SHOULD be able to close on my house next tues. SO, I will be VERY busy trying to get moved out before the end of the month! AND having a daughter's Bday party on Sat the 30. So I'll probably be a week or more without (home) Phone, INternet or TV while I get the service switched over. I might be able to catch up here at work, but I will be busy moving, and I have to do actual work sometime! ;)
Yeah, wish me luck, I'll need it! ;P
Also, didn't Sant~ say he was going to be incommunicado until next Mon or Tues?
Laters,
Also, didn't Sant~ say he was going to be incommunicado until next Mon or Tues?
Yep. So no commentary expected from Vesh anytime soon...or anything other than witty banter among the barflies in the 4e game for now.
Love Zieke's last post - full marks. It made me laugh a lot. :D Just love the image of him getting angry and confused, and then struggling with his new clothes. Nice one.
JSL - Thanks for getting us un-stuck. Looks like it's time to finish leveling-up and gearing-up.
Who's our treasurer/accountant/economist?
Love Zieke's last post - full marks. It made me laugh a lot. :D Just love the image of him getting angry and confused, and then struggling with his new clothes. Nice one.
Much obliged. It just seemed like a natural direction to go when he failed that last check and got the news his services were no longer needed. ;-D
And kudos to you for seizing the moment to bring back the Zieke-Ehlissa interaction. Quite well-timed on that, too...
Who's our treasurer/accountant/economist?
I believe that would be Santinj/Vesh.
...it is time for the party to get moving - even if all loose ends in town are not tied up yet. The box and the cup may just have to wait until you get back from Thistletop. They aren't that important, anyway....So you have cash and can sell unneeded gear. Then take a day or two to reload before moving on.
Will that give us time to effect any of the weapon upgrades or transitioning of powers from the kukri to Salome's scimitar, etc.? Personally, I think that could prove quite handy when we venture into Thistletop.
I think that 2 days is enough time to get everything done, as long as Sli doesn't have to handle all the magic stuff alone!
He can spend 1 day scribing scrolls, and another day crafting a wand.(I know it doesn't take more, maybe less?) I don't know who else in town can handle the magical transfer of weapons energies though. (Fortunately I believe we discovered that Mal can use the Kukri as is, so that's one down!)
Unless, JSL never got around to Explaining how we can each spend our craft points 'in game'. It's entirely possible that Salome can handle the transfer of Kukri enchantment to Scimitar through prayer and meditation, or that Zieke could do it through familiarization with both weapons, investing his own time and energy into 'creating' his weapon.
Either way, I figure that JSl will allow us to get done what we need in two days, unless we start getting crazy on him!
FYI- I am closing on a house next Tuesday. SO, between that, and having to move out of (and clean) the apartment in 5 days, (AND have a daughters B-day party!) on top of all the usual interruptions that moving brings to web-based communication, I may not be my usual chatty self next week.
I will have access to a PC at work, but I need to actually DO work sometime, and I plan on not being at work much next week because I'll be moving! :) Kind of a catch-22 thing,...
So, just letting you all know. I'll be back to my usual over-wordy self ASAP.
Thx for understanding,...
And not to pile on or anything, but I've got a family beach trip scheduled Wednesday through Sunday next week. We're headed down to a beach house on the coast of NC. So it's unlikely I'm going to have internet access, as I'm not taking a laptop or anything. Let's get as much done as we can between now and then and hopefully I won't miss too much while I'm gone.
It has actually been nice for me that things have been slow in Paizoland the last week or two. Work has been INTENSE for the past couple of weeks and I haven't had a lot of extra energy for creative writing. I'll try and keep up better this week, and maybe we can assume regular pace by the second week of September?
See in character post for Sli's thoughts.
We can continue it here if you wish.
Hmmm,... how BEST to approach Hannah? Because Sli favors the direct approach. I think if Sli went to Hannah's house, the conversation would probably go something like this,...
Slidell: (Knock Knock)
Hannah: Who is it?
Slidell: It's Slidell, I wanted to thank you for your healing salve, it worked like magic!
Hannah: (Opens door, probably 60-90 seconds of pleasant chatter before:)
Slidell: By the way, did Nualia come to see you before the church fire for any reason?
Hannah: (Slam door in face)
Slidell: Because she wasn't killed in the fire, she's apparently alive and well, and seems to be behind the recent goblin attacks on Sandpoint,...
AND, it probably goes downhill from there! ;P
AND, it probably goes downhill from there! ;P
Whereupon Zieke would likely kick down the door (hey, he's not on the Sandpoint payroll anymore!) and say something like, "Woman! You will tell us what the hell you know about Nualia! NOW!" Followed by an Intimidate check.
Because, yeah...you know...that's how Zieke rolls. ;-)
--Neil
P.S. See my in-game OOC comments. I just want to make sure we know who's where. Because up to this point, I thought Zieke and Salome had walked off alone as he returned to the garrison to collect his things.
Ah, I had thought that we had just walked outside, I don't see why we can't say that that the conversation happened afterwords, at dinner at the Rusty Dragon!
And yes, that would be just a little more forward than Sli's way,... ;)
As I have time today, I'm going through past posts -- especially JSL's -- copy-pasting and/or summarizing clues to see if we can put all this together. I love that Slidell puts things together so enthusiastically, but I also find myself asking, "Did that really happen, or is that just how I remember it?" (Purple vs. blonde hair, for example.) After all, many of these clues were given 6-10 months ago. Since a lot of this stuff (Father Tobyn's missing bones, etc.) happened before Salome joined the group, and moreso before Zieke joined, for my own thought process, I need to be able to figure out who knows what, and reference where that information came from.
This could take a while. I'm only to p. 10.
I applaud your detective-like approach (Not to mention motivation!) to finding/copying/pasting all the clues together!
And yes, I would like to also know if it really happened that way, or is that how I remember it after 6-10 months!?!
Make no mistake, I have deliberately allowed Sli to make some Erroneous (at least slightly) judgments, based on the fact that I KNEW he couldn't possibly have all the clues! ;P
But I also have, like with this last whirlwind of feudal detectionism, presumed that after a few days game time (6-10 months real time) that in traveling, exploring, over mealtimes, etc. we all would have ended up sharing what we knew with each other during casual conversations, in between IC chat sessions on the game thread. I do this to help us NOT drag it our any longer than we have to!
I love the IC interactions. But I also have a goal (set by myself, and not holding anyone else to it!) That if we finish this module (barely identifiable though it may be after all of JSL's~ excellent modifications!) by the time we have been playing a year,... Well, I would celebrate! :)
Let us know what you find! There may be some little thing that we've completely forgotten about that may send us off in a new direction too!
I would greatly appreciate a consolidated list of clues, because although we've been going with the idea that Zieke was brought up to speed by everyone, I still don't know what "speed" that represents. I keep trying to play Zieke so he's "in the know" now about what you learned before his arrival. And yet, I still screwed up the whole assumption that you captured Tsuto. :-(
--Neil
In my work, I've found that it can be dangerous to assume what other people know, and to assume that everyone sees and remembers things the same way. This is probably review for people who have better memories than me, but here's what was given through p. 14 (Salome becomes part of the party and our heroes rescue the kidnapped Ameiko):
Father Zantus:
• "Servant of Desna" -- p. 6
• Holy symbol = silver butterfly -- p. 6
• "Clearly distracted by something" while trying to talk to sheriff at cathedral after goblin attack; Hannah present. (Ehlissa & Corran) -- p. 8
Father Tobyn:
• Grave digged up during goblin attack (discovered by Tevim the acolyte) (Ehlissa) -- p. 8; (Vesh) -- p. 9
• Death recorded as 1 month after Chopper's death. (Slidell) -- p. 9
• Was about 50 years old when he died (Slidell) -- p. 10
• Single grave, two names (Slidell) -- p. 10
Hannah:
• "Beautfiul, half-elvish woman" (Ehlissa & Corran) -- p. 8
• Healed those wounded by the goblin at the cathedral (Ehlissa & Corran) -- p. 8
• Hannah's cottage + "Sandpoint Convalescent Home," paid for by Scarnetti family -- p. 11
• Not one particular diety -- Desna and Sarenrae represented in parlor decor -- p. 11
• "Aloof" from post-gravesite conversation in her parlor -- p. 11
• Performed Father Tobyn's last rites -- p. 11 (Does this mean that she buried him?)
• Tells group Father Tobyn survived the fire, died of smoke inhalation within the hour -- p. 11
• Hannah's story: Nualia died in the fire. "There was nothing left of her but bone and ashes. The fire must have started in her room." That's why there's only one body. Then changes subject and dismisses group. -- p. 11 (No one rolled Sense Motive CORRECTION: Malcolm was the only one who rolled, and he failed)
• Salome and Ehlissa conversed with Hannah at the cathedral when Ehlissa was sick (narration, not dialogue)-- p. 14
Nualia:
• Death recorded as 1 month after Chopper's death. (Slidell) -- p. 9
• No parents listed on Town Hall records -- p. 9
• No birthyear on tomb stone (Slidell) -- p. 10
• Sheriff confirms only one body buried -- p. 12
• Nualia was unusual (Sheriff) -- p. 12
Tsuto: Remember, he's still at large.
• Ameiko's brother, 1/2E (Slidell) -- p. 9; 3-4 years younger than Ameiko; looks elvish (Malcolm) -- p. 13
Goblin conspiracy:
• Ripnugget planned goblin attack (Ehlissa) -- p. 8
• Lonjiku was missing for a couple of days: missed the Festival and missed the council meeting that hired the "heroes" -- p. 11
• Shalelu: Never in 45 years have goblins been organized -- p. 12
• All 5 regional tribes were involved in the attack (Shalelu to Slidell) -- p. 12: Birdcrunchers (small, isolated group) , Seven Tooth (small, isolated group), Mosswoods (junkyard), Licktoads (most numerous, fat and unambitious), and Thistletops (not as numerous, best territory) (Shalelu) -- p. 12
• Thistleop = "a small rocky island an arrowshot off the coast north of here." (Shalelu) -- p. 12
• Something bigger and badder behind attack (Shalelu) -- p. 12
Other clues:
Brodert Quink: Old Light ruin was once a war machine -- p. 8
Brodert Quink: Strange symbols (Thassilonian?) carved in the wall of a sea cave not far from the harbor -- p. 8
Town guard: Goblins attacked from north and south simultaneously; northern gate was sabotaged so it didn't lock properly. -- p. 9
Town Hall records: Much info about Chopper was blotted out, out of deference to families of slain. (Slidell) -- p. 9
Town Hall records: Ameiko's mother died 1 month before Chopper's rampage (Slidell) -- p. 9
Foxglove: Servant whispers, "It is past time, my Lord, the Lady awaits thee." -- p. 9
Graveyard: Broken dogslicer in overturned dirt from digged-up grave (Vesh) -- p. 10
Graveyard: Acolyte watches Vesh investigating desecrated grave; retreats when Vesh looks at him -- p. 10
Graveyard: Ladder propped up against wall (Malcolm) -- p. 10... and another ladder on the other side of the wall (KGW) -- p. 10; Kaitjitsu Glass Works -- p. 14
Graveyard: Acolyte (Fillan) alerts Zantus to group's investigation (V,C,E) -- p. 10
Graveyard: Broken pieces of casket lid (DC20 search) -- p. 11
Graveyard: Goblin trail leading 20 yds. into the woods (DC 16 track) -- p. 10
Disagreements between mayor and sheriff? -- p. 12
Awesome - I don't remember Ehlissa being privy to so many clues!
Awesome - I don't remember Ehlissa being privy to so many clues!
I'll admit, one or two were spoilered and no one hit the DC. The other thing is what stands out and how an action is interpreted at the time vs. n retropect. For example, I was skimming and found myself increasingly suspicious of the acolytes following Zantus around (there were two named at the beginning). Did one of them leave the gate unlocked, or provide access to the graveyard? At the time, they were interpreted as being nervous or distraught.
Wow. Impressive list. You don't realize what all you have accumulated until you see it all laid out!
Hm,... nice work on the acolytes. Even if it is only a red herring, it is cool and I can't believe I didn't pick up on that! (Don't tell Slidell! He's got enough conspiracy theories on his plate right now!) ;)
NIce work Dreamer, Thx!
I'll be busy working tomorrow and I don't know if/when I'll have a chance to post. For those following along, here are the clues for pgs. 15-22:
Father Zantus:
• Examining sketch of Nualia: "If these marks mean what I think they do," he points to some rough marks on the girl's belly (you are not sure if they are meant to be scars or are simply ink smudges), "our Nualia may have gotten deeper into something than she intended. Yes this is indeed ill news. That mark may be the sign of Lamashtu - the brood mother of every hateful and vile thing that stalks the dark places of the world." (Vesh) -- p. 21
Father Tobyn:
• Nothing new
Hannah:
• Nothing new
Nualia:
• Presumably, Nualia is the pretty lady in the sketches Tsuto was carrying, scantily clad and one arm replaced with a claw. -- p. 21
• Ameiko's reaction to Vesh saying the sketches are of Nualia: "Surely you are mistaken, Vesh, she's been dead five years! Killed with Father Tobyn in the church fire. I remember that day. Hannah said there was nothing left of her... Oh my..." -- p. 21
• Ameiko: "Nualia was an orphan. Taken in by Tobyn, she had a good home and a good upbringing. But she was different, too. Her eyes were bright purple and her features were not quite human. There were awful rumors about her: that she was a fey creature of some sort abandoned by her parents for looking too human. I did not know her well. Few did. She was very distant." -- p. 22 (Slidell speculates she was an Assimar/angel descendant -- p. 22)
Tsuto:
• Bethana: Tsuto is [Ameiko's] younger brother. He left town the year before her mother died. He was a disgrace to the family - he is a half-elf. (Vesh) -- p . 14
• Bethana: The Kaijuitsus are wealthy and have enemies. (Vesh) -- p. 14
• Bethana: Tsuto and his father were always feuding. The father did not want Tsuto to inherit the glassworks. (Vesh) -- p. 14
• Bethana: Mother died under mysterious circumstances. (Vesh) -- p. 14
• Bethana: There are older sons in the family still living in Magnimar. Ameiko and her father were estranged. (Vesh) -- p. 14
• When our heroes discovered Tsuto in the glass works, he was stuffing papers and items into a canvas bag. -- p. 15
• Shoots arrows; retreats from far exit of glass works while heroes are fighting goblns -- p. 16; apparently goes down the trapdoor to the tunnels below -- p. 17
• In the tunnels below the glass works is heard scraping noises and, "Come on you harlot. Or I'll gut you here and now!" (No one succeeds Perception check) -- p. 17
• Veran scouts and sees Ameiko bound and Tsuto "half-carrying, half-dragging a large lumpy thing." Tsuto draws his sword; Ameiko is struck down. (Slidell) -- p. 17 But by the time the party gets there (to fight the first wrathspawn), Tsuto is gone. -- p. 17 He dropped masterwork shortsword -- p. 18
• Canvas bag contains: crystal and glass (rewards), papers written in Minkai, and diagrams of Sandpoint and sketches of a young woman. -- p. 18
• Papers include: roster of workers, Lonjiku's ledger, "three sketches of Sandpoint, all with the Cathedral, graveyard, and glassworks noted. They differ only in some of the notation. Finally, there are two or three sketches of a young woman with a pretty face and shapely body. She is scantily clad in all but one picture. In that one, she is wearing heavy armor and carries a wicked looking sword. Most notable, however, is that the flesh of her left arm, beginning at her shoulder, is twisted and warped ending in a clawed hand." -- p. 21
• The letter Tsuto had Vesh deliver to Ameiko says, 'she has come to collect her father as payment' and warns that the city will burn. -- p. 21
• Tsuto and Ameiko used to play in the tunnels under the glassworks together. Tells group about cliffside entrance. -- p. 22 Offers to draw a map; simple tunnel, part of it bricked off (Ameiko never entered that part) -- p. 22
• Tsuto's birth was scandalous; he was never accepted in Sandpoint (picked on by children and adults) and had "poor taste in friends" (Ameiko) -- p. 22
Goblin conspiracy:
• Someone took the time to encase Lonjiku Kaijuitsu in glass. Alive. -- p. 15
• Goblins were ransacking and burning everything they could at the glass works -- p. 15
• Goblins talk like the crocs in Pearls Before Swine :) -- p. 16
• Goblins tell Ehlissa: (1) "mean lady," half-elf, and Ripnugget gave them orders to burn down the town and destroy the glassworks; (2) pretty "mean lady" has a claw on her arm; (3) Ripnugget is Thistletop chief -- their chief; (4) "Thistletop to north of longshank-town. It on island! Thistletop island! Through Nettlewood! Careful or you get nettle in your Ow!" (Ehlissa) -- p. 18
• Ehlissa takes goblins to garrison; Horatio isn't there -- p. 18
Alzanist/Runelords/Quasit:
• Wrathspawn created by Alzanist (Slidell's encyclopedia entry) -- p. 21
Other clues:
Naelah witnessed Tsuto kidnapping Ameiko, but was stopped by a town guard. When she pressed, she was knocked out -- unconscious until rescued. (Naelah spoiler) -- p. 17
Ameiko: Called to serve on city council in place of her father; Scarnettis run town -- p. 22
• The letter Tsuto had Vesh deliver to Ameiko says, 'she has come to collect her father as payment' and warns that the city will burn. -- p. 21
This one seems significant to me. Assuming the "she" is Nualia and "her father" is Father Tobyn, that would mean that Nualia collected her father's bones as "payment" to someone or something and for some purpose. What? We don't know.
But, if we string together the clues provided in our encounter with the quasit, we know that the demon believed Lamashtu sent her a "daughter"...presumably Nualia. And, we also know that the quasit expected her to somehow unleash a more terrifying "child of Lamashtu"...so perhaps that's how Nualia intends to use Father Tobyn's body as "payment?"
Stuff to consider, at least...and maybe it will make more sense as Dreamer completes the clue-scavenging from the remaining pages.
My two-cents before heading to the beach,
--Neil
AGain, Great work Dreamer!
But, let us not forget Vesh's mystery, haunting us in the background this whole time!
No time to look up page numbers, but,...
-Vesh sees someone following him when he first arrives, seems to be wearing an outfit similar to the Sandpoint Guards.
-The person (as described by Vesh) Is spotted by those who make a Per check (including Sli/Veran) at the festival.
-Did Vesh think that Horatio looked 'familiar' when we first met him?
- When we are 'asked' to go to the guard station by the Sergeant, we cool our heels for quite some time before finally being told that Horatio isn't there, no one knows where he is, or when he is coming back, please sign these statements and go,... (This was when we figured out the initials on the broken ladder meant Kaijisto Glass Works)
-On our way into the glassworks, we are almost run over by a crazily driven carriage, (Remember "Haste-Spell Hurry"?) I don't remember if those who made the Per checks mentioned it, (Malcolm?) but the driver was dressed similar to a town guard, and had a mustache. Horatio?!?
-NO further encounters since then that I can recall. We have been busy fighting in the Tunnels, and then returning to defeat the quasit.
Now, all of these clues may NOT be related, and/or some of them may only be red herrings,... but Once we 'slow down' (Yeah right! See Sant's thread for all that we've done in a week of game time!!) Sli will definitely be jumping to some conclusions! ;)
Seriously, I think that the clues are pointing towards Horatio as being involved in 'shadowing' Vesh. (DOn't know why) And that he is up to something sneaky while the sheriff is out of town. (Don't know what!)
Theory off the top of my head?
-Horatio is following/watching Vesh because he was asked to by the same people Vesh just 'left'. Meaning Horatio is involved with the criminal element, and is/was using his time in charge while the sheriff was out to get something accomplished. Smuggling maybe?
just something else to think about!
CLosing on the house today, probably won't see everyone (Much) for a day or so,
Laters!
@Slidell -
Unless Ameiko was knocked out by Horatio or there is some clear connection between Horatio and Tsuto, I'm not going to follow the "who is Horatio?" thread in my list of clues. I don't think he is directly related to the Nualia mystery. But if anyone else wants to comb old posts for that information, be my guest.
P.S. Good luck with the house-closing.
Just checking in at work this morning.
Will check in as often as possible, but don't expect any more 'Sli Revelations' this week! ;)
Dreamer~
No, I don't think (yet) that Horatio has any connection to the main plot at all, except possibly as an opportunistic low-lvl criminal wannabe. I suspect he is involved in Vesh's background somehow. You've done a wonderful job! I will be happy to be the one to go and comb for clues involving Vesh's shadow/Horatio next week.
I now own a house,... YAY!
WIfe not happy at new job,... BOO! (Not to mention bad timing!)
For those of you so inclined, a few extra prayers her way would not go unappreciated!
Thx,
Laters~
Clues, pages 23-37, in which our intrepid heroes explore the tunnels beneath the glassworks, meet Alzanist the Runelord of Wrath, are joined by Zieke Halveran, fight zombies and a mutant goblin, and follow a quasit through a shrine to Lamashtu, eventually leading them to the runewell and a series of mishaps there. The quasit turns invisible, and the heavily-wounded party retreats.
Tsuto:
• Ameiko gives Vesh a signet ring to open the trap door (Tsuto probably has one too?) -- p. 23
Alzanist/Runelords/Ancient Thassilonia:
• Alzanist wall description: "The passage is blocked by a large, impossibly bright metal plate. Embossed on the plate is the visage of a stern, angular woman. Her eyes are wide, her hair is wild, and her lips are turned in a disdainful sneer. Above her face is an angular symbol: the left half like a slanted distorted "S" and the right half a mirror image of the left. This symbol is repeated in a rotated fashion on each side and below the face." -- p. 24
• Thassilonian runes: "...O Bakrakhan ... shalt thou rise ... O Alzanist ... shalt thou rule ... ere the mighty of Xin ... the mighty of Shalast ... before thee ... in flames ..." (Slidell) -- p. 24
• Panel seems to move when magic is cast on it. -- p. 25
• Panel exudes an electrifying energy -- p. 25
• Each of the Runelords' seven runes represented ancient Thassilonian virtues that were corrupted into vices and correspond with seven schools of magic. Each Runelord has his/her speciality, and a lot of power within that realm. -- p. 25
• Alazanist's door is opened by evocation, which took embarrassingly long for our group to puzzle out. -- p. 25-26
• Mithral statues of Alzanist: one holds an open book and stands pefectly straight, glaring across the passage. The other wields a black-tipped spear with a cresant-shaped cross piece cut to resemble twin arcs of flame. Slidell makes a rubbing of the statue-book's open pages (= Burning Hands spell) -- p. 33
• Initial description of runewell room: The platform is a raised well of white and grey marble frothing with orangish liquid. Designs on the sides of the well feature the rune of Wrath in recurring patterns. The pillars rise from the floor like seven fingers equally spaced around the well. They are also formed of white marble. But rather than smooth edges, they are angular and sharp-looking. We later learn that blood/living sacrifice activates it, causing the liquid to bubble and form a wrathspawn. Each time it is activated, it loses energy. You don't want to swim in there. Or light it on fire. Especially if you're swimming in there. :)
Lamashtu/Quasit:
• On the inky black stones: A symbol of Lamashtu: a triangle with three dots - two arranged near one pair of vertices and the other between them and slightly farther from the included leg. -- p. 27
• Lamashtu is depicted in her Yethazmari aspect as great jackal with smoke emanating from three sightless eyes, bat wings, snake tail. -- p. 27
• Cults of Lamashtu often utilze a profane substance called the Milk of Lamashtu. It is a thick, dark colored liquid that acts as a drug and as a poison. Consumption can imbue followers with divine strength - or warp them horribly into monstrous mutations. -- p. 27
• Quasit described as: a grotesque demon-child with horned head, leathery bat wings, and emaciated limbs and claws -- p. 31
• See Milk of Lamashtu-warped goblin up close -- p. 31
• Initial description of Lamashtu shrine: The walls and floor of this room are black. In its center stands a shadowy figure on a raised dias - an obsidian statue of a pregnant woman with a leering jackal's head wielding two curved blades. Her three eyes glow with a greenish light. The lantern light shimmers on the smooth surface of the statue and the dias. A collection of skulls and black stones lies haphazardly around the base of the statue. -- p. 32 You notice almost immediately that the top of the dias is indented like a bowl and is overflowing with thin, dark liquid trickling from the statue above. -- p. 33
• Quastis are among the lowest of the demons and often serve powerful mortals, e.g., as wizards' familiars. (Slidell, Salome) -- p. 33
• Basin room: The basin room is circular and barely large enough for the six of you to crowd in around the basin itself. You see that it is a bowl with a wide flat rim made of black colored stone set on a low platform with a single step. The bowl is not quite centered, leaving room for a single person to stand or kneel on one side of it. It is empty. Reliefs of monster-headed humanoids are carved on the outer face of the bowl. Most have heads like dogs or jackals, but there are some others as well. The males are typically armed with barbed spears or swords and are depicted in the acts of fighting and dying. Females seem to look skyward, arms outstretched, though some are also participating in the melee. Some of the figures are covered with rivulets of dried wax - perhaps from candles placed on the rim of the bowl. -- p. 34
• Jackal head on exit of shrine. -- p. 34
• Quasit's greatest hits:
"I am queen of this shrine and favored of the Beast-shaper. You have defiled my abode with your mortal stench and destroyed my servants. Yet you ask of me to bargain?!?" -- p. 34
"I am free to do as I please with my servants. As to my reward, I am well favored of the Mother - for she has sent me a daughter to serve me and do my bidding." -- p. 35
"You cannot offer me the thing which I already have and which you do not! I can leave as I may - it is you who cannot Child of the Dawn!" -- p. 36
"The bird-thing is mine, skinny manling. You are weak and could not keep it! Now I have it and you cannot take it! But you are *free* to try... Come skinny manling! Come little girl! Come get your birdie!" -- p. 36
"She [the daughter-servant] has gone forth to free the spawn of Yethazmari - a champion to our cause - from imprisonment in the realm of my former Master's rival. Oh, don't be sad, precious one. There is enough yet here for you! -- [/ 36
"Thought you were done with me, did you! Don't despair - we will have penty of time to grow acquainted!" -- p. 36
"Such puny weapons you mortals have. Come children! Your priestess dies! Come suckle at Lamashtu's teat and learn of true power. Become her sons and daughters!" -- p. 37
"Taste the pleasures of my mistress, mortal! Drink of the goddess, whelp!" -- p. 37
"Unlike my puppets here, Lamashtu's embrace is slow. Mark me, you will soon wish yourself dead. Maybe you still have a chance while the pool yet functions!" -- p. 37
"A wizard, are you! More like a lucky fool! Your luck has run out!" -- p. 37
"Noooooooooo! Master's runewell! she shrieks. Run and hide! Run and hide! There's no escape from death! " -- p. 37
Other clues:
Funeral: Titus Scarnetti and Banny Harker (Katrine's fiancé) are pretty tight and are talking through Lonjiku's funeral, looking at ledgers. -- p. 23
Caves: The Alzanist passageway is "wider and deeper than any structure you have seen - much less under ground." -- p. 24 Runewell room is similarly massive. -- p. 34ish
Cathedral, after first quasit encounter: Fillian, Zantus' acolyte is clearly nervous as he bandages Malcolm. -- p. 37
This made me think: what's the favourite thing/most memorable thing that other PCs have said in the game so far? It can be funny, heroic, silly, noble etc
All done! Now I just have to figure out what Salome would say to Hannah... Clues p. 38-49
Father Tobyn:
• Provided sanctuary for Naffer Vosk: He holds out a chain with the Dawnflower dangling at the end. "Father Tobyn gave this to me. He was good man." -- p. 38
• Naffer pulled Tobyn out of the fire, "black and burned, coughing blood. I tended to him there, tried to heal him as he had healed me, but it was not enough. He was too far gone. I had failed him." -- p. 38
• Tobyn left the holy symbol, a prayer book "and some other things that I didn't understand at the time." This led to Naffer's conversion to Sarenrae. -- p. 38
Hannah:
• Heals Slidell's burns at the the cathedral -- p. 38
• After Hannah recognizes Slidell: "Ah, yes. I remember now. You and your friends came to ask me about the fire at the old chapel. After you left, I talked to Father Zantus. He was concerned that you were morbidly obsessed with the fire - and with Nualia... Now here you are burned to a crisp - just like she was. Fancy that. Well, we're all done here. You should feel better in a couple of hours." -- p. 38
• Slidell tries to explain himself; Hannah tries to end the conversation: "Monsters?!? Really. In Sandpoint? Well, I'll leave you to that. I, um I have other patients to attend to." Even to your pain-ravaged mind, it is apparent that Hannah wants no part of this conversation. She is out of the room before you can finish the sentence. -- p. 38
• Vesh notices Katrine leaving Hannah's cottage as he enters; suspects an abortion. -- p. 48
• Hannah offers Vesh tea: "Please come in. Are you ill? ...Wait. Have we met?"
You can't help but notice that her eyes are a little glazed and sweat glistens on her forehead. -- p. 48
• When Vesh mentions Lamashtu: "It has been a long time since I heard mention of that foul name." Her brow furrows, but only momentarily. Quickly her features soften and she pulls her chair closer to you. In a low voice, gentle and almost a little scretive, she implores you, "Tell me everything, Vesh. I cannot help you unless I know all the details." -- p. 48
• Dissatisfied with Vesh's lack of detail, Hannah ushers him out the door of the cottage.
"But tell me, Hannah, where else have you heard the name of Lamashtu?"
In a low voice, she responds as she takes your cup and ushers you out. "From my mother, who heard them from her mother. Old wives tales passed from generation to generation tell of the foul Corruptor and the malformed beasts she brings forth into the world. But I had never believed them."
She pauses again, taking a deep breath.
"Now go. Go to your meeting with the Mayor."
With that, she gently, but firmly pushes you out the door.
• During the meeting with the mayor and the recently-returned sheriff (Zieke and Salome): "As you wrap up the summary with your suspicions about Nualia, the Mayor and Sheriff exchange another worried glance, but hold their peace... In the brief instant their eyes lock, the Mayor mouths "Hannah" and the Sheriff nods slightly." p. 49
Nualia:
• Zieke mentions Nualia to the mayor: "Nualia." She stops short and her expression becomes very serious, betraying a hint of worry. "That is a name I have not heard in some five years. You - they - think she is somehow behind this? How is that possible? Hannah was sure she had died in the fire." -- p. 47
• Naffer's description of Nualia: "Father Tobyn's daughter, aye. A strange one she was: pale skin, bright purple hair and golden eyes. Very beautiful. Elf, maybe? Not human, anyhow. Always had a kind word for me and never passed a beggar without givin' some coin...But I don't think she was happy. Always with the Father, always studying; nose to the books, as they say. He had great dreams for her, great expectations. But I don't think she shared them. Told me once she couldn't wait to get outta Sandpoint; to see the world. Pity she never did." -- p. 48
Alzanist/Runelords/Ancient Thassilonia:
• Wrathspawn are not born of the flesh, but are created. Through profane rituals involving an artifact known as a Runewell, the anger-filled souls of those who die violently are harvested and congealed. It is from this amalgamation of hatred and bitterness that the Wrathspawn arise. (Slidell's encyclopedia) -- p. 39
• Brodert Quink maps out the realms of the Runelords (Slidell):
"There were seven Runelords, each associated with a different "virtue" of Thassilonian rule. Although, they were all corrupt, so they were really associated with the sins of Thassilonian misrule. But never mind that. The Runes are where they got their power. Xin of the Azlanti was the first master of the Runes. With them, he built a great and powerful society, which he bequeathed to his seven protegee."
Brodert produces another map, this one showing the lands beyond Varisia, on which he has delimited seven regions spanning from a point in the Varisian gulf to the heights of the Storval Plateau.
"Of course, these borders no doubt changed frequently due to constant warfare, but you get the idea. Now here's something most folks just can't comprehend. That old lighthouse at the north end of town. It wasn't really a lighthouse. It was some kind of weapon constructed by Alzanist herself. I'm sure of it. I just haven't been able to piece together all of the puzzle yet, but I will. Sooner or later, I will."
He stares briefly into space for several moments before remembering your presence.
"Ah, yes. As I was saying, the Runelords built fantastic monuments to themselves. Some of the sages say that they enslaved races of great giants, taller than castles and strong as the mountains, to build their monuments. The Irespan in Magnimar, the Old Light, and so on. There are even some who say that old goblin infested rock up north - you know, the one they call Thistletop - looks like a giant skull or something. Who knows, maybe it dates back to ancient Thassilon, too. Of course, you'd have to get hip deep in goblin stink to find out!"
• According to Brodert: First rune master was Xin of the Azlanti; 7 runes, 7 runelords, 7 virtues, 7 vices, etc. -- p. 40
• Runelords had monuments built by enslaved giants; Thistletop island looks like a giant skull. -- p. 40
• Near Lamashtu shrine, Veran finds skull with 7-pointed star engraved in the crown. -- p. 41
• The party finds the wrathspawn corpses piled in the runewell; each has a 7-pointed star carved into the head or chest. (It appears the quasit was trying to reactivate the runewell.) -- p. 44
• Seven pillars stand around the runewell. "Looking closer, you see that each is marked with Alzanist's rune. The pillar opposite the balcony has the rune featured most prominantly. The markings on the other six are a little smaller. Below each of these runes is another, smaller rune. While similar, each smaller rune is different." -- p. 44
Lamashtu/Quasit:
• Father Zantus tells Vesh about quasits: "Though the 'quasit', as you call it, may seem alive and seem to be a living creature, it no more breathes or eats than this stool I'm sitting on. It is an immortal being and knows only hatred - and jealousy - for the quick; for those who enjoy life and live fully...Vesh, remember one thing when you face the 'quasit'. It is immortal, but it is not free. True it does not eat or drink or age. However, it cannot grow or change or even enjoy its existence. It is a creature of pure hatred and jealousy imprisoned in a frail vessel and driven to the pursuit of that which it cannot ever obtain. Find what it desires and use that against it. Let its own hate and envy be the key to its downfall." -- p. 38
• Father Zantus tells Vesh and Salome about Lamashtu:
• Mutated goblin guts kill rat. -- p. 40
• Lamashtu shrine with its potent Milk causes hallucinations and compulsions. Worse effects if the MofL is consumed. -- p. 40
• Shrine overflowed with MofL because there is no drain to the basin and the mutant goblin is no longer drinking it. -- p. 40
• More of about Milk of Lamashtu (Salome): The fact that the Milk has been allowed to accumulate and is continuing to accumulate will (over time) cause the aura of Evil in this place to grow. Within a few years, it will be so strong as to seep beyond the boundaries of the cavern complex and into Sandpoint, where it will act as a lure, drawing unsuspecting citizens in pursuit of its source. If it continues to remain undisturbed, the lure will eventually extend across the boundaries of the planes, drawing creatures loyal to Lamashtu to this site. In order to stop it, the shine needs to be destroyed and the ground purified. -- p. 40
• Our heroes discover the quasit in a study/bedroom reading a book, wearing glasses, and wielding a rod of fire that seems to increase in intensity with each use. -- p. 42 (Thassilonian evocation -- p. 43) She leaves behind a golden tassel -- p. 43 (gold shield; abjuration; shield 1x/day, good for familiars) -- p. 43
• Quasit's greatest hits, part 2:
"What's this? You seek to slay me with parlor tricks, mageling?" (She's magically resistant!) -- p. 42
To Vesh: "I see you have partaken of the Mother's Milk, boy. Come and revel in Her power, boy. It will avail you more than the piddling 'magic' you have learned from your apprentice friend." -- p. 42
To Veran: "Oh, birdie! So nice to hear your voice...my master took care to protect me. Let's see if yours can do the same." -- p. 42
• Study is full of books. The one the quasit was reading "is written in a wandering, disorganized, and often downright sloppy hand. The language is Thassilonian, and you struggle to interpret the characters. Nevertheless, you are able to make out that the passage relates to the runewell and something called the "Sihedron Ritual". There is an image of a seven-pointed star on one of the pages." -- p. 43
• On a platform above the runewell room, Vesh discovers the quasit's room, dollhouse furniture, and skull-goblet, and jewelry box. -- p. 44
• Naffer's vision:
"But, still I hit my head hard an' blacked out some. An' that's when it happened. I saw this giant man - so big his head was up above the trees.- He come over an looked at me an' I looked right back at him. Only his eyes ain't right. They're hollow like, like an' empty bowl. An' in one a his eyes I see this creature pacing back an' forth - like a dog in a kennel, it was. Big; biggest dog I ever see. All covered with grey an' white fur. An' it stopped pacing an' looked straight at me. An' its face was this horrible mask; like skin stretched over tight across the the bones. It had three eyes - all bright yellow an' its teeth were big as my hand. An' it looked me in the eye, like it was going ta leep out a that giant's head an' rip me ta pieces."
"An that's when I came to."
• Naffer shows Salome where it happened; the bell most likely to have blinded him was the one representing Sarenrae. -- p. 48
Other clues:
Cathedral, after first quasit encounter: Acolytes do their best not to look at Slidell. -- p. 39
Ameiko to Malcolm, talking about Sandpoint's troubles: "[T]hese are good people... And not much has gone right for them in the last five years. It's not just the late unpleasantness, but infighting in the Town Council, burned down grain mills, suspicions, rumors - it has worn on them." -- p. 39
Ameiko to Malcolm: "Oh, speaking of the Mayor, did you know that she's paying you out of her own pocket," she raises her eyebrow, "Scarnetti blocked the motion to pay you with the town's discretionary funds and the council voted against using the military budget." -- p. 39
Mayor to Zieke: Lonjiku's death has upset the balance of the town council; Titus Scarnetti is moving in. -- p. 47
Mayor's portrait: Brother Wade killed by Chopper; Gaven "has not been the same since"; Casp -- Deverin's fiancé was Chopper's last victim. (Zieke) -- p. 47
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All I have to say is, HOLY CRAP! I know I've been out of commish for a week, but my goodness!
Dreamer: Thank you for compiling clues! Perhaps they should be added to the campaign primer for safe-keeping. I'll do that early next week.
Good RPing everyone. Vesh will most likely put the breaks on confronting Hannah, but I'll have to write a truncated post (i.e. Vesh tells the party about his encounter with Hannah dot, dot, dot).
I'll be back in the swing of posting more soon. Now to catch up on the 4E post...
Oh! And am I write in seeing that Rags has a house? Congrats! Welcome to a whole new level of stress. Sorry about your wife's jobs. Sending prayers, good thoughts, and happy vibes her way (take your pick).
Also, is NSpicer on vacation for a week-and-a-half as of yesterday? Just checking.
I thought it was just an extra-long Labor Day weekend for him.
(Meanwhile, we've been in school for a week already!)
All I have to say is, HOLY CRAP! I know I've been out of commish for a week, but my goodness!,...
Oh! And am I write in seeing that Rags has a house? Congrats! Welcome to a whole new level of stress. Sorry about your wife's jobs. Sending prayers, good thoughts, and happy vibes her way (take your pick).
Yes, I know am the proud owner of a house,... DIrectly in the path of the latest hurricane,... Deja Vu' anyone?
And I'll take a baker's dozen of all three please, thank you!!! ;)
Also, is NSpicer on vacation for a week-and-a-half as of yesterday?
Nope. I'm back as of...well...now! ;-)
--Neil
I knew she was blond, the hussy!
I'm starting to compose a conversation with Hannah in my head. Does anyone have any insights/theories/observations/concerns that I should address? While the "Nualia was pregnant!" angle is interesting, I don't think that Hannah would respond well to being confronted directly with it. Though she might let something slip...
She's so onto us as a bunch of busybodies - Ehlissa managed to get a bit out of her and was convinced she knew more, but Hannah isn't dim. She'll know we're fishing.