The Mayors Dinner. (DM SteveK) Monday May 22nd, 2017 8:24:29 PM
Alleah spends her morning at the Temple, checking in on the refugees', and lends a hand with healing. It has been three days now since the Sword rescued the former prisoners, and all physical wounds are healed. What is more difficult is the psychic scars, and Alleah works alongside Sarabella and Alouryn through the day to do what she can. It does help that Halflings, as a race, are resilient creatures, and with love, food, and comfortable settings, most of the prisoners are well on their way to recovery.
Sky & Meko tag along on a trip to the Catacombs.
Kezzem seems interested in the half-orc. He gives a first sally to buy a beer and 'discuss the slow and inevitable death of all things?' The half-orc turns around and grins a very toothy grin. "If death is slow, Grymash didn't hit him hard enough. Ha! And Grymash will accept your beer and trade you... um... a beer! That gives us each two beers!" It turns out that the half-orc's name is Grymash and talking through the day, Kezzem learns he is a Barbarian/Cleric of Gargul from the fabled Sargrass Plains of the Southern Continent! (he is a loooong way away from home!) The half-orc has a simplistic zest for life and reverence for Gargul. "Grymash visited Gargul many times, yes. And Gargul reminded Grymash that death is only half of what Gargul is interested in death, yes, but also life. So Grymash travel Wold and learn more about good parts of life and good parts of death. Neither one good or bad, but what Grymash does with it. Yes, that is the important part." The half-orc plans to stay in Humbles Ford for the next couple days and so Kezzem can ask him many, many questions!
Lance rises from his ignoble sleeping arrangement, ambles into the tavern, and eats his fill of breakfast. Afterwards, he makes his way over to the temple and makes a brief prayer to every icon and altar they have. The Halfling notices that Ffloy and Flower are the two prominent deities in the Temple, but there are nooks for Alemi, Domi, Panthenon, and Gargul. A little search and (DC Perception DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { Lance is also able to find on the outside of the Temple, an etching devoted to Wardd.}
Murphy thouroughly enjoys his stay with Pressi and his family, and in the morning, invites Pressi to meet Halfred Humble, the oldest Humble in Humble's Ford, but first he must visit the neighbors. The first is Madame LaRue, who insists on sitting down for a 'cuppa' as she listens to Murphy and speaks of the exploits of her five children, Wyaar, Wyaar, Wyaar, Wyaar, and Wyaar. It is not until after noon that Murphy is able to extract himself and get to Hugo and Primula PipeLeaf! The discussion at the Slings and Arrows takes the rest of the day; talking all about riding harnesses for an elephant, for a dire bat, a dire wolf, and a few other forms. "And you've got to be able to carry it easily.", repeats Primula over and over as Murphy and Hugo put their heads together and draw prototype after prototype using charred sticks on the stone. "Gonna have to think this over a good deal, Master Murphy, indeed we do", concludes Hugo. "And if it be beyond my means, why, I've got the contacts through the Valley to get something that I think you will like. Gonna take some time to experiment, you understand? Especially the versatility part." Murphy is able to leave the Pipeleaf's with their planning and just enough time to freshen up, get his good clothes on, (grab a little snack), and be ready to meet his friends to descend upon Humbles Burrow just in time for supper!
Pressi takes her lovely morning with Murphy, a morning in the Catacombs, and an afternoon curled with a good book on the Giant language.
Bliss uses the Catacombs and is able to convert everything other than the giant's Teddy Bear with the permenant Magic Mouth. When squeezed, the mouth speaks in giant: "I Love You"
......
The evening arrives, and the Humbles Sword arrives at the Humbles Burow at the appointed hour. "Quite punctual!", comments the butler, and escorts the crew into the Burrow. It seems the supper is more of a 'browser' than a proper supper. Each room has a theme of finger foods and drinks, and the Burrow is packed with Mayor Bingo, Roscoe Hornblower, Sarabella and Iangold; he Baron and a half dozen generals; a contingent of dwarves; and the three members of the Second Dinner Club. And all the help hired to serve, too!
The first hour is mingling and eating (and drinking!). But by and by, the cakes and tarts come out and the guests fill their mugs and crowd into the library to speak. The Mayor and the Baron begin to speak at the same time. Bingo waves to the Baron who nods and takes over. "We have been hard at work training the militia for a giant attack. While it goes apace, we have a half dozen scout teams on wardogs up north. We may not fight like dwarves, but we can defend ourselves the way we can best!"
The chief dwarf takes that as his cue. "And since Ye been takin care o yerselves, Ye ha no more need of us, I Ken. The Stone part o the Tower be done in twa days, and we'll be marching home the day after."
"And as soon as the stonework is done, the magic can be up in a huff", assures Veseley.
Mayor Bingo turns to the heroes; "And any more information from the Humbles Sword?"
Shel Gerald--AC 18/16/14--CMD 17--HP 51/51 Monday May 22nd, 2017 8:32:34 PM "I can't think of anything other than I told you yesterday," Shel said with a smile. Coming home always puts her in great spirits. She even took the time to put on one of her favorite dresses, a pretty green thing, instead of her worn explorer's outfit. "Id like to hear more about the magic needed to get the tower working again, though. I was too young to remember, the last time the tower was set up with proper magic."
Bliss (AC24, HP56) and Mookie (Cayzle) Monday May 22nd, 2017 11:02:00 PM
Bliss arrives late to the party, carrying heavy sacks of gold. "It took FOREVER in that magic shop. I left so fast I don't even know how much money I got from there," he tells his friends.
Breathless from running, Bliss has little air for speaking. Plus his mouth is full, and if there is one thing he has learned from his strong Aunt Priss -- as well as from the Mailed Fist -- it is not to talk with your mouth full! No one wants to see that, he reminds himself.
After the dinner, he offers the opinion that likely the chance the militia will be tested is smaller after the party's raiding on the giant encampment. Also, he is worried that this Uthvas fellow may show up and make trouble, so he urges officials to be on guard.
He remembers only a smattering of dwarven, a language he once knew better, but enough to say, "Thank you sir, I am will be ever at my service."
Lance Foxwell (Tanner) HP 85 -- AC 26/26/19 -- F+11 R+15 W+12 -- CMD 27 Monday May 22nd, 2017 11:51:12 PM
Lance motions toward Shel and speaks around a mouthful of food. "What he said." He looks around for a drink. "These pretzels are making me thirsty..."
Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (Kim) AC 20 HP 66/66 CMD 17 d20+22=31 ; Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 5:00:11 AM
While with the PipeLeafs, Murphy, to aid the couple in their evaluations, would have been willing to change into a couple of the forms he can take, and thanked them for taking his request under consideration, and asked if they needed anything further from him.
Before the evening dinner, Murphy thinks back to the time they were here earlier, when someone launched an attack on some within, and how they were able to thwart most of their efforts, and takes a brisk walk around the grounds before entering. Perception 31 - looking for anything out of the ordinary
When asked by the Mayor for additional information, after his friends respond, Murphy adds, "As earlier mentioned, we believe the giants now to be in disarray. A strong leader - perhaps among the other giant races - may possibly raise up to try to pull them together, or the necromancer. However, if as our skilled dwarf friends here say, the physical construction may be done in the next few days, and the Second Dinner Club can then with due speed activate the rebuilt tower, and harmonize it with the adjacent defenses to the north of the valley - the time we were able to buy may suffice, heaven grant.
"We need another day or two ourselves to regroup, and for training. I should think that pursuit and elimination of the necromancer may be called for, but we are open to alternatives, should other matters press more sharply. This soft cheese sauce is lovely."
Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 57/57 Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 8:21:19 AM "Quite a turn out" Alleah notes. She was expecting a private dinner with the Mayor. Guess that will have to wait for another time.
The blueberry tarts are quite delicious, but Alleah limits herself to four. When the other guests and Mayor look busy, she tries to catch the attention of one of the wait staff and whispers to them. Highlight to display spoiler: {"I'm terribly sorry to bother you, but would I be able to get one of these tarts to take home with me later?"}
Alleah politely dabs a napkin to her lips when the talk turns to business. "Perhaps there needs to be a way for each of the races to contact the others? That way we can coordinate defenses - or offences.
I'm also curious what the motivation was for the giants. Uthvas may have organised them, but how? Why would they follow him, and work together in such numbers? If we can work out what's driving them we might be able to disband them"
Sky & Meko (Marty) HP:61/61; Ac:22 & Meko HP:42/42 Ac: 18(MA:22) Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 12:12:50 PM
Sky walks about, mindlessly picking at random foods and of course tossing one to Meko Everytime he takes his own bite.
It seems the others are more than capable of bringing up important points and giving the mayor all the information needed to help decide what's next.
ya, I've been wondering why and how that necro guy brought all those Giants together. It really doesn't make a lot of sense. Been hunting​ Giants for a while now and I've never seen more than two or three working together. And even though we took down their current leaders, what's stopping necro or "Castor" from just anointing a new leader or two... I think the disarray maybe short lived if we don't follow up
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 90/90, CMD 23 Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 12:56:06 PM
"So, Grymash, what exactly does a paladin of Gargul do?" asks Kezzem.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 21, HP 58, CMD 25 Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 2:40:22 PM
Pressi finds herself relaxing somewhat, albeit still on duty as they continue to debrief.
She takes some time to say goodbye to the dwarves. "I know we had our differences, but it was nice getting to know you both. Take care."
It was a little disappointing as the night wore on. The catacombs had resulted in a little less money than expected, there seemed to be no feedback or further instruction, and people were beginning to leave even before the construction was finished.
Still, things seemed to be moving along, and Pressi knew the community would have some protections.
Bliss (AC24, HP56) and Mookie (Cayzle) d20+3=6 ; Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 8:51:11 PM
Bliss figures that the group needs to hang out here for say a week, until the tower is fixed and the magics are recast. Although honestly, unless this new guy is a real wiz at magic, he is skeptical that the Second Breakfast Club can handle the job, given their track record. He only shares his doubts with his friends, in a teensy bluffed whisper.
Bluff (untrained) to pass a secret message ... 6. Bliss is uncomprehensible.
"Kid! What are you mumbling about?" asks Mookie. "What did I tell you about eating with your mouth full!" The bird pecks him on the head and Bliss shuts up.
During the second dessert lull, Bliss opens up his sacks of gold and starts counting,
"Miss Alleah, here are those dice you liked, and 8,442 gold pieces."
"Kezzem --" Bliss starts to say, but Mookie pecks him again. "That's SIR Kezzem, Kid. The fellow's a paladin now. Show some respect."
Bliss rubs his head and tries again. "Sir Kezzem, your share is this Headband of Charisma, these two Potions of Cure Moderate Wounds, these five Potions of Cure Light Wounds, plus 1,342 gold pieces."
"Mister Lance, your share is this 12,267 gold pieces."
"Mister Murphy, your share is is this Strength Belt, this Hat of Disguise, this Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds, and this Potion of Cure Light Wounds. Plus 4,422 gold."
"Miss Pressi, you get this Dust of Disappearance, these three Potions of Cure Moderate Wounds, and this Potion of Bears Endurance. And 6,819 gold pieces."
"Miss Shelly, here is your Lesser Metamagic Rod of Extend and 1,580 gold pieces."
"And Master Sky, you and Meko get 6,399 gold pieces."
Bliss looks around, satisfied. "Whew!"
Mookie cocks his head. "What about us!"
"Oh, well you got Silvie." Mookie bobs his head in a happy nod.
"And I got this Belt of Constitution, a Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds, and 1,755 gold."
The little fellow sees the gleam in his raven's eye. "Hey! Only 1,000 of that is for you. The rest, plus my savings, is for my WLA dues!"
Shel Gerald--AC 18/16/14--CMD 17--HP 51/51 Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 9:48:54 PM "Thanks, Bliss! Appreciate you handling the number stuff for us. I'm not really that into the exact breakdowns, so it's nice you handled that.". Shel kept nibbling on whatever food was passed around to the gathering.
"Well, take a sip of wine, silly. Those pretzels are quite salty. You need something to wash them down," she advises Lance while he grumbles.
She waits for more information from the gathered 'elders.'
The Mayors Dinner; Talk of Uthvas (DM SteveK) Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 9:52:03 PM
Shel can't think of anything more than told yesterday, but she is happy, and interested in the particular magic needed for getting the Tower working and aligned again. Veselay's eyes are hooded and he looks at Tiana before replying, "It is a secret for the Second Dinner Club, my dear. Perhaps another time." (Sense Motive DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {It doesn't look like either Veseley or Tiana will say, and even Garron is out of the loop on the specifics. }
Bliss arrives late to the party and passes out heavy sacks of gold. The little Halfling keeps his mouth full and so doesn't speak much, other than the militia may not be tested now that the Sword raided the giant encampment. He does express worry about Uthvas, too.
Lance importantly comments the pretzels make him thirsty...
Murphy changes into an elephant, dire wolf, and dire bat at the Pipeleaf's, which greatly enhances their measurements. He is a little paranoid about ambushes, and takes a brisk walk around the grounds, but finds nothing. Murphy also confirms the giants are in disarray, and that the indication that Uthvas was there was disturbing. Heaven grant the Tower will soon eliminate the threat!
Alleah was expecting a private dinner with the Mayor, and is surprised at the turnout! She likes the desert tarts so much that a whispered request to one of the wait staff finds a full dozen blueberry tarts discretely wrapped for a take-home gift. The heroine suggests a communication method for the races within Crescent Valley, which is enthusiastically agreed upon by everyone. The Baron agrees to put it together with Angel Springs and Hovel with his newly commissioned Wardog Scouts. "Halflings, Elves, and Dwarves for mutual protection!" Glasses are drained at the toast. Her consideration about the motivations of Uthvas and the Giants are another matter...
Sky walks about, mindlessly picking at random foods and of course tossing one to Meko everytime he takes his own bite. The ranger also wonders about the necromancer. Working with Giants doesn't make a lot of sense!
Kezzem is fascinated with Grymash and 'what exactly does a paladin of Gargul do?' The half-orc lowers his Double-Axe and sits on a stump, inviting the Halfling to sit as well. The half-orc stares at Kezzem for the longest time. "Grymash had dream where Gargul told Grymash to travel until noble race person asked that question." Grymash looks closer at Kezzem. "You kinda small, like Milo, but OK. Grymash tell you what Gargul said to say, OK? To follow Gargul means to know Life is precious; Death is precious; do not take either one lightly. To follow Gargul means to free all souls stuck in constructs and undead: give back to Gargul; this is Good. To follow Gargul means to travel; he is the Gray Wanderer; so you can wander everywhere and still be with him. And especially, to follow Gargul as a Paladin means you are an example; many others will look at you and see the best or the worst of Gargul depending on what YOU do. Make sure they see the best."
Pressi finds herself relaxing somewhat. She says goodbye to the dwarves and there is less money than expected. Further, there seemed to be no feedback or further instruction, and people were beginning to leave even before the construction was finished.
..... When the necromancer is brought up, the air goes a couple degrees colder in the room. Tiana shifts nervously and Roscoe scowls, but it is Sarabella that speaks, her ancient voice cracking. "The papers you provided had a couple that had the symbol of Marteus upon them, and we fear that it is the Testing God that is the common cause between your necromancer and the giants." Iangold continues; "Between these papers, the report provided from your journey to rescue the Second Dinner Club in the Red Hills, and the sparse memories of Veseley and Tiana, it looks as if this Uthvas character was able to read the Book of All Evil. Or at least a page or two. And I had thought that Book no more than a pipe deam of the insane. With even a page from that Book, there is no telling what atrocity Uthvas can commit. And there is no telling what price he could pay."
Mayor Bingo shudders and changes the subject. "Enough of that", he declares, "it is time for beds and I don't want to give any guests nightmares!" It looks like the heroes will have to follow up on any questions individually over the next several days....
The dinner breaks up soon after, but it leaves the next several days for the heroes to rest, relax and pursue their own pursuits. ..............
OOC: All heroes get enough xp to have 76,000xp and be 9th level!
Lance Foxwell (Tanner) HP 85 -- AC 26/26/19 -- F+11 R+15 W+12 -- CMD 27 Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 11:57:47 PM "Um, question?" Lance raises a sausage in the air to request the floor. "What exactly is this Book of All Evil? I mean, I'm inferring a lot of information from its title, but specifics would be nice."
Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 57/57 Wednesday May 24th, 2017 6:47:38 AM "I'm sure it's not the Book of 'All' Evil, and just that the Book of 'Some' Evil didn't sound as scary"
Alleah looks curiously to the Broker. What price Uthvas could pay? Interesting. When she was a Walker Alleah may have cared about the price a necromancer might pay. Now though, she's sure he brought it on himself and will get what he deserves.
She blushes a little when the staff provide her a dozen tarts, hoping the mayor didn't notice her taking some things home with her.
She has a few plans for the next few days but keeps them close to her chest.
Bliss (AC24, HP56) and Mookie (Cayzle) Wednesday May 24th, 2017 10:08:30 AM
Mookie's head twists when he hears about this Marteaus Book Of Evil. He looks at Alleah and says, "You're young, toots, and you don't know what you're talking about."
Then the raven interrupts the discussion at the head table. "Wait a minute! Wait a minute!" the raven caws as he flaps up to Sarabella and lands on the table in front of her.
"Let me ask you about this book."
The bird thinks for a minute and opens and closes his beak a couple times.
"20 pounds or so? Does not detect as magic? Cover made of human flesh? Sewn together with lots of different pages, some parchment, some hide? Some of the writing is very neat and deliberate, some is careless and ham-handed? Some pages look like they've been sewn in later, with a kind of stringy animal gut? Written in orcish and common? The whole thing has a horrible feel to it? Dangerous to handle, tends to make you insane if you read it?"
"I've seen that book. If this is the same book, this is bad news. Very bad news. The Kid's mom found that book, handed it over to the then-Prince of Dirt City, and then he went basically bonkers."
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, HP 99/99, CMD 23; Rumpus - AC 24, HP 52/52, CMD 23 d10=5 ; d8=6 ; Wednesday May 24th, 2017 1:20:50 PM
To Grymash:
"Wait, constructs have souls?"
At the dinner:
"Utvas is a vile character that must be brought to justice," says Sir Kezzem. "His magic is an affront to Gargul and all life. We must find him at once. Then, we can find this book of all evil."
To Alleah, he then adds, "The Book of All Evil is not something to be jested about, Alleah, and this is neither the time nor place."
OOC: Yes, Kezzem just scolded someone for making a joke. I'll let that sink in.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 77, CMD 26 Wednesday May 24th, 2017 2:15:58 PM
Attached is Pressi's new sheet and header, for testing purposes.
Also, Pressi's original goal was to move up a level in mailed fist but because of the bear issue, she will come up about 500 short. Deciding whether to buy another tear or some more consumables.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 77, CMD 26 d20+9=21 ; Wednesday May 24th, 2017 4:33:12 PM
Pressi thanks Bliss for his work, but is disappointed at the haul. No next level training for her this time. (Maybe should not have kept the dust of disappearance. Oh well.) Her hands feel around the one piece of equipment she got out of it, feeling sturdier but not necessarily stronger. Come to think of it, most of the team wound up with surprisingly less equipment then expected.
She was disappointed that more characters didn't keep more of the potions. Yeah, it wasn't fun drinking so much wealth, but if the group had taken stock of the potions they had.... How much easier the mission would have been if they had used the dust of disappearance rather than just barging in.
She pauses at the discussion above, and manages to get a handle on Vessley's discussion of Shel, but she remains quiet.
There isn't much to say about the "Book of All Evil," though Pressi looks up at Bliss' comments. As to what he wants, she remembers "Immortality. And Identity." She did her best to remember what the whole Marteus was all about. To Kezzem, "It's just as well that this isn't the time or place for jokes. The best I've got is 'something something platypus.' Maybe later I'll come up with something. When I'm less or more drunk."
Shel Gerald--AC 18/16/14--CMD 17--HP 51/51 d20+1=19 ; Wednesday May 24th, 2017 7:44:50 PM OOC: Sense Motive 19. Just short!
Shel was disappointed that the Club would not share their secrets with her. She'd thought that her familiar connection would be worth something, after all. She listened closely to the news about the awful book. Something with that terrible of a title must just warp the mind of whoever read it. No wonder the necromancer was so evil!
OOC: Would any skill check shed a light on the Book of All Evil?
Before the dinner breaks up, Murphy asks after Jindrak, the good hill giant they rescued from Bright Springs, and who was doing some looking about on behalf of Crescent Valley. "Is he all right? Has he been able to help us out? If he is around, I would love to see him." He thinks about the Essence of Giant that Uthvas gathered from him, and that the Second Dinner Club soon will be using.
As the discussion concerning the book ensues, Murphy thinks about something his Uncle Orby told him. "Though evil does its worst, at times the righteous can deflect the ill works, and bring forth something of surpassing weal and worth." So he relates that to those gathered. "If there were some way of destroying the tome that Mookie describes, though, I'm all for it."
Tower rebuild. Murphy goes out the next day to look over the nearly completed tower. He seeks to obtain permission from the pertinent authorities to acquaint himself well with the design. He has knowledge (engineering) in his skill set (and is adding a point therein at this time), so should be able to get the gist of what they are doing, and asks questions from time to time - trying not to pester anyone or get in their way. He speaks dwarf, so that may help - and he tries to improve his dwarven accent, vocabulary, and comprehension - in particular, at the moment, as it relates to the project at hand. He offers to help as he may be able - including wild shaping to a form that can carry much, or to a tiny form if they need to get into small spaces. As there are several towers in the northern chain of defenses, he wants to understand as much as he might about this specific one.
If the Second Dinner Club folks are open to the notion, he does offer to help them any way he can in their task, or in providing them cover as they carry out their work.
After that... Woldian League of Adventures - off for training in Angel Springs (unless some WLA trainers can be persuaded to visit Humble's Ford, what with all that is going on). Linguistics - Terran (language of earth elementals); WLA skill Fleet (+5 movement). Also has picked up enough of the Orc tongue here and there to get by (he started studying it at 7th level).
He tries out several 5th level spells, as well as a several 1st-4th level spells he has not yet cast before, and stops in the local connection to the Catacombs to update his material components, and to get a new wand of cure light wounds.
When he learns that Pressi cannot afford to train with the WLA, he considers. "Press - I have a metamagic rod, silent spells, usable 3 times a day. It could be very useful. I would need to run this by Shel, as well, but, I could sell it for about 5,500 gold in the Catacombs, and you could get your training. What do you think?"
Lance Foxwell (Tanner) HP 85 -- AC 26/26/19 -- F+11 R+15 W+12 -- CMD 27 Wednesday May 24th, 2017 11:54:39 PM
OOC: @Pressi - Lance can loan you some money, if you like.
Lance continues chewing on a sausage and considers what he is hearing. He doesn't like it.
The words he is hearing, not the sausage. The sausage is quite good.
Alleah -- RobC -- AC 25/14/22 -- CMD 15 -- HP 79/79 d100=52 ; d100=35 ; d100=75 ; Thursday May 25th, 2017 5:28:36 AM
Alleah takes the time to visit the Catacombs and then conduct some training with the WLA. She even comes away with some gold to spare which she offers to Pressi (Shel can borrow 1,100 from Alleah if she likes)
That night there is an almighty scream that comes from Alleah's room. Sobbing can be heard, and then another scream slightly more terrifying than the last.
On the floor, in a pool of blood, can be seen one of Alleah's eyes and her nose.
The hand of an elemental picks up the body parts and tucks them into a haversack.
Air-Alleah has arrived.
------------------------- Actions: - Remove any containers, command use items, and objects that require an action to use, keeping on only those that provide a constant bonus. - Cast Surrender Self (Nose) - Barkskin. Leyline check: 52 = Pass. Regrow nose back as disfigured. - Cast Surrender Self (Complexion) - Bear's Endurance. Leyline check: 35 = Pass. - Cast Surrender Self (Eye) - Polymorph (Small Air Elemental). Leyline check: 75 = Pass. Regrow eye back as disfigured. - Get dressed again
Alleah is now polymorphed into a Small Air Elemental
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 77, CMD 26 Thursday May 25th, 2017 9:55:43 AM
Pressi is thankful as Murphy, Alleah and Lance all agree to lend her money. (She only borrows what she needs, plus a little extra for the road - 750, to be paid back to the next level.) She is a little nervous about borrowing from Murphy, given their relationship and that he might need the rod too. She instead agrees to borrow from Lance, the person who she figures she will be flanking with.
(OOC: I know that Murphy probably can't use the rod while polymorphed, and Shel has the silent spell feat. But Pressi does not know that.)
This means not just training time but travel time, as she moves to pick up the next level of Mailed Fist. Some spare time is spent with Murphy as she attempts to learn her giant language.
The Next Week. (DM SteveK) Thursday May 25th, 2017 6:28:47 PM
Lance really wants to know more about the Book of All Evil.
Alleah ponders that it is just a name, and wonders about the Broker's worry about Uthvas' possible 'price'.
Bliss doesn't talk much (his face stuffed and being too polite), but Mookie relates some very specific information about a Book he knows about that Bliss' mother, the great liontaur Vauhwyt, encountered early in her own heroic career. A Book that made strong men insane.
Kezzem (earlier) speaks with Grymash about 'Wait, constructs have souls?' The half-orc waggles a hand. "Grymash asked Gimp the Imp the same question and he told Grymash 'no and yes'. No because constructs don't have souls of their own, and yes because they move around on their own because they have a trapped soul inside. Destroying a construct frees the soul back to Gargul, and that is a good thing."
Kezzem (at dinner) states that Uthvas is his first target, but that book is his second.
Pressi thinks there isn't much to say about the "Book of All Evil", and banters with Bliss and
Shel also thinks hard. If this Book is associated with Marteus, maybe someone really good with Religious Knowledge...
Murphy asks during the dinner about Jindrak, and the dwarves and most of the Halflings look dubious. Finally, Roscoe clears his throat. "Um, he's got an old threshing barn on the south-east side of town as a place to sleep; filled it with straw and keeps to himself. Look, it's nice that you say he's a nice fella and all, but he just makes people real nervous. Feel better if he found somewhere else to live, really we would. ......
Most of the Humble's Sword wants to know more about this "Book of All Evil" and presses Sarabella and the Broker for more information. Mayor Bingo immediately loudly calls for the musicians in the next room to start playing and for the next course to come in which forestalls any further conversation. Each time the heroes try to restart the Book conversation, there is Mayor Bingo or his staff with a redirect or obfuscation. (Sense Motive DC 20: Highlight to display spoiler: { The hero gets a hunch that the Mayor doesn't want to discuss something so horrible in his house.}
Some of the information the Mayor provides this way includes:
"Oh, by the way, there is a gypsy wagon in town since yesterday; claims to be a Witch from Cinnamon Valley."
"Here's something funny, there is a group of halflings that have started a Humble's Sword Fan Club. They call themselves the White Shirts. How peculiar is that?"
"A messenger from the farms towards Hovel says a couple Halflings are missing. I think it is just two lovers eloping, myself."
"There are reports of strange things happening in the elven woods nearby. Some assert the woods are not safe anymore, and the elves are to blame."
.....
At the end of the night, the guests make their way to shake hands with the Mayor and return to their homes. It just so happens that Sarabella and Iangold are just in front of the heroes, and the Broker holds the gate open for them on the way out. " Fine night, fine night" quips Broker Iangold with a roll of his eyes. "So nice to see you again, Humble's Sword. Perhaps we can get together at the end of the week to catch up on old times, say just after lunch on Friday?"
......
The rest of the week goes by pretty fast. Murphy gets to visit Jindrak and Angel Springs (along with anyone else who wanted to town). The dwarves are polite but are used to working as a team and politely decline any offers of help. Likewise, the Second Dinner Club prefer to keep their secrets. Alleah provides some late night excitement as well.
(The heroes are free to describe what they do until Friday noon.)
Sky & Meko (Marty) HP:61/61; Ac:22 & Meko HP:42/42 Ac: 18(MA:22) Thursday May 25th, 2017 7:01:00 PM OOC: Sorry for posting late. Looking for a total of how much Sky's share of the treasure is. Working on leveling up now as well.
Sky and Meko have no clue about this book, and listen intently, alittle let down when no real details are told.
be willing to be this Uthvas guy has it...
Afterwards though, they eat their fill and leave with the group, still not used to so much company Sky has little to say.
During the night, hearing the screams from Alleah's room, Sky and Meko both rush in, bursting through the door only to see....
What in the wold! Alleah got eaten by a Tornado!!! Now Mother Nature wants us dead too! Who all did you guys tick off???
He spends the week training and getting a custom suit of armor for Meko, a much needed addition for the blood thirsty wolf. As well as picking up a few other things to bolster his own skills.
Shel Gerald--AC 18/16/14--CMD 17--HP 51/51 Thursday May 25th, 2017 7:29:34 PM
Upon seeing Alleah, Shel couldn't hide her shock. "Alleah, what's happened to you!? You look so different. Do you feel okay?"
Bliss (AC24, HP56) and Mookie (Cayzle) Thursday May 25th, 2017 10:52:10 PM
Bliss listens with wide eyes to the tales of the evil tome. He is quiet and thoughtful for the rest of the evening.
While the dwarves are still here, he feels it is safe to visit the WLA chapterhouse in Angel Springs and to do some training. He also looks for that Cinnamon Valley witch, to seek her out and say hi. He meets few enough witches. Maybe she knows Aunt Priss. The Cinnamon Valley is nearby to the Blackbird Forest? Maybe?
[OOC: it is not, but Bliss is not a good student of geography.]
Mookie helps out with his master's training, and reminds him about the ceremony. "Oh, right," says Bliss. "We have to do that!"
He goes looking for Alleah but does not see her anywhere?!
Lance Foxwell (Tanner) HP 95 -- AC 26/26/19 -- F+11 R+15 W+12 -- CMD 27 Thursday May 25th, 2017 11:57:38 PM
Lance tries his best to learn more about this vague and foreboding Book of All Evil. He also tries to break whatever food eating records are currently standing at the Dancing Pig.
Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (Kim) AC 20 HP 76/76 CMD 17 d20+7=26 ; d20+33=35 ; d20+33=51 ; d20+21=39 ; d20+15=28 ; Friday May 26th, 2017 5:23:34 AM
At the meal as conversation regarding the book of evil is obscured by Mayor Bingo's song requests, he suggests to his friends, "Let's not pursue the topic at this time - we don't need to induce indigestion at the moment, right?" [Sense motive 26] ===== When the discomfort with Jindrak's presence is brought up, Murphy flushes red. "You do recall, do you not, that it is his very essence which will allow our trio of wizards to raise again the defense against invasion from the north? He makes people uncomfortable? Consider just how uncomfortable we would be without his inestimable contribution." Murphy feels a brief and rare flash of rage, which he quickly suppresses. "Nonetheless," he allows, switching to a conciliatory voice, "I do know the fear of giants among our people, and am not unsympathetic to it. Still, individuals ought to be judged as individuals. Jindrak is not extremely bright, not well schooled in the niceties of halfling society. But he is good of heart. I will see what I can do to find a better situation for him. Say - perhaps Lomar, the ogre who helps out the people of Hovel - and Lomar does now understand a fair bit about halfling culture, and is pretty smart, may help us out with some ideas. We'll see what we can come up with. It may take several days to get things sorted." ===== "Ah, I think we may have run into some - White Shirts, they style themselves? on two occasions. Hope they behave themselves, and enjoy their speculations in a harmless fashion," Murphy says with a smile. ===== "Which elven woods?" Murphy inquires, thinking about what he may know regarding where elves may dwell locally (other than just outside Angel Springs). [Knowledge, geography: 28] ===== Despite the dwarves declining help with the tower, Murphy nonetheless, the day after the Mayor's dinner, and, after distancing himself from the tower and ensuring he is first out of sight of any halfling, wild shapes into an owl, flies well around to come from a different direction, and spends enough time flitting through the structure that he gains a good feel for the layout. Having been in the tower before it was destroyed, he looks to see if the layout is being replicated faithfully, outside [Perception: 35], and inside [Perception: 51] or if there are differences in construction from before. Should the dwarves try to drive off the owl, he will return much later, in the dark hours of the night to further his exploration [Stealth 39]. [I don't need details here - just want to establish that Murphy can gain a decent feel for what is now to compare with what was before. Not trying to give DM heartburn. He does not follow what the Second Dinner Club does, as he likely will be in Angel Springs with other party members getting training.]
He helps Pressi practice the giant tongue. He also spends time reading the borrowed book on Terran, and practicing pronunciation as he works on vocabulary, grammar, syntax, etc. He asks Pressi to join him as he visits the hill giant Jindrak. He sends a message to his Aunt Marigold in Hovel to explain the situation, and see if she, consulting with Lomar (the friendly ogre), has any insights as to what to do? He also makes an inquiry in the same message to learn if any have learned about the missing couple of halflings over there. Have they been found?
If Murphy is at the Sword's Burrow the night Alleah screams, he follows close behind Sky and Meko to see what is going on. Seeing the air elemental, Murphy speaks in the Auran tongue, saying, "Mitä Alleahille on tapahtunut? Kuka sinä olet?" He then asks in the common tongue the same thing, "What has happened to Alleah? Who are you?" He is then astonished to learn what she has done to herself. He does offer to spend a little time with her to help her grow accustomed to her new form and capabilities.
He asks his friends about him casting Hallow on the Sword's Burrow. And, what spell effect he should apply to the site (which a druid may cast - see spell description for options).
By the time they have returned from Angel Springs WLA training, have the members of the Second Dinner Club been able to reactivate the defenses, and synchronize between the rebuilt tower and the adjacent towers?
He does look forward to meeting with Iangold Laughshield early Friday afternoon. The Sword had helped him with a few situations, and had received some assistance from him, as well. He is glad, too, that Sarabella LoveSong is back, and the clerics seem to be working well together.
Alleah -- RobC -- AC 25/14/22 -- CMD 15 -- HP 79/79 Friday May 26th, 2017 7:04:01 AM "I may need to rethink my life choices" Alleah notes to herself as she packs away her eye and nose into her haversack.
When the others burst in she immediately raises her hands in the air to show she is not threatening them.
She has absolutely no idea what Murphy has said so tries her best to respond in kind "Mika tika alleah whosit whatzit nackaw kaching-ga-ching maloo" It of course is just gibberish, but she's trying.
She goes on to explain what has just happened "I have maimed myself to further gain Warrd's blessing. You know, an eye for a spell, a nose for a spell" Alleah's air elemental form slowly moves in the air.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, HP 99/99, CMD 23; Rumpus - AC 24, HP 52/52, CMD 23 Friday May 26th, 2017 12:02:16 PM
Kezzem spends the time getting to know Grymash and learning about Gargul. He is relieved to find that his main duties seem to be just smiting necromancers and the undead (and constructs) and not anything weirder.
At some point, he tracks down Pressi and gives her a ring. "This will help me protect you in fights," says Kezzem. "When I cast a spell through this ring, you will only suffer about half the wounds you normally would. But still, try not to get hit too much, okay?"
He wanders by Alleah's room to see what's going on. "Hey Alleah," he says deadpan. "What's all the commotion about?"
----
Spells Prepared: 1st: bless, protection from evil, restoration (lesser) 2nd: remove paralysis, shield other
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 77, CMD 26 Friday May 26th, 2017 2:24:16 PM
"It's absolutely crazy what Alleah did," Pressi said to Murphy and Shel the morning after. She had been at the Dancing Pig the night in question, so had only heard about it at breakfast. "I mean, I try not to judge or feel queasy, but... yeah, think I'm going to judge and feel queasy. Definitely can't imagine doing that to myself for power.
"I don't know, I guess I just never pictured Alleah as the type to do something like this. I mean, she's always been a bit of a question mark but she always struck me as the normal one of the group. And it's not like she shows that much interest in accumulating power. So, what's the deal anyway? She's just an air elemental permanently from here on out?"
Pressi takes the ring gingerly from Kezzem, with a thank you.
Talk at the Temple (DM SteveK) Friday May 26th, 2017 6:08:07 PM
Sky and Meko have no clue about this Book, but are willing to bet this Uthvas guy has it. Not used to so much company Sky has little to say, but he is able to train every day and custom up some barding for Meko at the Slings and Arrows with one of the best blacksmiths in the Valley; Primula PipeLeaf. He also picks up a few other things for himself around the Catacombs and shops in town.
Shel is shocked about Alleah's conversion and wants to make sure the Witch of Gargul is OK.
Bliss feels it is safe to visit the WLA chapterhouse in Angel Springs and to do some training. Towards the end of the week, he looks up that Cinnamon Valley witch. It is pretty easy to spot the wagon, it is garishly painted in bright yellows, blues, reds, and greens. The Witch turns out to be a middle-aged Halfling from Merrydale named Papas Nobbleknee. Papas is well-fed (ie round), bald as an egg, and always smells like a different incense. His pleasant baritone is soothing as he amiably chats with Bliss and Mookie. "I love travelling, and though it is about a hundred miles between Cinnamon Valley and Crescent Valley, it is worth it to see interesting things, meet fascinating people, and trading with them. Aunt Priss? Have I heard the name? No, no I haven’t. Do I know where Blackbird Forest is? Not really, somewhere to the south of Culverwood I think. Would I like to form Coven whenever I'm in Humble's Ford? Why, yes, yes I would!" Papas admits that he probably won't be in Humble's Ford often, but can always be counted on to be a third for a Coven Circle when he is there. Bliss and Papas and Alleah (if she agrees) can easily have time for a Coven Circle prior to meeting Sarabella and Iangold so Bliss can get that ceremony done!
Lance tries his best to learn more about this vague and foreboding Book of All Evil, but doesn't try too hard (ooc: trying requires some skill checks or specific actions; Know Local, Know Religion, Profession: Treasure Hunter, Sense Motive, squeezing eyes shut and hoping for a miracle, etc). He spends most of the week trying to break whatever food eating records are currently standing at the Dancing Pig. In a town of Halflings who love their comforts and food, he doesn't even come close, but has lots of fun in the attempt!
Murphy, at dinner, is upset but understanding of the reaction of most Halflings to Jindrak, but hoping for better than a run-down threshing barn filled with straw for the Good Giant. (By Friday, the druid doesn't have an answer from his Aunt in Hovel, but that isn't unusual; it's just going to take time.) Murphy quickly realizes that the elven woods the Mayor spoke of are in fact the ones outside of Angel Springs (Sense Motive DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { Murphy has a hunch Mayor Bingo references every geographical feature in relation to Humble's Ford. And, after all, anything in Crescent Valley is 'nearby' to Humble's Ford! :-) }). The dwarves constructing the Giant Tower don't mind Murphy, even in Halfling form to look at plans and walk around the Tower... as long as he stays out from under foot of the working team. Halfling or Owl, the druid can only see that the Tower looks nearly identical to both the construction plans and the other Giant Towers still standing; though this one looks newer ... naturally. Coordinating with his friends and training in Angel Springs for the rest of the week, Murphy is looking forward to meeting with Sarabella and Iangold early Friday afternoons at the Temple. He even had time to cast that Hollow Spell on the Burrow!
Alleah has to get used to being an air elemental, the way she moves, the way she speaks... the way she looks! The first time Alleah goes out in public, people run screaming! It is going to take even the hardy souls of Humbles Ford to get used to an Air-Halfling.
Kezzem seems relieved after speaking with Graymash, that is until near the end of the week when the half-orc is packing up to leave. "Grymash gotta travel like Gargul, but Grymash think Humbles Ford is good place to travel through more than once. See how you are. ". The cleric/barbarian pauses and looks sideways at Kezzem and one eye becomes blank and the other is an intense Gray. "Freeing souls is the easy part, Paladin. You must show Mercy as well as Justice, and protect those who need protection. The strength of a Paladin isn't as a sword, but a shield. Remember!". Grymash' eyes return to normal and the half-PrC doesn't remember anything about their last conversation. A last wave of his hand, and the cleric continues his travels.
Pressi thinks Alleah is crazy to sacrifice part of herself for power. Only time will tell....
But now it is time to eat lunch and meet Sarabella and Iangold! ..............
Just after luncheon, the friends and heroes meet by mutual consensus and stroll to the Temple in Humble's Ford. People are lovingly working at their chores, taking time to chat or have a gnosh, and there are plenty of friendly waves to the Humble's Sword; especially one younger Halfling wearing a long tunic of white who pumps hands quite enthusiastically! In the distance to the north, the Giant Tower looks almost done, maybe only a day before the dwarves will announce 'finished'.
Approaching the Temple, one could contemplate that it is unusual that the clerics of two different deities share the same building, but the circumstances were unusual too! (It's not often a beloved elderly cleric dies, her Temple then bought by another sect which moves in, and then the old cleric mysteriously is alive again!) But it looks like Sarabella Lovesong of Flower and Iangold Laughshield of Ffloy have made the best of what could have been an awkward situation. First, the Temple is owned by the church of Ffloy by legal contract, but Sarabella is still listed as the senior cleric. On the inside, icons and friezes depicting stories in the lives of both dieties share the walls and various niches. And on the outside, a new open-air foyer, though dominated by intertwining symbols of love and commerce, there are also niches for the other gods of the Wold: a benevolent statue of Alemi, a table dedicated to skill and hard work for Domi, a niche with the scales of justice for Panthenon, and peaceful gray alcove for the Gray Wanderer; Gargul.
Sarabella and Iangold meet the Sword together in the otherwise empty Temple. "So good for us to meet again", says the priestess of Flower with a loving smile. The Broker's smile is more of a smirk. "Yes, in a place that just happens to have no one in it for the next few hours. Those refugees were recovered enough to go their own way and Alouryn has taken the afternoon class on a field trip. Convenient, isn't it? Because we all know who the best defense for the Valley really is. What a tidy bit of coordination!" The Broker winks.
Unfortunately, it turns out that the two clerics don't know much more than the Humble's Sword themselves. But what they do know is:
- There are many stories about The Book of All Evil. So many, in fact, that they must refer to more than one book, and some of them couldn't be the real Book. Sarabella suspects that the book Mookie speaks of must have been "A" book of evil, not "THE" Book of All Evil.
- The Book of All Evil is supposed to have been written by Marteus, (though some say it was Gargul back when Gargul was evil), and contains all the evil plots, works, ideas, and spells there ever was. Can you imagine? All of Parnoth the Green Dragon's worst spells and Machiavellian plots, how to build the Sons of Dread's worst machines, the secrets of Heartseeds... and worse.
- No one knows where the Book of All Evil is. Some say with Marteus in the Lands of Unrest, some say guarded by a cult within Mount Bone, or Koshe Marr, or that it is itself intelligent and flits about the Wold causing the most mischief possible.
- One theory that Iangold believes is that most evil plots that involve cults of Marteus have at least one page (one idea) of the Book at its core. "That because Uthvas was playing with souls in the Red Hills which is non-standard magic, he must have gotten a page from the Book of All Evil. And because Uthvas and references to Marteus showed up in the Giant conclave, Uthvas must be allied with Marteus cultists."
- Sarabella believes a different theory. "It is a 'chicken or the egg' argument if Uthvas' experiments are from the Book or if the Book has the evil because Uthvas was doing them. Whichever way it was, I think Uthvas caught the eye of Marteus and is now a pawn of the Testing One. Your necromancer is only a tool and we have a greater enemy now looking at Crescent Valley."
The clerics and heroes have the rest of the afternoon, and the Humble's Sword can look around the Temple, make their own offerings, or converse with Sarabella and Iangold further about knowledge or speculation on Uthvas and the Book of All Evil.
Shel Gerald--AC 18/16/14--CMD 17--HP 51/51 Friday May 26th, 2017 9:33:26 PM
At breakfast with Pressi and a Murphy, Shel couldn't help but laugh at Pressi's assessment of Alleah. "You know, that's exactly right! She was the only one of us that'd I would have called close to normal. But now, it seems she's just as cracked as the rest of us!"
Later on, at lunch with the collection of priests, the news about the Book didn't sound great to Shel. "Well, it sounds like one way or another the necromancer is intertwined with Marteus and his cultists. Thats a scary thought, evil dealing with more evil," Shel whispered as her mood fell.
Bliss (AC24, HP56) and Mookie (Cayzle) Friday May 26th, 2017 9:57:40 PM
Bliss is so happy to meet the witch, and he spends a lot of time with the travelling caster, talking witch stuff. What kind of spirit familiar does he have? Who is his patron? Has he made other covens? What has he done in a coven? Has he done any rituals?
Eventually, the conversation turns to Mookie and the ceremony Bliss wants to use to uplift him. If Alleah is willing, can they work together on that?
Looking at Alleah, Bliss asks Papas if he has used that spell to make anything permanent, and which sacrifices he would consider, and what spells. He asks Alleah if it hurts, and can she even talk?
Alleah -- RobC -- AC 25/14/22 -- CMD 15 -- HP 79/79 d20+2=13 ; Sunday May 28th, 2017 12:53:44 AM
Alleah is all too happy to help Bliss with his coven plans. Truth be told she's also a little curious what they may learn from a more seasoned witch.
Before lunch Alleah also tries her hand at disguising herself to look a bit more like a halfling. "I used to be a lot better at this"
"The progress with the towers has gone well. I'm impressed"
-------------------- Disguise check: 13 - 2 for different race = 11
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 77, CMD 26 d20+5=17 ; Sunday May 28th, 2017 3:47:31 PM
It was hardly unusual to find a temple dedicated to a variety of gods, Pressi noted. In fact, such temples and tolerance were a need of practical necessity - and a boon to gods like Domi that didn't really stress buildings in general. So long as the gods remained in harmony, it wasn't that much of a big deal in terms of liturgy.
In response to the discussion about the Book of All Evil, "So, does it go into much detail or is it the Reader's Digest of Horrid Stuff. Is there a section on getting the desired number of hotel towels? Starting your own news network? Anything like that?"
As she listened during the briefing, she tried to recall what she could about the whole Marteus/Book of All Evil stuff (Knowledge 17) but cannot really reconcile Marteus with the Book of Evil or Uthvas. Ga'al, maybe, but Marteus never really struck her as an "evil plots" kind of guy despite the whole cull the weak thing. In fact, Uthvas' goal of immortality almost seemed against the god of disease.
"You presume that everyone survives the process of immortality," Pressi reminded herself.
Still, Pressi's failure of persuasion predicated on her presumption that Uthvas was a normal necromancer. He wasn't. A cross-dresser and greased muscle builder, he created large constructs for a purpose beyond gathering power or creating suffering.
Lance Foxwell (Tanner) HP 95 -- AC 26/26/19 -- F+11 R+15 W+12 -- CMD 27 Sunday May 28th, 2017 10:16:27 PM
FRIDAY POST
Lance ticks off points on his fingers. "So we have an evil book that may or may not be relevant, a necromancer that may or may not be in possession of said book, and who may or may not be a sock-puppet for Marteaus. Solid." He rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Sooo... just an idea. Brainstorming. Creative juices flowing. Let me bounce this off you and get some feedback. What if... what if we tracked down Uthvas and did a preemptive strike? The good ol' scry and fry. Do we have any way of divining him?"
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, HP 99/99, CMD 23; Rumpus - AC 24, HP 52/52, CMD 23 Monday May 29th, 2017 1:13:11 PM
"So does he have any special powers?" asks Kezzem. "Usually stabbing things until they stop moving works, but not always. We need to be prepared."
"Alleah - how long will you be in this form?" Murphy asks his friend. "I like being an air elemental. Just in case you meet up with other air elementals, would you like to learn the Auran tongue, which they speak? I could teach you - just let me know. I wish Wardd did not require removal of noses and such."
Later, with Pressi and Shel, he smiles as they respond to Alleah's current transformation. "Yep, we certainly are a rare box of nuts," he says with a chuckle. "She'll take a bit of getting used to. I wonder how the White Shirts will take to her change?"
The day that Murphy casts the hallow spell to protect the Sword's Burrow, rendering it into a holy site, it is warded by a magic circle against evil effect; any dead body interred in a hallowed site cannot be turned into an undead creature (not that we'll be burying people in or immediately around the burrow); and the spell freedom of movement is in effect on the non-evil people (and critters) within. The whole thing lasts one year (game time).
Of the fellow in the white shirt, Murphy asks his name, and tells him his own. "We hear some of you have been following a few of our exploits. It's good for people to do what they can to help each other out, to show kindness where one can and, where necessary, to defend those who need defending. Say," he continues, reaching at his neck to find a lanyard, then pulling it over his head, "sometimes we use a signal whistle with each other. Here, you can have mine."
At the temple, Murphy looks about, noting the similarities to what it was like when he and some of his family members would occasionally attend services there - his mother is attentive toward Flower, then later, after Humble's Sword formed, and especially recalling the interrogations therein when they had been under suspicion of having taken the life of the town's beloved priestess. He discerns as well the numerous differences. Though initially upset over the take over of the Temple of Flower by the followers of Ffloy, he is reconciled to the new blending, and has come to appreciate many things about Iangold Laughshield.
When the clerics come to them, Murphy kisses the back of the hand of the high priestess, then steps back. "I thank Lady Flower and, I presume, Lord Alemi and Lord Gargul, that you have been returned to Humble's Ford, good Sarabella. We had mourned deeply the loss of you. With all that is swirling about us now, I really have not had time to see you or talk, other than briefly just over two weeks ago. May I express our high regard and respect for you and your longtime spiritual leadership in our community? My mother has a long-time devotion to Flower."
He shakes the hand of the priest. "Glad to hear the rescued folks had a chance to recover here at the temple. And thanks for taking the time to meet with us, Broker Iangold!"
He listens to what the clerics have to say, and the thoughts of his friends, and takes out paper and pen and jots down notes.
"Yes, I heard something about a connection in this regard to Mount Bone," Murphy comments. Uncharacteristically, he does not weigh in too much more on the topic, just takes in the ideas as they come.
Talk at the Temple Two (DM SteveK) Monday May 29th, 2017 6:31:54 PM
Shel agrees with Pressi about Alleah, she's just as cracked as the rest of us! After lunch, however, a little more power doesn't sound too bad. It sounds like one way or another the necromancer is intertwined with Marteus and his cultists!
Bliss spends a lot of time with the travelling witch, but the guy keeps asking and answering his own questions. While Bliss learns that his patron are the Sisters and he often makes covens (and rituals) with who he find on the road, he keeps the type of spirit familiar of his a secret; "Will that be a surprise for bandits who attack me? Yes, yes it will." Bliss is able to easily find out that Papas is not a very high level witch...
Alleah is all too happy to help Bliss with his coven plans, and soon, Mookie has additional powers! Alleah-air elemental learns, like Bliss, that Papas isn't that strong or 'seasoned' of a witch. For looking a lot more like a Halfling, Alleah practices using a cloak and broad-brimmed hat to hide that she is basically made of condensed air. It's not very convincing, but she is sure she will get better as time goes by.
Pressi finds it hardly unusual to find a temple dedicated to a variety of gods, but while she thinks such temples and tolerance were a need, a thought of her past finds it very rare. Most temples, especially in bigger towns and cities (and cultists) have been strictly one god each. For the Book of All Evil, she want to know how specific it is... was... whatever. She is also skeptical about everyone surviving the process of immortality. Sarabella and Iangold assure Pressi and the Humble's Sword that the rumors and what they know of from their churches both agree that the Book is extremely specific; reading a single page, the reader would then know how to unleash that curse upon the Wold... by trading her soul forever to Marteus. As to surviving the process, Iangold shrugs and nods, "True enough, but even one gaining by that method is too many."
Lance ticks off points on his fingers, and comes up with a whole lotta 'maybe'. What if the team tracked down Uthvas and did a preemptive strike?
Kezzem wants to know if Uthvas will have any special powers if he has the Book. The two clerics look at each other and shake their heads. The stories and rumors don't mention that one way or the other.
Murphy offers to teach Alleah Aruan, provided she has the time and capability to learn, but anyway they slice it, the Humble's Sword are a rare box of nuts! With the Burrow hallowed and protected by a magic circle against evil, and 'freedom of movement'. But he knows he must make the last more specific than 'non-evil' creatures. [ooc: Hallow spell specifies it is 'anyone' or 'a specific faith' (Alemi, Domi etc), or 'a specific alignment' (one of the nine). Murphy must choose .] Murphy knows the White Shirt well, he has been in Humble's Ford all his life, and Murphy gives the young Halfling his own signal whistle. At the temple, Murphy is his usual amiable self and jots down notes of what the clerics had to say, keeping quiet and listening. ................ ................
The only other thing the two clerics are able to tell the group is the fate of the Halflings the Humbles Sword rescued from the Giants.
Eberulf and Elsia Boffin are sad about the many Halflings they saw go into the pot, and have formed a partnership with a young lady named Candy BadApple to run the Humble's Ford Orphanage.
Sarama Shortbutton moved to Hovel in the burrow of some distant relations. Seems she wants a more conservative surroundings after her trials and tribulations.
Odger Twofoot and Yodo Proudbottom have left Crescent Valley for New Elenna and the Culverwood respectively.
And Tomarin Earthshanks has found a position in Humble's Ford cooking for the new Second Dinner Club member, Garron Von Tenninshire.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 24, HP 99/99, CMD 23; Rumpus - AC 24, HP 52/52, CMD 23 Monday May 29th, 2017 7:03:02 PM
"It might be best if Alleah doesn't learn Auran, Murphy," suggests Kezzem. "We wouldn't want a repeat of the Knucklehead incident."
Shel Gerald--AC 18/16/14--CMD 17--HP 51/51 Monday May 29th, 2017 7:51:41 PM
After the meeting, Shel headed home to rest up while contemplating her and the group's next move. Things appeared well at home, as the tower was almost ready to enchant and have the town safe from the Giants again. Hazel and Alouryn seemed well, and just as in love as ever. Her family was in great shape, still sad over her Uncle's death, but they were healing.
It seemed perhaps the group did need to become a little more on the offensive and take the fight to the alchemist and his evil cult.
Bliss (AC24, HP56) and Mookie (Cayzle) Monday May 29th, 2017 11:20:47 PM
Bliss is interested in these Sisters that Pappas honors. He tells him that he has lost his master and he is looking for a new one. He wonders if Pappas has seen any fey in the Culverwood between here and Cinnamon Valley. Ever since Bliss learned the language of the fey, he has wanted to meet some.
Lance Foxwell (Tanner) HP 95 -- AC 26/26/19 -- F+11 R+15 W+12 -- CMD 27 Monday May 29th, 2017 11:56:02 PM
Lance heads to the burrow and tries to find a spot to sleep. He is not picky, and prefers to hang his hammock from some hooks rather than sleep in a proper bed.
I hope these guys have a plan. None of us need more experience in thumb twiddling..."
Murphy Leafwin Pipewood (Kim) AC 20 HP 76/76 CMD 17 Tuesday May 30th, 2017 1:35:30 AM
Before the meeting, and after Alleah's transformation, Kezzem has his say - and Murphy laughs aloud. "Oh, Kezzem, are freshly made paladins always so provocative?"
Side Discourse on Orphanage "Candy BadApple - they want to work with her on an orphanage? Sarabella knows well her sister, Crystal. If Eberulf and Elsia Boffin wanted to work with Crystal on an orphanage, I would think that wonderful. But her older sister, Candy, I don't know that she ought to be trusted. I would love to be proven wrong on this matter, but Candy has a bad reputation - and we saw her propensity to cheat, her cruelty to others, and have heard she has an inclination to cause problems elsewhere. Now, she has shown some leadership capabilities. A relative of theirs - I do not know how close a relative to her - has in times past sought leadership in Angel Springs, and has a reputation for being rather crafty. I suspect him of complicity in a terrible event which happened a while back, but lack sufficient evidence to make an accusation.
"With an orphanage already in town - several of us visited it shortly before the group was sent northward towards the giants - I wonder if they might work with the Boffins."
"I never thought to ask - Candy tends to be prickly in conversations - but I wonder what it is that draws her to think of caring for orphans. Are her parents alive? Are Candy and Crystal orphans?" He looks at the ground for a moment. "Look, whereas other matters under discussion may be of greater import than whether the Boffins and a BadApple start an orphanage, I want to avoid placing orphans in an even more vulnerable position than the loss of their parents already places them. I'm just wondering whether Candy may try to turn them to pickpockets or thuggery. And, I hope I am wrong about her. Sarabella, will you look into this for the sake of the children? Ask around about Candy. Has she repented of her old ways? Or does her reputation still carry a whiff of corruption? If Candy is involved, I would encourage real close oversight."
Uthvas "If we are to pursue the taxidermist necromancer, we need to have ourselves together. We know that electricity energizes and strengthens Uthvas' constructs. Fire and acid and weapons appear effective against them. What items ought we take with us to help find him, and, when found, to help defeat him. I should like to send him to Marteaus, for I am fairly confident that Lord Gargul will have nothing to do with him.
"And, finding him, there is also the book to deal with. This is the sort of thing we may need to know more about, but it's also the sort of think I want to know nothing about, other than, 'How do we destroy it?'
"So over the next day or two, let's assemble what ideas we might, ask who may know, perhaps review the notes from Uthvas we brought back from his place. Apply our brains to the question, as Lance suggested."
Hammock time for Lance Murphy helps Lance set up his hammock. "I love sleeping in hammocks in trees. So long as they don't catch fire."
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22, HP 77, CMD 26 Tuesday May 30th, 2017 11:37:56 AM
Pressi shrugged. "Okay, it's a scary tome and there are all sorts of possible nightmare scenarios, but I'm not hearing what you want us to do about it, if any. Are we finally being given free reign and responsibility to track them down, or is there something in particular that you wanted us to do? Or are we basically just holding tight until something happens and we can be given orders?
"As for tracking Uthvas down or scrying on him, it won't be easy and he presumably has countermeasures in place. Last time, we had a prisoner pinging us on occasion, and he probably won't be making that mistake twice. If he's using teleporting ogre mages, he's probably being smart about this, and he's definitely not going to open himself up to yet another diplomatic offensive or call us to gloat."
Pressi does make one quick trip back to the catacombs to trade her vicious tear for a bane: construct tear.
Sky & Meko (Marty) HP:61/61; Ac:22 & Meko HP:42/42 Ac: 18(MA:22) Tuesday May 30th, 2017 1:00:35 PM
Ooc hectic memorial weekend. Full post coming tonight
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