GMPablo |
A few days have passed since the events at the Crypt of the Everflame and life in the town is beginning to return to normal. The folks are still quite wary of the dark, worried that some overlooked undead fiend might stalk from the crypt.
With everyone rested, healed and Anaba's strength returned to normal. You spend some time resupplying and thinking of the grave robbers, how to get the Amulet back and the hidden treasure horde and where the three amulets will lead.
One evening while sitting in the inn and discussing your next steps your group looks for the amulet Asar was wearing and finds it missing. After looking through your rooms and possessions you cannot find it anywhere. You suspect someone must have stolen it. There was a ship docked recently and several strangers were in town. Speaking with the dockmaster you find that it was headed for Tamran.
The next day you receive a message from Cygar, the Pathfinder, requesting that you meet him by the docks tomorrow afternoon, ready for travel to the capital city of Nirmathas. When you arrive, you find him waiting, standing in front of a large river barge. He greets you and explains that he has made contact with a friend in Tamran named Reginar who could help. Reginar knows the city well and has been keeping an eye on masked followers of Razmir (whose description matches the masks found in the crypt). He also suspects that the Razmirian followers stole Asar's piece from you. Cygar would like you to travel to Tamran and learn what they can about the tomb robbers and, if possible, recover the amulet fragments so they can be returned to their resting place. Cygar explains that he has booked passage to Tamran on the Black Mist, a river barge run by captain Walren. The barge is headed straight for Tamran with a shipment of ingots from Skelt, and Cygar promises that it will make the journey swift and easy. Cygar you to find Reginar once they reach Tamran, and he will help on the mission.
Fernleaf Ivy |
Gloves of Reconnaissance
Mithril Shirt
Thieve's Tools, masterwork
Please make sure to read the email I sent about this (dated 2/17). It has discussion, questions and a proposed/possible action plan prior to setting out.
I want a pound of fresh rice flour, some chocolate and 2 small corks, as well.
GMPablo |
As word of your departure quickly spreads through the the small hamlet of Kassen several of the townsfolk, Mayor Uptal, Demira and Roldare as well as many of the family members of the lost youth turn out to wish you safe travels. Cygar sees you to the Black Mist "Goodbye and good luck! Be careful!".
The Black Mist is a rectangular, small-sailed barge, 60 feet long and 20 feet wide. A dwarven Man and a heavily scarred Kellid man greets you warmly at the top of the gangplank.
"Welcome to the Black Mist! I'm Captain Walren and this is my deckhand Ewem. We have a cabin ready for you in the aft. Cygar has paid your passage and our next stop is the capital Tamran. We have made this trip many times over and are not expecting any difficulty, but should trouble arise I'd appreciate your help. These days there is more to worry about than the beasts that lurk in Lake Encarthan. Molthuni privateers prowl the waters looking for victims, along with the accursed faith barges of Razmiran, who force travelers to accept the faith of the Living God, often at the point of a sword. The journey will take about a week and anything could happen during that time. We have a hold full of iron ingots and I want to see them safely to market. Get settled we leave within the hour."
Ewem shows you to the cabin which occupies the back third of the barge. The cabin contains enough cots for the entire party, as well as the captain and his deck hand.
Thirty minutes later there is a flurry of activity onboard and around the ship as lines are released and sails let out. The locals wave goodbye as the barge pulls away from the dock and moves into the river proper headed downstream to Lake Encarthan. Captain Walren whistles as he takes the wheel, while Ewem works the sails at his direction.
What does everyone want to do onboard?
Hang out in the cabin, on-deck, sleep, study, dance about, play find the cabin boy,..etc?
Buchart |
Once settled into the journey Buchart asks Fernleaf,
Fernleaf, I could't help but notice how you were waxing bardic in the crypt. Are you a fan of the performing arts, the theater, etc.? I've been known to wax poetic at times (Cha 7, mind you) myself! Have you seen Je Star and Poof-tar perform? Top notch burlesque that! Perhaps we should consider starting a theater someday, when we retire from adventuring!
GMPablo |
You have all day to chat with the captain he seems jovial and open to conversation. He says, "Razmir's masked priests sail these waters boarding the ships of those who are not making port in Xer to spread the word of their faith. They generally bully non-believers and collect their "tithes" by demanding tribute to pass. If you have the cash you can get by, but it cuts into the profits. If you don't or prove difficult..well..who knows."
KN Religion if you want to try to get more info.
GMPablo |
GM Stuff: 1d100 ⇒ 33
GM Stuff: 1d100 ⇒ 27
The rest of the day goes by uneventfully. At night the winds die down and the captain lets some wind out to slow the barge using lanterns to keep it in midstream and avoiding any debris in the water. He takes shifts with Ewem to get some rest.
What does the party do?
Buchart |
Sleep in my armor with one eye open? In what phase is the moon? Though I'm sure Cela can tell us, I will ask the captain to keep the conversation going.
Captain, I trust you have knowledge of this river and the prevailing conditions. When will we have less light tonight?
Fernleaf Ivy |
Once settled into the journey Buchart asks Fernleaf,
Fernleaf, I could't help but notice how you were waxing bardic in the crypt. Are you a fan of the performing arts, the theater, etc.? I've been known to wax poetic at times (Cha 7, mind you) myself! Have you seen Je Star and Poof-tar perform? Top notch burlesque that! Perhaps we should consider starting a theater someday, when we retire from adventuring!
Indeed. I am a practicer of the Thespian Arts. I love long sonnets and readings. Historical plays. A little dark comedy, perhaps. The classics. I am thinking I may do undead stand-up if our trip to crypt has the worst-case results. Please let me know if you see any rats or other vermin aboard ship. I have been thinking of some culinary experiments I'd like to conduct while we sail...
Buchart |
Retirement. Quaint notion, that. I was raised to believe life is a constant struggle for survival which only ends with death. I know now that was only a mantra we used to excuse our crimes against others, but some habits are hard to break.
Yes, it is a quaint notion, isn't it. One can dream, though. I'm sure when I finally go it will be because of my last rash decision! Haha!
Fernleaf Ivy |
BTW, am I still having visions and pondering my undeath? Or did that water actually heal me. I would love to go back in time and ask the villagers about the water we drank. Did it take effect? We still have waterskins full of it. Does Detect magic show anything on the skins? How about other magical means or Knowledge Arcana, Spellcraft, etc.
In other words, am I going to die a horrible death, then come and eat everybody's brains in their sleep?
I should have my Masterwork Thief's tools with me now. I can't get the Mithril Shirt or Gloves until we get to the city, I imagine, but the tools should be available. My sheet shows them not. Thank you for your attention.
GMPablo |
Fernleaf - how right you are - i did not have you resolve the disease!
Make two Fortitude saves please. You start feeling pretty ill 3 days after getting hit and lose Con Damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Cela can assist with the roll and we can consider you under her care as you are tucked in bed safely in the inn.
Fahari has similar issues Con Damage: 1d2 ⇒ 2 roll two saves as well
Luckily this is damage not drain. so once the disease is cured the Con returns at 1 point per day of rest. The water in the crypt will cure you as well, but you need to drink it there. The water you collected is just water now. The water will heal the Con damage, but probably not worth the trip when you can just lie in bed for a day and have hot soup brought to you. You can only drink once per day from the fountain.
Fernleaf Ivy |
omfg... I will sink back into my cloak once more and think dark thoughts of internal organs, spices and what sort of weird, creepy voice to use during my stage show.
The thought begins to dawn on me that I may not be smart enough, or even sentient, to do proper stand-up. Those zombies we encountered did not seem particularly intellectual to me. We never tried to talk to them, though. perhaps they were excellent conversationalists. We should have asked them to stay for tea, perhaps, instead of hacking them to bits.
Fernleaf Ivy |
I will begin to work on my final stage play. An epic story of a heroic halfling, down on his luck and scrabbling to near prosperity through adventures great and small, only to be taken down by the vile undead. But wait! He then rises from his undeath to entertain hundreds across the lands, rising to fame and fortune through cutting wit and darings do. And the propensity for people to want to pay good gold to look at freaks...
I also begin a business plan and start listing possible venues... I may need a handler. And possibly an underground lair whereby to avoid the evil sun... That and plan my companion cookbook for the signing tour following the stand-up gig. "407 Unique Ways to Eat Brains", possibly, or "This does NOT Taste Like Chicken".
Otherwise, I occupy my time practicing with my new thieves tools, and concealing lots of blades.
Sekkimm |
Smek, as a nocturnal creature, will keep an eye out for me and wake me over our emotional bond should trouble arise.
"ok, Smek. If any strange people, boats, or creatures show up, give me a squeak. I've got to get some rest so i can make the magic happen."
-Posted with Wayfinder
GMPablo |
GM Stuffily Stuff: 1d100 ⇒ 76
GM Stuffily Stuff: 1d100 ⇒ 77
GM Stuffily Stuff: 1d100 ⇒ 50
The next day you move out onto the lake from the river and travel without incident. The following day (day 3) you are well out on the Lake when a cold Autumn rain starts late afternoon making the journey a bit miserable. The heavy barge fares well but the waters are a bit choppy from the storm.
For the evening/night who wants to stay on deck in the rain storm and who wants to go to the cabin? Also advise if you have changed any spells.