Everyone gets their supplies as they meet up. Drax gets the feeling of untrust from his new serpent friend. It’s hesitant you want to take away its defense mechanism. But maybe once you prove yourself. He will allow it.
You make your way through the city streets and attempt to move closer to the tower. It takes a little extra time because you find yourself on a staircase in the right direction that soon turns sharply. The layout of the city is dizzying and almost vertigo inducing. After a couple hours you manage to find the massive church. The windows made of clear crystal several inches thick. The stone masonry in exact straight lines with perfectly even bricks. For how old the temple must be it’s astonishing the craftsmanship from an art and engineering standpoint. The blue crystal acting as a torch on the top of the steeple has several hundreds to thousands on small crystal embedded into the walls. A shining mirror effect as the surrounding area is brighter than the rest of the city. In the courtyards you find soldiers practicing drill, monks and priests discussing and praying, a sermon is being given to a group of civilians. They’re sitting in a circle in stone benches while a man speaks from a white marble pedestal. The massive stone and steel doors have an emblazed diamond white Gauntlet on the door. There is a lot of buzz, a lot of people, and very clearly no merchants in the area.
Aether: funiculus makes his way through the cracks and crevices of the ship making his way to the lower decks. Amongst the crates and barrels he finds furs, salted meats, fruit, some lumber and other common goods. It does seem to be a cargo ship with a legitimate purpose. You do find some contraband amongst the shipmates quarters, but seemingly just enough for personal use. Below deck you find the cargo hold, cannon room, and kitchen. The captains quarters are upstairs close to your room.
(OOC: Yeah I wasn't planning on doing it right away.. honestly I don't know that Drax even really knows how to do it but I thought it might be neat to see if I could try it lol)
When everyone meets up, Drax would allow a portion of his disguise to face to reveal the hulking serpent wrapped around him. "I made a purchase this morning.. and while she is a bit larger than I had intended.. I think she will be a useful addition to our team" Drax would say motioning to the large snake head resting just next to his own.
Matteo will carefully raise his hand and attempt to pet the giant snake, making sure that his metal gauntlets are firmly in place beforehand.
(On the way to the temple/guard house, he will explain his plan to the others; basically, to pose as a Paladin of Torm and his loyal followers and allies, hunting the servants of the evil fiend Asmodeus. He's hoping to get an introduction with whoever in the church or guard is leading the hunt for Asmodeus' folk, and that he can do something to thwart their efforts. Like kill them.)
Group: Matteo has explained his plan, you are standing outside the church.
Aether: you have funiculus return to you either relieved or disheartened about these sailors being on the straight and narrow. Korven isn’t much for company during the trip as he can’t speak, he stays in his quarters. Anders walks you out of the room, “perhaps your room then? What would you like to know?”
Drax would nod and disguise himself as a portly follower dressed in a simple robe like that of a devout monk with a simple iron necklace with a symbol of torm hanging from the end. "Let's go then... Let us see who would stand in our way..." The full faced acolyte would say with a Grin as the sun reflects off of his bald head. Drax would once again move a bit slower with his large snake cooled around himself.
Matteo, presumably still with both hands intact as the DM didn't say otherwise, looks happy that no-one has objected to his plan.
As we're closer to the cathedral, his first attempt will be to enter the cathedral itself. What does it look like?
If there are any priests or clerics, he will approach and bow. Good day, holy one. I am Sir Matteo, Paladin of Torm. I am sent here upon a holy mission to hunt down the cultists of evil wherever I find them. I am here to offer my aid, if there are any in the city who share my aims. Where should I direct my inquiries?
Entering the cathedral, walking through the the steel and dark wood doors that contrast against the pale white and grey stones of the walls. It’s interesting as you walk down the lines of Pews, you notice the windows that were clear crystal on the outside are intricate stained glass windows on the inside. They come together to make a mural of Torm’s last battle on the right side. The Left is Tyr’s courthouse. Hanging chandeliers keep a low dim light throughout the cathedral as ever-burning candles glow orange.
A bald dwarf with silver pauldrons adorned on top of a white shirt. A blue kilt hangs pass his knees. Giving order to other priests. When approached he scoffs. “I can assure there is no foul presence of devils here. Not in my city, they would know better than to enter the ground that’s protected by might and just honor of Torm. If you want to make yourself useful, there have been reports of people acting strangely at night in the northern district. Wild goose chase I thinks, but feel free to check it out.”
”Oh mostly just passing the time. Tell me about yourself and Korven. I’m guessing he gained his arcane talents through a pact?”
While they talk the wizard starts pulling bones one at a time from his his bag of holding and using repeated castings of Prestidigitation to clean it. Then setting it aside and pulling out another one. Once done he will place the bones back in the bag.
Be watchful, friend,says 'Sir' Matteo sternly. The followers of darkness are everywhere, and will seek to snuff out the light at every opportunity. There can be no complacency. Rest assured, we will investigate these night disturbances and if any evil dwells there, Torm's righteous fury will fall upon it.
He asks the priest for more detail of where in the 'northern district' these strange people can be found, as well as anything more he can tell on the subject. Finally, Matteo gives a formal bow, turns around and marches from the cathedral. Outside, and again making sure that they are away from prying eyes and ears, he will talk quietly to the group.
Perhaps they are cautious in speaking with outsiders, but that priest tells a very different tale than our newly-liberated friends. They spoke of a city that takes delight in hunting down the faithful, and yet he would have us believe there are none to be found. A contradiction. I would like to speak to the guard first, and then tonight we should make for the northern district and see what can be found.
Aether - Anders idly chats with you, not even blinking an eye at you cleaning a seemingly endless bag of bones during the discussion. “Korven? No he learned his magic through rigorous studies and practice. A true dedication to knowledge. I am his humble squire. (Eldritch knight and Valor Bard). His weapons (hellfire battleaxe plus others?) are something he gained from a gamble with a devil though. That’s story is for another time though. Tell me what about your group, how was of being selected for the Hand? What are your personal ambitions?”
Group - The dwarf states that “It all started at Greco’s Haberdashery. He says his mother who lives upstairs has seen people at night doing strange things. Dancing, running through the streets, mind control She calls it. She doesn’t sleep much, a very very paranoid woman. But Greco does his best to keep her comfortable... we have had our run ins before with the family, she gets a little, irritable at times. It’s good for her that she has family that looks after her.”
Anders nods along. “Yes it’s interesting, we don’t see many Warfo....”. His sentence is cut off as the ship makes a hard left turn, sending both of you stumbling as furniture and wares begin to slide. A loud bell continues to ring from up top the deck. Through the waves crashing you hear several of the sailors running and shouting from the deck above.
Before heading to the northern district, Matteo will head to the guard headquarters and essentially repeat the same act, inquiring about possible 'evil cultists' and claiming to be seeking to hunt them down in the name of Torm. He more directly asks who in the city is responsible for investigating cults.
Matteo finds in talking with the guard that there isn’t really a “cult detective” branch of the guard. It seems the religion of the Triad is so ingrained into the culture as well as strict and rigid rule following that people police themselves and report questionable behavior. It just lands to whatever guards it’s reported to mostly. It isn’t that the city’s guard is responsible for the tough start up of the church, more so the culture of the people being witnessed to.
Aether rushes upstairs to the deck to see soldiers running and tying ropes, manually handling the sails. Two men rush towards ballistas. Wife’s creatures fly in the air circling around the ship, it’s hard to count how many but flashes and glimpses of wings flash as they fly overhead. Aether has read about creatures as these. wyverns
Everyone gets their supplies as they meet up. Drax gets the feeling of untrust from his new serpent friend. It’s hesitant you want to take away its defense mechanism. But maybe once you prove yourself. He will allow it.
You make your way through the city streets and attempt to move closer to the tower. It takes a little extra time because you find yourself on a staircase in the right direction that soon turns sharply. The layout of the city is dizzying and almost vertigo inducing. After a couple hours you manage to find the massive church. The windows made of clear crystal several inches thick. The stone masonry in exact straight lines with perfectly even bricks. For how old the temple must be it’s astonishing the craftsmanship from an art and engineering standpoint. The blue crystal acting as a torch on the top of the steeple has several hundreds to thousands on small crystal embedded into the walls. A shining mirror effect as the surrounding area is brighter than the rest of the city. In the courtyards you find soldiers practicing drill, monks and priests discussing and praying, a sermon is being given to a group of civilians. They’re sitting in a circle in stone benches while a man speaks from a white marble pedestal. The massive stone and steel doors have an emblazed diamond white Gauntlet on the door. There is a lot of buzz, a lot of people, and very clearly no merchants in the area.
OOC: yes it’s a 10:1 ratio gold:platinum
Aether: funiculus makes his way through the cracks and crevices of the ship making his way to the lower decks. Amongst the crates and barrels he finds furs, salted meats, fruit, some lumber and other common goods. It does seem to be a cargo ship with a legitimate purpose. You do find some contraband amongst the shipmates quarters, but seemingly just enough for personal use. Below deck you find the cargo hold, cannon room, and kitchen. The captains quarters are upstairs close to your room.
(OOC: Yeah I wasn't planning on doing it right away.. honestly I don't know that Drax even really knows how to do it but I thought it might be neat to see if I could try it lol)
When everyone meets up, Drax would allow a portion of his disguise to face to reveal the hulking serpent wrapped around him. "I made a purchase this morning.. and while she is a bit larger than I had intended.. I think she will be a useful addition to our team" Drax would say motioning to the large snake head resting just next to his own.
Matteo will carefully raise his hand and attempt to pet the giant snake, making sure that his metal gauntlets are firmly in place beforehand.
(On the way to the temple/guard house, he will explain his plan to the others; basically, to pose as a Paladin of Torm and his loyal followers and allies, hunting the servants of the evil fiend Asmodeus. He's hoping to get an introduction with whoever in the church or guard is leading the hunt for Asmodeus' folk, and that he can do something to thwart their efforts. Like kill them.)
Aether
I spend the rest of the voyage studying and getting to know the other two acolytes.
Group: Matteo has explained his plan, you are standing outside the church.
Aether: you have funiculus return to you either relieved or disheartened about these sailors being on the straight and narrow. Korven isn’t much for company during the trip as he can’t speak, he stays in his quarters. Anders walks you out of the room, “perhaps your room then? What would you like to know?”
Drax would nod and disguise himself as a portly follower dressed in a simple robe like that of a devout monk with a simple iron necklace with a symbol of torm hanging from the end. "Let's go then... Let us see who would stand in our way..." The full faced acolyte would say with a Grin as the sun reflects off of his bald head. Drax would once again move a bit slower with his large snake cooled around himself.
Matteo, presumably still with both hands intact as the DM didn't say otherwise, looks happy that no-one has objected to his plan.
As we're closer to the cathedral, his first attempt will be to enter the cathedral itself. What does it look like?
If there are any priests or clerics, he will approach and bow. Good day, holy one. I am Sir Matteo, Paladin of Torm. I am sent here upon a holy mission to hunt down the cultists of evil wherever I find them. I am here to offer my aid, if there are any in the city who share my aims. Where should I direct my inquiries?
Deception 12
(OOC: Would Drax be able to help Matteo in convincing them that he is a paladin of Torm, since he is also dressed in Torm appearal.)
With Drax’s help persuasion roll: 26
Entering the cathedral, walking through the the steel and dark wood doors that contrast against the pale white and grey stones of the walls. It’s interesting as you walk down the lines of Pews, you notice the windows that were clear crystal on the outside are intricate stained glass windows on the inside. They come together to make a mural of Torm’s last battle on the right side. The Left is Tyr’s courthouse. Hanging chandeliers keep a low dim light throughout the cathedral as ever-burning candles glow orange.
A bald dwarf with silver pauldrons adorned on top of a white shirt. A blue kilt hangs pass his knees. Giving order to other priests. When approached he scoffs. “I can assure there is no foul presence of devils here. Not in my city, they would know better than to enter the ground that’s protected by might and just honor of Torm. If you want to make yourself useful, there have been reports of people acting strangely at night in the northern district. Wild goose chase I thinks, but feel free to check it out.”
Drax would rub his chin without saying a word.. looking up towards his paladin companion. waiting to follow matteo's lead.
Aether
”Oh mostly just passing the time. Tell me about yourself and Korven. I’m guessing he gained his arcane talents through a pact?”
While they talk the wizard starts pulling bones one at a time from his his bag of holding and using repeated castings of Prestidigitation to clean it. Then setting it aside and pulling out another one. Once done he will place the bones back in the bag.
Be watchful, friend, says 'Sir' Matteo sternly. The followers of darkness are everywhere, and will seek to snuff out the light at every opportunity. There can be no complacency. Rest assured, we will investigate these night disturbances and if any evil dwells there, Torm's righteous fury will fall upon it.
He asks the priest for more detail of where in the 'northern district' these strange people can be found, as well as anything more he can tell on the subject. Finally, Matteo gives a formal bow, turns around and marches from the cathedral. Outside, and again making sure that they are away from prying eyes and ears, he will talk quietly to the group.
Perhaps they are cautious in speaking with outsiders, but that priest tells a very different tale than our newly-liberated friends. They spoke of a city that takes delight in hunting down the faithful, and yet he would have us believe there are none to be found. A contradiction. I would like to speak to the guard first, and then tonight we should make for the northern district and see what can be found.
Aether - Anders idly chats with you, not even blinking an eye at you cleaning a seemingly endless bag of bones during the discussion. “Korven? No he learned his magic through rigorous studies and practice. A true dedication to knowledge. I am his humble squire. (Eldritch knight and Valor Bard). His weapons (hellfire battleaxe plus others?) are something he gained from a gamble with a devil though. That’s story is for another time though. Tell me what about your group, how was of being selected for the Hand? What are your personal ambitions?”
Group - The dwarf states that “It all started at Greco’s Haberdashery. He says his mother who lives upstairs has seen people at night doing strange things. Dancing, running through the streets, mind control She calls it. She doesn’t sleep much, a very very paranoid woman. But Greco does his best to keep her comfortable... we have had our run ins before with the family, she gets a little, irritable at times. It’s good for her that she has family that looks after her.”
Aether
"I was made to serve. But I am very happy about the chance this mission gives me to further my studies and test them out of the lab."
Anders nods along. “Yes it’s interesting, we don’t see many Warfo....”. His sentence is cut off as the ship makes a hard left turn, sending both of you stumbling as furniture and wares begin to slide. A loud bell continues to ring from up top the deck. Through the waves crashing you hear several of the sailors running and shouting from the deck above.
Before heading to the northern district, Matteo will head to the guard headquarters and essentially repeat the same act, inquiring about possible 'evil cultists' and claiming to be seeking to hunt them down in the name of Torm. He more directly asks who in the city is responsible for investigating cults.
Aether
Quickly sweeping the bones back into his bag of holding Aether heads for the door. “I suppose we should see what has happened.“
Matteo finds in talking with the guard that there isn’t really a “cult detective” branch of the guard. It seems the religion of the Triad is so ingrained into the culture as well as strict and rigid rule following that people police themselves and report questionable behavior. It just lands to whatever guards it’s reported to mostly. It isn’t that the city’s guard is responsible for the tough start up of the church, more so the culture of the people being witnessed to.
Aether rushes upstairs to the deck to see soldiers running and tying ropes, manually handling the sails. Two men rush towards ballistas. Wife’s creatures fly in the air circling around the ship, it’s hard to count how many but flashes and glimpses of wings flash as they fly overhead. Aether has read about creatures as these. wyverns