"I very much doubt if you will still exist by the time we travel to Atur and someone returns here." Robin informs the mummy frankly. "You had best consider how to protect yourself between now and then."
Vorik tilts his head. "The trip to Atur will take two days for you, and likely less for the return," he says thoughtfully. "Let us assume it will take them a day to attend to their dead, though I suspect, from what I know of Aereni rituals, that it will take more time than that. They are currently down their primary arcane mage, on a mission that they no doubt expected to have overwhelmingly superior power, and they do not know you are leaving tomorrow. I think it highly likely they will go for reinforcements, but even if they do not, they will spend more time on reconnaissance." He folds his hands. "They posed the danger they did before because I did not know of their precise nature and there was little time. Now, I have both time and knowledge on my side, and they themselves are less powerful. I assure you, I will be more than capable of keeping myself safe for the next few days, even if they do decide to return," he promises. "I will be able to prepare several warding spells tomorrow, which I can even attune to them now that I have significant experience with them and they have been in my chapel. Should they choose to press the attack, they will find it significantly harder than ambushing me at the town gates."
Drego and Case's homunculus:
You slip after the elves, tracking them after about ten minutes to a small, empty house at the edge of town that has clearly been abandoned for a while. Peeking in a window, you see that Shaehas is still a bear while Azael and Liraes are carefully packing up the small camp they'd evidently set up in what used to be the living room. They are talking in Elvish. "Make sure you get Ilyr's notes from her bedroll," Azael is saying to Liraes. "She'll kill us once she's back if we leave anything here. Or crinkle it up by rolling it into the bedroll." Liraes grunts as he pulls a packet of papers from a bedroll and slips it into his bag. "Are we really abandoning this mission just like that? We're right here, we all know we could have finished that fight and destroyed the mummy." "Maybe, but it would have taken a large enough toll that we might not have made it back to Aerenal to resurrect the fallen," Azael replies. "Besides...I think we have stumbled on more important things than one mummy." He narrows his eyes. "Something about those spirits from the scimitar-wielding one...it's bothering me. And Ilyr clearly saw something. Besides, he wasn't the only one with something strange about him. Especially that dragon...since when do dragons defend Mabaran undead with such zeal?" "Maybe he wasn't with Argonnessen," Liraes replies. "Rogues do exist. Or maybe it had more to do with the fact that we were going through his allies than the mummy itself." He shrugs. "And prevailing in that fight would have required killing some of them," Azael finishes. "And I know you didn't want to do that--you like them. At least the little goblin."
Drego carefully disengages from the window, satisfied that he has learned all he can from the elves. Making his way back to the temple, he's careful to keep an eye on his backtrail and not retrace his steps. Once he's confident he's shaken any tail that might exist he returns to his comrades and relays the results of his surveillance - starting with the fact that it appears the elves are retreating for a resurrection ritual, but holding back the bits about Jax, PM and Stitch until the party is alone.
'So it seems they are likely off the table for several days at least, which is good because we need more information about what's happening. But first, I think we could all use so rest. Perhaps back to the tavern?' A pointed look towards PM and Robin to try to convey the need for privacy for the party.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Stitch looks down at his feet as Drego chastises him about trying to heal the elves. They were nice enough the other day at the inn… why are we protecting this old mummy anyways?… and why do they wanna kill them? These are the thoughts running through his mind as the conversation continues while tears run down his face.
He pulls the, probably still shiny rocks, out and clicks them together absently. That is until he hears ‘wanna heal someone, go check on Jax’. He looks up at Drego, nods his head, stows his rocks back in their pouch and trots over to Jax. Seeing both Jax and PM were hurt, Stitch places a hand on each of them. ( cure wounds Jax: 9//PM: 7, 1 sorcery point to twin the spell)
After which he feels the cold grip of steel as Case grabs his hand. He doesn’t even fight it this time. He remembers Case thanking him for saving him earlier, he doesn’t seem so scary anymore. And with that thought, he clambers up onto Case’s shoulders. Not quite as warm or comfy as Drego’s but better than sitting on the floor. He listens absently to Vorik drown on about stuff. Not fully understanding much of what was being said.
Stitch does clap excitedly when Drego returns, and moves over to the more comfortable sitting position. (Assuming Case doesn’t stop him from doing so) He hears more chatter about things that don’t really make sense. Then he hears getting some and, that usually means food. His stomach grumbles audibly. He could go for a meal.
"I will have the ritual fully ready by morning," Vorik tells Robin. "You are welcome to stay either here or at the inn free of charge for the remainder of the night. Merely return here to the chapel in the morning, and I will cast the divination on your message."
Case is pleased to have Stitch clamber up on to his shoulders. It makes it easy to keep track of the little fellow. Very practical.
Case nods in response to Drego's scouting. "They seem to be following some sort of ethical code. This is good to know. It affords us alternatives when interacting with them, in case we must in the future."
With that said, he is ready to follow the group back to the Inn.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
"Should we not keep moving? We have someplace to be,"Jaax says, eyes refocusing. "Atur. If Vorik will be fine. We should keep going."
As the group decides to move along, Jax shrugs, scratches at his wounds as he is healed, and one large hand ruffles the part of the goblin's head that has/does not have hair. It's a gentle gesture of thanks. He seems to be considering Stitch in new light.
Drego gladly accepts Stitch back from Case, happy to see the gobbo comfortable and bonding with the WarForged. At mentions of returning to the Inn, he nods his head, attempting to catch Robin's eye to confirm they need some privacy 'Yes, the Inn would be good. The little one here will need some food before settling down for the night'
As the group makes their way back to the Inn, Drego keeps Stitch on his shoulders and his head on a swivel - looking for any signs that the elves are afoot.
Once the group is together at the Inn, he relays the rest of the conversation he overheard - the part about Jax and PM. 'I'm not sure what's going on, but I didn't want us to have this conversation in front of Vorik - but I think we need to understand what's going on before we head back on the road and risk running into them or another team of assassins.'
“…hmm, well I suppose they were correct about me, yes?” Pieste Mor says. “… having no way to help our downed members I was indeed determined to make them pay as dearly as possible.., my reaction was in fact about you all rather than the one we were defending… though once I do decide to defend a thing, it does get my full effort, yes?”
'That's what they said my friend, and they said it was more important than the mission they were already pursuing.' Looking Jax full in the face, the ranger continues 'We've got your back on this - but do you have any idea what they are talking about?'
Pieste Mor watches Drego as they speak, then turns to Jax, then back again and forth again. After several double takes the dragon clear's it's throat with a puff of smoke and a cough. "... this one may have some problems... but spirits? poppycock! Jax has shown nothing of the sort.... anger issues, sure... distractedness, yep... stretches of melancholy, perhaps... but in all my time accompanying Jax I have seen not a single spirit nor indication of any particular importance!" Pieste Mor insists.
"I do not know what they are talking about,"Jax says to Drego's direct query. His face is still stoic, and a small, sad smile plays at the edge of his lips. "I often find myself fighting, or realized I have fought, and then cannot remember some or all of what happened. Pieste Mor here helps me with that."His gaze moves easily to the small dragon, finding some familiarity and comfort. "This fight, though, felt a bit different. Like I had help. But no one saw spirits, did they?"The solid barbarian says, looking to the group in addition to Drego.
Shaking his head the ranger responds 'I didn't see anything, but then again I wasn't looking for anything either - I was focused on keeping us alive.' a smile as he glances at Stitch 'And helping this one 'hide' so they didn't get hurt. I'm worried that we've popped up on their priority list, but there isn't anything to be done about it. I say we get a hot meal in us and a good nights rest and then set off as early in the morning as we can.'
Drego waves to the barkeep to order hot food and enough drink to warm their bellies but not dull their minds, then sets out for a quick perimeter check. Before he leaves he leans over to Case 'Last time we ate here it didn't go so well, would you be so kind as to be on alert while we eat? In case things go south?'
“…there were, of course, the shadowy, smokey figures that emanated from you when your head was most lost in battle… surely these were not mistaken for spirits?” Pieste Mor wondered aloud. “… spirits have, well… some semblance of consciousness.., or purpose… yes? the figments that come from Jax are just the thoughts he loses when blinded by battle.. ephemeral manifestations of his battle rage.. yes, yes?”
“…surely not individual spirits from…” But the dragon stops and says no more as they ponder for a while…
After your discussion, you head to bed and get a good night's sleep. The next morning, you head to the temple to meet Vorik, who has completed his ritual. The mummy's face is grave, at least as grave as a mummy's face can be (and yes, I'm sure there's a pun in there, go to town). "I cast the divination, and received some very troubling results. Flashes of blood, of a grand party, and of fangs in the night and a shattered sword. I also received the following words: The fallen Queen reaches her hand towards the crown of swords. Should her touch reach him, he will wither in his own home." The mummy folds his hands. "Between the images and the context, I imagine that the Queen this Avaestasi served intends to kill King Kaius in Korth. Your journey there has just become significantly more urgent."
"I very much doubt if you will still exist by the time we travel to Atur and someone returns here." Robin informs the mummy frankly. "You had best consider how to protect yourself between now and then."
Homunculus stealth : 18
(*shrug*)
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Vorik tilts his head. "The trip to Atur will take two days for you, and likely less for the return," he says thoughtfully. "Let us assume it will take them a day to attend to their dead, though I suspect, from what I know of Aereni rituals, that it will take more time than that. They are currently down their primary arcane mage, on a mission that they no doubt expected to have overwhelmingly superior power, and they do not know you are leaving tomorrow. I think it highly likely they will go for reinforcements, but even if they do not, they will spend more time on reconnaissance." He folds his hands. "They posed the danger they did before because I did not know of their precise nature and there was little time. Now, I have both time and knowledge on my side, and they themselves are less powerful. I assure you, I will be more than capable of keeping myself safe for the next few days, even if they do decide to return," he promises. "I will be able to prepare several warding spells tomorrow, which I can even attune to them now that I have significant experience with them and they have been in my chapel. Should they choose to press the attack, they will find it significantly harder than ambushing me at the town gates."
Drego and Case's homunculus:
You slip after the elves, tracking them after about ten minutes to a small, empty house at the edge of town that has clearly been abandoned for a while. Peeking in a window, you see that Shaehas is still a bear while Azael and Liraes are carefully packing up the small camp they'd evidently set up in what used to be the living room. They are talking in Elvish. "Make sure you get Ilyr's notes from her bedroll," Azael is saying to Liraes. "She'll kill us once she's back if we leave anything here. Or crinkle it up by rolling it into the bedroll."
Liraes grunts as he pulls a packet of papers from a bedroll and slips it into his bag. "Are we really abandoning this mission just like that? We're right here, we all know we could have finished that fight and destroyed the mummy."
"Maybe, but it would have taken a large enough toll that we might not have made it back to Aerenal to resurrect the fallen," Azael replies. "Besides...I think we have stumbled on more important things than one mummy." He narrows his eyes. "Something about those spirits from the scimitar-wielding one...it's bothering me. And Ilyr clearly saw something. Besides, he wasn't the only one with something strange about him. Especially that dragon...since when do dragons defend Mabaran undead with such zeal?"
"Maybe he wasn't with Argonnessen," Liraes replies. "Rogues do exist. Or maybe it had more to do with the fact that we were going through his allies than the mummy itself." He shrugs.
"And prevailing in that fight would have required killing some of them," Azael finishes. "And I know you didn't want to do that--you like them. At least the little goblin."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Drego carefully disengages from the window, satisfied that he has learned all he can from the elves. Making his way back to the temple, he's careful to keep an eye on his backtrail and not retrace his steps. Once he's confident he's shaken any tail that might exist he returns to his comrades and relays the results of his surveillance - starting with the fact that it appears the elves are retreating for a resurrection ritual, but holding back the bits about Jax, PM and Stitch until the party is alone.
'So it seems they are likely off the table for several days at least, which is good because we need more information about what's happening. But first, I think we could all use so rest. Perhaps back to the tavern?' A pointed look towards PM and Robin to try to convey the need for privacy for the party.
"We have given you the aid we could." Robin says with a nod. "Can you tell us what you know about the message we might not fully understand?"
“…I am tempted to suggest we find a new place to spend the night but I fear we are quite an apparent group of individuals and not hard to track down…”
Stitch looks down at his feet as Drego chastises him about trying to heal the elves. They were nice enough the other day at the inn… why are we protecting this old mummy anyways?… and why do they wanna kill them? These are the thoughts running through his mind as the conversation continues while tears run down his face.
He pulls the, probably still shiny rocks, out and clicks them together absently. That is until he hears ‘wanna heal someone, go check on Jax’. He looks up at Drego, nods his head, stows his rocks back in their pouch and trots over to Jax. Seeing both Jax and PM were hurt, Stitch places a hand on each of them. ( cure wounds Jax: 9//PM: 7, 1 sorcery point to twin the spell)
After which he feels the cold grip of steel as Case grabs his hand. He doesn’t even fight it this time. He remembers Case thanking him for saving him earlier, he doesn’t seem so scary anymore. And with that thought, he clambers up onto Case’s shoulders. Not quite as warm or comfy as Drego’s but better than sitting on the floor. He listens absently to Vorik drown on about stuff. Not fully understanding much of what was being said.
Stitch does clap excitedly when Drego returns, and moves over to the more comfortable sitting position. (Assuming Case doesn’t stop him from doing so) He hears more chatter about things that don’t really make sense. Then he hears getting some and, that usually means food. His stomach grumbles audibly. He could go for a meal.
"I will have the ritual fully ready by morning," Vorik tells Robin. "You are welcome to stay either here or at the inn free of charge for the remainder of the night. Merely return here to the chapel in the morning, and I will cast the divination on your message."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Case is pleased to have Stitch clamber up on to his shoulders. It makes it easy to keep track of the little fellow. Very practical.
Case nods in response to Drego's scouting. "They seem to be following some sort of ethical code. This is good to know. It affords us alternatives when interacting with them, in case we must in the future."
With that said, he is ready to follow the group back to the Inn.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
"Very well." Robin says with a shrug. She goes with the others back to the inn.
"Should we not keep moving? We have someplace to be," Jaax says, eyes refocusing. "Atur. If Vorik will be fine. We should keep going."
As the group decides to move along, Jax shrugs, scratches at his wounds as he is healed, and one large hand ruffles the part of the goblin's head that has/does not have hair. It's a gentle gesture of thanks. He seems to be considering Stitch in new light.
Drego gladly accepts Stitch back from Case, happy to see the gobbo comfortable and bonding with the WarForged. At mentions of returning to the Inn, he nods his head, attempting to catch Robin's eye to confirm they need some privacy 'Yes, the Inn would be good. The little one here will need some food before settling down for the night'
As the group makes their way back to the Inn, Drego keeps Stitch on his shoulders and his head on a swivel - looking for any signs that the elves are afoot.
Once the group is together at the Inn, he relays the rest of the conversation he overheard - the part about Jax and PM. 'I'm not sure what's going on, but I didn't want us to have this conversation in front of Vorik - but I think we need to understand what's going on before we head back on the road and risk running into them or another team of assassins.'
“…hmm, well I suppose they were correct about me, yes?” Pieste Mor says. “… having no way to help our downed members I was indeed determined to make them pay as dearly as possible.., my reaction was in fact about you all rather than the one we were defending… though once I do decide to defend a thing, it does get my full effort, yes?”
When Jax learns of what the elves said about him, his expression becomes confused. "Spirits?"
'That's what they said my friend, and they said it was more important than the mission they were already pursuing.' Looking Jax full in the face, the ranger continues 'We've got your back on this - but do you have any idea what they are talking about?'
Pieste Mor watches Drego as they speak, then turns to Jax, then back again and forth again. After several double takes the dragon clear's it's throat with a puff of smoke and a cough. "... this one may have some problems... but spirits? poppycock! Jax has shown nothing of the sort.... anger issues, sure... distractedness, yep... stretches of melancholy, perhaps... but in all my time accompanying Jax I have seen not a single spirit nor indication of any particular importance!" Pieste Mor insists.
"... errr, no offense my friend..."
"I do not know what they are talking about," Jax says to Drego's direct query. His face is still stoic, and a small, sad smile plays at the edge of his lips. "I often find myself fighting, or realized I have fought, and then cannot remember some or all of what happened. Pieste Mor here helps me with that." His gaze moves easily to the small dragon, finding some familiarity and comfort. "This fight, though, felt a bit different. Like I had help. But no one saw spirits, did they?" The solid barbarian says, looking to the group in addition to Drego.
Shaking his head the ranger responds 'I didn't see anything, but then again I wasn't looking for anything either - I was focused on keeping us alive.' a smile as he glances at Stitch 'And helping this one 'hide' so they didn't get hurt. I'm worried that we've popped up on their priority list, but there isn't anything to be done about it. I say we get a hot meal in us and a good nights rest and then set off as early in the morning as we can.'
Drego waves to the barkeep to order hot food and enough drink to warm their bellies but not dull their minds, then sets out for a quick perimeter check. Before he leaves he leans over to Case 'Last time we ate here it didn't go so well, would you be so kind as to be on alert while we eat? In case things go south?'
“…there were, of course, the shadowy, smokey figures that emanated from you when your head was most lost in battle… surely these were not mistaken for spirits?” Pieste Mor wondered aloud. “… spirits have, well… some semblance of consciousness.., or purpose… yes? the figments that come from Jax are just the thoughts he loses when blinded by battle.. ephemeral manifestations of his battle rage.. yes, yes?”
“…surely not individual spirits from…” But the dragon stops and says no more as they ponder for a while…
After your discussion, you head to bed and get a good night's sleep. The next morning, you head to the temple to meet Vorik, who has completed his ritual. The mummy's face is grave, at least as grave as a mummy's face can be (and yes, I'm sure there's a pun in there, go to town). "I cast the divination, and received some very troubling results. Flashes of blood, of a grand party, and of fangs in the night and a shattered sword. I also received the following words: The fallen Queen reaches her hand towards the crown of swords. Should her touch reach him, he will wither in his own home." The mummy folds his hands. "Between the images and the context, I imagine that the Queen this Avaestasi served intends to kill King Kaius in Korth. Your journey there has just become significantly more urgent."
OOC: Everyone long rest and level up to 4!
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!