Crimson Sands of Time

Oli calls out to Sam, "Hey Sam, are we going to bring Chadderlay's statue with us, or are we coming back once we have someone to cure him?"

<ooc: Or did I miss that Chadderlay was taken care of?>

Ooc he’s in the portable hole I have 

<I think things are calm again. No senators or CEOs in the foreseeable future. I keep going back and forth on this, but i decuded to just break the fourth wall here and figure out what we want to do.  Basically, I have 2 things for you to do: 1. go through thay, working up wnough levels to confront Szazz Tam, 2. go to ancient Netheril, where you're functionally different because the world is different.  Giving your PCs a reason to go to either organically is proving a bit challenging, but I figure it would be best to just ask. Any preferences? >

<related: playtest for bastion system looks to he ready. I haven't read it, but a team of high levels pcs with their own flying city would be a good place to test it out. I think.  If anyone is interested, ad I understand it the rules are set up for you to make your own individual bastions, but if they're all in the city, I think that woukd work well. It is personal preference, though.  I'll see if I can get the link to it. I actually heard it here: https://youtu.be/VIJSH0F31VI?si=VGfvlz5JTHseQIR5&gt;

You might know this already, but I almost exclusively run published modules adapted for our game.

Spoiler: these are the sources

If you want to see what D'arlon Ma and Morena are doing to stop Thay from unleashing the horrors of thefar Realm on Toril, go south, deeper into Thay.  If you want to investigate that dream, go west.  

So, which will it be?

The chief thanks Sam and the others, saying there have been no undead for at least a day and the Shaman confirms the necrotic presence has lifted from this land.  Most of all, they are great full for the removal of the black dragon from their home and extend hospitality to all, though they are in poor condition after suffering at the hands Velvet and his machinations.

(whoo busy.  its budget season for my work!)

fourth wall broken thoughts-  

Yes chadderly is safe in the portable hole- we will get him un petrified asap (can the lizardfolk help with that?   it’s not a super high spell, just we dont apparently have it)

i think freeing thay sounds good- rejoining morena, gaining power and taking on Szass Tam.  id like to do that.   are we still the same level?  how far before we level up?  

the dream also was interesting.  Tetrevess would also like to go back to the flying city at some point (he has means for teleport so really we could go anytime he has slots for it)

the bastian system also looks fun!

Quote from Wile_E_Coyote >>

The chief thanks Sam and the others, saying there have been no undead for at least a day and the Shaman confirms the necrotic presence has lifted from this land.  Most of all, they are great full for the removal of the black dragon from their home and extend hospitality to all, though they are in poor condition after suffering at the hands Velvet and his machinations.

"I'm glad to hear that everything is fine on your end. That's a breath of relief for us too." Ethan replies to the chief a polite bow. "However, this situation is far from over, judging by the scale of the emerging threats being launched at us at full speed. We'll do our best we can to neutralize it before the worse case scenario should come up. Though..." He then turns to the rest. "Hmm... I don't know what seems to be the best option at this point; I'm not a good critical thinker I'll admit, but... maybe... just maybe..." He tentatively shifts his entire body. "I have this gut feeling that we should all free Thay first, seeing that it might trigger a set of disasters if we don't... I mean... I don't know; My instancts tell me to get rid of what's going on in there..."

(Honestly although I'm flexible either way, I talked it out with my friend and he's really interested in freeing Thay as well if that's ok.)

Quote from Tesservett >>

(whoo busy.  its budget season for my work!)

fourth wall broken thoughts-  

Yes chadderly is safe in the portable hole- we will get him un petrified asap (can the lizardfolk help with that?   it’s not a super high spell, just we dont apparently have it)

i think freeing thay sounds good- rejoining morena, gaining power and taking on Szass Tam.  id like to do that.   are we still the same level?  how far before we level up?  

the dream also was interesting.  Tetrevess would also like to go back to the flying city at some point (he has means for teleport so really we could go anytime he has slots for it)

 

the bastian system also looks fun!

 

 

 (Low key actually happy with the bastion system was about to start working on something like that)

(I mean we technically have the fire power to go for helping free Thay but we need allies)

sam ponders and thinks for a bit with the group and before they leave the lizardfolk village “if we are too free Thay we would need an army, to say wouldn’t we” thinking back to the assault on the That embassy in Mulaster and how much undead was their “as the Primus tryannus I can give you sanctuary, safety and meaning the your life here whilst hard can still bloom here and I will not force you hand to move with us but your help and kin shall be safe with us let’s just say my return isn’t the only thing that has also reappeared” 

persuaiosn if needed 7 

“T with are new home say, would it be possible to bring say an army from the past back into are present time without killing them, you are living proof of that the theory technically works”

<I think its really more interesting when really unlikely outcomes have interesting consequences, so I could have the shaman do the restoration, (he wouldn't normally know the spell, he's written as a 5th level caster) I think it makes narrative sense to have to look for the services of someone to cast the spell on your companion in the civilized part of Thay, whether you choose the capital of Eltabar or another city, the cost is the same - 450gp.  Mainly, it gets you to a place where there are people to talk to that can send you on quests and such, assuming you'll speak with them.  Maybe just don't draw attention to yourselves as outsiders and especially avoid the many layers of authoritarian control Szazz Tam exerts over the people of Thay - from the Thayan Knights to the Probity Corps, Senechels, Tarchions, Zulkirs, the list goes on.  Not each and every one cares about you or indeed for TTam himself, but they won't risk being marked as a disloyal for publicly allowing any known enemy of the state safe passage.  But for some stranger with legitemate business, they could certainly turn a blind eye.  It sounds like youre ready to roll into the city, so one last chance to post any additional preparations, or even go back to your tower, if you want to - nothing really stops you from doing so - and then I'll introduce you to the city.>

https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/ua/bastions-and-cantrips#BastionsandCantripsOctober052023

here is a link to the Bastion System rules I mentioned yesterday, for your convenience.

<anyone else think it's weird that Bastion turns are every 7 days when the default FR setting almost always recognizes time as moving by the tenday?>

Just reading through.  As you're all leveled enough to do so, please let me know if someone builds an archive.  

BTW, this applies to Chadderlay as well, just because we didn't have the rules yet, doesn't mean he cant enjoy the benefits of the bastion while he's petrified.  Note this rule, though: If a character issues no orders to their Bastion for a number of consecutive Bastion turns equal to the character’s level (typically because the character is dead or otherwise out of commission), the hirelings abandon the Bastion and the site is eventually looted. If the character returns later, they have the option to start a new Bastion, perhaps building it amid the ruins of the old one.  So, there is a bit of a ticking clock to get Chadderlay back to life, in universe.

Quote from Legion4 >>

 

 (Low key actually happy with the bastion system was about to start working on something like that)

(I mean we technically have the fire power to go for helping free Thay but we need allies)

sam ponders and thinks for a bit with the group and before they leave the lizardfolk village “if we are too free Thay we would need an army, to say wouldn’t we” thinking back to the assault on the That embassy in Mulaster and how much undead was their “as the Primus tryannus I can give you sanctuary, safety and meaning the your life here whilst hard  can still bloom here and I will not force you hand to move with us but your help and kin shall be safe with us let’s just say my return isn’t the only thing that has also reappeared” 

persuaiosn if needed 20 

“T with are new home say, would it be possible to bring say an army from the past back into are present time without killing them, you are living proof of that the theory technically works”

 (Correction, my friend Pyro got it mixed up and said he wanted to do Bastion as well and leave Thay for the second bit. I tried to tell him that lol)

"Alright I think that's enough dilly-dally from all of you three." Randy impatiently scoffs as he overhears the trio talking to the lizardfolk and then amongst each other. Whilst he. "Are we ready to go now and head to that stupid bastion place where you guys are also thrilled to go to? Sigh... I thought I expected that you all came to complete solution with each other by now; Can't believe we've wasted nearly half an hour trying to figure where to go next." He glares at his brother who still has nervous look before he arms himself and turns towards the exit. "What? You told me to stay out of your meaningless conversations right? That's why I didn't say anything up until now. Stop giving me that overprotective face of yours ok? I know how much you care about my safety but just remember: I care about yours too. Even if I don't express it. Let's get going!" 

955

that roll was for an alternate loot identity from the black-scale spellbook found in the dragon's lair.  You can keep the book as it was described, or you can swap it for hte results above: The Tome of Humorous perspective.  what will it be?

Quote from Wildland_Shifters >>

"Alright I think that's enough dilly-dally from all of you three." Randy impatiently scoffs as he overhears the trio talking to the lizardfolk and then amongst each other. Whilst he. "Are we ready to go now and head to that stupid bastion place where you guys are also thrilled to go to? Sigh... I thought I expected that you all came to complete solution with each other by now; Can't believe we've wasted nearly half an hour trying to figure where to go next." He glares at his brother who still has nervous look before he arms himself and turns towards the exit. "What? You told me to stay out of your meaningless conversations right? That's why I didn't say anything up until now. Stop giving me that overprotective face of yours ok? I know how much you care about my safety but just remember: I care about yours too. Even if I don't express it. Let's get going!" 

 "What?! I-I didn't even say anything about you yet you impatient loudmouth what the heck!" Ethan lashes back in frustration as he begrudgingly follows behind the rest and argues with Randy offscreen in a not-so-friendly manner as usual.

The lizard king declines, regrettably Sam's offer, for the tribes he now leads have been truly decimated by Velvet's attacks.  He does seem intrigued by rhe notion kf time travel "if you di find a way to chsnge the course kf history, Primus Tyrannus, do think of our tribes and if possible, perhaps you can Avery the fate we have suffered."

(Honestly, I guess you could grab people from the past and bring them forward in time.  I hadn't considered it, but I will look into the details if hiw that woukd work.)

After retuening your boat at the inn and making your way through the farmlands south toward the plateau, you come to the a 

Probity Corps Check Point

Check points are far from uncommon in Thay. Such is one of the realities of living under authoritarian rule.

Of all the roadways accessing Eltabbar, the High Road to the capital city of Eltabbar sees the most traffic into and out of the city. Because of this fact, it is a frequent location for law enforcement check points.

One such check point is in place as the character make their way towards the city. This check point is being run by Probity Corps operators. Present at this check point are two Probity Corps Inquisitors and four Probity Corps Troopers.

The characters should have plenty of warning that a check point is ahead. A successful Wisdom(Perception) check notices that other travelers hundreds of yards ahead of the characters are being stopped and asked questions. of the check point, they cannot fail to notice the traffic back up/queue being formed because of the check point.

<do you want to try the checkpoint or avoid it by stealth or something?>

"Ok... this line would be literal hell to wait in... It reminds me of the airport lounges during summer break, honestly, when everyone is desperate to get the hell out of Arizona during one of the worst heat waves possible." Ethan muses as he squints at the horrendously long queues before turning back to his teammates to discuss how to get in. "I don't usually like being a dishonest person, but just this once, I'll be more than willing to sneak past the guards if everyone's contempt on doing so."

“arizona?  Ive not heard of this place.  sounds like the Bright Desert of my homeworld.. Tetrevess muses.  He sees the checkpoint and looks at the group.   “Stealth, subterfuge, or magic?   We really don’t want to risk our detection, if we can help it.  any ideas?”

during our in between time- Tetrevess will create a bastion back at our flying city.  He will leave his Magen there to mind it- and can travel back and forth with teleportation circle (along with anyone else interested. (i think we had the sigil sequence for it) 

what is the new spellbook option? i didnt see a description for it.

"Well if no else has any ideas, be thankful I came prepared." Ethan says as he whispers the words of the Raven Queen yet again before performing some hand seals and then swiping his right hand like a wave. "The five of us! Vanish... with the wind!" 

OOC: Ethan casts 5th level invisibility; there's five active members so Everyone should be invisible right now; I assume Chad is also invisible if he's inside the bag that Sam/Oli is holding.

Quote from Tesservett >>

“arizona?  Ive not heard of this place.  sounds like the Bright Desert of my homeworld.. Tetrevess muses.  He sees the checkpoint and looks at the group.   “Stealth, subterfuge, or magic?   We really don’t want to risk our detection, if we can help it.  any ideas?”

during our in between time- Tetrevess will create a bastion back at our flying city.  He will leave his Magen there to mind it- and can travel back and forth with teleportation circle (along with anyone else interested. (i think we had the sigil sequence for it) 

what is the new spellbook option? i didnt see a description for it.

"You said you come from another world right, Mr Tetris? The same goes for us; We're not actually from the Sword Coast, rather we came from another world like you before we ended up residing there, even if it's temporary." Randy pipes up without even breaking a sweat, which shows that even he's cool about his foreign status. And then notices himself turning invisible before his blue eyes. "Sweet. I was actually going to do this first but still, we're all set to hide. Shall we get going?"

"Just so you know, no one cares about the useless Level 4 spells you intend on casting at the moment; especially when you can't even benefit all of us at once!" Ethan backlashes unnecessarily. 

"Oh shut the hell up! Like you can do any better beside spam your stupid eldritch baseballs during combat! Besides that, you want me to end your invisibility and leave you exposed?!" Randy lashes back without thinking.