"Oh, you changed your mind!" Khessa looks delighted "We will see each other again - and I might keep advancing in the arcane arts thanks to your guide! Wonderful, you'll not regret it - while those who will dare to oppose us," she winks "probably will".
She waves a last time, then she leaves. Time to reassure Eric and her companions (and to share what she discovered).
Nixi is very curious about what Khasse has learned and asks for all the details. [[Will you show the Mark?]]
Anyone else want to do something today?
Yes, Khessa will trust Nixi - but she will telll her to keep it a secret. The blonde arcane warrior thinks the mark might be characteristic of a faction of the Red Wizards the Cultists have hired and this faction might have enrmies (probably with reason - they will be no less evil than the Cult).
"You know," she explains to Nixi (and to anyone who cares) "if I can pretend to be part of that faction, maybe the Cult will somwhat trust me in the future. Or maybe the Red Wizards can reveal part of the Cult's plan. Or maybe we can get them to part ways... Who knows? Is at least one more card we have to play".
Nixi is very curious about what Khasse has learned and asks for all the details. [[Will you show the Mark?]]
Anyone else want to do something today?
Yes, Khessa will trust Nixi - but she will telll her to keep it a secret. The blonde arcane warrior thinks the mark might be characteristic of a faction of the Red Wizards the Cultists have hired and this faction might have enrmies (probably with reason - they will be no less evil than the Cult).
"You know," she explains to Nixi (and to anyone who cares) "if I can pretend to be part of that faction, maybe the Cult will somwhat trust me in the future. Or maybe the Red Wizards can reveal part of the Cult's plan. Or maybe we can get them to part ways... Who knows? Is at least one more card we have to play".
Nixi examines the mark closely.
Religion check (because of reasons): 21
Ehm.. well... you could probably pass for a Cult member... That looks a lot like Tiamat's symbol! I've only seen this variant in color, with the correct color for each head. Usually the heads spin the other way.
...Ehm.. well... you could probably pass for a Cult member... That looks a lot like Tiamat's symbol! I've only seen this variant in color, with the correct color for each head. Usually the heads spin the other way.
Khessa stands for a while clearly surprised, with a puzzled expression in her blue eyes: "So, the relationship between this faction of Red Wizards and the Cult of the Dragon must run much deeper than I suspected. This mark has actual magical power… I feel it in me… and it was Azbara, the Red Wizard, who bestowed it on me… so it must be something he (or his faction) invented or discovered. However, a faction that he told me is 'divided'... So perhaps Azbara's is a faction of Red Wizards who have decided not to follow Szass Tam but to seek power...with the Cult? Or with dragons? Or with Tiamat herself?" she sighs "I don't even know what to think... Anyway, we'll see, Azbara seemed willing to contact me again... maybe we'll find out something more. And in the meantime, if I can pass for a Cult member, so much the better - maybe we'll have a chance to infiltrate us".
"I was quite convinced that the loot was to buy the help of the red wizards for something..." the blonde arcane warrior tries for the last time to collect her own ideas "Maybe create dracoliches... But if Azbara is already so close to the cult to have a magical mark that is similar to Tiamat's symbol, I'm not more so sure the loot is for him... Maybe it's to fund a ritual they'll be conducting with him. Maybe to unleash a horde of dracoliches. Ah, I don't know, we'll see. However, definitely something big, if, in addition to the Cult, a faction of Red Wizards is involved that developed Tiamat-connected magical marks".
If happens to Eric to see the mark (it's likely to occur after all) he would ask Khessa about it. Otherwise if Khessa tells him first, he would take a look himself to see if some reminiscences occur in his mind:
Nixi shrugs. Just don't go joining factions left and right. You might turn evil on me and I'll have to whack you with my staff!
"I know you would never do that to me, my friend..." Khessa smiles, stroking her cheek "Not without due process, at least - I remember how much you fought for Mr Sponge's prisoner rights" she winks.
If happens to Eric to see the mark (it's likely to occur after all) he would ask Khessa about it. Otherwise if Khessa tells him first, he would take a look himself to see if some reminiscences occur in his mind:
Religion check: 13
Khessa has definitely reported to everyone… including Eric, so if he cares about the mark like Nixi, Khessa will definitely show it to him too.
"There is power in symbols" says the dwarf looking at the mark" but there is also commitment and identities" mumbles Eric "I understand your search for strengthening your magical abilities, but be careful and don't trust people too much, your search is noble but acquiring power in short time may require sacrifices that are often hidden in the first place. Also, is fine trusting someone, but not recklessly. Do not put yourself into the position of being bonded or in debt to someone whom you ignore the feelings and the scopes"
"There is power in symbols" says the dwarf looking at the mark" but there is also commitment and identities" mumbles Eric "I understand your search for strengthening your magical abilities, but be careful and don't trust people too much, your search is noble but acquiring power in short time may require sacrifices that are often hidden in the first place. Also, is fine trusting someone, but not recklessly. Do not put yourself into the position of being bonded or in debt to someone whom you ignore the feelings and the scopes"
"Well, with Azbara, more than personal power, I was looking for a way to discover the plans of the Cult... and perhaps thanks to the mark we will have more ease, if we have to infiltrate again. However, I understand your concern" Khessa smiles, fondly caressing the dwarf's bearded cheeks ”and I promise I will try to be more careful".
"However," the blonde arcane warrior points out "I examined the mark before accepting it, as well as studying Azbara's expressions… and I did not detect any threats. It should not be possible to use the mark against me in any way. Of course, there's the possibility that I'm wrong, that I've missed something. But Azbara seemed so willing to trust… And mind you, he doesn't strike me as someone who trusts easily. Maybe he really meant that I could be a valuable addition to his faction… And thanks to this, we may discover perhaps the ultimate goal of the Cult… Or the base where they store all the loot… Vital information to thwart their plans!"
"So… What was I supposed to do?" the blue eyes of the tall adventuress lock into Eric's, sincerely interested in his opinion "Lose such an opportunity just out of fear of having missed something? In this case, I preferred to take a calculated risk, instead. Do you think I've been too reckless?"
"Not to mention" Khessa has a sudden idea "that you know a spell that can identify spells... You could cast it on the mark and remove all doubts! Your spell will reveal every function of the mark to you; if anything has been hidden from me, we will then know - and perhaps we can do something about it".
The dwarf laugh "I assume that, sometime, best things often come by following our instinct. What someone can call recklessness may be, in fact, the wisest thing!" the dwarf smiles and cover the mark with the palm of his hand; murmuring in dwarfish, his palm emits the bright, cozy and warm light of theidentifyspell.
The dwarf laugh "I assume that, sometime, best things often come by following our instinct. What someone can call recklessness may be, in fact, the wisest thing!" the dwarf smiles and cover the mark with the palm of his hand; murmuring in dwarfish, his palm emits the bright, cozy and warm light of theidentifyspell.
Khessa closes her eyes gently as she is examined by someone she trusts completely, feeling the welcome warmth both of the magic and of the palm, then murmurs: "Your wisdom never fails to fascinate me".
Zale continues to stumble around in the rain on her very hurt foot, cursing herself for cursing so loudly then curses again when she realizes she keeps cursing out loud when she's attempting to be stealthy. She will continue to watch Kriv and try to see if anyone is watching him until Kriv gets up and starts making his way back.
If happens to Eric to see the mark (it's likely to occur after all) he would ask Khessa about it. Otherwise if Khessa tells him first, he would take a look himself to see if some reminiscences occur in his mind:
Religion check: 13
You recognize Tiamat's symbol in it. But unlike Nixi you've never seen this variant.
The dwarf laugh "I assume that, sometime, best things often come by following our instinct. What someone can call recklessness may be, in fact, the wisest thing!" the dwarf smiles and cover the mark with the palm of his hand; murmuring in dwarfish, his palm emits the bright, cozy and warm light of theidentifyspell.
Whatever this symbol is, is seems shielded against divination magic (and probably against other schools too, but you're not sure). Your spell does reveal the mark's function (and it does exactly what Jos said it does), but not it's other properties and/or origin.
This leaves 3 options:
The mark was created by a powerful, paranoid wizard. Then that wizard would certainly have shielded their creation from divination magic, lest it be discovered by other wizards. In fact, the identify spell should have told you that this item is non-magical.
It was created by long-forgotten magics from another plane. Perhaps it is simply outside the parameters of the standard identify spell, which was only designed to identify types of magic that was known at the time.
It's created by or through a deity. Godly powers should have no problem to shield against a level 1 spell.
Zale continues to stumble around in the rain on her very hurt foot, cursing herself for cursing so loudly then curses again when she realizes she keeps cursing out loud when she's attempting to be stealthy. She will continue to watch Kriv and try to see if anyone is watching him until Kriv gets up and starts making his way back.
Somehow Kriv never finds out that you were watching over him. And you both live to tell the tale! (No killers)
So, let's conclude the events of the day. Let's say Zeminny stayed at the inn and befriended a gnome that (among others) joins the caravan to Waterdeep. They made fun of the long legs. Calvin was doing lizard things.
You have a moment together at breakfast before the caravan move on.
Oh and I'll you all to make an Insight check, alternatively Kriv, Zale and Zeminny can also choose to make a Deception check.
So, let's conclude the events of the day. Let's say Zeminny stayed at the inn and befriended a gnome that (among others) joins the caravan to Waterdeep. They made fun of the long legs. Calvin was doing lizard things.
You have a moment together at breakfast before the caravan move on.
...
Khessa sleeps happy and serene, in the room with Eric, after having enjoyed each other's company for a long time; but just before dawn she wakes up with a start, sweating cold, emitting a short cry.
"Oh, sorry Eric..." she explains, still partly shaken from the nightmare, partly embarrassed "I didn't mean to wake you up. It was a nightmare... Do you know the mark? Tiamat is behind it all, Eric! Now I know! The mark comes from her".
"Oh, you changed your mind!" Khessa looks delighted "We will see each other again - and I might keep advancing in the arcane arts thanks to your guide! Wonderful, you'll not regret it - while those who will dare to oppose us," she winks "probably will".
She waves a last time, then she leaves. Time to reassure Eric and her companions (and to share what she discovered).
Nixi is very curious about what Khessa has learned and asks for all the details. [[Will you show the Mark?]]
Anyone else want to do something today?
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Yes, Khessa will trust Nixi - but she will telll her to keep it a secret. The blonde arcane warrior thinks the mark might be characteristic of a faction of the Red Wizards the Cultists have hired and this faction might have enrmies (probably with reason - they will be no less evil than the Cult).
"You know," she explains to Nixi (and to anyone who cares) "if I can pretend to be part of that faction, maybe the Cult will somwhat trust me in the future. Or maybe the Red Wizards can reveal part of the Cult's plan. Or maybe we can get them to part ways... Who knows? Is at least one more card we have to play".
Nixi examines the mark closely.
Religion check (because of reasons): 21
Ehm.. well... you could probably pass for a Cult member... That looks a lot like Tiamat's symbol! I've only seen this variant in color, with the correct color for each head. Usually the heads spin the other way.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa stands for a while clearly surprised, with a puzzled expression in her blue eyes: "So, the relationship between this faction of Red Wizards and the Cult of the Dragon must run much deeper than I suspected. This mark has actual magical power… I feel it in me… and it was Azbara, the Red Wizard, who bestowed it on me… so it must be something he (or his faction) invented or discovered. However, a faction that he told me is 'divided'... So perhaps Azbara's is a faction of Red Wizards who have decided not to follow Szass Tam but to seek power...with the Cult? Or with dragons? Or with Tiamat herself?" she sighs "I don't even know what to think... Anyway, we'll see, Azbara seemed willing to contact me again... maybe we'll find out something more. And in the meantime, if I can pass for a Cult member, so much the better - maybe we'll have a chance to infiltrate us".
"I was quite convinced that the loot was to buy the help of the red wizards for something..." the blonde arcane warrior tries for the last time to collect her own ideas "Maybe create dracoliches... But if Azbara is already so close to the cult to have a magical mark that is similar to Tiamat's symbol, I'm not more so sure the loot is for him... Maybe it's to fund a ritual they'll be conducting with him. Maybe to unleash a horde of dracoliches. Ah, I don't know, we'll see. However, definitely something big, if, in addition to the Cult, a faction of Red Wizards is involved that developed Tiamat-connected magical marks".
Nixi shrugs. Just don't go joining factions left and right. You might turn evil on me and I'll have to whack you with my staff!
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
If happens to Eric to see the mark (it's likely to occur after all) he would ask Khessa about it. Otherwise if Khessa tells him first, he would take a look himself to see if some reminiscences occur in his mind:
Religion check: 13
"I know you would never do that to me, my friend..." Khessa smiles, stroking her cheek "Not without due process, at least - I remember how much you fought for Mr Sponge's prisoner rights" she winks.
Khessa has definitely reported to everyone… including Eric, so if he cares about the mark like Nixi, Khessa will definitely show it to him too.
"There is power in symbols" says the dwarf looking at the mark" but there is also commitment and identities" mumbles Eric "I understand your search for strengthening your magical abilities, but be careful and don't trust people too much, your search is noble but acquiring power in short time may require sacrifices that are often hidden in the first place. Also, is fine trusting someone, but not recklessly. Do not put yourself into the position of being bonded or in debt to someone whom you ignore the feelings and the scopes"
"Well, with Azbara, more than personal power, I was looking for a way to discover the plans of the Cult... and perhaps thanks to the mark we will have more ease, if we have to infiltrate again. However, I understand your concern" Khessa smiles, fondly caressing the dwarf's bearded cheeks ”and I promise I will try to be more careful".
"However," the blonde arcane warrior points out "I examined the mark before accepting it, as well as studying Azbara's expressions… and I did not detect any threats. It should not be possible to use the mark against me in any way. Of course, there's the possibility that I'm wrong, that I've missed something. But Azbara seemed so willing to trust… And mind you, he doesn't strike me as someone who trusts easily. Maybe he really meant that I could be a valuable addition to his faction… And thanks to this, we may discover perhaps the ultimate goal of the Cult… Or the base where they store all the loot… Vital information to thwart their plans!"
"So… What was I supposed to do?" the blue eyes of the tall adventuress lock into Eric's, sincerely interested in his opinion "Lose such an opportunity just out of fear of having missed something? In this case, I preferred to take a calculated risk, instead. Do you think I've been too reckless?"
"Not to mention" Khessa has a sudden idea "that you know a spell that can identify spells... You could cast it on the mark and remove all doubts! Your spell will reveal every function of the mark to you; if anything has been hidden from me, we will then know - and perhaps we can do something about it".
The dwarf laugh "I assume that, sometime, best things often come by following our instinct. What someone can call recklessness may be, in fact, the wisest thing!" the dwarf smiles and cover the mark with the palm of his hand; murmuring in dwarfish, his palm emits the bright, cozy and warm light of the identify spell.
Khessa closes her eyes gently as she is examined by someone she trusts completely, feeling the welcome warmth both of the magic and of the palm, then murmurs: "Your wisdom never fails to fascinate me".
Zale continues to stumble around in the rain on her very hurt foot, cursing herself for cursing so loudly then curses again when she realizes she keeps cursing out loud when she's attempting to be stealthy. She will continue to watch Kriv and try to see if anyone is watching him until Kriv gets up and starts making his way back.
You recognize Tiamat's symbol in it. But unlike Nixi you've never seen this variant.
Whatever this symbol is, is seems shielded against divination magic (and probably against other schools too, but you're not sure). Your spell does reveal the mark's function (and it does exactly what Jos said it does), but not it's other properties and/or origin.
This leaves 3 options:
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Somehow Kriv never finds out that you were watching over him. And you both live to tell the tale! (No killers)
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
So, let's conclude the events of the day. Let's say Zeminny stayed at the inn and befriended a gnome that (among others) joins the caravan to Waterdeep. They made fun of the long legs. Calvin was doing lizard things.
You have a moment together at breakfast before the caravan move on.
Oh and I'll you all to make an Insight check, alternatively Kriv, Zale and Zeminny can also choose to make a Deception check.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Insight 15
Deception 12
Khessa sleeps happy and serene, in the room with Eric, after having enjoyed each other's company for a long time; but just before dawn she wakes up with a start, sweating cold, emitting a short cry.
"Oh, sorry Eric..." she explains, still partly shaken from the nightmare, partly embarrassed "I didn't mean to wake you up. It was a nightmare... Do you know the mark? Tiamat is behind it all, Eric! Now I know! The mark comes from her".
Khessa's Insight check: 18