{{A clue of some sort on what you can do: for those who read the warrant to the letter, you will find that you can requisition vehicles and/or ration at any Rangers Conclave as long as you have the warrant with you. So, it is a good idea to visit there when you reach Mantagard.}}
{{So, who is carrying what? Divvy up as you need.}}
A few moments after the train leaves the station, you notice a clearing to the south. This is the clearing where the Magisterium was when you visited them yesterday. It is empty.
Not long after, about an hour or so into the journey, you notice a long march of caravans and people playing music on the Northern Spine Trail alongside the train. They wave as the train goes by and Cob, Drexon, and Eremoz recognize some of them as members of the Magisterium that they've seen and talked to. As you remember, they are heading to Timaril for the big festival next month.
At the same time, quite a short distance away you see a town standing right on the bank of a wide river. A magnificent bridge stretches over the river from the town, granting grounds for train tracks and roads going west. Different from Erdelun, this town has no wall and seems to merge with the suburbs seamlessly. You do notice that the building in this town is not as high-rise as the building in Erdelun. This town has a more coastal city feel with its bungalow and quite open architecture despite being so far inland.
You hear a sound echo through the carriage, "Good morning, passengers. Now arriving at Hors Creek Station. Passengers who wish to peruse the shops and use the facilities of Hors Creek Station are advised to return back to the train in 30 minutes. Keep your tickets with you at all times, and enjoy Hors Creek."
{{Hey, feel free to discuss plans or become acquainted with each other. If I think there are no posts for a day or two from any of you during a conversation like the above, I will move forward with the story a bit, but you can interject at any time if you still have something to discuss.}}
Drexon leans back, his eyes closed for the majority of the hours travel. He opens them as he hears the music and looks out at the folk of Magisterium and waves back.
After that, he seems more inclined to talk, although he keeps his speech to a whisper just loud enough for only those in the carriage to hear.
"What is the plan then? We don't know where the children are being held, but we do have the name of the ship.Should we perhaps head to the docks and find this Cobalt Restitution, scope it out a bit. Possibly act as though we are after passage?", he suggests.
"Or just keep eyes on it and see if anyone visits it prior to it's departure date, someone who might be checking all is well and whom we can follow back to where they are being kept", he muses.
"Or even simpler, get some of the sailors drunk and see if they spill the beans, verbally or otherwise", he says with a grin.
Cob consider Drexon's questions for a few moments.
"Perhaps we let the ranger's know we're in town first so they don't meddle in anything we're doing," Cob says. "Unless they have another means to communicate, we're probably the only way for them to know what's going on."
He pauses for a moment and thinks about the ship.
"I think the second option sounds the most fruitful," Cob adds. "The kids probably aren't on board yet, but yeah, someone might lead us to them. And maybe we get a ranger or two to keep an eye on the ship when we can't be there."
“I may not be the most convincing speaker, but I could try to get a job on the ship or the docks near the ship.” Eremoz pulls out his rope and practices tying knots. After three unsuccessful attempts, he frustratedly tosses the rope back in his bag.
{{ Is there an item , homebrew or regular, that I can add to my character sheet for the ring @dm? I can create a custom item if not, it's just an arcane focus right? }}
Dvark considers for a second "I could try and get on the ship as a priest or a Smith. I could also see if I can find work at a smithy near the docks so I can keep an eye out for an suspicious characters."
After 30 minutes, the train conductor yells to the station once more as the train whistles sharply, "All aboard! All aboard! All aboard!"
The train exits Hors Creek Station, carrying a couple more people, and moves toward the next destination, the town of Baravida. Surprisingly, the train doesn't stop, merely passing by. You notice that the Baravida Station is a bit closed off with new construction taking place here and there.
It is nearly lunchtime when the train lets out another loud whistle and begins to slow down. At a distance, you begin to see the edge of the city of Mantagard. The farmlands have shifted in color, becoming greener due to the many vegetable plantations in the area. The area itself is not as hilly or forested as the area that the train passed by between Erdelun and Baravida.
"Now arriving at Mantagard Station," a voice echoes through the carriages.
Similar to Erdelun Station, Mantagard Station lies on the edge of the city. It is a large white building that accommodates four train tracks and platforms within it. As you arrive at the station, you can see one train coming in from the opposite side, probably heading to Erdelun, and another train just leaving the station east, probably to Vortesso. You can see people bustling about, waiting for their train to arrive or just waiting to greet their loved ones.
The atmosphere reminded you of the station that you've visited in the future. There are a couple of restaurants attached to the station and even small shops selling local souvenirs. You notice a stall selling various trinkets and jewelry, some engraved with simple runes. Another stall sells traveling gears and maps. You even see a stall selling medicines and potions, a specialty of Mantagard during your time.
{{Welcome to Mantagard. It will be another two days walk before we reach Saikhan. In the meantime, what would you like to do in this city?}}
If we have a Minute I'd like to run by this towns library briefly on our way out of town and see if I can find anything more on the plague. But Dvark doesn't have anything he needs right now I don't think.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cob just takes in their surroundings, keeping an eye open for anyone that might be paying too much attention to them. Otherwise, he's happy to tag along to the library.
"Well, I guess we should pick up a map and some travelling gear", Drexon says to the others as they pass the stalls.
"We should also see if we can get some transport, I don't fancy the idea of walking the whole way. If we can we should have more time to go to the library".
As he speaks, he looks over the trinkets to see if the runes on them are familiar to him.
"I wouldn't mind seeing if there is a shop that sells items of an arcane nature. I suspect these are just for tourists", he adds looking at Karm for confirmation.
Cob, apart from some curious shopkeepers that wish to draw your attention to their goods, you pass as just a common tourist or visitor to the city. There are more unique individuals coming in and out of the station than you. You notice a human wearing a garish pink robe opening a stall that sells clothing and wearables. You notice a couple of gnome children throwing darts at a game's corner to the side of the station with incredible accuracy. You notice a dragonborn reigniting a train's engine with their breath.
"New to the city, eh?" The map stall owner says. She is a tall woman, taller than even Eremoz. The pictures at the back of the stall tell you that she was once an explorer or some sort. "Staying or just passing by? Either way, you'll need maps and info to make your travel more interesting. Twenty-five bronze for the map of the city, but if you buy the atlas, you can get it for 25 copper. The atlas includes maps of the cities along the Northern Spine Train Line as well as the towns and villages surrounding Mantagard. It also includes some of the unique features of the areas like the Iron Giant Mine to the south of Mantagard, The White Peak of Cloudhill, The Gorgonite Marshland that separates Mantagard and Saikhan, and many others."
Drexon, as you pass by the trinket stall, you are unsure what each trinket can do -- or whether it serves a particular function, but from your understanding of magic, it is nothing that will be useful in your travel or investigation. All you can see is simple jewelry and souvenirs that may possibly be more durable due to the enchantments put on them.
"Ah, if you're looking for the Annex, it will be directly in front of the station," the stall owner says to Dvark when he inquired. "You can't miss it. It's that gothic-looking building."
"Is it that obvious?", Drexon replies to the tall stall owner with a dashing smile.
He makes a show of looking at the pictures of her adventures. "You have had an interesting life, I can see. Perhaps with one of your atlases we might follow in your footsteps, assuming we can agree a good price", he adds, his smile never dropping.
"I would happily pay you 15 copper, and the promise to try and return and tell you of the adventures it spurred", he suggests.
"Hmm, where are you heading?" She asks. "I'm not generous enough to give a discount if I don't deem the endeavor worthy. What are you pursuing? Treasure? Prestige? Knowledge? Give me a general sense and let's see if it is interesting enough for me to wait for your return and tale. If it's interesting enough, I'll give it to you for 15 copper plus several gears on the house. There's no point in waiting for dead men walking if your expedition proves to be idiotic and fatal. I would only lose 25 copper for an empty promise."
As you see the pictures of her adventures again, she indeed lived an interesting life. There are pictures of her hunting large beasts and monsters. There is one of her standing in front of a pyramid. There is even one of her standing in front of an assembly and being awarded with a medal by government officials.
Karm, you notice something quite interesting in one of the pictures. It is the one where the shop owner is standing in front of the Main Archive of the Archive of Ages with a dozen other individuals. Standing beside her is a familiar-looking elven girl with bright red hair. The caption underneath the picture reads 'The Sunrider Expedition - 362 ABM'.
"You know baby Sunrider?" She asks, surprised. She looks at the picture with a nostalgic smile. "Yeah, that's Eava alright. You must be from the Archive, then, if you know of her. She's one of the few elves that volunteered to join the Archive of Ages after the expedition. How do you know her? You one of her subordinates or apprentices? How is she these days?"
Karm does know about the Sunrider Expedition. It was one of the many expeditions that were mandated directly by the Principal Curator of the Archive of Ages, Samsuri Raja. The main purpose is to cultivate a better relationship between the Archive of Ages and the people of Pancarona in order to refill the position of Curator of Pancarona that had been empty for some time since the last bearer of the title died.
The expedition began in the year 350 ABM and ended in the year the photo was taken, 362 ABM, involving explorers and voyagers from all over Sabitah. The expedition involved an exploration of the entirety of Pancarona to update the maps, bestiary, and botanical compendium of the continent. It was also done to gain a better understanding of the effect of the War of the Best in Pancarona, especially in the mid-point of the continent where the Hellish Chaos clashed with both the Treant Protector and the Light Bearer. The area was known as the Sunrider Peak, home to the Sunrider clan that could trace their ancestry to the Light Bearer himself.
I honestly dont know how she is now. Karm his snaps his finger and produces his procurer token as if he had held it in his hand the entire time. But i will get to know her better in quite a while. How about i explain more when we come back to return the atlas?
"Ah, I'm sorry," the shop owner says, "I am just a merchant. If you want to ask more about the runes or the creation process, you will have to go to the Ironside District. That's where most of the smiths and jewelers live."
Eremoz, you recognize a couple of runes that you've seen before. A ring bears the rune of heat and it is usually used to protect something from the cold. A necklace has the cloud rune engraved on it and it is usually used to lightly obscure something in plain sight or fool a limited number of people's perception for a short time. A bracelet has a truth symbol embossed on it and it is usually used to increase the likelihood to detect lies or misdemeanors.
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{{A clue of some sort on what you can do: for those who read the warrant to the letter, you will find that you can requisition vehicles and/or ration at any Rangers Conclave as long as you have the warrant with you. So, it is a good idea to visit there when you reach Mantagard.}}
{{So, who is carrying what? Divvy up as you need.}}
A few moments after the train leaves the station, you notice a clearing to the south. This is the clearing where the Magisterium was when you visited them yesterday. It is empty.
Not long after, about an hour or so into the journey, you notice a long march of caravans and people playing music on the Northern Spine Trail alongside the train. They wave as the train goes by and Cob, Drexon, and Eremoz recognize some of them as members of the Magisterium that they've seen and talked to. As you remember, they are heading to Timaril for the big festival next month.
At the same time, quite a short distance away you see a town standing right on the bank of a wide river. A magnificent bridge stretches over the river from the town, granting grounds for train tracks and roads going west. Different from Erdelun, this town has no wall and seems to merge with the suburbs seamlessly. You do notice that the building in this town is not as high-rise as the building in Erdelun. This town has a more coastal city feel with its bungalow and quite open architecture despite being so far inland.
You hear a sound echo through the carriage, "Good morning, passengers. Now arriving at Hors Creek Station. Passengers who wish to peruse the shops and use the facilities of Hors Creek Station are advised to return back to the train in 30 minutes. Keep your tickets with you at all times, and enjoy Hors Creek."
{{Hey, feel free to discuss plans or become acquainted with each other. If I think there are no posts for a day or two from any of you during a conversation like the above, I will move forward with the story a bit, but you can interject at any time if you still have something to discuss.}}
Drexon leans back, his eyes closed for the majority of the hours travel. He opens them as he hears the music and looks out at the folk of Magisterium and waves back.
After that, he seems more inclined to talk, although he keeps his speech to a whisper just loud enough for only those in the carriage to hear.
"What is the plan then? We don't know where the children are being held, but we do have the name of the ship.Should we perhaps head to the docks and find this Cobalt Restitution, scope it out a bit. Possibly act as though we are after passage?", he suggests.
"Or just keep eyes on it and see if anyone visits it prior to it's departure date, someone who might be checking all is well and whom we can follow back to where they are being kept", he muses.
"Or even simpler, get some of the sailors drunk and see if they spill the beans, verbally or otherwise", he says with a grin.
Cob consider Drexon's questions for a few moments.
"Perhaps we let the ranger's know we're in town first so they don't meddle in anything we're doing," Cob says. "Unless they have another means to communicate, we're probably the only way for them to know what's going on."
He pauses for a moment and thinks about the ship.
"I think the second option sounds the most fruitful," Cob adds. "The kids probably aren't on board yet, but yeah, someone might lead us to them. And maybe we get a ranger or two to keep an eye on the ship when we can't be there."
“I may not be the most convincing speaker, but I could try to get a job on the ship or the docks near the ship.” Eremoz pulls out his rope and practices tying knots. After three unsuccessful attempts, he frustratedly tosses the rope back in his bag.
{{about the loot. Karm hands the ring tor Drexon but will hold on to the dust for now. If you'd have take some just let me know}}
Olloray Dim - Limbo's Pit
Gunther Korroden - Nightmares in the Mist
{{ Is there an item , homebrew or regular, that I can add to my character sheet for the ring @dm? I can create a custom item if not, it's just an arcane focus right? }}
Dvark considers for a second "I could try and get on the ship as a priest or a Smith. I could also see if I can find work at a smithy near the docks so I can keep an eye out for an suspicious characters."
{{It's just an arcane focus, so I don't really have a specific homebrew for it. Just add arcane focus. I think it exists as a regular item.}}
After 30 minutes, the train conductor yells to the station once more as the train whistles sharply, "All aboard! All aboard! All aboard!"
The train exits Hors Creek Station, carrying a couple more people, and moves toward the next destination, the town of Baravida. Surprisingly, the train doesn't stop, merely passing by. You notice that the Baravida Station is a bit closed off with new construction taking place here and there.
It is nearly lunchtime when the train lets out another loud whistle and begins to slow down. At a distance, you begin to see the edge of the city of Mantagard. The farmlands have shifted in color, becoming greener due to the many vegetable plantations in the area. The area itself is not as hilly or forested as the area that the train passed by between Erdelun and Baravida.
"Now arriving at Mantagard Station," a voice echoes through the carriages.
Similar to Erdelun Station, Mantagard Station lies on the edge of the city. It is a large white building that accommodates four train tracks and platforms within it. As you arrive at the station, you can see one train coming in from the opposite side, probably heading to Erdelun, and another train just leaving the station east, probably to Vortesso. You can see people bustling about, waiting for their train to arrive or just waiting to greet their loved ones.
The atmosphere reminded you of the station that you've visited in the future. There are a couple of restaurants attached to the station and even small shops selling local souvenirs. You notice a stall selling various trinkets and jewelry, some engraved with simple runes. Another stall sells traveling gears and maps. You even see a stall selling medicines and potions, a specialty of Mantagard during your time.
{{Welcome to Mantagard. It will be another two days walk before we reach Saikhan. In the meantime, what would you like to do in this city?}}
If we have a Minute I'd like to run by this towns library briefly on our way out of town and see if I can find anything more on the plague. But Dvark doesn't have anything he needs right now I don't think.
Cob just takes in their surroundings, keeping an eye open for anyone that might be paying too much attention to them. Otherwise, he's happy to tag along to the library.
Perception 6
"Well, I guess we should pick up a map and some travelling gear", Drexon says to the others as they pass the stalls.
"We should also see if we can get some transport, I don't fancy the idea of walking the whole way. If we can we should have more time to go to the library".
As he speaks, he looks over the trinkets to see if the runes on them are familiar to him.
"I wouldn't mind seeing if there is a shop that sells items of an arcane nature. I suspect these are just for tourists", he adds looking at Karm for confirmation.
Arcana: 5+2=7
Cob, apart from some curious shopkeepers that wish to draw your attention to their goods, you pass as just a common tourist or visitor to the city. There are more unique individuals coming in and out of the station than you. You notice a human wearing a garish pink robe opening a stall that sells clothing and wearables. You notice a couple of gnome children throwing darts at a game's corner to the side of the station with incredible accuracy. You notice a dragonborn reigniting a train's engine with their breath.
"New to the city, eh?" The map stall owner says. She is a tall woman, taller than even Eremoz. The pictures at the back of the stall tell you that she was once an explorer or some sort. "Staying or just passing by? Either way, you'll need maps and info to make your travel more interesting. Twenty-five bronze for the map of the city, but if you buy the atlas, you can get it for 25 copper. The atlas includes maps of the cities along the Northern Spine Train Line as well as the towns and villages surrounding Mantagard. It also includes some of the unique features of the areas like the Iron Giant Mine to the south of Mantagard, The White Peak of Cloudhill, The Gorgonite Marshland that separates Mantagard and Saikhan, and many others."
Drexon, as you pass by the trinket stall, you are unsure what each trinket can do -- or whether it serves a particular function, but from your understanding of magic, it is nothing that will be useful in your travel or investigation. All you can see is simple jewelry and souvenirs that may possibly be more durable due to the enchantments put on them.
"Ah, if you're looking for the Annex, it will be directly in front of the station," the stall owner says to Dvark when he inquired. "You can't miss it. It's that gothic-looking building."
"Is it that obvious?", Drexon replies to the tall stall owner with a dashing smile.
He makes a show of looking at the pictures of her adventures. "You have had an interesting life, I can see. Perhaps with one of your atlases we might follow in your footsteps, assuming we can agree a good price", he adds, his smile never dropping.
"I would happily pay you 15 copper, and the promise to try and return and tell you of the adventures it spurred", he suggests.
Persuasion: 20+6=26
"Hmm, where are you heading?" She asks. "I'm not generous enough to give a discount if I don't deem the endeavor worthy. What are you pursuing? Treasure? Prestige? Knowledge? Give me a general sense and let's see if it is interesting enough for me to wait for your return and tale. If it's interesting enough, I'll give it to you for 15 copper plus several gears on the house. There's no point in waiting for dead men walking if your expedition proves to be idiotic and fatal. I would only lose 25 copper for an empty promise."
As you see the pictures of her adventures again, she indeed lived an interesting life. There are pictures of her hunting large beasts and monsters. There is one of her standing in front of a pyramid. There is even one of her standing in front of an assembly and being awarded with a medal by government officials.
Karm, you notice something quite interesting in one of the pictures. It is the one where the shop owner is standing in front of the Main Archive of the Archive of Ages with a dozen other individuals. Standing beside her is a familiar-looking elven girl with bright red hair. The caption underneath the picture reads 'The Sunrider Expedition - 362 ABM'.
I dislike to interject in your offer, but i cant help but wonder, is that by chance Eava besides you in that picture there? The similarity baffles me.
Does Karm know something specific about the sunrider expedition? History just in case: 19
Olloray Dim - Limbo's Pit
Gunther Korroden - Nightmares in the Mist
Eremoz stays at the trinket shop, carefully looking through the items for any runes he may recognize.
Perception: 14
While looking, he motions to speak to the shopkeeper. “Hello, um… do you know much of runes personally? Or are you just the seller of these items?”
"You know baby Sunrider?" She asks, surprised. She looks at the picture with a nostalgic smile. "Yeah, that's Eava alright. You must be from the Archive, then, if you know of her. She's one of the few elves that volunteered to join the Archive of Ages after the expedition. How do you know her? You one of her subordinates or apprentices? How is she these days?"
Karm does know about the Sunrider Expedition. It was one of the many expeditions that were mandated directly by the Principal Curator of the Archive of Ages, Samsuri Raja. The main purpose is to cultivate a better relationship between the Archive of Ages and the people of Pancarona in order to refill the position of Curator of Pancarona that had been empty for some time since the last bearer of the title died.
The expedition began in the year 350 ABM and ended in the year the photo was taken, 362 ABM, involving explorers and voyagers from all over Sabitah. The expedition involved an exploration of the entirety of Pancarona to update the maps, bestiary, and botanical compendium of the continent. It was also done to gain a better understanding of the effect of the War of the Best in Pancarona, especially in the mid-point of the continent where the Hellish Chaos clashed with both the Treant Protector and the Light Bearer. The area was known as the Sunrider Peak, home to the Sunrider clan that could trace their ancestry to the Light Bearer himself.
I honestly dont know how she is now. Karm his snaps his finger and produces his procurer token as if he had held it in his hand the entire time. But i will get to know her better in quite a while. How about i explain more when we come back to return the atlas?
Olloray Dim - Limbo's Pit
Gunther Korroden - Nightmares in the Mist
"Ah, I'm sorry," the shop owner says, "I am just a merchant. If you want to ask more about the runes or the creation process, you will have to go to the Ironside District. That's where most of the smiths and jewelers live."
Eremoz, you recognize a couple of runes that you've seen before. A ring bears the rune of heat and it is usually used to protect something from the cold. A necklace has the cloud rune engraved on it and it is usually used to lightly obscure something in plain sight or fool a limited number of people's perception for a short time. A bracelet has a truth symbol embossed on it and it is usually used to increase the likelihood to detect lies or misdemeanors.