"Looks like I'm bein' summoned," Rash says apologetically to Blinn. "But I would love to continue this conversation as soon as the business is taken care of."
When asked about Colin's offer, Rash immediately is on board.
"I really don't see any reason not to take that deal," the half-orc says, scratching his chin. "If we don't find anything worthwhile, then we have lost nothing. If we do find something worth bringing back as payment, then shared knowledge is in no way diminished. And the worst thing that can come from his end of the bargain is that we learn nothin that we did not know already."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Roxana absent-mindedly leans down to pretty Kitti Purry, as she thanks Colin for his explanation. "Seems odd asking some ambivalent force to tell you vague information. But thanks for explaining how it works. I guess another try might give more information."
She waits for Rash to come over, listening to what he had to say. "Welp, guess it seems like we're leaning towards doing a second divination. Better let Colin know before he leaves."
"Looks like I'm bein' summoned," Rash says apologetically to Blinn. "But I would love to continue this conversation as soon as the business is taken care of."
...
"Yes, please!" Blinn replies "Come back, as soon as you are free. And maybe think to the answers to some of my questions - I'd love to discuss with a colleague of my own kin. Maybe you could become apprentice to a Harpell, then... I know there are rumors about our apprentices, but believe me, normal boring physical features with no magical deformation are greatly overrated".
"Oh, and Kitty Purry?" the Harpell half-orc looks around, puzzled "Where did she go now?" then he sighs, he does a quick gesture... and Roxana sees the black cat suddenly disappear.
(OOC: OK, given what Mister_Whisker and Culuril last posted, I go on with you asking Colin for the second divination)
"So, deal!" Colin smiles, when you tell him your decision "Oh, wonderful! Wait here, I'll try not to take too long".
The middle-aged wizard gets up, greets Blinn in a friendly way, then exits the "Fuzzy Quarterstaff".
He's back in just over half an hour.
He looks around, sees you, joins you and announces: "Oh, wonderful! I actually have a new piece of advice! Personally, I don't understand it much... but I guess it will make sense to you once you're in the right place".
The red-robed one waits a moment, making sure he has all of your attention, then reports: "The key to getting the means is a bead - but if you pick the wrong bead you'll end up needing the means yourself".
"And that's it..." Colin spreads his arms, perplexed, "Remember to come and see me, when you're done!" he recommends "Come and look for me here! Even if by chance you don't find any arcane knowledge, at least you can quench my curiosity about what that place actually was, what these 'means' were and... we'll have a drink together to celebrate your success".
"Good luck!" he takes his leave of you, returning to his studies.
As they wait for Colin to return, Roxana finds a table to sit with the others, should they wish. "I assume we plan on leaving once the wizard returns? I really should grab some things from home and let my family know I'm going." She pauses a moment in thought, "And probably leave word at The Gilded Horsehoe that I will be out for a bit. Hmm, how long do you suppose we will be gone? Four hours towards Triboar but then how long to get into the hills? We'd be there by night right? Then home late tomorrow? No later than the following day?"
Once the wizard has returned, Roxana listens to his new information, looking a bit concerned. "Is someone writing this down? We should really keep close track of this," she says towards mainly Rash, suspecting he would have writing implements. But it's directed to the whole group. She then turns to Colin. "Am I to understand that we could die, just by picking up the wrong... bead? This is starting to sound like a terrible deal all around!"
"Don't worry, I've got it covered," Rash says as he scribbles the prophecy down in his notebook (along with some commentary/speculation on his part). "Maybe I should go and see if Blinn has any ideas on the meanin' of this 'ere prophecy..."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
...She then turns to Colin. "Am I to understand that we could die, just by picking up the wrong... bead? This is starting to sound like a terrible deal all around!"
"Actually," Colin scratches his chin, seemingly embarrassed "I admit that I interpret it that way too... You seem to be embarking on a dangerous task, people. Oh, wonderful," he tries to smile and play down, pretending to look around "I see Mr. Obadiah did not hear any of this... just have him choose the bead, when it's time! I always suspected that I was right to prefer the life of a scholar to that of an adventurer, anyway".
"Don't worry, I've got it covered," Rash says as he scribbles the prophecy down in his notebook (along with some commentary/speculation on his part). "Maybe I should go and see if Blinn has any ideas on the meanin' of this 'ere prophecy..."
"Oh, wonderful! A consultation among many wizards is usually productive," Colin approves "it might be a good idea to hear Blinn's opinion as well. There's a very good chance you'll get more questions than answers from him, but if you force him to to focus on something, he's a brilliant wizard. He's a Harpell, after all".
...She then turns to Colin. "Am I to understand that we could die, just by picking up the wrong... bead? This is starting to sound like a terrible deal all around!"
"Actually," Colin scratches his chin, seemingly embarrassed "I admit that I interpret it that way too... You seem to be embarking on a dangerous task, people. Oh, wonderful," he tries to smile and play down, pretending to look around "I see Mr. Obadiah did not hear any of this... just have him choose the bead, when it's time! I always suspected that I was right to prefer the life of a scholar to that of an adventurer, anyway".
"Well, at least now we know that a bead may not be a bead, so we won't go around just casually picking up any that we find lying around, On the contrary, we can focus all our wits on what might distinguish them." She chuckles ruefully. "I really am sorry for trying to take charge back there, Bad habit from my old days on the Watch ... I'd just made sergeant shortly before our ... departure ... and in Berdusk you can imagine what respect a tiefling sergeant got unless she was absolutely savage about her authority. I'll keep that strictly under wraps from now on.."
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Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Rash looks over the prophecy a couple more times to make absolutely certain he got it right before returning to speak with Blinn.
"Well friend, looks like we got ourselves a puzzle of a prophecy. I figured it would be a good idea to have another set of eyes look it over and see what you make of it."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Rash looks over the prophecy a couple more times to make absolutely certain he got it right before returning to speak with Blinn.
"Well friend, looks like we got ourselves a puzzle of a prophecy. I figured it would be a good idea to have another set of eyes look it over and see what you make of it."
"A prophecy?" Rash manages to immediately capture the interest of Blinn, who leans over to read himself "Whose is it? Alaundo of Candlekeep? Does this one also speak of the Bhaalspawn? By the way..." the Half- Orc digresses, forgetting to read the text that had interested him so much until the moment before "Why do you think Bhaal, foresawing his demise at the hands of Cyric, spread his divine seed to start the Bhaalspawn thing... instead of simply murdering Cyric? It is because a prophecy can bind even a god? But what is the power behind a prophecy, then? What power can overcome even that of the gods themselves? So... if we created a spell to create prophecies, would we potentially become omnipotent?"
Rash scratches his chin... those are actually good questions.
"My guess would be that Bhaal feared that, in his attempts to prevent the prophecy, he might only seal it as many dark overlords and conquerors have done over the centuries... I mean, how many times have tyrants heard that 'the child born to some lowly peasant in some nowhere town will bring about your doom' and immediately rushed out to burn the town, only for the prophesied child to escape and grow up with vengeance in his heart? I have no idea what power overcomes the gods except stronger gods... maybe there are gods or similar beings who spin the fates and whose powers the other gods fear? Oh well, can't let ourselves get too distracted. We still have this prophecy from Colin regarding our mission to bring back Lady Martha's late-husband that I would like your opinion on."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Rash scratches his chin... those are actually good questions.
"My guess would be that Bhaal feared that, in his attempts to prevent the prophecy, he might only seal it as many dark overlords and conquerors have done over the centuries... I mean, how many times have tyrants heard that 'the child born to some lowly peasant in some nowhere town will bring about your doom' and immediately rushed out to burn the town, only for the prophesied child to escape and grow up with vengeance in his heart? I have no idea what power overcomes the gods except stronger gods... maybe there are gods or similar beings who spin the fates and whose powers the other gods fear? Oh well, can't let ourselves get too distracted. We still have this prophecy from Colin regarding our mission to bring back Lady Martha's late-husband that I would like your opinion on."
"Oh, Colin? I didn't know he made prophecies..." Blinn marvels, instinctively looking for the wizard - but he has already withdrawn, as he had announced, probably to resume his studies.
At that point, the Half-Orc finally reads what you're showing him and concentrates intently, repeating the words as he tries to take them in and think them over: "Let's see... 'The key to getting the means is a bead - but if you pick the wrong bead you'll end up needing the means yourself'... What a vague prophecy! No, you can really tell that it's from Colin and not from Alaundo! Alaundo's prophecies could perhaps be a little obscure, but certainly not so vague! Well, at least then he won't be referring to the Bhaalspawn... He's talking about 'means'... about a 'bead' which is a 'key' to obtain them... but which evidently is together with various other beads - and the ones that aren't a 'key'... are traps. Or maybe 'keys' that open different doors, doors that don't lead to the 'means'. And if by misfortune you open those doors, it seems you'll find yourself in some difficult situation... and you'd be forced to use the 'means'... which you shouldn't have, however, since you got the wrong 'key'... Or maybe all 'keys' bring you to the 'means' but the wrong ones also put you in trouble? But in any case, even if you had the 'means', you should use them to get out of the difficult situation, apparently. So, either you can't get out of the difficult situation, or, in any case, you can forget the 'means'. I would say that everything boils down to emphasizing that it is advisable to choose the right 'bead'..."
"I don't see any other helpful hints here," admits Blinn. "Not even an indication that helps to understand how to choose the right 'bead'. What a poor prophecy! Really bad. It doesn't even seem like a real prophecy... What's the point, a prophecy that doesn't tell you how to avoid what it warns you about? Unless, of course, the hint is not in the 'keys', in the 'beads', but in the doors that such keys open... Vague, vague... You could as well have asked Kitty Purry for a prophecy..."
"Well, that isn't very reassuring," Rash sighs. "Sounds like we need to look into getting some unfortunate monster to test these 'beads' out for us... though I'm not sure what kind of creature would both be able to do it and deserving of such a fate. This really is a conundrum that might give us some serious problems..."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
"Well, that isn't very reassuring," Rash sighs. "Sounds like we need to look into getting some unfortunate monster to test these 'beads' out for us... though I'm not sure what kind of creature would both be able to do it and deserving of such a fate. This really is a conundrum that might give us some serious problems..."
"Good idea! Why not?" approves Blinn "Summon creatures under your control to test the beads!"
"Or charm some enemy..." he ponders "Let's face it: we wizards usually kill enemies, often in strange or painful ways - or both. Why, in this case, not keep some under our control to make them try for us?"
"Excellent," Roxana says, her tone making it seem clear she doesn't think it is excellent. "Since I won't be summoning any creatures, I hope you don't mind of I just avoid any beads we come across on this voayge." She doesn't really know much about summoned creatures either, but she can't help but think it seems a tiny bit cruel to just kill them off like that. "Now that we know if we aren't careful we might be dead ourselves, are we all ready to go?"
"I still do need to stop by The Guilded Horseshoe, then let my family know I'm going. So we best move if we're going to make any progress today."
"Sounds good to me.," Spira agrees. "The first divination did say that time was limited, and it sounds like the bead thing will only become clear on the scene. I would hope that with a wizard and a priest in our group, as well as somewhat of a student of the magic of beast and leaf if my brother should catch up with us, we could at least muster a variety of approaches towards trying to figure out any beads we come across."
==========================
EDIT: She turns to Colin and Roxana. "I don't seem to have any journal or other parchment I could write down the arcane knowledge we've agreed to bring back. And it might be useful to lay in some suppiies ... the divination isn't terribly specific as to how far into the underground we will have to go. Is there any merchant in town you would particularly recommend to stock up on necessaries before we leave?"
While they wait and the two wizards partake on their magical stuff Aidwyn looks absently towards the door which Collin dissapeared.
"I am wondering " she says "He said Lady Martha was keen enough to write down his exact words, the very ones he said when he casted the spell, so there wasn't need for us to worry about misinterpretatios... that's good but... now he is down there alone... no one of us can write down his exact words... not that I do not trust him... but it seems that he cannot do that for his words so, we should be cautious about the information he brings to us... even more I mean..."
While they wait and the two wizards partake on their magical stuff Aidwyn looks absently towards the door which Collin dissapeared.
"I am wondering " she says "He said Lady Martha was keen enough to write down his exact words, the very ones he said when he casted the spell, so there wasn't need for us to worry about misinterpretatios... that's good but... now he is down there alone... no one of us can write down his exact words... not that I do not trust him... but it seems that he cannot do that for his words so, we should be cautious about the information he brings to us... even more I mean..."
(OOC: Well... Not so exactly. Roxana asked Rash to be your 'Martha' and write down the exact words - and Rash of course agreed - so no risk of forgetting)
Our heroes had a taste of the magical wonders of the Ivy Mansion in general (and of the "Fuzzy Quarterstaff", the Inn included in the mansion, in particular), met in person the diviner who had been able to give hope to poor Martha, obtained new (albeit always vague) indications... and now united, they cross the Overbridge (a much more familiar and common experience than the Underbridge) and prepare to hit the road on the Long Road, heading south, looking for of an unspecified marble arch.
Roxana stops a moment by The Guilded Horseshoe, to inform that she will not be available. This time, Roxana does not meet Erath, the owner, but Mallie, the vivacious and sunny halfling who married her, who is managing Grakl (nicknamed 'Whelp'), one of the many adopted children of the two females, a dragonborn of imposing size who usually helps out at the Inn by doing the heavy lifting.
Mallie is obviously intrigued by both Roxana's unusual following and what on earth she's going to do to be unavailable - and as soon as Roxana confides that she's committed to helping Martha, the halfling, exclaims: "I really can't believe it! You're just awesome, honey! I knew right away that you weren't going to be a cook all your life (even if you cook divinely, let me tell you), ever since you put that slimy Roland in his place! Not that you still think about him sometimes huh? But no, you're too smart not to have understood it by now... you meet guys like that only once in your life... if it happens a second time, it is really, really, really bad luck!" she laughs "Well, well, I'd really, really like to ask you what it is, what Martha needed... but of course you're in a hurry! Well go then! Good luck! I'm sure our 'Shoeless' Martha is in great hands!"
"Yes, good luck..." adds Whelp, initially embarrassed for not knowing what to add to the torrent of words that Mallie has already poured "Oh, and if you happen to have to move something too heavy... you send for me and I'm coming to help you, right?"
Roxana then goes on to notify her family as well...
(OOC: On the one hand, I'd like to see also this scene... really curious what the family of an adventuress thinks, as she goes on her dangerous task... but on the other hand, I wouldn't want to role-play Roxana's family in a different way than Culuril envisioned it - so I leave it to Culuril to narrate this scene for us, if she wills. And if she doesn't, fine all the same)
...and at last you set out along the Long Road.
The road is fortunately in good condition and the snow (previously fallen) not too deep, therefore the 4 mile journey is covered in less than an hour and a half, during which the only noteworthy events are, in the order: - a fox spotted in the distance by Aidwyn. - small humanoids still further away, towards the hills to the west, noticed by Roxana.
(OOC: I assume you don't want to stop and try to reach either the fox or the other humanoids - if you do, no problem, we'll role-play that)
Now, this map shows where you are and what you see.
You all are in the position with the red P. North is towards the top side of the map - so west is towards the left side of the map. Each square measures 200' therefore you cover about 4 squares every 3 minutes (therefore 40 in half an hour, or 80 in one hour - just so that you have an idea of the travel times).
The black path is the Long Road. The light green squares are plain. The dark green ones are dense forest - movement costs double there. The brown ones are hill sections (light brown lower, dark brown higher) - movement costs double there.
Of course, right now you can't see what's behind stretches of dense forest or hills (because vegetation or terrain blocks your view).
There's no marble arch in sight, but it's time to start looking for it, it seems...
You have to decide: 1) In what formation and marching order to travel. For example: one per row? Two per row? Three? And who is in front, who is in the middle, who is behind... 2) Where to start going. For example: As you can see, if you went directly west from where you are now, after 5 squares of plains (a few minutes) you would start traveling through dense forest...going to find out what lies beyond. But if you go southwest, after a bit of plain you'll find a hill... Or if you bypassed the stretch of dense forest you could go and explore the stretch of hill you see towards the northwest...
Rash glances at Aidwyn as she calls towards him.
"Looks like I'm bein' summoned," Rash says apologetically to Blinn. "But I would love to continue this conversation as soon as the business is taken care of."
When asked about Colin's offer, Rash immediately is on board.
"I really don't see any reason not to take that deal," the half-orc says, scratching his chin. "If we don't find anything worthwhile, then we have lost nothing. If we do find something worth bringing back as payment, then shared knowledge is in no way diminished. And the worst thing that can come from his end of the bargain is that we learn nothin that we did not know already."
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Roxana absent-mindedly leans down to pretty Kitti Purry, as she thanks Colin for his explanation. "Seems odd asking some ambivalent force to tell you vague information. But thanks for explaining how it works. I guess another try might give more information."
She waits for Rash to come over, listening to what he had to say. "Welp, guess it seems like we're leaning towards doing a second divination. Better let Colin know before he leaves."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
"Yes, please!" Blinn replies "Come back, as soon as you are free. And maybe think to the answers to some of my questions - I'd love to discuss with a colleague of my own kin. Maybe you could become apprentice to a Harpell, then... I know there are rumors about our apprentices, but believe me, normal boring physical features with no magical deformation are greatly overrated".
"Oh, and Kitty Purry?" the Harpell half-orc looks around, puzzled "Where did she go now?" then he sighs, he does a quick gesture... and Roxana sees the black cat suddenly disappear.
(OOC: OK, given what Mister_Whisker and Culuril last posted, I go on with you asking Colin for the second divination)
"So, deal!" Colin smiles, when you tell him your decision "Oh, wonderful! Wait here, I'll try not to take too long".
The middle-aged wizard gets up, greets Blinn in a friendly way, then exits the "Fuzzy Quarterstaff".
He's back in just over half an hour.
He looks around, sees you, joins you and announces: "Oh, wonderful! I actually have a new piece of advice! Personally, I don't understand it much... but I guess it will make sense to you once you're in the right place".
The red-robed one waits a moment, making sure he has all of your attention, then reports: "The key to getting the means is a bead - but if you pick the wrong bead you'll end up needing the means yourself".
"And that's it..." Colin spreads his arms, perplexed, "Remember to come and see me, when you're done!" he recommends "Come and look for me here! Even if by chance you don't find any arcane knowledge, at least you can quench my curiosity about what that place actually was, what these 'means' were and... we'll have a drink together to celebrate your success".
"Good luck!" he takes his leave of you, returning to his studies.
As they wait for Colin to return, Roxana finds a table to sit with the others, should they wish. "I assume we plan on leaving once the wizard returns? I really should grab some things from home and let my family know I'm going." She pauses a moment in thought, "And probably leave word at The Gilded Horsehoe that I will be out for a bit. Hmm, how long do you suppose we will be gone? Four hours towards Triboar but then how long to get into the hills? We'd be there by night right? Then home late tomorrow? No later than the following day?"
Once the wizard has returned, Roxana listens to his new information, looking a bit concerned. "Is someone writing this down? We should really keep close track of this," she says towards mainly Rash, suspecting he would have writing implements. But it's directed to the whole group. She then turns to Colin. "Am I to understand that we could die, just by picking up the wrong... bead? This is starting to sound like a terrible deal all around!"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
"Don't worry, I've got it covered," Rash says as he scribbles the prophecy down in his notebook (along with some commentary/speculation on his part). "Maybe I should go and see if Blinn has any ideas on the meanin' of this 'ere prophecy..."
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"Actually," Colin scratches his chin, seemingly embarrassed "I admit that I interpret it that way too... You seem to be embarking on a dangerous task, people. Oh, wonderful," he tries to smile and play down, pretending to look around "I see Mr. Obadiah did not hear any of this... just have him choose the bead, when it's time! I always suspected that I was right to prefer the life of a scholar to that of an adventurer, anyway".
"Oh, wonderful! A consultation among many wizards is usually productive," Colin approves "it might be a good idea to hear Blinn's opinion as well. There's a very good chance you'll get more questions than answers from him, but if you force him to to focus on something, he's a brilliant wizard. He's a Harpell, after all".
"Well, at least now we know that a bead may not be a bead, so we won't go around just casually picking up any that we find lying around, On the contrary, we can focus all our wits on what might distinguish them." She chuckles ruefully. "I really am sorry for trying to take charge back there, Bad habit from my old days on the Watch ... I'd just made sergeant shortly before our ... departure ... and in Berdusk you can imagine what respect a tiefling sergeant got unless she was absolutely savage about her authority. I'll keep that strictly under wraps from now on.."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Rash looks over the prophecy a couple more times to make absolutely certain he got it right before returning to speak with Blinn.
"Well friend, looks like we got ourselves a puzzle of a prophecy. I figured it would be a good idea to have another set of eyes look it over and see what you make of it."
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"A prophecy?" Rash manages to immediately capture the interest of Blinn, who leans over to read himself "Whose is it? Alaundo of Candlekeep? Does this one also speak of the Bhaalspawn? By the way..." the Half- Orc digresses, forgetting to read the text that had interested him so much until the moment before "Why do you think Bhaal, foresawing his demise at the hands of Cyric, spread his divine seed to start the Bhaalspawn thing... instead of simply murdering Cyric? It is because a prophecy can bind even a god? But what is the power behind a prophecy, then? What power can overcome even that of the gods themselves? So... if we created a spell to create prophecies, would we potentially become omnipotent?"
Rash scratches his chin... those are actually good questions.
"My guess would be that Bhaal feared that, in his attempts to prevent the prophecy, he might only seal it as many dark overlords and conquerors have done over the centuries... I mean, how many times have tyrants heard that 'the child born to some lowly peasant in some nowhere town will bring about your doom' and immediately rushed out to burn the town, only for the prophesied child to escape and grow up with vengeance in his heart? I have no idea what power overcomes the gods except stronger gods... maybe there are gods or similar beings who spin the fates and whose powers the other gods fear? Oh well, can't let ourselves get too distracted. We still have this prophecy from Colin regarding our mission to bring back Lady Martha's late-husband that I would like your opinion on."
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"Oh, Colin? I didn't know he made prophecies..." Blinn marvels, instinctively looking for the wizard - but he has already withdrawn, as he had announced, probably to resume his studies.
At that point, the Half-Orc finally reads what you're showing him and concentrates intently, repeating the words as he tries to take them in and think them over: "Let's see... 'The key to getting the means is a bead - but if you pick the wrong bead you'll end up needing the means yourself'... What a vague prophecy! No, you can really tell that it's from Colin and not from Alaundo! Alaundo's prophecies could perhaps be a little obscure, but certainly not so vague! Well, at least then he won't be referring to the Bhaalspawn... He's talking about 'means'... about a 'bead' which is a 'key' to obtain them... but which evidently is together with various other beads - and the ones that aren't a 'key'... are traps. Or maybe 'keys' that open different doors, doors that don't lead to the 'means'. And if by misfortune you open those doors, it seems you'll find yourself in some difficult situation... and you'd be forced to use the 'means'... which you shouldn't have, however, since you got the wrong 'key'... Or maybe all 'keys' bring you to the 'means' but the wrong ones also put you in trouble? But in any case, even if you had the 'means', you should use them to get out of the difficult situation, apparently. So, either you can't get out of the difficult situation, or, in any case, you can forget the 'means'. I would say that everything boils down to emphasizing that it is advisable to choose the right 'bead'..."
"I don't see any other helpful hints here," admits Blinn. "Not even an indication that helps to understand how to choose the right 'bead'. What a poor prophecy! Really bad. It doesn't even seem like a real prophecy... What's the point, a prophecy that doesn't tell you how to avoid what it warns you about? Unless, of course, the hint is not in the 'keys', in the 'beads', but in the doors that such keys open... Vague, vague... You could as well have asked Kitty Purry for a prophecy..."
"Well, that isn't very reassuring," Rash sighs. "Sounds like we need to look into getting some unfortunate monster to test these 'beads' out for us... though I'm not sure what kind of creature would both be able to do it and deserving of such a fate. This really is a conundrum that might give us some serious problems..."
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"Good idea! Why not?" approves Blinn "Summon creatures under your control to test the beads!"
"Or charm some enemy..." he ponders "Let's face it: we wizards usually kill enemies, often in strange or painful ways - or both. Why, in this case, not keep some under our control to make them try for us?"
"Excellent," Roxana says, her tone making it seem clear she doesn't think it is excellent. "Since I won't be summoning any creatures, I hope you don't mind of I just avoid any beads we come across on this voayge." She doesn't really know much about summoned creatures either, but she can't help but think it seems a tiny bit cruel to just kill them off like that. "Now that we know if we aren't careful we might be dead ourselves, are we all ready to go?"
"I still do need to stop by The Guilded Horseshoe, then let my family know I'm going. So we best move if we're going to make any progress today."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
"Sounds good to me.," Spira agrees. "The first divination did say that time was limited, and it sounds like the bead thing will only become clear on the scene. I would hope that with a wizard and a priest in our group, as well as somewhat of a student of the magic of beast and leaf if my brother should catch up with us, we could at least muster a variety of approaches towards trying to figure out any beads we come across."
==========================
EDIT: She turns to Colin and Roxana. "I don't seem to have any journal or other parchment I could write down the arcane knowledge we've agreed to bring back. And it might be useful to lay in some suppiies ... the divination isn't terribly specific as to how far into the underground we will have to go. Is there any merchant in town you would particularly recommend to stock up on necessaries before we leave?"
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
While they wait and the two wizards partake on their magical stuff Aidwyn looks absently towards the door which Collin dissapeared.
"I am wondering " she says "He said Lady Martha was keen enough to write down his exact words, the very ones he said when he casted the spell, so there wasn't need for us to worry about misinterpretatios... that's good but... now he is down there alone... no one of us can write down his exact words... not that I do not trust him... but it seems that he cannot do that for his words so, we should be cautious about the information he brings to us... even more I mean..."
PbP Character: A few ;)
(OOC: Well... Not so exactly. Roxana asked Rash to be your 'Martha' and write down the exact words - and Rash of course agreed - so no risk of forgetting)
Our heroes had a taste of the magical wonders of the Ivy Mansion in general (and of the "Fuzzy Quarterstaff", the Inn included in the mansion, in particular), met in person the diviner who had been able to give hope to poor Martha, obtained new (albeit always vague) indications... and now united, they cross the Overbridge (a much more familiar and common experience than the Underbridge) and prepare to hit the road on the Long Road, heading south, looking for of an unspecified marble arch.
Roxana stops a moment by The Guilded Horseshoe, to inform that she will not be available. This time, Roxana does not meet Erath, the owner, but Mallie, the vivacious and sunny halfling who married her, who is managing Grakl (nicknamed 'Whelp'), one of the many adopted children of the two females, a dragonborn of imposing size who usually helps out at the Inn by doing the heavy lifting.
Mallie is obviously intrigued by both Roxana's unusual following and what on earth she's going to do to be unavailable - and as soon as Roxana confides that she's committed to helping Martha, the halfling, exclaims: "I really can't believe it! You're just awesome, honey! I knew right away that you weren't going to be a cook all your life (even if you cook divinely, let me tell you), ever since you put that slimy Roland in his place! Not that you still think about him sometimes huh? But no, you're too smart not to have understood it by now... you meet guys like that only once in your life... if it happens a second time, it is really, really, really bad luck!" she laughs "Well, well, I'd really, really like to ask you what it is, what Martha needed... but of course you're in a hurry! Well go then! Good luck! I'm sure our 'Shoeless' Martha is in great hands!"
"Yes, good luck..." adds Whelp, initially embarrassed for not knowing what to add to the torrent of words that Mallie has already poured "Oh, and if you happen to have to move something too heavy... you send for me and I'm coming to help you, right?"
Roxana then goes on to notify her family as well...
(OOC: On the one hand, I'd like to see also this scene... really curious what the family of an adventuress thinks, as she goes on her dangerous task... but on the other hand, I wouldn't want to role-play Roxana's family in a different way than Culuril envisioned it - so I leave it to Culuril to narrate this scene for us, if she wills. And if she doesn't, fine all the same)
...and at last you set out along the Long Road.
The road is fortunately in good condition and the snow (previously fallen) not too deep, therefore the 4 mile journey is covered in less than an hour and a half, during which the only noteworthy events are, in the order:
- a fox spotted in the distance by Aidwyn.
- small humanoids still further away, towards the hills to the west, noticed by Roxana.
(OOC: I assume you don't want to stop and try to reach either the fox or the other humanoids - if you do, no problem, we'll role-play that)
Now, this map shows where you are and what you see.
You all are in the position with the red P.
North is towards the top side of the map - so west is towards the left side of the map.
Each square measures 200' therefore you cover about 4 squares every 3 minutes (therefore 40 in half an hour, or 80 in one hour - just so that you have an idea of the travel times).
The black path is the Long Road.
The light green squares are plain.
The dark green ones are dense forest - movement costs double there.
The brown ones are hill sections (light brown lower, dark brown higher) - movement costs double there.
Of course, right now you can't see what's behind stretches of dense forest or hills (because vegetation or terrain blocks your view).
There's no marble arch in sight, but it's time to start looking for it, it seems...
You have to decide:
1) In what formation and marching order to travel.
For example: one per row? Two per row? Three? And who is in front, who is in the middle, who is behind...
2) Where to start going.
For example: As you can see, if you went directly west from where you are now, after 5 squares of plains (a few minutes) you would start traveling through dense forest...going to find out what lies beyond.
But if you go southwest, after a bit of plain you'll find a hill...
Or if you bypassed the stretch of dense forest you could go and explore the stretch of hill you see towards the northwest...