Above & Below

Effort reaches up and strokes Cadmael's head.  "I have a need of resources to continue to summon my own winged companion to my side.  They have been stretched thin in recent days, as have my healing supplies.  I also am searching for scrolls containing magics of a ritualistic nature - from any school - to expand my own knowledge.  If you have such things to spare, or know of places where I can find or buy them, it would be very helpful."

Kurama watched with shock as the Sister not only ordered Brask to throw away all his gold but then agree to it with almost no sign of protest.  Watching this all occur caused Kurama to question his own experiences so far in Gredica.  Though it seems he wasn't affected quite as strongly as Brask was, he had also experienced some "dreams" when he first arrived.  Could the Sister tell this about him as well?  What would he have to "give-up" to satisfy the "woman" if asked?  Not now... he thought to himself as he pushed those train of thought down for the time being.  Tentatively speaking up, Kurama asked, "I only have questions, if you're willing and able to answer them.  To start, what will happen to Gredica if the fragments are taken from this world?  Do you or this place not rely on them?  And do you know why this place is known as "Below" and what the "Above" may be?"   

"The peoples of this world do not tend to rely on magic, although it does exist," she addresses Effort. After considering something for a moment, she goes over to a leather satchel that had been leaning up against the wall. She fishes out a scroll. "This is not of the ritualistic nature you request, but it is all that I have at the moment. You may have more luck with my Sisters...although I cannot promise that. They have been watching you as well, I'm sure, and they have their own codes which they must abide by." She hands you a scroll of Mage Armor.

"There are caravans of traders in the great plains to the south. One of my sisters also happens to wander this great expanse. If you run into the former first, they may be able to provide you with the healing supplies you seek." She turns to Kurama. "Gredica will be fine without these tiny fragments. You should only require a fraction of each, and I am confident I can continue my work here with what I still have. I am more fearful of what might happen if you are correct about these demons, and what might happen to Gredica then."

"As to the nature of this world, we exist in a place somewhat closer to the demon world - and to hell itself - than your Oshait. It is not for mortals to fully comprehend, but know that the energies that control us here are far darker than elsewhere in the material world. My guess is that this above of which you speak is yet another world, perhaps closer to the higher planes of existence. Where the good gods exist in their own way. I do not know much more about it than that, unfortunately."

Nodding in thanks, Effort absorbs the information provided.  When handed the scroll, she looks at it carefully, but can't make out how to power the runes written upon it.  Realizing that she wouldn't be able to cast the spell, she says to the Sister, "I don't have the power to access the type of magic stored in this scroll.  While I appreciate your generosity and can bring it with me, it is nothing more than coin in our pockets, unless we recruit someone who is invested in this type of power to our number.  I find that to be highly unlikely.  If you still wish us to have it, I can take it, but as it is, it might benefit you more to keep it for yourself."

She thinks.  "As our next task shall be to seek out your Sisters, might I ask if you, or they, prefer to go by specific names other than The Sisters?  I gather we will have to travel to the plains of the south, but it would be helpful to know where your third sibling could be found.  Or if she is going to find us; the locals here seem to think you three can seek people out at your will."

She smirks. "Yes, if my sisters wish to find you, they will. Our names are of no concern even to us, so do not trouble yourself with that formality." She accepts the scroll back and returns it to its place. "My eldest sister will be difficult to track down, as she prefers a certain place out on the open sea when she is not...searching out those who have done wrong. I suspect if you are fortunate enough to leave the next of us with another fragment, you will be drawn to the third. They call to each other, in a way."

The Sister takes a deep inhale and cocks her head slightly to the side as she considers something. Eventually she walks over to Brask and gestures toward his maul. "May I?" Assuming Brask shows it to her, she will place her right hand over it. Closing her eyes, she speaks in a strange tongue until a jolt of energy shoots down the weapon. Brask can feel it shudder in his hand. "A reconciliatory offering," she says as she heads back to her chair. The maul is now a +1 maul. 

The wind starts to howl. The sky has grown a bit darker as you've talked with this strange woman, and it seems to be dusk. "Is there anything else you wish to know? If not, the plains are due south from here. Follow the coastline until you come to a large river. It will take you inland and further south, although it will dry up after a time. Soon after you will find yourself in the place which you seek. You may stay here if you like, although it does not offer much refuge from the elements. I must be on my way soon."

Kurama was quite impressed with the magical display the Sister revealed in front of them but stifled the urge to as about the ability as to not antagonize the creature once again by accident.  "I have a couple more question..." Kurama ventured tentatively though after a moment, deciding follow what he hoped was a less hostile curiosity. "...and one may very well may pertain to your eldest sister if I understood you correctly.  First, a few of our allies disappeared on our journey here, would you have any way of sensing if there were other being not from Gredica?  And secondly, we've heard tell of an oasis of sorts somewhere in the ocean that is unique in this world as far as anyone can tell  A place where the clouds parts and the sun actually breaks through.  Do you know if a place like that exists?  And if so how we might find it if our paths veer in that direction?"  Though he was still cautious of the Sister, there was a hint of eagerness in his voice as he asked about the mysterious oasis.

"There are two last things from my side as well," Effort says, digging through her bag.  She pulls out the vial containing the basilisk's eye, and the dagger she had taken from the cultist who tried to sacrifice her so long ago.  "I've this dagger, which we obtained from one of Yeenoghu's servants.  Have you any idea what the magic within it is supposed to do?  I have also this basilisk eye, again, similarly procured under the same circumstances.  Would you know of a way to make use of it, or what we might be able to do with this thing in trade?  I sense power from it, and yet like the scroll, I have no way of knowing how to harness that for our benefit."

Effort frowns thoughtfully at Kurama's question, wondering if this supposed promised area of the sea is the influence of the Sister herself who enjoys spending time out there.  There had been rumors of fisherman disappearing, after all.  Still, she remains silent, interested in the Sister's answer before making uneducated guesses of her own.

Instead, she says after everyone has finished, "Thank you for humoring us in this quest.  I wish you luck in your endeavor, or perhaps better to say, the skill to navigate through these troubled times adroitly.  We, too, shall do our best to succeed."  With a polite bow, Effort takes her leave.

To the others, she says, "Darkness is to fall soon.  This is as good a place as any to seek refuge from the terrors of the night, even if it is a bit exposed.  I do still have my tent which I can share with one other to protect us from the elements, but I fear it would not be a comfortable stay anywhere in this wilderness.  We should set our watches - the presence of the Sister might be enough of a deterrent to any unpleasant surprises this evening, but I would rather be vigilant than unpleasantly surprised regardless."

As the group decides what to do, in a quiet moment, Effort approaches Brask.  "I understand this was a difficult course for you to take.  And while I know what it means to give up everything and start over, I also feel you have one under your wing which you must care for.  You should take care of him with more than simply goodwill."  She hands Brask 25 gold coins.  "These are not for your benefit alone, but for the good of Pip.  He looks to you for direction, and you must protect him with what means you have.  Money, too, is a means."

(Cadmael and Effort will take a late watch.  As always, the lantern is available for those wanting to use it.)

Brask reluctantly hands his maul over, and raises an eyebrow at her words.  He tests the maul, swinging a little, taking care not to hit her or anything in this place.  He looks at her, and he seems either to be struggling to say something or struggling not to say something.  Whether he wins or loses, he just nods and walks away, giving the Sister and the others some space.

Later, when the Sister is far behind them and Effort is holding out a purse of coins, he shakes his head.  I have borne much today, he says as he nods towards the money.  That I will not bear.  Besides, Pip is strong and can take care of himself.  And we are a team, the four of us.  We must take care of each other.  Otherwise we are all lost.  He stomps off to be alone with his thoughts (though not too far as to be reckless.)

"Ha!" The Sister turns toward Kurama. "The place in the ocean of which you speak is indeed where my eldest sibling spends much of her time. She wanders as well, as do we all, but that place is as good a bet as any if you seek her. I do not whether she has a hand in the uniqueness of that place, or if she visits so often because of its novelty. Perhaps you will have the chance to ask her. As I mentioned, the pull of the fragments should help lead you to her. The spot, I think, is somewhere off the central coast. A bit south of here as well. If you succeed in your journey to the plains, ask about the town of Sketevik. It sits along the rocky shoreline - quite a few fishermen call it home, so there will be boats there. As for your friends, I do have...a certain access to the inhabitants here. I am no god, so while I cannot say for certain, I do not believe they are on this plane."

She pauses, turning to Effort and examining the dagger and eye. "Hm. The dagger's rune seems to be the thing emanating power. It's faint, but it's there. I wouldn't hazard a guess on what it might be able to do, though. As for this eye - careful with it, by the way - you could wield this as a potentially powerful weapon. The eyes can turn flesh to stone, if another creature gazes into it. I haven't seen it done with a removed eye, but you might try it the next time you find yourself in a sticky situation."

"Good luck on your journey." She gathers up her own dagger and satchel. "I fear you will need it." She steps outside of the stone walls, with her raven flapping and flying over them. A moment later, a loud crash of thunder descends from the clouds, with a lightning bolt momentarily lighting up the ruins. A few moments later, all is quiet save for the wind.

As Effort attempts to hand Brask the coin purse, it looks as if Pip almost interjects. He steps forward, but remains silent. Later, after giving him some time to think, he walks over to where Brask is sitting and offers him a wineskin. "Only water, sorry," Pip puts his hand on the minotaur's shoulder, which he would never be able to reach if they had been standing. "I don't know much, but I know you did the right thing back there. We wouldn't have that fragment if the Sister didn't believe in you. And I do too." 

Brask takes the wineskin, smiles at Pip and drinks deep.  I don't know much either, my friend.  But yeah, eyes on the prize.  Do or say whatever, to get what we need.  And never forget.  He looks off into the distance, and then back at Pip, and smiles.  Training.  We need to work on your strength.  The rest of the day he will put Pip, and himself, through some rigorous athletic training, to take his mind off his troubles.

The night is strangely quiet other than the sound of the wind blowing through the ruins. Effort, you can tell that even with the Sister gone, this place holds a strange energy. Perhaps it's from the Sister herself, but either way, it seems to be uninviting. 

The blackness of night eventually turns to dark gray as morning arrives. You set out along the coast in the direction you were instructed. The dunes don't exactly provide easy hiking conditions, but they offer an excellent view of your surroundings. The ocean to your left, and sand turning into swampy conditions to your right. Not many places for an ambush, at least that's what you're hoping.

Brask and Pip push themselves hard, running ahead a few times of the rest of the party, letting the rest of you catch up as they do push-ups and other training exercises. (I'm going to just "level" Pip up. He already had +1 to his CON score, and he'll add +1 to DEX as well. At his next level up he'll add a hit dice as well.)

By mid-day the low, swampy forests have crept closer to the shoreline. The dunes have grown grassier, and only a thin layer of sand sits between them and the water. You finally break at a small inlet. As you rest, an older man on horseback appears coming from the south. He sees you, and veers closer to the shoreline, crossing the shallow water there. He watches you cautiously, and tips his hat politely when he notices that you see him as well. He's older, and seems to have only a fishing pole and a small sack tied to the side of the horse.

In an abundance of caution, Kurama spent a few long moments taking stock of the man, seeing if he might be dangerous in some fashion before doing anything else or approaching him.

• Perception/ Insight: 17

As far as you can tell, he looks harmless. Graying hair, maybe in his 50s. 

To the others: "I don't think he's a danger to us.  Should we invite him over?  Perhaps he can share more information with us about the surrounding area?" Kurama asked the group.

Effort nods.  She looks at the man and points a finger at him, sending him a message.  

"Greetings," she whispers a little more loudly than normal, for the benefit of her companions right next to her.  "I am Effort, the woman who is pointing at you right now.  We are but travelers, seeking to reach the town of Sketevik.  A friendly face would always be welcome among our company, should you wish to join us for the moment and trade stories. ... You can reply to this message if you wish."

The man cowers and looks around frantically for a moment as the message enters his mind, but he calms after a second when he notices you looking over and pointing at him. He pulls up on his horse, pausing and watching you for a few seconds. After considering your message, he finally trots over. He dismounts about fifteen feet away. "Afternoon." He tips his hat again. After going into his pack and fishing out some grain for the horse, he slowly approaches. "Name's Welby. Had a good day with the fish if you're hungry." He nods back toward the horse. 

"Kurama.  And this is Effort, Brask and Pip." Kurama began as he pointed to each member of the party.  "You're welcome to join us if you'd like.  Where are you from/ headed?"  

The man lets himself smile, and heads back to grab a fish from his pack. He brings it over and (assuming you've started a fire) lays it on a rock next to the fire. "Headed back home. Fished all morning, caught up with the market just before I met up with you. Ain't from around here, eh?"

Effort, of course, clasps her hands and mumbles under her breath, and then insight checks him.

Insight: 9 (6 + 3 guidance)

"No, indeed.  Quite lucky of you to have done so well for yourself in these difficult waters," Effort says, being sincere in the complement.  "You spoke of a market... as we are new to this place, we know of no schedule or location where we could purchase supplies.  If you tell us where to find it, perhaps we might still catch them while they are open...?" she says hopefully. 

"Ha, well, that's the tricky thing. Market moves around. Not safe to stay in one place. The merchants all look out for each other and it's been working well for quite some time...but there are always dangers out here, especially when money and food is involved. So they sell out of the back of wagons, or with their stalls attached to their animals." He considers this for a moment. "Now, I left there 'bout an hour ago, maybe even less. They were heading west, but if you get moving soon you should be able to catch up with them by late afternoon, early evening." 

He reaches down carefully, grabbing the fish by the tail and flipping it over. "Now, Sketevik is further south. Won't get there 'til tomorrow. Watch yourselves there. Some nice folk, but plenty of unsavory characters among the docks. I'm sure that won't surprise you." He seems to relax as he tells you all this. "Now, what are you all looking for in that part of the world? A boat? Or hired muscle? Those seem to be the most popular reasons to travel down to Sketevik."

Effort, this guy seems like an earnest old fisherman. Nothing more, nothing less.