This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Matteo shakes his head. To burn down the Faithless's temple; they would look for the perpetrators, and when they learn we are long gone they will look for scapegoats. The followers of our Lord in this city would face even greater persecution. I would like at least to speak to our brothers and sisters before taking such an action. The challenge is where to find them. Matteo, who grew up as a follower of Asmodeus, thinks back to the lessons he learned from his parent, of how to seek out fellow believers in unknown lands where they needed to keep their existence secret: History2
Perhaps we could ask at the tavern,he suggests uncertainly.
”I, and my companions, are in search of an island with an ancient temple’s ruins on it. Have you ever heard tale of such a place. Either way I would like to hire your ship to take us on the expedition. However some of our methods are unconventional, some would call them unnatural. Would such things be a problem for you or your crew?”
Aether - the captain bends closer to talk as if it were a secret. “Ya know, sailors aren’t known for their strict accordance to the rules of society. You pay enough gold, as long as my men aren’t harmed.... I couldn’t give two seagull’s shit what ya do. As far as that island goes there is some tales of a lost island off the coast to the south. Some say men have gone mad lookin for such business, then again some are liars. We’ll be back in a fortnight. If you’re still here the ship is yours.”
Group - you walk down the road a bit, trying to discern the pathways that seemingly keep you confused. Relying on the sun for directions you happen upon a three story tavern. A large circular glass window overlooks a balcony as you can see people enjoying their drinks and socializing quietly. Inside is a completely different story. The floor is sticky with spilt ale. Cut to scenes from every tavern in any town as patrons sing songs, a halfling bard in the corner regaling stories of heroes passed. A card game in the corner. Looking at the bar, then noticing the open floor above there is a bar in the same spot on each floor. A sign reads: ”welcome to the Tiered Tavern,.”
it looks as though there is a order of conduct, that differs on each floor. Getting more and more civilized the higher you go and more rowdy vice versa.
We should split up, but not get too far from each other. Matteo looks around, trying get a clearer idea of the layout - is it just the ground floor and upstairs, or is there a basement or another floor above? I doubt I'd win many friends lower down, so I'll head up - who wants to come with me?
(First floor is a raucous party, second floor is “craft beer brewery”. People relaxing and trying new styles. Light music in the background from bassist, where the balcony is. Third floor seems to be fine wines and sipping spirits. An enchanted piano plays more classical music. It overlooks the Giant round window above the balcony)
Sounds good, Drax would say with a nod. Drax would change his appearance from a monk to that of an overweight man in fine clothing. "Let's see what we can find." He would say before heading upstairs.
Matteo/Risha: make their way to the second floor where a copper bartop stands out against dark wooden furniture. Large casts of ale line the wall behind the bar as two bartenders tend to the taps. You see middle class, but older folk enjoying beers as they sit next to a fireplace, or in rocking chairs on the balcony. An eleven bard sits in the corner finger plucking a bass for a relaxed jazz feel.
Drax/ Petmorn: You travel up to the third floor where a man in a white coat stands at a podium, “Hello sirs, how many will we be seating tonight?” Once told he brings you to a table in the middle of the room. Room enough for 18-20 tables you see very well dressed couples casually talking and sipping at their drinks. No bar, but waiters come out for each table. The air is filled with the smoke of fine cigars.
Aether - you follow Anders and Korven throughout the city as it seems pockets of people seem to move out of the way at the sight of Korven. You walk into a book store, pacing quickly through the store they walk into the back as stairs descend down into a basement leading to an underground establishment. Iron torches line the walls and keep the rooms red and orange. Tapestries line the walls as the walkways branch out over the waterways the run beneath the city. Immediately a flock of people rush towards Korven. He grabs the first and throws the human into the water, grabbing another he forces the person into a back room. Anders turns to you, “Well I guess he is happy to be home, he will see someone to rid his mouth of the device and be out shortly. Feel free to look around, I’m here if you have any questions.” Anders begins speaking to others in the compound. Looking around it seems like an underground guild hall, hallways stretch outward to who knows what lengths. Men and women walking about, all busy, and purposeful. Given that you’d know there’s things like fences for wares, library, kitchen, practice grounds, etc.
Petmorn glances at the disguised Drax as they take their seats. "Do you think our quarry would fraternize with such high stature?" he asks, keeping his voice low so only Drax can hear him.
Matteo grabs an ale and goes to join one of the groups of older folk by the fireplace. Excuse me, sirs, mind if I join you? It's been a long day, and I could use some friendly faces about now.
First thing I do is ask around about spell scrolls and books. Anything I might be able to pick up some more spells from. While I am especially interested in necromancy spells I will take what ever I can find. Then I look for somewhere I can research the shards and the lost temple island.
Drax would look to Petmorn. "Friend.. this is my element. Those that have power are the most willing to anything it takes to keep it" He would say with a smile.
(OOC: OK, so this is going to sound dumb... we are trying to ask around to find out where there cult is located... that is worshiping the same god we are serving... right?)
(Yes, that's the plan. Matteo's original idea was to find followers of our god and offer to help them out, since we heard that they were having a hard time. Failing that, he wants to find out who's hunting them down and kill the hunters - he was hoping that would be either the guards or the temple, but we didn't get much useful information there. This mad cult sounds too chaotic to be worshippers of Asmodeus, but they might be demons, and killing demons is always fun.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Drax would twirl his hand above his head, prompting the smoke in the room to twirl around as well until it almost looks a bit like a snake wrapped around his arm. When the waiter arrives, Drax would smile to them. "Hello... my companion and I are looking for some... entertainment... " He would say holding the wineglass to his lips and looking the waiter over. "it a town like this... where everything is so... bright, squeaky clean, and stuffy... I was hoping you could point me in the direction of something... I don't know... maybe... A little darker... and perhaps maybe even a bit dangerous..." He would say taking the wineglass in both hands and holding it just under his chin.
Interesting enough your research into your spell scrolls sets you in the right track in the kind of magic used in the crystals. You find two scrolls of the necromantic school - negative energy flow and magic jar. You research and find that the coalition of deities or rather their champions harvested aspects of Asmodeus and locked them within focuses. Once the dark lord was scattered enough, he was weakened enough to be cast out and banished from the prime material plane. It explains that the first aspect you unlocked was his rage... understandably a raging fire erupted once freed. It’s also intriguing if the focuses used to harness the energy of Asmodeus fall under the same magical school of magic jar it may be possible to have the power poses a person rather than be set completely free. It may actually improve the aspects strength as it will have a host to feed off of.
Any talk of an island is vague as it seems it may not be the exact spot where the even happened to lock Asmodeus away. But some texts allude to an island “scorned at sunrise” or the island “forever ablaze” holding a temple who’s location is forgotten in time
Matteo shakes his head. To burn down the Faithless's temple; they would look for the perpetrators, and when they learn we are long gone they will look for scapegoats. The followers of our Lord in this city would face even greater persecution. I would like at least to speak to our brothers and sisters before taking such an action. The challenge is where to find them. Matteo, who grew up as a follower of Asmodeus, thinks back to the lessons he learned from his parent, of how to seek out fellow believers in unknown lands where they needed to keep their existence secret: History 2
Perhaps we could ask at the tavern, he suggests uncertainly.
Aether
”I, and my companions, are in search of an island with an ancient temple’s ruins on it. Have you ever heard tale of such a place. Either way I would like to hire your ship to take us on the expedition. However some of our methods are unconventional, some would call them unnatural. Would such things be a problem for you or your crew?”
"Taverns would be the best place for them to congregate. Though we'll have to be careful in seeking them out." Petmorn says to the group.
Fortune's Founders - An Eberron Tale: Virnen Palaris, Wood Elf Ranger (2)
Aether - the captain bends closer to talk as if it were a secret. “Ya know, sailors aren’t known for their strict accordance to the rules of society. You pay enough gold, as long as my men aren’t harmed.... I couldn’t give two seagull’s shit what ya do. As far as that island goes there is some tales of a lost island off the coast to the south. Some say men have gone mad lookin for such business, then again some are liars. We’ll be back in a fortnight. If you’re still here the ship is yours.”
Group - you walk down the road a bit, trying to discern the pathways that seemingly keep you confused. Relying on the sun for directions you happen upon a three story tavern. A large circular glass window overlooks a balcony as you can see people enjoying their drinks and socializing quietly. Inside is a completely different story. The floor is sticky with spilt ale. Cut to scenes from every tavern in any town as patrons sing songs, a halfling bard in the corner regaling stories of heroes passed. A card game in the corner. Looking at the bar, then noticing the open floor above there is a bar in the same spot on each floor. A sign reads: ”welcome to the Tiered Tavern,.”
it looks as though there is a order of conduct, that differs on each floor. Getting more and more civilized the higher you go and more rowdy vice versa.
We should split up, but not get too far from each other. Matteo looks around, trying get a clearer idea of the layout - is it just the ground floor and upstairs, or is there a basement or another floor above? I doubt I'd win many friends lower down, so I'll head up - who wants to come with me?
(First floor is a raucous party, second floor is “craft beer brewery”. People relaxing and trying new styles. Light music in the background from bassist, where the balcony is. Third floor seems to be fine wines and sipping spirits. An enchanted piano plays more classical music. It overlooks the Giant round window above the balcony)
Not sure I'd get in on the top floor, Matteo muses. You probably could, he suggests to Drax, with one of us as a bodyguard.
Risha looks thoughtful. "Petmorn and Drax could try the top floor while Matteo and I team up for the middle one," she suggests.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Sounds good, Drax would say with a nod. Drax would change his appearance from a monk to that of an overweight man in fine clothing. "Let's see what we can find." He would say before heading upstairs.
Matteo/Risha: make their way to the second floor where a copper bartop stands out against dark wooden furniture. Large casts of ale line the wall behind the bar as two bartenders tend to the taps. You see middle class, but older folk enjoying beers as they sit next to a fireplace, or in rocking chairs on the balcony. An eleven bard sits in the corner finger plucking a bass for a relaxed jazz feel.
Drax/ Petmorn: You travel up to the third floor where a man in a white coat stands at a podium, “Hello sirs, how many will we be seating tonight?” Once told he brings you to a table in the middle of the room. Room enough for 18-20 tables you see very well dressed couples casually talking and sipping at their drinks. No bar, but waiters come out for each table. The air is filled with the smoke of fine cigars.
Aether - you follow Anders and Korven throughout the city as it seems pockets of people seem to move out of the way at the sight of Korven. You walk into a book store, pacing quickly through the store they walk into the back as stairs descend down into a basement leading to an underground establishment. Iron torches line the walls and keep the rooms red and orange. Tapestries line the walls as the walkways branch out over the waterways the run beneath the city. Immediately a flock of people rush towards Korven. He grabs the first and throws the human into the water, grabbing another he forces the person into a back room. Anders turns to you, “Well I guess he is happy to be home, he will see someone to rid his mouth of the device and be out shortly. Feel free to look around, I’m here if you have any questions.” Anders begins speaking to others in the compound. Looking around it seems like an underground guild hall, hallways stretch outward to who knows what lengths. Men and women walking about, all busy, and purposeful. Given that you’d know there’s things like fences for wares, library, kitchen, practice grounds, etc.
Petmorn glances at the disguised Drax as they take their seats. "Do you think our quarry would fraternize with such high stature?" he asks, keeping his voice low so only Drax can hear him.
Fortune's Founders - An Eberron Tale: Virnen Palaris, Wood Elf Ranger (2)
Matteo grabs an ale and goes to join one of the groups of older folk by the fireplace. Excuse me, sirs, mind if I join you? It's been a long day, and I could use some friendly faces about now.
Risha gets her own ale and follows Matteo, giving the group he approaches a friendly nod.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Aether
First thing I do is ask around about spell scrolls and books. Anything I might be able to pick up some more spells from. While I am especially interested in necromancy spells I will take what ever I can find. Then I look for somewhere I can research the shards and the lost temple island.
Drax would look to Petmorn. "Friend.. this is my element. Those that have power are the most willing to anything it takes to keep it" He would say with a smile.
Petmorn smiles. "Do your thing, o wise one" he quips.
Fortune's Founders - An Eberron Tale: Virnen Palaris, Wood Elf Ranger (2)
(OOC: OK, so this is going to sound dumb... we are trying to ask around to find out where there cult is located... that is worshiping the same god we are serving... right?)
(Yes, that's the plan. Matteo's original idea was to find followers of our god and offer to help them out, since we heard that they were having a hard time. Failing that, he wants to find out who's hunting them down and kill the hunters - he was hoping that would be either the guards or the temple, but we didn't get much useful information there. This mad cult sounds too chaotic to be worshippers of Asmodeus, but they might be demons, and killing demons is always fun.)
Drax would twirl his hand above his head, prompting the smoke in the room to twirl around as well until it almost looks a bit like a snake wrapped around his arm. When the waiter arrives, Drax would smile to them. "Hello... my companion and I are looking for some... entertainment... " He would say holding the wineglass to his lips and looking the waiter over. "it a town like this... where everything is so... bright, squeaky clean, and stuffy... I was hoping you could point me in the direction of something... I don't know... maybe... A little darker... and perhaps maybe even a bit dangerous..." He would say taking the wineglass in both hands and holding it just under his chin.
Persuasion! 20
Aether:
Investigation check for scrolls: 9
Investigation check for Island: 26
Investigation for shards: 12
Interesting enough your research into your spell scrolls sets you in the right track in the kind of magic used in the crystals. You find two scrolls of the necromantic school - negative energy flow and magic jar. You research and find that the coalition of deities or rather their champions harvested aspects of Asmodeus and locked them within focuses. Once the dark lord was scattered enough, he was weakened enough to be cast out and banished from the prime material plane. It explains that the first aspect you unlocked was his rage... understandably a raging fire erupted once freed. It’s also intriguing if the focuses used to harness the energy of Asmodeus fall under the same magical school of magic jar it may be possible to have the power poses a person rather than be set completely free. It may actually improve the aspects strength as it will have a host to feed off of.
Any talk of an island is vague as it seems it may not be the exact spot where the even happened to lock Asmodeus away. But some texts allude to an island “scorned at sunrise” or the island “forever ablaze” holding a temple who’s location is forgotten in time