“Eh, perhaps you are right, Martin. I don’t like being subject to a condition that I cannot control”Tristan’s voice drifts lazily from an unknown point near the party, appearing to sound out of thin air “and Kulloda, while your idea is a good one, if Haleek has been successful in finding Finnegan I have my own ways of remaining out of sight. Ways that I control. I can even extend it to you if you would like to do this again”
He reaches an invisible hand out to Gash “Gash, please restore me as well.”
"Okay. Okay." Kulloda says. "Prefer being center of attention anyway."
He raises his arms up in the air, still holding his great sword up, as if he was in the center of the arena again, crowds of spectators cheering on the gladiator fights. He holds a hand to his ear, and makes the sound of a crowd with his mouth. He turns around in a circle, taking in his imaginary audience.
"Gash make Kulloda seen again," Kulloda says. Then after a long pause. "Please."
Tristan replies to Dog with a wink and a smile “Now, it will not do any good to share all of my secrets, but yes. I, or someone I choose, can attack and cast some spells while invisible. With certain limitations of course”
Remove curse undoes the invisibility on Kulloda and Tristan as well. What remains is to her back to the capitol. Unless Dog's suggestion to open another one strikes anyone's fancy...
“I say we leave this place and return to the capital. Opening another tomb seems risky” Tristan replies to Dog “unless we know exactly what we seek there is really no way to tell which tombs have artifacts and which contain only bones. They have all come at a cost and the next one may be harder to remove.”
Tristan pauses, then fills the group in with what they have learned at the docks. “Llyr and I have a lead on restoring the Temple of Leira. The High Priest was killed in the attack, but the former High Priest has retired to Vallas. The survivors are meeting in two days, if we could convince the former High Priest to return before then.”Tristan shrugs his shoulders to say that he doesn’t know if that will be enough on its own to restore the temple, but it is clearly a step in the right direction.
None had voiced opposition to the Spymaster’s words, and so the Eladrin gathered the party, retrieved his spellbook, found the arcane sigils connected to Alciondria’s teleportation circle and transported them there through the use of Teleport, right after a quick cast of Sending to warn the relevant people of the party’s arrival.
The air around them seemed to shimmer for a moment, as if in a heat mirage, and the party’s image appeared to get sucked into a vortex, collapsing onto a single point, which then vanished. The exact same sight appeared in Alciondria’s Circle, only in reverse and, in a blink, there they were.
Martin smiles. “You know… life has never been precisely ordinary for me. But that still amazes me how many miraculous, fantastic things are at your fingertips. Well done.”
After a long couple of days, the party returns back to Alciondria in the middle of the night, exhausted. Several notes await some of the party from their teams but being so late, there is nothing to do but sleep. When they awake, they will discover what their respective teams have for them.
Martin sends a late night messenger to Viviora to meet them at the palace at midday. According to the ranger, she will have the pilgrimage ritual for the Traveler.
Welcome to level 15! Roll HP straight with no advantage.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kulloda HP = 6
Kulloda makes his way back to the temple of Tempus and gets a good nights sleep, but beginning to make plans to get out of his life of servitude sooner rather than later as he drifts off. In the morning.
When he wakes, Kulloda feels his underlying temper flowing but at the same time more in check. While he's always been able to summon the deepest emotions, they've been tenuous and fleeting. It may have been the events of the past couple of days and all of the energy he's absorbed from the dead gods, but he feels a greater control of even his anger.
He tests it as he spars with several of the temple guards and discovers that even if he takes a moment or two in the midst of a fight to just get a sense of his opponents actions, he can keep the rage flowing. Unfortunately the temple guards learn this too, much to their great pain and discomfort. But only one of them has to be raised from the dead after the sparring so Kulloda doesn't give them a second thought as he leaves the temple and heads to the palace to find out what the others are doing and if their experiences with the tombs have changed them in any way too.
Gash happily removes the curses from his friends and from Friend himself. “Sorry buddy” he adds to his familiar as he tucks him back into his inter-dimensional space.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gash- Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Haleek arrives at Tristan's office minutes after the bard arrives. The aarakocra's timing is suspiciously impeccable, as if waiting for his superior to arrive. It is good news, though. Finnegan was easy to find. He has returned to his mage tower in Matas. Some soft penetration techniques by Haleek's resources in the area determined he is madly working on a project. He also has a significant number of guards in and around his tower, which is supposedly new and noteworthy.
Scett also has some good news. The cit of Taur is indeed run by a king. The boy has barely reached manhood at a youthful 18 years and was crowned in the last 12 to 24 months. The minotaur people have always maintained an uneasy peace with Alcion, mostly staying to their city and accepting the occasional edict from the capitol. They do assert themselves as an independent nation, which is not recognized nor challenged by the crown.
Gunnur talked to several priests and a scholar at the library. He did not go so far as to talk to Orbinata, Selune's representative on the mortal plane. What he learned was that Selune is rather possessive of her light and that she would react negatively to anyone that would deign to steal it, perhaps with a curse or a show of divine disapproval, such as hiding the moon for a time (which might frighten the populace.) Nobody is certain if this would change her desire to vote with the majority.
Kyva investigated the Eternal Cold Flame at the library. It is a magical flame that chills the immediate area and has been burning for more than a thousand years, stoked with a rare tree grown specifically for this purpose by a large family of wood elves in the north of Poria. The flame is a pride of this family. They have dedicated the flame to the worship of various gods, depending on the season and the needs of the elves.
Martin's crew, Gileon, Shaggaustus, and Tronk, are all still climbing Mt. Daldas to help clear the way. It will be several days before the job can be completed, they estimate.
Kulloda, having completed his training, is leaving the temple of Tempus when Centulia greets him casually from the street. She is leaning against a lamppost while a large, blue dragonborn stands behind her. He is wearing the magical collar and bracers of the slavers from the Kingdom of Harbach.
"Kulloda, you've done well ingratiating yourself to the emissaries. A reward for you,"she says, gesturing towards the dragonborn. "This is Rindeth Mar. He is now yours. Use him well."
Llyr is similarly introduced to someone new this morning. He is greeted at his door by a satyr, one he has never met before. She bows, more serious than any satyr Llyr has ever met.
"Greetings, Ambassador," she says. "The Summer Court bids you fair morning. I am Mz. Drahe of the Violet Forest."
Llyr has only heard of the Violet Forest. It is quite deep into the Feywild from any access he knows. It is known to be a dangerous place, not just due to the whims of its residents.
"Kestra of the Summer Thorns has taken upon herself a great concern of the gods and their machinations. I was summoned to provide support as you endeavor to resolve their conflict in a manner that will leave the Feywild as unaffected as possible."
Dog will check in with Tristan, and if he is given the same updates about Finnegan, he will ask if his parents have been sighted working in and around the tower.
"I could go there to retrieve my parents, which he would expect. Perhaps I would learn something." He sends as a message to Tristan, "Someone else could accompany me and scope things out. Leave an enchanted object. Sending telepathically in case anyone's listening. Is anyone listening?"
Kulloda looks at Centulia and then looks Rindeth Mar up and down. He turns back to Centulia, his brow furrowing.
"They talk and talk, but some progress made. We found a few god trinkets," Kulloda says. "Small step get Tempus to Limbo."
He looks back at Rindeth.
"Not want slave with collar. Not for Kulloda. How take off?" he asks Centulia.
However she responds, Kulloda will then jerk his head for the dragonborn to follow. Once away from Centulia he stops and looks at Rindeth again.
"What good are you?" Kulloda asks. "Spy for Centulia? Good with sword? Kulloda not need those. Thinker? We walk to palace. You talk. Decide if keep you by time we get there."
Dog will check in with Tristan, and if he is given the same updates about Finnegan, he will ask if his parents have been sighted working in and around the tower.
"I could go there to retrieve my parents, which he would expect. Perhaps I would learn something." He sends as a message to Tristan, "Someone else could accompany me and scope things out. Leave an enchanted object. Sending telepathically in case anyone's listening. Is anyone listening?"
Martin jumps in.
“I can come to help, if you’ll have me. I’ve got sharp enough eyes to help a brother out.”
Tristan thanks Haleek for the report and praises him for a job well done. Before going to meet with the others, he asks Haleek to check in on the crown’s representative in Jasperdown to see if they have any information on the Duergar Hammer. It always pays to have options available, and if they are going to continue to collect divine artifacts they will need more information on the hammer.
Tristan shares the update on Finnegan with the others, responding to Dog’s mental message “I have no word on your parents, I am sorry. I too would like to meet Finnegan and visit his tower. I don’t know about enchanted objects, but I have ways of checking in on places I have been before if we are close by. It may help us determine what he is up to, and he may share more information with you than he would with others."
To the entire group, he shares more information "We have Finnegan to visit, as well as the option to collect the former High Priest of Leira in Vallas. There is only one day remaining before the survivors of the circus meet. What other leads do we have at this point?"
Haleek nods and leaves, professional as always. As the party is gathering to teleport to Matas, Viviora arrives. She is carrying several tomes and scrolls, some tucked under er arms or balanced precariously on her load. Several fall to the ground as she sets them on Tristan's already messy desk, which she scrambles to collect as the scrolls roll towards dusty under-furniture areas.
Standing, she brushes a loose lock of hair from her face. "The Traveler," she says, by way of introducing the subject. "They arrive to those pilgrims who build a shrine along any sizable road. It does not even need to be paved, just well-worn. It does, however, need to be outside of a city. The closest I've seen recorded is about 50 miles from a moderate-sized town...I forget which one. I have the instructions for building the shrine, as best as I can gather. It can be made of mundane traveling gear, such as crates or barrels, traveling trunks or chests, candles or lanterns, an offering of rations, etc. It is all here and you probably have most everything already. I think I have most everything already. Which is the point, I think. The shrines are built by those who are traveling and likely not wealthy. Anyway, a prayer, spoken aloud, which is important, usually includes an invitation to join you, such as at your fire, and sometimes a request for aid. The Traveler does not always come but those who have encountered them have followed these guidelines. Hopefully that helps."
Centulia tells Kulloda that the collar is cursed, and can be removed with a spell.
In response to Kulloda's questions, Rindeth says in a gruff voice, "I do not care about Tempus or his wench. She tells me I can be where you are not. I don't think that means spying, except maybe for you. She also says, you cannot lead an army without soldiers. So I suppose that makes me your soldier. Your first soldier, though? Not much of an army."
He does not seem afraid of Kulloda, although he shuts his mouth when he realizes he may be speaking in too forward a manner.
“Viviora! That’s excellent. Finally, some headway on this. I hope against hope it’ll be the godsend we’ve been waiting for.” Martin let’s out an exasperated/thriller heave of a breath. “Can we do this before we leave?”
Kulloda grunts at the mention of the collar being cursed.
"Kulloda see if Rindeth worth it," Kulloda says to the dragonborn. "Know people. Maybe remove curse."
He then appraises the man again, noting that he's not afraid.
"Good. Kulloda have no use for scared children and even less for Tempus followers. Say what think. Kulloda want to hear. If Kulloda not like, then smash Rindeth in face," he says then pauses before adding. "But of course you be where Kulloda is not. Kulloda already where Kulloda is. Everywhere else is where is not. Will figure out."
He starts walking again, waving Rindeth to follow.
"Army start somewhere. Two gladiator good start," Kulloda says. "May even be enough to win a kingdom if remove king. Then Kulloda king. Rindeth? Maybe Rindeth be general. You know kingdom that have king no one care if gone?"
Kulloda brings Rindeth to the palace with him and enters looking for the others, barking at the guards to get Dog if anyone tries to bar his path.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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“Eh, perhaps you are right, Martin. I don’t like being subject to a condition that I cannot control” Tristan’s voice drifts lazily from an unknown point near the party, appearing to sound out of thin air “and Kulloda, while your idea is a good one, if Haleek has been successful in finding Finnegan I have my own ways of remaining out of sight. Ways that I control. I can even extend it to you if you would like to do this again”
He reaches an invisible hand out to Gash “Gash, please restore me as well.”
"Okay. Okay." Kulloda says. "Prefer being center of attention anyway."
He raises his arms up in the air, still holding his great sword up, as if he was in the center of the arena again, crowds of spectators cheering on the gladiator fights. He holds a hand to his ear, and makes the sound of a crowd with his mouth. He turns around in a circle, taking in his imaginary audience.
"Gash make Kulloda seen again," Kulloda says. Then after a long pause. "Please."
"But you can cast and attack while invisible, right? Even concentrating on something else?" Dog says.
Tristan replies to Dog with a wink and a smile “Now, it will not do any good to share all of my secrets, but yes. I, or someone I choose, can attack and cast some spells while invisible. With certain limitations of course”
Remove curse undoes the invisibility on Kulloda and Tristan as well. What remains is to her back to the capitol. Unless Dog's suggestion to open another one strikes anyone's fancy...
“I say we leave this place and return to the capital. Opening another tomb seems risky” Tristan replies to Dog “unless we know exactly what we seek there is really no way to tell which tombs have artifacts and which contain only bones. They have all come at a cost and the next one may be harder to remove.”
Tristan pauses, then fills the group in with what they have learned at the docks. “Llyr and I have a lead on restoring the Temple of Leira. The High Priest was killed in the attack, but the former High Priest has retired to Vallas. The survivors are meeting in two days, if we could convince the former High Priest to return before then.” Tristan shrugs his shoulders to say that he doesn’t know if that will be enough on its own to restore the temple, but it is clearly a step in the right direction.
None had voiced opposition to the Spymaster’s words, and so the Eladrin gathered the party, retrieved his spellbook, found the arcane sigils connected to Alciondria’s teleportation circle and transported them there through the use of Teleport, right after a quick cast of Sending to warn the relevant people of the party’s arrival.
The air around them seemed to shimmer for a moment, as if in a heat mirage, and the party’s image appeared to get sucked into a vortex, collapsing onto a single point, which then vanished. The exact same sight appeared in Alciondria’s Circle, only in reverse and, in a blink, there they were.
Martin smiles. “You know… life has never been precisely ordinary for me. But that still amazes me how many miraculous, fantastic things are at your fingertips. Well done.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Dog nods, perfectly fine with leaving. They can always come back if needed. There's no welcoming committee headed by the Traveler, is there?
After a long couple of days, the party returns back to Alciondria in the middle of the night, exhausted. Several notes await some of the party from their teams but being so late, there is nothing to do but sleep. When they awake, they will discover what their respective teams have for them.
Martin sends a late night messenger to Viviora to meet them at the palace at midday. According to the ranger, she will have the pilgrimage ritual for the Traveler.
Welcome to level 15! Roll HP straight with no advantage.
Kulloda HP = 6
Kulloda makes his way back to the temple of Tempus and gets a good nights sleep, but beginning to make plans to get out of his life of servitude sooner rather than later as he drifts off. In the morning.
When he wakes, Kulloda feels his underlying temper flowing but at the same time more in check. While he's always been able to summon the deepest emotions, they've been tenuous and fleeting. It may have been the events of the past couple of days and all of the energy he's absorbed from the dead gods, but he feels a greater control of even his anger.
He tests it as he spars with several of the temple guards and discovers that even if he takes a moment or two in the midst of a fight to just get a sense of his opponents actions, he can keep the rage flowing. Unfortunately the temple guards learn this too, much to their great pain and discomfort. But only one of them has to be raised from the dead after the sparring so Kulloda doesn't give them a second thought as he leaves the temple and heads to the palace to find out what the others are doing and if their experiences with the tombs have changed them in any way too.
Gash happily removes the curses from his friends and from Friend himself. “Sorry buddy” he adds to his familiar as he tucks him back into his inter-dimensional space.
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Chapter 6: Progress
Haleek arrives at Tristan's office minutes after the bard arrives. The aarakocra's timing is suspiciously impeccable, as if waiting for his superior to arrive. It is good news, though. Finnegan was easy to find. He has returned to his mage tower in Matas. Some soft penetration techniques by Haleek's resources in the area determined he is madly working on a project. He also has a significant number of guards in and around his tower, which is supposedly new and noteworthy.
Scett also has some good news. The cit of Taur is indeed run by a king. The boy has barely reached manhood at a youthful 18 years and was crowned in the last 12 to 24 months. The minotaur people have always maintained an uneasy peace with Alcion, mostly staying to their city and accepting the occasional edict from the capitol. They do assert themselves as an independent nation, which is not recognized nor challenged by the crown.
Gunnur talked to several priests and a scholar at the library. He did not go so far as to talk to Orbinata, Selune's representative on the mortal plane. What he learned was that Selune is rather possessive of her light and that she would react negatively to anyone that would deign to steal it, perhaps with a curse or a show of divine disapproval, such as hiding the moon for a time (which might frighten the populace.) Nobody is certain if this would change her desire to vote with the majority.
Kyva investigated the Eternal Cold Flame at the library. It is a magical flame that chills the immediate area and has been burning for more than a thousand years, stoked with a rare tree grown specifically for this purpose by a large family of wood elves in the north of Poria. The flame is a pride of this family. They have dedicated the flame to the worship of various gods, depending on the season and the needs of the elves.
Martin's crew, Gileon, Shaggaustus, and Tronk, are all still climbing Mt. Daldas to help clear the way. It will be several days before the job can be completed, they estimate.
Kulloda, having completed his training, is leaving the temple of Tempus when Centulia greets him casually from the street. She is leaning against a lamppost while a large, blue dragonborn stands behind her. He is wearing the magical collar and bracers of the slavers from the Kingdom of Harbach.
"Kulloda, you've done well ingratiating yourself to the emissaries. A reward for you," she says, gesturing towards the dragonborn. "This is Rindeth Mar. He is now yours. Use him well."
Llyr is similarly introduced to someone new this morning. He is greeted at his door by a satyr, one he has never met before. She bows, more serious than any satyr Llyr has ever met.
"Greetings, Ambassador," she says. "The Summer Court bids you fair morning. I am Mz. Drahe of the Violet Forest."
Llyr has only heard of the Violet Forest. It is quite deep into the Feywild from any access he knows. It is known to be a dangerous place, not just due to the whims of its residents.
"Kestra of the Summer Thorns has taken upon herself a great concern of the gods and their machinations. I was summoned to provide support as you endeavor to resolve their conflict in a manner that will leave the Feywild as unaffected as possible."
Dog will check in with Tristan, and if he is given the same updates about Finnegan, he will ask if his parents have been sighted working in and around the tower.
"I could go there to retrieve my parents, which he would expect. Perhaps I would learn something." He sends as a message to Tristan, "Someone else could accompany me and scope things out. Leave an enchanted object. Sending telepathically in case anyone's listening. Is anyone listening?"
Kulloda looks at Centulia and then looks Rindeth Mar up and down. He turns back to Centulia, his brow furrowing.
"They talk and talk, but some progress made. We found a few god trinkets," Kulloda says. "Small step get Tempus to Limbo."
He looks back at Rindeth.
"Not want slave with collar. Not for Kulloda. How take off?" he asks Centulia.
However she responds, Kulloda will then jerk his head for the dragonborn to follow. Once away from Centulia he stops and looks at Rindeth again.
"What good are you?" Kulloda asks. "Spy for Centulia? Good with sword? Kulloda not need those. Thinker? We walk to palace. You talk. Decide if keep you by time we get there."
Martin jumps in.
“I can come to help, if you’ll have me. I’ve got sharp enough eyes to help a brother out.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Tristan thanks Haleek for the report and praises him for a job well done. Before going to meet with the others, he asks Haleek to check in on the crown’s representative in Jasperdown to see if they have any information on the Duergar Hammer. It always pays to have options available, and if they are going to continue to collect divine artifacts they will need more information on the hammer.
Tristan shares the update on Finnegan with the others, responding to Dog’s mental message “I have no word on your parents, I am sorry. I too would like to meet Finnegan and visit his tower. I don’t know about enchanted objects, but I have ways of checking in on places I have been before if we are close by. It may help us determine what he is up to, and he may share more information with you than he would with others."
To the entire group, he shares more information "We have Finnegan to visit, as well as the option to collect the former High Priest of Leira in Vallas. There is only one day remaining before the survivors of the circus meet. What other leads do we have at this point?"
Haleek nods and leaves, professional as always. As the party is gathering to teleport to Matas, Viviora arrives. She is carrying several tomes and scrolls, some tucked under er arms or balanced precariously on her load. Several fall to the ground as she sets them on Tristan's already messy desk, which she scrambles to collect as the scrolls roll towards dusty under-furniture areas.
Standing, she brushes a loose lock of hair from her face. "The Traveler," she says, by way of introducing the subject. "They arrive to those pilgrims who build a shrine along any sizable road. It does not even need to be paved, just well-worn. It does, however, need to be outside of a city. The closest I've seen recorded is about 50 miles from a moderate-sized town...I forget which one. I have the instructions for building the shrine, as best as I can gather. It can be made of mundane traveling gear, such as crates or barrels, traveling trunks or chests, candles or lanterns, an offering of rations, etc. It is all here and you probably have most everything already. I think I have most everything already. Which is the point, I think. The shrines are built by those who are traveling and likely not wealthy. Anyway, a prayer, spoken aloud, which is important, usually includes an invitation to join you, such as at your fire, and sometimes a request for aid. The Traveler does not always come but those who have encountered them have followed these guidelines. Hopefully that helps."
Centulia tells Kulloda that the collar is cursed, and can be removed with a spell.
In response to Kulloda's questions, Rindeth says in a gruff voice, "I do not care about Tempus or his wench. She tells me I can be where you are not. I don't think that means spying, except maybe for you. She also says, you cannot lead an army without soldiers. So I suppose that makes me your soldier. Your first soldier, though? Not much of an army."
He does not seem afraid of Kulloda, although he shuts his mouth when he realizes he may be speaking in too forward a manner.
“Viviora! That’s excellent. Finally, some headway on this. I hope against hope it’ll be the godsend we’ve been waiting for.” Martin let’s out an exasperated/thriller heave of a breath. “Can we do this before we leave?”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Kulloda grunts at the mention of the collar being cursed.
"Kulloda see if Rindeth worth it," Kulloda says to the dragonborn. "Know people. Maybe remove curse."
He then appraises the man again, noting that he's not afraid.
"Good. Kulloda have no use for scared children and even less for Tempus followers. Say what think. Kulloda want to hear. If Kulloda not like, then smash Rindeth in face," he says then pauses before adding. "But of course you be where Kulloda is not. Kulloda already where Kulloda is. Everywhere else is where is not. Will figure out."
He starts walking again, waving Rindeth to follow.
"Army start somewhere. Two gladiator good start," Kulloda says. "May even be enough to win a kingdom if remove king. Then Kulloda king. Rindeth? Maybe Rindeth be general. You know kingdom that have king no one care if gone?"
Kulloda brings Rindeth to the palace with him and enters looking for the others, barking at the guards to get Dog if anyone tries to bar his path.