It's a long moment before he speaks up. "Distracted enough that we could interfere? Or you could? Could they strike at .multiple targets? I think... I think this calls for us to be in too many places at once, but if given only a single option, I would choose Gentoa to protect."
Kulloda has never really followed along with all the machinations of the gods and their plan. All he knows is a choice has to be made. When it does Tempus moves to Limbo and he will be free and out from under Centulia's boot.
"Why we need protect gods?" Kulloda asks Martin. "Gods do god things. Kill each other mean not bother us. They kill each other, we make Traveler god. All done."
“The god of second chances, now that is interesting” Tristan tugs at his goatee as he considers the options, but looks sharply at Martin when he raises his concerns. “Protection for Gentoa? I had not considered that. The best way to protect her and the Kingdom is probably to hurry this transition along. The longer the question is up in the air, the more opportunity for someone to take advantage.”
He looks around at the group “What do you think? Should we support the Traveler, and that means supporting the Dragon, to push toward a resolution? That would mean working to sway some votes, but we have already laid the foundation for the circus…” He resumes pacing around the campsite, already thinking about how to fulfill the various bargains and deals outlined by the representatives of the gods.
It's a long moment before he speaks up. "Distracted enough that we could interfere? Or you could? Could they strike at .multiple targets? I think... I think this calls for us to be in too many places at once, but if given only a single option, I would choose Gentoa to protect."
"I suppose anyone with motive could disrupt things," the Traveler says. "Now that you've informed me of these divine proceedings, I am suspect for any disruption that occurs now. If you are truly concerned with those that have ill intent, though, trying to protect everyone all at once is probably the wrong strategy. Although I certainly appreciate your looking after my niece. Focus instead your efforts on those keen to take advantage of things. Bane, as I mentioned, should be suspect. Never trust Cyric. I'd be surprised if Helm wasn't truly terrified of a new purge."
I have to take off but I will continue this afternoon.
Kulloda has never really followed along with all the machinations of the gods and their plan. All he knows is a choice has to be made. When it does Tempus moves to Limbo and he will be free and out from under Centulia's boot.
"Why we need protect gods?" Kulloda asks Martin. "Gods do god things. Kill each other mean not bother us. They kill each other, we make Traveler god. All done."
The Traveler chuckled. "Gods are fickle and vain and aloof. But we need mortals more than mortals need us, especially in times of change," they say, then turn more somber. "If a purge occurs, it may mean prayers will go unanswered for centuries. Those same prayers that kept the monsters at bay during the night and that allowed men to build the shining cities of the world. Yes, people still suffer but except things to get much, much worse if the gods give in to their jealousies."
“The god of second chances, now that is interesting” Tristan tugs at his goatee as he considers the options, but looks sharply at Martin when he raises his concerns. “Protection for Gentoa? I had not considered that. The best way to protect her and the Kingdom is probably to hurry this transition along. The longer the question is up in the air, the more opportunity for someone to take advantage.”
He looks around at the group “What do you think? Should we support the Traveler, and that means supporting the Dragon, to push toward a resolution? That would mean working to sway some votes, but we have already laid the foundation for the circus…” He resumes pacing around the campsite, already thinking about how to fulfill the various bargains and deals outlined by the representatives of the gods.
"I suppose I am not clear on how it is you might sway the negotiations of the gods," the Traveler says, not really asking for clarification but more commenting on their lack of understanding.
"We finally pick side now?" Kulloda asks. "Good. Not like little Finnegan. Let's burn tower down on way back."
Kulloda looks over at the Traveler.
"Little wizard building magic cage," Kulloda says. "He think trap you in it. Give him power."
The burly barbarian stretches his arms up and then cracks his neck, the sound echoing into the dark night.
He stops and smiles over at Tristan.
"Killing king," he begins. "That helps dragon, right?"
The Traveler frowns. "Me? That sounds like a wizard I once knew, centuries ago," they say. "But I appreciate the warning. I shall be more wary of any shrines to me in the future. That brings me to my original query, of course. What is it you want in exchange for your offerings?"
Kulloda pauses in his restless pacing when the Traveler asks them more questions.
"Gods all want something but can't get hands dirty," Kulloda says. "We make circus, find relic, kill king, that make god happy. Happy god vote way tell them to vote."
Then he pauses again. He hadn't thought the Traveler would offer them anything. Did he have the power to grant them anything?
Kulloda moves closer to the others.
"What ask for? Traveler travel, right? Travel anywhere? One god want shard moonlight from where Selune live. Maybe Traveler take there we take moonlight then Traveler take us back?"
He smiles at the plan he's come up with, frowning slightly when he realizes he's no idea what in all the planes a shard of moonlight is and how you steal one.
While he lets the others contemplate the question of what to ask the Traveler for, Kulloda goes over to Rindeth Mar.
"The Fang is ugly slaver. Want kill him even if not what Tempus ask. A fang like king," Kulloda starts. "But not called king. Go back and ask Centulia if kill the Fang and bring head same as bring head of king. Not want their god tricks to say, no, no that a fang head not king head. If they okay with fang head to make Tempus vote dragon let me know."
He looks at the collar on Rindeth Mar's neck for a moment.
"We go, kill Fang king. Free slaves in the Fang. They be part of army. Keep kingdom. You be big general. We find way get collar off neck."
The Traveler rubs the back of their neck somewhat sheepishly. "I...cannot go to any of the other planes. My banishment has bound to the mortal plane. I cannot even sense the gods or the heavens or hells. I am effectively blind, from a divine sense. I can transport you anywhere in the world, yes, including The Fang."
Kulloda eyes the Traveler when he admits limitations on his ability to travel anywhere. He looks over at the others with a raised eyebrow, then he shrugs. Instead he barks at Rindeth Mar to travel quickly.
"Just tell Centulia a Fang is a king. No difference." Kulloda growls. "Head of fang just as good."
He then turns back to the group and a big smile appears on his face.
"Ready kill king?" he asks but sensing they might have reservations he continues. "You can call it freeing slaves."
Kulloda turns back to the Traveler.
"You can go anywhere here?" he asks. "So if say go Fang bedroom you go Fang bedroom?"
“Could you offer favors? Second chances? Transport when our abilities fail us? A promise to help mortals make this realm better than it is, rather than ruin it?”Dog is thinking out loud. He’s not opposed to taking out a slaver king. He doesn’t love the idea of an evil drsgon god but the alternative seems worse. He wonders aloud if they should return and destroy the cage.
Tristan looks at Kulloda as he urges the group to The Fang. He knew a little about the kingdom from his time abroad, knew they were a kingdom of slavers. “Yes, the head of a king will sway a vote to the Dragon, and by extension the Traveler. And do some good in the world as well.” Tristan pulls his mandolin around “And the tales I can write of the fall of the Slaver King and the rise of Kulloda.” He gives the barbarian a wink “with the help of his friends of course.”
He turns to Dog “Finnegan will be on guard when he realizes things have been taken. We can use those items to teleport back to the tower later to destroy the cage if needed.”
Tristan continues pacing as he considers the boons laid out before them “An item that could transport us away from danger, that could be very useful. But why here, in the middle of nowhere? “ He looks around at the dusty campsite “could it return us to the palace instead? And would it have unlimited uses?”
Tristan pauses suddenly as Martin requests his boon, one that was much more serious than the one he was considering. Tristan never even guessed Martin had a wife. “Your wife? What happened?”he asked Martin respectfully.
"It was a long time ago, now, but... Sometimes it feels like it just happened. I still have dreams where everything is fine, and then when I wake, it comes crashing down on me again."
"We were... Guardians? Forester's, at least. We watched over a particular forest. It had a never ending growth of bad seeds. Monstrous trees, and such. She said she thought she could end it once and for all, but... One mis-step was all it took. They killed her."
"I would, if I were the god of second chances, try to answer such a prayer," the Traveler says. "Time might be out of my purview, but, depending on where the soul of your wife ended up, a bargain with the god shepherding her soul could be struck. Alas, I am no god of second chances..."
Tristan continues pacing as he considers the boons laid out before them “An item that could transport us away from danger, that could be very useful. But why here, in the middle of nowhere? “ He looks around at the dusty campsite “could it return us to the palace instead? And would it have unlimited uses?”
"Certainly," the traveler says. "Any place you like. Likely once per day. Such items require refilling from a divine or other magical font. In this case, that font would be me. So there would be some reasonable limits to its usage."
Dog nods, and turns to the sextant, the book, and the quill. He shows them to the traveler, curious about his reaction.
DM shield:
19
vs.
21
The god is cast in shadow, in the dark of night, away from the fire. Their mouth, all that is visible of their face, offers few hints of what those items might mean to them. But studying the Traveler careful reveals a few clues to Dog. Their breath catches and they lean a centimeter or two closer. Their hood shifts ever so slightly to take in the items. These movements are subtle but they all suggest the same thing. The Traveler is definitely interested in the divine items being offered.
Martin nods along.
It's a long moment before he speaks up. "Distracted enough that we could interfere? Or you could? Could they strike at .multiple targets? I think... I think this calls for us to be in too many places at once, but if given only a single option, I would choose Gentoa to protect."
Paladin - warforged - orange
Kulloda has never really followed along with all the machinations of the gods and their plan. All he knows is a choice has to be made. When it does Tempus moves to Limbo and he will be free and out from under Centulia's boot.
"Why we need protect gods?" Kulloda asks Martin. "Gods do god things. Kill each other mean not bother us. They kill each other, we make Traveler god. All done."
“The god of second chances, now that is interesting” Tristan tugs at his goatee as he considers the options, but looks sharply at Martin when he raises his concerns. “Protection for Gentoa? I had not considered that. The best way to protect her and the Kingdom is probably to hurry this transition along. The longer the question is up in the air, the more opportunity for someone to take advantage.”
He looks around at the group “What do you think? Should we support the Traveler, and that means supporting the Dragon, to push toward a resolution? That would mean working to sway some votes, but we have already laid the foundation for the circus…” He resumes pacing around the campsite, already thinking about how to fulfill the various bargains and deals outlined by the representatives of the gods.
"We finally pick side now?" Kulloda asks. "Good. Not like little Finnegan. Let's burn tower down on way back."
Kulloda looks over at the Traveler.
"Little wizard building magic cage," Kulloda says. "He think trap you in it. Give him power."
The burly barbarian stretches his arms up and then cracks his neck, the sound echoing into the dark night.
He stops and smiles over at Tristan.
"Killing king," he begins. "That helps dragon, right?"
"I suppose anyone with motive could disrupt things," the Traveler says. "Now that you've informed me of these divine proceedings, I am suspect for any disruption that occurs now. If you are truly concerned with those that have ill intent, though, trying to protect everyone all at once is probably the wrong strategy. Although I certainly appreciate your looking after my niece. Focus instead your efforts on those keen to take advantage of things. Bane, as I mentioned, should be suspect. Never trust Cyric. I'd be surprised if Helm wasn't truly terrified of a new purge."
I have to take off but I will continue this afternoon.
The Traveler chuckled. "Gods are fickle and vain and aloof. But we need mortals more than mortals need us, especially in times of change," they say, then turn more somber. "If a purge occurs, it may mean prayers will go unanswered for centuries. Those same prayers that kept the monsters at bay during the night and that allowed men to build the shining cities of the world. Yes, people still suffer but except things to get much, much worse if the gods give in to their jealousies."
"I suppose I am not clear on how it is you might sway the negotiations of the gods," the Traveler says, not really asking for clarification but more commenting on their lack of understanding.
The Traveler frowns. "Me? That sounds like a wizard I once knew, centuries ago," they say. "But I appreciate the warning. I shall be more wary of any shrines to me in the future. That brings me to my original query, of course. What is it you want in exchange for your offerings?"
Kulloda pauses in his restless pacing when the Traveler asks them more questions.
"Gods all want something but can't get hands dirty," Kulloda says. "We make circus, find relic, kill king, that make god happy. Happy god vote way tell them to vote."
Then he pauses again. He hadn't thought the Traveler would offer them anything. Did he have the power to grant them anything?
Kulloda moves closer to the others.
"What ask for? Traveler travel, right? Travel anywhere? One god want shard moonlight from where Selune live. Maybe Traveler take there we take moonlight then Traveler take us back?"
He smiles at the plan he's come up with, frowning slightly when he realizes he's no idea what in all the planes a shard of moonlight is and how you steal one.
While he lets the others contemplate the question of what to ask the Traveler for, Kulloda goes over to Rindeth Mar.
"The Fang is ugly slaver. Want kill him even if not what Tempus ask. A fang like king," Kulloda starts. "But not called king. Go back and ask Centulia if kill the Fang and bring head same as bring head of king. Not want their god tricks to say, no, no that a fang head not king head. If they okay with fang head to make Tempus vote dragon let me know."
He looks at the collar on Rindeth Mar's neck for a moment.
"We go, kill Fang king. Free slaves in the Fang. They be part of army. Keep kingdom. You be big general. We find way get collar off neck."
The Traveler rubs the back of their neck somewhat sheepishly. "I...cannot go to any of the other planes. My banishment has bound to the mortal plane. I cannot even sense the gods or the heavens or hells. I am effectively blind, from a divine sense. I can transport you anywhere in the world, yes, including The Fang."
Kulloda eyes the Traveler when he admits limitations on his ability to travel anywhere. He looks over at the others with a raised eyebrow, then he shrugs. Instead he barks at Rindeth Mar to travel quickly.
"Just tell Centulia a Fang is a king. No difference." Kulloda growls. "Head of fang just as good."
He then turns back to the group and a big smile appears on his face.
"Ready kill king?" he asks but sensing they might have reservations he continues. "You can call it freeing slaves."
Kulloda turns back to the Traveler.
"You can go anywhere here?" he asks. "So if say go Fang bedroom you go Fang bedroom?"
“Could you offer favors? Second chances? Transport when our abilities fail us? A promise to help mortals make this realm better than it is, rather than ruin it?” Dog is thinking out loud. He’s not opposed to taking out a slaver king. He doesn’t love the idea of an evil drsgon god but the alternative seems worse. He wonders aloud if they should return and destroy the cage.
Tristan looks at Kulloda as he urges the group to The Fang. He knew a little about the kingdom from his time abroad, knew they were a kingdom of slavers. “Yes, the head of a king will sway a vote to the Dragon, and by extension the Traveler. And do some good in the world as well.” Tristan pulls his mandolin around “And the tales I can write of the fall of the Slaver King and the rise of Kulloda.” He gives the barbarian a wink “with the help of his friends of course.”
He turns to Dog “Finnegan will be on guard when he realizes things have been taken. We can use those items to teleport back to the tower later to destroy the cage if needed.”
"Uh..." the Traveler says. "Yes, that's possible. I may need a few minutes to visit the location myself first."
"That is the type of boon most wayward travelers as for."
"I could fashion you an item that will recall you to this spot, or another secure spot if you prefer."
"You have my word," the Traveler says solemnly. "The god of second chances will serve the mortal realm for the better in every way they can."
DM's Note: Remember, the Hells needs a new god. Securing a good-aligned god for the hells seems highly unlikely.
Dog nods, and turns to the sextant, the book, and the quill. He shows them to the traveler, curious about his reaction.
Martin thinks.
"If... If I asked for a chance to go back... To go back to save my wife. Could you do it?"
Paladin - warforged - orange
Tristan continues pacing as he considers the boons laid out before them “An item that could transport us away from danger, that could be very useful. But why here, in the middle of nowhere? “ He looks around at the dusty campsite “could it return us to the palace instead? And would it have unlimited uses?”
Tristan pauses suddenly as Martin requests his boon, one that was much more serious than the one he was considering. Tristan never even guessed Martin had a wife. “Your wife? What happened?” he asked Martin respectfully.
"It was a long time ago, now, but... Sometimes it feels like it just happened. I still have dreams where everything is fine, and then when I wake, it comes crashing down on me again."
"We were... Guardians? Forester's, at least. We watched over a particular forest. It had a never ending growth of bad seeds. Monstrous trees, and such. She said she thought she could end it once and for all, but... One mis-step was all it took. They killed her."
Paladin - warforged - orange
Kulloda looks over at Martin and the mention of monstrous trees killing his wife.
He tries to imagine what it's like to have someone to lose but comes up with nothing, just clouds of gray in his mind.
"Should burn bad forest down," Kulloda says. He frowns for a moment. "Any gods like forest burning?"
"I would, if I were the god of second chances, try to answer such a prayer," the Traveler says. "Time might be out of my purview, but, depending on where the soul of your wife ended up, a bargain with the god shepherding her soul could be struck. Alas, I am no god of second chances..."
"Certainly," the traveler says. "Any place you like. Likely once per day. Such items require refilling from a divine or other magical font. In this case, that font would be me. So there would be some reasonable limits to its usage."
DM shield:
19
vs.
21
The god is cast in shadow, in the dark of night, away from the fire. Their mouth, all that is visible of their face, offers few hints of what those items might mean to them. But studying the Traveler careful reveals a few clues to Dog. Their breath catches and they lean a centimeter or two closer. Their hood shifts ever so slightly to take in the items. These movements are subtle but they all suggest the same thing. The Traveler is definitely interested in the divine items being offered.