Holden gives Luxaene a small smile of reassurance back as they arrive at the door. He stands quietly behind her, but tries to be as imposing as possible to whoever may answer the door.
Ralnor, the strange creature before you rings no bells - you're not sure at all what it is capable of, what its purpose is, or anything about it at all. Lazarus - from the limited content of prohibited material you were able to scavenge in the Imperium, you vaguely recall seeing an illustration (dramatized to appear much more fearsome, of course) of this creature in some sort of book about fiends and strange, magically-oriented creatures, though you can't tell anything beyond that.
Knowing what you do about the Morka, the phrase 'an extra set of eyes' seems to have answered more questions Shuvasa would have otherwise asked. "It understands," she simply replies to Ralnor before returning its gaze towards Lazarus. "History of the Wilderness is open for all to see, as is the story of the Morka." She pauses, orange eyes peering curiously towards Lazarus. "This one wishes to know the reason for Necromancy in specific."
(@Hush: I should have specified or given more information. My apologies. There are no Imperials (or Imperially-dressed) folks wandering the Morka that you have seen, and only a handful - maybe two or three - around the outskirts of the outer circle, all under heavy watch by the Morka people (and, most likely, magical sensors as well). You're welcome to attempt listening in on information there, and I will be happy to use the rolls you have already rolled.
The Imperial camp Femor referred to should have been more clear; there is a singular, main, Imperial camp (more of a fort) located roughly a few day's travel Northwest of the Zavas. While called a camp, it is more akin to a fortress or battlement; swarms of Imperial soldiers live and train there before setting out into the Wilderness and the Imperial's many, smaller outposts. That was the camp Femor intended for you to scout.
Let me know if that changes anything and, once again, apologies!)
The magical programming of the Magic Mouth spell seems unprepared for Luxaene's words. "Please hold," is all it says after a moment of silence.
A minute passes before the door swings open. Standing, maskless, with a perplexed look resting on her face, is a dark-skinned woman of moderate height. Two golden earrings in the shape of eyes hang from each ear. Her real, golden irises shine with confusion and a small amount of apprehension; donning purple-pink spellcaster's gowns, she stands, hesitantly, in the doorway, hands on hips. Luxaene recognizes this to be her mother - Irexis.
"I was told a visitor would arrive,"she speaks in a curt, business-like manner. "A strange one, Femor said in his message. You refer to yourself as Veladiel - a name I have never heard, yet you claim to be a Light Bearer. Come. Explain your story." Irexis gestures invitingly through the doorway where a familiar hallway leads to a familiar seating room, outfitted with invisible servants prepared to cater to each guest's whim.
Lazarus nods. "I see. Well, I have seen works of necromantic magic in the tribe, and I am eager to learn. I obviously do not hail from here, yet I've sacrificed much but to gain a minor glimpse beyond the veil of death. It is my specialty."
He points at the Unseen Servant and says, "If you don't mind..."
He casts a Toll the Dead on it to show that he's serious.
"Do not be worried about my intentions. My friend here and I have to undertake an important task for the Elder. Any knowledge would help greatly in defending this tribe from external threats."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral-Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries;Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
(@Hush: I should have specified or given more information. My apologies. There are no Imperials (or Imperially-dressed) folks wandering the Morka that you have seen, and only a handful - maybe two or three - around the outskirts of the outer circle, all under heavy watch by the Morka people (and, most likely, magical sensors as well). You're welcome to attempt listening in on information there, and I will be happy to use the rolls you have already rolled.
The Imperial camp Femor referred to should have been more clear; there is a singular, main, Imperial camp (more of a fort) located roughly a few day's travel Northwest of the Zavas. While called a camp, it is more akin to a fortress or battlement; swarms of Imperial soldiers live and train there before setting out into the Wilderness and the Imperial's many, smaller outposts. That was the camp Femor intended for you to scout.
Let me know if that changes anything and, once again, apologies!)
(OOC - yeah, Hush would listen in as best he could still. As for the camp, I'll leave that until later since it's a few days away.)
Shuvasa narrows her yellow eyes critically towards Lazarus's spellcasting. She doesn't seem to be offended by the spell being cast on the servant; rather, her eyes follow the somatic and verbal gestures as if studying the techniques with which Lazarus casts. After a pause, Shuvasa replies; "Shuvasa knows better than to question the word of Femor. Very well - this one will direct you towards the repository of scrolls. Judging on your technique, Shuvasa guesses you are a beginner - no matter; Shuvasa will show you anyways." Stepping from behind the desk, the Arcanaloth quickly mutters a yipped spell under her breath - she seems to split into two identical forms, one of which turns to address Ralnor. (DC15 Arcana check to recognize the components of a seeming spell.
"If knowledge on the other settlements is your desire, Shuvasa will provide."The jackal-headed, humanoid creature adjust her glasses and awaits a response for something more specific is requested.
Scribe Shuvasa leads Lazarus down one of the winding hallways with tomes of all kind - scrolls rolled up, some in better state than others, books of all variety and sizes, some almost molded, some fresh; regardless, none have any titles at all. Strange. Shuvasa eventually leads you to a section primarily composed of scrolls, with one section emblazoned with the symbolic rune of necromancy. "As an arcanist, Shuvasa assumes you have the tools necessary to read this magic. Comprehend Languages shall be enough. This one warns; do not damage the scrolls, nor attempt to steal. This one knows how many souls have tried and still guard this library today. This one allows one spell for you to copy for now." Shuvasa extends a clawed hand - a tome rockets from across the library into her outstretched hand. She splits the tome open and reads while keeping an eye on Lazarus's activities.
(OOC: This selection contains any level 1 scroll in the Necromancy school of magic and material to copy it down if necessary.)
Hush, in the meanwhile, walks from the first - and even second - circles to find a better locale to scout. A more welcoming one, at least. Thankfully, the Halfling is extremely adept at staying out of sight; the outer ring is a mixture of nonmagical residences and marketplaces for non-Morka. Surprisingly, there is no slums district; the magic of the Morka, while primarily focused on those who can wield it, seems to have been used to solve most social infrastructure issues present in most towns. Basic amenities are provided; homes are plentiful, the roads are clean, and so forth.
I would like Hush to roll 2 1d10s, rerolling on identical rolls, to determine what general 'rumors' he hears floating around this area about the Wilderness itself. Regarding the Imperial camp, there is little talk of the actual camp itself; what he does hear, however, is apparently a new initiative to start collecting lumber is disrupting the Zavas and any area near the Imperial camp. According to one person, smoke in the air belching from the camp indicates some sort of manufacturing is going on. Additionally, the Imperium has surrounded the entire camp in mesh wiring created from lead and infused with some material known as Fluidium - it allegedly prevents scrying or magical sensors from peering in, explaining why Femor hired you rather than investigated himself.
There are a few more areas of interest in the Morka which Hush may find out in his time spent snooping around. In the third circle, a general post board known as the Gazer's Gazeteer is nailed to the outside of a rowdy-looking tavern titled 'The Open Cauldron'. A small herbalist's hut called 'Whisper's Ailments' puffs red smoke into the air from a central chimney. Besides the shop you found Juno to be working in, in the second circle another tavern named 'The Newt's Eye' welcomes anyone with spellcasting abilities inside.
Ralnor watches with intense curiosity as the the scribe splits in two. Then he realizes that he's been asked specifically what he's looking for. How do you ask whether they know something of the secrets of his home without letting on that there are secrets in case they do not know of them.
"Do you know of the Nizari?" Ralnor finally asks realizing there are no secrets that he wants to keep for them any more. "They are the Pakora's killers. Do the other tribes know of them?"
@DM
Ralnor is really just killing time while Lazarus makes use of the library. So this doesn't have to lead anywhere.
Lazarus is startled. "A beginner! Why I've spent years, how da-"He stops before saying anything that lands him in trouble and glares at Shuvasa.
Entering the necromancy section is enough to placate him, though. Too long has he scoured bookshelves for scraps of forbidden lore. Now, he was free to indulge in esoteric magics to his heart's delight.
Flipping open his skin-bound grimoire, Lazarus grimaces as he sees a page covered with crossed-out scribbling. The spell was meant to enhance his vitality, but his limited experimentation led to only failure. He quickly manages to locate the Morka version, and after casting Comprehend Languages is impressed by the elegance of the arcane formulas.
"This makes it almost too easy..."
(Lazarus will copy down False Life into his spellbook.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hush looks over the general posts board for anything of interest or informational value (Investigation: 9). After he has found the various shops and taverns on his exploration, he heads to Whisper's Ailments. "Good day, sir," he says with a nod as he enters and looks about the hut, "Just thought I'd come see how business was. Recently traveled here as a messenger and seen that there's plenty of logging going on abouts the place! I remember back home, ol' Osder Tenfoot the town potion maker was right miffed when some men started logging in his spot of the forest where he got all his herbs and like from. Went off his knocker he did! Well, I hope that nothing like that has affected you so here?" Eventually though, he will lead the conversation to inquire if the herbalist or alchemist has heard much of this Fluidium. "I noticed some saying it was near some Imperial camp. Stranger still, apparently it was some special fence about it. Made of fluid or something?! Never heard of a fence made of water, unless you're talking of a moat, but then why not just say moat? But in any case, bizarre, isn't it? I mean, what do you make of it all, this strange business?" (Deception check if you want it for all that: 5).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
They minute they are waiting, Luxaeneleans slightly towards Holden, "I apologise in advance if what unfolds here makes you... feel worse. This will not be easy for me, either."
Luxaene simple nods at Irexis's, her mother's, words and follows her invitation inside Luxaene's own home. It was all she could manage to do while rapidly adjusting to an unprecedented nightmare becoming a reality before her. She takes Holden's presence as a welcome distraction and, with much smaller gestures, suggests he sits before she does so. She does the same to an unseen servant the causal request of a spicy tea and savoury snacks; her favourite of salted star-shaped fried crisps.
After the silence seemingly swells in to an oppressive force to Luxaene before it is burst with an attempt to speak; the guiding light of her training from her formative years shining from somewhere, "what you heard Femor is correct - I am the Light Bearer, and your daughter. They told me you, my family, the whole Morka have had any knowledge of my existence stripped except from a select few..."
Luxaene's gaze falls downwards, looking away for if she met her mother's it would be the end, "we are not to stay here long and find the source of this... anomaly."
Luxaene takes a deep breath, "but I suppose you may require proof..." She gestures to the golden orb that rests neatly on her breastbone with strips of purple shining material. From the orb, Luxaene goes to draw the magical light and allow the healing energies to cascade over herself...
OOC:
Luxaene goes to us the Healing Light feature on herself to "heal" 4 hp!
Holden gives a nod of encouragement to Luxaene, adjusting his axe as he follows her inside. He sits, carefully grabbing a teacup that is dwarfed in his large hands, and begins sipping with odd grace. He stays silent, but but remains close to Luxaene as a constant form of support.
(OOC - once again, apologies on the delay and thank you for sticking with me for this long. I've had some recent issues IRL, but I would loathe to cease running this campaign as it is of a pace I can keep up with. I hope that's alright with everyone.)
(OOC 2 - Ralnor; gotcha. This is more of me saying that if there's any information on the setting / particular topics you're curious on, this would likely be the place to visit.)
One of Shuvasa's images tilts its head at Ralnor's words and pauses for thought. "Shuvasa knows much, though the Nizari are outside of Shuvasa's interests. Shuvasa prefers to study the arcane. The history of this realm bores Shuvasa, though Shuvasa knows of many books with what you deem worthy of research."
At Lazarus's protestation, what could be considered amusement plays on Shuvasa's jackal-like features, but she does not make any further comments. Lazarus would recognize Shuvasa as an Arcanaloth - a certain type of Yugoloth dedicated to obtaining and bargaining with information both magical and mundane, begging the question of what its purpose in the library was at all, and more importantly, the status it holds with regards to the other, humanoid members of the Morka.
"If you are finished, Shuvasa will escort you to the entrance." The Arcanaloth seems rather bored. It becomes apparent to Lazarus, judging by the dozens of books floating in the air near Shuvasa - as well as the speed with which she flips through the pages, Shuvasa has read nearly a dozen tomes in the time it took Lazarus to copy a singular spell.
In his searches, Hush isn't actually quite able to find a defined notice board for the outer circle of the Morka - in fact, the most similar thing he can find is a registry with trade opportunities and mercantile offers. There are a scattering of mercenary-type offers, but it mostly seems to be richer folk hiring mercenaries to protect them during treks to and from other areas in the Wilderness. Sleuthing around taverns and general alleyways, however, proves to be much, much more lucrative. Firstly, he hears two somewhat Imperial-like folk chatting amongst themselves outside a spare tavern, discussing absconding from the Imperial army in order to escape the drudgery of Imperial work. They mentioned having issues with the current Outcasts - apparently a man named Gaz is attempting to form a radical, anti-Imperium force dedicated to eliminate Imperial influence in the Wilderness. Gaz has apparently had talks with the Ochori and Frako about forming alliances, but for one reason or another, Gaz and his radical group of wild Wilderlings were turned down by both. On another occasion, a Morka devoid of magic seemed to be singing to herself while tending the garden outside her home, recalling the tale of an old crone living in the Ochori swamps offering poisoned candy to children who wandered off alone. Apparently the spirits manifested from the souls of the deceased victims are often who the Ochori consult for their own divination practices; apparently those who have a thin veil between life and undeath are, more often than not, unusually insightful into the events of the future.
Pushing into Whisper's Ailments reveals a dimly lit room with an herbal, earthy scent to it. Dried herbs and tinctures line the circular room. Sitting behind a wooden desk in a rocking chair is an aged, wrinkled gnome with gold-rimmed glasses magnifying her eyes by several sizes over. "Ah! I despise loggers with every fiber of my being," she nearly seems to cackle. "You're right about that, damned Imperials thought they could chop down and burn the Morka forest ten years ago during the original war. Ha! But it fought back, you see! It protects the Morka, and therefore it protects my crops." She adjusts her glasses and frowns at the mention of the Imperial camp. "Aye, that they did. I've only heard rumors, but apparently some sort of mesh was constructed over the entire damned camp, covered in a substance I've heard as fluidium? I'm not sure, but I heard rumors of an engineer - Mundo, they called him? I don't know - flyin' over in one of those golden buzzers they call Gyrocopters from the Imperial capital. The Imperium's got a lot more technical since the year he's been here. Now with this, to tell you the truth, a few of us are startin' to get pretty concerned." She leans in and gestures for Hush to come closer, voice lowering. She seems to sense nothing deceptive about Hush's words. "Tell you what? I think they're plannin' somethin'. Taking my usual patch in the woods, that's what! Nowhere else can you find ointments, restorative potions, and the such other than my shop. It's a conspiracy against me, I tell you!"
Irexis gestures for Luxaene and Hush to enter. The small visiting room is comfortably adorned with cushioned couches. The walls are magically carved of reddish-brown stone; the magical nature of this house becomes apparent as invisible servants stream in with the ordered tea and snacks. Irexis stands, arms folded and face a slight frown. "I have no doubts in the Elder's words, Luxaene. It is unwise to doubt him. I am attempting to...adjust with this information, though..." she pauses. "Seeing your gift has reassured me. It is true - we have no knowledge nor record of your existence. I am the only one currently within the house. The rest are training or elsewhere, Luxaene, so I have come to the conclusion...perhaps it is wise for you to reacclimate to the house, share a conversation with me. It may help remember something." She sounds unconvinced. "If I may ask - if we do not remember...what do you remember? What have you done since this...absence?"
(OOC - that's no worries man. I've been struggling with motivation a little lately, so the slow pace is all good with me. It does make it a little harder to remember some stuff though haha. Which brings me to my next point and question. In Hush's wanderings and hearing of Gaz - was that the same guy/prisoner we saved ages ago from the Imperials? I think it was way back when we started out, but I'm not 100% sure where it was now. The name sounds familiar, but not sure if I've mistaken it for something else haha)
Hush snorts as the gnome finishes her tale, "Mundo, huh?" He pretends to spit, "A plague of swamp gnats on the fiend." Hush then scratches his chin, "It's a good thing you managed to protect your crop, but it's concerning that rumours of the Imperials pushing further into the forest are milling about..." He pauses a moment, realising the poor choice of words, "Apologies, master brewer. But in my line of work, I've always found rumours had something behind them to hold them up. I hope that nothing comes of them and will keep my ear out for any news that might offer you and the other business folk something to rebuff the Imperials from your crops." Hush looks about the room at the various wares and nods, "You're not wrong, master brewer. I've not seen a collection of such fine looking potions and ointments in all my travels. Sadly, I don't have the coin right now, or I'd offer my support. But my well wishes to you, and a good day." He gives a flourished bow and a beaming smile as he goes to leave.
Lazarus greets Ralnor at the exit with his spellbook tucked under his arm.
"Yes, and more! This library- it's everything I've ever wanted these past few years. Thank you for accompanying me here."
Remembering that the group had agreed to meet at a local tavern, he'll go look for one with Ralnor. On the way, he says, "Did you learn anything of note while we were there?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral-Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries;Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As he walks with Lazarus to find the tavern, he scans the people around them, thinking there is likely to be Imperium spies in all the villages. He looks for anyone taking more than a 'curious' interest.
Perception: 8
"Yes," Ralnor answers. "This community is vulnerable to what they don't see. They have no interest in the non magical. It is a blind spot."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
A backwards relief is felt from Luxaeneas she hears the rest of her family isn't home.
Luxaene goes on to describe her travels towards the tribes close to the Imperial lands, but does not go into detail what she was doing there.
She does thoroughly explain the sudden waking up on the scorched land, and the strangeness surrounding that experience and just outlines the rest until they arrive in the Morka and meet with Elder.
Persuasion (if needed): 18
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Holden gives Luxaene a small smile of reassurance back as they arrive at the door. He stands quietly behind her, but tries to be as imposing as possible to whoever may answer the door.
Alton Thorngage- (Klein’s One Shot String Adventure)
Holden Stonefist-(A Tale of Mercenaries)
Fenrick Wolfsbane- (Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden)
DMing-Ctleath13’s Lost Mines of Phandelver and Ctleath13’s Out of the Abyss
Ralnor, the strange creature before you rings no bells - you're not sure at all what it is capable of, what its purpose is, or anything about it at all. Lazarus - from the limited content of prohibited material you were able to scavenge in the Imperium, you vaguely recall seeing an illustration (dramatized to appear much more fearsome, of course) of this creature in some sort of book about fiends and strange, magically-oriented creatures, though you can't tell anything beyond that.
Knowing what you do about the Morka, the phrase 'an extra set of eyes' seems to have answered more questions Shuvasa would have otherwise asked. "It understands," she simply replies to Ralnor before returning its gaze towards Lazarus. "History of the Wilderness is open for all to see, as is the story of the Morka." She pauses, orange eyes peering curiously towards Lazarus. "This one wishes to know the reason for Necromancy in specific."
(@Hush: I should have specified or given more information. My apologies. There are no Imperials (or Imperially-dressed) folks wandering the Morka that you have seen, and only a handful - maybe two or three - around the outskirts of the outer circle, all under heavy watch by the Morka people (and, most likely, magical sensors as well). You're welcome to attempt listening in on information there, and I will be happy to use the rolls you have already rolled.
The Imperial camp Femor referred to should have been more clear; there is a singular, main, Imperial camp (more of a fort) located roughly a few day's travel Northwest of the Zavas. While called a camp, it is more akin to a fortress or battlement; swarms of Imperial soldiers live and train there before setting out into the Wilderness and the Imperial's many, smaller outposts. That was the camp Femor intended for you to scout.
Let me know if that changes anything and, once again, apologies!)
The magical programming of the Magic Mouth spell seems unprepared for Luxaene's words. "Please hold," is all it says after a moment of silence.
A minute passes before the door swings open. Standing, maskless, with a perplexed look resting on her face, is a dark-skinned woman of moderate height. Two golden earrings in the shape of eyes hang from each ear. Her real, golden irises shine with confusion and a small amount of apprehension; donning purple-pink spellcaster's gowns, she stands, hesitantly, in the doorway, hands on hips. Luxaene recognizes this to be her mother - Irexis.
"I was told a visitor would arrive," she speaks in a curt, business-like manner. "A strange one, Femor said in his message. You refer to yourself as Veladiel - a name I have never heard, yet you claim to be a Light Bearer. Come. Explain your story." Irexis gestures invitingly through the doorway where a familiar hallway leads to a familiar seating room, outfitted with invisible servants prepared to cater to each guest's whim.
Lazarus nods. "I see. Well, I have seen works of necromantic magic in the tribe, and I am eager to learn. I obviously do not hail from here, yet I've sacrificed much but to gain a minor glimpse beyond the veil of death. It is my specialty."
He points at the Unseen Servant and says, "If you don't mind..."
He casts a Toll the Dead on it to show that he's serious.
"Do not be worried about my intentions. My friend here and I have to undertake an important task for the Elder. Any knowledge would help greatly in defending this tribe from external threats."
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
(OOC - yeah, Hush would listen in as best he could still. As for the camp, I'll leave that until later since it's a few days away.)
Ralnor watches with some curiosity as Lazarus makes a hand gesture and speaks words that Ralnor does not understand.
He looks back at all of the books and something comes to mind that he didn't think of initially.
"Have you histories of others?" Ralnor asks Shuvasa. "Pakora and allies?"
Shuvasa narrows her yellow eyes critically towards Lazarus's spellcasting. She doesn't seem to be offended by the spell being cast on the servant; rather, her eyes follow the somatic and verbal gestures as if studying the techniques with which Lazarus casts. After a pause, Shuvasa replies; "Shuvasa knows better than to question the word of Femor. Very well - this one will direct you towards the repository of scrolls. Judging on your technique, Shuvasa guesses you are a beginner - no matter; Shuvasa will show you anyways." Stepping from behind the desk, the Arcanaloth quickly mutters a yipped spell under her breath - she seems to split into two identical forms, one of which turns to address Ralnor. (DC15 Arcana check to recognize the components of a seeming spell.
"If knowledge on the other settlements is your desire, Shuvasa will provide." The jackal-headed, humanoid creature adjust her glasses and awaits a response for something more specific is requested.
Scribe Shuvasa leads Lazarus down one of the winding hallways with tomes of all kind - scrolls rolled up, some in better state than others, books of all variety and sizes, some almost molded, some fresh; regardless, none have any titles at all. Strange. Shuvasa eventually leads you to a section primarily composed of scrolls, with one section emblazoned with the symbolic rune of necromancy. "As an arcanist, Shuvasa assumes you have the tools necessary to read this magic. Comprehend Languages shall be enough. This one warns; do not damage the scrolls, nor attempt to steal. This one knows how many souls have tried and still guard this library today. This one allows one spell for you to copy for now." Shuvasa extends a clawed hand - a tome rockets from across the library into her outstretched hand. She splits the tome open and reads while keeping an eye on Lazarus's activities.
(OOC: This selection contains any level 1 scroll in the Necromancy school of magic and material to copy it down if necessary.)
Hush, in the meanwhile, walks from the first - and even second - circles to find a better locale to scout. A more welcoming one, at least. Thankfully, the Halfling is extremely adept at staying out of sight; the outer ring is a mixture of nonmagical residences and marketplaces for non-Morka. Surprisingly, there is no slums district; the magic of the Morka, while primarily focused on those who can wield it, seems to have been used to solve most social infrastructure issues present in most towns. Basic amenities are provided; homes are plentiful, the roads are clean, and so forth.
I would like Hush to roll 2 1d10s, rerolling on identical rolls, to determine what general 'rumors' he hears floating around this area about the Wilderness itself. Regarding the Imperial camp, there is little talk of the actual camp itself; what he does hear, however, is apparently a new initiative to start collecting lumber is disrupting the Zavas and any area near the Imperial camp. According to one person, smoke in the air belching from the camp indicates some sort of manufacturing is going on. Additionally, the Imperium has surrounded the entire camp in mesh wiring created from lead and infused with some material known as Fluidium - it allegedly prevents scrying or magical sensors from peering in, explaining why Femor hired you rather than investigated himself.
There are a few more areas of interest in the Morka which Hush may find out in his time spent snooping around. In the third circle, a general post board known as the Gazer's Gazeteer is nailed to the outside of a rowdy-looking tavern titled 'The Open Cauldron'. A small herbalist's hut called 'Whisper's Ailments' puffs red smoke into the air from a central chimney. Besides the shop you found Juno to be working in, in the second circle another tavern named 'The Newt's Eye' welcomes anyone with spellcasting abilities inside.
Ralnor watches with intense curiosity as the the scribe splits in two. Then he realizes that he's been asked specifically what he's looking for. How do you ask whether they know something of the secrets of his home without letting on that there are secrets in case they do not know of them.
"Do you know of the Nizari?" Ralnor finally asks realizing there are no secrets that he wants to keep for them any more. "They are the Pakora's killers. Do the other tribes know of them?"
@DM
Ralnor is really just killing time while Lazarus makes use of the library. So this doesn't have to lead anywhere.
Lazarus is startled. "A beginner! Why I've spent years, how da-" He stops before saying anything that lands him in trouble and glares at Shuvasa.
Entering the necromancy section is enough to placate him, though. Too long has he scoured bookshelves for scraps of forbidden lore. Now, he was free to indulge in esoteric magics to his heart's delight.
Flipping open his skin-bound grimoire, Lazarus grimaces as he sees a page covered with crossed-out scribbling. The spell was meant to enhance his vitality, but his limited experimentation led to only failure. He quickly manages to locate the Morka version, and after casting Comprehend Languages is impressed by the elegance of the arcane formulas.
"This makes it almost too easy..."
(Lazarus will copy down False Life into his spellbook.)
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Hush's 2x d10: 9 4
Hush looks over the general posts board for anything of interest or informational value (Investigation: 9). After he has found the various shops and taverns on his exploration, he heads to Whisper's Ailments. "Good day, sir," he says with a nod as he enters and looks about the hut, "Just thought I'd come see how business was. Recently traveled here as a messenger and seen that there's plenty of logging going on abouts the place! I remember back home, ol' Osder Tenfoot the town potion maker was right miffed when some men started logging in his spot of the forest where he got all his herbs and like from. Went off his knocker he did! Well, I hope that nothing like that has affected you so here?" Eventually though, he will lead the conversation to inquire if the herbalist or alchemist has heard much of this Fluidium. "I noticed some saying it was near some Imperial camp. Stranger still, apparently it was some special fence about it. Made of fluid or something?! Never heard of a fence made of water, unless you're talking of a moat, but then why not just say moat? But in any case, bizarre, isn't it? I mean, what do you make of it all, this strange business?" (Deception check if you want it for all that: 5).
They minute they are waiting, Luxaene leans slightly towards Holden, "I apologise in advance if what unfolds here makes you... feel worse. This will not be easy for me, either."
Luxaene simple nods at Irexis's, her mother's, words and follows her invitation inside Luxaene's own home. It was all she could manage to do while rapidly adjusting to an unprecedented nightmare becoming a reality before her. She takes Holden's presence as a welcome distraction and, with much smaller gestures, suggests he sits before she does so. She does the same to an unseen servant the causal request of a spicy tea and savoury snacks; her favourite of salted star-shaped fried crisps.
After the silence seemingly swells in to an oppressive force to Luxaene before it is burst with an attempt to speak; the guiding light of her training from her formative years shining from somewhere, "what you heard Femor is correct - I am the Light Bearer, and your daughter. They told me you, my family, the whole Morka have had any knowledge of my existence stripped except from a select few..."
Luxaene's gaze falls downwards, looking away for if she met her mother's it would be the end, "we are not to stay here long and find the source of this... anomaly."
Luxaene takes a deep breath, "but I suppose you may require proof..." She gestures to the golden orb that rests neatly on her breastbone with strips of purple shining material. From the orb, Luxaene goes to draw the magical light and allow the healing energies to cascade over herself...
OOC:
Luxaene goes to us the Healing Light feature on herself to "heal" 4 hp!
Holden gives a nod of encouragement to Luxaene, adjusting his axe as he follows her inside. He sits, carefully grabbing a teacup that is dwarfed in his large hands, and begins sipping with odd grace. He stays silent, but but remains close to Luxaene as a constant form of support.
Alton Thorngage- (Klein’s One Shot String Adventure)
Holden Stonefist-(A Tale of Mercenaries)
Fenrick Wolfsbane- (Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden)
DMing-Ctleath13’s Lost Mines of Phandelver and Ctleath13’s Out of the Abyss
(OOC - once again, apologies on the delay and thank you for sticking with me for this long. I've had some recent issues IRL, but I would loathe to cease running this campaign as it is of a pace I can keep up with. I hope that's alright with everyone.)
(OOC 2 - Ralnor; gotcha. This is more of me saying that if there's any information on the setting / particular topics you're curious on, this would likely be the place to visit.)
One of Shuvasa's images tilts its head at Ralnor's words and pauses for thought. "Shuvasa knows much, though the Nizari are outside of Shuvasa's interests. Shuvasa prefers to study the arcane. The history of this realm bores Shuvasa, though Shuvasa knows of many books with what you deem worthy of research."
At Lazarus's protestation, what could be considered amusement plays on Shuvasa's jackal-like features, but she does not make any further comments. Lazarus would recognize Shuvasa as an Arcanaloth - a certain type of Yugoloth dedicated to obtaining and bargaining with information both magical and mundane, begging the question of what its purpose in the library was at all, and more importantly, the status it holds with regards to the other, humanoid members of the Morka.
"If you are finished, Shuvasa will escort you to the entrance." The Arcanaloth seems rather bored. It becomes apparent to Lazarus, judging by the dozens of books floating in the air near Shuvasa - as well as the speed with which she flips through the pages, Shuvasa has read nearly a dozen tomes in the time it took Lazarus to copy a singular spell.
In his searches, Hush isn't actually quite able to find a defined notice board for the outer circle of the Morka - in fact, the most similar thing he can find is a registry with trade opportunities and mercantile offers. There are a scattering of mercenary-type offers, but it mostly seems to be richer folk hiring mercenaries to protect them during treks to and from other areas in the Wilderness. Sleuthing around taverns and general alleyways, however, proves to be much, much more lucrative. Firstly, he hears two somewhat Imperial-like folk chatting amongst themselves outside a spare tavern, discussing absconding from the Imperial army in order to escape the drudgery of Imperial work. They mentioned having issues with the current Outcasts - apparently a man named Gaz is attempting to form a radical, anti-Imperium force dedicated to eliminate Imperial influence in the Wilderness. Gaz has apparently had talks with the Ochori and Frako about forming alliances, but for one reason or another, Gaz and his radical group of wild Wilderlings were turned down by both. On another occasion, a Morka devoid of magic seemed to be singing to herself while tending the garden outside her home, recalling the tale of an old crone living in the Ochori swamps offering poisoned candy to children who wandered off alone. Apparently the spirits manifested from the souls of the deceased victims are often who the Ochori consult for their own divination practices; apparently those who have a thin veil between life and undeath are, more often than not, unusually insightful into the events of the future.
Pushing into Whisper's Ailments reveals a dimly lit room with an herbal, earthy scent to it. Dried herbs and tinctures line the circular room. Sitting behind a wooden desk in a rocking chair is an aged, wrinkled gnome with gold-rimmed glasses magnifying her eyes by several sizes over. "Ah! I despise loggers with every fiber of my being," she nearly seems to cackle. "You're right about that, damned Imperials thought they could chop down and burn the Morka forest ten years ago during the original war. Ha! But it fought back, you see! It protects the Morka, and therefore it protects my crops." She adjusts her glasses and frowns at the mention of the Imperial camp. "Aye, that they did. I've only heard rumors, but apparently some sort of mesh was constructed over the entire damned camp, covered in a substance I've heard as fluidium? I'm not sure, but I heard rumors of an engineer - Mundo, they called him? I don't know - flyin' over in one of those golden buzzers they call Gyrocopters from the Imperial capital. The Imperium's got a lot more technical since the year he's been here. Now with this, to tell you the truth, a few of us are startin' to get pretty concerned." She leans in and gestures for Hush to come closer, voice lowering. She seems to sense nothing deceptive about Hush's words. "Tell you what? I think they're plannin' somethin'. Taking my usual patch in the woods, that's what! Nowhere else can you find ointments, restorative potions, and the such other than my shop. It's a conspiracy against me, I tell you!"
Irexis gestures for Luxaene and Hush to enter. The small visiting room is comfortably adorned with cushioned couches. The walls are magically carved of reddish-brown stone; the magical nature of this house becomes apparent as invisible servants stream in with the ordered tea and snacks. Irexis stands, arms folded and face a slight frown. "I have no doubts in the Elder's words, Luxaene. It is unwise to doubt him. I am attempting to...adjust with this information, though..." she pauses. "Seeing your gift has reassured me. It is true - we have no knowledge nor record of your existence. I am the only one currently within the house. The rest are training or elsewhere, Luxaene, so I have come to the conclusion...perhaps it is wise for you to reacclimate to the house, share a conversation with me. It may help remember something." She sounds unconvinced. "If I may ask - if we do not remember...what do you remember? What have you done since this...absence?"
"Interesting," Ralnor says to Shuvasa. "Not knowing of the mundane may make you vulnerable to it if it shows up in this library."
He walks to join Lazarus as he heads for the exit.
"Find what you wanted?" Ralnor asks.
(OOC - that's no worries man. I've been struggling with motivation a little lately, so the slow pace is all good with me. It does make it a little harder to remember some stuff though haha. Which brings me to my next point and question. In Hush's wanderings and hearing of Gaz - was that the same guy/prisoner we saved ages ago from the Imperials? I think it was way back when we started out, but I'm not 100% sure where it was now. The name sounds familiar, but not sure if I've mistaken it for something else haha)
Hush snorts as the gnome finishes her tale, "Mundo, huh?" He pretends to spit, "A plague of swamp gnats on the fiend." Hush then scratches his chin, "It's a good thing you managed to protect your crop, but it's concerning that rumours of the Imperials pushing further into the forest are milling about..." He pauses a moment, realising the poor choice of words, "Apologies, master brewer. But in my line of work, I've always found rumours had something behind them to hold them up. I hope that nothing comes of them and will keep my ear out for any news that might offer you and the other business folk something to rebuff the Imperials from your crops." Hush looks about the room at the various wares and nods, "You're not wrong, master brewer. I've not seen a collection of such fine looking potions and ointments in all my travels. Sadly, I don't have the coin right now, or I'd offer my support. But my well wishes to you, and a good day." He gives a flourished bow and a beaming smile as he goes to leave.
Lazarus greets Ralnor at the exit with his spellbook tucked under his arm.
"Yes, and more! This library- it's everything I've ever wanted these past few years. Thank you for accompanying me here."
Remembering that the group had agreed to meet at a local tavern, he'll go look for one with Ralnor. On the way, he says, "Did you learn anything of note while we were there?"
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
As he walks with Lazarus to find the tavern, he scans the people around them, thinking there is likely to be Imperium spies in all the villages. He looks for anyone taking more than a 'curious' interest.
Perception: 8
"Yes," Ralnor answers. "This community is vulnerable to what they don't see. They have no interest in the non magical. It is a blind spot."
A backwards relief is felt from Luxaene as she hears the rest of her family isn't home.
Luxaene goes on to describe her travels towards the tribes close to the Imperial lands, but does not go into detail what she was doing there.
She does thoroughly explain the sudden waking up on the scorched land, and the strangeness surrounding that experience and just outlines the rest until they arrive in the Morka and meet with Elder.
Persuasion (if needed): 18