Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
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Post by Darren on Jul 20, 2017 15:00:12 GMT -4
Darren, that's a sound thing to do (and I wondered if anyone would try), but time is lacking. Give me an ability check, a straight-up Dexterity roll, to see if Kal can pull this off in a matter of seconds. He's being gentle and careful, and those are not things he has a luxury of time for now. Then I'll post a result for both his and Melethos's efforts.  |
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Jul 20, 2017 15:52:40 GMT -4
Not so! Natural 20s are only auto-success when it comes to attack rolls. Ability score checks and saving throws aren't automatic with that. That said, they usually still are successful. Melethos lunges forward, reaching past Shorak at the bow of their boat. He goes to press his palm against the larger vessel but his timing is off. He wedges his hand between the rowboat and the hull of the trawler just before they connect and keeps them from bumping loudly into one another. But he gets his fingers badly pinched between them instead! Melethos, warrior of the Demon Wastes, who dwelt and survived the Labyrinth and many trials since, sucks in a breath of air, stifling a cry of pain. But holy Sovereign shit, it hurts! Kal is swift in his work, pulling out a shirt and wrapping it around the oar quick enough to push it forward and keep the boats from clacking together. The trawler then continues on, pushing your boats aside. The two begin to move apart again. The sailors and guards up above continue to scan the water, but they never actually look down.
Melethos takes 3 points of damage, and is left nursing his hand for a few minutes. Nothing is broken, but there's some ugly swelling starting up.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jul 20, 2017 16:18:49 GMT -4
Unwinding his shirt from the oar, Kal breathes a sigh of relief. He re-stows his clothing, places the oar back in the boat, and looks over at Melethos. "Are you okay?" he asks quietly. At the tiefling's assurance, Kal looks over the edge of the boats into the water and calls in a very low voice, "Llash-Tava?"
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Jul 20, 2017 16:36:11 GMT -4
Melethos flexes his fingers and pain shoots up his wrist. No matter. Pain and he are old friends, and a little soreness is incidental compared to sacrificing himself to save his friends.
When the larger boat is far enough away, he returns to his seat next to Shorak and waits patiently for the sphinx.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
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Post by Ken on Jul 20, 2017 16:51:29 GMT -4
Belarin exhales as the ship moves away from the rowboats. He keeps his pact dagger in his hand, just in case.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Jul 20, 2017 17:17:22 GMT -4
Kal gets no immediate answer. The trawler is still somewhat close. When it fades completely into the mist, you hear some splashing, then you feel the ropes pulled taught once more. And the boats resume their faster speed through the water, which churns ahead of you. A few minutes later and you see the rocky east-west coastline come into view. This is east of the actual docks; these waters are two shallow and too sharp for boats larger than yours to come in close. Normally this looks like the sort of place, up the bank, where lone fishermen might come....but not in this weather. The ropes are loosed, and then you see water churning and then dripping from an invisible shape. Feathered wings flutter, shaking away more water. And then her spell washes away, and Llash-Tava prowls up the rocky embankment where the ground eventually levels out onto a wide and dirt road. Overhead and just beyond that rises a sheer cliff, but it, too, disappears from view in the fog and rain.  You figure you're somewhere in the red oval. |
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Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
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Post by Joe on Jul 20, 2017 20:50:40 GMT -4
Streko claps softly in the boat. "NOW, we are there. Excellent!" He will move to jump off the boat once they are close enough for him not to be covered by the sea. Once on dry land, he looks around in an attempt to get his bearings. "This isn't exactly where I thought we'd end up. Does anyone know exactly where we are?"
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Jul 20, 2017 22:40:02 GMT -4
"That was ... unique," says Belarin, who gets out of the boat and helps to pull it further onto land. "Thank you for that, Llash-Tava."
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jul 20, 2017 23:20:04 GMT -4
Heedless of the water sloshing over the tops of his boots, Kal vaults the side of the boat and moves to the shore, pulling the rope and the small vessel behind him until it is fully grounded into the rocky terrain. Looking further inland, Kal says to Shorak, "Take a quick look around and make sure we're alone. Make sure you're not seen."
"Llash-Tava, you have our thanks for your assistance, and now you are free to find Argushem. First, though, I would ask for anything you know about the current location of the Eye of Azalar, and how we might find it before it falls into hands far worse than ours."
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Jul 21, 2017 7:31:42 GMT -4
Melethos hops the gunwale. His booted feet splash loudly in the water. He grabs the mooring rope and hauls the skiff onto the rocky shore. Then he and Shorak meet up with the others.
"As soon as you have your answer," he says to Kal, "we need to return to the Inn for proper rest.' He pauses. "Unless you think the Inn is now compromised. The Coin Lord will be displeased to find the sphinx gone. Not even your Lord may be able to protect us. A new home base might be a wise decision."
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Jul 21, 2017 9:03:52 GMT -4
"Shorak," the sphinx says before the half-drow moves to follow Kal's request—if he does. "Let me see your puzzle box. I told you in Dolurrh that I would examine it, if you brought it to me." "Llash-Tava, you have our thanks for your assistance, and now you are free to find Argushem. First, though, I would ask for anything you know about the current location of the Eye of Azalar, and how we might find it before it falls into hands far worse than ours." Llash-Tava looks at Kal squarely. "There is an expression I've heard among the Vulkoori." She speaks something in the drow language, which is an evolved form of old Giant. Shorak knows what it means, but she translates it in Common for the rest of you anyway. " Only with its death can you see the displacer beast. A creature cannot change its true nature." She sits tall and proudly, her brown- and teal-feathered wings folding neatly behind her, her head held high. She addresses all of you now. "Argushem and I are the guardians of many secrets. I am forbidden by inexorable powers to reveal any them you. But as you have served us both, I can tell you who can aid you, if you remain set on this course." She looks up to the sky. "Moreover, if we meet again—very far from this place—I will not harm you. My riddles, and my wrath, shall be spared you. I have lived many centuries, and I've not known any mortal to dare what you have dared to set me free. You have exhibited great trust and honor." She looks into the fog, in the direction of the Lighthouse. "Go to the Tents of Rushemé. Find the giant Kruthor. He alone I know by name and would trust. He knows of me. Speak my name to him, tell him that I sent you, and he will help you. He has many means." |
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Jul 21, 2017 12:09:52 GMT -4
Melethos nods at the sphinx's words. "Tents of Rushemé," he says. "Kruthor. Got it. And a final thank you for your help. We almost died back there, and we did not in part because of you. I hope to see you in the coming weeks or months. Be safe and happy reunited with you mate."
As he waits for the others to finish saying goodbye to the creature they had fought so hard to free, Melethos wonders where these tents might be found--obviously somewhere here on Xen'drik--and how they will find the giant. The island is a tropical jungle, with many wild creatures. He starts a mental list of the provisions they will need to collect before they leave.
__________________________________________________
Big Red is ready to go whenever the rest of the party is ready.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Jul 21, 2017 13:22:08 GMT -4
Belarin says, "Good luck to you and Argushem. I hope the two of you are able to find peace... and a little revenge."
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Jul 21, 2017 16:35:04 GMT -4
Llash-Tava bows her head at Melethos and Belarin's words. For the sake of not waiting a few more days, I'll assume Shorak does give Llash-Tava the puzzle box. I had hoped Dave would be around, but it's either this or we stop for a few days altogether.
In Dolurrh:Getting an idea, Shorak pulls out the puzzle box and shows it to Llash-Tava. "Just out of curiosity. Have you ever seen anything like this? I found it under the ocean and still haven't figured out what it is." The sphinx appears to squint, then shakes her head. "That looks curious indeed, but I would rather examine it with my own eyes before imparting anything. Bring it to me in Eberron and we will discuss it." The sphinx prowls over to the edge of her invisible cage, looking with interest upon the effects of Kal's spell. Her humanlike hair flows long around a curious and regal headdress woven with carved jade and turquoise. Then with barely a flicker of her eyes in Shorak's direction, she speaks while facing away from him, and her rich voice creates a calm in him: "It is good to see you, Shorak. Did you bring your puzzle box?" He sees a smile on the corner of her mouth as she says this, but it's rhetorical at the moment.
Shorak walks over to look at what little remains of the elf. He notices something on the floor and bends over to pick it up. The small puzzle box that was unworthy of sacrifice. "I guess I still get to figure you out at some point." He cleans off the gore and stows it away. "Shorak," the sphinx says before the half-drow moves to follow Kal's request—if he does. "Let me see your puzzle box. I told you in Dolurrh that I would examine it, if you brought it to me." While Shorak keeps watchful of the vicinity, Llash-Tava lays herself on the ground, stars at the puzzle box between her paws. She turns it over telekinetic ally, studying it, even bats it around a few times like a gigantic kitten with a new trinket. At last, she calls him back over, leans down to Shorak as she drops it into his hands again. "The watchword for the puzzle box is... Brusst[/i]. A kingly name, it would seem. Wait until you are in a quiet place before opening it, if that is your will." Only Kal recognizes the name Brusst, and he only recalls the name from some history lessons. Brusst was the son of Mishann, Cyre's queen at the outset of the Last War. She had also been assissinated, he'd heard, by the Order of the Emerald Claw, long ago now, when the Claw was a knightly order in Karrnath and decades before it was officially disbanded and disowned. Mishann had been the eldest child of King Jarot, the last king of Galifar, and it was the dispute over succession that sparked the war in the first place. Every man and woman in the Five Nations (and many children) knows exactly how the war began. How they interpret those events, and who they side with, varies greatly. When King Jarot died, Princess Mishann journeyed to Thronehold to attend her father’s funeral and to take the crown that was her birthright as the eldest scion. Her brother Prince Wrogar (of the province of Aundair) supported her. However, her other siblings—Prince Thalin (of Thrane), Prince Kaius (of Karrnath), and Princess Wroann (of Breland)—brought armed troops to the funeral. Before Mishann could be coronated, Thalin challenged the right of eldest succession. With loyal knights of the Silver Flame at his side, Thalin asserted that he was the better choice to be king of Galifar. Kaius and Wroann supported Thalin, in so far as they wanted a different method of selection to be put in place. “Why should the oldest and weakest automatically gain the crown?” Wroann of Breland had asked. Wrogar was able to stop the scions from spilling royal blood there in Thronehold, but the five siblings and their followers departed the island without reaching any resolution to the question of succession. Before the year was out, the first battles of the Last War erupted, and each sibling eventually declared his or her own ambition to take the crown. As the Kingdom of Galifar collapsed and the five provinces became five distinct and separate countries, war spread throughout the land. Cyre had several more monarches before the death of all of Cyre. Queen Dannel was the last, slain on the Day of Mourning. Dannel as in Dannel's Pride, the neighborhood of Cross where the Cornerstone Inn lies.
Forgive the impromptu history recap, but I felt the refresher would be important, for the days to come. In this party, the sense of nationality isn't particularly strong. Belarin, a Brelish, was never in the military. Kal may be from Karrnath but he was sheltered from some of its culture and certainly its loyal-to-Kaius patriotism due to growing up wealthy in House Deneith (and all dragonmarked houses are neutral, at least on paper). Streko is Brelish and of House Jorasco, but his upbringing was not military and more rural and church-based. Now, Adamant is a veteran, and fought for Cyre, which was became the Mournland near the war's end. Melethos and Shorak are not even from the Five Nations, coming from more primitive cultures by the standards of the Five Nations. |
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jul 21, 2017 16:52:00 GMT -4
Kal nods. "Brusst. This might be a Cyran relic, Shorak. I imagine Adamant will want to see that," he glances at Belarin with a scowl, "if he makes it back."
The sorcerrer turns his attention back to Llash-Tava and bows. "Thank you, Llash-Tava. Can you tell us where we might find these tents?"
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Jul 21, 2017 17:38:58 GMT -4
The sphinx merely looks to Shorak when Kal asks. Shorak knows precisely where the Tents of Rushemé are—just outside of Southwatch, in the west and southern part of the city, open to the jungles. And Kal himself heard Huru, the half-orc woman of House Tharashk, mention it a couple of times. |
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Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
Posts: 3,518
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Post by Joe on Jul 21, 2017 20:40:19 GMT -4
Streko bows to Llash-Tava. "My thanks, Lady, and if you have any wounds that are in need of healing, please allow me to help to the best of my ability, which is the last of my potions, unfortunately, but more than adequate to assist you, I hope."
_________________________________________
Streko offers his healing potions to the sphinx, if necessary.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
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Post by Ken on Jul 21, 2017 23:40:34 GMT -4
Belarin rolls his eyes at Kalarian's comment.
Satisfied that Shorak knows the location that Llash-Tava mentioned, he stays alert for any possible threats.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Jul 22, 2017 9:07:24 GMT -4
Llash-Tava says, "I am well, Streko. Thank you."
Then she shuts her eyes and speaks an incantation, though the syllables do not sound like the Draconic-laced words of magic you normally associate with spells. She opens her eyes, looks up, then to each of you in turn. A soft smile settles upon her face. Each of you feels a strange, but latent energy envelope you. It is soothing, and then it fades away.
She gives a final bow of her head, unfolds her wings, and leaps into the air. As she disappears into the fog overhead, a single large feather drifts down to the ground in your midst. A pinion of bright teal edged with brown.
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
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Post by Brian on Jul 22, 2017 9:34:49 GMT -4
Melethos's gaze lingers on the spot where the sphinx disappeared. "We have done well," he says softly. "Quite well, indeed."
He does not wait long. "We are too exposed here. It is past time we left. Shorak, Kal, lead the way. I will guard the rear. We make for the Inn."
With a nod, he follows Shorak up the shore and back to a well-earned rest.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jul 22, 2017 10:10:03 GMT -4
The sphinx merely looks to Shorak when Kal asks. Shorak knows precisely where the Tents of Rushemé are—just outside of Southwatch, in the west and southern part of the city, open to the jungles. And Kal himself heard Huru, the half-orc woman of House Tharashk, mention it a couple of times. Kal bends to pick up the feather that has fallen to the ground, carefully stowing it in his pack. Then he puts up the hood of his cloak and walks next to Shorak back towards the inn, hoping for no disruptions along the way. |
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Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
Posts: 3,518
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Post by Joe on Jul 22, 2017 11:46:25 GMT -4
Streko follows Kal and allows his gaze to settle briefly across each of his friends. "A merry troupe, indeed!" All look haggard, exhausted, beaten. He is reminded that Adamant and Aven are no longer with them and wonders if he will ever see them again. "Of course, we will," he mutters. "Every time we leave a place, we come back lessened," he continues, muttering to the fog. "How many have we lost? I need to begin a journal. Write of our adventures. Ensure that none are forgotten." He chuckles softly. "We do love our stories, after all," he says.
Streko quietly marches along behind Kal, considering his next courses of action.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Jul 22, 2017 19:15:29 GMT -4
Are we talking a direct path from point A (here) to point B (the Cornerstone Inn in Dannel's Pride). Avoiding anything in particular?
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Jul 22, 2017 20:30:11 GMT -4
Belarin lingers in the back, close to Melethos. "What would you have done?" he asks quietly, seeking an answer. "You're about to start climbing up a tunnel, and Adamant says, 'Excuse me, my good friend Condign-Who's-Not-Condign, but I'm not coming with you. I need to fulfill my promise to a disembodied person. Please don't tell anyone. So sorry they're going to hate you. Okay, bye!'
"Honestly, what would you have done? Convince Adamant that he shouldn't honor his word? Physically drag him away? Insist we all go with him and probably allow the Coin Lords to recapture the sphinx and ensure that Syrdan's loss was for naught? None of those sounded particularly appetizing. And what now, am I supposed to apologize for this? I'm not looking to start a fight, but... really?"
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jul 22, 2017 21:08:39 GMT -4
Kalarian glances over at Shorak. "A direct route to the inn, then? If anyone is watching us, they probably already know who we are. I don't think any amount of circumnavigation is going to hide us, now."
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Jul 23, 2017 7:21:30 GMT -4
Belarin lingers in the back, close to Melethos. "What would you have done?" he asks quietly, seeking an answer. "You're about to start climbing up a tunnel, and Adamant says, 'Excuse me, my good friend Condign-Who's-Not-Condign, but I'm not coming with you. I need to fulfill my promise to a disembodied person. Please don't tell anyone. So sorry they're going to hate you. Okay, bye!' "Honestly, what would you have done? Convince Adamant that he shouldn't honor his word? Physically drag him away? Insist we all go with him and probably allow the Coin Lords to recapture the sphinx and ensure that Syrdan's loss was for naught? None of those sounded particularly appetizing. And what now, am I supposed to apologize for this? I'm not looking to start a fight, but... really?" "What I would have done," Melethos says after some thought, "what I should have done, was head-butt the stubborn warforged. He could barely stand as is, and that would have knocked him out cold. Aven could have then carried him to the boats. Adamant had barely enough strength to stand, yet he thinks he can make it to that chamber and back without dying. Only a fool risks himself so." He takes a moment to scan the path Shorak is taking them. What they do not needs now is a surprise ambush. "But I also understand such foolishness. His word is his bond; his honor. It matters to him. It gives his life purpose. I denied myself my true name for years for such a purpose. Who am I to deny Adamant the opportunity to fulfill his promise? So, while I should have stopped him, if I had it to do over again, I would not have. He is too dear to me to be that cruel." He looks at the sky. Rain falls like so many promises and good deeds that have failed. "If he does not return, though, I will go find him. I will not have him suffer Syrdan's fate and be lost to us forever. Even if I bring back only his parts, I will go find him." He shifts his gaze to Belarin. The rain has washed away the last traces of the gruesome cap's blood, leaving his friend's skin looking unusually pale. "Would you join me in such foolishness? Would you leave Histra behind to recover our friend?" _____________________________________________________ I swear to you, this is almost what happened. I seriously considered having Melethos head butt Adamant to knock him out cold because I suspected he might go back for that skull. I even researched in the Player's Manual how much damage a head butt could do. But in the end, I didn't, and for the reasons Melethos just gave. |
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Jul 23, 2017 9:13:10 GMT -4
As Belarin and Melethos speak, the flat trail running east and west* at the base of the cliffs upon which you're walking eventually runs alongside fishermen's huts and some small, dilapidated shipyards. Overhead, through the fog, you spy a bright beam of light. You remember where this is. You spotted in on the day you arrived in Stormreach aboard the Merrow Down:But your eyes are immediately drawn to the noble figure rising up from one side of the docks, built upon a massive plinth along the cliffs above the harbor. It's a statue of a robed man of stately appearance and athletic physique. A conqueror. A giant. But this statue would dwarf even the largest of real giants. More miraculousy, it's completely intact—untouched by the ravages of time. A glowing beam of light rises up from one outstretched hand and disappears into the heavens. Even in the morning light, the beam is bright. "The Emperor," Sem says by way of explanation, but that's all. The buildings of the Harbor district start to come into view. The Harbor, which is governed by Coin Lord Jonas Wylkes.
*Remember, the Stormreach map I keep displaying (which shows, more or less, what you've figured out about where things are based on where you've been) is rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise. See the compass in the corner. Note also were the Tents of Rasheme are. Its accuracies and distances would be more familiar to Shorak, though.
Whereas this is a more stylized, but rightly-aligned map that would probably better approximate the city to people like the rest of you. |
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Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
Posts: 3,518
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Post by Joe on Jul 23, 2017 11:12:05 GMT -4
"A direct route it is, then. Let's been on our way. The sooner we bed down and sleep, the quicker we can go to the place where we can find the person who will help us find the Eye. ALthough anything we can do to avoid the harbor, now that we know it is controlled by someone who would do us extreme harm, would be preferable."
He maneuvers his way close to Belarin. "What's done is done. We cannot undo the past, so there is no point in arguing whether or not its merits were worth the choices made. Let us have faith in Adamant, for Dol Arrah has not let him down just yet, and neither have we. Also, he has Aven at his side. Whatever comes, we shall respond as we do, with courage at our side, and the cunning and legerdemain we are known for far and wide."
He steps between Belarin and Melethos. He takes each of their free hands into his. "As an aside, the two of you have been holding secrets and continue to do so, since the beginning. I'm sure those secrets were kept for noble and honest reasons, but by all that's Holy and Profane, stop it!!" He looks up at Belarin. "I fear your fey side is at war with the side of you entranced and in love, perhaps, with Histra. I fear more that one side or the other will use your connection to its opposite as a means to take you, Belarin Malizia, away from us for good. You are strong-willed, and sly, and I am hopeful that you will confide in one or all of us. Do not fear for us, for we are all fairly powerful in our rights, I would say. It is simply this, I fear for you. Having spent time in the Underworld now, I would not wish that fate upon my enemies, except for perhaps a few, let alone my friends. Please, let us know what is happening with you so that we may be, at the very least, a voice of reason among the crowd. Our agendas will always be your safety. Can you say the same of the others?"
He turns to Melethos now. "And you. While I know you are the same friend I've been privileged to know these past days, months, years, it seems, it takes a great deal of energy in attempting to remember that you suddenly have a new name and, perhaps, a new purpose? I would enjoy knowing more. Please, tell me more of yourself. Believe it or not, I listen almost as well as I speak, but not nearly enough, some would say."
He releases his grasp on his two friends hands but remains between them. "My arms were getting tired." He smiles up at them.
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Post by Dave B. on Jul 23, 2017 18:36:11 GMT -4
After Shorak humbly thanks Llash-Tava, he pockets the puzzle box. "If our paths should ever cross again, I will certainly let you know what I find within." He bows deeply and moves off to lead the group back to the inn. "I will avoid the harbor and the area were the vampire is staying. Other than that, our route will be as direct as possible." Shorak raises his hood and moves forward, keeping an eye out for any danger as usual and moving as quickly as he can, while keeping pace with the rest of the group.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Jul 23, 2017 18:45:22 GMT -4
Kal places a hand on Shorak's shoulder. "Good. That's good. Thank you." Aloud, for the benefit of anyone listening as well as himself, Kal muses, "I will need to visit Greigur again before we leave the city. Or at least get word to him. Deneith is likely to get tangled further into this business and he can provide cover for us at the highest levels of intrigue within this city."
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