Chapter 14: A Cloud of Fear

[Jeff]

A short while ago, Tallis plainly referenced Krez before everyone, though by not by name.

Good. Understood, Larest returns after a short delay. May have questions for you. Soon. Occupied now.

The hill giantess does not accept Streko's bargain. And he knows, from working with his parents, that a chicken is usually only a few copper pieces. A healing potion, however, cost quite a few gold pieces. Sunrods and lantern for five potions of healing. Will he accept?

The stone giantess examines the piece of colored glass he'd found at the Red Atoll. She hums to it, and you actually hear it resonate audibly, even as it glows a soft red. "Three hundred for this," she says quietly. "Therefore seven hundred for the deepworld hematite."

---

Darren, I changed the telepathy to orange italics. I'd like to keep that scheme. I've been using that for telepathy since...way back.

[Ken]

Aug 31, 2017 19:43:08 GMT -4 Darren said:

Moving up quietly behind Belarin, Kal looks over the other man's shoulder at the orb. "It's beautiful," he says. "You should have it." He reaches into his own pack, retrieving the glass shard that they found on the Red Atoll. "Good lady," Kal says, holding it out to the giantess, "might I interest you in this in exchange?"

"Kal!" Belarin says in a shocked voice. "I appreciate the gesture, but ... the Shard of the Red Atoll for a simple gem?"

Seeing that the seller isn't going to go as far as he'd like, he sets his backpack down and rummages through it for a minute. He then presents three beautiful silver rings, pulled from the fingers of Lady ir'Turian so long ago. "Would you accept these as well?"

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Simul-post with Jeffl. Belarin would have happily played along with Kal's gambit. But he'll go for a more straightforward haggle.

[Dave B.]

Shorak picks up 2 goodberries.

"100 sounds fair." Shorak counts out 100gp and hands them to the giant. He gathers up the 20 bolts and stows them away underneath his cloak.

He returns to take his rest. Already anxious to get started.

[Darren]

Kal smiles. "My dear lady, surely it must be worth more than that? Do you know of the Red Atoll? This particular piece was found among the wreck and ruin there. It is not easy to fetch its like. Would not 500 be more appropriate?"

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Edit: I simul-posted with Ken. I'll still go for it. Perhaps Belarin's reaction will help.

[Jeff]

The stone giantess seems uninterested in the tiny silver rings Belarin offers.

[Dave W.]

Aug 31, 2017 16:40:25 GMT -4 Elvis said:

"Your ability to fight isn't the problem, Warforged." Thul says. "Tell me. Do you have a conscience?"

"A conscience of course, as do all..." Adamant begins with some enthusiasm... and the name Krez ends that interaction...

"Yes, the vampire Krez... an old foe of ours. "You should be cautious, traveling with us may make unpleasant enemies for you."

[Ken]

Belarin rummages through his pack again. "Well then," he says to the stone giantess, "what of this?" He produces an ornate scroll case. "Crafted in Thelannis itself, and made from the bone of a creature not of this world." It's the scroll case provided by the Emissary.

[Jeff]

The giantess examines the scroll case, seeming puzzled by it. "What does it do?"

Does Belarin say anything about its purpose?

---

Aug 31, 2017 22:17:02 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak picks up 2 goodberries.

"100 sounds fair." Shorak counts out 100gp and hands them to the giant. He gathers up the 20 bolts and stows them away underneath his cloak.

Done.

[Ken]

"The case itself doesn't really 'do' anything," Belarin replies. "Its value is in its otherworldly origin."

________________________________

Wow, I'd forgotten about the contents of that scroll. So Belarin never opened it? We have gone far away from the quest for the rest of the Dark Echelon. He certainly wouldn't give the giantess the contents of the case, assuming they're still in there.

[Jeff]

The Emissary's words were specific, cautioning none to open the scroll case at all until you were prepared to head straight for the Nightwood. And come to think of it, he never felt a paper rattling around inside it.

[Ken]

Belarin hears the voices in his head react with horror at his intended trade, and he suddenly thinks better of it.

Putting the scroll case in his backpack, he says apologetically, "I won't waste your time with uninteresting things." He pulls out something else -- a golden brooch with a Riedran spinel. "This is enchanted! It will clean garments once per day."

[Jeff]

The stone giantess takes the brooch Belarin is offering, and lifts it up high, closer to her face. "Spinel," she repeats, and hums to it, eliciting a bluish glow from the stone. "I do like. Two hundred only, then, for the hematite."

[Jeff]

Meanwhile, the rain starts to pick up. Back at Kruthor's camp, those who did not seek any further purchases/trades (Melethos, Adamant, Shorak) gravitate under one of the trees to take shelter from the rain. Aven and Starg move to stand just under the nearby tent. The two Gold Blades also move to the edge of the tent.

Thul has already been under one tree.

Kruthor doesn't bother. The water just flattens his long hair and his robe is already clearly soaked. He doesn't seem to mind the rain in the least, as most of the giants do not.

You see some activity around the boulder. Just behind it, two hill giants carry a boat into view. It looks like a simple row boat, but perhaps sized for ogres. Ropes have been attached on several sides, and there are no oars in sight. Kruthor turns to regard it, nodding at the other giants. 

In Kal's mind, he hears Larest respond again. When you have a location, it's vital that you let me know right away. Essentially, I have placed initial payments on two modes of transportation, though we will only need one of them. Everything is determined by where in Xen'drik we need to aim for. When you have spoken with this...giantess, please do not hesitate to inform me.

A pause. And...take care.

Starg waves over to Melethos, trying to beckon him over to speak. He does not approach where he and Adamant have been speaking to Thul.

[Brian]

Seeing Starg waiving, Melethos walks over to the minotaur. "What can I do for you, my friend?"

[Darren]

Kal takes a step away from the giantess, allowing Belarin to finish his transaction, as soon as he hear's Larest's voice in his mind. With his back turned to both of them, Kal pretends to examine some trinket on a table in the corner. Understood, he says to Larest. Stay safe.

This would be a convenient way to communicate all the time, Kal thinks. He folds his arms in front of him, not realizing that his fingers are pointing directly at Belarin. Listening to the warlock haggle and the price now at a mere 200 gold pieces, Kal sighs and mutters under his breath, "Just buy it, already." In his ear, Belarin hears Kal's voice as loud as if the man were standing right next to him.

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Just felt like role-playing Kal learning Message.

[Ken]

"Ow!" exclaims Belarin, more in surprise than anything. He glares at Kal and then says to the giantess, "Excuse me, there was an annoying hornet in my ear. Yes, 200 then."

_________________

Belarin will pay her the 200 gold, if that's allowed to be deducted from the party funds.

[Jeff]

The exchange is made, and the coins spent, and Belarin now owns a scrying tool.

---

Inventory and bank amount updated.

[Ken]

"A good arrangement," says Belarin as he examines the hematite mirror. "Good day to you." He inclines his head politely toward the giantess and leaves the tent. "Come, Lord Hornet," he says to Kal as he passes him. "We have things to do."

He returns to the clearing and sits down, now holding the mirror in his hands. "I'll describe what I see as I see it, Kal," he says, "if this works at all. I've never realty tried it before, but I sense that Raeshara has recently given me the talent. It may take a few minutes...." He concentrates on the mirror, again speaks a few arcane words, and says, "Show me Major Krez."

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Scrying, take 2!

[Jeff]

When Melethos comes up to Starg, the minotaur says, "I am apprehensive about this errand, though I believe it is the right thing to do." He regards the rainy sky, then points to where Kruthor has had that large rowboat carried over. "I do not know by what method you will ascend into the sky, but I would like to offer my skills as a precaution. I mentioned before that I have mastered a spell of flight. When it is time, I would cast it upon you. Should there be any trouble, for a short time, you would have the ability to remain aloft and move about freely in open air." Quieter, he says, "I trust you will keep the party together best."

With the rainfall having picked up, when Belarin and Kal return the warlock enacts his spell under the nearby tent, where Starg and Aven have also taken shelter. He da lls into the rhythms of his fey magic, and it's a curious thing for the others to see. Most of his magic is fast, ephemeral, and exotic. Except for the illusionary magic he used at the Lighthouse to change everyone's appearance, it's usually not enduring.

Now, with a strange gray-black, palm-sized stone in his hand, he falls deep into his spell.

---

Full disclosure: When Ken first attempted Scrying yesterday, I immediately did a roll for Krez and got a nat 20. But then I saw that Belarin needed a focus, and couldn't be casting it yet anyway. Hence on the Rolz log my initial roll is now from yesterday. But I've just rolled again for Krez for today rather than use that first roll, since I felt it would be more fun to give his first attempt a better chance.

Today's roll is different, and Belarin feels his spell work. See private thread.

Meanwhile: Everyone, is there anything else you wish to do other than take your short rest and await Kruthor? Speak up or lose the chance!

[Elvis]

When the spellcaster returns and settles in to try and locate Krez through his arcane means, Thul comes over.

He comes only as close as he needs to to hear what is being said.

Finally something useful for the mission.

[Brian]

Sept 1, 2017 10:50:51 GMT -4 Jeff said:

When Melethos comes up to Starg, the minotaur says, "I am apprehensive about this errand, though I believe it is the right thing to do." He regards the rainy sky, then points to where Kruthor has had that large rowboat carried over. "I do not know by what method you will ascend into the sky, but I would like to offer my skills as a precaution. I mentioned before that I have mastered a spell of flight. When it is time, I would cast it upon you. Should there be any trouble, for a short time, you would have the ability to remain aloft and move about freely in open air." Quieter, he says, "I trust you will keep the party together best."

"I would gladly accept your spell when the time is right." Melethos grips the minotaur's arm. "Thank you, again."

When Melethos sees Belarin staring into a stone, looking somewhat...distracted, he remembers the scrying attempt. He moves to stand quietly next to Kal, waiting for Belarin to speak.

___________________________________

Other than waiting to hear what Belarin has to say, if anything, Melethos will be ready to rest and wait for Kruthor.

Is it appropriate to ask why Thul has a male symbol in the lower right corner of his avatar??

[Dave W.]

Adamant sees Thul is entranced by Belarin's magic. "I could ask if you have a conscience..." the warforged mutters quietly. He goes over to Aven, "So, it looks like Starg and Tangat are going back to the Inn. I'm not sure why Kal thinks we are not coming back here, but I might have missed something. Will you go with them? Or wait here?"

[Darren]

Kal sits cross legged across from Belarin, watching in rapt attention as the warlock casts his spell. Kal was never much one for study, but seeing a new spell in action is a different matter. Kal appreciates displays of power and he respects his friend for attempting this new venture.

[Joe]

Streko accepts the 5 healing potions and places them in his haversack. Then, seeing his friends crowding around (what is Belarin doing now?), he heads toward them, feeling bit lighter for the recent purchase. He will sit near the crowd and listen in attempting to get as much rest as he can before the next step in the journey.

[Dave B.]

Seeing everyone, even Thul, gathering around Belarin, Shorak can't help but be curious. He goes over to sit under their tree. He closes his eyes and waits to hear what's going on.

Ready to rest after hearing what Belarin has to say from his scrying.

[Ken]

"It's dark, very dark," says Belarin. He squints his eyes as though trying to perceive something that the others can't see. "Boxes, lots of boxes, and a single porthole. Nothing's moving. He must be in his coffin, along with his other vampire friends. And they're on a airship -- I know what that feels like. But... dammit, there are muffled voices coming from beyond the room, but I can't hear them!"

He stands up, still keeping his eyes focused. "Kal, Melethos, someone, guide me to a quieter place, quickly! I can't hear the voices with all of the camp's background noise. We have only a few minutes before the spell expires."

[Jeff]

Sept 1, 2017 12:38:22 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Adamant sees Thul is entranced by Belarin's magic. "I could ask if you have a conscience..." the warforged mutters quietly. He goes over to Aven, "So, it looks like Starg and Tangat are going back to the Inn. I'm not sure why Kal thinks we are not coming back here, but I might have missed something. Will you go with them? Or wait here?"

Aven regards Belarin, then turns back to Adamant. "I think I will wait here," he answers. "I like it here, and would like to look around more. I will speak with some giants. I am curious what they believe in, and what they think of our kind. And it may be that you only take a few hours. In which case I will be here when you return."

[Brian]

Sept 2, 2017 14:20:55 GMT -4 Ken said:

He stands up, still keeping his eyes focused. "Kal, Melethos, someone, guide me to a quieter place, quickly! I can't hear the voices with all of the camp's background noise. We have only a few minutes before the spell expires."

Melethos doesn't hesitate. He grabs Belarin by the arm and leads him brusquely away from Kruthor and around the tent, until they reach the other side of the hedge and near an empty pull cart. No one is around; the vegetation should provide some protection against the camp's interfering sounds.

He releases his friend. "Listen," he whispers into Belarin's ear.

[Darren]

Kal, too, jumps to his feet, following Melethos and Belarin. "You two," he says to the Blademarks, "make sure no one comes near us. At least a 100 foot perimeter. And quiet!"

[Elvis]

Thul is keen on hearing news about Krez. He follows and staying just close enough to hear.

He ignores the blademarks.