Chapter 14: A Cloud of Fear

[Dave W.]

"I will idle for a while, if no one minds." Adamant moves to towards one of the fires. He doesn't move out of the rain but does stand close enough to the fire to feel some of it's warmth.

He stretches out his hand and examines the ring and it's empty setting. "I've never worn jewelry before. Some day we will have to find an artificer to see about a stone... some day that's much less busy..." He then stands completely still.

---

Adamant will attune to the ring. He'll be thinking a good deal about Greshnaza as well, but there's no outward sign of that.

[Brian]

Melethos sends his time inspecting his armor and weapons. He notices a smudge of mud on his helm and wipes it off. When he is finished, he moves away from the others and removes the braid of hair from his belt. Another adventure; another chance to be with his love again. Heart and mind never move in concert, he thinks, rubbing at the braid with his red-skinned thumb. I wonder if she even misses me...

__________________________________

Melethos spends his hour reminiscing about the past and making mental preparations for the future.

[Jeff]

Adamant focuses on the ring, allowing its magic to become familiar with him. And he, in turned, after thinking how it is to wear a piece of jewelry, a ring that's almost as wide now as a woman's bracelet in order to fit one of his fingers, starts to feel like it belongs there. The male and female warrior design carved into the metal are definitely not the work of medusas. It almost looks...Galifarian. Old, likely fashioned long before the Last War came about.

When he feels its power becoming accessible to him, Adamant discovers that there is a spell already present in the ring. A spell he's heard referred to as Spider Climbing. With it he could give someone, or himself, the power to walk on walls as easily as an insect. Even one of Adamant's own weight. He senses that he can release the spell in order to replace it, or he can actually cast that spell himself, though it is a far cry from his variety of magic.

Soon you all feel slight tremors in the earth as a new giant approaches the campsite. This one is the tallest you've seen so far, and has two heads. An ettin! It looks somewhat like a hill giant but its girth is a little more evenly distributed. It carries no club, though one massive arm appears to be bandaged. One head looks purposefully toward your camp, the other stares off dimly into the distance. It has a not-so-bright look in both of its faces. Ettins are known to be particularly dim-witted. But this giant is mighty, and instantly draws everyone's eyes.

A half-giant, one of those folk who somehow have giant blood in their veins but otherwise seem of human stock—like the family some of you met at the Black Iron smithy a couple of days ago—is walking with it. He looks like the ettin's handler. The half-giant tugs at the ettin's arm, then points toward your party.

The ettin then grunts as both heads look down at a huge bag it's carrying in the good arm. Stooping, the ettin upends the bag on the ground—and out of it bounds Tangat, looking disoriented but unhurt.

"NUTH-GUD!" one of the ettin's heads exclaims with an angry face. Shorak doesn't know the word—it's clearly uniquely Giantish, or maybe uniquely ettinish, if such things exist. It sounds like a curse.

Tangat runs over to Kal, tail wagging. He's not sure where exactly the dog's been, but Tangat is licking his chops. Kal is assailed by a wave of joy from Tangat—a mixture of his being reunited with Kal and having recently eaten something tasty.

Starg approaches Kal. "I will keep Tangat company, if you wish it. I do not think the sky is a good place for a dog."

[Dave B.]

Shorak steps over to look down at the items Kruthor has strewn on the ground, more curious than interested in adding them to his equipment. "What do they do, if you don't mind my asking?" He asks the Giant. "Oh, would there be someone here who trades in bolts for hand crossbows?" He will take advantage of a little respite before or after gathering some bolts, if that is possible.

[Ken]

Belarin walks over to Tangat and pets the dog. He whispers to Kalarian, "I'm not sure, Kal... but I'd swear the ettin just yelled "Bad dog!'"

[Jeff]

Aug 29, 2017 21:38:00 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak steps over to look down at the items Kruthor has strewn on the ground, more curious than interested in adding them to his equipment. "What do they do, if you don't mind my asking?" He asks the Giant. "Oh, would there be someone here who trades in bolts for hand crossbows?" He will take advantage of a little respite before or after gathering some bolts, if that is possible.

"It would avail you little," Kruthor says with a faint smile, answering Shorak in Common for all to hear, "if you did not know what these objects do. These were acquired some time ago, but my people have no use for them."

Gesturing at the basket, he says, "Goodberries, I believe they are called in the common language. And a few starfruits that have been blessed to resist poisons."

Then taps one huge finger on the delicate wand, which is studded with blue stones. "This was called a Wand of Splintering Fire. I am almost certain it channels and stores the power of lightning. But it is no druidic device. I believe any practitioner of arcane magic can make use of it."

"And these," he says, indicating the bracers, which have been crafted with leather styled in a reptilian patterns but banded metal, "will give their wearers greater bodily strength. To us, humans, elves, and even dwarves often seem disadvantaged with such small and delicate forms. Magic like this was made to compensate you." Kruthor's smile is not condescending, but there is pity in it. He looks up and then points. Shorak follows his gaze and sees a pair of ogres passing by. "Any who wears the bracers can match one of our little cousins' in strength."

The Wand of Splintering Fire's powers are revealed in full to anyone who attunes with it. I'll only say that it comes with a Lightning Bolt-like spell and increases the damage when used as an arcane focus for spells that deal lightning damage. Either Kal or Belarin could use this.

The bracers are Bracers of Ogre Power! Also requires attunement. Your Strength score becomes 19 while you wear them, period. No duration.

The grape-sized Goodberries (there are 10) restore 1 hit point when eaten and provide you with the sustenance for a day but they only last for a day.

The starfruit (there are 5 of them) function like an antitoxin (advantage on poison saving throws for 1 hour). They do take a few rounds to eat.

[Brian]

Melethos's eyes widen when he hears what Kruthor is offering. "You are quite generous," he says to the giant, "and you have our thanks. I am certain they will aid us in what we will soon attempt."

Pulling his friends aside, he says, "It seems we have some decisions to make. Who would best serve our group--our goals--by using these fine implements?"

[Dave W.]

"Very generous indeed. Thank you Kruthor." Adamant says to the giant.

In answer to the tiefling's question, "I can not say much about the wand... Kal and Belarin must decide. The fruit should be spread out amongst you fleshy folk."

"The bracers, I think, are meant for you Melethos." Adamant nods to his friend. "Those are my thoughts in any case."

[Darren]

"Kruthor!" Kal exclaims. "You amaze me! We just met, and such generosity....you and Llash-Tava must have quite a history for you to trust us so completely." Kal bows. "Thank you, indeed."

Stepping forward, Kal picks up the wand and turns it over in his hands. He holds it out to Belarin, "If you'd like it, I will not deny you, my friend. Still, it...feels right....." Sparks jump from Kal's fingertips and dance up and down the length of the wand.

At Adamant's words, Kal laughs. "Really, my friends, who amongst us would not like to see Streko with the strength of a giant?" He cannot contain himself, holding his hands to his sides as laughter overtakes him.

When Tangat is unceremoniously dumped at Kal's feet, he looks down with disdain at the dog, but quietly whispers, "Good job, my friend," in Halfling. Kal shrugs at the ettin, the only apology he seems to offer, and nods his thanks at the return of his friend. "I promise I'll keep an eye on him," he says.

________________________
Didn't we fight an ettin once, long, long ago?

Sure enough, I just did a search and Kal and Melethos (then Condign) took out an ettin early on when we arrived in Stormreach.

[Darren]

Kal calls the Blademarks over to him. "My friends, it seems we are taking an unexpected journey out of the city. I would ask that you accompany my friend here," he gestures to Starg, "and my companion Tangat back to the inn, unless Starg has other business first. Keep an eye on him and his companions for as long as you are able before you must return to the enclave. Can I give you that charge?"

Kal eyes the ettin, then remembers a conversation he had what seems like years ago. He walks closer to Kruthor. "Tell me, Kruthor, are you one of these 'Guardians of Rusheme' that I have heard tell of? A friend mentioned the name to me, and seeing you here and hearing you speak, I am reminded of it...."

[Elvis]

Ettins. Siege engines made out of meat.

Once it was clear it wasn't trying to kill anyone, Thul leaned his axe against the tree and packed up his pipe kit. Stowing it as reverently as always back into its place in his rucksack.

Once these gypsies were finished picking through the giant's trinkets, hopefully they would finally be on their way.

[Dave B.]

"No, I didn't expect I would have a use for any of the items, but I was curious." He looks around the area. "Shall we rest up a bit? I know I would like to see if I can restock bolts for my hand crossbow, but I'm fine with doing it now or after we rest." He considers a moment. "We might want to see if we can purchase some healing potions, too."

[Ken]

Aug 30, 2017 16:53:52 GMT -4 Darren said:

Stepping forward, Kal picks up the wand and turns it over in his hands. He holds it out to Belarin, "If you'd like it, I will not deny you, my friend. Still, it...feels right....." Sparks jump from Kal's fingertips and dance up and down the length of the wand.

Belarin shrugs. "Well, of course, I'd like it," he says, "but yes, the wand does seem to shout 'Take me, Kal!' So... sure, go ahead. But I claim first choice on the next wand!"

He says to Shorak, "Yes, I wouldn't mind a brief rest and a brief shopping excursion, if that's permitted."

[Darren]

Aug 30, 2017 22:07:21 GMT -4 Ken said:

Aug 30, 2017 16:53:52 GMT -4 Darren said:

Stepping forward, Kal picks up the wand and turns it over in his hands. He holds it out to Belarin, "If you'd like it, I will not deny you, my friend. Still, it...feels right....." Sparks jump from Kal's fingertips and dance up and down the length of the wand.

Belarin shrugs. "Well, of course, I'd like it," he says, "but yes, the wand does seem to shout 'Take me, Kal!' So... sure, go ahead. But I claim first choice on the next wand!"

"Hopefully the next time I hear that, it will be coming from a woman," Kal grins. He continues to hold the wand in his hand, studying every inch of it and hoping to learn its true potential.

______________________
Okay, Kal will go ahead and attune to the wand. It looks like the dragonshard ring is still in his list of attuned items, but he doesn't have that anymore, so he shouldn't need to give up anything.

[Joe]

Streko picks up the bracers. He looks up at Melethos. Then, he hears Kal's voice.

"Really, my friends, who amongst us would not like to see Streko with the strength of a giant?" He cannot contain himself, holding his hands to his sides as laughter overtakes him.

Streko growls, baring his teeth slightly in a way Tangat might envy. "Be careful what you wish for, Kalarian." He pulls Therendor out of his haversack. "With these bracers, I might be quite a deadly force with this blade and Olladra's blessings both. A halfling with the strength of an Ogre, wielding a deadly sickle. Such a sight would be quite laughable, wouldn't it? Especially with the number of times this party has met their near-deaths. Perhaps, one more powerful blade may have saved one of the others who are no longer with us?" He sighs and returns the sickle back into his haversack. "But, indeed, these should only go to you, Melethos. As Belarin would say, they seem to shout your name."

He hands them over to the Tiefling, glares at Kalarian and grabs the starfruit, placing them unceremoniously into the haversack. "Give food to the halfling. How very clever," he mutters.

He returns to Melethos. "I have some items I would like to sell here. Lighten my weight, as it were, so that I might carry other things should it become necessary. I am currently carrying your torch, two of your sunrods, your backpack and waterskin. If you don't mind, I would like to keep your torch and sell my everbright lantern. It is relatively heavy, and I will not need to rely on it with your torch, and Olladra's gift of light, to aid me otherwise. Also, we can sell the sunrods, as well as another one I carry. If we need more light, you can have your torch and I can light another object, as necessary. What do you think?"

[Brian]

Aug 30, 2017 13:31:07 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"The bracers, I think, are meant for you Melethos." Adamant nods to his friend. "Those are my thoughts in any case."

Aug 30, 2017 23:51:54 GMT -4 Joe said:

Streko picks up the bracers. He looks up at Melethos. "[T]hese should only go to you, Melethos. As Belarin would say, they seem to shout your name."

He hands them over to the Tiefling, glares at Kalarian and grabs the starfruit, placing them unceremoniously into the haversack. "Give food to the halfling. How very clever," he mutters.

He returns to Melethos. "I have some items I would like to sell here. Lighten my weight, as it were, so that I might carry other things should it become necessary. I am currently carrying your torch, two of your sunrods, your backpack and waterskin. If you don't mind, I would like to keep your torch and sell my everbright lantern. It is relatively heavy, and I will not need to rely on it with your torch, and Olladra's gift of light, to aid me otherwise. Also, we can sell the sunrods, as well as another one I carry. If we need more light, you can have your torch and I can light another object, as necessary. What do you think?"

Melethos takes the bracers. "These would be a great boon," he says. The bracers feel heavy, powerful. "Thank you, my friends. Thank you. As for you, good Streko: sell what you will. I see no need to keep all of those items. And supplies? I have nothing to obtain. For the moment, I am set."

Then Melethos turns his attention to the bracers, studying them, running his finger over the detailing. After a time, he slips them on. They fit perfectly.

____________________________________________________

Melethos will attune himself to the bracers.

[Jeff]

Aug 30, 2017 16:53:52 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Kruthor!" Kal exclaims. "You amaze me! We just met, and such generosity....you and Llash-Tava must have quite a history for you to trust us so completely." Kal bows. "Thank you, indeed."

Kruthor only inclines his head. "Lash-Tava is a special soul," is all he says.

Aug 30, 2017 17:22:46 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal calls the Blademarks over to him. "My friends, it seems we are taking an unexpected journey out of the city. I would ask that you accompany my friend here," he gestures to Starg, "and my companion Tangat back to the inn, unless Starg has other business first. Keep an eye on him and his companions for as long as you are able before you must return to the enclave. Can I give you that charge?"

"You can, my lord," Randul answers, and Orlan nods as well. The two men study the camp now that Kal's brought them in, eyeing Thul where he is sitting under a tree. "Two days only we can give, by the Lord Marshal's orders, if we are stationed in a single place."

Starg takes Kal aside privately for a moment.

"Who is the third giant?" Kal hears Randul whisper to Orlan as the minotaur walks him out of earshot for a moment. He doesn't hear the other man's reply.

Starg says, "Be cautious with them, Kalarian. If they would guard Tangat and I, that is well, but it may be best to keep them from hearing discussions with Professor ir'Zathyran and Sem Darlesh, when they return. Remember who they will answer to, when they return to the Deneith enclave. Do not think they will be questioned."

Aug 30, 2017 17:22:46 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal eyes the ettin, then remembers a conversation he had what seems like years ago. He walks closer to Kruthor. "Tell me, Kruthor, are you one of these 'Guardians of Rusheme' that I have heard tell of? A friend mentioned the name to me, and seeing you here and hearing you speak, I am reminded of it...."

"I am," Kruthor answers solemnly. He looks around the clearing, searching for the eyes of those closest enough to hear, waiting for them to look back. Then he sits on the ground, taking a long time like an old man of any race. He settles into the mode of an old storyteller by the fire. "I will explain, so that you understand who aids you now...

"Long ago now, when the pirate lords of your continent landed on these shores and sought to make Stormreach an outpost, one of my ancestors came to speak with them. She called herself Rushemé, and she warned them of the ancient curse on the land, a remnant of the histories and the cataclysms that shook the continent in ages past. The captains ignored her, and she departed peacefully and never approached again. But a group of giants was camped nearby." Kruthor points to the ground, then at the tents around you all. "This same camp. The trade goods we offered were a boon to the human settlers. This tent city remained as the new Stormreach took shape, and it has come to be called the Tents of Rushemé. And we are fine with this. The giants here, perhaps as nowhere else, are a peaceful folk.

"But Rushemé was not the name of that hill giantess herself. Rushemé is a concept: the peaceful spirit of the land, the resting soul of Xen’drik. That is what we serve. That is what we guard."

And with that he calls out some words, but Shorak knows it's not in Giantish. Rather, it is of the Druidic tongue. Then the old orc who met you earlier approaches again. He then points out to you which nearby tents are selling trade goods. There is a tent of half-giant blacksmiths that crafts or trade arms, and another is an herbalist's tent. He points out that the giants prefer barter over the exchange of coins, but will still accept the latter if there is no other choice.

---

While regular crossbow bolts appear to be available in abundance, the smaller-sized bolts for a hand crossbow are not. The giants seem to regard them as quaint. However, one giant has 15 regular hand crossbow bolts available, and 5 magical (+1) bolts. He will sell all of them to Shorak for 100 gold pieces, the nonmagical and magical together.

The cook/herbalist giant, a rather obese hill giantess, takes an interest in Streko's magical light sources, however. For the sunrods and everbright lantern, she will give the party 5 potions of healing and one live chicken. She seems to dislike coins immensely.

What else? What's Belarin looking for? Or looking to unload?

More to come about the wand and bracers.

[Dave W.]

Adamant glad to see Melethos pick up the bracers and not currently looking to buy or sell anything, decides to approach the Karrnath captain. Seeing him pack up his pipe Adamant gestures towards it, "Pipe smoking... I can't do that..." There is an awkward pause.

"Umm, so you will fight with us... no, I mean fight amongst... no, fight along side us?" Adamant stumbles. "Apologies, words are blunt in my hands... hmm, you don't seem to care much for words, but perhaps it is not lack of skill."

"Anyway, is there anything you would want to ask about our group? It might help if it comes to fighting to have some understanding."

---

Adamant tries to make nice.

[Darren]

Kal smiles at Streko's outburst. "I'm sorry, my friend. I did not mean to mock you. I truly would love to see you don the bracers and lift Adamant over your head. It would be remarkable, and since people so often underestimate you, it would give them yet another surprise. I, for one, know better than to assume anything when it comes to you, dear Streko."

Kalarian nods at Starg's words and returns to the Blademarks. "You will take your orders from Starg after I leave. His word should be considered no different than mine. Understood?"

[Jeff]

Aug 31, 2017 14:52:53 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kalarian nods at Starg's words and returns to the Blademarks. "You will take your orders from Starg after I leave. His word should be considered no different than mine. Understood?"

"My lord," Randul responds with no hesitation, "I am afraid that I cannot do. Our orders from Lord Marshal Greigur were clear. We cannot be..."

"Shunted to someone else, my lord," Orland says.

"...in regards to authority," the shifter continues. "If you command it, we will guard the minotaur Starg as we would yourself, but we cannot accept orders from him. With apologies." Kal can see—no, he can feel—the weight of Greigur's authority in the Gold Blade's tone. And clearly Greigur's orders supersede any he may give.

"You are leaving the city, then?" Randul asks, seeking clarification. "Will you be returning soon?"

Adamant, in talking to Thul, recalls that Karrnath is known as a place generally less friendly to warforged. Not less friendly, perhaps, but less considering. Historically, the use of the undead in the Karrnathi armies during the second half of the Last War meant they purchased fewer warforged from House Cannith forges. They were, as a whole, simply less relevant there.

Over the course of this restful time, both Kal and Melethos become acquainted with their items of choice.

Melethos finds the bracers an easy fit. There is weight to them, which gradually lessens as the minutes pass. And as the moments pass, he feels his armor, his own body—all of it becoming less of a burden. He looks around and finds everything somehow looks...smashable. He feels no violent impulses, just a heightened awareness at how fragile the world around him might actually be..

Meanwhile, Kal, for when he does finish speaking with the Blademarks, resumes the studies the wand, and he finds his own latent energies come forth more easily in his hand. Not only does he come to understand that the wand enhances the potency of his own lightning-based spells, he also discovers that it can become a lightning rod of its own, absorbing a single bolt of energy which can then be held onto and discharged again. With some risk.

Despite stooping less, Adamant continues to be adorable. 

Okay, so I take it Streko has taken all 3 of the starfruits. I've added to his inventory. 

10 Goodberries remain to be taken. They will last 1 exactly one day, if unused. Remember, they're good for stabilizing-a-dying-friend in a pinch.

By the end of this rest period, Melethos has ogre strength! And he can carry 15 lbs. more than he could and still be unburdened.

The wand has been added to Kal's inventory. It has these properties:

● Any spell that deals lightning damage deals an additional +1 per die of damage if the spell is cast with the wand as an arcane focus.

● 1/day - While wielded, as a reaction, the wand can attract and absorb lightning damage equal to 8d6 damage from a single lightning-based attack that targets anything within 30 feet of it. The wielder takes any excess damage. This, however, also, powers the wand, placing a Lightning Bolt spell within it (that deals exactly same amount of damage it absorbed) that can then be cast without expending a spell slot. The saving throw DC is the wielder's.

[Darren]

Kal frowns, but nods. "Very well, then," Kal says. "Guard him. But you will remain outside while he attends to any business inside of any building in Stormreach, and stay within the lobby of the inn, only." Kal turns back to his study of the wand, assuming the matter to be settled. Inwardly, he sees a day when his authority supersedes that of anyone in House Deneith. It already should, with all he has seen and done. I'm certain that Greigur has never gone to Dollurh and back...

Kal grins as he feels the energy flowing from his arm into the wand and back again. There is a crackle of electricity in the air and Tangat, sitting nearby, gives a small yelp as a spark of static electricity jumps from his nose. With a laugh, Kal spins the wand in his grip and places it within the straps at his right leg, close to Skyfang and within easy reach.

________________________
So Kal can now use either the wand or Skyfang as an arcane focus, and can switch between them at any time (i.e. as long as he is holding one of them, he has an arcane focus available,
but only gains the bonuses from the wand when he is holding that), right?

[Elvis]

Thul ignores the Warforged as it tries to strike up a conversation while he finishes stowing his gear.

When it stops stumbling over its words, Thul turns and squares his shoulders.

The Warforged is taller and broader and devoid of any useful body language.

It doesn't need to breathe. Or eat. Or drink. Or sleep. There is no soft spots to explout with a blade or poison.

They are perfect soldiers.

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

[Darren]

Kal reaches down, picking up two of the berries. "I suggest everyone else do the same," he says, splitting them into smaller piles. "You, too, Captain."

[Ken]

Belarin picks up two of the goodberries and places them in his belt pouch. As soon as he sits down to rest, he jerks upright. "Shadow take me for a fool," he says aloud. "There is something useful I could be doing."

Still seated, he places his pact dagger in his lap and holds it gently. Then he says a string of arcane syllables and concludes, "Show me Major Krez." His eyes become unfocused, yet still active.

__________________________

Before taking his short rest, Belarin would like to cast scrying and look for Krez.

[Jeff]

About time, Ken! But...

Only a few seconds into his attempt, he realizes he's not used this magic before and did not know what else was needed. Now he does...

Belarin needs a valuable focus (which isn't consumed) to cast this spell. Something he'd be channeling his sight into. The spell says "(a focus worth at least 1,000 gp, such as a crystal ball, a silver mirror, or a font filled with holy water)." Since a gp value is given, he cannot use a regular arcane focus. That said, the Tents seem diverse and a little bit of asking around can yield something. This is the perfect time and place to gather materials like this.


At one tent manned by a female stone giant, whose head is as hairless as any male's. Her body is thin and muscular, and she wears a circlet that reminds Belarin of the only other person who knows who regularly wears one: Larest ir'Zathyran.

As advertised by a half-orc just outside the tent, there is a collection of valuable gems and crystals laid upon a table inside. He looks around among them until he finds something that he senses would work for his spell. One such is an oval, palm-sized "mirror" of polished gray-black stone that is almost perfectly reflective. Everything inside it is darkened by its hue, but Belarin can see his own face clearly when staring into it. There is no frame; it is

"Hematite," the giantess says in a strangely surreal voice. She is not chatty. She stoops down and presses one long gray finger softly against the mirror-like surface and the cloudy gray vanishes altogether. "Deepworld hematite. Trade, or gold?"

She will accept coin, 1,000gp if he has it, or will consider a trade of something else valuable. She clearly prefers mineral things.

[Darren]

Kal moves to follow Belarin. As he passes Starg, he taps the ring on his finger and says, "I'll let the professor know what's going on."

"Well, Professor, it looks like we won't be coming back right away. The tents have yielded some interesting results. It seems that the reason everyone is taking to the skies is because there is a giantess who lives in the clouds," 'What a cliche,' Kal thinks to himself, wondering if that thought was also transmitted to Larest. He clears his throat. "It seems she has solid information on the whereabouts of the Eye and is handing it out to anyone who asks. She is also the one who is making it rain. I'm not quite sure I understand, either, but in any event, the giant Kruthor has tasked us with stopping the storms and hopefully gaining some information while we're there. I hope this will not keep us away for more than a day. I am sending Tangat and the Blademarks back with Starg. They'll keep an eye on you, but I instructed them not to intrude on any private dealings you have, so you should have no fear of anything getting back to Greigur. Tell Histra not to be too angry with Belarin. We'll bring him back in one piece so she can kill him later, or whatever it is they do. I don't know the range of these rings, but I will do my best to keep you updated as we go along."

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?"

________________________
We never did figure out what it was, but Kal will act like it's VERY valuable. If you want a Bluff check in exchange, let me know. If you want Kal to elaborate a bit about it, I can do that,
too, but I'm curious to see if the giantess has any reaction to it before saying anything else.

[Elvis]

Aug 31, 2017 17:28:47 GMT -4 Ken said:

"Show me Major Krez." 

Thul's current train of thought is derailed. (This reference works well in Eberron!)

Ignoring the Warforged (again), he shifts all his focus to Belarin.

[Brian]

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?"

Melethos's jaw clenches at the human's comment. He snatches up a Goodberry, then stalks over to the captain. The retort he had prepared dies on his lips when he sees Thul's reaction to the name Belarin said.

He purposely moves to stand between Thul and the warlock. "You know of the vampire."

[Joe]

Aug 31, 2017 6:44:53 GMT -4 Jeff said:

The cook/herbalist giant, a rather obese hill giantess, takes an interest in Streko's magical light sources, however. For the sunrods and everbright lantern, she will give the party 5 potions of healing and one live chicken. She seems to dislike coins immensely.

"Six healing potions and you can keep the chicken. Where we are going, I'm afraid it wouldn't last long. And..." Streko reaches into his haversack and pulls out a whetstone, something he picked up back at the Red Atoll. "...I will add this along with the sunrods and lantern. Do we have a deal?"
_____________________________________

Jeff, I've added Flame Strike to my chosen spell list.

[Elvis]

"Aye." Thul nods, "Vampyre." then spits in disgust.

He doesn't elaborate any further.