Chapter 16: Against the Chaos

[Elvis]

Thul doesn't recall seeing a dryad before. Interesting.

"Hmm." he appraises her with a tactical eye, but says nothing.

[Ken]

If Belarin still has the nycaloth's wand, and I think he does, he'll add that to the items for identification.

[Jeff]

When everyone has finished reacting to Calirataia, the dryad turns walks back into the wooden wall of the sterncastle. Brack gives an appreciate whistle in Kal's direction. "You should know that she doesn't always allow introductions. I've had passengers come and go who never knew about her. I wouldn't say she trusts you yet, any of you, but she seems to think it important you know she exists. That said...give her reasons to be more familiar with her. The more comfortable she is, the more she can do with you aboard. She's must more than a pretty face."

Belarin's arcane sight does detect a divination aura around the beetle-shaped brooch, and he also detects either abjuration or transmutation on each of the potions.

Aug 6, 2018 10:27:34 GMT -4 Brian said:

He unties the knot and unfolds the packet. Inside are a set of artificer's tools.

"I had forgotten about these," he says to Kurra. "I have had some exposure to using them, but I do not know them well. Can you help me learn more about their uses, during out down times?"

Kurra gives Melethos an appraising look, then pokes and turns a few of the outlandish tools he's unrolled. Then the artificer looks him up and down and says, "Here's the deal. When Adamant comes by for some repairs, you come with him and I'll get you started. In turn, I want to learn some things about the Demon Wastes. Recipes. Songs. Whatever. Some things I don't already know. Aye?"

When the objects to be identified (potions, wand, brooch) have been placed in Kurra's wicker basket, Histra pulls Belarin aside. She leads him to the ship's rail near the starboard bow. She unslings her satchel and hands it to him to open. He can tell she's taken some things out and kept it light and minimal for going around on the ship.

---

I forget to mention earlier: Hit points have all been restored after the long rest. The energy drain that Thul had experienced from the vampire's bite still hurts, but the hit point cap it created is gone now. Everyone is still at their max hit dice, too. So Adamant's at max hit points, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a few dents still. I can't emphasize enough that hit points are abstract in this game, though most of you already know that: that is, they're representative of luck, resolve, and general tenacity in addition to your physical state. So even at max hit points, you can have battle scars and hurts. But you're back to being hard to kill quickly.

[Darren]

Kal smiles. "We'll do what we can," he responds to Brack, looking to where the dryad departed. "Talking to trees is probably more Belarin's thing than mine." Kal grins as he looks over at his warforged friend. "Or maybe Adamant. They can sing together, I'm sure."

DM's Edit: Changed Grafth to Brack.

[Ken]

Over at the rail, Belarin looks at Histra quizzically, and then he opens the satchel.

[Dave W.]

Aug 6, 2018 16:04:40 GMT -4 Jeff said:

When everyone has finished reacting to Calirataia, the dryad turns walks back into the wooden wall of the sterncastle. Brack gives an appreciate whistle in Kal's direction. "You should know that she doesn't always allow introductions. I've had passengers come and go who never knew about her. I wouldn't say she trusts you yet, any of you, but she seems to think it important you know she exists. That said...give her reasons to be more familiar with her. The more comfortable she is, the more she can do with you aboard. She's much more than a pretty face."

"More than a pretty face... she's a miracle." Adamant blurts out and then awkwardly tries to fade back and go unnoticed.

[Jeff]

Adamant quickly finds that he cannot, on a whim, merge with the wood of the ship to hide from embarrassment. At least, not yet? He doesn't know how the dryad's power works, but he recalls when the group was first given a tour of the ship, down below, Brack instructed each person to place their hands upon the cut logs in the hold. When Adamant had done so, he could feel the living nature of the wood.

When Belarin opens the satchel, he pulls out a book. A sizeable one that's not Histra's. But it looks familiar!

"Your own spellbook. Bound in the scales and skin of a dream serpent," Histra says. "And enchantment lies upon the pages. The entire book is resilient to fire and water. But there's more...." She prompts him to open the book, and he can see in her face an uncharacteristic excitement. Belarin has seen her give things to people before, such as useful tools, spell effects, even the valuables she took from Branash's quarters in the ir'Serell estate. But this seems much more personal.

[Ken]

Belarin's eyes widen in surprise. "I saw this... but couldn't buy both it and the gem. Thank you, Histra!" He gives her a gentle kiss on the lips. Then his brow furrows. "Is this why you don't have your staff? That's quite the sacrifice."

He tenderly opens the book to see what surprises are inside.

[Jeff]

Histra only nods at the mention of her staff. Belarin's fairly sure her staff was an ir'Serell heirloom and suspected it may have had necromantic properties of its own.

He knows that the unique materials of this book make it valuable, but when he opens the book he sees that its greater value comes from the fact that it's not empty—at least not wholly. There are a number of pages already written in with the meticulous notes and runes of existing spells. It will take some time and study to try and make sense of these and how he can use them. There is even some sort of non-spell "introduction" written in the book that may help to explain it.

---

Gift of the Magi: Necromancer Edition. Fortunately, Histra doesn't strictly need her staff to use the onyx. That said, he can tell she's now in the market for new arcane focus options. He knows she has at least one spare typical wand in the interim. But he can tell she's a staff sort of girl, not an orb-user like Starg.

[Ken]

Belarin once again says, "Thank you," to Histra. "I'm eager to study these!"

[Brian]

Aug 6, 2018 16:04:40 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Aug 6, 2018 10:27:34 GMT -4 Brian said:

He unties the knot and unfolds the packet. Inside are a set of artificer's tools.

"I had forgotten about these," he says to Kurra. "I have had some exposure to using them, but I do not know them well. Can you help me learn more about their uses, during out down times?"

Kurra gives Melethos an appraising look, then pokes and turns a few of the outlandish tools he's unrolled. Then the artificer looks him up and down and says, "Here's the deal. When Adamant comes by for some repairs, you come with him and I'll get you started. In turn, I want to learn some things about the Demon Wastes. Recipes. Songs. Whatever. Some things I don't already know. Aye?"

"I am not much of a cook," Melethos says to Kurra. "I doubt I have any recipes that would interest you. Songs may be easier, but not by much. But there are other areas that may interest you." He folds up his tool pouch and tucks it away. "I agree to your arrangement, my lady. In exchange for teaching me how to use better these tools, I will teach you want I can about my home land."

[Jeff]

The first day since Last Chance stretches on, and the hours roll by peaceably and with a favorable wind. Late in the day, Kurra returns to the main deck with all the items you lent here. She tells Thul she'll need a couple of days, at least, to work on his warblade.

Kurra has placed new labels on the vials formerly labeled Celerity 1—4, and she briefly explains the spell-like abilities they grant their imbibers.

The beetle-shaped electrum brooch grants its wearer the ability to see in the dark for 1 hour each day—it can be traded off and used again, but only once per day per person. In addition, she believes it was made by the thri-kreen, the mysterious mantis-folk of Xen'drik, but was intended to be given to non-thri-kreen. "For whatever reason."

The blue-glass wand is powerful but has a limited store of elemental power. She explains that anyone who can cast spells of any kind can attune themselves to it and learn the command word of activation. In addition, its final use can be hazardous to the wielder (mildly).

---

The Beetle Brooch, as an action, can bestow darkvision 60 ft. upon anyone who wears it up to 1 hour each day.

Celerity 1 (2 doses) - Each dose replicates the spell Expeditious Retreat with a duration of 5 minutes (no concentration needed). Thus as a bonus action on each of your turns, you can take the Dash action.

Celerity 2 - (2 doses) - Each dose replicates the Haste spell with a duration of 5 rounds (no concentration needed). Your speed is doubled, you gains a +2 bonus to AC, you have advantage on Dexterity saving throws, and you gain an additional action on each of your turns. That action can be used only to take the Attack (one weapon attack only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object action. On the 6th round, however, you can’t move or take actions for 1 turn, as a wave of lethargy sweeps over you.

Celerity 3 - Replicates Freedom of Movement for a duration of 30 minutes. Your movement is unaffected by difficult terrain. Spells and other magical effects can neither reduce your speed nor cause you to be paralyzed or restrained. You can also spend 5 feet of movement to automatically escape from nonmagical restraints, such as manacles or a creature that has it grappled. Finally, being underwater imposes no penalties on your movement or attacks.

Celerity 4 - Within one minute of drinking this, you can cast the Passwall spell: A passage appears at a point of your choice that you can see on a wooden, plaster, or stone surface (such as a wall, a ceiling, or a floor) within range, and lasts for the duration. You choose the opening’s dimensions: up to 5 feet wide, 8 feet tall, and 20 feet deep. The passage creates no instability in a structure surrounding it. When the opening disappears, any creatures or objects still in the passage created by the spell are safely ejected to an unoccupied space nearest to the surface on which you cast the spell.

The blue-glass wand is a Wand of Lightning Bolts (requires attunement by a spellcaster). It has 9 charges, each of which casts the Lightning Bolt spell as a 3rd-level spell. When all charges have been expended, the glass wand itself counts as the final charge. That final use casts the spell as a 6th level spell (11d6 lightning damage) which also destroys the wand but it does 2d6 lightning damage to the wielder if the wielder does not have the Lightning Bolt spell on his spell list.

[Ken]

Belarin takes a break from examining his new spellbook. He listens carefully as Kurra explains the nature of the items.

"Can I make a few suggestions?" he says to his companions. "I think Streko should hold onto the Celerity 1 potion - as our healer, it's most important for him to get around quickly during a fight. As for Celerity 2... that's so YOU, Shorak!" He smiles at his half-drow friend.

"No strong thoughts on Celerity 3, but maybe Melethos or Adamant, since they're more likely to be targeted by magical effects. You do stand out as targets, my friends! Personally, I would LOVE to hold onto Celerity 4. As for the wand, it seems ideal for Kalarian. And the brooch...? Those of us without darkvision can share it. Captain Thul can keep it for the time being."

He steps back. "There, done. Congratulate me or fight it out. I'm going back to my lovely new spellbook!"

______________________

It feels weird not to offer anything to the NPCs! A necessary meta-game element, I suppose. I hope they're not offended. Belarin really only wants the Celerity 4 potion.

[Dave W.]

"I have no arguments with this distribution. I would suggest if Melethos is to be the leader in combat, the Celerity 3 potion should be his. A leader may find the need more pressing than a common soldier."

[Jeff]

Kurra shrugs. "Orien heirs have such fluid elixirs and trinkets. What I wonder most about is this brooch. What would the thri-kreen have to do with them?"

Sem steps forward. "My theory is that House Orien's Eye-hunting expeditions have worked out some kind of arrangement with the thri-kreen. They're natives to Xen'drik, at least as much as the drow are. The thri-kreen might be their means of avoiding the Traveler's Curse."

You notice that Sem Darlesh is now wearing the circlet that Larest used to wear. It's a little bit smaller now, but it's definitely the same one. Seeing your stares, he fidgets with it nervously, seeming self-conscious about it. He says nothing more.

---

I'm going to place the potions and brooch in the Bag of Holding until you guys definitely claim them.

[Darren]

Kal nods at the distribution suggestions offered by both Belarin and Adamant. "So be it," he says, taking the wand and distributing the potions as suggested. Kal rolls the crystal in his hands, studying the surface and the way it catches the light. Then he slips it within the straps around his right leg, next to Skyfang and the Wand of Splintering Fire he recently acquired.

_____________________
I guess Kal will temporarily "de-tune" his sharrash so that he can use the new wand.

He can still use it as a weapon, right? He just can't use its freezing power?

[Ken]

Belarin walks over to Kal and whispers, "Kal, do you still have a wand of magic missiles? I only ask because, well, Histra recently lost her staff. She could do with a decent arcane focus, at least until she gets another staff with a massive skeletal claw on top."

[Darren]

Kal nods, and from somewhere within his cloak withdraws yet another wand, this one slender and white. He flips it in his hand, then offers it to Belarin. "I suppose it's the least we can do for her," he says.

[Ken]

"Thanks, Kal," says Belarin. He accepts the wand, and he walks over to Histra.

"Here," he says softly. "A gift from Kalarian." He gives her the white wand. "It fires magic missiles. Not your preferred attack, but it'll do until we find something more skeletal," he adds with a smile.

[Darren]

Kal winks at Histra as Belarin hands over the wand, then grins and laughs. He walks over to Sem. "What's with that?" he asks, gesturing with one hand towards the circlet he now wears. "The professor was always fidgeting with it, and now you are, too. You're not going to become possessed and act like him, are you?"

[Jeff]

Histra looks at the wand for a few seconds before taking it. Belarin has the distinct impression she'd have outright refused it if Kal had offered it to her directly. She gives Kal, when he winks, an almost imperceptible nod. She tucks it away.

Sem fidgets with the circlet, then takes it off and looks up at Kal. "He wouldn't want it wasted...I know that much. I believe it gave him a measure of calm and mental fortitude. I'm trying it out." He shrugs. "You know, he told me more than once in private that he wasn't sure he'd survive this expedition. Like he somehow felt like he wasn't destined for anything after it. I think he assumed, if something happened, it would at least be...well, closer to the end."

[Darren]

"Have you known him long?" Kal asks, taking a seat next to Sem so as not to be looking down at the Zil. "Was much of his life dedicated to this quest?"

[Jeff]

Sem Darlesh shakes his head. "Six months maybe? No, more than that. It began with written correspondence, then I came over from Zilargo and attended a few of his lectures at Morgrave University. Distrustful academics like us like to hear with our own ears if our colleagues really know what they're talking about it. And it turns out, he did."

"I do wish he hadn't mismanaged your trust," the gnome says with a sigh. He looks at Melethos as he goes on. "While he did have our help—mine and Histra's—to find suitable adventurers, I wish he had found another way. He was, at least, very good at taking the long view. He was counting on the outcome of the expedition making everything better again."

[Brian]

Melethos accepts the potion Kal hands him and tucks it away. Free movement during a battle has significant strategic value. The pressure to justify their trust in him grows even more.

As Belarin, Histra, and Kal occupy themselves in one area of the boat, he finds Thul standing alone and makes his way toward the man.

"Captain," he says. "I like your battle tactics. It was your move on the vampire spawn that inspired me to grapple the demon*. And while your gruff manner can be off-putting, your bravery cannot be denied. That is why I chose you as my second. If you are still willing, I think now is a time to get a basic formula together for the group. What say you?"

________________________________________________________________________________

*This is true. Elvis's maneuver with the vampire spawn gave me the idea to have Big Red latch onto the demon.

Sorry for being late today. I said goodbye to a dear friend. Her funeral was the toughest thing I've had to do since my own dad's eight years ago. I should be keeping up better now.

[Elvis]

Thul nods. His mind is still on the possibilities presented to them with the introduction of the dryad.

"What do you propose, redman?" Thul makes himself comfortable as he packs away his pipe kit.

[Joe]

Aug 9, 2018 10:13:07 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"I have no arguments with this distribution. I would suggest if Melethos is to be the leader in combat, the Celerity 3 potion should be his. A leader may find the need more pressing than a common soldier."

Streko smiles at his friend, taking the Celerity 1 potion from Kal. "You sir, are by far, the least common soldier I have ever met or should ever hope to meet. Don't you dare believe otherwise!! You are a gift from the Host itself and Olladra, as well as her humble servant, could not be more happy that you are with us on this journey. Don't you dare forget that, either! Tonight, I shall cook us all a feast, in honor of fallen friends and new friends, as well. Perhaps you can regale us with song. Belarin, I would love to hear some haughty lyrics from your sharp tongue! We continue onward, with a beautiful ship, a strong captain, an inspired artificer and good friends. Some might say, family. I would not argue that point."
_____________________________________________________

Streko places the potion in his haversack.

[Brian]

Aug 9, 2018 21:11:33 GMT -4 Elvis said:

Thul nods. His mind is still on the possibilities presented to them with the introduction of the dryad.

"What do you propose, redman?" Thul makes himself comfortable as he packs away his pipe kit.

"We tend to attack or defend based on personal preference," Melethos says. "There is little coordination. That is not the way to fight a battle. I, for instance, can do little from a distance, but shield-to-sword, I am hard to kill. Belarin, on the other hand, can blast away from across a battlefield, but he can be hurt too easily when fighting up close." He pauses to think. "I see our approach coming from three different areas. The bulwark against the main force--you, me, and Adamant. The distance fighters--Shorak and Belarin. And those who can either control the flow of the enemy or keep us alive--Kal with his fiery walls and Streko with his healing skills. That would be our starting point in discussions with them. Have you any suggestions of your own?"

[Elvis]

"Fighting in formation is a luxury. It's fine when an army marches onto the fiekd of battle shoulder to shoulder, but that won't work for us."

Thul considers their past encounters...

"We need to be able to get into formation from a worst case scenario... Not a best case scenario."

"Karrn kill teams used coded strategems to deal with different situations. Then used sub strategies within that situation to deal with the variables."

"Give the strategy code phrase and everyone falls back into their roles. Sub code phrases modify the plan to deal with whatever becomes priority."

"This let's everyone know what to expect, while not tipping off the enemy to our tactics."

"I've been watching everyone fight. I have a few ideas that may make some of us more lethal..."

[Brian]

Melethos nods at Thul's words. As he suspected, the Karn was a natural fighter.

"Go on," he says to the Captain. "I am listening."

[Darren]

Aug 9, 2018 17:03:22 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Sem Darlesh shakes his head. "Six months maybe? No, more than that. It began with written correspondence, then I came over from Zilargo and attended a few of his lectures at Morgrave University. Distrustful academics like us like to hear with our own ears if our colleagues really know what they're talking about it. And it turns out, he did."

"I do wish he hadn't mismanaged your trust," the gnome says with a sigh. He looks at Melethos as he goes on. "While he did have our help—mine and Histra's—to find suitable adventurers, I wish he had found another way. He was, at least, very good at taking the long view. He was counting on the outcome of the expedition making everything better again."

Kal stares intently at Sem as he speaks and nods. "You are right about that. His method of getting us here definitely got us off to a bad start. Had he simply contacted us and told us what he planned, we likely would have joined him willingly. Drugging us and kidnapping us?" Kal points at the circlet on Sem's head, "I'm guessing he wasn't wearing that when he came up the idea. Still," Kal leans against the side of the ship, looking up at the clouds, "in a way we understood each other. I don't doubt that his intentions were good."

Kalarian watches Melethos and Thul from across the deck and smiles, knowing that they are discussing the tactics that will keep them alive. He considers joining them, but knows that for now, the best thing is to let them discuss it themselves.

Again, Kal's attention returns to Sem. "If we find the Eye, Sem, what would you do with it?"