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 Uthaori "Mercenary? Don't speak as if you know me, I could care less about gold. I've always thought that it's a necessary evil of the so called civilized world, and you and your business are not doing much to change my mind. My reasons to be on this continent are much more important than mere coin." Uthaori stands up straight and begrudgingly nods to Hawke. "Yeah, I know you're right." She sighs. "gently caress it, let's just leave. I'd love to take on Ridgebreak but we shouldn't risk getting our drugged up half-elf stuck in a melee, might not be much left of his head to lose but I'm sure Konlar would prefer that we deliver him intact."
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Jan 20, 2016 14:56
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 Airdwyn "Yeah, I'm never against getting my hands dirty, but going after this Rigbeak would be a waste of time. Let's get out of here. Kevkas, you're good to walk?"
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Jan 21, 2016 11:56
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 Gideon "True enough, Kevkas, you should get that looked at as soon as possible. And if my hunch is right, we have all the more reason to hurry. If these Golden Lions are interested in Xen'drik, they might be on the way already." Also: pre:Cash: 235 GP Ritual Components: 680 - 125 = 555 GP
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Jan 22, 2016 10:02
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With most of the group decided on bringing back the expedition guide instead of picking a fight against a local gang leader, you quickly make your way out of the drug den, stepping over the (still) unconscious bodies of the Titans. It's now near midnight and there's actually more movement in Southwatch than before. Amusingly you notice a few people that were probably going to the drug den glance at you and the way you came, quickly change their minds and go the other way. It's a good half hour before you reach the Harbor District once again towards the Wavecrest Tavern, on the way you saw a couple of minor gang members scoping you out, before deciding to not get into a fight based on your equipment alone. Wavecrest Tavern When you arrive it you find the tavern packed and noisy, with already some passed out drunks outside. Kevkas winces at that much noise and complains about his pains once again, thankfully you manage your way through the crowd and go upstairs where Konlar's Iron Gates have seemly not moved from the door ever since you exited the room the first time. They escort you once again into the room without saying a word, where you find Konlar and Yanlan eating and drinking in the big ornate wooden table, having a good time, with Evelynn d'Orien nowhere to be found. The two stop eating when they see you, Konlar wiping his mouth and get off his chair, smiling at the group. Yanlan takes a long drink and gives the stink eye to Kevkas instead. "Aha! I knew I choose the right people for the task! Well done! Got our guide safe and..." he glances at the head wound of the half elf. "...well not sound, but mostly intact! What happened to you boy? Captain, get a medic to check up our friend!" An Iron Gate nearby does so while the half elf starts talking. Kevkas takes a deep breath. "It was these two Golden Lions, Sir Khundarak! Ambushed and dragged me to this drug den, used dreamlily to gently caress with my head and..interrogate me man! Your squad here went through a pack of Titans to get me out from the place!" He pauses when an Iron Gate medic enters the room and starts treating him. Yanlan guffaws and gets off the table. "Har har! What a joke, this drug head here spins tales to bullshit himself out of responsibilities! The hell would that rich brats gang want with you? You went that place because once an addict, always an addict! He's not reliable, Konlar!" The half elf looks about to answer but Konlar raises his hand, glancing at the group instead. "There's an easy way to know the truth, what happened there friends? What's this about..an interrogation? Is this true?"
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Jan 23, 2016 04:26
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 Nagaw Hagaw "S'all true. Found him in the den with a head wound, gnome that ran the joint said the golden masked idiots dragged him there and chatted with him for awhile, and Cueball did some brain stuff and saw a vision of it happenin'." Nagaw pauses, peering at the wooden table full of food, and points directly at the food. "Mind if I tuck in, too? Wrasslin' half-giants is hungry work.'
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Jan 23, 2016 18:57
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Uthaori "Your cousin isn't entirely wrong though," Now that was hard to admit. "I didn't get the impression that our guide was all too hesitant in accepting that dreamlily pipe from the elves. He could definitely use some time away from the stuff, say a long walk due south would do him good I think." The smell of the hot meal makes Uthaori's stomach rumble, if felt almost as empty as her coin purse. The boat ride over from Khorvaire had left much to desire when it came to food, especially the quantity of it, she felt like she could devour a goat whole. "Now these Golden Lions, are they yet another of the charming local gangs? Whoever they are it seems like they were pumping Kevkas for information about our expedition. We're going to see them further down the trail, I'm sure of it." She licks her lips as she looks at the multitude of plates packed with food on the table. "Nagaw raises a good point, I think we've all worked up an appetite and could use a decent meal." Sockerbagarn fucked around with this message at 20:31 on Jan 23, 2016 |
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Jan 23, 2016 19:40
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 Adder Hawke "Buddy probably needs some real food in him, too. Help work off the drugs. Ain't like they give you three meals a day in a lily den." Or maybe that was just Adder's excuse for hopping up onto the table and grabbing a piece of lamb already, nibbling at the edges of it. "Golden Lions..." He mumbles as he chews, tilting his head. Streetwise: 1d20+12 14, just a general knowledge check to see if I've ever picked up any info on them.
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Jan 23, 2016 20:47
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When most of the party seems really hungry Konlar facepalms. "Of course you would be hungry after such a day, you all deserve something good! Captain, call the maid downstairs to bring us more. Enjoy yourselves with that's on the table until then." The good Iron Gate captain once again sets out to another inane task. Kevkas becomes embarrassed when Uthaori calls him out on his weakness. "I..I know dammit! My head was pounding when I woke up and I was confused as hell alright?" Yanlan mutters something in Dwarven that sounds like an insult before speaking in Common again. "Information about our expedition? What in Khyber's name did you blab about??" The half elf hesitates to answer. "I...I have no idea. These Golden Lions messed with my mind I think!" When they start talking about the Golden Lions, Adder tries to remember where he had heard the name before... As far as you know they're a mix of dragonmark heirs, aristocrats and sycophantic rogues, with some of them treating the gang more like a social club than anything. Where they lack in numbers they make up for influence, both political and financial that their families bring. Konlar crosses his arms in thought about the gang. "Don't think we'll encounter them in the expedition's path, I'm more worried who they gave the information to... one of the Storm Lords perhaps? This worries me..." edit: Oh yeah anyone can try a History check to remember/know stuff about the Storm Lords, the ruling families of Stormreach frajaq fucked around with this message at 22:33 on Jan 23, 2016 |
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Jan 23, 2016 22:27
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Nagaw Hagaw The dwarf barks laughter around a mouth-ful of nothing but buttered bread at Yanlan's muttered comment, and chews his food to one side of his mouth so he can talk, muffled. "That's one way of puttin' it." Nagaw shakes his head with a bemused sigh. "Ahh, fuckin' elves." He then fills what space is left in his face with a bite of ham. His eating is as structured and planned as his fighting style; he thumps his chest to help something go down and gives a faint burp, before washing things down with a mug of whatever is on the table. Gravy, who knows.
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Jan 23, 2016 22:34
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Gideon "They did mess with your head", Gideon confirms through a mouthful of food, "I saw it with my own third eye. Don't be too hard on yourself, even without the lily, withstanding skilled psychic questioning takes training and experience. Although, I'm afraid, a state of deep relaxation makes ideal conditions for the questioner. Anyway, whoever has the information they got from you knows only as much as you and we do - and you do still remember everything, don't you?" He thoughtfully runs his fingers along his staff leaning against the table, calling on its mystic properties to better remember what he's heard of the Storm Lords before. That staff gives me +1 to History and by God I'm getting some use out of it. History: 1d20+10 19 My Lovely Horse fucked around with this message at 22:42 on Jan 23, 2016 |
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Jan 23, 2016 22:38
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Adder Hawke "Ain't even set foot on the road yet and we already got those prissy tots on our backs. I'll be glad to be rid of 'em... can't even complain to anyone about this. Ain't like a druggie and some mercs could even catch a watchman's ear, when it comes to those kids. They basically own the place." SIghing, Adder stuffs a sweetroll into his mouth, crossing his arms as he chews on it and mulls over their situation. "If he coughed up our route, should we change it?"
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Jan 23, 2016 23:04
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Uthaori Uthaori fills her plate with a pile of red berries and cuts of venison, as well as some raw vegetables. "Didn't realize this trip was going to be so, uh, political." She looks askance at the eating utensils the maid placed in front of her as she scoops up some food with her empty hand and jams it in her mouth and starts chewing. "Thish ish pretty *gulp* good!" She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and piles some more food on her plate. "Storm Lords huh? It's got a nice ring to it. Who are they and why do they care about the expedition?"
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Jan 23, 2016 23:31
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 Mote History: 1d20+16 17 nope  "Do you really need to eat with such... abandon?" Mote shakes his head and sits down somewhere away from the table. "So someone's either trying to beat us to the punch, or stop us. Who have you pissed off lately, Konlar?"
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Jan 23, 2016 23:47
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Nagaw Hagaw "She and I are just makin' up for your share, Abe. Since I don't think you warforged eat." He shoves a whole chicken wing into his mouth and strips it quickly, pulling the bones out while chewing happily. "Or do you? Like, do you eat rocks and two by fours or what not? Magical essence inna bun with a bit of mustard?" He tosses the bone into his designated Bone Bowl and grabs a drumstick. "I mean, does your lot even cook? You were made as servants and soldiers and what not, so surely SOME warforged can cook, yeah?" He turns around in his seat, sucking sauce and bits of breading off of his fingertips. "But how can you cook if you can't taste? How does that even work?"
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Jan 24, 2016 00:01
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Uthaori "Huh? You warforged don't eat?" Uthaori lifts her eyes from her plate for a moment and shoots Mote a confused look. "I can't even begin to imagine what that would be like. In the mountains back home our survival depended on us being able to secure food and water, and it got pretty rough every now and then, usually during the dark winters. Our society would've looked entirely different if we didn't have to... Ooh, there's fish too?" She spots and grabs a platter of smoked salmon and begins tearing through it. "This makes up for all the stale moldy bread I've been stuck eating for the past while, I'm starting to feel like a person again."
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Jan 24, 2016 01:01
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oh god its hard to update when everyone is asking/doing something different Gideon You know the Storm Lords are the hereditary rulers of Stormreach, five families whose pirate ancestors laid the foundations of the city. The dwarven Amanatus, the humans Lassites and Omarens, the gnomish Sel Shadras and the elven Wylkeses. Each Storm Lord family controls a sphere of influence of the city, but in any place where the power is divided, each family plots to have more control over the others, and most have ancient rivalries with each other. You don't know the origin of it, but you know that both Wylkeses and Omarens consider the Amanatus enemies. The half elf looks deep in thought to answer the Psion. "I have been a guide in Xen'drik for many years, I know a lot of tricks and paths of the jungle, which ruins can be considered safe or looted a long time ago... Well not all of them obviously since there's still much to uncover, but enough to give the expedition an edge while we make our way to our destination. I previously discussed a lot about the overall route of the expedition with Konlar." He has a really gloom look on his face when he realizes just much information he probably gave to the two masked elves. Adder Konlar shakes his head. "We cannot afford to waste time dealing with that gang...the damage is already done. Changing the overall route is also out of question, although minor deviations might be possible, right Kevkas...?" The half elf shrugs. "That depends a lot on what we encounter on the way, Sir. Can't confirm anything." Konlar sighs. "At least we know that someone knows where we are going, if that makes sense. Someone with ill intentions to be sure. I'm confident that your group will take care of it if it happens!" Uthaori It's Yanlan that first comments on what the goliath says, nodding and chuckling. "Right? You would think Xen'drik of all places one could get away from political bullshit. Sadly no. He takes another chug from his mead. "Storm Lords are a bunch of ex-pirates that think themselves noble, dividing Stormreach between themselves as they rule it. And they just love to stick their dicks where it doesn't belong." You notice Konlar rolling his eyes at his cousin's crudeness. "Now now, not all of them are bad, dear cousin, and you should know that. House Kundarak owes a lot to Yorrick Amanatu and his family, our alliance with them has proven invaluable over the years. The Grand Expedition itself couldn't have happened without them, what with the security and influence they provide!" Mote The dwarf glances at the warforged and smiles. "Hah! Countless people probably! So many are jealous of our House's qualities, our money, influence, achievements and honorable history! And my Grand Expedition will amount even more to that!" He gets serious now. "To properly answer that question, I don't know. Nothing of the sort is obvious here in Stormreach, in this pit of snakes you never know who's plotting behind your back!"
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Jan 25, 2016 03:40
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Gideon "But you may still get an idea when you put the right facts together. If Amanatu stands to gain from the expedition, it stands to reason that the Omarens or the Wylkeses, or both, would want the same gains for themselves. Much of which is conjecture, true... still, if I'm to be a soldier in a proxy war between two Storm Lord families, I'd like to know for certain before I'm knee-deep in the jungles of Xen'drik."
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Jan 26, 2016 13:22
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Uthaori "Just seems like yet another danger to add to the list to me. We'll crush any unlucky mercenaries they manage to trick into service along with anything else that gets in our way." Uthaori leans back in her chair, pats her belly with a satisfied smile and starts picking her teeth with her fingernail. The sturdy backrest groans under the pressure and bends backwards slightly but miraculously avoids snapping in half. "Once we're deep into the jungle I doubt we'll have to worry about some washed up ex-pirate lords anymore, unless they've scored an alliance with one of the drow warbands or something."
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Jan 26, 2016 18:04
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Gideon Gideon gives Uthaori a long look. "You had to say it, didn't you."
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Jan 26, 2016 18:14
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Uthaori Uthaori returns the look with an amused expression. "Oh don't you worry. If any evil bullies show up to give you a hard time they'll have to go through me first." She flexes her upper body and makes a face then erupts into laughter. "Come on, have another drink and relax you paranoid little scaredy cat, house Kundarak is paying! We've got a long journey ahead of us, I'm sure you'll be able to find some time to worry your shiny head about things later."
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Jan 26, 2016 19:50
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Gideon Gideon manages to hold his blank expression for a good two or three more seconds before it cracks into a grin. "Well I'll drink to that! And you better hope they even have any will to fight left within then once you get to them, or it's going to be an awfully boring trip for you..."
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Jan 26, 2016 20:02
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Uthaori "Hah! Now that's more like it." Uthaori raises her mug with a cheer and a broad grin. "Game on!"
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Jan 26, 2016 20:10
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Mote "Oh yes, i had forgotten. Drinking causes all our problems to disappear. How unfortunate that my race is denied such a benefit. Thankfully I think Nagaw is making up for my deficit." He rolls his shoulder, until a gear stops grinding. "Just don't drink so much your wits leave you tomorrow. Xen'Drik will take it's toll in souls and I very much doubt it cares who pays."
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Jan 26, 2016 21:30
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Konlar furrows his brows at what the Psion says. "That makes a lot of sense, Mister Gideon. And I don't like it one bit... I wouldn't put above the other Storm Lords to use a gang for their own dirty purposes." he pauses. "Tomorrow I'm gonna call a meeting with Yorrick Amanatu, tell him about what happened and what your group uncovered. The Grand Expedition will set out the day after, at the break of dawn!" He turns to the half elf. "Kevkas, you're gonna stay here under the protection of the Iron Gate until we're ready to leave, and I won't take a no for an answer." Kevkas gulps down and simply nods. At the conversation between Uthaori and Gideon, Yanlan chimes in. "That's the spirit! Might as well enjoy the nice food and drinks while you can!" He can't help but glance at Nagaw stuffing his mouth and grin. "The jungles won't offer any comforts of the sort!" When Mote mentions the lack of drinking, Yanlan evidently doesn't seem to get the sarcasm. He shudders and has a sad expression in his face. "Aye... that's truly a cursed existence to be sure. I feel for you. But, mayhap deeper into Xen'drik you'll find something that can help with that! There are wondrous treasures to be sure, of all sorts!" Konlar claps his hands twice and brings everyone's attention to him. "Right! When you six are finished with the food, I recommend you all get a good night of sleep since this has been a long day!" He pauses to glances at Mote. "Erm... or whatever is that warforgeds do. In any case, I've taken the liberty of renting rooms for everyone here in Wavecrest for the night. Enjoy yourselves in Stormreach tomorrow, for after that, the mysteries and dangers of Xen'drik awaits us!" ~~~~~~ The information brought by the party caused Konlar to delay the Grand Expedition for one day. Write what your PCs would do with a full free day on their hands in Stormreach, right before you'll set out to a long adventure. Nothing mechanical really, just fluff and flavor as you desire 
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Jan 27, 2016 08:37
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Gideon Gideon spends a good few hours sitting by the coast and meditating on the journey ahead, recalling secret mental disciplines of the old masters, and generally doing the psychic equivalent to kata. This is helped along by a certain quantity of dried mushrooms - who knows, he may not get a chance to commune with the spirit world like this again any time soon. You're all more than welcome to join, and Gideon makes sure to point out that even if you don't do intense spiritual training, the experience is still quite exhilarating. Besides, it's good to bond. Once the evening comes around, though, he definitely wants to spend time with people - hear a few bards play and have a few drinks, though he's aware of his limits. At some point during the day he sits down with each of you and introduces a simple psionic trick to you - the art of talking without words. <It's like regular talking, but you don't move your lips. Just concentrate on me, and we speak to each other in our heads. It gets easier with practice. Talking without others knowing may just save our hide one day. Oh, and don't worry - your private thoughts are still your own.> Gideon has telepathy with a range of 5, and it's two-way. Twice per encounter it even works as a Ranged 20 power. I've never been entirely sure if "two-way communication" means you can actually initiate telepathic talk with a telepath if you're not actually one yourself.
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Jan 27, 2016 21:25
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Adder Hawke From midnight to noon, Adder sleeps. He wakes, rolls around in his small cot for another half hour, then finally wakes up. Considering it's the day before the expedition, he scarfs down as much food as he can, making sure he's well-fed before he has to start worrying about supplies. Bread, meat, sweets - he has a bit of everything, some from Konlar's servants and some from local restaurants and bakeries. He invites any of the other interested party members along, but he's more than happy to eat by himself. At some point he makes it out to Gideon - he mostly grumbles about all that nonsense fancy-talk, but he has to admit it could come in handy. He still tosses the boy a lambshank and tells him to get some more meat on his bones, though. After his food tour is done, he goes home and takes another nap. It's nearly midnight by the time Adder's awake, and he spends the rest of his time practicing his swings. If anyone wants to join him for a spar, they can, but Adder is using live steel. Either way, he practices until the sun comes up.
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Jan 29, 2016 01:47
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Mote For all his complaining about Nagaw's boisterous nature and propensity for drinking, Mote did enjoy people watching. Just not especially when his continued survival may hinge on their reaction time. So Mote spends his free day finding someplace high and out of the way to watch a busy street. He also wanders the market, looking for something cheap and kitschy made by the local artisens to add to his collection, a holdover from when he was a priest of the becoming god, bring something with you from everywhere you go, with each piece you add something to yourself and your experiences. As far as Gideon's experiment with telepathy, Mote's mind is particularly noisy, though his embedded circlet allows him to speak right back.
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Jan 29, 2016 02:20
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Uthaori Uthaori wakes up at first sunlight, still feeling tired after an uncomfortable night of rest. She lumbers off to the washbowl and splashes some water on her face to try and wake herself up. She couldn't complain too much about her bed, they actually had one in her size for once, but having spent most of her life out in the wilderness she much preferred sleeping on the ground under the night sky, or wrapped up in a warm pelt near a campfire during the cold half of the year. Beds were just too drat soft for her liking, it felt as if you were about to sink into some unknown depth the moment you let your guard down to relax. At least the mead had put her soundly asleep before she had a chance to start thrashing back and forth. She steps out onto the street and yawns heavily, only to find that the musty air of the harbor area didn't do anything make her head less groggy. Unsure of what she should get up to she considers taking just a tiny little sneak peek at the jungles of Xen'drik, a short walk in the unspoiled nature would definitely help clear her head. Besides, having a good time in a city usually required some gold in your pockets and she had spent the last of hers on the passage over to Stormreach, so what was the point of hanging around really? She turns south and lets her curiosity carry her out of the city and into the jungle. The atmosphere was vastly different from the forests of the Eldeen Reaches that she was used to, but it was still a large improvement over the crowded city. She doesn't tread far enough into the jungle for it to get really thick, but even so she encounters several plants she's never seen before and hears birdsong she's never heard before. Her drowsiness is soon forgotten and displaced by wonderment as she continues walking a wide circle through the vegetation around Stormreach. About the time when the sun reaches its apex Uthaori finds herself faced with the coastline north of the city, figuring she has explored enough for the day she makes her way down south back to Stormreach. On the way she spots Gideon and sits with him for a while. As she meditates like her druid masters taught her she senses the spirits of the land, finding them as wild and untamed as the continent itself. Then she senses something else... Cooking? Adder shows up and she eventually follows him back into town to grab something to eat. After that she spends the rest of the day walking around and investigating the ancient giant ruins the city is built upon. She turns in for an early night to be ready for the start of the adventure. This time she decides to sleep on the floor instead.
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Jan 29, 2016 19:04
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Airdwyn Airdwyn is sitting on a pile of crates down on the docks, watching the ships and puffing on a pipeful of spiderdust, when Gideon comes to find her. "Gideon! Just who I wanted to have to spend time with today. Why don't you tell me about all the books, I promise to remember any of it." As soon as the words are out of her mouth, Airdwyn breathes a sigh of regret. "Sorry. This backwater craphole has got me bored, and being bored has got me all het up. C'mon, pull up a crate. I guarantee it's as uncomfortable as it looks." When Gideon brings up the subject of telepathy, Airdwyn's eyes narrow. She looks him over, trying to puzzle the man together. She's still not sure if his presence - the presence of a highly powerful psion - is a hazard or a godsend. "Alright, I don't usually do serious, but this is the kind of day it is so let's talk serious for a minute. You know we're going right into the poo poo, right? We're walking right up to the edge of the dream hole your little head buddy crawled out of. It's the jungle, it's under those mountains, it's the whole drat continent. If there was any time to have your mind well guarded, it's here and now. Look, I know you know this. And I know you think you can handle it. But what about everyone else? If you're having us all doing this open mind, open mental communication schtick, that makes inroads for other quori to start worming their way in. I'm here for a beginning, not an end, know what I mean?" ---- After the conversation with Gideon, Airdwyn spends most of the rest of the day taking a walk by herself in the jungle just around the city ourskirts, taking periodic smoke breaks. Before night falls, she makes sure to refill her supply of spiderdust.
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Jan 31, 2016 17:28
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Gideon If Gideon is in any way insulted by Aerdwyn's initial rudeness, it doesn't show - in any case, he accepts the invitation with a smile and listens to her concerns honestly. "Vigilance is always the name of the game. Besides, look at them. You couldn't be more rooted in reality than Nagaw and Adder, and Uthaori has great spiritual strength. Haha! Imagine Nagaw trying to hatch a quori scheme without anyone noticing." Getting more serious, he adds, "If I'm worried about anyone, it's Mote. He's walking close to the edge as it is, and I don't need to tell you that prepares you as well as it's dangerous. Anyway, we might need the edge of silent talking sometime, and I'd rather not explain it in the heat of the moment. But you're right, too - it should be reserved for emergencies, at least until we know more about this place." My Lovely Horse fucked around with this message at 10:20 on Feb 2, 2016 |
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Feb 1, 2016 20:40
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Airdwyn Airdwyn chuckles at Gideon's remark about Nagaw. "If he starts spelling words correctly in that little book of his, we'll know we're in trouble." "Good talk - though, hey, there's one thing I'm curious about. Are you letting the expedition bigwigs in on this little telepathy circle?"
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Feb 1, 2016 22:01
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Gideon "I don't think I will. Konlar pays for our service, not our secrets, we barely met Lady d'Orien and never met this Anzir, and Yanlan... I don't particularly want Yanlan in my head."
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Feb 2, 2016 10:19
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After an relatively uneventful day of preparation, relaxation and telepathic bonding, the group gets some good rest for the important day to come. ~~~~ You wake up right as dawn comes up and have a quick breakfast at the tavern before setting out to the Oldgate district, where the expedition is about to set out. You go through the Marketplace with no problems as there's little movement this time of the day besides the few merchants setting up their stalls, and quickly make your way to the destination. Even though Oldgate is the most isolated from the rest of the city, its in good order, with rubble cleaned up and many buildings sporting fresh coats of paint compared to the rest of Stormreach. It's easy to spot where the caravan is located, with so much movement going on around it, the Iron Gate platoons readying themselves, a lot of curious citizens looking at the expedition, workers loading the final supplies to the armored wagons and miscellaneous personnel setting up their positions on them, including Evelynn d"Orien. You spot Konlar, Kevkas and a very serious looking half orc around a map sitting on a table near one of the biggest wagons,. It looks very luxurious for an expedition deep into the jungle, with a few pieces of it plated in gold, even in the horses equipment. The dwarf glances at the approaching group and calls them over. "There you are! Anzir, this is the expert help I was talking about, the ones that helped out with Kevkas and acquired the information. I hope you had a good night's rest my friends, we all have a long day ahead of us!"  The Master of Supplies glances at you all and gives a curt nod. "...You're right Konlar. They do look capable enough. Might help us out with the supply problem right?" Konlar nods. "We'll get on that in a second. So, after the information you gave us that night, I'm not gonna take any chances. You're all to accompany and guard Kevkas in vanguard duty, with the expedition coming in behind you." He glances at the half-elf, for him to continue. Kevkas looks much better than last time, with his head wound nicely cleaned up and treated, wearing decent snake-skin leather armor and carrying a ornate longbow in the back. "We're gonna scout ahead and make sure everything is safe for the expedition to come through. I'll be setting marks for them to follow, and supplies if we find them. Until we reach Last Chance the jungle is not gonna be so thick and most ruins should be safe, but you never know in Xen'drik. If anything should happen to the caravan, Lady Evelynn will cast a powerful flare spell in the sky and we make haste back." Anzir chimes in. "We've had some issues with supplies some days ago. Some obviously very skilled thieves managed to get off with some of the prepared food for the expedition, mostly dried meat and the sort. I know that the deep jungles of Xen'drik can be bountiful if you're skilled, so if you find any plants bursting with edible fruits or some nice game you hunt on the way, it would be really helpful." Konlar nods once again and looks back the group, smiling. "There you have it. So, any questions before you head off?" I have most of the next update ready, just this little briefing segment in case anyone has last-minute questions. frajaq fucked around with this message at 06:22 on Feb 9, 2016 |
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Feb 9, 2016 06:16
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Gideon Knocking on the gold plate, Gideon slightly furrows his brow. "Is that not a bit... conspicuous? Anyone who would want to target the expedition leaders will know where to find them in an instant... unless, of course, it's a decoy." The rest of the party feels he's more appalled than he lets on. <might as well paint a bullseye on the pimp wagon> My Lovely Horse fucked around with this message at 09:24 on Feb 9, 2016 |
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Feb 9, 2016 09:22
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Uthaori "Running low on supplies already?" Uthaori puts on a cocky grin and folds her arms as she leans up against the shiny wagon. "You're going to be happy you brought me along then. I've spent my whole life living off what the land can offer, and in way more barren terrain than this too. Finding food should be a piece of cake." She throws a pondering glance up at the sky. "It'll be my first time foraging under the skies of Xen'Drik though, the plants are different here. Should be interesting." After letting her eyes linger on the sky a bit longer she takes a couple of steps away from the wagon and nods at Konlar. "Ready to go when you are." Nature Weather Check: 1d20+14 21 Does it look like the weather will change anytime soon?
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Feb 9, 2016 21:10
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Mote Mote scoffs at the gold barding on the horses. "The human has the right of it. Moving gold through a jungle just attracts attention. Attention you don't want, particularly from the Sulatar."
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Feb 9, 2016 22:58
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Konlar crosses his arms and makes a face close to indignation at Gideon's and Mote's comments. "Bah! Like a true scion of House Kundarak would travel to such a great undertaking in a common wagon! Let them know who the Master of the Grand Expedition is!" he pauses. "Besides, I have your group to scout ahead, don't it? And we'll be staying far away from Sulatar territory, according to the plan." Anzir lets out a sigh of relief at Uthaori's resourcefulness. "That's really good to hear. Any help on that front would be appreciated!" As the goliath looks to the horizon over the jungle, the day looks clear enough. You reckon there will be a short but intense rain after some time after noon, something usual considering the climate and environment. You know that right after the rain it will be the best time to hunt for some game, if you so desire.
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Feb 10, 2016 07:01
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Adder Hawke "I can scavenge a bit, too. My eyes are lower to the ground, n' all. Not to mention it's in the blood," Adder shrugs. He spent his formative years scrounging up berries in the forest - he wouldn't go back to it, but it can still come in handy on occasion. Though he does glance over at Konlar. "Let the drows know who they can kidnap, you mean? Guess that's sporting of you. Even if we're staying away from their territory, I got a five piece that says we'll have at least a couple of run-ins. S'not like they drew a line in the sand and promised never to cross it."
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Feb 10, 2016 16:23
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Airdwyn When Konlar makes his comment about making himself known, Airdwyn turns slightly away so he can't see her roll her eyes. That rules him out of being one of the useful Kundaraks. Most would know when and how to keep a low profile; from her time in the Mror Holds, Airdwyn remembers Kundarak guards being great at keeping watch unseen, from the shadows. Konlar clearly isn't one of that branch with his attitude, so who is he? Just a banker? Airdwyn racks her brain, trying to recall Kundarak visits to Gatherhold and Kundarak dealings in Mror. Did the name Konlar ever come up? Did she ever meet him? She briefly finds herself wishing she'd paid more attention as a kid, but quickly corrects herself. It wasn't that she didn't pay enough attention, it's that House politics were and are so boring. A boring subject about boring people for boring people. It's a good thing they aren't expecting Airdwyn to spend much time with them. Scouting ahead suits her much better. Speaking of that giant golden monstrosity of a wagon, though... "The thieves will probably follow us - well, you - for a ways. Not like there's much else to steal in this town, y'know? Besides, a caravan of this...girth...will leave a pretty easy to follow trail behind it. History to try and remember if I might have known in the past who the hell Konlar is: 1d20+4 = 19
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Feb 10, 2016 22:15
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Anzir lets out a smile for Adder. "Excellent, excellent. It would be a drat shame if a setback happened to the expedition because of this of all things!" Airdwyn concentrates and calls on her memory. At some Mror meetings, when your mind wandered off about the really boring stuff you recall overhearing some of the Kundaraks complaining about the risky decisions one of them was making. You're pretty sure you heard Xen'drik and Stormreach being mentioned alongside him. Apparently he was the only banker willing to finance some of the riskier propositions in Stormreach, like dream serpent's pearl trading and a few deep expeditions. He nearly ruined himself on a few trading deals ended up disastrous,, but brought himself back together after one of his expeditions found a underground ruin with an impressive amount of Siberys dragonshards. The fact that he was involved in the negotiation and construction of their enclave in Stormreach also explains his current influence. Konlar starts to get annoyed as Adder and Airdwyn also pile on in criticizing his questionable ideas. "We'll deal with that when it happens, understood? How about starting on the task at hand if you're so drat worried about what we'll find on the route??" He quickly glances at Kevkas and nods at him. The half elf is almost startled by his expression, and looks at the party to avoid the gaze. "R-right...Well, let's get started. We'll have a pretty long day ahead of us!" With all said and done, the group follows Kevkas's lead as they leave the almost-ready Grand Expedition (and a kinda pissed off Konlar) behind, and delve into the jungles of Xen'drik... ~~~~~~~~  The smell of pure nature is almost overpowering to ones in the group not used to it, but otherwise the first three hours of this vanguard missions are peaceful. On the way you spotted tiny outcasts settlements in a few clearings in the middle of the trees now and then, although it's obvious they'll keep to themselves and wouldn't try to do anything against an expedition that size, Kevkas carves a few warning signs anyway. As the day gets hotter you briefly rest under the shadow of a gigantic tree, with Kevkas climbing it to bring down something that look similar to wild mangoes and shares it with the group, while he opens his map to check the current route. He focuses a lot on it while eating. "Hmm... should be around here, I think." he says, mostly to himself. He then looks at the group. "I faintly remember... from a expedition I accompanied a long time ago some garden ruins being nearby. I never took a close look at it, and it's not in the way of the route the expedition. But I would like it to be sure and check it out nonetheless. Just to be safe." The half elf guide manages finds a long forgotten path, hidden by the nature overtaking it, and he knows he's in the right track. The group spots signs of ancient architecture now and then as you tread along the path. Eventually you find yourselves in front of a small lake surrounded by pretty waterfalls. The most striking feature being the floating rock with a single mysterious tree on top of it, and a tiny island below it. The tree looks ripe with some kind of fruit, close to the shape of pears, but with a vivid teal color.  As you walk closer you spot some kind of ornate ritual table near the edge of the lake, towards the tree, with some primitive looking tools above it. Near this ritual table are eight big rustic tapestries on the ground, all pointed towards it. Kevkas smiles at the sight. "Would you look at that! The beauty you can find on this continent sometimes..." frajaq fucked around with this message at 05:41 on Feb 12, 2016 |
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Feb 12, 2016 05:38
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