DM Kathy Thursday June 12th, 2014 10:35:41 PM
First, old business. Everyone take 1,000 XP for the final scene. Also, for the battle against the plants, I'm awarding Hero Points to Zero and Ragnarök for rushing in where angels fear to tread; and to Faust for fighting his way out of not one, but two oversized and voracious vegetables.
Now, onward.
You spend a few days at the Trading Post. Ragnarök is able to make some good progress with the defenses. Faust disappears for several days, and returns with a brand-new headband.
After a few days, Pen calls you into his office. When you arrive, Diaosha is already there. Most of you know Diaosha, the wife of Bast the brewer. Bast is something of a brewing genius, but Diaosha is the brains of the outfit. She watches you anxiously as you come in.
"I've been thinking about your proposed journey," Pen says. "I'd been thinking initially that the Floating City would be the best place to go. That's where those scholars came from, and of course there's a Catacombs entrance there. But then Diaosha came to see me..." he turns to her. "Well, why don't you tell it?"
"Bast is getting quite a good reputation," Diaosha says. "Both here and in Wardd's Freehold. But we're brewing more beer and ale than we can sell here, and we could easily brew more. I'd like to take a trip to Plateau City to try to find new trading partners for us. I--" she looks anxiously at you again. "I was hoping you'd consent to accompany me there. It's a rather dangerous journey, and Bast doesn't want me going alone. I know you'd probably planned on going to the Floating City but--but, really Plateau City would be almost as good. There's a Catacombs entrance there, too, and all kinds of guilds and societies that might know something about this D.A.R.E. group. Would you be willing to accompany me?"
Jeff L Zero HP 75/75, AC 18 (T12/FF16), CMD 27, SCENT Friday June 13th, 2014 5:50:56 PM
"I'm sure you'll find that the market demand for beer will increase now that I'm in your city." Zero joked with a hacking chuckle. When nobody joined in on his laugh he stopped and became more serious.
"I can't speak for the group, but I'd accompany you there. What route you thinkin?"
Zero listened with obvious interest. He was eager to get back on the road.
Yeshua (Ken) AC 20 Truman AC 20 Joint hp pool 96/96 Friday June 13th, 2014 10:04:19 PM
Yeshua says with reluctance, "Yes, I'll join you too... I've never been there, and as my friend asked, which way did you have in mind?" At the thought of danger, he does get excited, as that means some good hunting for Truman...
(Pedro) Faust Havler Tavir'e AC (17)/13/(14) -- CMD 14 -- HP 42/42 // Wolfgang AC 18/16/15 -- CMD 13 -- HP 21/21 Sunday June 15th, 2014 12:58:24 AM "D.A.R.E. is definitely a worry; however, I believe that the lead in the Float will still be there later on if it hasn't vanished already. And who knows? The professors might already be looking into it, don't think the university would like people waving fake doctorates around and bringing them a bad name."
"So maybe going now might end up with us waiting around for bureaucratic bureaucracy bureaucratizing any investigation.", says Faust, making a point to show that he's not quite found of formal academic structure.
"And besides...this is a trading post, after all, business contacts might give us much needed spotlight and even help on monetary and resources departments, which will undoubtedly aid against D.A.R.E., even if indirectly."
(StevenVdB) Ragnarök HP 51/51 - AC22/21/16 / +4 vs AoO - CMD 29/31 vs Grapple Sunday June 15th, 2014 5:54:24 PM
Rag nods and says: "You make some good argments Faust... as much as I fear to leave this place I think it would perhaps be the wisest thing to do. So Miss Diaosha, I would be happy to accompany you to Plateau City."
As usual the Monk doesn't need much to prepare for the journey... He's out of Mage Armor potions so that's not that good... he had hoped to visit the Catacombs to get some supplies. This Jungle prooved to be far more dangerous than he had anticipated. The journey to Plateau City won't be a walk in the park either but he'll have to do without the magical liquid for some time...
(Sean) Toregan Dondarin w/ Velox AC 20/16/14 -- CMD 23 -- HP 51/51 (Haste) Sunday June 15th, 2014 8:03:56 PM
"I see your points Faust. Well, its not like we had actually cemented any plans yet anyways."
Turning to Diaosha, Toregan smiles and bows slightly. "We'd be happy to help you get to Plateau City, Diaosha. Anything to help you and Bast."
DM Kathy Sunday June 15th, 2014 9:32:42 PM Faust points out that any leads in the Floating City will probably keep, and anyway it's possible the scholars are already working on the problem from that end. The rest of you agree, and tell Diaosha you will accompany her.
Yeshua asks which route Diaosha has in mind. "I think it would be easist to cross the Dragon Bay by ship," she replies. "I've been speaking with some of the merchants that come through here, and trading ships are beginning to stop on the coast below. I think the most likely place to find a ship will be a place called Crystal Beach."
[DM note: Jerry and I have been working on the official Cthonia map. The town in question may be called Crystal Beach, or it may end up being called something else. For now, we'll be calling it Crystal Beach. I'll let you know if it changes.]
"The journey isn't very far, but it's still likely to be dangrous. The merchants warned of lizardfolk and kobolds who attack travelers. And of course there are dinosaurs."
"I'd like to leave the day after tomorrow, if that gives everyone enough time to prepare," she concludes.
Jeff L Zero HP 75/75, AC 18 (T12/FF16), CMD 27, SCENT Monday June 16th, 2014 6:49:16 PM
Zero smiled when he learned that they would be travelling by ship. It had been a long time since he had swam in the open sea. And ocean drafts made for excellent flying.
"Lizardfolk, Kobolds and Dinosaurs... We will be ready" Zero proclaimed.
(StevenVdB) Ragnarök HP 51/51 - AC22/21/16 / +4 vs AoO - CMD 29/31 vs Grapple Monday June 16th, 2014 6:59:46 PM "Crystal Beach... sounds wonderful..." Rag muses.
As the time for their departure is set, Rag makes some last efforts on the pallisades and meditation. He loves the hard work under the blistering sun and when morning of their departure breaks he gathers his backpack (with little in it), fills some water bags and then walks out to see where Pen is and to join Diaosha...
Yeshua (Ken) AC 20 Truman AC 20 Joint hp pool 96/96 Monday June 16th, 2014 9:01:47 PM
Yeshua's not fond of a sea journey, but he too is excited at the thought of lizardfolk, kobolds and dinosaurs... Truman licks his chops, as he likes the taste of dinosaur steaks... They help the others repair and work around the trade stop, keeping busy to avoid boredom...
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