DM Kathy Monday June 24th, 2019 11:30:27 PM
[Everybody take 62,000 XP for the previous scene.]
Tahni reckons the diamond is worth around 2,000 gold. Rill dismisses that as chump change, but you never know when you'll need to bribe a chump, so the group decides to bring it along.
You also decide to destroy and scatter the parts of the housing, although Jozhur could tell you there's nothing really special about it. This device was magical, not mechanical. Still, it can't hurt to be careful.
More than ready to leave the Mire behind, you gather together and speak the command word. The swampy world around you seems to dissolve, and everything gets very cold.
You blink, and you are standing in a field. There is frost and snow on the ground, and whatever was growing here has long since been harvested. A few stray stalks indicate it was some kind of grain. Your breath puffs white when you exhale.
Anyone with Divine spellcasting abilities notices that they no longer have a connection with their god or power. That comforting presence that's been with you since you cast your first orison is gone now. It's an odd feeling. You're pretty sure you can still cast spells, but you don't think you can replenish spells until the connection is restored.
Looking around, you see other fields and fences. There's a line of trees off in the distance. And, directly ahead, something that looks like a road--though you'd need to get closer to know for sure. It's a crisp, clear winter day. Well, clear-ish. A faint pall of smoke lingers in the air, though at the moment you cannot see a source.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision d20+30=37 ; Tuesday June 25th, 2019 12:28:35 AM
Tahni checks over her active spells to see if they are all still there or whether they have been dispelled by this strange place.
Here's hoping her Roses Temperature Control spell is still functioning to keep her warm.
She looks about the frost and snow for any signs of footprints - animal or humanoid.
Perception: 37
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Tuesday June 25th, 2019 11:42:19 AM
Rill touches his holy symbol. "The connection I have to Gargul has been severed here, which is something I have never encountered before. So wherever or whenever we are, it may be that Gargul as no influence here. So let's not die here, because who knows where our souls will wind up.
"I suppose whomever or whatever we encounter here may be fearful of us as alien invaders.
"The Water Walk spell still operating should make you able to walk on this snow if it becomes deep. Also, my 10' Circle Against Evil should still be working. I'll see if I can sense any constructs or outsiders nearby."
Rill casts Detect Magic to ensure his spells are still operating. He will use his Sense Outsider and Sense Construct abilities as we walk. Also, if we do encounter anyone, Rill will use Deathwatch to see if they are undead and share that info with the others.
--------------------------- Sense Outsider - Sense direction and distance to any outsider, fey, demon, devil, or elemental within 1,080 ft., even through solid objects. Sense Construct - Sense direction and distance to any any construct, animated object, or golem within 1,080 ft., even through solid objects.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Tuesday June 25th, 2019 6:37:16 PM
Bralin involuntarily snorts at "let's not die here, and quickly strives to regain his decorum.
He patiently waits for Rill's detection spells, and then glances toward the road.
"Jozhur?"
The dwarf will follow if Jozhur heads that way.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Tuesday June 25th, 2019 7:27:28 PM "I also feel no connection to Aemi. We are far from home here." It's been a long time since Fang had to rely solely on her strength and skill. Sure she always uses how own body, but often with the blessing of her god. She relishes the challenge of doing things without divine blessings even as she pangs for the long-familiar connection.
DM Kathy Tuesday June 25th, 2019 11:47:39 PM Tahni checks on her active spells, and they are still active.
Rill is likewise able to confirm that all spells that should be in place, are in place. He warns his companions not to die, which Bralin finds amusing.
Fang reports on her lost connection, and looks forward to just using strength and skill, which you are welcome to do. However, you're pretty sure you can still cast spells; you just can't pray for new ones.
Standing in an icy field is all very well, but it's cold and you're anxious to get moving. Especially those of you whose feet are still wet from the swamp. You head toward the road. Thin layers of ice crunch under your feet as you cross the field. You scramble over a low fence, and you are standing on the dirt road, which extends right to left. There are numerous ruts and tracks on the road; it would be impossible to pick out any one set of tracks from the muddle.
Perception or Survival DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {The smoke seems a little thicker that way--to your right.}
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) d20+17=33 ; Wednesday June 26th, 2019 12:26:54 AM
While it's quieter without the ancestral spirits chattering in his head, he still prefers to have the guidance. Still, he survived without it once, he'll do it again.
He looks up and down the road, and points out the extra thick smoke that's off to the right.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Wednesday June 26th, 2019 6:33:08 AM "Thicker smoke likely means more people" Tahni rationalises "or an out of control fire. Let's hope for the first"
Tahni looks for Jozhur to take the lead as a scout. He is clearly the best of the group at the job.
----------- Perception vs DC20: Autopass
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 d20+22=23 ; Wednesday June 26th, 2019 9:25:10 AM
(note to self - don't wait till 2.30 a.m. to start making your post... you fail to hit submit button then... )
Survival 23 - not sure why but this roll was still in the die roll line... oh well. Natural 1 then :-)
Winter time... Aex's favorite time of year. The biting cold makes you feel very much alive. Aex is oblivious to Tahni's info about the thicker smoke. She doesn't notice the difference...
"Lead the way my friend... "
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp d20+4=20 ; d20+4=22 ; d20+4=19 ; d20+27=32 ; d20+35=44 ; Wednesday June 26th, 2019 6:44:22 PM
Jozhur nods to Tahni and starts trudging ahead in the snow, building a gap between himself and the others. It's times like this he is thankful for his "magical underwear of comfortable temperatures". The rogue can move ahead stealthily without hindering the groups speed.
----------------------------------------- Survival check passed, not sure what happened to the die roller. Perception while scouting ahead: 32 Stealth: 44
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) d20+13=28 ; Wednesday June 26th, 2019 6:50:35 PM
[Perception 28]
Bralin takes in the road, noting the smoke.
He turns and follows Jozhur, allowing the man to pace ahead.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Wednesday June 26th, 2019 7:43:05 PM
Fang doesn't have any active anti-cold weather spells, but she came prepared and pulls out a thick fur coat to go over her regular fur coat out of her bag. "I brought gear for cold and warm weather, as well as some nice hot drinks we can prepare if we end up staying here long enough for a meal."
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Wednesday June 26th, 2019 7:49:23 PM
Rill proceeds with the others. He checks on their status through the Dragon ring he wears to make sure none of us are being adversely affected by the cold. He also uses his abilities to scan for outsiders and constructs.
DM Kathy Wednesday June 26th, 2019 11:44:30 PM Terser and Tahni notice the smoke is thicker in one direction, and Tahni reasons that's probably where the people are. Or the raging fire. Either way, it's probably more interesting down that way.
Fang pulls out a warm coat and puts it on. Rill keeps a careful watch over his companions. None of them seem adversely affected by the cold.
Aexana invites Jozhur to lead the way, which he does. Bralin and the others fall in behind him.
Depending on your view of cold, clear winter days, the walk is somewhere between tolerable and pleasant. The road is good, and leads between fenced fields, so you have good visibility of the area around you. You see the occasional farmhouse, none really close to the road. Smoke pours from their chimneys.
After about 15 minutes' walk, you get to a milestone. At least, you assume it's a milestone. It's an obviously worked stone, set close to the road, with symbols carved on it. And you can't read it. Even those of you with magic in place that lets you understand other languages can't read it. You don't recognize any of the symbols, not even numerals. If there are even numerals there.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Thursday June 27th, 2019 12:37:49 AM
Terser is in the pleasant frame of mind for the walk. It'd be nice if the end of the cosmos wasn't in the works. Not knowing many languages, he's not too concerned about being unable to translate the stone.
Hopefully we find a spot for a nice hot beverage soon.
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 d20+12=29 ; d20+38=43 ; Thursday June 27th, 2019 1:08:43 PM
Rill looks at the symbols carved in the stone. It doesn't seem to be a language he understands.
"Huh. Anyone know what this says?"
He will cast Detect Magic on the stone. Assuming it is not magical, he will reach out and touch the stone and the carving in it.
He looks around for any meaningful tracks or such. (Survival 29, Perception 43.)
He also uses his abilities to scan for outsiders and constructs within 1,080 feet, and will share the outcome.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 d20+22=25 ; d20+18=19 ; Thursday June 27th, 2019 5:16:00 PM
With the odd sign on the milestone, no connection to the Gods of the Wold, Aex wonders where this place actually is... She looks at the sky to see where the sun stands. Those farmhouses... anything about their style of construction? Different regions in the Wold have different masonry styles so perhaps it can give us a clue. (survival 25 / know nature 19 - nat 1)
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Thursday June 27th, 2019 6:41:39 PM
Bralin shakes his head in response to Rill's query.
"This must be one of those other worlds Gimp spoke of," he surmises. "Interesting."
The dwarf continues down the road.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Thursday June 27th, 2019 7:24:49 PM
Tahni tries to get a hunch as to what the symbols mean.
Linguistics: 16 + Take 10 = 26
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Thursday June 27th, 2019 7:31:06 PM
Fang glances at it. "If it's not common and not pictures then no. Doesn't really matter, we know we're heading towards that smoke so unless it says "beware of monster" it doesn't do us much good."
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp d20+13=15 ; d20+13=25 ; Thursday June 27th, 2019 10:35:19 PM
Jozhur eyes the stone, "Interesting". He quickly tries to make sense of it, but it would likely take considerable time to decode the completely foreign writing, if he could even do it at all. "Fang is right, best keep moving."
Linguistics: 15
DM Kathy Thursday June 27th, 2019 11:53:12 PM Rill detects no magic on the milestone. You still do not sense any outsiders or constructs, and you don't see anything noteworthy. You touch the carving, and it seems like ordinary carving. It's cold, of course, because it's stone and the ground is frozen.
Tahni studies the carvings to try to assess a meaning, assisted by Jozhur. There just isn't enough here to go on. It probably says something along the line of "Name of Town some number." It may or may not say "miles" or however they measure distance here. If you had more text to work with....maybe. But you can't get anything at the moment.
Aexana realizes that you are on another world altogether, and any number of things could be very different. You try to figure out something of the world around you. Based on the position of the sun--and the way it's been moving--you tentatively decide that your group is traveling roughly northeast. The design of the farmhouses strikes your eye as very modern, unusually modern for farmhouses.
Terser, Bralin, and Fang don't recognize the writing, and don't let it bother them very much. Gimp had said you'd be visiting some very different places, and this seems to be one of them.
You keep moving. Another 15 minutes' walk brings you to the outskirts of a good-sized town. You see more of the very modern style houses, with their pitched slate roofs and precise, even lines. You see a lot more smoke curling into the sky. A lot of the smoke looks black, rather than the softer gray of woodsmoke. It doesn't smell much like woodsmoke, either. It's....stinkier.
Soon, you start to see people. And the people here are dressed very differently from anyone you've ever seen. None of them are wearing armor, and you see no weapons. The women are wearing very full skirts with cinched-in waists; the men wear trousers and long coats.
As you move through the cobbled streets, you go from an area of mostly houses, to one that seems to have shops and other businesses. Most of them have some kind of sign out front--and you can't read any of them. You are getting a lot of stares.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Friday June 28th, 2019 6:08:18 AM "We're drawing a lot of attention." Tahni says over the ring to the others "This might be a good time to try and blend in. If everyone is game, I've an idea"
She looks about for some sort of alley - or what looks like an alley equivalent in this place. Basically somewhere away from too many prying eyes.
Once safely out of sight, Tahni uses her arcane bond to cast a Seeming spell. Her intent is to dress the party up in clothing that looks like it would fit in here. Something the party could use to blend in to the crowd and move about freely.
"Now, this is just for appearances. Everything still works and feels the same"
Fang doesn't seem the sort that would wear fancy up-tight skirts though, so Tahni tries to very tactfully offer a suggestion "Uh, if full skirts don't suit I could make you appear, uh, to be a man? This is only for appearances though. Whichever you'd prefer"
------------------------ Seeming: As Disguise Self: "You make yourself—including clothing, armor, weapons, and equipment—look different. You can seem 1 foot shorter or taller, thin, fat, or in between. You cannot change your creature type (although you can appear as another subtype). Otherwise, the extent of the apparent change is up to you. You could add or obscure a minor feature or look like an entirely different person or gender."
Duration: 12hrs Targets: 7 people. The entire party
Tahni will: - Make it appear as though everyone is wearing similar clothes to the people she can see - Make any obvious weapons appear as canes / walking sticks. Smaller ones, like knives, will just have to blend in with the clothing. - If she can only see humans about, she will make everyone in the party appear to be human - If anyone prefers, Tahni can make them appear to be a different gender
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Friday June 28th, 2019 2:02:04 PM
Aex was planning to shapechange but she likes Tahni's solution. Her effort to bring the message carefully to Fang is definetely adorable...
"Strange place this is... "
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Friday June 28th, 2019 6:29:29 PM
Fang blinks at Tahni, obviously confused. "Why would you think...?" she mutters as she rubs her chin in thought. After a long minute or two she makes a soft noise of realization and gives Tahni a hurt look. "Did you not listen to the speech I just gave in the Giggling Ghost? I was in a dress and everything. I mean it's not like it's practical to go swinging a battleaxe around in a dress, but I like dressing up as much as the next person."
She seems more disappointed that no one listened to her speech then in the implication she wouldn't like dresses. She worked hard on the speech dang it! Planned it for months, the entire time she was looking for the Black Lions to become a dragon.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Friday June 28th, 2019 10:07:34 PM
Jozhur lays a hand in Fang's shoulder, "Friend, it may take more than a dress to make you fit in here. ". He glances about, is everyone a human? He also listens closely to the bustle to see if the language is familiar.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Saturday June 29th, 2019 10:25:11 AM
Bralin's thoughts mirror Jozhur's. If everyone they see is human, Tahni will need to take that into account.
Which is not the biggest challenge.
This next artifact could prove difficult to locate, he observes.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Sunday June 30th, 2019 5:55:00 PM
Aex eyeballs Jozhur... the guy's right... and I bet they've never seen a Gnome either... oopsie...
"Euhm.... how about Gnomes? They have Gnomes here?? Maybe it would be better if I just shapechange into a dog or something?!? They do know dogs here right??"
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Sunday June 30th, 2019 7:32:00 PM Smart thinking Tahni.
Fang, I must say you looked quite lovely in that dress at the Giggling Ghost. Perhaps because of your size you will appear to be a child here, though the spell can make you appear a bit taller.
Rill will wait until Tahni can cast her spell. Then he will proceed with the others toward the smoke with polite nods to these foreign (to us) onlookers.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Sunday June 30th, 2019 7:54:22 PM
OOC: For those wondering: "You cannot change your creature type (although you can appear as another subtype)." and "If she can only see humans about, she will make everyone in the party appear to be human"
Aex and Fang might need to be made to appear as children however given their size
DM Kathy Sunday June 30th, 2019 10:58:04 PM
Seeing that you're attracting a lot of attention, Tahni decides to try a new spell. You are able to find a quiet lane in which to cast it.
As you moved through the town, you saw a couple of elves and a dwarf. So they have those here. You didn't see any halflings or gnomes that you noticed, but in a crowd it can be difficult to tell them apart from human children.
You also recall that the spell alters people's appearance; it doesn't do anything with sound. So people wearing armor will still clank a bit, even if it looks like they're wearing street clothes. And you can make men look like women and vice versa, but you can't make anybody sound like the opposite sex. You can make Aex and Fang look taller, but their voices will seem to come from their belly buttons, which is just strange.
In the end, you make everybody look more or less like they do in the Wold, except Aex and Fang, who now look like human children. And, of course, everybody is dressed the way the locals are dressed.
Jozhur listens for languages that sound familiar, but doesn't hear any. [I think. What languages do you speak? I wasn't able to find it on your character sheet.]
Bralin remarks that the next device may be difficult to find. He has a point. You can't track the Tinker over cobbled streets and so far, you can't ask anyone if they've seen him.
You emerge from the lane and continue through the crowd, now drawing considerably less attention. Less than a minute after Tahni casts her spell, you emerge into a crowded square, the kind of place that often hosts a market. There is no market here. Instead, there is some kind of....contraption.
Based on the actions of the locals, this probably isn't the Tinker's device, which is good, because the thing is huge. And now you can see that there are people walking around on it. And there are people walking up a sort of gangplank to board it. It does look like a ship, but there's no water around. Maybe it flies?
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Monday July 1st, 2019 8:44:57 AM "If it does fly it would give us a good view of the town. We'd be able to scout it out quickly and get a good map of the place. If luck is on our side we might even see the device"
Tahni tries to get a good mental picture of this vehicle. It might be possible to use some of these designs to uplift the Lionfish.
"All aboard?"
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 d20+38=43 ; d20+32=33 ; Monday July 1st, 2019 10:48:50 AM Well, a ride through the air might be fun. And informative.
Rill wonders if magic is even used here. He casts (unless the spell is still running) Detect Magic. Are there any magical aura beside ours? He keeps a sharp eye out (Perception 43) for any spell casters or the normal casting accouterments (component pouch, holy symbol, etc.)
He will walk up the gang plank onto the strange balloon ship, ready to reach for his purse if he is asked for a fare of some sort. While he cannot speak the language, he is accustomed to reading body language (Sense Motive 33) - does someone object to our boarding? Are they hostile? If Rill offers some coin, it the right amount?
He also uses his Deathwatch ability to sense badly injured or undead people.
---------------------------- Deathwatch - Range 30'. You instantly know whether each creature within the area is dead, fragile (alive and wounded, with 3 or fewer hit points left), fighting off death (alive with 4 or more hit points), healthy, undead, or neither alive nor dead (such as a construct). Deathwatch sees through any spell or ability that allows creatures to feign death.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Monday July 1st, 2019 6:08:27 PM
Climb aboard a strange flying machine? Sure what could go wrong. Jozhur keeps his thoughts to himself and follows the others while looking for some writing in hopes of figuring out what languages are used here.
------------------------ ooc to DM: Oops, missed that when I converted my character sheet. Jozhur speaks common, halfling, orc, dwarven, elven, undercommon, tauren, and aquan.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Monday July 1st, 2019 6:32:41 PM
Fang looks around inquisitively at the various folks around them, wondering what strange tongue they speak. Her hide armor doesn't make any noise, but the rhythmic slap of her axe against her legs as she walks probably sounds odd since it's hidden by the illusion. Upon seeing the strange contraption she tilts her head curiously. Walking up to whoever looks like they might know, she tugs on their clothing and asks what it is. It's only afterwards that she realizes that this would probably blow their cover and she probably wouldn't understand the answer anyway. She resists the urge to facepalm and instead tries to look like a curious child.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Monday July 1st, 2019 6:43:25 PM
Bralin regards the contraption dubiously.
Bralin regards those companions favoring getting on board the contraption even more dubiously.
Nonetheless, with an exaggerated sigh, he follows Rill.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Monday July 1st, 2019 7:05:19 PM
Aex is no fan in climbing some flying thing that is not flying through magic... Instead she falls slightly behind and when no one keeps an eye on her she changes into an eagle shape.
DM Kathy Monday July 1st, 2019 11:18:30 PM
Seeing people boarding the airship, Tahni, Rill, and Jozhur think it sounds like a fine idea. Bralin thinks they're nuts. Aexana is also unsure about it, and discretely shapeshifts into an eagle.
From what I can tell, that doesn't actually cancel or negate the Seeming spell. So, where before Aexana was a gnome magicked to look like a human child, now she is an eagle magicked to look like a human child. Which is going to get weird when she starts flying.
Fang tugs on a woman's jacket and asks about the airship. The woman doesn't understand. She frowns and moves away, shooting a glare at Tahni whom she seems to think is in charge of this unruly child.
Rill does some subtle divining, and sees no magic auras that do not belong to the party.
You move closer to the airship. Now you can see that people boarding are first showing pieces of paper to a man standing at the foot of the gangplank. You tentatively decide he is wearing some kind of uniform. He looks at the papers, nods, and motions people to board. Sometimes he points as if giving directions. Many of the people boarding are carrying bags of some kind.
Now you are very close to the airship, and you see a small structure near it. It's like a little hut with a large open window at the front. Inside is a grizzled human man, wearing a uniform similar to the man by the gangplank. He looks bored.
Your eye is caught by a colorful poster plastered to the side of the hut. On it is a colorful drawing of an airship, much like the one you're looking at. Next to it are lines of text.
And to anybody who can read Goblin (Tahni for sure, and Rill with his Tongues spell, and there may be others) can read one of the lines of text. It says "Do fly with us!" The syntax is weird ("do fly?"), but it is quite understandable. [And I assume this information is shared over the link.]
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Tuesday July 2nd, 2019 12:06:03 AM Goblin, you say? Strange that we don't see any around. Are Goblins known for their innovations in air travel?
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision d20+16=18 ; Tuesday July 2nd, 2019 8:36:50 AM
Tahni smiles sheepishly to the woman, trying to appear apologetic for her runaway 'child'.
"I think we're going to need one of those papers. Looks like that guy there might be the one who can get us on board. I think we should have a word with him." Tahni looks over the party. The disguises seem to be holding up well but if someone tries to talk it might blow things.
She makes her way over to the hut and gives one of her best smiles.
"Hi. Can you help us? We've just come into town and we'd like to go aboard please." she says in goblin as clearly as she can. Tahni intentionally keeps it brief. If the syntax on the poster is weird it's possible the spoken word is too.
------------------- Linguistics check: 18. To try and get the syntax correct
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Tuesday July 2nd, 2019 1:50:59 PM
Rill awaits the outcome of Tahni's inquiry.
No undead, outsiders or constructs in the vicinity?
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Tuesday July 2nd, 2019 5:35:34 PM
(I'm sure Aex can choose to let go of the seeming spell to benefit from the shape changing no? - if not Aex will board the ship with the others.)
If Aex manages to change into a respectable bird she'll observe the ship from afar. But Leafy will be a whole different story to get on board... if someone touches him it'll be weird if his branches are poking out...
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp d20+27=32 ; Tuesday July 2nd, 2019 6:44:07 PM
Jozhur raises an eyebrow. Goblin? He speaks many languages, but that isn't one of them.
If the people speak goblin, there must be goblins around somewhere. All the more reason to be on his toes. If the others board the flying thing, Jozhur will follow. As Tahni speaks to the man in the booth, Jozhur looks for something resembling the papers people are showing the man at the gangplank. (Perception: 32)
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Tuesday July 2nd, 2019 7:00:42 PM
Bralin is not making any assumptions, about goblins or anything else.
The dwarf stands wordlessly, awaiting the result of Tahni's query.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Tuesday July 2nd, 2019 7:15:05 PM
Fang sticks her hands in her pockets and resolves to just follow along quietly until she knows what's going on. Or until it's obvious someone needs their head cut off. Or something else healed up.
DM Kathy Tuesday July 2nd, 2019 10:35:18 PM Rill is still scanning, but senses no outsiders, constructs, or undead within range.
Aexana can indeed shape-shift into an eagle with no problem. However, the Seeming spell will still be in place, so she will still look like a human child. She can fly, in which case she will look like a human child flying by flapping her little arms. That will probably attract attention.
Terser wonders whether goblins are known for air travel, and Jozhur takes the language as a sign to be cautious. Bralin makes no assumptions, and Fang just tries to go unnoticed.
Tahni approaches the ticket booth and speaks to the clerk. He frowns, clearly not understanding. He asks a question. He asks it again, slower and louder. Then he sighs, turns, and pulls out a small leather-covered book. He flips through a couple of pages, puts his finger on a particular passage, and asks a different question. When it's clear you don't understand, he flips more pages and tries again. You still don't understand. Flip, flip, then, "To where you wish to travel?"
His accent is appalling, but the question is clear enough. The problem is, you aren't sure of the answer.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 d20+22=38 ; Wednesday July 3rd, 2019 5:15:43 AM
(ROFL... Ok Aex won't shapechange then :-) )
Aex in human child disguise tags along. As she's the child, it's quite normal the 'elders' will make sure the party gets on board. Being a child with little manners it's not that unusual that she casually examines everything around her... until one of the elders grabs her by the ears of course to pull her close.
(perception 38)
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Wednesday July 3rd, 2019 5:55:18 AM "Anywhere will be fine. We just want to try flying"Hopefully Tahni is able to make herself understood. If not, she will glance at the little book to see if there is a way she can translate.
"Sooo... if this place doesn't rely on gold coins we may have a little financial problem. I'm not sure how we're going to pay for these tickets. Let's all hope they're free. If not, some of the 'children' might have to break free and we 'parents' can give chase up the ramp"
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 d20+12=24 ; d20+32=48 ; Wednesday July 3rd, 2019 12:26:25 PM
Rill will step up with Tahni and try to help. Since his Tongues ability worked somewhat, and since there is a language this person just used that is close, maybe it will help.
"Kind sir. We are new to this place and we are most impressed by your ship. We wished to do some sightseeing in that general direction," Rill points in the direction of the smoke, the direction we were headed. [/b]"What destination would you suggest for us in that direction? Can you please help us?"[/b]
Rill adopts a respectful, submissive attitude with this man. He has found that sometimes the more lost or confused you seem the more people are willing to help. He uses his Diplomacy skill (24) to help with his conversation, and Sense Motive (48) to better understand what the man is trying to communicate to us.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Wednesday July 3rd, 2019 7:28:13 PM As sight seers, we enjoy seeing all things strange and wondrous and new. Is there anything like that we can see, or maybe a tour?
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Wednesday July 3rd, 2019 7:35:25 PM
Fang openly gawks at the airship. Actually she doesn't care about it at all, it's just a boat that goes through the air instead of water, but she's supposed to be a curious child so she pretends as best she can.
DM Kathy Wednesday July 3rd, 2019 10:30:24 PM Aexana and Fang amuse themselves by acting like children.
Tahni attempts to answer the ticket clerk's question, and Rill and Terser try to help.
The clerk looks from one of you to the next, to the next, clearly bewildered. He does seem moved by Rill's body language, though, because he thrusts his head out of the window and calls something to the uniformed man by the gangplank. The man shrugs and shakes his head.
A man waiting his turn to board turns and says something to the ticket clerk. He comes over. He exchanges a few words with the clerk, then turns to you. "Hello," he says in that languages that is like Goblin, "my name is Tompkins. The ticket-man likes to know where you go today."
You offer your explanations. Tompkins looks puzzled, but relays the information to the clerk. There's some back-and-forth. The clerk turns and starts looking for something. Tompkins turns back to you. "There is not a tour, sorry," he says. "You want a trip of one day, or do you bring bags?"
Before you can answer, the clerk produces something, and Tompkins shows it to you. "This is a mapping," he says. You can tell that it is a map, but it is labeled in a language you can't read. "You see, we are here, in Seppering. This ship go to Mollerup, Etter, Skibble, Corg, and Redfurt."
You look at the map, but it doesn't mean much to you. There are dots, presumably towns, connected by colored lines, presumably where different air-ships go. You can't read any of the labels.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Wednesday July 3rd, 2019 11:28:32 PM
Jozhur lets out a long sigh and scratches his head. Good thing this guy was apparently bored.
He looks to the rising smoke. How far does it appear to be? Or was the smoke just coming from the town in general, whatever they are burning in their homes.
The book the man is looking at also draws young Jozhur's attention. Apparently the man is somewhat accustomed to dealing with this situation. Did the man speak in common tongue when he read from the book?
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Thursday July 4th, 2019 7:16:36 AM
Tahni looks at the map and points to whatever the nearest destination is from where they currently stand. "Here please. Just a day trip. No bags"
--------- OOC: My take on things was the smoke was coming from the town - not another direction where we would be headed. Do I have this right?
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Thursday July 4th, 2019 12:07:16 PM
Bralin wordlessly waits, his expression typically impassive.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List d20+16=18 ; Thursday July 4th, 2019 6:08:27 PM
Fang tries to spot the smoke again and judge the distance and direction they need to go to reach it (18 survival)
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Thursday July 4th, 2019 7:04:08 PM
Rill will pay for a day trip and suggest we all board the ship.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Thursday July 4th, 2019 8:05:27 PM
The child in Aex runs and hops around the clercks...
DM Kathy Thursday July 4th, 2019 11:28:23 PM
You look around for smoke, but you've pretty much found it. The town's many chimneys--not to mention the great metal chimneys of the airship--are undoubtedly what caused it.
Tahni points to the closest town on the map.
"Mollerup," Tompkins tells the clerk. The clerk nods, and says something in kind of an offhand manner. Tompkins appears to ask him about it. The clerk elaborates, gesturing a bit.
Tompkins turns to you. "The clerk says the other fellow went to Etter," he says. "Another man who spoke only Ghobish," he adds. "A friend of yours perhaps?"
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Friday July 5th, 2019 9:01:56 AM
Tahni breathes a loud sigh and smiles "Oh thank goodness. You know him? Yes! Could you take us to him? Please?"
She avoids the whole 'friend' thing.
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Friday July 5th, 2019 12:06:46 PM "Yes, we need to go to Etter."
"Also good sir, is this cold weather normal for you this time of year?"
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Friday July 5th, 2019 7:16:49 PM
Curious, Jozhur reaches towards the book and motions a "may I?". Should the man not object, Jozhur grab the book and thumb through it for any languages he recognizes (halfling, orc, dwarven, elven, undercommon, tauren, and aquan).
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Saturday July 6th, 2019 8:51:28 AM
Bralin still has no idea what is going on, but picks up on his comrade's change in attitude.
Imperceptibly, the dwarf's stance relaxes. A bit.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Saturday July 6th, 2019 11:44:43 AM
Fang doesn't speak goblin and has no idea what is going on. She just waits and hopes they're heading in the right direction.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Sunday July 7th, 2019 5:59:23 PM
Aex keeps hopping around...
DM Kathy Sunday July 7th, 2019 9:14:06 PM
Some of the group does not speak Goblin, but you are all telepathically linked via your Dragon rings. Your DM is assuming that somebody who is not currently speaking is providing a translation over the link.
Tahni asks Tompkins whether he can take you to the other man, and Tompkins looks confused by the request.
But Rill speaks up, saying the group wants to go to Etter.
The next question is whether you want to travel "First Rank" or "Second Rank": confusing terms which you eventually sort out. First Rank is nicer, and more expensive. The specific amenities are a little unclear, as they involve nouns that you aren't able to translate, but the basic question is whether you want to spend more money to have a nicer journey. Tompkins also tells you that children are cut in half, which is alarming until you realize that he means they're half price.
While that's being sorted out, Jozhur borrows the ticket clerk's book, but finds he cannot make head or tail of it. You don't see any alphabet you recognize. Giving it some thought, you hypothesize that the other languages are spelled out phonetically, in whatever alphabet they use for the Common Tongue here, rather than being rendered in their own alphabet. That way, even somebody who didn't actually speak those other languages (and it's clear the clerk doesn't) would be able to ask basic questions.
Meanwhile, Tompkins assures Rill that the weather is pretty normal for this time of year.
Whether you decide on First Rank or Second Rank, you are able to purchase your tickets, which the clerk validates with a very important-looking ink stamp. And, at last, you are able to make your way over to the airship.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Monday July 8th, 2019 5:14:31 AM "Yeah! We go flying!!", Aex says cheering and she immediately boards the vessel to find the best spot...
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Monday July 8th, 2019 6:19:39 PM
(oof I had a busy week. Sorry all)
Terser examines the imprint of the stamp, wondering if he can glean anything significant from it. He also makes a note of it for later, thinking they could recreate it if necessary.
Whatever he learns, he quickly board the ship with the others.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Monday July 8th, 2019 7:42:04 PM First Rank, Bralin sends.
If they must fly in this contraption, they must needs be as comfortable a possible.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Monday July 8th, 2019 8:25:37 PM
Fang looks worriedly at her stamp, wondering if it'll stick to her fur and hoping that if if comes off she won't be thrown off the flying machine. She tries not to touch it, worried that it might come off or it'll look odd through the illusion.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Monday July 8th, 2019 9:36:06 PM
Before they board, Jozhur will ask Rill to get a description of the man who went to Etter.
While he waits, he simply takes in the strange people and interesting flying machine.
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Monday July 8th, 2019 9:57:59 PM
Riil chooses first rank accommodations. He asks for a description of the person that went to Etter.
DM Kathy Monday July 8th, 2019 10:23:23 PM
You decide to spring for first rank and luckily, this place does seem to accept gold coin as currency.
Fang worries about her stamp, but it is her ticket that is stamped, not herself, and as a "child," she wasn't entrusted with it anyway.
Terser examines the stamp, which has a little airship and some writing you can't read.
Rill asks for a description of the man who went to Etter. This causes some consternation, as both Tompkins and the ticket-clerk had been assuming you already knew him. But you are able to learn that he was an older fellow, rather short, with untidy gray hair.
"And he was carrying something," Tompkins translates from the clerk. "A strangely-shaped--" and he uses a word you aren't familiar with. "He said it was fragile."
You board the strange vessel. More uniformed people examine your tickets and direct you upward. You wind up in a large open area one one of the upper decks. One entire wall, facing forward, is made of windows. You can see out into the town, and once the ship leaves, the view should be amazing.
Comfortable chairs and couches are scattered about in conversation areas; about half of them are occupied. In front of the window wall is a bar, where a short line of patrons is being served by two men in striped waistcoats.
A spiral staircase leads from this lounge area up to the top deck. Here, a few people stroll about, well wrapped up against the cold.
At the back of the lounge, opposite the windows and bar, are several short passageways leading straight back. Off each passageway there are several tiny chambers with bunks. Most appear to be unoccupied, but there are a few with closed doors, presumably occupied.
Aexana is searching for the best spot, which is entirely a matter of taste. It could be up on the top deck, or directly in front of the window-wall, or lined up at the bar, or lounging on a couch.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Monday July 8th, 2019 11:11:55 PM
Tahni tries to find a seat with a view. It would be a good way to get a view of the land.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Tuesday July 9th, 2019 4:09:47 PM
Terser takes no mind of the cold, but can't show it off through the illusion of his traveling clothing. He goes through the lounge in search of a bar. anyone else need a drink?
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Tuesday July 9th, 2019 6:31:53 PM
Fang stands at the windows, both enjoying the view, learning the lay of the land, and watching for potential threats. She probably looks very childlike with her stern, serious gaze.
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Tuesday July 9th, 2019 6:50:53 PM A drink sounds great Terser. Let me know what you find and I'll join you in a bit. I'm going to take a look around first.
Rill takes in his surroundings. He looks to see where people are headed as they board and how they behave. Do they get food and drink somewhere? Are they carrying luggage? Do they seem to go to staterooms of some sort?
He attempts to find some sort of restroom or cloakroom where he can pull a winter cloak out of an extra-dimensional pocket and then cast a Detect Magic spell without causing concern. He's wondering if perhaps this is a place where magic does not exist, and if so we may need to be rather careful in it's use. So, upon exiting, he will look for magic auras and such, either from magic items or from cast spells.
He also uses Deathwatch as he looks at the people aboard this ship, wondering if perhaps any there maybe some sort of undead creatures. And finally, he will again attempts to sense any outsiders or constructs about, curious if perhaps such creatures may be used to power or control this fancy airship we are on.
Eventually, Rill will make his way up top, pulling his winter cloak close against the chill air.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 d20+22=40 ; Tuesday July 9th, 2019 7:02:20 PM
Acting as a child Aex can probably stroll around the ship rather unnoticed. As she walks from one place to another she keeps special attention to any and all that show too much interest in the Sea Dragons in disguise. (perception 40)
Should she detect something peculiar she'll relay it mentally to her friends.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Tuesday July 9th, 2019 7:03:36 PM
"Aye", Bralin answers Terser.
Staying away from windows that would tell the dwarf just how high he is off the ground in a contraption he has no control over, Bralin heads for the bar.
He drops a gold coin on the table, and points to anything that looks like ale.
DM Kathy Tuesday July 9th, 2019 10:58:57 PM Tahni tries to find a seat with a view. The seats in front of the window wall are already taken, but you are able to find a conversation area near one of the windows along the side of the room. There are several chairs and couches here; it's clearly intended for a large group of people, which might explain why nobody's claimed it yet.
Terser looks for a bar, and Rill looks for food and drink and staterooms. There is a large, prominent bar directly in front of the window-wall, where a line of passengers is being served by two men in striped waistcoats. Opposite the bar and the window-wall are several small hallways, leading to tiny rooms with bunks in them. You wouldn't precisely describe them as "staterooms," but if people want to sleep, this seems to be where they do it.
Rill can easily duck into one of the bunk rooms to pull out his cloak and cast his spell. As you had suspected, the only magic on board belongs to your party. You know that magic spells can be cast here, so there is magic available, but apparently the locals haven't figured out how to harness it. Your Deathwatch turns up nothing.
Fang stands in front of the window-wall. The ship hasn't departed yet, so you just see the town. Although activity near the ship suggests that it will leave soon.
Aexana wanders about, taking advantage of her Seeming. You don't see anybody paying particular attention to your group, though you see a few adults watching you with slight frowns, as though wondering whether you are lost and where your parents are.
Bralin approaches the bar in search of ale. You see a lot of fancy-looking bottles, but no kegs, which worries you. Most of the passengers seem to be getting hot beverages of some kind in porcelain cups. But eventually, a man is served a pint glass of something looking very much like ale. You are able to gesture toward it while placing your gold coin on the bar. The server sighs a little at the coin, but hands you a glass of your own, then counts out several silver and copper pieces as change. When you sample the stuff, it proves to be pilsner rather than ale, but it's a decent pilsner, once you adjust your expectations.
Soon, there is a bustle of activity. You hear shouts. From his position up top, Rill sees workers rushing around, casting off ropes, making ready to depart. A bell rings, loudly, then a few seconds later, rings again. Something at the back of the ship starts making a tremendous noise, and the thin line of smoke that had been rising from the chimneys becomes suddenly thicker and blacker. The vessel bumps, and shudders, nearly making Bralin spill his pilsner.
Then the ship begins rising off the ground, into the (sort of) clear blue sky.
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Wednesday July 10th, 2019 11:33:22 AM
Rill will go back downstairs. He joins Bralin and Terser, ordering two of the same beer that Bralin ordered and pays in silver. Then he moves to the seating area where Tahni is, offering her the second beer he purchased.
Using the ring, he says, As I was beginning to suspect, magic is not used here that I can tell. There are no magical auras of any kind that I can sense beyond our party. Fortunately, I have also not seen any undead aboard, nor have I sensed any constructs, outsiders, fey or elementals.
We should be careful about any displays of magic while we are here. There's no way to know how that might be interpreted by these good folk. Tahni's casting of a Seeming spell was a good move, as her glowing eyes might have caused a good deal of concern.
CDM Jerry [OOC post] Wednesday July 10th, 2019 2:39:57 PM
Hey Warren! I've sent you an email I need a reply to sir.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Wednesday July 10th, 2019 3:32:01 PM
Seeing the smoke plume into the air, Terser begins to wonder about the engine's efficiency and if something can't be done to help it burn more cleanly. He remembers all too well the air in the mines and pities the crew that has to work around it on a regular basis.
Still, the smoke led them here, so they'll use it to their advantage. He kicks back with his beer and waits to be ferried to their destination.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Wednesday July 10th, 2019 5:02:41 PM
Jozhur tries to obtain a drink of some sort, though he just has whatever some other random passenger is having. Something hot may be nice given the weather, though he's sure Bralin or Terser will poke fun at him.
Jozhur wonders to the others whether the device could be on this airship, though detect magic should find it, correct?
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Wednesday July 10th, 2019 6:47:48 PM
With nothing odd to be found Aex goes to sit with her friend. She craves a drink but looking like a child she'd better stick to some juice...
"How does the Tinker choose his locations to place the devices? Why here? Why Etter... I don't get if the location of the previous one and this one have something in common?? If we can understand how he selects his positions we might anticipate his next locations...
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Wednesday July 10th, 2019 7:21:29 PM
Bralin counts his change, and does some quick math to determine the cost of the drink.
He mentally relays this information to Rill and the others.
Then, he orders a second drink, and finds a seat.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Wednesday July 10th, 2019 8:27:15 PM
Tahni goes and claims one of the seats in the larger areas. It will make a good spot for the group.
If another group comes along though she'll do the courteous thing and move.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Wednesday July 10th, 2019 8:32:33 PM
Fang continues to keep an eye out and joins the mental conversation. "Pointless questions. We don't even know what these things do so how can we answer anything else about them? As long as we smash them all everything should be safe."
DM Kathy Wednesday July 10th, 2019 11:16:50 PM Bralin counts his change and tries to deduce the cost of his drink. It's not as easy as it first seemed. You realize that you've been given 19 silver pieces in change, so either the barman is terrible at his job, or a gold piece here is worth 20 silver, rather than 10 as in the Wold. In addition to the silver, you have three copper. So your pilsner may have been 17 copper (which would be an outrageous price in the Wold), or 7 copper (which would be steep but probably in keeping with the surroundings). Or even some other number, because there's no guarantee that the exchange rate is some multiple of 10.
Rill also gets a glass of pilsner, and pays in silver. He, too, receives 3 copper in change. For whatever that's worth.
Jozhur opts for one of the hot drinks, which proves to be tea. His payment is waved away; apparently tea is complimentary.
Terser wonders about the engine. So far, you haven't seen any way to get a close-up look at it; passenger areas seem to be kept separate. Or maybe you should have opted for second rank after all.
Eventually, you all gather at the the conversation area Tahni selected. There are enough seats for everyone, and little tables for people's drinks.
Aexana wonders about the devices, and how the Tinker comes to choose the locations he uses, but Fang dismisses it as a pointless question. And even if it were relevant, so far you only have a sample size of one, and it's difficult to draw conclusions.
You settle in for your journey. The window near your seating area is small, but does give a glimpse of the view outside. And you can always walk over to the window-wall, or up onto the upper deck, for a better view. Many passengers seem to be doing just that, going over for a view, and then returning to their seats, perhaps stopping for tea on the way. Other groups of passengers are playing cards or just chatting. An hour goes by. Then another.
Logistical concerns begin coming to the fore. One of these is solved when you discover a few privies tucked into one corner of the upper deck. But you're starting to get hungry, and the bar does not appear to serve food. You realize you have no idea how long your journey will take. You know you need to get off at the second stop, but so far, the ship hasn't even made its first stop. The Seeming spell lasts a total of 12 hours, which seemed like plenty when Tahni cast it--but how long are you going to be up here?
After nearly three hours, you realize that the ship is beginning to descend. The crew and some of the passengers begin to bustle about, and a uniformed crewman strolls through the lounge calling "Mollerup!" followed by a string of words you don't recognize. There is more bustle, and noise, and a town comes into view outside the window-wall. The ship jolts to a halt, and the engine noise, which you had become accustomed to, suddenly becomes much quieter. Some passengers rise and begin making their way down to the gangway.
You've reached the first stop--but are you halfway to your destination? More? Less? And where can a person get some food around here?
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List d20+16=31 ; Thursday July 11th, 2019 2:19:02 AM
Fang puts her nose to good use and tries to sniff out where they serve food here (survival 31 to track down food). Surely they sell something somewhere.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Thursday July 11th, 2019 10:44:13 AM "I think the best way to find this device is to check each stop on our way. Let's disembark here and poke around. We may have time anyway before this ship takes off again.
Depending on what we find we might need to stay the night here. I can prepare multiple castings of the Seeming spell tomorrow so we can stay disguised longer. This casting will likely last another 8 hours or so I think. After that we will be exposed."
Tahni stands up and heads for the nearest exit, stopping to facepalm along the way "We should have asked the clerk what clothes our 'friend' was wearing and subtly asked what he looked like. He might be blending in as well"
She'll exit the gangway and head into the town.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Thursday July 11th, 2019 1:18:49 PM We can probably check around town and be back before it departs again. Did anyone get a time for takeoff?
Terser will trust to Fang's nose for getting some eats. He also tries to get a general sense of how quickly the ship was traveling. Could they catch up with an Air Walk like Rill often gives him? Or is it more the speed that Tahni and Aexana fly? Faster?
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Thursday July 11th, 2019 2:08:12 PM
Rill is confused why Tahni is getting off in a strange city that is not our destination. He will try to stop her before she leaves. We are not yet to Etter. Why do you want to get off here? If other travellers are staying aboard, it is unlikely this ship will be stopped here long. We do not know when or how often a ship like this stops here, nor if the next ship that might stop here even goes to Etter. Getting off here could greatly delay our reaching the Tinker's machine. Perhaps we should find out a bit more first.
Rill will attempt to find someone that can perhaps speak the odd dialect of Goblin that seems to be understood here and he will politely ask, "How long will we be stopped here before this ship departs for Etter, and how long will the trip from here to Etter take? Also, where can we get some food?"
(I started an email thread so we can discuss this.)
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Thursday July 11th, 2019 7:35:07 PM
Bralin, also concerned about leaving prior to their destination, waits beside Rill.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Thursday July 11th, 2019 7:51:24 PM
This ship is quite agreable and Aex does not want to walk that last strech towards Etter so she as well is a little surprised Tahni wants to get of the ship...
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Thursday July 11th, 2019 8:44:25 PM
Jozhur chimes in, "It's possible the fellow got off here, rather than continued on to Etter, that is if the ship he was on made a stop here. Perhaps inquire with the workers at the stop if they have seen him." Given the length of their journey so far, Jozhur is assuming the fellow they are after was on a separate airship.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Thursday July 11th, 2019 9:22:29 PM
Tahni looks somewhat confused at Rill "It's going to take a while for new passengers to get their papers, tickets and luggage all sorted, and then they need to board. That may take an hour or two. I don't see the harm on disembarking and having a look around while that happens.
What if the Tinker is on a return voyage and is outside right now? As Jozhur has said, perhaps someone recalls seeing him when he passed this way the first time?
I don't see any reason to stay aboard right now when there is the chance to pop my head out. Just quickly.
I only suggested staying here if we find something."
Assuming there is going to be a small delay, Tahni will proceed out the door to stretch her legs and look around. She'll try and get an indication of the length of the delay from one of the staff members in what will no doubt sound broken: "How long leave?"
OOC: I'm looking at this like a modern flight stop-over. New passengers getting on and such.
DM Kathy Thursday July 11th, 2019 10:54:14 PM Fang decides to try to find some food. You are able to detect the smell of cooking food--it actually smells really good. It is coming from the lower decks. You find some stairs and go down. You go through what you assume is the second-rank area--and it is not as nice as the lounge where you've been traveling. The smell is still coming from below, though, so you keep going down, and down. You see signs posted on the walls, but of course they don't mean anything to you. You reach a deck where there's a lot of noise and bustle, and a strong smell of food. It's quite warm down here, almost uncomfortably so. A uniformed crew member pushes her way through a door toward you. You get a tantalizing glimpse of a kitchen beyond before she is in front of you. She asks a question, using that solicitous tone adults use with children out of place. When you don't answer, she sighs, then attempts to take your hand and lead you back up the stairs.
Meanwhile, Tahni wants to disembark and look around. Rill thinks that's a terrible idea. Aexana and Bralin, quite comfortable where they are, also question the wisdom of getting off the ship.
Terser does some mental calculations. A "fast" Wind Walk could certainly catch the ship. [From the spell description: If desired by the subject, a magical wind wafts a wind walker along at up to 600 feet per round (60 mph) with poor maneuverability.] You're not sure about Fly spells.
Jozhur suggests asking people, which is a sensible idea if you can find anybody to talk to.
Rill makes the attempt. The crew member he speaks do does not appear to understand, but he at least seems to recognize which language it is, because he fetches another crew member who does speak the Goblin-like language.
You ask how long you have before the ship departs, and she replies that it will be about ten somethings. You assume she used a word for a measurement of time, but you don't recognize it. Similarly, she says the journey to Etter will take five somethings. This "somethings" is different from the first "somethings;" a different unit of time. But you don't know how long either one is. Ten minutes until departure and five hours to Etter? Maybe. Or maybe their measurement of time is completely different.
You ask about food, and she says, "Lunch will be servered after we lift," which sounds like good news.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision d20+30=35 ; d20+12=15 ; Friday July 12th, 2019 1:15:54 AM
Tahni takes a stroll to the bottom of the gangway. She doesn't venture any further than the crew though. The last thing she wants is to not be allowed to reboard.
She stops and stands to the side of it and watches the people come and go. If magic is unheard of in this place then anyone with a magical aura about them will be a person of interest. She also checks about for signs of any lingering auras in the area. Anything that stands out.
When it looks like the ship is ready to go (or she's prodded by a crew member) she'll head back aboard.
Perception: 35 + Arcane Sight + See Invisibility Sense Motive: 15
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Friday July 12th, 2019 8:24:00 PM
Lunch sounds just fine to Terser, so long as liftoff isn't too far away.
He stands near Tahni, making amiable chitchat as a cover for inspecting the comings and goings.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Saturday July 13th, 2019 8:56:33 AM
Upon "hearing" lunch is on the way, Bralin sees no need to go anywhere.
The dwarf remains in his seat, and waits.
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Sunday July 14th, 2019 2:22:48 AM Sorry I misunderstood Tahni. I'll plan to stay aboard. Let us know if you run into any trouble and we will teleport there.
Rill sits quietly, concentrating on the locations and status of his friends with the rings we wear.
DM Kathy Sunday July 14th, 2019 9:55:59 PM
Accompanied by Terser, Tahni steps down the gangplank. The cold hits you as you exit the ship; you had grown accustomed to the cozy interior, and it's quite cold out here. You stop at the bottom of the gangplank, stepping aside so you're out of the way of boarding passengers. A crew member asks you a question, which you of course do not understand. He asks again, then seems to give up. You see no magical auras that do not belong to your party.
You do, however, see a lot more smoke than you saw at Seppering. And, in the next street, you see some other mechanical vehicle, with great chimneys spewing more black smoke. It makes a great clanking noise, and moves--apparently on its own. It does not seem to be an airship, but it's difficult to see what it is exactly.
Bralin stays where he is, glad to know that lunch is on the way.
Rill also remains where he is, using the rings to keep tabs on everybody.
Outside the ship, a bell rings and the crewman at the bottom of the gangplank yells something. Then he turns to Tahni and Terser, asking a question. Deducing that it's time to get back on, you re-board the ship and make your way back up to the lounge.
The departure of the ship is like what you remember before. There is a lot of activity, and then the bell rings, the engine roars to life, there's a jolt, and you begin to lift. Looking around, it appears that more passengers got on the ship than got off. The lounge isn't crowded, precisely, but it's starting to look full. A line of new passengers waits patiently at the bar, and the barmen are serving them as fast as they can.
There's no sign of lunch yet, but you just lifted.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Monday July 15th, 2019 9:20:28 AM
Tahni gives her report: "Nothing outside. No-one coming or going had a magical aura. No-one acting suspicious."
She tries to get the same seat that she had before.
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 d20+38=48 ; d20+32=46 ; Monday July 15th, 2019 3:23:51 PM
Rill pays careful attention as newcomers board, looking and listening for anything that would cause concern. (Perception 48, Sense Motive 46)
Also, are there any people carrying anything that appears to be a weapon?
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 d20+22=38 ; Monday July 15th, 2019 5:11:33 PM
(Lost track if we are still looking like children... if not Aex uses a prestidigitation spell to change her hair from purple pink to something more acceptable around here... something dull brown)
Aex too wanders around observing... the trip is quite boring so far... perhaps a murder on the cloud express would ignite some suspense... horror abord the flying circus... bunjee jumping??
Perception 38
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Monday July 15th, 2019 6:52:03 PM
Bralin remains where he is, confident that Rill, Tahni, and Jozhur will alert him if anything suspicious occurs.
Also confident that this much promised lunch will soon be delivered.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Monday July 15th, 2019 7:13:04 PM
Fang dutifully waits for lunch. Right outside the kitchen since she doesn't know where the dining room is. She'll follow the staff once they start bringing food out.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Monday July 15th, 2019 7:29:37 PM
Terser wishes for a moment that he had some talent to share among the passengers. There doesn't seem to be much entertainment aboard. If he spoke the language, he'd lend a hand to the barmen, but as it is, it's probably more trouble than it's worth. He just kicks back and observes with the others until lunch time.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp d20+27=45 ; Monday July 15th, 2019 9:22:58 PM
Jozhur meanders about, looking and listening for anything that stands out from what would be ordinary here while trying to blend in. Though he has no clue what he would be listening for with the strange languages.
Perception: 45
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Tuesday July 16th, 2019 6:21:02 PM
Rill relaxes with the ride once the vessel lifts off. Then he orders another beer.
Well, these people look human. They seem to have normal looking teeth and appear well fed and healthy. I'm hoping that is a good sign regarding what we will be served for lunch. As long as it's not moving we should be fine, right?
Hey Fang, any word from the kitchen area? Does stuff look and smell good?
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List d20+6=17 ; Tuesday July 16th, 2019 6:38:13 PM
Fang gets impatient and tries to sneak into the kitchens to snag some food (17 stealth)
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Tuesday July 16th, 2019 9:29:15 PM
Tahni stays in the main area, watching the people about. She tries to relax a little.
DM Kathy Tuesday July 16th, 2019 9:39:58 PM
When last we left our intrepid explorer Fang, she had discovered the kitchen. But no sooner had she done so than a staff member appeared, concerned over an apparently lost child. She attempted to take Fang by the hand, presumably to lead her back to the passenger areas. Fang, it would appear, did not want to be led back to the passenger areas, so now there is a commotion. A tiny child is darting around in the kitchen, and surprised kitchen staff are trying to grab her. But, since they are reluctant to harm a child, and since Fang is, in reality, a seasoned adventurer, she is eluding them with ease. There is a lot of shouting, and arm-waving, and things being knocked over. Any attempt at stealth is going to fail; Fang is most definitely the center of attention in the kitchen.
Lunch will probably be delayed.
Aexana also still looks like a child. You think about changing your hair color, but then you remember what Rill said. The locals don't seem to be able to do magic, so any visibly magical effects will be noticed. Probably not in a good way.
Tahni reports nothing unusual outside.
Rill looks for weapons. You spot the occasional dagger, and once, a metal tube with a wooden handle. You're not sure whether that's a weapon or not. You ping Fang in the kitchen and boy howdy, do you get an earful.
Bralin waits for his lunch, while Terser wishes he had something to offer the passengers.
Jozhur listens. You don't understand what's being said, but you find you can pretty easily classify it as "polite chit-chat" just from the tone.
Eventually, of course, the fracas in the kitchen is sorted out and Fang is returned to her "family." And then lunch is served. Two servers approach each section, each with a plate of food. More servers follow, pushing a cart with covered dishes on it. Passengers look at the "sample" plates and choose one or the other (a few opting for no lunch at all). Then a fresh meal is served from the cart.
When they reach you, you see that one meal is some kind of dark meat in bite-sized pieces, in gravy. From the smell, you guess lamb. The other is a golden piece of fried--probably fish, though it doesn't have much of a smell to it. Or at least, not enough to overpower the smell of the lamb. Each is served with potatoes and vegetables.
When you get your plate of food, you are also given a small piece of paper. Those who ordered the lamb get blue paper, and those who ordered the fish get yellow. Except for Fang and Aexana, the two "children," who are given pink pieces of paper. The smiling server says something and gestures to the bar when she gives them out--so maybe you can trade them for a drink?
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Wednesday July 17th, 2019 1:11:40 AM Looks yum. Anyone want to go halfsies?
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Wednesday July 17th, 2019 11:09:43 AM
Rill smiles as he says verbally in common, "Well, it seems Fang has found a way to entertain herself. I believe Etter is the next stop, so I suppose there's really no harm if we get kicked off anyway.
"Hey Tahni - any way for you to gauge exactly when our clothing will change? We should be ready for that.
"Ahh, lunch! Sure Terser, I'll go haflsies with you - it would be good to taste both dishes here."
Rill will watch what others are doing with their slip of paper, and if they are exchanging them for something he will follow suit. He also looks out the windows to see where we are and where we are headed.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Wednesday July 17th, 2019 6:50:05 PM
Bralin has never turned down food before, and he's not about to start now.
The dwarf chooses lamb. He also takes the hint about the bar, rises, tromps over, sets the napkin down, and gives the bartender his best baffled look.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Wednesday July 17th, 2019 7:45:52 PM
Fang doesn't eat much, having managed to steal something from the kitchens during the chaos. She does go over to the counter and present the pink slip. She vaguely remembers hearing something about pink slips and being fired, but that can't be what this is since she doesn't work here. She's kind of curious about what will happen.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Wednesday July 17th, 2019 8:15:24 PM "I can tell down to the minute when the disguises will end, so when it gets close we'll probably need to find a way to excuse ourselves and find a place to hide"
Tahni will also order the lamb dish. She won't dig into it immediately but will instead start moving the pieces of meat around to try and gauge what is in the dish and also how it may have been cooked. She'll then start with a few small pieces and take it from there. If it's good enough she might try and replicate the recipe at home.
Like Rill she keeps an eye on what people are doing with their slips of paper. Whatever they are doing she will try as well.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Wednesday July 17th, 2019 9:40:59 PM
Jozhur opts for the fried option and follows Bralin to the drink counter, hoping to be rewarded with an ale to go with what he hopes is fish.
DM Kathy Wednesday July 17th, 2019 10:18:52 PM Terser and Rill decide to split their meals so that each can enjoy both dishes.
Bralin and Tahni opt for lamb. Tahni tries to determine what's in the recipe. You taste garlic, and rosemary, and some kind of citrus you can't quite define. You also taste red wine. You think the meat was probably braised. It is delicious.
Jozhur gets the fried something, and finds that it is indeed fish--a very tasty piece of fish, cooked to golden perfection.
You trade your slips of paper at the bar. The blue ones (for the lamb dish) get you a glass of red wine; the yellow ones (fish) get you a glass of white wine. Fang's pink ticket gets her a glass of fruit juice.
After the meal, smiling staff members circulate to remove plates and cutlery, and pass out warm, dampened towels for cleanup. And the journey continues.
Three more hours pass. Then, in the middle of the fourth hour, the ship begins to descend again. By this time, you feel like old hands at this. There is the bustle, and then the crewman walks through shouting "Etter!" along with some words you can't hear. This time, of course, you are among the passengers gathering your things and getting ready to disembark.
Gradually, the town comes into view. It seems like a smaller place than Seppering or Mollerup. Is that why the Tinker picked it? As you descend, you see a large body of water nearby--the ocean, or a very large lake. Is that why the Tinker picked this place?
The ship jolts to a halt, and the engine noise abates. You have arrived.
CDM Jerry [OOC post] Wednesday July 17th, 2019 10:22:11 PM
ADM Mark, please read your email. I sent all ADMs an email Tues evening sir. Once you've read it, please follow the request sir and give me a reply.
Thanks!
[After you've read this, you may ask your DMs to delete this post.]
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Wednesday July 17th, 2019 11:31:38 PM
Jozhur scarfs down his fish and sips at the white wine, "Fancy" he remarks
Upon their arrival in Etter, the rogue frowns, the Tinkerer could have gone anywhere, they would need to find a lead of some sort. Perhaps they should split up.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision d20+30=34 ; Thursday July 18th, 2019 3:39:50 AM
With the vessel finally at a halt, Tahni makes her way to the ramp. She doesn't want too many people to come or go without her being able to check them all out with her Arcane Eye.
Again she looks for any lingering auras that might be signs the Tinker had passed this way.
"It seems unlikely he'd place it near where it might be discovered or accidentally manipulated. Away from the town and near the water, perhaps?"
Perception: 34
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 d20+38=51 ; d20+32=45 ; d20+12=26 ; Thursday July 18th, 2019 1:01:27 PM
Rill disembarks with the others. As he does so, he looks around for someone that seems to be observant - perhaps a person receiving and directing the newly arrived passengers, or maybe some sort of overseer or grounds person. He will talk to several people until he finds someone that seems to be knowledgeable and that understands the form of goblin that is sometimes understood here. (Perception 51, Sense Motive 45)
Rill will do his best to seem a bit lost and confused, which is not a complete stretch given this strange place. Rill knows the more lost you seem, the more most people tend to want to help.
"Pardon me. We are looking for a man that came through here recently, having departed a vessel like ours. He is older fellow, rather short, with untidy gray hair. He spoke Ghobish and was carrying a strangely-shaped item that he would have treated with great care. We need to speak with him, and we are rather concerned about his well being. Please, can you help us?"
(Diplomacy 26)
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Thursday July 18th, 2019 2:08:37 PM
When the meal was served Aex wanted to complain about the fruit juice but she realised soon enough that that would only stir the mood again. Better not... Too bad she didn't bring anything stronger to make a fine cocktail... But alas... fruitjuice it is...
"Next time someone else can play a kid... for the love of Mother Nature only Zeoll was older... "
When the ship arrives at its destination, Aex is happy to disembark.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Thursday July 18th, 2019 6:47:47 PM
Normally, Bralin would pass the time working on his latest stone figurine. This time, he declines that option, concerned about drawing unwanted attention.
Instead, the dwarf falls into a near trance like state, and barely twitches for three hours.
Reaching their destination, Bralin disembarks with the others and looks around.
Would not this device radiate magic? he notes. Can we detect it?
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Thursday July 18th, 2019 7:10:12 PM
Fang rather enjoys the fruit juice. She's not in the habit of drinking alcohol with every meal. She tries to place it, wondering if it's a familiar juice or something unique to this world. Once off the boat she lets the others brainstorm how to track down the device.
DM Kathy Thursday July 18th, 2019 10:52:08 PM
During the meal, Fang enjoys her fruit juice. She doesn't immediately recognize it, though it has some familiar notes, including apple and grape. It might be a blend of different kinds of juice, or it might be a fruit that doesn't grow in the Wold. Whatever it is, it's tasty.
Aexana on the other hand, doesn't appreciate her juice, and complains about being the kid. You realize, however, that alcohol can still be purchased at the bar, though apparently they won't sell to a "child." But you can make a cocktail if you're determined enough.
As you disembark, Jozhur realizes that finding this thing is going to be tricky and wonders whether the party should split up. Tahni wonders whether the device had been placed near the water. She looks for lingering auras, but doesn't spot any.
Bralin wonders whether the device will detect as magic. It might; the first one did. But detection spells only have a range of 60 feet, which isn't very helpful if you have to search an entire town.
Rill decides to ask somebody. You try the crewman at the bottom of the gangplank, the man in the ticket booth, and a couple of shopkeepers, to no avail. You finally have success at a wooden booth selling newspapers--more newspapers than you've ever seen in one place in your entire life. There are also things that look like a cross between a newspaper and a book, with glossy picture covers. People here must read a lot.
The man there speaks the goblin language. "Yes," he says, "that man did come and talk at me. He wants to know where to hire a boat. I send him to Seldrake's." He pauses, then pulls a newspaper from a stack behind him. "Buy a paper?" he enquires. Glancing at the paper, you can see that it is in the goblin alphabet that you recognize. You can read some of the headlines. The Prime Minister gave a speech. There was a fire in someplace called Immar.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Friday July 19th, 2019 10:28:15 AM missed makeup post
Terser thanks Rill for the split, but scoffs a little at the outdated notion that red's go with meat and white's with fish. Everyone knows that Bubbles go with everything.
Still, the pairings were nice enough. And he'll sidle up to the bar for something stronger as an aperitif. He'll even set it to the side a little bit and look away in case Aexana wants to relax a bit.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Friday July 19th, 2019 10:31:13 AM
Terser will thank the crew after landing for a job well done. He would try to investigate more about how their aircraft technology works, but still thinks that magic is better. Wouldn't want any more smoke polluting the Woldian skies. It would be nice to have an engine backup in case of entering a null magic zone again.
When offered, he will buy a paper for the group to peruse. There may even be some tidbit about the stranger in town, if he was carrying something strange, or if a reporter stopped to ask his mind on an opinion piece. Or maybe there's a couple for a boat rental.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Friday July 19th, 2019 2:25:04 PM
Aex is very much interested in the shop selling papers and especially in the glossy books... she tries to see if there are any about wildlife or flora in this place. She would love to find some strange local plants to take home perhaps. Who knows she can grow a new plant in Bonetown... though she would need to be cautious not to bring any local diseases or plagues home...
If she spots such papers she will ask the 'grownups to buy some for her... (she refund later of course)
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Friday July 19th, 2019 7:24:03 PM
Rill thanks the man for the information, paying a few silver pieces for a copy of the paper written Ghobish and refusing any change. He politely asks the man where we can find this "Seldrake's".
He shares with the others, It seems that our Tinker came through here. He spoke with the man selling those papers, wanting to know where to hire a boat. The man sent him Seldrake's.
Tahni was right to suspect he went to the water. As it turns out, I carry several boats, so we should be good on that account. Let us head to that body of water and find this Seldrake's and see if they have more information.
Rill is glad that his purchase of a Folding Boat might prove useful.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Friday July 19th, 2019 8:11:48 PM
Bralin can only chuckle at the revelation the Rill is walking around with a bunch of boats in his pockets.
The dwarf turns and walks with the others to this Seldrake's.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Friday July 19th, 2019 11:20:28 PM
Jozhur smiles at news of the information. To the water, where they are as at home as anyone. He rushes Aex as she looks at the books, reminding her that time is of the essence, but he will happily purchase something for her.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Saturday July 20th, 2019 12:34:40 AM
Once Rill has dropped a few silver coins the man's way, Tahni will try and ask for an indication of how long ago the Tinker passed through. It may have been days, or may have been minutes. The information could be useful.
OOC: Realllly unfortunate typo with Aex's name there :D
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Saturday July 20th, 2019 9:57:31 PM
Fang starts to look for the store mentioned, but then realizes she can't read anything here so she's wasting her time. She just follows along with everyone else.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Monday July 22nd, 2019 3:20:54 AM
As Jozhur tries to rush her from browsing through the magazines Aex cast an irritated eye at him...
"Yes yes... the end of the Wold isn't going anywhere without us you know...
Being still in child appearance to the public she's now acting like a spoiled brat going through puberty... (Ooc makes me think about my daughter though I don't think she's spoiled...)
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Monday July 22nd, 2019 2:57:23 PM
Rill reaches into his extra-dimensional pockets - as much to make sure that he has his feather tokens and folding boat as to confirm he still has access to that extradimensional space.
As usual he looks for any undead, and he senses for constructs and outsiders.
You know, I half wonder if this Tinker is a fey or a disguised demon. Heck, he could even be a clever construct for all we know.
I just hope he's not a gnome. Gnomes are trouble. He smiles as he looks sidelong at Aex.
Assuming none are detected, Rill proceeds with the others to Seldrake's.
--------------------------- Sense Outsider - Sense direction and distance to any outsider, fey, demon, devil, or elemental within 1,080 ft., even through solid objects. Sense Construct - Sense direction and distance to any any construct, animated object, or golem within 1,080 ft., even through solid objects.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Monday July 22nd, 2019 5:54:02 PM
(coupon, not couple!)
It seems talk of coupons is unnecessary with the pocket boat. He wonders how big and busy the docks are though. Maybe they don't want to advertise folding boats and extradimensional spaces. He looks for a coupon to clip, just in case.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Monday July 22nd, 2019 7:18:42 PM
Bralin, as usual, is content to wordlessly follow.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Monday July 22nd, 2019 10:00:19 PM
Jozhur wags his finger at Aex and scolds her, "Don't you give me that look, perhaps I shouldn't buy you anything."
...And I Feel Fine [DM Jerry] Monday July 22nd, 2019 11:11:01 PM
As the party begins to move to the harbor, Aexana looks at the newspaper that Terser buys for her. Opening it, there are two huge advertisements on opposing pages:
Seldrake Alt's Boats for Hire! When you want the best...and the cleanest! Where your gold is rewarded!
and across the page....
Seldrake Bol's Boats for Hire! Speed to escape even Bloatbeard the Pirate! Where your safety is paramount!
The harbor seems about a 10 minute walk. Large white birds with a 3 foot wingspan fly in circles overhead ignoring the nearby boys trying to hit them with slingshots.
A bread vendor cries out the varieties she is offering that day.
Three constables walk past keeping an eye on the boys who run scurrying into their houses. They laugh as if it is an every day occurrence.
A snippet of song escapes from an upper window:
"It's the end of the world as you know it...
And I feel fine."
-------
Kathy is still in the hospital, so you get a post from me. I feel sorry for ya....and yes I just totally messed with Kathy's plans. Hope she is not too mad at me. :)
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Tuesday July 23rd, 2019 1:13:30 AM "Perhaps it would be best if we hired a boat rather than using any of our own transports. We'd blend in more, and perhaps be able to get closer to the Tinker before he realises it's us"
"Besides, let's talk to the Seldrake's to find out which - if any - hired a boat out to the Tinker. They can hopefully give us a few clues on direction and how long he had the boat for. It would also be interesting to know if he was travelling with any luggage or people"
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Tuesday July 23rd, 2019 1:27:30 PM
Terser was about to do something himself had that constable not happened by. Someone should teach those boys a thing or two about not tormenting the wildlife. Hey Aex: maybe if we have time later, after saving the world and all, we can teach those boys a lesson?
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Tuesday July 23rd, 2019 3:38:04 PM
Rill hears the song from a window and figures it can't be the end of the world yet. He's heard that it starts with an earthquake, and that there are birds and snakes and aeroplanes. We haven't had an earthquake and he's not even sure what aeroplanes are.
But worst of all, it looks like Rill's gonna get to use his boats afterall.
Dang. You know, when you prepare for every eventuality it just means you may not use all the stuff you carry around. Ah well, I do agree it would be better to hire a local boat. It's much less conspicuous and give us a reason to talk to the proprietors.
I see the add mentions "Bloatbeard the Pirate." Technically speaking, we're pirates so we should fit in just fine. Let's go see about a boat at Alt's or Blo's and ask if they recall this Tinker.
Rill goes with the others. We will stop at either Alt's or Blo's - whichever one seems to recall Tinker.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Tuesday July 23rd, 2019 4:18:32 PM
Aex pouts her lips as she is scolded at by Jozhur... but shz does assume it's only for staying in his role.
Just like Terser Aex feels the need to give these kids something they deserve. She could shapechange and target some droppings at'm... tempting... but if the Wold comes to an end she does not need to worry about these kids anymore.
Live and let die...
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Tuesday July 23rd, 2019 7:16:04 PM
Bralin agrees that getting boats from the locals would draw less attention.
He eyes the boys balefully, but does nothing as the local constables scatter them.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Tuesday July 23rd, 2019 7:59:01 PM
Fang could just walk across the water with her ring, but that might not be normal here. She follows along towards the boats, eying the kids warily in case they decide she's a new playmate.
Stand in the Place Where You Live [DM Jerry] Tuesday July 23rd, 2019 11:24:56 PM
Our heroes continue down the road, but shortly...
Behind you the sound of boys exulting in the departure of the constables greet your ears. Then a stone flies over Aexana's head crashing through a 2nd story window of a nearby house. An old lady's face shows instantly, shouting, "Bixby, when I get ahold of you, I'll....."
The boys dive behind some barrels across the street.
Soft voices: "Did she actually see you or just call yoru name, Bix?"
"Dunno, but sometimes...you just have to take a stand against raving grandmaws, yaknow? Ya gotta stand in the place where you live. If ya don't grandmas everywhere will have it in for ya."
"You ain't doing nothing. You ain't stupid."
"Yeah I know."
"Hey look at those strangers, they are dressed really weird."
"Yeah."
"Wanna go see who they are?"
"Nope, see all the stuff they are carrying? Don't bother them AT ALL."
"Maan."
-----
Kathy asked me just now to post again tonight. All she has is her phone. Sorry all I have time for tonight and we're just spinning wheels anyway folks and having a bit of fun. :) Send good prayers Kathy's way please--no I don't have any details. :)
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Wednesday July 24th, 2019 12:15:11 AM
Jozhur trundles along, wondering how many of these devices they will have to find.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Wednesday July 24th, 2019 9:04:42 AM
Tahni doesn't want to get involved in whatever disagreement the young boys are having with the woman. Anything she says will sound 'broken common' and might make her stick out. At least the disguises will help for a few more hours to make them appear to be in the same clothes as those about.
She has no doubt the others in the group will say something though.
Tahni stands to the side of the group and keeps a look out.
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Wednesday July 24th, 2019 2:51:15 PM
Rill watches.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Wednesday July 24th, 2019 2:52:48 PM
Aex agrees with Tahni... already they are interfering with space and time... no need to put a mark on this age either. But still Aex has to bite her lip not to meddle with this...
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Wednesday July 24th, 2019 6:43:04 PM
Bralin glances at the boy's hiding spot, and then back at his comrades, and then back at the boys.
For now, he follows Tahni's lead.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Wednesday July 24th, 2019 8:02:43 PM
There's no use saving the worlds of you're going to let nonsense like kids breaking windows continue.
Bixby! You get over there and apologize for breaking that window, or you'll have more than a raving Grandma to worry about!
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Wednesday July 24th, 2019 8:31:11 PM
Fang wonders if the old lady is hurt and considers offering healing if she got hit by the rock or any glass. She even starts to walk over before remembering no one can understand her anyway.
Everybody Hurts [DM Jerry] Wednesday July 24th, 2019 10:25:55 PM
Our Sea Dragons avoid the high dangers of boys and their rocks as well as the wrath of grandmothers and heads to the sea.
The boys hear Terser's correction and run away, one of them turning over a table of jewelry at a stall down the road.
After a time, they arrive at the harbor by way of the main road. On the right corner is a building with a small yacht on the roof over the front door of the shop. Painted on the boat is a sign that reads, "SELDRAKE'S."
On the left corner is a building with a sign hanging from the roof by chains slightly waving in the wind. the sign says "SELDRAKE's" Instead of a door, a model of a sleek longship was perched vertically with a door cut into it.
Several yachts are nearby tied to the pier. Beside them several longships with bunches of oars sticking out of them are also tied to the pier.
Nearby, an old man selling breaded meat on a stick pushes his cart with a young man. They are dressed alike in bright orange to match the cart. The man's cart hits a rock and pinches the man's hand as the handle rubs roughly against the old cart. "Yikes!"
"You ok, granddad? Your hand almost got crushed again by the orange cart."
"I'm ok, kid. Everybody hurts."
-----
When I started, I was unaware of the disguises or the language problems. Thanks for the hints folks.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Wednesday July 24th, 2019 10:29:27 PM
Jozhur chuckles a little. He may not understand what is being said, but it reminds him all too much of his mischievous youth.
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 d8=2 ; Thursday July 25th, 2019 11:54:22 AM
Rill sees the old man flinch from almost getting hurt from his cart. He will pull a Cure Light Wounds charge out of his wand, holding the charge as he goes over to the old man and the boy. He smiles as he buys some breaded meat on a stick with two silver, refusing any change. As he does so, he makes it a point to touch the man's hand, healing him for 3 points.
Then we can proceed to the two shops.
I assume Tinker would have simply gone to the first boat place he came to. Let's see what we can find.
Rill will step into the first shop, either Alt's or Bol's. He hopes the man understands Ghobish. Knowing their communication may not be perfect, he imagines the proprietor hears something like, "Hello, I saw you, I know you, I knew you. I think I can remember your name. Do you have a boat for hire?"
(Ghobish is the only local dialect that we seem to be able to understand. It is similar to the Goblin tongue, but different enough that communication even in Ghobish is a bit stilted.)
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Thursday July 25th, 2019 5:51:43 PM
Looks like there's some rivalry here with the boat shops... Aex wonders if they are related somehow. But it seems likely that both of the owners will say they saw our good friend the TInker... both of them will probably be happy to sail a larger group anywhere... regardless if that isn't where they are supposed to go...
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp d20+27=32 ; Thursday July 25th, 2019 6:04:24 PM
While the others who can communicate try to work things out, Jozhur casually pokes around the area looking for signs of the device, whatever it is.
Perception: 32
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Thursday July 25th, 2019 6:22:11 PM
Bralin, secure in the knowledge that he has absolutely no idea what's going on, waits.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Thursday July 25th, 2019 6:50:53 PM
Now that negotiations and diplomacy are going on, Terser will concede to those that can speak the language (or at least a reasonable facsimile)
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Thursday July 25th, 2019 6:55:45 PM
Rill will also ask the proprietors of each shop about Tinker, describing him as best he can.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Thursday July 25th, 2019 7:14:20 PM
Fang decides screw hiding her magic and walks up to the man with the injured hand. Taking it somewhat forcefully she mutters a phrase and kisses it, healing the injury. Letting go, she smiles up at him brightly and moves on with the party.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Thursday July 25th, 2019 9:27:51 PM
Tahni can't help but grin at Terser's threatening words to the young boy.
DM Kathy Thursday July 25th, 2019 9:57:33 PM
For a strange, surreal moment, it seems almost as if you can suddenly understand the language of this strange place. Obnoxious boys throwing rocks and hurling insults, a fed-up old lady yelling at them, a man explaining his injury to his worried apprentice. All seem like such normal, everyday events that you can almost convince yourselves that you understood every word.
Of course, you did not.
Looking along the waterfront, you tentatively decide that this place must be pretty popular in summer. The street is lined with shops, most with colorful signs and/or striped awnings. Painted illustrations show some kind of--is that food?--scooped into round balls in a dish. Other illustrations show smiling families in strange one-piece garments kind of resembling underwear. Looking around, you can almost picture the place with a summer sun beating down, filled with shiny, happy people.
Just now, though, there is ice on the beach and the vast majority of little shops are closed. Indeed, your "two Seldrake" problem is solved when you realize that one of the shops is closed and probably has been for some time.
Rill goes inside the open shop and asks about boats for hire. The man there does appear to speak Ghobish, and replies, "Well, yes I do, sir, but I might not [unknown word] setting out now. It will be night soon."
Meanwhile, the rest of the group is looking around. You see that there are a couple of rocks, or islands, or rocky islands, within a short distance from shore.
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 d20+12=29 ; d20+32=37 ; Friday July 26th, 2019 10:56:49 AM
(Shiny, happy people. Nice one Kathy.)
Rill puts a couple silver pieces on the counter as he smiles and says to the man he says, "We are looking for a man that came through here recently. He is older fellow, rather short, with untidy gray hair. He spoke Ghobish and may have been carrying a strangely-shaped item that he would have treated with great care. We need to speak with him, and we are rather concerned about his well being. Have you seen him?" (Diplomacy 29)
If the man's look suggests he wants more money, Rill will produce a couple gold. (Sense Motive 37)
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Friday July 26th, 2019 6:05:26 PM
Not has not much to add in order to rent a boat. After all the Sea Dragons will feel most at home at sea.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Friday July 26th, 2019 7:01:57 PM
Fang double checks that her ring of water-walking is on. She's never been nervous about boats, but being around so many experienced sailors makes her self-conscious.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Friday July 26th, 2019 11:11:55 PM
Jozhur waits, giving the man his best friendly smile.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Saturday July 27th, 2019 8:49:57 AM
Bralin also waits, minus the friendly smile.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Saturday July 27th, 2019 10:28:43 AM
With the disguises still in place Tahni tries to maintain the illusion of keeping the 'children' in line while the grown-ups speak.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Saturday July 27th, 2019 9:00:27 PM Rill: Tell him we've no concern about the dangers of night time here. We're on too much of a time crunch, and despite how we may look, we're all experienced sailors who can handle anything this lake can throw at us.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Saturday July 27th, 2019 10:47:40 PM "I don't know Terser. It's been a long day"
OOC: PCs who don't get 8hrs rest each day could get the fatigued status
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Sunday July 28th, 2019 4:19:30 PM
Aex feels Tahni tries to do a little too much effort to keep the illusion in place...
She in turn stick out her tongue...
DM Kathy Sunday July 28th, 2019 9:16:34 PM Rill asks about the Tinker, and whether he came this way.
"Yes, I remember," the man says. "He hired a scoop." [Scoop? Probably a kind of boat.] "Said he was going to Little Hay Head. Bringed the scoop back about two [noun] ago."
The rest of the group works to keep up a disguise.
[Moving forward.] You ask to hire a scoop, but the man informs you that it won't hold your entire group. You want a binner, which fortunately he can hire to you for the low, low price of two silver pieces per [time unit]. He can also provide you with a map of the nearby coastline, and point out which rocky island is Little Hay Head.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Sunday July 28th, 2019 9:46:59 PM
Tahni listens carefully to the conversation. She learnt the words for "minutes" and "hours" during her chat with one of the crewman on the boarding ramp earlier. If she recognises one of the words it might give her an idea of how far behind the Tinker they are (and how much the 'binner' might end up costing).
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Monday July 29th, 2019 2:13:29 AM Following the email from Kathy...
"That word he used is pretty close to an hour" Tahni's eyes widen at the realization "The Tinker brought the boat back close to 2 hours ago. We just missed him."
She'll leave the haggling and cost to Rill to work out, while she asks a few questions
"Do you remember when he first hired the 'scoop'? How many nouns ago that might have been? How many nouns would it take to sail to Little Hay Head?"
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Monday July 29th, 2019 1:46:07 PM
Rill says silently to the others.
Hmmm. The man said "coastline" and not just "shoreline." A calm lake is one thing, but I'm reluctant to try to take a ship out into an unfamiliar ocean at night. We may have a few hours more of daylight, but we don' t know how long it will take to make it to this island he spoke of.
Partly depending on clarification of time in the man's response to Tahni's question.
"Good sir - we are new here. Can you recommend a good place to stay nearby?"
(To the DM - when we flew in on an airship, I imagine we would have noticed a large body of water. Are we dealing with an ocean or a lake? Is there wave action at the shore? Boats or ships large enough to carry us would be docked nearby - did we see any? Do they appear to our sailors' eyes to be ocean-going vessels? I'm getting a bit confused here.)
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Monday July 29th, 2019 5:45:53 PM
The little child pulls Tahni's sleave...
"Can you try to get a description of the Tinker? He's the first one we come across who actually spoke to our guy... Perhaps we can ask around later and see where he went or how we can trace him. Perhaps some obvious features? Some tatoo's? Peculiar garments? Anything?
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Monday July 29th, 2019 6:48:18 PM "If the tinker is nearby we should try to find him. Eliminating him prevents him from setting up more devices." Fang says over the rings.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Monday July 29th, 2019 6:49:56 PM
Bralin listens to the mental conversation, all while staring wordlessly at Seldrake.
You think he may still be in this town? he replies to Aex.
DM Kathy Monday July 29th, 2019 9:02:16 PM Tahni tries to work out a timeline. The Tinker did indeed bring the scoop back about two hours ago. According to the clerk, he rented it about two hours before that. He says it's less than an hour to get to Little Hay Head.
Rill tries to work out whether you have enough time to get to Little Hay Head before dark. You almost certainly do. While you were talking to the boat guy, your companions could look out and see these islands; they are not far at all. You could almost swim there. The body of water, whatever it is, is not open ocean. There are waves, but they are very small, gently lapping against the shore. This is either a large lake, or an inlet or some other offshoot of the main ocean. Also, don't read too much into "coastline" and "shoreline." That was your DM, who was not feeling well at all last night. The map is of the coastal areas in and around this town; not the whole length of the coast. The boats you see at the nearby docks could be taken into open ocean, or anyway some of them could, although it would be an exciting trip. They seem more than adequate to the task at hand, however.
Aexana asks about a description, but the boat man isn't able to add anything to what you already know about the Tinker's appearance.
Fang is intrigued by the prospect of catching the Tinker here; Bralin is more skeptical.
The boat man recommends one or two places where you could stay the night. "Perhaps it would be better in the forenoon," he says. But he will rent you the boat if you want it.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Monday July 29th, 2019 9:22:07 PM
Jozhur is ready to get sailing. He eyes the potential rentals, wondering if they sail the same here.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Monday July 29th, 2019 10:20:28 PM
You gotta learn to sleep when you're on an airship, Tahni!
He'll rest if need be, but he'll also carry Tahni in a Bjorn so she can sleep is she needs to while they're on the road.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Tuesday July 30th, 2019 7:10:51 AM "Hmmm. It seems he was only a little ahead of us. If we press on we may get to the device quickly and be that much closer in our pursuit of him. On the other hand, it is dark and we don't really know where would be sailing or the hazards ahead. We will need some rest at some stage. It has been a long day"
Tahni mentally goes over her long term buffs. Her False Life spell will end in around 3 hours. Her Moment of Prescience spell in around 6 hours. The rest will last until morning. Her Darkvision also means she would have no problem seeing at night.
She stands ready to go with whatever decision the rest of the party agree upon.
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 d20+14=34 ; Tuesday July 30th, 2019 12:08:09 PM
(I am afraid that we could spend the rest of the week discussing this and be no closer to making an actual decision.)
Tinker is already ahead of us. We have a water voyage and a task ahead, so we are not likely to catch up with him. Tahni is right - we will eventually need sleep and we do not know where our quest will take us next. If our previous visit to Koshe Marr is any indication, we should get sleep while we can.
I will be creating a Hero's Feast in the morning. We can rent a boat in the morning and disguise our clothing, but I think a big table laden with food may blow our cover here. Hopefully we can find a place to create this quietly, but I think our readyness is more important than hiding who we are here.
But I'm worried about something else. I wonder how this Tinker is travelling from plane to plane. Why would he bother returning the boat and come back through here? Why not just transport from that island to his next destination? Could he be working with someone here? Are his devices stored here? Too many questions.
Rill turns to the boatmaster here, hoping his broken Ghobish is good enough. Perhaps a good demeanor will help. (Diplomacy 34)
Good sir - we would like to rent a boat that can carry us all, and purchase that map as well. We intend to get an early start in the morning. We do not know how long we will need the boat, and there is a possibility that it may remain out there on Little Hay Head. For the boat, your map, your kind advice, and possibly the inconvenience of fetching your boat from there - will this suffice?" Rill will respectfully place 20 GP on the counter.
"For the night, can you please recommend a nice place to stay?
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Tuesday July 30th, 2019 5:55:52 PM
Aex was struggling with the same questions Rill was. His appearance... his way of travelling and the odd choices along the way... the Sea Dragons are travelling only with help... how is he travelling?? Who is helping him?!? What kind of person is able to travel the way he does? A planewalker? Does he or... she?... perhaps possess the ability to detect the Sea Dragons chasing?? Like Rill says... too many questions...
Perhaps a good night sleep will help indeed.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Tuesday July 30th, 2019 6:52:12 PM
Terser had had the impression that several devices were out there already, so it's a bit surprising to be so close on the Tinker's tail already.
If they need to rest though, the Tinker will too. It can't be too much harm to sleep and take this on in the morning.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Tuesday July 30th, 2019 7:11:58 PM
Fang shrugs. While it would be nice to chase the Tinker, the others make good points. They can always catch him later.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Tuesday July 30th, 2019 7:12:46 PM
Bralin nods his assent at Rill's thoughts.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Tuesday July 30th, 2019 7:27:44 PM
Jozhur agrees, rest it is. They could be chasing him for days, they would have to sleep at some point. Better here in a warm bed than God knows where.
DM Kathy Tuesday July 30th, 2019 10:17:21 PM Jozhur looks over at the rentals. At this distance, it's hard to be sure, but apart from cosmetic differences, they look like the boats you are used to.
Tahni sums up your party's dilemma: if you press on, you may catch up with the Tinker, but you have no idea what the next world will be like, and you have a chance to rest here.
Aexana wonders how exactly the Tinker is managing all of this.
Rill decides to make an executive decision. He asks the boat man for a boat and the map, and warns him that the boat may not come back. He offers 20 gold.
The man's eyes widen. "The maps are gratuity," he says, sounding dazed. He gestures to a stack of maps on the counter. "This is very generous," he says, looking at the coin. After a moment's thought he takes 10 of the coins, and slides the rest back. More than sufficed," he says.
You ask about nearby accommodations. He has already told you of some, but now he grabs a piece of paper, and after a bit of fumbling, finds a writing instrument you don't recognize. "I don't think they speak Ghobish there," he explains, and writes something on the paper. On the back, he sketches a little map, showing you how to get to the nearby inn. "Show them this," he says.
Terser, Fang, Bralin, and Jozhur agree with the decision to rest first.
Glancing around, the boat man closes his shop and leads you down to the docks where the rental boats are stored. You see that most are small rowboats, probably the "scoops" mentioned earlier. There is also a big boat with tall metal chimneys like the kind on the airship. They are quiet for now, and you wonder what the engine does and what it runs on. You are directed to a medium-sized boat you would probably call a cog back in the Wold. It has a single sail, and also oars. "This one," the man says. "I can send Jan to bring it back if need be."
Knowing which boat to take in the morning, you follow the map to a nearby inn. The innkeeper reads the boat man's note, then smiles, nods, and hands you 4 keys. He holds up 4 fingers; you hand him 4 gold pieces, and the transaction seems complete. He gestures to a nearby common room where the smell of simmering onions and beef hint of a delicious dinner ready to be eaten.
You find that your evening meal is included in the cost of your room. The rooms are very nice, with metal bedsteads, and some device made of pipes on the wall that gives off heat. Rill reckons if he shoves the beds aside in one of the rooms, he will have just enough room to cast his Heroes Feast in the morning, away from prying eyes.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 d20+8=27 ; Wednesday July 31st, 2019 1:56:05 PM
Not sure how the disguises worked on Leafy but none the less Aex asks him to keep guard during the night. After all, Leafy never sleeps... (leafy perception 27)
Assuming there's an uneventful night ahead of them Aexana soundly sleeps in this strange room. Intrigued with the hot pipes on the wall... perhaps something to commercialize back home??
When day breaks Aex meditates hoping to find connection with mother nature... but then again big mamma is everywhere is she not...
Rill (MarkB) HP 175/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 d8+9=11 ; Wednesday July 31st, 2019 5:07:32 PM
Rill thanks the boatmaster for his help.
At the inn, he enjoys the provided meal with the others and retires to his room. He looks with curiosity at the warm pipes in his room, wondering if they have trapped a fire elemental or a steam mephit to provide the heat. And he is very glad to sleep in a warm room with a comfortable bed. Who knows when such accommodations will be available again?
In the morning, will will move the beds in his room aside and cast Heroes' Feast. Then he uses the ring to signal his friends to join him for breakfast.
Good morning my friends. I have conjured a wonderful breakfast for us all in my room.
(Don't forget to roll for your temp hit points!)
------------------------------------ Heroes' Feast - Takes 1 hour to consume. Creatures are cured of all sickness, nausea, poison and disease, and gains 1d8+9 temporary hit points. Also a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and Will saves and a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against poison and fear effects for 12 hours.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) d20+10=20 ; Wednesday July 31st, 2019 6:44:05 PM
More or less without anything to do for the evening, Bralin sets his sights on the heated pipes.
Squatting before them, he inspects the contraption, tracing pipes and generally trying things out in an attempt to figure out how it works.
[Knowledge - Engineering 20]
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Wednesday July 31st, 2019 7:58:27 PM
Fang eats quickly and goes strait to bed. In the morning she gets up and does her morning prayers; sure she doesn't get spells from it, but faith is about more then getting fancy magic. She eats heartily of the hero's feast. "Don't forget to disguise us again. The innkeeper will be confused if a different group leaves then entered."
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Wednesday July 31st, 2019 8:18:18 PM
During her rest, Tahni prepares two Seeming spells for the following day. Just in case.
"Are there any special requests for today's disguises? Hats, canes, polished shoes?" She intends to make some small differences to the appearances of the clothes. Just minor changes to perhaps the colors and styles. It just doesn't seem proper in this place to be seen in the same set of clothes.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) d8+9=11 ; Wednesday July 31st, 2019 9:24:12 PM
Hmmn. My mind seems extra open today. It's been a while since he's been running around without the benefits of a mind blank, so it's a bit off putting.
Still, he could get used to this life. Traveling, eating good meals, who even needs to speak the language? Gold seems to be universal.
How about a monocle and a top hat, Tahni?
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp d8+9=14 ; Wednesday July 31st, 2019 9:44:18 PM
Jozhur watches Bralin try to figure out the heat source. He's just as clueless, but is curious as to how it works.
In the morning, Jozhur jolts out of bed at the sound of Rill's voice in his head. He quickly gathers his things and prepare to set off before eating the feast.
DM Kathy Wednesday July 31st, 2019 11:01:21 PM
In your rooms, the heating pipes are the focus of attention for much of the party.
Aexana fiddles with them a little bit. She discovers that the valve on one end of the pipes controls the amount of heat flowing through them. It can, in fact, be shut off altogether--but that makes the room pretty cold. [I picture disguised Leafy looking like a pale, diffident young man with green eyes--but it's up to you guys.]
Bralin does a more in-depth study. He discovers that the exterior of the pipes can get hot enough to burn a careless hand, though not badly. You hear bubbling and hissing noises, which sound a lot like steam.
Rill hypothesizes an enslaved fire elemental or steam mephit. The mephit would seem like the obvious solution, but you've pretty well established that nobody in this world can do magic. So how would it be accomplished?
Jozhur watches, but has nothing to add.
In the morning, the arcane casters can prepare new spells. Tahni takes the opportunity to prepare an extra Seeming. The divine casters are still cut off from their gods and unable to acquire new spells.
Rill sets up his Heroes Feast, and Terser requests that his disguise include a monocle and top hat, which will be quite a sight as you sail the little "binner."
Your feast completed, you gather your things, leave the inn, and head to the dock where your rented boat is. When you arrive, you see a couple of young men, apparently waiting for you. One of them taps his chest. "Jan," he says. He says nothing else, so he probably doesn't speak Ghobish, but you remember that yesterday the boat man had mentioned he might send "Jan" to collect the boat. Jan and his companion climb into a small rowboat and make ready to follow you.
Your boat has a sail and oars. The sail is not great, but it will work. The oars seem to be in good shape. Which will you use? Or will you try to use both at the same time? Anybody trying to sail the boat should make Profession: Sailor rolls.
Rill (MarkB) HP 172/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 d20+13=32 ; Thursday August 1st, 2019 3:47:02 PM
(Profession: Sailor 32)
Rill steps aboard the sailboat. It will be tight quarters with all our people - inlcuding a large, ambulatory tree. As the boat rocks back and forth while everyone steps aboard, Rill feels just a little bit better. There's something reassuring about being back on the water. He will work with the others to set the small sail and see to the rigging. He especially looks to Jozhur for help and reassurance that he's doing everything right. He recalls that Jozhur in particular knows his way around a boat.
Once everyone is aboard and things are in order, Rill will see to casting off any moorings that may be holding the boat in place. He gives a nod to Jan and his friend aboard their row boat as he pulls out a small group of feathers in the shape of a tiny fan from his pocket.
He smiles as he says silently to his friends, I hope you'll forgive me this indiscretion. You all may want to hang on.
With everyone ready, Rill activates the Fan Feather Token. This conjures a huge flapping fan behind our boat that travels with us, causing a breeze of sufficient strength to propel the little boat at about 25 mph towards our destination. Since the fan does not work on land, it should disappear once the boat reaches the shore of Little Hay Head.
As the boat quickly sails along, he says to his friends, I was a bit worried that whatever happens with this next device may kill those young men as innocent bystanders. This breeze should get us to our destination with enough time to do what we must before Jan and his friend reach us. It will also give them something interesting to talk about after we're gone.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Thursday August 1st, 2019 6:56:35 PM
Fang just finds a nice safe spot out of the way of the professional sailor types. She almost falls out of her seat at the sudden acceleration but manages not to.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Thursday August 1st, 2019 7:14:28 PM
The boat rocks back and forth as everyone steps aboard, not reassuring Bralin in the slightest.
The dwarf sits someplace where he can grab two handfuls of solid wood as tightly as possible, and holds on.
The only relief from this sailing is Rill's feather token.
Amused, Bralin watches intently to see Jan's reaction.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Thursday August 1st, 2019 7:37:28 PM
Aex greatly enjoyes the feast and feels she can take a thousand devices today. Once back on the water it's reassuring to know her friends have controle over the boat.
Did the shopowner see what the device looked like?
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Thursday August 1st, 2019 7:44:41 PM "They weren't supposed to be our guides, were they? Does anyone have a map?"
DM Kathy Thursday August 1st, 2019 11:14:45 PM Rill leads the way onto the boat and begins casting off. Fang and Bralin help by staying out of the way. Aexana wonders whether the shopkeeper caught a glimpse of the device, but nobody asked him that yesterday and he isn't here now.
Tahni wonders who your guide is going to be and whether there's a map. There is a map; you got it last night. Even better, you can actually see Little Hay Head from here. You could see it from the shop yesterday. It is small and rocky and right in front of you. The only difficulty is going to be where to put in; the side facing the beach looks pretty inhospitable. Maybe around on the other side.
Once you have cast off, Rill decides to speed things up by deploying a Feather Token. A large fan appears out of nowhere and begins blowing the cog toward the island.
Jan and his companion let out shrieks of pure terror. They continue yelling as they scramble out of their rowboat and sprint up the dock toward the beach. You think that at least one of them is yelling words, but you can't be sure because you don't speak the language.
And there isn't much time to wonder about it because the island is coming up awfully fast. You're traveling at about 25 miles per hour (per the item description), and the side of the island facing you is quite rocky. You're going to have to look sharp if you don't want your vessel dashed to pieces.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp d20+15=27 ; Thursday August 1st, 2019 11:21:14 PM
Jozhur doubles over in laughter at the result of Rill's magic device use. Hopefully the Tinerker's contraption is on the island and they would not need to return.
Then he realizes they are perhaps moving a little too fast.
Jozhur springs into action, manning the rigging, as he has done many a time in rough seas.
Profession sailor: 27
Rill (MarkB) HP 172/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 d20+13=15 ; Friday August 2nd, 2019 10:53:12 AM
Rill sit's in the stern of the boat to man the tiller.
"OK, now I feel a little bad. I figured those two lads would look with wonder and amazement at a magical fan, not run in terror. I suppose some cultures are just not as enlightened as others."
Even as the boat moves quickly towards the rocky shore, Rill remains calm. He knows that even with a strong wind, slowing a sail boat is as simple as reefing the sail and steering back and forth. And with the fan providing a constant tail wind no matter their direction their sailing should be even easier.
Working with Jozhur (aid another), Rill steers the boat around the rocky island, looking for a place to put in. Too bad we don't know where on the island this thing is located.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Friday August 2nd, 2019 7:03:16 PM
Bralin watches the two retreat.
It may be well not to return to the town when we are done, he notes.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Friday August 2nd, 2019 7:55:32 PM
Tahni nods with Bralin "I imagine quite a tale is being told there. Still, I'd feel bad not returning the boat when we are done"
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) d20+2=3 ; Saturday August 3rd, 2019 11:07:18 PM You may resort to magic just a little too quickly, Rill. I bet we had enough muscle (or discretely enhanced muscle) to outrow them anyway.
Terser leans to to try to help Jozhur steer the boat, but probably gets in the way more than he helps. profession sailor - 3
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Sunday August 4th, 2019 7:19:48 PM
Aex can't help but snickers a bit when the two jump overboard. Indeed it would have been wiser to just let Aex summon a gentle breeze to speed up the boat... But in any case the fan does the trick and the wind in her hair just feels great. At last back at sea...
"Just don't trash the boat on those rocks please... "
DM Kathy Sunday August 4th, 2019 9:16:22 PM Aexana thinks the panicked flight of the two men is amusing, but the rest of the group is at least mildly concerned. It's probably just as well you're nearly done on this world. Or at least, you think you are.
With Rill's help (and Terser's hindrance), Jozhur is able to steer the cog around the rocky island. The far side isn't noticeably less rocky than the near side was, but there is a cove of sorts--basically a calm place between two boulders--which looks to be as good a mooring place as you're going to get. You leave the boat there, and turn your attention to the problem of getting up onto the island.
It's not going to be easy. The rocks are steep, and sharp, and there doesn't seem to be any sort of path. You'll need to be strong, sure-footed, or canny to navigate your way up. [It is a DC 40 Climb, Acrobatics, or Survival check to get onto the island from the boat. Or you could try to use magic. You're reasonably certain you can't be seen from land.]
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Sunday August 4th, 2019 9:35:41 PM
Fang eyes the clifface. "I don't think I can scale that. Who's our best climber? Maybe they can get up there and set up a rope to help the rest of us." she pulls some out of the survival gear she packed.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Monday August 5th, 2019 12:35:29 AM "I might be able to help here"
Tahni gathers everyone in close and casts a wind walk spell. She's able to affect everyone with the exception of Leafy. For the next 18hrs people will be able to turn into (and out of) cloudlike vapors at will. Though they might not be able to speak, the telepathy from the dragon rings should be able to allow the party to communicate.
"Perhaps you might be able to transform into something with flight and strong enough to carry him?" she offers to Aex.
Rill (MarkB) HP 172/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Monday August 5th, 2019 3:24:18 PM
Rill pushed his helmet up on his brow as he looks up at the cliff. The cleric is not really much of a rock climber.
Good idea Tahni. I'm good with the Wind Walk thing. We probaly shoulda' listened to you in the first place and used that to get out here. That giant feathered fan I made was a mistake.
If Aex cannot get her shrubbery up there, I can always throw Fly or Air Walk on him, though he won't be as fast as we will be in Wind Walk form. We don't want to "leaf" him behind.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Monday August 5th, 2019 5:17:42 PM
Jozhur agrees to the windwalk spell, curious as to what it is like to be a cloud-person. Maybe, just for fun, they should fly around town when they're done. He also volunteers that he does have a Rope of Climbing, should they want to do things the hard way.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Monday August 5th, 2019 6:50:25 PM
Aex narrows her eyes a little... are they making fun if Leafy now she thinks... argh those youngsters...
"Drink this my friend and never mind them...", Aex says to Leafy and hands him an Air Walk potion.
Leafy drinks it and walks with the group.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Monday August 5th, 2019 7:03:52 PM
Wind Walk spell in place, Bralin wafts up to the top of the cliff. As an experiment, he tries communicating telepathically in Wind Walk form.
Testing, testing. Am I heard?
DM Kathy Monday August 5th, 2019 9:55:29 PM
After sizing up the situation, you decide to go with magic. Tahni is able to Wind Walk everybody except Leafy, who gets an Air Walk potion from Aexana.
You ascend to the top of the little island. The device is easy to spot. There aren't many flat places up here, and the device is set squarely in the largest of these. It doesn't look at all like the device from the Mire. That one was basically a black steel cage with some magical components inside it; this one is a tall cylinder of some shiny metal.
Now you just have to figure out how to deactivate it.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Tuesday August 6th, 2019 1:42:47 AM
The wind walk is much less comfortable than the usual method of flying. He's glad to get up to the plateau and revert back to solid dwarf.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision d20+30=44 ; Tuesday August 6th, 2019 6:57:55 AM
Tahni does a few flying laps around the device before returning to normal form.
She takes a careful look at the device but doesn't reach out to touch it. She looks for any mechanisms that might indicate a way to open it, any magical auras, and any abnormalities in the metal.
"Want to take first crack at it, Jozhur?" He's always been good with disabling objects (and the occasional deserving person).
Rill (MarkB) HP 172/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Tuesday August 6th, 2019 12:07:43 PM
Rill will land and assume a corporeal form. He looks at the shiny metal cylinder. While Tahni and her glowing blue eyes will likely already know if the thing detects as magic, Rill will cast both Detect Poison and then Detect Magic jsut to see for himself. He will also sense for any constructs, outsiders, fey or elementals, wondering if perhaps something is trapped inside to power the thing. Rill will share anything he finds out with the others.
Finally, he will cast Guidance on Jozhur to give the rogue an edge in dealing with this thing.
That will give you a slight boost in dealing with this thing Jozhur. Hey, can anyone tell what kind of metal that thing is made of?
(Guidance - Jozhur gets a +1 competence bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check.)
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Tuesday August 6th, 2019 7:12:46 PM
Bralin wordlessly reaches into his haversack, and withdraws his war hammer.
The dwarf rest the weapon on his shoulder as he awaits the results of the magical probing.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Tuesday August 6th, 2019 7:17:10 PM
No markings.on the device? For now there is insufficient information to go forward. Hiwever Aex has no intention touching the device just yet...
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Tuesday August 6th, 2019 7:36:10 PM
Fang flies up the island and lands on the flat part. Pulling out her axe she sits cross legged and rests it across her knees. The others will hem and haw over it for a bit and when they're done disarming any traps she's ready to rend it asunder.
DM Kathy Tuesday August 6th, 2019 11:02:13 PM
Looking at the device, Tahni can tell that it is completely nonmagical. Rill's other detections also turn up nothing. He wonders aloud what the device is made of.
Appraise DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { Some of the pieces are electrum, and are probably worth a few hundred gold pieces.}
Aexana sees no markings on the device.
Bralin and Fang stand by with weapons.
Since the device is not magical, it will need to be deactivated with a Disable check. The DC is 40.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp d20+6=8 ; d20+33=45 ; d20+31=46 ; Tuesday August 6th, 2019 11:07:50 PM
Assuming it was time for him to do his work, Jozhur cautiously approaches the device. After a quick check for traps (perception: 45) he produces his tools of the trade and sets to work.
-------------------------------------------- Take 10 on disable check if able: 41 Otherwise:rolled a 46
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Tuesday August 6th, 2019 11:16:52 PM
Terser just watches as Jozhur's masterful hands go to work. Those metals are going to be worth something too, so once it's not dangerous anymore, he'll be ready to set about dismantling it.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Wednesday August 7th, 2019 6:30:16 AM
Tahni steps back to give Jozhur some space. She whispers quietly to the party "There's a few hundred worth of electrum there"
Appraise: 18 + Take 10 = 28
Rill (MarkB) HP 172/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Wednesday August 7th, 2019 12:38:47 PM
Rill will step to within arm's reach of Jozhur, but out of his way. Just in case.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) d20+6=7 ; Wednesday August 7th, 2019 6:55:11 PM
[Appraise 7]
With Jozhur working to disarm the device, and Tahni declaring how valuable the components are, Bralin reluctantly returns his waraxe to his haversack.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 d20+18=23 ; d20+22=25 ; Wednesday August 7th, 2019 8:22:49 PM
Unable to help with disabling a thing like this Aex more or less keeps her distance. With everyone up and close around the device she dares not be the one to disturb it and make it go... Instead she observes her surroundings. Why here?!? Could there be a reason for installing that doomsday thing here?!? (know nature 23 - perception 25)
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Wednesday August 7th, 2019 8:24:02 PM
Jozhur starts sweating as he disarms the device, wondering whether his friends should step back as he works. Then he remembers there probably is no such thing as a safe distance. A bead of sweat rolls down his face, even though the air is cool.
DM Kathy Wednesday August 7th, 2019 11:09:48 PM
Knowing that the device has to be deactivated, most of you are content to stand back and let Jozhur work. It's a tense job, and Jozhur finds himself sweating before it's done, but in the end he is able to remove the cover and disable the mechanism.
Tahni points out that some of the pieces are electrum, and worth a bit of coin. Now that the device has been rendered harmless, you can easily separate these and bring them with you if you like.
Aexana looks around, trying to figure out why a device would have been left here, specifically. All you can think is that this island is fairly close to shore, not that difficult to get to, but inhospitable, particularly at this time of year. The odds of one of the locals stumbling across it before it went off would seem remote. And you already know it wasn't visible from shore.
But, whatever the Tinker's reasons, the device was here and has now been disabled. You can move on to the next world, the only question being whether you are going to risk bringing the boat back.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 240/240, DR 3/-, Regen 1, Mind Blank, SR21] (25% no crit, rage 41/41, channel 7/7) Wednesday August 7th, 2019 11:48:15 PM
Before leaving, Terser looks around for evidence of how the Tinker got up here. He must have a bag of holding or some such thing. But does he use magic to fly, or help him climb, or is he a super athlete in addition to master tinker?
Rill (MarkB) HP 172/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Thursday August 8th, 2019 12:16:52 PM
Once the electrum is removed, Rill looks at the thing.
"Well, we had to scale a cliff to get up here. How about we just roll what's left off that cliff to smash it up? And when we go back down the cliff to the boat we can check to make sure the device is properly busted up."
If I recall correctly, we move to the next location with a word, so let's sail our boat back and leave from there."
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Thursday August 8th, 2019 7:24:37 PM
"Sail back, and then disappear," Bralin remarks. "That should leave quite a tale for the locals."
Nevertheless, the dwarf readily accepts Rill's plan, and Wind Walks back down to the boat.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Thursday August 8th, 2019 8:24:06 PM
Fang nods and puts away her axe. Once they're at the bottom she makes extra sure it's in pieces and possibly throws a few in the water to make it harder to gather them for a repair spell.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Thursday August 8th, 2019 8:27:28 PM
Jozhur thinks maybe they shouldn't show themselves again here. "We told the man where to find his boat and he said he could send someone to fetch it. Perhaps we should leave it at that."
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Thursday August 8th, 2019 9:15:19 PM "And yet somehow I think this is gonig too easy... ", Aex says as she watches the left overs the device.
DM Kathy Thursday August 8th, 2019 11:10:05 PM Terser looks for evidence of how the Tinker got up here, but finds no clues on the sharp rocks. You know he is an arcanist, however, so it's safe to assume he could have gotten up here by magical means.
At Rill's suggestion, you roll the rest of the device off the rocky island and into the sea. It clanks and clatters on the rocks on its way down, shedding pieces that drop into the water. The main part drops in next to the boat with a little splash.
Rill suggests taking the boat back. Bralin and Fang concur, and returns to the boat.
Jozhur disagrees, reminding the group that the boat man knows where to retrieve the boat, and that maybe it isn't a good idea to show yourselves again.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Friday August 9th, 2019 1:24:33 AM "Well, we aren't too far behind the Tinker. Perhaps Jozhur is right. We can leave the boat properly moored here with a few extra coins in it for the boat man's troubles. We don't know how we'd be treated if we are seen back in that town."
Tahni is ready to move on to the next location if the rest of the party are.
Rill (MarkB) HP 172/161 - AC 29/16/27 - SR 20 - CMD 26 Friday August 9th, 2019 11:41:58 AM
Rill rubs his eyes.
"I'm just fine leaving the boat here. Leave whatever coin you want to, but we already paid that guy extra to pick up his boat."
Rill is also ready to move on to the next location if everyone else is.
(MikeK)Bralin (AC38 T16 F33, HP 221/221) Friday August 9th, 2019 2:55:51 PM
Bralin nods.
He is ready to leave.
(Brock) Jozhur AC27 / Touch 18 Flat 19--CMD 30--HP 173/173 --Shadow Companion 79/79hp Friday August 9th, 2019 3:02:59 PM
Jozhur nods at Aex. "I wonder if he knows we're following him?"
Fang (Mitch) HP: 203/203 (236 rage) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, +1 while hasted) DR 1 CMD: 22 Spell List Friday August 9th, 2019 6:56:07 PM
Fang shrugs. [b]"I don't see how he'd know, but if he can remotely check the status of his devices he'll know soon enough. We'd best be prepared for this to get more difficult, just in case.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 23/14/20 -- CMD 22 -- HP 163+34Temp/163 -- See Invis,ArcaneSight,DarkVision Saturday August 10th, 2019 12:09:25 AM
Tahni looks to the others and nods
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP166/158 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 26 Sunday August 11th, 2019 6:58:26 PM
With a simple nod Aex agrees with the plan to leave the boat here. She's a little worried what effect their incursions will have on these people...
DM Kathy Sunday August 11th, 2019 9:09:03 PM
On second thought, you decide to leave the boat here. You have already paid the boat rental agent for the trouble of coming to fetch it, and he knows where it is. And it might be best not to return to shore.
Accordingly, you gather together and speak the command word.
LOG ON