4e Forgotten Realms IC

[Mando Knight]

Waterdeep, the City of Splendors. One of the largest cities on the Sword Coast to survive the Spellplague, it has continued to flourish as a center of both trade and adventure.

Many would-be adventurers across the land gather in its myriad taverns, scouring bulletin boards for help-wanted ads or having drinks with mysterious men in shady corners, eager to learn of a den of goblins to clear out or a merchant needing escort over a dangerous route.

It is just a week or two before midsummer, and there are relatively few interesting postings at this time, with only one bearing much interest: Adventurers needed to recover family relic. Experience preferred. Reward negotiable. The post bears an address, leading to the house of a merchant-noble, a Tiefling by the name of Uriel Kelzar-had. Shortly after ringing the doorbell, a man in simple yet elegant clothing opens the door. "Ah, you must be here for the job. Come this way."

He leads you to a well furnished room with a few others of various races sitting about. "Please, make yourself comfortable. The master will be here shortly."

[horngeek]

Hope, smiling, sits down, looking around at the others present.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Minharath stands away from the others, his eyes shining out from the deep blue cloths wrapped around his head. He doesn't say anything, but seems to watch everyone in the room. Those with arcane power can feel a slight charge in the air, the kind you feel when a spellscarred is near.

[Salbazier]

Alver sits on one of the seats. He look at every person inside the room, trying to determine their abilities and attitude.

[Grimlock]

Lornath ducks slightly as he enters the room. The tall Goliath looks at the others inthe room and nods in acknowledgement but says nothing. He sits resting his bow against the wall and his sword across his knees. His piercing eyes flick aroundthe room, taking in all he can.

[Nai_Calus]

Kerazt flits in like a shadow, his movements graceful, careful and measured. He glances around the room as if sizing up the value of everything present before stealing it, including the other people, and then takes a seat, carefully, making sure to sit with his back to the wall and in a position where he can see as many entrances to the room as possible while being as near one of them as possible. He's a slim, short drow male, of the sort that normally wouldn't look out of place acting exactly as he does, but the truly throwing thing about him is his clothing: While his armor is black, the cloak he wears is a vivid sky blue, and the holy symbol that hangs about his neck is a silver crescent moon, a motif still seen occasionally in older temples to Corellon Larethian, creator of the Elves, a religion not known for being overly fond of drow.

"Well. Odd lot here, aren't we? Still, most of you look to be practitioners of the arcane arts, a field that Corellon holds dear to his heart, so perhaps at least we are a blessed lot," he says, smiling an obviously social smile. "Assuming you lot can fight without tripping over yourselves, at any rate."

[Grimlock]

Noticing the symbol hanging around the Drow's neck Lornath leans forward Hmmmm, a symbol of Corellon he rumblesa rather unusual deity for one such as yourself...a tale is there to be told! The Goliath stands and addresses the room at large, I am called Lornath Golt, wandering Bard and collector of stories. He turns to the drow You intrigue me stranger, while we wait for our potential employer would you consider sharing the tale which caused a drow to worship Corellon Larethian?

[horngeek]

Hope smiles, and listens as the Goliath asks the drow about his deity. "I must admit, I'm curious too..."

[Nai_Calus]

Kerazt tenses and his polite smile fades.

"Not much to tell. Most of it's ancient history to your sort, if you even know anything at all about it. Also not something I like to talk about, especially with those I don't yet know. It's somewhat complicated, and those who know my history tend to pointlessly get up in arms about it. Best not to make a scene before a job. Perhaps later if you're all still alive I'll tell you."

[Salbazier]

"Well, if not your story, how about sharing your name at least?" Alver smile politely to the drow "Mine is Alver Rienhath"

[Nai_Calus]

"That I'll give you, I suppose," Kerazt says, smirking. "I am Kerazt Vareth, a priest of Corellon, from the temple here in the city." He ponders as he plays with what seems to be a strip of black fabric. "Forgive me if I seem rude for not wishing to share my tale, but, well. You'll undoubtedly see by the time I tell you, if not before then." He grins. "Almost glad none of you are People, though. I manage to get more trouble from my own race than from any other."

[Mando Knight]

As Kerazt finishes his self introduction, a tiefling walks in. "Not people, are they? They certainly look like people to me."

He walks over to a fairly ornate chair in the midst of the group before sitting down, looking around at his guests. "Mr. Vielson tells me that you're adventurers that have answered my advertisement."

[Nai_Calus]

Kerazt grins. "You'll have to forgive me, I often forget that other races find the direct translations of the Elven terms we use to refer to ourselves and to non-elves insulting. 'N'tel'Quessir' does unfortunately translate literally as 'not-people'. It's a negated version of the elven term 'tel'Quessir', which means 'the People', which is our term for ourselves." He gives his best charming smile and gets around to the actual question. "And yes, I've come in answer to your posting. I presume the others have as well."

[horngeek]

Hope nods. "Yes, I have.

My name is Hope, by the way."

[Grimlock]

I did not mean to pry master Kerazt, but I hope to hear your tale one day.
He turns to look at the teifling who just walked in.
Indeed I have sir. Lornath says Family and a sense of history are important to us all, so the loss of a family relic...an heirloom is one which shoud be addressed and if we can help in that, all the better.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

The group hears a strange voice in their heads, sounding almost like two voices speaking in unison.

I have come in answer to your calling, yes. If you must give me a name, you may address me as Minharath, "Min" coming from an ancient Illefarn word meaning "dream" and "Harath" from the mage Harath Galder, the man I am and the man I am not.

One voice sounds ostensibly normal, the voice of a middle-aged human. The other is much more eerie. It has a breathy tone, with a slight echo, and the voice sounds tired, almost sleepy, compared with the other voice.

[Salbazier]

"Yes, like the others, I'm here in respond to your advertisement. Pray tell me about this 'family relic' and what we can do to help you recover it."

[Mando Knight]

"Very well. Mr. Vielson, if you would?"

The human from before comes in, bearing a longsword. The tiefling, obviously enough Kelzar-had, takes the blade and draws it, handing it to the group to see. The sword has numerous etchings and designs, with elegant runes of some arcane dialect etched along the length of the blade, and a hilt and crossguard with a strange, nearly grotesque beauty.

"This is a replica of a sword that has been in my family for ages. About half a month ago, I was approached by a young lass--looked quite like you, but with pink-er skin and larger horns, milady--who claimed to be a collector of ancient artifacts and knew of a ritual to unlock the blade's full power. I refused, of course, and she stormed off with a faked smile. This of course piqued my curiosity, and so I began to research the family sword myself. Then early last week I discovered my study broken into and the sword missing."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

You believe this "collector" was attempting to decieve you into giving up the weapon and resorted to theft when you were not fooled, yes? But we cannot retrieve this weapon if this woman is gone like a forgotten dream.

[horngeek]

Hope frowns. "I don't suppose you have any clues as to where she might have gone?"

[Mando Knight]

"I have tried to track down likely locations, of course. So far, the most likely locations are old forgotten crypts and the ruins of a desecrated temple that belonged to an infernal cult from around the Time of Troubles. The sword itself was originally forged by an enslaved fiend at around that time, and the empowerment ritual would likely require a similar situation."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

So retrieving the weapon is not merely a personal matter for you, but the powers involved could potentially threaten others, yes?

[Mando Knight]

"Potentially, yes. I have not yet had the time to retrieve the full family archives from the family estate in Thay, but the sources I have had available do seem to imply that it could aid in a power imbalance, especially if the lass was not lying in that she has additional artifacts."

[Grimlock]

Hmmmmm, I have heard tales of such things before, ensorcelled weapons, but have never actually seen one the big Goliath muses. Did this young lady give any information about herself, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, which could give us a clue as to her intentions or whereabouts.

To see if Lornath has heard anything useful in his travels/quest for stories and sagas, which might give a hint to where a sword like this might be taken.
History
Arcana [roll] 1d20+8
Religion [roll1]

[Grimlock]

(OOC- sorry messed up a roll)
Arcana- [roll0]

[Nai_Calus]

"Ahh, the Time of Troubles. It was such a terrible time. Being cut off from my god for the first time..." He shudders, once more stroking the strip of cloth. "I don't suppose you happen to know which cult or which fiend? Perhaps I had heard of them at the time."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

How old does that make you? I know I am more than a century old, but my body was in a magical stasis for most of that time. The Time of Troubles happened even earlier than the Spellplague. I did not think even elves lived that long.

[Mando Knight]

"The Time of Troubles was only around a hundred and forty or so years ago, well within an elf's lifespan. And no, I have not yet found the name of the exact fiend which created the sword."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

That would mean Harath would have been a child at that time. Curious.

[Salbazier]

If there's no clue at all about the lass' identity then our only lead is this ancient temple. Where is this temple located?

[Nai_Calus]

"The time of troubles was one hundred and twenty-one years ago, actually. And I am two hundred and seventy-eight years old. Elves can easily live to be eight or nine hundred, though most tend to pass on to Arvandor before then. The dark elves tend to be a bit shorter lived, but not by that much," Kerazt says, shrugging. "But then I don't really expect you short-lived races to know much of anything about the elves."

"But yes, that temple seems to be as good a place as any to start..."

(OOC: Assuming it's 1479. It's been stated by the designers that the lifespans in core given for elves/eladrin do not apply to FR and that elves still have their previous lifespans in FR. Geez, Kerazt was born in 1201DR. Geezer. :-P)

[Mando Knight]

Grimlock:
You can't recall hearing any specific stories about demon-forged swords and power-restoring rituals dedicated to them, but with magic being magic, the best bets are either the libraries within a mage's locked ivory tower or temples of infernal cults, as were mentioned. Were such a ritual to be performed, more than one ritualist might be required, depending on the power of the sword itself.

"The temple I found in my research is about a quarter-day's ride north. I can lend you some horses and a condensed version of my notes to help." He gestures, and Mr. Vielson bows, walking out of the room. He returns shortly after, carrying several documents, handing them to Kelzar-had.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Why condensed? I am curious as to what you discovered, and one can only understand a truth if they see it in its entirety. Anything else may be misconstrued as hearsay.

[Grimlock]

Our host may be trying to spare us uneccessary detail and give us only the pertinent points. His uncondensed notes may be hundreds of pages long and do we have time for that? He looks around at the others. This is a demon enscorcelled sword, do we really want to delay any more in ensuring that it is out of untrustworthy and potentially dangreous hands? We need to move quickly! He turns to Alver, and I agree with you, the temple is the obvious first choice to look.

[Salbazier]

Alver nods to Lornat's words. He turn to Kelzar-had "Let us see the notes"

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Our host may be trying to spare us uneccessary detail and give us only the pertinent points. His uncondensed notes may be hundreds of pages long and do we have time for that? He looks around at the others. This is a demon enscorcelled sword, do we really want to delay any more in ensuring that it is out of untrustworthy and potentially dangreous hands? We need to move quickly! He turns to Alver, and I agree with you, the temple is the obvious first choice to look.
I did not suggest we delay our mission to read them, merely that I would like to see them when there is a spare moment. Knowledge of the nature of the soul and of magic fascinates me, and I would like to know if our host may have stumbled upon something I might be able to use. For what, you may ask? For my research into me.

[Mando Knight]

"If you want access to my full notes and library, you'll do the job first." He shuffles through the papers in his hands, arranging them and handing them out in order. "These are the condensed notes. I had them prepared when I posted the job, knowing that clever adventurers might make good use of them. This is a map copied from the most recent one in my archives, with the locations of interest marked in red. And this is a voucher to borrow horses. Bring it to the stables a block west of the south gate. They'll know what to do."

[Nai_Calus]

"Yes, we're not here to read, we're here to do a job. We go over the notes and then we get the horses and get to work. A demon-forged sword is a dangerous thing of evil, and cannot be allowed to be at large. But of course your research is of utmost import, even if people could potentially die while you pore over tomes." Kerazt's voice is thick with sarcastic scorn. He takes the notes and begins to scan them for anything that pops out as being of use.


Religion, just in case: [roll0]

[Archpaladin Zousha]

It is not the nature of its forging that is the danger. It is the demon soul that resides within and what would happen if the weapon fell into the wrong hands that is the danger. Weapons are not evil. The people that wield them are. I am equally curious about the blade itself, though. It is the soul of something bound to a physical object, and I wish to know how these things interact, to see if I might be something similar.

Minharath's matter-of-fact tone makes it clear that he totally missed the sarcasm.

[Salbazier]

"Let us not bicker about this. I'm sure there will be chances for your research"

[Archpaladin Zousha]

I was not arguing, I was stating my thoughts. The threat is very real, of that there is no doubt. I just wished to ask our host's permission to look at his unabridged research once the job was done.

He rolls his eyes.

I swear, sometimes it seems no one understands me even if I speak directly into their mind without the barrier of languages.

[Nai_Calus]

Kerazt buries his face in his hand and rubs his temples, surpressing the urge to knock the man unconscious and drag him back to the other priests to leave him to be researched by the ones more inclined to magical research. He briefly regrets giving up the use of poisons, fondly recalling one that simply paralyzed the vocal cords.

"Demons don't have souls, and it is perfectly possible for weapons to be wholly aligned towards evil. Good and chaos and law as well. Well, such enchantments don't seem to work nowadays, but they once did. For someone who claims to also predate the Spellplague, I'm surprised you don't know that. And yes, you can play after we finish." He resumes his reading.

[Salbazier]

Alver decide not to say anything and joins Kerazt in studying the notes

May as well make some knowledge check
Arcana [roll0]
History [roll1]
Religion [roll2]

[Grimlock]

Lornath
Lornath looks over Kerazt's shoulder, looking at the notes. Forging a sword such as this is not an easy task. It will probably have taken more than one or two people, maybe a group. He looks at the map, studying it. I still feel the temple should be our first port of call, it seems to fit after all. He turns to look at MinharathThere may also be opportunities there for you to explore and research what you need to.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

He briefly regrets giving up the use of poisons, fondly recalling one that simply paralyzed the vocal cords.
((Uh, Minharath is using telepathy, so that really wouldn't affect him.))

[Archpaladin Zousha]

"Demons don't have souls, and it is perfectly possible for weapons to be wholly aligned towards evil. Good and chaos and law as well. Well, such enchantments don't seem to work nowadays, but they once did. For someone who claims to also predate the Spellplague, I'm surprised you don't know that. And yes, you can play after we finish." He resumes his reading.
My body predates the Spellplague, and sometimes I can sense its memories, but I am not Harath Galder, the man who I am and am not. He "died" when his soul melded with dreams to give birth to me, Minharath. My own conciousness did not awaken until recently, so in a sense, no I do not predate the Spellplague. I am merely its child.

Minharath joins Lornath in looking over Kerazt's shoulder at the notes.

Arcana check:
[roll0]

[Mando Knight]

The condensed notes are fairly well organized and categorized, giving details about what is known about the sword itself, about known "awakening" rituals which could be related to the specific one for the blade, and the names and brief descriptions of various nearby places of interest, with their corresponding locations on the provided map. Also included is some speculation on unknown factors, such as the "awakened" state of the sword and possible modifications to the rituals, etc.

Sword:
In the "sealed" state, the blade appears to have a +2 enhancement bonus. It is a conduit of arcane power even in this form, channeling magic almost as if it were a wand. It appears to not have been intended for use against fiends, as the sword is forged from steel rather than silver or cold iron... as such metals were useful against fiends before the Spellplague, which robbed them of their natural resistance to most weapons.

The scabbard with the sword was made to look almost like folded bat's wings, and seems to have been made alongside the sword itself. A weak magic aura was detected, but no actual enchantment was found to be active at the time.

An enchanter from the main wizardry guild in the city was hired to inspect the blade more closely, but the sword was stolen the night before the appointment.
Rituals:
Most are a touch beyond the standard "Enchant Magic Item" ritual, requiring more powerful arcanists, theurgy, or specific components.

Known rituals for fiend-forged blades usually require sacrifice, generally of virgins... male or female, of man, animal, or whatever else the particular fiend was fond of. Required blood sacrifices ranged from a few drops of blood to the entire creature, including specific organs. Young women, roughly 14 to 20-some years of age (or equivalently, for elves and such), seem to be nearly a universal substitute... one popular theory is that they're a favorite of Asmodeus or one of the demon princes.

Other, less vile components include specific weights or amounts of valuable metals, herbs, spices, and so forth.

The ancestor that commissioned the sword did a great deal of traveling with wizards and such, so it is quite possible that the sealing and awakening rituals are found in one of their libraries as well... though most went insane and died during the Spellplague, so their estates may be scattered to the corners of Faerûn and beyond. Hopefully not Maztica.
Locations:
Several "tombs" of necromancers and warlocks are detailed, mostly being in truth sanctums raided by adventurers and their original occupants slain. Magic remains in those places and are popular gathering places for cultists of almost every sort.

The largest one is the previously discussed "temple" of some fiend's cult, originally built and subsequently destroyed before the end of Elminster's first century, and the one most frequently sought out by upstart cults. Its deeper basements are less explored, as it is likely that an older, more secretive cult drives its short-lived imitators from those levels that it has reserved for itself.

[Nai_Calus]

"Even worse, then. The Spellplague was one of the more horrific events to occur here on Toril, and its hellspawn haven't been much better. I know a man who was forced to kill the woman he was betrothed to after she was consumed by it and changed into a distorted, gibbering monster by it. So you're yet more of that kind of ilk." Kerazt shakes his head in mild disgust.

"Humans and their gods. You know, when our gods kill each other, it doesn't destroy half the world. I bet your Harath didn't even know back then that the drow gods Vhaeraun and Eilistraee had been killed. Let alone Selvetarm or that one goddess nobody remembers the name of." He sighs. "Corellon's sacred blood, listen to me, going on pointlessly like this when there's work to be done. Let's get those horses and go." He stands, nods to their employer, and begins to head for the door.

(OOC: Kerazt hasn't deigned to notice that it's telepathy. Even if he had, his thoughts would still turn to poisons that are useful for keeping people quiet. ;-) Pardon Kerazt's hostility. He considers the Spellplague to be the second worst thing he's lived through, and on some days it vies for first.)

[horngeek]

Hope, reading over their shoulder, makes a short quip when she gets to the bit about virgin females. "So, should I be worried, then?

Although, I'm not sure whether they'd want Tieflings, anyway..."

[Nai_Calus]

"Deserved or not, your race has a reputation for being rather... Impure, so they may not in fact want you." Kerazt says. "And there's ways of resolving the virginity issue if you're that worried about it. There are male prostitutes, and you can always pick someone up in a bar."

[horngeek]

Hope chuckles. "If I want to lose that to anyone, I'd prefer it be someone I actually cared for.

Besides, I don't think something like that should be exchanged for cash."

[Nai_Calus]

Kerazt shrugs. "Better to pay for it to someone who'll at least pretend to care than to be taken at the point of a dagger and whipped afterwards because you weren't good enough for her tastes."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

"Even worse, then. The Spellplague was one of the more horrific events to occur here on Toril, and its hellspawn haven't been much better. I know a man who was forced to kill the woman he was betrothed to after she was consumed by it and changed into a distorted, gibbering monster by it. So you're yet more of that kind of ilk." Kerazt shakes his head in mild disgust.

"Humans and their gods. You know, when our gods kill each other, it doesn't destroy half the world. I bet your Harath didn't even know back then that the drow gods Vhaeraun and Eilistraee had been killed. Let alone Selvetarm or that one goddess nobody remembers the name of." He sighs. "Corellon's sacred blood, listen to me, going on pointlessly like this when there's work to be done. Let's get those horses and go." He stands, nods to their employer, and begins to head for the door.

(OOC: Kerazt hasn't deigned to notice that it's telepathy. Even if he had, his thoughts would still turn to poisons that are useful for keeping people quiet. ;-) Pardon Kerazt's hostility. He considers the Spellplague to be the second worst thing he's lived through, and on some days it vies for first.)
I have little use or care for these things called gods. They seem incredibly petty and strange, fighting each other and making mortals fight each other over simple things like ideas. As if an idea were to last forever simply because one orders that it not fade with the dawn. Nothing is permanent. Nothing.

(OOC: I don't mind his hostility. That's what makes him a fun character to interact with. Ill-tempered drow cleric and Spellplague-birthed dream man? I smell sitcom! :smallbiggrin: ))

[Salbazier]

What an interesting company I have...

Alver is sorely tempted to joke about how Kerazt comment sounds like personal experience... but he decides better.

"Not everyone in the world are either prostitute or rapist, you know. I would not pay for prostitute until I'm really out of luck. Besides, where the fun will be. Such thing is good because you must work for it."

[Grimlock]

Lornath looks down on the disparate group members bickering. I feel we will be more than able to stop any potential virgin abduction and sacrifice should we come across it. What people do in their own time to relax...that is their own business the big Goliath rumbled. Rape is another matter... he spits onto the floor, a twisted expression of distaste on his face. If we find that then a punishment will be deserving! He rolls his shoulders as if to banish a bad thought Well then my new comrades, shall we collect these horses and explore this temple? He smiles down at the others. On the way we could share tales, I am interested in those of you who are longer lived than I, you may have sagas and stories I could turn into song... Our own adventure may even become worthy of one!

[Salbazier]

Alver smiles and nods "Let the adventure begin, then. We beg to leave now, sir. Expect some good news in several days" he follow Kerazt to the door and goes straight to find the stable.

[Grimlock]

Collecting his bow from the corner, Lornath heads out after the others following them to the stables.

[horngeek]

Hope also heads out, checking her cittern and her sword.

[Nai_Calus]

Kerazt waits until they have left their employer's presence and come to a suitably empty area, and then draws himself up to his full fearsome height of four feet, ten inches and slaps the plaguechanged abomination hard across the face.

"Never speak ill of the gods in my presence again, monster. A thing like you, I suppose, would have absolutely no idea at all of their true nature and workings, but that's still no excuse at all for dismissing them and their works wholesale. End up in the Wall of the Faithless for all I care, abomination, but in my presence you will not dismiss the gods. Blather on about transience to someone who'll believe your foolishness. There are things that last forever, and ideas have power in the multiverse more than anything else ever can. It wasn't whatever you believe in that led me out of the hell I was born into. It was the gods, through their agents, who showed me that there was more to hope for than slavery and being sacrificed on an altar. Vhaeraun and his faith who led me from that and to a place where I could control my own destiny and be my own master, and Corellon to the freedom and the friendships I have now here on the surface." His body is shaking with barely suppressed rage and religious passion as he hisses his words. "So do not speak to me of the transience of ideas. You've neither seen nor experienced enough to have any concept of things at all." He turns from the man and walks ahead of the group, praying quietly to Corellon to guide him and forgive him for losing his temper.

[Salbazier]

Alver just shakes his head watching the drow and the psion "Can't you two limit this to your mouths, or at least wait until we are finish the job before you start to kill each other?"

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Minharath doesn't even seem to react when Kerazt slaps him and starts raging at him.

Nothing is real. It is all just a beautiful and terrible dream.

Then he pauses.

Wait a moment, what Wall are you talking about?

Then he turns to Alver.

I certainly don't intend to kill him. And I never speak with my mouth.

[Salbazier]

Alver shrugs "Whatever, Don't give him a reason to kill you then. I'm don't really care but group in-fighting tend to be detrimental.

"About wall of the faithless, well I'm not the best person to talk about the lore of gods of Toril. A bard may do better job on enlightening you"He gestures toward Hope.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Minharath nods and walks over to Hope.

Pardon my interruption, but what is the "Wall of the Faithless?"

[horngeek]

Hope looks at him. "According to legends, the Wall of the Faithless is where the mortal souls who did not worship a deity are placed, to be absorbed into the wall."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Why do they do that? It does not sound very fair to the mortals.

[Nai_Calus]

"Whether it's fair or not is irrelevant. Besides, there's an easy way around it." He places a hand on the holy symbol hanging about his neck and then snorts.

"Oh, and what do you care? Life's all a dream to you, isn't it? Well, I suggest you wake up, then, and realize that it is, in fact, real. And often out to get you." He snorts. "And no worries. It's my duty as a priest of The Protector to protect others. Unless he proves to be a threat, he has nothing to fear from me."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

If you are referring to the worship of these powers called gods, I have on occasion participated in rituals to the one named Oghma. I bear him no special love though, merely the respect of one scholar to another, and he is a far greater scholar than I could ever hope to become. When I said I had little use or care for them, I meant that I feel I do not owe them more than what I already give. In return, they appear to ask little of me. And I believe there are even gods that you yourself would be quick to decry, given your own alleigance to this Protector. Your kind seem to have a powerful enemy in the form of the One-Eye and his ilk.

[horngeek]

Hope shrugs. "Not really old enough to pick. I know the gods I intend to stay well away from the worship of- but I don't know which one I'd want to worship in particular."

[Salbazier]

"Same here. I was raised in Abeir. Even after a century, you can still say that 'gods' are something relatively new."

[Grimlock]

Surely we can be of a mind to live and let live? Lornath said after listening to others talk for a while. In my travels I have disagreed with many others over the Gods, although I pay reverence to Tempus, Lord of Battles, I do not hold it against those who have a different faith...unless they plan to commit an evil act! He turns to Minharath and KeraztYou come from two different mind sets and will probably never agree on wat you believe, but at least you can respect each other's right to believe it. Minharath, you find it hard to understand those who follow the Gods. You Kerazt have suffered and experienced terrrible things so this will be difficult for you, but please try or we shall fail before we have even begun. The Goliath stops talking for a moment, smiles and says, Lets find this sword and then I'll buy everyone a drink to cement our success

[Nai_Calus]

Kerazt seems to visibly relax when Minharath mentions paying at least token homage to Oghma, his tone losing much of its hostility and scorn. "Gruumsh is a foul, vile god, yes, and I bear no love for the orcs, but he's also an incredibly powerful god and not one you want to have actively angry at you. Nearly all seafarers pay homage to Umberlee, not out of any love for an evil goddess, but to stave off her wrath," Kerazt explains, spreading his hands in a 'there you go' gesture. "Even the gods I hate I do not seek to anger. Such things shorten one's lifespan and do nothing for the god or gods you do respect."

He raises an eyebrow at Hope. "Hardly too young, dear girl, indeed, too old to be without a patron. I'm surprised a bard has not yet found a god she agrees with. Corellon is a patron of music and the arts, and despite persistent belief does not deal solely in the elves. Oghma, as he mentions, is a god of scholars. There are others of course. But I suppose I can understand a certain hesitation to choose. I certainly did not go with the first religious options presented to me in my youth, and if you had told me at any point before I actually came to Corellon's faith that I would one day join it, I would have laughed at you." He nods at the Swordmage. "You seem to be a practicioner of the arcane arts. Corellon is also a patron of magic. The human goddess Selune is also said to hold some dominion over magic, but you look like more of a battlemage, and Corellon is also a god of war."

He pauses in front of the stables when the group reaches it. "I believe this is the place."

(OOC: Kerazt so isn't the person to try to convert people. And isn't even really trying at that. Most people oddly enough don't want to take religious advice from a drow. :smalltongue: )

[Salbazier]

Alver glad to see Kerazt relaxed and the discussion became less emotional "Maybe we can continue this discussion later in more depth"

"Allright, let's get the horses then. All of you has everything of your needs prepared, right?" Alver approach the stable's door and enter it.

"Excuse me, we need five horses for travel."

[Grimlock]

Lornath too relaxed at he sight of the drow and Minharath coming to some form of reconciliation. While the others go in to sort out the horses, Lornath looks down at Hope Ah, a bard as well, he rumbles. Maybe we can swap tales or songs on then journey...do you have an interest musically? I have my voice and my pipe, he pats the case on his hip, Although my real love is the sagas and stories of heroes... He suddenly pauses...a thought springing to mind...I hope they have some large horses or I fear I may be doing a lot of running!

[Mando Knight]

The stable boy blinks a bit. "This is a private stable, sirs. If you want horses, I need proof that you've got permission to take them."

The temptation to have him speak in a horrible Cockney accent, it is strong.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Minharath reaches out with his mind and whoever's holding the release for the horses notices the papers floating out of his or her hand and hovering towards the stableboy.

Minharath is using his Far Hand power.

[Mando Knight]

The stable boy watches the scene with an odd look, then grabs the paper and reads it. "Oh, okay. You're with Mr. Uriel. Right then, come on back, I'll show you his horses."

He leads you into the stables proper, and the lad's actually quite talkative, giving you the names of all of Kelzar-had's horses in his care, as well as various bits of information regarding their personalities, breeds, and favorite proportions of feed.

After a few minutes of rambling, he finally decides to cut to the point. "Right then. Mr. Uriel said in the letter he didn't think you'd be doing any battle riding, and I don't like sending out mixed company, so we'll stick with the mares. They're a touch nicer to strangers anyway. Mr. Big Guy, you can use Elsie. She's a destrier, so she's used to carrying lots of armor and stuff, so she probably won't have a problem with you. Wendy, Rhonda, and Sue get along with her pretty well, so the rest of you guys can ride them." Finally, he leads out a pretty gray mare. "Here, pretty lady. You can ride Jess. She's a bit hot-blooded, but she's real gentle with ladies."

After a few more minutes of discussing horses and getting them ready, you're ready to ride out of the city.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Minharath initially spooks the mares when he approaches, and though one eventually consents to let him ride it, it's clear that she is disconcerted by her rider's strange aura.

[Grimlock]

Lornath strides over to the destrier and pats her nose, Elsie, a noble name to sure! He leans down and whispers in her ear, We shall do great deeds together, this company of ours, and you shall be part of it. After all, where is a hero without his noble steed? He swings up onto the back of the horse and settles himself and his gear, eager to be on his way.

[horngeek]

Hope smiles, and runs a hand along Jess' flank. "That's a good girl..."

She mounts the horse.

[Nai_Calus]

Kerazt selects a likely horse and climbs up into the saddle. He rubs the mare's neck and waits for the others.

[Salbazier]

Alver mounts one of the horse. Once he see everyone mounted and ready to go he starts to ride the horse out from the stable.

[Mando Knight]

Following the map given, the group rides out of the city, eventually finding a dilapidated stone structure covered in moss and vines. A small post of Waterdhavian guards stand at attention. When you approach, a human, apparently the group leader, states gruffly "Halt. This is a restricted area."

...There's a sort of "something's off" aura about this place, but it's not immediately clear what's wrong...

[Salbazier]

Slowing down his horse's pace, Alver approaces the man "What is the matter, sir? Why are we not allowed to pass?"

[Mando Knight]

The guard responds simply and clearly, as if he thought you hadn't heard the first time. "This is a restricted area. You are not permitted to pass."

[horngeek]

"But why is it restricted?"

[Mando Knight]

The guard pauses a while before answering. "Because it is. It was ordered so."

[Nai_Calus]

"Whatever are you talking about? We were ordered to come through here. You wouldn't want us to have to disobey orders, would you?"


Diplomacy to try to be convincing: [roll0]
Insight to try to read their body language and reactions: [roll1]
Religion to see if Kerazt's religious knowledge tells him anything about what's off: [roll2]
Someone with more than a +2 to Arcana can roll that. :-P

[Mando Knight]

Kerazt's words seem to have an effect for a moment, as the soldier's stance loosens slightly, but then he seems to shudder before replying with conviction. "Our orders are not to let anyone through."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

The guard suddenly hears Minharath's strange double-voice in his head.

You have orders not to let anyone pass, yes? Are you keeping people out or keeping something in?

He uses his Far Hand to levitate the documents given to them by their employer in front of the guard.

There is something we seek within this place. Something you would not want to see loose so close to the City on the Deeper Waters.

Insight check:

[roll0]

[Mando Knight]

Minharath
While speaking to the guard telepathically, you hear a female's voice whispering seductively to him, but you do not know from where.

The guard remains insistent. "We have not let anyone through. Those are our orders."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Minharath uses his telepathy to speak to the party only.

They are in her hand. I hear her whispering in their minds. Battle may be imminent.

[Salbazier]

On hearing (?) Minharath's warning, Alver prepared to draw his weapon, but he didn't want to shed blood yet, especially if they are being controlled. He contemplates the chance to free them or retreating and sneak back later. He glances around the area, in chance their hunt is nearby.

He tries to reason with the guard in hope they may shrug off the control "Who gave you the order and for what reason? Ours is of high importance and related to the safety of the people around this area. Unless you have strong base for your 'order', denying us pass means you are not fulfilling your duty to Waterdeep and its people by supporting a possible threat"


For whatever its worth
Arcana [roll0]
Insight [roll1]
Diplomacy [roll2] Wrong roll, It was supposed to be 1d20+2
Perception [roll3]

[Grimlock]

Having observed the guards and hearing Minharath's words in his mind Lornath tries a new tack. Thinking to himself Diplomacy has not worked, maybe a sterner word will. He moves Elsie forward and looks down on the guards, looming even more so due to being mounted on the big destrier. an umnpleasant smile crosses his face. Look at me human! Do you think I care for your orders? We have a task to complete which is of great importance to your city and here you are blocking our way...WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE! He bellows, using all he has learned of his voice to pour scorn into it, to try to shock the guard out from under the control of what ever is influencing him. Let us past boy, or you will be sorry. Does it look like we can be turned back by the likes of you? Get out of our way and let us do our job! He urges his horse forwards towads the guard, assuming they will get out of his way.
Intimidate- [roll0] If this goes pear shaped...sorry guys!

[Mando Knight]

More soldiers gather about when they hear their commander ordered about by some stranger. There's more of them then there are of you.

The captain raises his halberd threateningly. Lornath's horse is spooked by the sudden movement of the polearm and backs away. "We are under orders not to let anyone through. Leave quietly now or you will be silenced."

[horngeek]

Hope steers her horse to next to the guard... and eyes him critically. "Very good. You dealt with my retainers quite well. This is a surprise inspection, to test how well you lot follow orders! I'll be sure to give a commendation to you. Very good discipline."

She smiles at him.

[horngeek]

Rolling it now.

[roll0]

[Mando Knight]

The guard eyes Hope suspiciously. "And just who are you?"

[horngeek]

"My name is Naera, and I'm a new inspector, which is probably why you haven't heard of me yet. So, your reaction was entirely understandable... and quite pleasing. Very good reaction."

Hey, this is actually working? :smallbiggrin:

[roll0]

[Mando Knight]

The guard is clearly confused. "I wasn't told of any new hires..."

Hope's charming face and voice seem to be what holds the farce together.

Alver (because I hadn't responded earlier):
Definitely some kind of enchantment going on here... most likely long-term charm or domination magic.

[horngeek]

Hope smiles. "See, you having been told would have defeated the purpose of the exercise. What's your name? So I can mention it in my report."

Again!

[roll0]

Incidentally, is it possible to tell from his armour what rank he is?

[Mando Knight]

The guard looks like he figured something out. "Oh. I suppose that makes sense. I am Captain Gregson, milady."

(That, Hope can tell, should be true... at least his rank. They don't give the rank-and-file plate armor.)

[Mando Knight]

Zan-Sul:

Traveling through backroads in order to avoid attention, you're a bit surprised when you find a decently large sized contingent of Waterdhavian guards standing about a dilapidated structure. A short distance away, several rather more lightly armed and armored humanoids are sitting on horses. A tiefling lass seems to be conversing with one of the guards, probably the leader by his plate armor.

Despite the age and apparent lack of maintenance of the building, the guards appear to be positioned to block any and all entrance into it.


Others:

Captain Gregson notices Hope thinking through her next lines, and asks "Is there anything else I can help you with, ma'am?"

Several of the guards have turned their attention to a newcomer from the other way, a hulking (compared to the party except for Lornath, of course) Stormsoul Genasi.

[Grimlock]

Lornath walks his horse forward to stand next to Hope. He gives a quick bow of his head as an act of respect and says,M'am, I feel these soldiers are doing a fine job, but we do have a tight schedule to keep and have other places and soldiers to inspect. He backs his horse away, while trying to keep the servile attitude!

[NecroRebel]

On seeing a group of guards, among all the people he was trying to avoid by travelling this way, Zan-Sul comes up short, holding his torch high as he glances backwards over his shoulder, then to either side, searching for any other people who might have managed to catch him by surprise. When he sees that some of the guards have noticed him, he grunts in annoyance, lowers his torch, puts his other hand on his sword's hilt, and edges slowly sideways, towards the edge of the road, keeping his eyes on the other people the whole time.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Minharath looks towards Zan-Sul, and the genasi suddenly hears a strange double-voice in his head.

"Who are you? Are you in her hand, like these guards or here to recover the blackened blade like we are?"

[NecroRebel]

The genasi warrior does not take the voice in his head well, particularly as he is completely unsure where it might have come from or what it might be talking about. Snarling angrily, he drops his torch, sending it skittering off the force that suddenly shrouds his body, and bares an inch of his blade. Silver-blue electricity arcs from his weapon, outlines the shield around him, and passes through the energy lines criss-crossing his face and arms as he growls, "I am no one you will trouble. Leave me be! It will be your head, not mine!"

[Nai_Calus]

Kerazt turns his attention from the guards to the newcomer.

"Come now, what is all this about? Nobody has said or done anything to you. You don't want to upset the guardsmen here, especially not during a surprise inspection."

[NecroRebel]

Zan-Sul stares suspiciously at the assembled adventurers and guards for a moment, then resheathes his sword. The lightning crackling around him fades, though the nimbus shield around him remains intact, as he slowly leans down to pick up his torch again. Never letting his gaze away from the others for a moment, he straightens and cautiously approaches along the road. "I don't care why you're here or what you're. Just let me by."

[Mando Knight]

Alver's horse is considerably uneasy about all this business, and accidentally bumps into the captain. Before Alver can apologize, the captain swings his halberd and makes a shallow cut along the mounted man's chest. Alver instinctively draws his sword, and the captain bellows out. "It's a trap! Surround and subdue!"

The contingent of guards leaps into action, trying to surround the group. As they close in, Alver gives out a yell as he rides his horse out of the flanking maneuver. Guards break off to follow him, and he rides off into the woods with a final shout. "I'll lead these guys away! Get going!"

[Archpaladin Zousha]

"Shall we do as he says or attempt to save him?"Minharath asks all assembled, this time using his voice. Zan-Sul would now realize just who was speaking in his head.

[NecroRebel]

At the first sudden movement among the soldiers, the already jumpy Genasi warrior startles and draws his blade entirely from its sheath. Once more, lightning crackles around his body, showering sparks into the renewed aurora the continuously shrouds his body. One wrong move from anyone will get his blade in the gut; that much is clear.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Minharath watches him, waiting for the clouds of tension to burst and release the bitter rain of violence.

[Nai_Calus]

Kerazt folds his arms and raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

"Hah. Try that sort of reaction in any drow city and you'll be skewered from a dozen sides in no time. Silence and subtlety, striking from the shadows, that's the way to do it," he says, shaking his head in disapproval. "Calm yourself down. We mean you no harm. Corellon calls us to protect others, not to randomly slaughter them on the roadside. So please, sheathe your sword and let's discuss this like sentient, rational beings, shall we?"

[Grimlock]

Glancing at the genasai and his sword, the guards gathering around them and his new companions, Lornath lets out a feral grin, his hand slips down to the grip of his longsword and draws a foot of steel. Ahhh, a chance for glory my friends, a chance to test our mettle against those who would stand in our way. A feverish look enters his eyes as the battle lust begins to rise in the goliath, urging him to strike his opponents.

[Mando Knight]

How initiative's gonna work:
Players post moves, then I post the mooks' moves. Then we start again with the players.

Map:http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq128/Mando_Knight/CurrentMap.png

G5: Zan-Sul
L10: Kerazt (mounted)
O10: Minharath (mounted)
M13: Hope (mounted)
O14: Lornath (mounted)

[NecroRebel]

Zan-Sul ignores Kerazt's rebuke as a pair of the guards approach him, eyeing the humans with increasing distrust and anger. Finally, when they come just a bit too close, he snarls angrily, steps in, and swipes at them, lightning coursing across his body into theirs as his blade passes by.

I'm assuming "Zelt" at G5 is supposed to be Zan-Sul... :smalltongue:

Anyway, actions:

Free: Drop Everburning Torch
Free: Activate Lightning Weapon at-will feature (all damage is now lightning)
Move: Shift down-right to H6
Standard: Sword Burst at-will.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2] Lightning damage.

Minor: Aegis of Assault mark on the one conveniently labeled Human3.



Can we get the token labels turned on please? It's much easier to keep track of which enemy we've actually been attacking as they move around if we have them, particularly since these guys all have the same model.

[Mando Knight]

Can we get the token labels turned on please? It's much easier to keep track of which enemy we've actually been attacking as they move around if we have them, particularly since these guys all have the same model.

Yeah, I'll do that next update. Right now, they've actually all got placeholder names. "Human 3" simply refers to that character's token being one that uses the third "generic human" token I crafted up.

Also, both guys are dead.

[Nai_Calus]

Kerazt hisses and resists the urge to bury his face in his hand.

"Stop it, you fool! These men have done nothing!" He yells at the genasi.

"Blasted spellplague, blasted interlopers, bad as drow the lot of you and I ought to know!" He directs the horse around the closest guard and towards the obviously psychotic and dangerous genasi.


I have absolutely no idea what the move on this thing is and have no way of looking right now, nor do I have any idea to note what square I'm moving to, so for now just assume that I'm skirting down and around the guy in K8 and heading for the area of the genasi.

[Grimlock]

Lornath snarls at the soldiers. Come then, little men. Come and die! He flings himself off his horse, and runs to the closest soldier, hacking visciously at his head.
Standard- Dismount
Movment- move to N15
Spend an Action point
Markings of the Victor means I roll twice for my first attack of an encounter.
Basic Attack 1- [roll0]
Basic Attack 2- [roll1]
Damage- [roll2]

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Minharath says nothing, but focuses on one of the far soldiers. His eyes briefly flash brightly and the guard can feel something, like a spike being thrust into his forehead.
Minharath uses Mind Thrust on the soldier in G16.
Attack: [roll0] vs Will
Damage: [roll1]

[Mando Knight]

Minharath's mind-bolt finds its mark, but the archer stays standing. Hope draws her horse back, and strikes up a little ditty about the strength of the Goliath warriors, hoping to distract Gregson away from herself.

However, the captain has other plans. He slips in closer, directing his soldiers to strike at the Goliath in his stead, while shouting encouragement to his archers. The injured one points at Minharath, and both fire bolts at him. The soldiers move swiftly to engage the grouped heroes, striking with their swords with killing intent.
(Misdirected Mark, vs Reflex) [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] and Gregson is marked by Lornath until the end of the latter's next turn.
[roll2] vs Minharath's AC
Damage: [roll3]
[roll4] vs Minharath's AC
Damage: [roll5]
[roll6]-2 vs Hope's AC
Damage: [roll7] and Hope is marked by Gregson until the end of his next turn.
Mooks: 5 damage on each hit
[roll8] vs Lornath's AC
[roll9]+2 vs Lornath's AC
[roll10] vs Minharath's AC
[roll11] vs Hope's AC
Map:
http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq128/Mando_Knight/OutsideTemple1.png
Enemy conditions:
Archer 1: -13 HP, 10 THP
Gregson: -7 HP, marked by Lornath until the end of his next turn

[NecroRebel]

As the drow rides towards him, the genasi warrior sneers at him, snarling "Out of my way, Deepborn!" as he turns his attention towards the one who had ordered him "subdued." Moving quickly, he tries to get at the guards' commander, stopping momentarily to strike down the guard in his way.

Actions:

Move: Move 3 right, 3 right-down to K12
Standard: Booming Blade on Mook4

[roll0]
[roll1], and if it moves away from me before the start of my next turn it takes [roll2] Thunder damage.

Minor: Aegis of Assault class feature on Captain Gregson



Not that damage really matters against a minion, but I figure I should roll it anyway.

[Nai_Calus]

Kerazt sighs and resigns himself to the battle. He turns his horse towards the archers, staying at the edge of his own range and reluctantly calling upon Corellon's power to attack the nearest one.


Lance of Faith: [roll0] vs Reflex.
On a hit: [roll1] Radiant damage and one ally I can see gets +2 to their next attack to hit this guy. I dunno who to give it to since nobody else is attacking him. <_>;

[Grimlock]

Despite having lashed out and been deflected by the armour of the soldiers, Lornath re-gathered himself and focused on the Soldier next to him and took a deep breath. A deep bass rumble started to seep out of his throat, building to a crecendo and a roar as he began to sing a battle hymn, cursing his enemies.
Standard- Cutting Words Attack- [roll0]
Damage- [roll1]
Against- Mook 1 in N15
Ahhh man!:smallfrown: