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There is nothing to suggest that it looks like anything other than a lump of crystal if it is not generating extoplasmic legs. Although psionics is rather rarer than "ordinary" magic, with the usual magic transparency in effect, using detect magic or identify on it would reveal all the same information it would on any other magical item... living or not.
At a more basic level, it should not be common knowledge that gems and crystals are often used as magical reagents, foci, or magic items.
A more rare knowledge arcana could be that crystals are often used for communication and used more commonly in the subtle arts.
Cal quickly finds a cart owner standing idly, apparently waiting for something.
Though surprised by an elf's appearance, and moreover, his desire to rent a cart, he is mroe than persuaded by the promise of gold (costs 1 gp) but asks you to ensure it's back there by sunset (6 hours).
When they arrive at the smithies, Phaedrus lets Aquarius in front of him...and then begins to eye the wares as he waits for Aquarius to get his dagger. If any apprentices are about, he will talk to them.
You can see a few young boys working at various forges throughout the street, though most are simply using the bellows, one older boy is hammering away at a piece of shapeless, red hot metal.
While Aquarius and Fade are checking out the blacksmith quarter, and Cal is picking up a cart, Seal posts up on a nearby roof which has a good view of the streets around the Savant's Repose, to watch for traffic coming and going.
Spoiler
If someone looks up (Hide+1) (1d20+1)[2]
Anything of interest (Spot+4) (1d20+4)[17]
Skill checks don't autofail or fumble on a natural one, but she sure does fail utterly at finding a hidden spot. Obviously she would move if someone spots her and is obviously curious about the weirdo on the roof.
Caladeran dropped the coin in the man's hand with a vague assurance that he would return later, and drove the cart off. According to the plan, he was supposed to be in 'front' of the situation in order to gather Maria's body quickly and quietly, so he made for his checkpoint ... slowly, but surely.
__________________ Going on vacation for two weeks. I'll post when I can, but NPC me as necessary!
DM: "Why do you have so many characters?"
Me: "Because I never embraced the strategic value of running away."
Approaching the young smith, Phaedrus walk over to the apprentice and says mildly, "It's been a busy day, hasn't it - did you see the parade? I heard that the Archa was attacked."
The boy glances up, and at first tries to ignore your words and keeps hammering, however after you wait a while he relents, and lowering his hammer looks around furtively before replying. "No time to see the parade I'm afraid. Heard some peoples saying so'thin about her be'n attacked, but I ha'nt seen nothin."
(I'll assume this is to the owner of the shop Fade is asking at so you can pick up his line of questioning if you want)
The owner is quite an old man, still large, but you can see his stature is waning.
He nods at the request, even if he seems surprised by the lack of small talk. "Width?" He asks, already moving to a rack with many small hilts out the top. He proffers a number of example pieces, some with blaes up to 4 inches wide, others as thin as a nail.
Caladeran slowly rode the cart through town, keeping his hood up and weapons hidden beneath blankets in the back ... except for the spiked chain that was curled up next to him under some rope.
__________________ Going on vacation for two weeks. I'll post when I can, but NPC me as necessary!
DM: "Why do you have so many characters?"
Me: "Because I never embraced the strategic value of running away."
"Like a thick nail. No edge, just an extremely sharp point. Also, if at all possible, a small, tight cover for the tip, so that when carried it won't pose a threat."
The man seems deeply impressed by your sudden skill and dexterity with the weapon, but shakes his head regretfully: "That is unfortunately not my field, but I have a friend who I'll make sure will help you out." He jots down a man's name and address (just a street away) and informs you that the man is a skilled leather worker and would have what you require.
Another elderly man resides within, and after inspecting the note nods and proffers a tape measure in order to get the best fit. He shuffles about in a back room for about 10 minutes before returning with a thin leather harness that fits you adequately and holds the new blade snugly.
"That'll be 5 silver pieces for a friend of Buck." His smile is friendly but not overly warm.
You make your way to the Savant's Repose just in time to see Selena stumbling around on the roof decidedly unlike her normal subtlety. You also catch sight of Calderan sitting atop a sturdy cart.
Spoiler
Right guys, we're all up to speed now, so post your actions for the daring kidnap attempt!
Calderan glanced over as Aquarius sauntered up. "The same as it was before. We wait for Selena to take care of her end of the bargain and be prepared to ... clean up the mess."
Reaching into his pouch, the duskblade removed the small crystal and studied it for a moment. "Ah ... tell your mistress we are ready ..."
Spoiler
Sorry if you were waiting for me to respond (which you probably were!) Game on!
__________________ Going on vacation for two weeks. I'll post when I can, but NPC me as necessary!
DM: "Why do you have so many characters?"
Me: "Because I never embraced the strategic value of running away."
After a brief consultation with the other two where they apparently decided not to risk the clearly known Aquarious antagonizing the suspect, Seal, who apparently had seen no-one enter or leave the inn since she got to the roof, ran back down the other side of the adjacent building she had been hanging out on, into a back alley.
From there she made her way to the front door of the Savant's repose, to order herself a glass of bottle of rum and surreptitiously look for their suspect inside.
A scrawny man stands stopped behind the bar, malevolently watching his dwindling clientèle. Only a few groups remain, conversing in hushed tones, and there is no mood of celebration or revelry.
He seems surprised by Selena's appearance, but hastily attends to your order, and wipes one of the tables before guiding you over.
Selena's cursory glance reveals that Maria is nowhere in sight.
Seal asks for 4 glasses and makes sure there are 4 chairs at the table, then leaves the bottles and glasses there as she asks where the lavatory is.
She asks the barkeep to direct her friends to her table if three people come in together looking for Annie.
She telepathically instructs Crystaleena to tell the others she can't see their target yet, and to pretend to be arguing about wether or not to go through with a double date, as she will look a bit further in then wait for her "dates" not to show up.
The barkeep obliges, pleased at the prospect of more customers.
There is a door through to dingy room containing only a small bench and rusted lock. As you uncomfortably wait you notice that there are faint reddish stains on the floor and walls and an oddly pungent scent that, although sweet nearly to the point of nauseating, must be better than the grime and excrement in the room.
I did not intend to suggest she was going to be waiting for their target in the bathroom, but rather that she would use the excuse of getting to the bathroom to look for a way to explore more of the building without raising suspicions.
If she can find an opportunity to "get lost" on the way to the bathroom, she'll take it, otherwise she'll be promptly taking care of business and returning to the table to wait in the common room.
Caladeran stared at the crystal for a long moment, then responded back. "Are you suggesting that we come inside, arguing about meeting a woman for a pseudo-sexual encounter? What purpose does this serve?"
Spoiler
Part Cal being reluctant to look the fool, part me clarifying what Selena wants ...
PS - I wonder if the dead girl is in the bathroom ...
__________________ Going on vacation for two weeks. I'll post when I can, but NPC me as necessary!
DM: "Why do you have so many characters?"
Me: "Because I never embraced the strategic value of running away."
Seal explains telepathically to Crystaleena that her excuse for hanging out in the common room is that she is waiting for 3 other parties of a double date to arrive...
Likewise their excuse for hanging around outside if anyone asks, and for those who pass by is that they are waiting for the final woman to complete their double date, and loath to introduce themselves to her friend without her...
In this way we all have an excuse for hanging around as long as we need to... amusingly because we are in fact waiting for a woman to arrive.
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Re: 3.5 Political Adventure [IC]
