Morning. Rest came easily last night, the day ready to begin and...
Agenda here? Ball's in your court for the moment.
Alyssa lounges in bed for a few, enjoying the sun streaming in from the open balcony doors before rising from her bed to go to the balcony, shifting her clothes in something more suitable for the tropical islands: a long but light cotton skirt and a wrap top, both in reds and golds.
As she enjoys the weather, she munches on some fruit for her breakfast as she waits for Lorathana to arrive.
Lorathana soon enters, bowing slightly before coming in, "Good morning," she says, "Your uninvited guest has been busy."
"Oh? Not causing problems I hope?"
"Let's see," Lorathana begins, "Ma'am, she's been asking many questions everywhere. She's rather knowledge thirsty - and to quote her 'did an Aunt Kascha' by knocking over several beakers of potion. Fortunately, she more than paid for them, so there is no real loss long term. Additionally she seems to marry inexperience with more power than she should have. She casually mentioned casting an 11th circle spell, without seeming to grasp entirely how amazing that is."
"Yes, it's part of why I'm letting her stay. She's an innocent, over-all, and yet powerful like myself. By working with her, I hope to gain insight into, hopefully, more powerful magic. And she's interested in me and the Order, so I'd rather have her with us than simply around us. Better able to guide her instead of leaving her to her own unknown devices. What sort of things has been taking interest in?"
"Magic of all stripes and kinds," Lorathana reports dutifully, "She seems hungry for any and all arcane lore, though she already knows most of it. Her theoretical education is top notch."
"Hmm... If she's interested, we could maybe link her up with some of Madala's people. They're great at practical application, so it might fit with what she's looking for... In any case, we should find her and get geared up. We'll need Jarem to get a team together. No more than twenty strong, I would think. And I have to go pick up that new sword so I can finish the familiar ritual. Where is Leogeon? Has he gotten everything ready for the ritual?"
"Yes and understood, ma'am," Lorathana reports, "Is there anything else?"
"Yes. Sit down and relax with me for a bit. It's been a while since we talked about more than business. What's on your mind?"
"Current events," Taking a seat and shaking her head, "I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall and things to get worse."
"Mmm. Same. It's already bad with Shar targeting us and Malcathet's interest. Bah, enough of that depressing stuff. Talk about something better. Any projects you need help with? Anyone catch your fancy yet?"
A blush rises, faint and studiously ignored. "Ahem," she coughs even as her cheeks burn red. "Yes, actually. Jarem is handsome He has, ah, a way with words and deeds. He...brought me breakfast. That was very considerate of him, and he has a lovely smile, don't you think? That chin, too."
Alyssa smirks with a little roll of the eyes, "That one. Yes. Be careful with him. He fancies himself a ladies man, I can tell. He's spent a fair bit of his time here trying to flirt the. Though I think it was more testing boundaries than anything. I'd be thankful if you took him."
A moment's pause, "You aren't interested, then? I heard him calling you Queen, like a pet name."
Alyssa snorts. "A sarcastic jab. Friendly, but sarcastic. He said it reflects my attitude. No, I'd he thankful. I think he likes strong women, though. So none of those shy glances. Take the man as yours and give him something else to look at."
"Understood, ma'am," Lorathana inclines her head towards you. "I only worry he may be a dog in truth, content to chase at whatever tail is willing to wag his way."
"He might be at that. Though I suspect he takes his oaths very seriously. It may be more of a race to get one out of him before he wanders away."
"That is the challenge, ma'am. Getting a ring out of one such as that is always an art, or so I hear." Lorathana remarks, the faintest hints of a wry smile on her face.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow and replies in an amused voice, "Ring? Someone is thinking long term. I meant more a promise to be true. Still, goals. And we know his weaknesses. Like any other man. He mentioned that the Red Knight has, and I quote, 'magnificent tits.'"
A pause at that, eyes narrowing. "Did he?"
Alyssa chuckles, "He did, but don't go getting upset with him when you're not even together yet. Poison in the well, that."
"Hmph." Lorathana looks to the side, arms crossed.
Alyssa chuckles. "Oh this'll be a smooth courtship. Don't forget he's a soldier. Make sure to appeal to his sense of home when he leaves. Keepsakes, meals that keep, that sort of thing."
"Which will give him chances to strut around like a dog if he wants to," Lorathana softly huffs out, still looking away.
Alyssa outright laughs. "True, but that is between you and he."
As you talk, Jarem opens the door and pokes his head in, "You have a problem. Ule was poisoned, pretty badly. Only reason he's alive is because I was up early."
"Which means I was probably right. We have a Shar agent here. Do you know what with, where, and when? We need to find a way to track this person down; they're likely protected from divination like last time."
"Not yet," Jarem says, "I was neck deep in keeping him breathing, it was a close run thing."
Alyssa nods. "Alright. Let's get a couple of our mages over there to work with the clerics. Let's see if we can figure out what it was. See if Emily might have an idea, too. Seeing it in action might give her a better sense of the stakes. I get the feeling she's not been around weaker people much."
"You think? A Queen and now a Princess," Jarem sighs with two fingers to his forehead, "I seem to be deluged by regal women."
"And yet no wiser from fear of beheading. I think that alone qualifies you to be a jester."
"Strangely, visiting the afterlife while alive helps a lot with the fear of death," Jarem retorts, "Besides, it's more fun to live a little dangerously. It keeps you on your toes and at the top of your game."
"And single."
Alyssa shoots Lorathana a glance.
Lorathana has wisely stepped well back and out of this, expression utterly bland. "It may not aid your hunt for female companionship," she concurs.
Jarem smiles and rubs his chin, "A fact about jesters: Often they speak truths others fear to, and couch it as comedy. A refuge in humor, if you will."
"Are we to take that as indication that you are wanting a relationship, then?"
"Well, I'd be glad to talk to either of you about it alone later, if you like," Jarem says, but shakes his head, "But we're getting off track. Ule needs our attention."
"He does indeed. Let's go try to figure out what was done to him. Were there any wounds to go with it? Was it ingested?"
Okay, so planning on going full forensic here? Staying here or going to Ule?
Going to Ule, but yes, trying to do magical forensics, I suppose.
Alright, cool. What methods do you intend to use here?
Start with K stuff and healing. Go from there, other than that, no real idea.
Okay, make a Heal check first or have someone make one in lieu of you doing it.
> roll 1d20+8+20 Heal/Cunning Knowledge Serith
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 47 > [d20=19]
Ule lies in his bed, a duo of clerics keeping watch. Checking him over, you see no signs of injury to suggest poison delivered in that way. As you do, "Oh, I had to use a powerful healing spell to save him. If it was a small injury or even a larger one I didn't notice, it's gone. Didn't have time to finesse it."
However, you're able to tell Ule just had a big shock, as if something attacked his very health. Likely a poison that targets that, rather than physical strength or agility.
Assuming that's IC way of saying Constitution?
"Well, I think it's something that hits straight to vitality, so that narrows a few things... What were the symptoms? Any ancillary effects? Fever, vomiting, that sort of thing."
Correct.
"Fever, shakes, bleeding from orifices," Jarem lists them off as Ule sleeps. "He's either lucky or tougher than he looks. From past experience, I think it was something that attacked the internal organs and lead to that bleeding."
Alyssa considers.
"Give me a moment."
Since I haven't done spells for the day yet, gonna throw out a couple basic ones to help here.
Create Magic Tattoo: Caster Level Bonus, CL 29, 24 hour duration.
+1 to CL.
Bibliotheca Arcana, CL 30, 24 hour duration.
+15 to Knowledge Checks, can make Knowledge Checks untrained.
Jarem gives you a moment, as requested.
Ball's in your court.
With a clearer head Alyssa considers, running those symptoms and the targeting of vitality through her considerable knowledge bases; either she'll come up with something, or hopefully remember some books from the library that might aid her in identifying the poison.
What skills do you have relating to poison, as well as knowledge skills in general?
Heal
Knowledge: Arcana
Knowledge: Dungeoneering
Knowledge: Engineering
Knowledge: Geography
Knowledge: History
Knowledge: Nature
Knowledge: The Planes
Knowledge: Religion
Survival
Heal and K:N.
Already used Cunning Knowledge for Heal. Boo.
> roll 1d20+8 Heal Serith
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 20 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+42+20 K:N/Cunning Knowledge
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 68 > [d20=6]
Hm. One thing fits - burnt othur fumes. It utterly savages a creature's body from within, especially if augmented or otherwise improved. Made from othur root, a fungus that grows around graves, it's perfectly harmless unless burnt and the fumes are inhaled.
"Maybe... Othur root. Where was he found? Send someone to check for any sort of ashes. Maybe incense or something..."
Alyssa tries to recall more about the root, hoping to remember what book she read it in or what can cure it.
There's a few books on poisons in the Guild that discuss it, you recall.
"Lorathana, get Leogeon and collect the books in the library on poison. I've got a good memory, but the books will help."
"Yes, ma'am," Lorathana hurries off.
"Othur root?" Jarem considers, "I'm not versed in the types of poison much, but I think that one grows from the dead?"
Alyssa tries to recall what she can about the root, to confirm Jarem's suspicion or not.
You did just recall it grows around graves.
Totally missed that in the post for some reason.
"Yes, it does."
"Sounds like we need an inquisition," Jarem says, voice bereft of its normal tone, serious instead. "Whomever it is, they're likely already gone or confident of defeating the divinations we'll naturally use to expose them."
Alyssa slowly turns to Jarem and speaks in a dead flat and serious tone, "This is an institution of learning. There will be no inquisition here unless specifically requested by the entirety of the Regents. Even then, they will be here as advisors, and the teams will be directly controlled by the Regents."
She holds his gaze a moment longer to impress her seriousness on him, but then continues, "Though we may need to do just that. Divination is unreliable and we don't have the power of a god to call on to back them up... Though, this root might be enough to get us on our way. It's rare and we can track it down, possibly."
"I mean an inquisition in the general sense, not a religious one," Jarem meets your gaze confidently, "Let me know if you do, I can prepare some divinations."
"Do you think the Red Knight will be able to protect your divinations? One of our high divinators was cursed by Shar when he tried to view a murder."
Alyssa makes a mental note to ask Emily about Shar curses.
"I am," Jarem says, "How bad was the curse? If it's truly out of control, I may return to Warrior's Rest to cast it." Giving you a look, "I have confidence I am far better than your diviner." After a beat he adds, "No offense, but I am, Queen."
"Bad. Almost killed him, and blinded him. We've kept him unconscious for now. I tried to break the curse with a Wish and couldn't break it. We can have a look at him after we're done with Ule, it could give you some insights."
A nod and...
Next move on investigating this? More with Ule or something else?
Was waiting for Emily since she's a Shar expert type. Wanted her to look into it, and also waiting on my assistants to show with the books about the root.
Okay.
Moments later, Emily hurries into the room, "Oh, was there a Sharran attack? That's what I heard," she says, breathlessly.
"Assassination attempt. Poisoning. Would you happen to know if Shar favors Othur root? I think that might be what was used on Ule from the descriptions of the symptoms."
> roll 1d20+48
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 55 > [d20=7]
"Oh, not particularly, but Sharrans use virtually any poison that's useful," Emily says. "If it kills or disables you, they'll use it to gain an edge, but they aren't known for using it in particular."
Alyssa grunts with distaste. "How annoyingly practical. What about curses? How much do you know about Shar's curses?"
"They're really bad news, she has a knack at horrible curses and so do her best followers," Emily says, "Shar's really strong so her curses are really strong, too."
Jarem grunts at that, "Yeah?"
"Oh yes," Emily nods along to that, "Really strong."
"Any ideas on how to break one? One of my diviners got cursed and nearly died. Blinded as is."
"Oh, a sufficiently strong Wish or Miracle spell can do it," Emily says, then tilts her head to the side, "I suppose you tried already?"
Alyssa nods.
"I have. My Wish bounced right off."
"I can try," Emily volunteers, "Would you like me to?"
"I would appreciate it. Would you like to go to Ysgard first? If there's any sort of backlash, you'll be able to recover better there. Though... Hm. Do you know cooperative magic? We could try together."
"Oh? What's cooperative magic?" Emily asks, brightening, "I don't think I've used that sort of magic before. How does it work?" Emily fumbles and takes out a small book and quill, "Tell me about it!"
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, thinking of her own notebook.
"... Well, you'll certainly fit in around here. It's special training that allows mages to synchronize casting a spell, allowing the magic to rebound between them and strengthen each spell. Every mage in our Order undergoes the training. Too bad you don't have it, we could have used it to strengthen each other to break the curse."
"Tell me more," Emily says, scribbling away all the while. "How many mages can combine? What sorts of magic and traditions can combine?"
Alyssa blinks.
"Why... All of them. The power of the spell, to break through protections, runs off of the strongest caster in the circle. Each mage included brings more power to all of the spells. For example, if we took say... thirty novices with the training and had them all cast Floating Disk, each of the thirty resulting disks would last as long as if I cast it."
"Oh really? So it's replacing or no, it's additive?" Emily hums, tapping the quill against her nose. "Something like that, instead of multiplicative?"
"Additive, to a point. It adds a small portion of power, not all of it. It's a quantity over quality thing, but with enough numbers, we can match almost any mage in power."
"Fascinating," Emily keeps on writing, "What are the limitations?"
"Everyone has to use the same spell, at the same time, and have to be adjacent to at least two other casters. They need to have some basic understanding of metamagic, but other than that... Nothing that I know of."
"How intensive is the training? How does metamagiced spells work? What about caster limits and how many can participate at once?" Emily goes on and on, "Tell me more, the theory's good. What are its weaknesses and strengths, in your mind?"
"Emily. I don't mind going over the ability with you. Later. More pressing things right now. Poison. Curse."
"Oooooh..." Emily trails off, blinking. "Oh right, I'm sorry! It just sounded so interesting."
Alyssa nods.
"Eagerness to learn is to be commended, but for now, I'd like to save the two of them. Would you like to look over Delaize, the diviner?"
"Oh, was he the one cursed? Of course," Emily agrees right away.
Alyssa calls over a lower ranking mage, directing them to take Emily to Delaize while she waits for the books to arrive.
Easy. Soon enough your books arrive and...
Go ahead.
Alyssa begins flipping through them, looking for the entry on the root to confirm and hopefully find a treatment.
Ah, there it is. The treatment's straightforward - magic and rest. Those that survive it are almost always in horrible condition, requiring lots of bedrest or powerful healing magic, preferably both. It gets worse if the poison is augmented at all or if it hits someone in poor health.
"Well, according to this, you've done everything to be done. Magic healing and rest. Jarem, do you think we could get him to Ysgard? Maybe into the Red Knight's territory to recuperate?"
"I could do that," Jarem agrees, as a page rushes in. "Ma'am," she says, hood of her robe falling back as she comes in, perhaps 20 years old and blonde hair a mess. "There's a powerful wizard asking for Miss Emily back immediately. She looks really upset at Miss Emily."
Jarem glances over, "Thanks, and it's called knocking, not barging in."
Alyssa sighs.
"Page, this is a sick room. Be respectful, calm, and quiet. Did you happen to get a name from this wizard?"
"H-her name is Elle Stronger, ma'am," The page says, wilting a bit.
"Thank you. Please see Ms... Stronger... to one of our guest rooms. I'll see if I can't find Emily."
Turning to Jarem, "See if you can't get a couple of your people to take Ule here over to Ysgard."
With that, she goes to Delaize's rooms.
What'cha gonna do there?
Talk to Emily about this new person. Possibly give her a chance to plane shift away and meet me in Hades later. Maybe figure out an argument to stay. Maybe try to recruit the new person.
Also see how the curse breaking goes.
You head to Emily's room, walking by yourself A page runs up to you, a male this time, strong and full bodied. "Ma'am!" she calls, "Um, our newest guest is insisting that she see Emily now, that it's a matter of her safety. She's impressing on us to really hurry."
It's reading a bit wonky to me. Is Emily walking by herself, or am I the 'by herself'?
Fixed. Emily's not there, just a few weird typos.
"Tell her I understand the danger and I'm on the way to find Emily."
You find Emily pacing back and forth, put into a little small side room for the moment. She turns to you, "I heard Aunt Elle's here," she says, "Is she?"
"She is. In quite the huff it seems. You can confront her and stand your ground, or consider meeting me on Hades later. In either case, I wouldn't worry too much. They may not like that you're here, but you took precautions to not cause problems. That counts for quite a bit."
"I don't want to go back empty handed," Emily says, quickly. "I like it here, everyone's interesting. Plus there's a spellpool like the one in Balmuria. But um, Hades is dangerous..." she trails off, "I just wish I could stay here. Can you do anything?"
"Hmm... Well, maybe not at this second. I think their main concern will be spiritual wounds. I can do some research into it, but that's a project. But listen Emily, you have accomplished things. You've learned things here, started to make friends. You've established a chance to work together, and you've gotten me to agree to help you learn and get experience. You've explored a new world and we're smart enough to keep from inflicting spiritual wounds. All on your own. The best wizards are the best because they take the time to think things through and prepare the right way. Even if you do get called back, you've taken those first steps. And my door will be open for you. You've already gained me as a collaborator."
You have a chance here to add Emily to your node now, based on what you've said. Do you wish to take this?
I do. It's help bolster a fair bit.
At that moment, you feel a connection form between yourself and Emily.
"Wha-" Emily's eyes widen as with a CLICK, the ring on her finger sinks in deeper and glows once, before dissolving into light. The light flows into Emily's body, making her glitter a few times before fading.
Emily is now in your node, go check it out.
Alyssa blinks.
"Hmm, that felt similar to what happened with Jarem. Do you feel anything different or new, Emily?"
Emily's color drains quickly, "Um...the Ring of Delaros just...poof! Light!" Emily's eyes are wider and wider, "Oh no, Waukeen is going to kill me! Mom's going to kill me! My other Mom's going to kill me!" Looking up at you, "What did you do?!"
"We haven't figured it out yet. It seems to be some sort of... Bond. It happened with Jarem. Whatever it is, it isn't something I have control of. He got some sort of special ability last time, I believe. Jarem? Describe it to her so she can see if it's the same. Though curiously, you don't seem to be causing any problems here with the disappearance of the ring."
Jarem's not here, he's doing that Ysgard thing you asked him to.
Oh, whoops. Forgot about that.
"When we have time, you can discuss it with Jarem. Something similar happened with him. I believe he got some sort of special ability after. Curiously, you don't seem to be causing any wounds with the disappearance of the ring. I'm not sure what it is, but it's not something I have any control of. Something we need to study... In any case, take a few minutes to compose your thoughts before we talk to this Ms. Stronger."
"What?! I'm not...am I mortal now?!" Emily pokes her side rapidfire, "I don't want to get old and die! That can't be it! Did I internalize the powers of the ring somehow?"
"I think loss of divinity would have a bit more of a light show than that. Though your second guess is probably a good one, considering the world isn't breaking from you no longer wearing the ring. Any ideas on how to test your divinity?"
Emily blushes but quickly says, "I'm not a deity, that's not how it works. I meant I wasn't a spirit. One Mom's a former half elf who became a dragon and then a deity, the other is an elf who has gained celestial and dragon influences." A moment at that, "Every time I list it out, I wonder how planar bloodlines work, but never mind that."
"Mmm. Well, I doubt you'll have a problem with dying of old age. I'm sure Seira can grant you immortality. If not, there are spells for it also. Why, it almost sounds the start of a quest there. Anyway, testing it."
"Eh, testing what?" Emily asks, looking up at you.
"If you're mortal. I imagine you'd feel it. You can test it if you want."
Emily tilts her head, "Really, you have a way to check? What is it, a spell?"
"You could try dying."
Alyssa holds her straight face for a second before grinning.
"Honestly, I think your family will be able to figure out what happened."
"Oh." A sigh follows, "Yes, I suppose I should go meet them now, shouldn't I? I'm going to be in sooooo much trouble."
"As I said, take a few to think of what you want to say to them. Structure it."
A few moments pass before she says, "Alright, I'm ready," she says, "Let's go meet them."
Alyssa nods and stands.
"Remember, I'm on your side here, and wanting the things you came here for isn't wrong."
Thus you go to what's essentially a fancy waiting room of your guild. Rich, fancy and altogether chic, the sort of thing nobles normally enjoy.
Elle Stronger is a woman of perhaps middle age but not quite right there either, a faint agelessness to her that's hard to elaborate. She has long red hair, a bit of curliness to it and is on the slightly tall side. Perhaps it's the influence of the clear draconic blood in her - the occasional scale, the draconic eyes. It gives her a clearly inhuman appearance, despite her robes, sword and spell pouches.
Standing behind her is a female elf. Unremarkable - until the moment you look at her, you feel an overwhelming presence. Her gaze is like a physical thing, her appearance unimportant compared to simply feeling her. She wears plain clothes, not even a weapon on hand - she just watches you coolly, the weight of that gaze more than a barbarian.
Go ahead and intro yourself into this and how you're handling this.
"Greetings, ladies. I am Alyssa Songsteel, Regent of the Order. You're here for this wanderer? She's been one of my favores guests."
Emily waves, "Hi, Aunt Elle, Uncle Oraga." She slumps a bit, "Nice to run into you here."
"Thank you," Elle says, voice brisk. "Our apologies for Emily dropping in on you like this."
"Uncle?"
She shakes her head and continues.
"It has been entirely a pleasure. I've enjoyed making a friend of her. She's an eager one; a trait I enjoy greatly. We have many things to talk about."
Elle's voice softens a bit, "Well, good. She gave us a scare doing what she did."
At this Emily slumps a little more, "Um...about that..."
Oraga turns to her, expression neutral and voice flat, "You screwed up."
"...yes." Emily looks down, shuffling back and forth a bit, fidgeting. "I...well...the Ring of Delaros is...gone. I may have maybe absorbed it it was an accident because Alyssa has some strange power I've never heard of before!"
Alyssa chuckles. "Yes, perhaps. This is the second time it's happened. Both were unexpected and unexplained. Though I think the level of 'screw up' involved is fairly minor. A bit of a planar jaunt and making some friends is rather minor. Though I don't know what this ring from Waukeen entailed."
There's a long silence at that, "You did what?" Elle's voice is perfectly flat, a long breath held in. "Miss Songsteel, that ring was an artifact loaned to her from Waukeen, likely irreplaceable. However did you manage to break it? Emily, tell us what happened. I'm not going to yell at you for it."
"No idea what-so-ever. I offered her an open door and it broke into light."
"That's exactly it, metaphorically anyway," Emily slumps a little more, "I've never seen anything like it! It just happened and the magic may be a part of me now, since no spiritual wound, see?"
Elle peers at Emily at that, "So...not only did you break a priceless artifact, you absorbed its magic - or if the person hearing it is uncharitable, you stole the magic?"
"...yes?" Emily says, managing a weak smile, then shooting you a desperate look, mouthing, 'Help.'
"I doubt a case of unknown magical interaction could be viewed in the same way as theft with intent. I've been in charge of the development of more than a few young people, and I believe Emily understands the impact of what's happened. I think moving on to figuring out what to do about it will prove more constructive."
"Granted," Elle agrees, "Like what you're going to tell Waukeen, Emily."
Emily slumps even more. "Ask her if she does gradual repayments?"
Alyssa chuckles at that. "I'm sure it'll work out. I haven't ever met Waukeen, but I can't imagine she'd be too unreasonable. Upset likely, but not unreasonable. It'll likely be something of equal value recovered or a number of tasks. I don't mean to be dismissive of the situation, but there was no ill intent and making a deal with Waukeen isn't the same as a deal with Malcanthet. I can't believe that there would be the same level of viciousness involved."
"Intent matters as much as yesterday's wind - little at all, long gone," Elle points out, as Oraga simply looms, watching the entire conversation. "You have a lot to make up for, young lady. Both of your mothers are waiting for you to get home where it's safe. There was a Sharran incident recently, we're not letting you be at risk of attack here. The Cauldron is much safer than a random wizard's guild."
After a moment and a look to you, a smile to you, "No offense to your guild, but I doubt your magic can match our works and defenses in the Cauldron."
"Likely not. There have been two Shar attacks here. Something we could likely help each other investigate."
Emily perks up and nods quickly here, "I want to stay and help them with that, since Shar has to be stopped and stopped from picking fights with innocents. I really want to Auntie Elle. Please?"
Elle slowly exhales through her nose at that, and instead answers Alyssa. "Shar's giving you trouble as well. How recently?"
"This morning. Orcus Root poisoning. Jarem, one of the Red Knight's clerics who is staying here, one of a contingent, stabilized the victim. Emily here offered to look at one of our diviners who was cursed and blinded by Shar."
It's not Orcus Root, Iddy. It's burnt othur fumes. That's the sort of thing that really needs to be clarified and fixed.
Sorry. Phone post, so I don't have notes.
"This morning. Burnt Orthur Root fumes. Jarem, one of the Red Knight's clerics who is staying here, one of a contingent, stabilized the victim. Emily here offered to look at one of our diviners who was cursed and blinded by Shar."
Oraga rumbles - a sound like grinding stone and shaking earth. "This is relevant to us."
"So it is," Elle says, "Alright then, let's go see him before anything else. Regardless, we can agree on one point: Shar can rot." Giving Emily a long look, "But don't think you're off the hook."
"No Aunt Elle," Emily nods rapidly, holding her hands up. "I got that. Crystal clear!"
"We can do a small tour on the way. Emily wishes to keep company with me, and I'm sure you have some questions about me and this place."
"I do," Elle agrees as she settles in to walk with you, "Where did you all get a spellpool, first of all. We've build one of our own before in the Prime we came from, it's hardly a trivial task."
"Building it was the project that established the order. The founders worked together to make it, and then continued working together to use it and strengthen it. They brought their apprentices, and they got their apprentices and so on."
"I see, I see," Elle remarks as Emily keeps her mouth firmly shut, Oraga following, "How long ago was that?"
Uh, I have no idea what would be reasonable here.
Say a few hundred years.
"A few hundred years ago. Records aren't exact. After they established the spellpool and the order, they focused on continuing research. It's been that way ever since."
"Good on them," Elle remarks, "How is the level of magic here? How are your defenses, if Shar is attacking?"
"I'm the most powerful here. Around Emily's level from what I can tell. Our defenses are... Lacking. That's why I've come to an agreement with the Red Knight. We have plans for improvements, but we're playing catch-up. We weren't in anyone's awareness outside of our prime until recently, and so defenses against the likes of Shar and Malcanthet weren't in place. Though Malcanthet's only tried diplomacy so far.
The contingent from the Red Knight are here in the event that Shar tries more overt moves, but we've established a certainty that there's a Shar agent here, though only in the last day or two. We're putting together a group to find him, or them. Jarem's suggested an Inquisition, which I'm tentatively considering allowing, but it'll be led by one of our Regents."
"I'm surprised you haven't been scouted before now, if you're so powerful," Elle remarks, "Powerful mortal champions draw divine attention, you would certainly qualify."
"It's a fairly recent development. The Red Knight took notice. Malcanthet as well, but I've kept her offers at a distance until I can figure out how to wave her off without having her come after my head. I follow Shaundakul, and accepted the Red Knight's offer with his approval. Though someone in Selune's realm seemed to take notice of me. Enough to speak, at least."
"Mmmm, that can happen," Elle remarks, "Sometimes mortals advance in years what would normally take centuries or longer."
"I had a bit of help. Still, it was rapid enough that we were unprepared. I've been working to get the Order defensible, but... There's a lot to do. Which is why I believe Shar is doing what she is. Harassing us and slowing things, targeting the leadership, then come in with an offer of subservience of some sort. She's killed some of our Regents outside of the Order. In Langersun, for example. We plan to get stronger wards up against divination and to get better blocks against teleportation, but it all takes time and resources we're short on. Once the basics are in place, Jarem will give some guidance on more advanced things."
"And, you're probably hoping for us to help, especially if Emily insists on staying," Elle remarks casually, as you reach just outside of your destination.
"I'd be a fool not to. As you said, I'm new on this stage and you're not. You have far more experience in dealing with the tricks, traps, and abilities of God's than I do. When Emily arrived, I told her I was hoping that a relationship with her would lead to diplomacy and a relationship with her mother. Though that's not the only reason I accepted her. She's very much like many of our youngest Masters. Eager to find their own niches and adventure. At heart I'm an explorer and teacher. I have experience doing all the things she desires and she has experience and knowledge about things in this new stage we find ourselves on."
"We'll come back to this," Elle finally says, "This is it? Show me this cursed man."
"Yes, High Diviner Delaize. Please, through here. We've done our best to keep him comfortable."
Alyssa takes them inside the room.
Delaize lies in a bed here, several clerics overseeing him. Elle claps her hands together, "Alright, thank you, but we'll be handling this from here," she announces. "Emily, check him over and tell me what you find."
"Yes, Aunt Elle," Emily hurries to the cursed man and begins to chant, working away.
Alyssa makes sure to pay attention to what's happening, to the point of casting Detect Magic on herself to ensure she sees everything. A chance to learn about Shar's curses, after all.
Spellcraft.
> roll 1d20+42 Spellcraft
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 48 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+53 Emily (+15 divine insight)
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 72 > [d20=19]
> roll 1d20+66 Elle
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 81 > [d20=15]
The curse writhes. Like a living thing, like a nightmare left in the dark to twist into a horror. The magic is foul to look at, your eyes burning as if bone dry. Yet you look on, studying it. The curse to blight, a curse to render comatose, a curse to destroy from the inside out. To leave behind an empty husk, worthless and meaningless. You recognize a few bits - it reminds you of a vile spell only mentioned in studies, Soul's Treasure Lost. It takes the most valuable item or thing a person has and utterly destroys it, purely to hurt the target. A little of it feels familiar - there's a vindictiveness to the magic.
For a time Emily studies it intently, "Aunt, Shar's curses are always so terrible to look at," she murmurs.
"I know," Elle concurs, "Be strong like the adult you're trying to act like."
"She's right. As ugly of a use of magic as this is, there's much to be learned from it, and from things like it. Recognizing it makes you cautious of it. Learning how it works lets you prepare defenses and cures. And often times, a cure for something like this can be applied to other things. Sometimes things that haven't had a cure yet."
"As long as you maintain that cautiousness and know when to look away. Shar's used curses that curse anyone who studies them," Elle mentions, offhandedly.
Emily freezes at that, slowly turning, "Please don't remind me."
"Plesant. I see why you focus on resisting her so much."
"She's a menace," Elle concurs as she focuses. "Focus, Emily. What can you take away from this. What about you, Alyssa?"
Alyssa raises an eyebrow at being spoken to as an apprentice.
"If Emily can unravel it, I'll be able to figure out the structure of the spell and how it attaches itself to the victim and how it twists the energy, and the schools involved. It seems to attach to what the victim values most, so it's got a component that attacks the spirit and mind."
"Yes," Elle agrees, "Are you familiar with corrupt magic? Spite is often a big component of such vile workings, spite, hatred and malice. This is why you can't take someone like Shar like a normal threat."
"I think I can break it," Emily says, "By calling on Mom's power directly to intervene."
"Good, Emily. Whenever you're ready." Elle steps back.
"Too bad you haven't had the special training of the Order. We could cast the spells in conjunction. Though I wouldn't be calling on Seira for that."
Regardless, she takes a step back. A small one. Still need to be able to see the magic, after all.
As Emily breathes deep, preparing herself, "You're transparent," Elle remarks, a dry look, "Let me talk to Seira, I'm going to need to anyway."
"Considering I've admitted everything to you, there's nothing to be transparent about. It's a matter of weighing things out. I don't have the time or forces to procure what we need to improve our defenses before Shar either wipes us out or puts us under her thumb. That said, anything we come to an agreement on will also be run by the Red Knight. No sense in offending a patron like her. I quite like her, actually."
Alyssa says this all while intently watching Emily.
> roll 1d20+26
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+26 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{44}
Emily kneels and begins to chant, a prayer with hands clasped. She speaks Celestial, calling on holy names and speaking clearly. Around her motes of white light begin to form, contrasted by motes of darkness around Delaize.
"Begone! In Seira's name begone, curse of Shar!" Emily calls, and the darkness wails and flees, Delaize groaning softly.
Any rolls or anything to understand how it was done and be able to mimic it? Seems like it was Maricle?
It was a miracle spell. Not much you can do there unless you cast one or have divine power of your own to call on.
Devout Factotum, but that caps at level 7 magic.
"Hmm. Interesting. I can't manage that level of divine magic. How pivotal is it that the magic be divine?"
Emily slumps a bit and relaxes, hands on the edge of the bed. At the same time, Elle replies, "Usually a wish or a miracle will suffice, but it's not impossible that only one or the other will work."
"Hm. That will made your magic unstable. Let us move back to a private room while it recovers. Delize here will be tended to by one of the clerics."
Once in a comfortable and private room, Elle tosses her hair and remarks, "Alright then, let's get to this," she says, "Emily, you need to go see Waukeen and sort this out before anything else. Alyssa, I'll talk to Seira. Questions?"
"A few. I assume you have expectations? I can tell you're likely one of the teachers Emily has had. You rather speak like it."
"I am," Elle concurs, "We all had a hand in her teaching," Emily's meanwhile blushing and wisely nodding along, not adding anything in. Elle comes up and snaps her fingers sharply, a sonic BANG startling Emily.
"Try that if she's being inattentive." Elle's smile shows itself after that, "Keep her on her toes, don't let her glide along or neglect her studies. Laziness isn't her vice, but at times she can be insecure and retiring. Don't let her fall into that."
Alyssa chuckles. "A cute trick. I'll find a way of keeping her motivated. That said, Emily, what do you hope to gain here. You spoke of wanting adventure and experience, but do you have specific goals? A type of magic you want to develop? A signature spell or weapon? Is there a specific creature you want to test yourself against? Anywhere specific you'd like to see or experience?"
Alyssa gives Emily a reassuring smile, hoping she takes the chance to verbalize her desires and come to an understanding with her... extended family.
"I want everything," Emily says quickly, "All of the above and more!"
Alyssa chuckles. "Yes, most of the young ones do. I think you need to decide on a few specifics first. Pick somewhere to start."
"She's like her mother," Elle remarks, tossing her hair back, "Always wants everything."
Emily blushes at that anew, "I'm not that much like Mom! I just want to learn new and powerful magic, adventures and experiences of all kind, I want to learn healing magic and protective magic and fire magic and elemental magic of all kinds and oh, learning how to summon primal elementals would be nice and also I think a spell better than miracle of life would be really useful, just walk into a city section and help everyone!"
Emily's words come in a torrent, all at once, more and more. "I'd love to fight a tarrasque like the Destroyer was, but you can't really find intelligent tarrasques just anywhere, so how about an evil phoenix or a powerful Sharran archmage, or how about a prince or princess of elemental evil?"
"There's your first research project. Find a few legends you're interested in and we'll narrow it down from there."
As you talk, there is a knocking on the door. "Ma'am?" A page calls, voice young and reedy, "T-there's a message for you here. A d-d-divine message."
Emily nods quickly and pauses, "Oh, is that Mom already?"
"Enter. What sort of message? A carrier or something else?"
"A golden rain of coins and an envelope, along with a strong impression it's for you, ma'am."
The page is a young man, still zit-covered and youthful, holding a gold embossed white envelope like it's the most precious thing he has.
As Emily quickly pales, Elle merely adds, "That's one way Waukeen favors sending a message."
"Indeed. Pass it here."
Alyssa holds her hand out for it.
The envelope is handed over. You have a sudden sense that you're able to open the envelope safely.
Alyssa opens and reads it.
It reads as follows,
"Dear High Transmuter Alyssa, Regent
I require Emily Aryn to present herself to me at Brightwater at her earliest convenience. As you were involved in the incident with the Ring of Delaros, it would behoove you to attend as well.
Sincerely
Waukeen, The Golden Lady and Merchant's Friend."
"It seems Waukeen wishes to see us in Brightwater, Emily. At our earliest convenience. A polite way of saying 'now.' I'll prepare myself; I've got some spells to cast before going anywhere and some things to coordinate to be done in the Order before I'm ready to go. Might I suggest you take some time to order your thoughts? Writing a quick outline helps."
"...eeep." Emily makes a sound like a scared mouse and nods, hurrying to a table and taking out quill and parchment. As she scribbles away, "I'll stay here until you teleport there," Elle agrees. "I suggest making an entrance, but not so much so as to be tasteless."
"She appreciates the ostentatious, does she? Well, I believe she'll be a bit disappointed with me. I'm an explorer and researcher, and a blacksmith's daughter."
Alyssa stands.
"Ms. Stronger, might I suggest you and Emily establish a way to contact each other? I think something for myself would be wise, as well, in case I need to contact one of your people."
"We will. A dragon messenger, I think," Elle says, "You'll know it when you see it."
"Mmm. Dragons. After Ao launched me onto this stage, my... interest in dragons has tempered a bit. But yes, it suits Seira. I'll go prepare."
Io, Iddy. Io. Io =/= Ao, it's an important distinction and highly relevant to this game.
Normally I'd let that sorta thing go, but it's legitimately important here.
Gotcha, fixed below.
"Mmm. Dragons. After Io launched me onto this stage, my... interest in dragons has tempered a bit. But yes, it suits Seira. I'll go prepare."
Okay, what's your prep here?
Gonna do a spell list. TBH, I haven't revised my buff list and it's sorta late to do that, so it'll be a tomorrow thing.
Sure, that's fine, go for it. Let me know when you're good.
Second set of Energy Immunity has a 1 hour delay due to Echoing, but that's not a huge thing. Just annotating it for you.Create Magic Tattoo: +1 Spellcaster Level, CL 25, Duration: 24 Hours.Magic Vestment +5 (Shield), CL 21, Duration 21 Hours.+5 armor bonus to armor/shield.
+10 enhancement bonus on Jump checks, and if you have a fly speed, that speed gains a +10-foot enhancement bonus.
Spell resistance equal to 10 + 1 per three caster levels.
+1 luck bonus on attack rolls.
enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls of +5
You have the benefits of the attune form spell (page 17) with respect to the appropriate element.
You are immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, and stunning, and are not subject to extra damage from critical hits or flanking. You gain darkvision out to 60 feet.
Fire: Fire immunity, burn (those you hit in melee and those who attack you with natural weapons must make a Reflex save or catch fire, with a save DC equal to that of a fire elemental of the same size).
This spell protects against all mind-affecting spells and effects as well as information gathering by divination spells or effects. Mind blank even foils limited wish, miracle, and wish spells when they are used in such a way as to affect the subject's mind or to gain information about it. In the case of scrying that scans an area the creature is in, such as arcane eye, the spell works but the creature simply isn't detected. Scrying attempts that are targeted specifically at the subject do not work at all.
+15 insight bonus to all knowledge checks and may make knowledge checks untrained. Perfect recall of memory and anything heard/read. Speak all languages.
This spell is identical to moment of prescience, 3 uses. The insight bonus equals your caster level (maximum +30).
This spell is identical to mage armor, except that it grants a +20 armor bonus to armor class.
HP: 288/288
AC: 53.
Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL21), Heart of Air (CL30), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body: Fire (CL30), Mind Blank (CL30), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL30), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL30), Energy Immunity: Electricity/Sonic (CL26), Many Moments of Prescience (CL30), Epic Mage Armor (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV)
Negative Conditions:
Emily is pacing back and forth when you return, "Ah!" she returns, "Are you ready, Alyssa?"
"I am. As the letter was primarily for you, I'll let you lead the way. Have you taken the opportunity to compose your thoughts?"
"Uh huh," she says, "...I'm thinking of begging for mercy, mostly." Blushing and looking away, "I am in sooo much trouble."
Alyssa chuckles.
"Well, I'm sure you're repentance will be apparent. I still think it'll be obvious that it was out of anyone's control, though I do expect you'll still have to compensate Waukeen for it. In any case, let's get going."
The method of traveling is a Gate spell, opening up a rift in reality. You step through...
...and in a blink of an eye you are elsewhere. A dungeon cell to be particular. Dark, dank and utterly devoid of hope. Emily's eyes widen and she cries, "Aunt Waukeen, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It was an accident, don't lock me up!"
As if on cue, the cell door opens. A man in rich silken clothes and cap comes in, "Oh, a thousand pardons," he says, florid of face and wide of belly, smiling and twirling a black mustache. "We're adjusting the magic of the portals today, Miss Aryn. Come with me, please, The Merchant's Friend is awaiting you."
"For a moment I was worried that Shar had a redirection spell in place around the Order... Actually, that's a thing I need to address."
Alyssa pulls out her own notebook and makes an annotation.
Emily sinks to her knees, exhaling. "Oh. Oh! OH!" Slumping as tension visibly bleeds from her, "Just a mix up. Alright. Just a mix up. Yes, let's go. This is Alyssa, Garson. Alyssa, this Garson Northgate."
The fat man reaches up to idly scratch a pointed ear, a sign of some elven blood or something more exotic. Perhaps the latter, as his eyes turn a curious shade of metallic silver. "Yes, I was told to expect you, Miss Songsteel. I'm one of Waukeen's personal attendants." Hurrying along with speed belying his size, "Come along now, come along. We musn't keep the Golden Lady waiting."
Alyssa studies the man, trying to pinpoint his heritage as they go.
"Indeed. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Northgate."
K:A.
> roll 1d20+42+15 K:A
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 66 > [d20=9]
It could be a silver dragon, but it's not quite right. The half dragon and descendants of a silver dragon are almost all comely and well formed. The pointed ears fit, it's a fairly common change for those with a silver dragon in the family tree, and the eyes match, but that doesn't.
"Mr. Northgate, I don't mean to pry, but are you the descendant of some sort of... unique silver dragon? I can see a few traits of it in you, but it doesn't quite match up..."
"Ahahahaha," The fat man slaps his stomach, "A good guess and partly right. The problem comes from my mother's side of the family. My father has a silver dragon in his lineage, but that's not the only supernatural creature in it. On my mother's side is daemon blood. Something of a fluke romance that didn't last, but was enough to birth me." Poking his stomach, "It seems that daemon blood and metallic dragon blood mixes poorly, it's a miracle I was born. The fact that I can't really lose weight is something I've learned to accept."
"I understand that, considering my family tree," Emily says, perking up a bit, "Fortunately dragon blood is remarkably adaptable."
Alyssa taps her chin, thinking as they walk.
"Have you considered a spell like Alter Self? If it's inherent to your bloodline, maybe... Trait Removal? I think that's the name of the spell..."
"Thank you, I have and had many offers, but no. This makes me distinctive now," he says, "Fat Garson they call me, though I prefer jolly. I'm not longer mortal, so the downsides to this don't really apply."
Alyssa nods. "Thank you for indulging my curiosity."
"Then indulge me some of mine. Are you a teacher for young Emily? A friend? A significant other?"
Emily groans at that, burying her head into her hands.
"A companion for adventure. The teaching will be her decision; an unwilling student is as useless as a fool student. Emily seems no fool to me. However she might feel at this moment."
A chuckle is the answer, and you are lead along. To a golden antechamber - walls and floor of sheer gold, everything pristine and polished. Cushioned chairs await yo uhere, "Please wait, it won't be long."
Alyssa takes a seat, getting comfortable to wait.
It's not long. Barely a minute before you simply feel it. You're invited within, as of now.
Emily gulps and stands, "Aunt Waukeen only uses this when I'm in trouble."
Alyssa raises an eyebrow. Interesting that she seems to be included in 'trouble.'
"Let us go, then."
Within is a room with a floor made of countless interlocking gold coins, smooth and not with a single bump in them. Priceless treasures and art is on display on the walls, and on the floor are great heaps of gold and treasure. They are situated around a golden throne glistening with gemstones, where a golden haired woman sits, regal and cool, haughty. Her dress is of the finest materials and pure gold, spun like cloth and yet fully metallic. She gives Emily a look, a look that makes Emily wilt instantly.
"It was an accident I promise and I didn't meant to do it and please don't turn me into a toad or a newt, Aunt Waukeen!" Emily blurts out in one breath.
Alyssa takes a moment to take it all in, taking a special interest in Waukeen's metallic clothing, idly trying to puzzle out how it was done, as she amusedly waits for Emily to get the floundering out of her system.
Waukeen gives Emily a long, level look.
Immediately Emily bows deeply, kneeling. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it really was an accident I don't want to be a fly the rest of my life or even a squirrel! Please please please please please please please don't turn me into a rabbit either, since rabbits have bad luck and really don't turn me into a dog!"
Waukeen continues to look on, unchanging.
"I'll pay it back, I swear! I can pay it back! I can go on quests! I can make you money! I can get it done however I can! It's a better investment than transforming me into an ant!" Emily continues to babble, face planted firmly on the ground.
"Ahem."
The throat-clearing from Waukeen freezes Emily utterly. She looks up slowly as Waukeen turns away from her and to you. "Alyssa Songsteel, Regent and High Transmuter?"
Alyssa inclines her head to Waukeen.
"Indeed. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Golden Lady. It's an honor to be invited into your home. The beauty and art will be in my memory forever."
Waukeen rises, stepping past Emily. "Which capture your eye in particular," she says, going towards the wall behind you, where so much art is on display.
Feel free to make something up here, within reason.
"Truthfully... Your dress. The alteration of the form and rigidity of metals while seeming to retain the properties of the metals is fascinating. How soft is it? Does it still resist impacts and cutting? Does it remain soft until impact, then harden? Is there a restriction on what materials you can do it with?"
Emily stays where she is, at least for now.
"Oh, the dress," Waukeen smiles a bit, "It's just some thing I had around, hardly anything noteworthy." A moment later an extra copy floats in the air in front of you. "Inspect it yourself."
Alyssa does so, gleefully, taking the dress and turning it over, inspecting it.
"Your art is fantastic as well. I just happen to be more of a 'go there and see it' person. Part of what led me to my worship."
It's soft and giving, metallic and hard at once. It's a contradiction, sending perfectly opposing sensations at once. The dress is impossible and yet you hold it.
"Oh, I understand that. Sometimes you have to spend some money and go see something," Waukeen agrees, "I have people to do that for me, of course."
"Ah...Aunt Waukeen...?" Emily asks, poking her head up.
Waukeen gives her a long look, shutting Emily up instantly. It's not a terribly kind look, solemn. "Good news, Emily! You've hitched your wagon to a traveler. This is good, because you have a lot of traveling in your future."
"Explorer. Well, traveler fits, I suppose. Less for leisure than for the desire to find the new or lost. Being the first to see something new is the best! No matter what, you'll always have been the first to see it. Speaking of, I need to find a way to project memories... Hmm..."
Alyssa pulls herself out of that line of thought and focuses back on Waukeen, "I assume that means you've decided how she's going to compensate you for the ring?"
"I have. I'm placing the value of the ring at 1 billion gold coins," Waukeen says, quite solemn.
Emily's color turns pale as milk, "O-o-o-wuh-wuh...one BILLION!?" Emily manages to choke out. "BILLION?!"
"I'm afraid so," Waukeen says, "The magic to create it is no longer possible, so a replacement isn't likely."
"Fortunately for you, I have many quests that need doing," Waukeen continues, "I think you'll be quite busy with them."
Alyssa chuckles at that.
"A billion seems excessive. If you want her to be your gofer until you're satisfied, I think it'd be better for her confidence to say so. She's been torturing herself all night."
"You should be. Those rings haven't been able to be made since the beginning of time," Waukeen sighs and rubs her forehead, "How did it even happen?"
"I think we have Io to blame, honestly. Whatever he did to empower me has been having odd effects. One of the Red Knight's clerics had something similar happen. At least, it felt similar to me. I haven't the foggiest as to why the ring's magic seems to have become a part of Emily. When I offered to let her stay and work with me, it turned into light and was absorbed into her."
"Impossible," Waukeen says, flatly. "It was an artifact. You do not simply absorb artifacts."
"I-It's true, Aunt Waukeen," Emily scrambles to her feet. "It really happened!"
"Io also doesn't empower humans. The guild leader for a small Arcane Order on a prime doesn't make alliances with the Red Knight nor personal audiences with gods of wealth. Strange times, Golden Lady."
Alyssa shrugs.
"I'm sure you're beyond capable of magic that senses lies. If you're Emily's Aunt, I'm sure you know her well enough to tell when she's lying."
"Well, then Io will get a bill the next time I see him," Waukeen finally decides, "In the meantime, you're not off the hook, young lady," In an instant Waukeen is back on her throne, as if she never left.
Emily's face perks up before falling again, "Aaaah....how bad?"
"It's simple. Your mission is to find me a replacement to this ring. While unreplaceable by making a new one, there's likely a few more out there somewhere that have survived at this time."
"Do you have any leads?"
"None at all," Waukeen smiles rather thinly, "Do keep busy on that, Emily."
"Yes, Aunt Waukeen," Emily nods quickly and quickly yet, "I'll make sure Alyssa spends money and produces commerce during it, too!"
Alyssa scoffs at that.
"Outside of equipment, most of the money I come across goes back into the Order. Emily, looks like you have some divination to do. Maybe we can get you trained in Cooperative magic... That might help you."
"In the meantime," Waukeen smiles, the copy of her outfit flying to you. "Keep it."
Alyssa looks at Waukeen a bit suspiciously.
"Not to be ungrateful, but rarely do gifts from gods come without strings. I'm... Leery of the attention I've been getting lately."
At this Waukeen smiles, "Sharp of you, no deal is easy and there's no such thing as a free lunch. If you ever get in trouble and need to escape, put the outfit on. It'll teleport you to Brightwater - for a price, of course, to be paid after arrival. You'll find you can put it on in seconds and even over other clothes. A reasonable price, I assure you."
"Our opinions of reasonable may differ. Mind giving a bit more detailed... estimate of the cost? And what if there's a teleport block in place?"
"Oh, it'll depend on the circumstances, but a few thousand sounds right," Waukeen says, "It's powerful enough a minor teleport block should shatter, but it may not get through a stronger one."
"Hm... Thank for the gift, however leery of using it I may be. I appreciate the implied sentiment. Was there any other reason you asked for me to come along? The fact that you sent the invitation to me and not Emily, and simply have her bring me with her, implies there was more to it."
"There's no fear in you, at least not the kind that checks your actions." Waukeen says, suddenly more for just one moment. So much your mind reels, overwhelmed by sheer presence. But only for a moment, "Do not forget who and what I am...and it's refreshing for a mortal to talk to me respectfully but not over awed or terrified. That sort of poise can make you a lot of money."
Alyssa shakes her head after a bit of wooziness from it.
"Yes, I do... Let it get away from me sometimes. I apologize for that. I've been clawing through the Order since I was empowered, it just becomes reflexive. You're actually the second deity that's mentioned it. I'll have to work on it before I deal with Malcanthet. I doubt she'll be as intrigued by it. Or maybe she will, for the worse."
"I also don't want to hurt my dear niece's feelings," she adds, shooting the quiet and grateful Emily a look.
Emily nods quickly, "Thank you, Aunt Waukeen!"
"You've gotten yourself entangled in affairs far above your station. Take care they do not consume you, Alyssa Songsteel."
"Yes, that's why I'm trying to make alliances. The Red Knight approached me, and Shaundakul approved it. You're absolutely correct that I'm out of my depth."
"Then keep making them. It worked for Aurora, after all," Waukeen notes. "Now then, young lady," turning to Emily, "Get going, you have a replacement to find. Alyssa, it was a pleasure to meet you."
"It was both a pleasure and enlightening. I look forward to improving our relationship."
And from there you are sent home. No magic, just a simple bit of divine will that returns you to your guild.
Emily sags once she's back, "I'm not a frog, I'm not a newt! Aunt Waukeen isn't that mad at me!"
"Well, she did give you quite a bit of work to do. But yes, you made it through. What next?"
"Well..." Emily begins.
Okay, what's your next move now?
Item familiar? Then I really gotta sit down and figure defenses and find this assassin/spy/whatever.
Sure. Okay, how do we wanna do this, Iddy? You're ritualing it?
Sounds good to me. I don't have any idea how to do RP-wise.
Okay, I'll set it up. What's the item being awakened and how can it communicate?
It's a Scimitar. It can communicate Telepathically with me and in common, plus one additional language per point of int. Here's my rough idea of it:
Shifting Steel +1, 50,015gp: Shifting Steel is a Holy Scimitar of Transmuting. Holy: Good-aligned, +2d6 damage vs. evil alignment. Transmuting: 1 round after a successful hit, over comes damage reduction. In addition to these enchantments, Shifting Steel is also an Item Familiar. See below for details:
Abilities:
Stats:
Int: 16
Wis: 12
Cha: 12
Level 1: Invest Life Energy, Invest Skill Ranks, Invest Spell Slots
Level 7: Sapience, Senses, Communication
Level 10: Special Ability (Ghost Touch , +1 bonus.)
Level 14: Special Ability (Improved Senses)
Level 18: Special Ability (Greater Senses)
Level 21: Special Ability (Increased Sapience)
Level 24: Special Ability (Bane: Abberations , +1 Bonus)
Level 27: Special Ability (Bane: Outsiders, Evil, +1 Bonus)
Level 30: Special Ability (Bane: Undead, +1 Bonus)
Does the weapon have an alignment?
It gains my alignment, which is CN.
One problem - that clashes with adding holy to it. Do you want to adjust for that?
Yeah. Is there a chaotic version of it? If so, I imagine it's the same cost?
Anarchic. Same cost.
I'll do that, then.
With a final word, the ritual is complete. You stand before the ritual circle, the scimitar floating there. Did it work? You think it worked. You can feel the magic in it, the sword radiating a clear light that fills the entire room.
Alyssa lifts it and draws it to her with her Telekinesis, looking it over and examining the magic in it, making sure it worked.
The sword wiggles as you hold it. "You're Alyssa?" it asks aloud, voice a bit gruff and decidedly male.
"I am. Would you accept the name I chose, or would you name yourself?"
"What name is that?" The scimitar asks.
"Shifting Steel."
"It will do," Shifting Steel decides, "A good name. A hard name."
"Good. You will have much to do, I believe. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"As long as you remember to use me, this will have no problem," Shifting Steel says. "I await to spill the blood of those that follow law."
"Devil's and Shar are what we're likely to fight."
"Devils...yes, that sounds good. To shed their blood and slice their flesh, that is the life!" Shifting Steel declares. "We will crush the fiends, the undead and the aberrations!"
"Indeed. But we do it for a purpose, not mindless slaughter. Even if that purpose is our own."
"Hah, as long as we shed blood," the sword says.
Got anything to add here?
Not really. Next most important things are starting to set up defenses and finding whatever is attacking peeps in the order.
As you head out?
"Alyssa!" Emily runs up to you, Jarem following behind with a bemused look. "I just wanted to tell you I contacted Mom and she told me sorry wouldn't cut it and to reflect on what I did, so..." A shake of her head at that, "It might be a little while before we hear back, I think she's mad."
"Unsurprising. Remember, though, Emily. Even if she's not happy with you, she still loves you. I think you should face this head on and discuss things with her. Likely in person, but I think you both also need a bit of time to get your thoughts in order. There are many who have joined the Order who have similar conflicts with their families."
"Yeah...but at least I have a lead on what happened to the ring and why, right?" Emily says, "Now I just have to figure out this strange...ah!"
You feel it, a bond between yourself and Emily. You feel a resonation between yourself and Emily, echoing between the two of you.
You gain Magical Aptitude as a bonus feat.
Emily's node goals updated, go check.
Read it.
Alyssa blinks and shivers at the feeling.
"There it is again. Odd. I really must figure out what that is. You were saying?"
"That's it! That feeling again!" Emily whips out a scroll and starts writing, eyes glowing blue, "If I can figure out that reaction, I might be able to figure out why the ring broke and how it did it." Working away and speaking up, "We have to find ways to have it happen again."
"Not that I mind," Jarem speaks up now, "But we got some new blood. Hawk...wine? Wind? The naggy woman," Jarem snaps his fingers, "Anyway, she called in some favors and got some manpower. About three score all told. Good young men, if raw around the edges. Got them training already, they came with basic arms and armaments. Got a couple with some magical talent, though no stand outs."
"Excellent. Work with her to figure out a combined training system. Emily, if you'd like to give tips on anything, feel free. You've certainly had some of the best tutors around. Speaking of, was there anything you'd like to learn from us? An area of interest? Even if you're here as a guest and not a member, I'd like you to feel at home. Same with you, Jarem. If there's anything you're interested in, please let me know."
"I will! Right now I'd just like to learn all sorts of spells. Say, what's your spellbook like?" Emily asks.
Alyssa gasps.
"Oh my, what a personal question. And in front of others, too."
She then chuckles. "I don't carry a spellbook, exactly. I've modified the jewel on my forehead to record my spells.
Jarem smirks at that as Emily blushes but pushes ahead, "Ooooh. Can I study it?"
"Perhaps. The magic isn't exceedingly difficult, but access to another's spell book isn't given out so easily."
"Oh," Emily slumps a bit, "Well, I was going to invite you to my room and show you mine."
Jarem just smiles, not saying a word to the entire conversation.
"Well, perhaps when we get some free time. At the moment, you have a research project from Waukeen and I have to set teams to work on defenses, check in on Delize, and find whoever is attacking inside the Order."
Emily nods, "Alright then, I'll see you soon. I have to find ways to trigger that reaction more."
So, do we want to get into the upgrade stuff, or hold off for a bit on that?
Upgrade stuff is fine. What do you have in mind?
Anything on the list I posted. I dunno which would be easiest/fastest/most important.
Paste the list in here so we can pick it over OOC?
Arcane Order Upgrades/Defenses:
Anti-Scrying.
Anti-Teleporting or teleport delay or teleport redirection.
Fast redeployment.
Perhaps some sort of alignment or patron deity detection.
Zone of peace type effect. Alarming or marking a person who does violence/murder.
Dome of force/prismatic effect.
Upgrade magical testing/research facilities.
Extra-dimensional living/work spaces.
Development of extra land/space.
Some sort of magical item production (guild of mages, someone has to already be doing this, really).
All worthy goals. How do you plan to accomplish them all?
Dunno exactly. Part of what I wanted to talk about. Rituals with Cooperative spell? Not sure which spells would be best to accomplish what.
Well, let me ask you something. What spells or items as written could accomplish these things? Do you have any ideas?
Quote from: Iron Dragoon on June 26, 2018, 01:45:28 PM
Arcane Order Upgrades/Defenses:
Anti-Scrying.
Well, Mage's Private Sanctum, Screen, and Mind Blank all do it. Of those three, some sort of mass mind blank or field of mind blank would be the most reliable, but the most plausable is a area wide Mage's Private Sanctum. It's a 30-ft cube per level, so depending on the size of the islands and how many mages we can get in the Cooperative Spell circle for it, it's possible. Alyssa can pull off a 900 cu.ft. area solo, and each mage in the circle adds a 30 cu.ft. area to that, in addition to each mage's casting of it. So, clever placement could feasibly cover a significant area, but we haven't gone into how big the islands or living/working spaces are. It's also Abjuration.
Sceen's got the same area coverage, but it's an Illusion, so it's less reliable?
Quote from: Iron Dragoon on June 26, 2018, 01:45:28 PM
Anti-Teleporting or teleport delay or teleport redirection.
Dimensional Lock is most probable here, but I'd need to find a way to key it to our members so they could still zip around. It's a 20 ft radius, so I'd need to do some sort of massive array for it.Quote from: Iron Dragoon on June 26, 2018, 01:45:28 PM
Fast redeployment.
Something like Evacuation Rune or a wide area arraTeleportational Teleportion, I think.Quote from: Iron Dragoon on June 26, 2018, 01:45:28 PM
Perhaps some sort of alignment or patron deity detection.
Some sort of Detect Evil variant? Not entirely sure here. Detect patron variant? Quote from: Iron Dragoon on June 26, 2018, 01:45:28 PM
Zone of peace type effect. Alarming or marking a person who does violence/murder.
Something like Zone of Peace with contingency built in? Not sure how to word things for this. Maybe something like... If you attack someone, the teleport array immediately puts in you a holding cell for processing?
Quote from: Iron Dragoon on June 26, 2018, 01:45:28 PM
Dome of force/prismatic effect.
Seems straight forward. Superhuge Prismatic Sphere or the like. Force Sphere as a second layer?
Okay, and which of those do you want to try first?
Let's just go down the list, I suppose. Anti-scrying.
"Hmmm..." Madala eyes your proposals, "The money for permanency is exorbitant, and the other two require considerable custom spell work," she says. It's a meeting of the regents, Madala there first by the luck of the draw.
"It is, which is why it hasn't been done already. However with Shar involved, it might be time to give it serious and honest consideration. Even outside of Shar herself, the fact that Malcanthet sent an envoy means other powers are looking at us."
Yorel and Ule are next...and Emily follows, "Um, hi," she pokes her head in, "Can I help out with this?"
Madala glances at her coolly, but doesn't open her mouth for once.
"... I... am not opposed to it, specifically. But neither is it entirely up to me. I imagine that the council is a bit wary of someone new and who is not a member of the Order having access to the casting of our defenses. That said, in what way do you wish to help? You don't have the training to join in on our spell circles, yet."
"Um, permanency's expensive to cast, isn't it?" Emily asks. "Unless you know how to cast spells without expensive components. I do."
Alyssa glances at the others...
"I can as well, though having others who can do so is very helpful. Regent Council? Giving her access to the casting of defenses is something that requires approval from more than just myself, unless you wish to leave this matter entirely up to me?"
Ule shakes his head. "For free? No objection."
Nods all around at that, Yorel adding, "Free is the best price and it's only prudent."
"Well then, congratulations, Emily. It seems the miserly nature of the council has afforded you acceptance. We'll need to get you some training so that you can join a spell circle, but once we do, your help will speed things along quite nicely."
"Thanks," Emily brightens at that, "Glad to help!"
So how much do you want to cover with sanctums?
Ideally, everything. I guess the main living, experimentation, and teleport areas for now if that's not possible.
Thing is, each casting with permanency takes 24 hours. So it's a question of how long you're willing to spend on this.
Well, I mean, we're setting up defenses here. I expected it to take a long time. I don't mind the extra time spent on it, honestly. It has to be done at some point, after all. Remember, though, that each mage in the spell circle doesn't just add a CL/DC boost. They're also casting the spell themselves. So if we have 30 mages in the circle, it's 30 casting of it, each empowered by Cooperative Spell, so that'll cut down the number of times we have to do it.
I guess the real question is, what's the time estimate for complete coverage vs. bare-bones coverage?
Barebones is 1 week, fully is 2 weeks.
Eh, might as well go all-in, then. I imagine Emily won't be happy about the lack of adventure, but stuff's gotta get done. It gives her time to do research on a replacement for Waukeen and to also decide where she wants to go for some adventure. On that note, Cor suggested Salt? Apparently, it's good for loot?
Up to you there, but this will eat up two weeks. Confirming yes/no?
I'm fine with it, provided I can have people searching for the assassin while I do it.
Sure. Roll and post 1d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
It's the middle of the night after the first day. You're fast asleep, only to be awoken, "Ma'am! Ma'am!" A servant, a mere page, "Awaken! " A pounding on your door, loud and insistent as his voice."Treachery and death!"
Alyssa springs out of bed, shifting her clothes to something more appropriate than sleepware and pulls Shifting Steel to her as she throws open the door.
"Report, now."
A young woman - you've seen this one before. Not that you have time to linger, "An assassin came after Regent Hawkwine, ma'am, but a servant spotted him and spoiled the surprise. The Regent is unhurt, but the servant was slain."
"Get Jarem and Emily to the scene. This was at his quarters?"
"Her quarters, ma'am," The page corrects, "But yes."
"Get them there. I'm on my way."
Alyssa heads there after sending the page to get Jarem and Emily.
You find Madala is unhurt, in a cotton nightgown and sitting on her bed. Jarem's already there, blade and shield ready. Emily isn't there yet, as meanwhile a priest tends to the slain servant - a middle aged man, skewered through the chest.
Alyssa looks at the servant and sighs.
"I'm glad you're alright Madala. Does he have a family?"
"I don't know." Madala says, "Wrong place, wrong time. I'll make sure his family's taken care of, if he has one." She closes her eyes and exhales heavily, "Bastards."
"We all will make sure, though the empty honor of it will be yo--"
She breaks off with a blink and turns to Jarem.
"Can you resurrect him? Or has his soul been taken as well?"
"I can ask the Red Knight," Jarem says, "But it's in the hands of the divine to grant that spell and honor it," he finally says, "Resurrections are seldom allowed. I'll pray and see if she chooses to grant it in the morning." His voice is heavy, "He may well be on pace to a better place, one he wouldn't come back from for anything."
Alyssa nods. "If not, please try to find out if his soul is safe. Or if he has a last message for his family."
"Yeah, least I can do," Jarem agrees, "Queen, we'll get it taken care of. You need me here? He wasn't a member of the faith, but any who die in battle are entitled to last rites and a ceremony from us."
Alyssa nods.
"Check him over, also. See if there was any poison or the like used. We'll find his family and see what they want done for a funeral."
"No poison this time. Don't need one when you get the heart," Jarem shakes his head. As priests take the body away and Jarem follows, Emily stepping in. After a few murmured apologies at it, "What happened?"
"That damn assassin again. Went after Regent Madala here, but that servant was in the wrong place at, I suppose, the right time to save her. We need to find that assassin. Did you happen to see anything of the person, Madala?"
"Male," Madala says, "Average height, maybe. He was wearing a white face mask and dark clothes. Tsch, I couldn't see anything more in the moment I had."
Uh, what level magic is Madala capable of?
7th. Make a note of that on her mini bio you have in investigative reports.
I can't recall any off the top of my head, and I did a little bit of searching, but is there a spell besides Bibliotheca Arcana that enhances memory?
Not that I can think of offhand.
"Hmm... I'm betting that there's a divination curse laid on this event... Emily, do you have any ideas on how to detect it?"
"A divination," Emily says quickly, "But um, one by someone powerful enough to be safe from it. I'd ask my Mom, but..." A trail off there and a blush, "But I can do it!"
"Well... I'm not exactly keen on putting you out there that way. How about this: since you're more experienced with Shar's curses, I'll do the divination and you can counter whatever happens."
Of note, I haven't updated my spells for this. Since I was woken up, how do you want to do a prepped spell update?
You wouldn't have refreshed your spells yet, so roll with what you have.
"Okay, I can do that," Emily says, nodding along, "Just try not to get cursed in the first place!"
Well, I don't have a divination ready. Closest is replicate casting, so I'd have to do prep.
Prep up real quick then.
Alyssa chuckles.
"I'll do what I can. In any case, I need to prepare. Madala, before I leave, do you need anything?"
With a bit softer look, "Are you okay?"
Spell prep done. Just gonna use Wish.
Madala's look grows harsher, lips curling down and expression controlled, "I'm fine," she says, "Merely annoyed at the loss of sleep."
Alyssa sighs, "Madala. Whatever you may think, I neither pity nor look down on you. I hope you can come to terms with what happened here and rest well."
Try a quick Diplo check.
Diplo+Cunning Knowledge
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+56 : 3 + 56, total 59[/blockquote]
Madala turns away, but adds after a moment, "I'll be fine. The assassin's not here anymore. ....just leave guards."
Alyssa nods. "Be well."
With that she ushers the others out, leavings instructions for guards, then goes to prepare her spells.
Plan and scheme for divining here?
probably set up a magic circle against evil and then use Wish with Emily standing by to counter.
Great. What spell are you emulating?
Hindsight and, I dunno what else is really applicable here.
Isn't hindsight a 9th level spell and thus can't be copied by Wish?
You're right. Um. Is there a wizard able to put 9th level spells into the spell pool that I might pull a hindsight from?
Yes.
I'll just do that then.
Go ahead and set up your casting and do it, I'll adjudicate from there.
Alyssa returns to Madala's quarters after some study of her spells, and sending a page to get Emily, and knocks on her door.
A guard opens the door, stepping aside. Madala is dressed, sitting on thin air as if gravity wasn't a concern. Her arms are crossed, waiting without a word.
Alyssa studies her for a moment, trying to figure out which spell she's using...
"Madala, I'm ready to try the spell, if you'll allow."
Just a mildly tweaked fly spell ,nothing too interesting there.
"Do it," Madala waves a hand.
Alyssa gets comfortable and awaits Emily's arrival.
Emily isn't long, hurrying in, "Sorry I'm late, I was reading," she says quickly.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow.
"You might not be a member of our Order-"
'Yet,' Alyssa thinks to herself.
"-but it's an unfortunate reality that the Regents here expect punctuality. Regardless, thank you for helping and arriving with haste."
"Sorry," Emily murmurs and ducks her head before going on, "I'm ready to help then!"
"Excellent. Let me get the magic circles established..."
Magic Circle Against Evil (Reach, Chain, Echoing), CL 30
Target: Everyone in the room gets their own.
"Now, with that done..."
Alyssa calls on the Spellpool, pulling the Hindsight spell to her mind and casting it.
Hindsight, CL 30.
CL check.
CL Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+30 : 4 + 30, total 34[/blockquote]
Will save, too.
Will save/Cunning Insight:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 9 + 27, total 36[/blockquote]
Thus you call on the names, on the right personages. You feel a resistance to your spell, a cloyingness that clings to yet. Yet it is cast safely and...
Go ahead.
Alyssa casts her magic, focusing on the events of the past. Hopefully her guess is right and the assassin put the mask on shortly before the attack. She watches the past move by, looking for any clues; someone watching the rooms, loitering, out of place, or general suspicious going-ons.
You begin to settle in and...
Perception.
> roll 1d20+42+20 Perception/Cunning Knowledge Serith
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 68 > [d20=6]
You see it - the assassin slipping into the room. His mask is on, just as described. He moves with natural grace, leaving the door gently ajar. As he begins to glide inwards...hm? You hear singing, you think. The sound of voices singing, far away.
Alyssa tries to memorize the assassin, looking for anything that might identify him. Shoes, cut of his clothes, color of hair, skin color if any is exposed, is he right or left handed, general build and weight, anything unique or identifiable while keeping just a bit of attention on the singing...
Make an immediate Fort save.
> roll 1d20+17+9 Fort/Cunning Insight Serith
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 35 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d8
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 7 > [d8=7]
Are you protected against ability drain or disease?
Horizon Walker 2:
-Terrain Mastery (Marsh): You are immune to diseases.
I'm immune to negative levels if that does anything for ability drain. I know they typically go hand-in-hand.
Disease immunity bailed you out.
You hear it. A slow, mournful song. A song calling, calling ever so appealingly. A song that calls for nothing, that calls for oblivion. A song that makes you want to scream and yet allures you, nausea warring with desire as you hear it.
At the same time, you see more. The door is left ajar and the servant comes in, sounding an alarm of, "Assassin!" Madala rises in her bed as the assassin whirls, out in a blur - one that leaves a blade through the servant's chest, moving staggeringly fast and away.
Come to me, Alyssa. Come to me.
As the assassin goes, you see the servant reach up for the mask and...
Alyssa tries to focus past the song and words, fighting to see the assassin's face!
Make another Fort save. This one is disease but pierces immunity, you get a +5 bonus to the roll because of that. Good luck.
> roll 1d20+17+9+5 Fort/Cunning Insight
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 49 > [d20=18]
Something in you rebels, recoils. It flinches away and you gather focus into yourself, shrugging off that strange, intoxicating song. Closer now and you can see it - the assassin goes to his mask...and simply checks it, adjusts it.
Alyssa clicks her tongue but continues her study of the person, pulling out her notebook and writing down anything notable about him. Height, build, dominant hand, weapon type, details about the weapon, details about the clothes and boots, ect.
Gimme Perception for reference there.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 4 + 42, total 46[/blockquote]
About 5'8 or so, maybe 5'9 or 5'10. Fairly regular build, doesn't stand out. Right handed it looks like, a fairly simple longsword as the weapon, it's a plain weapon altogether, the sort any warrior has. His clothes are dark, as are his boots.
Anything distinguishing? Belt buckle or the like? Ring maybe?
You notice one thing - a dull, dark ring made of darkened, perhaps blackened metal. It's on his right ring finger, over his gloves.
Alyssa studies it, looking for magic on it, hopefully.
I can cast Detect Magic if need be.
CL check on DM.
CL Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+30 : 9 + 30, total 39[/blockquote]
You detect no magic from the ring.
Alyssa takes down notes describing the ring and his height, build, and other things, continuing to watch and follow the person.
Unfortunately, the assassin is soon out of the radius of the spell.
Alyssa ends the spell and turns to the others.
"Well, there's not much to go on, unfortunately. He was careful, but I did get some information..."
Alyssa goes over the man's build, dominant hand, weapon preference and other facts.
"... and he was wearing a single ring. Darkened metal, right ring finger. I couldn't detect any magic."
"That's something," Emily says, "Does any of that narrow it down at all?"
Alyssa runs the traits through her memory, but it's a long shot and she knows it.
"If nothing else, it gives us something to have our people keep an eye out for."
Nods from there and...
Next move?
Continue on the upgrades and... Check on Delize... And... I dunno. Hades or making new land/extra dimensional space stuff.
Okay, choose one.
Well, let's get Emily some of the adventure she's looking for, I guess. Make her happy. So either Hades or help her research into the ring replacement. Whichever tickles her fancy more.
Let's to the ring replacement. How do you plan to approach this?
Well, it's super rare so I guess first research into old lore about anything that might fit, then some possible divination, though I don't know how effective the latter will be.
Okay, get me started with an K:A check.
> roll 1d20+42 K:A
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 50 > [d20=8]
Perhaps unsurprisingly, checking the order's books doesn't turn up anything helpful. Jarem looks up from his book as Emily's engrossed in hers, "I think we need a better library, Queen. Which means a trip to a better one and getting access to it."
Alyssa sighs. "Yes. It was a small hope. Sometimes knowledge can be found in a single book in the corner of a library."
She drops the book she's flipping through on the table. "Just not this library, it seems. The question is, which library do we try. Emily, you're more likely to know more libraries, and have access to them, than we do. Suggestions?"
"Um, I know a lot of libraries in Brightwater, but well..." Emily trails off at that.
"Right, not an option," Jarem says, concisely. "I have access to the Queen's Archives, which is the holy libraries in Warrior's Rest. It's mostly strategy and tactics, but there's lore of all kinds tangentially related to warfare."
"Well... I suppose an artifact like that might have had a war or two fought over it. Worth a shot, I suppose."
"Then let's go," Jarem concurs.
Any prep?
Nah. Just basic prep spells.
You appear on a cobblestone road next to a field of wheat, cottages dotting the grounds all about. One might think it was utterly normal, yet...everything is perfectly organized. The field is a square without the slightest errancy, all the grain is exactly the same height and color, the grass is wild and yet no taller than a well maintained lawn.
Jarem starts to walk down the path, "This way," he says, "You won't see it until we're there, it's protected from unwanted visitors."
Alyssa follows Jarem, keeping an eye on the surroundings and architecture.
Emily follows and looks around, "Very lawful," she remarks, "I presume it's teleport blocked, probably the astral links are modified by the Red Knight's will? How fascinating! Plus some sort of magic that lets you find it only if invited or otherwise accepted?"
"Yeah," Jarem leads, "I think so. Never studied it myself, the librarians keep all of that to themselves. I don't have a reason to need to know that, so there's no chance of me spilling the information to an enemy."
"Now that is an interesting weave... I could make much use out of that..."
Alyssa decides the better path here is diplomacy instead of simply studying the magic. Politeness and all.
Thus you walk on. The fields and cottages are unremarkable - until you abruptly stand before a multistory citadel, one that wasn't there a step ago. It looms tall, made of solid stone top to bottom. The banner of the Red Knight flies here, guards in front of the only entrance within.
Alyssa let's Jarem take lead here. He is, after all, among his own here.
Jarem approaches, "Hail! I am Jarem Aruwood, and I have stood loyally and true. I have lead the armies in her name and seek the wisdom of her name!"
The guards look to him and nod, "Hail, you who have stood bravely and fought wisely. To you, wisdom is here." They separate, the path ahead now clear to travel.
Would Alyssa know if it would be appropriate to copy the ceremony here or not?
K:R or K:Local (Warrior's Rest).
> roll 1d20+42 K:R
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 50 > [d20=8]
It would tremendously inappropriate for you to do so.
Alyssa simply follows behind Jarem, giving the guards a smaller smile and a nod.
Easy enough. You're allowed in from here, to a vast library, books everywhere. Books packed and sorted, shelves from floor to roof. The entire place is made of stained wood with red carpets, multiple floors with the occasional stairway allowing access to a higher floor. Light comes from candles dotted all about, flames burning gently yet no wax spilling from the candles.
"Hey Queen, try and grab a book, would you?" Jarem says, "It's easiest to explain this after you see it."
Alyssa gives the man a flat look, knowing there's a trick or trap somewhere on it, but indeed, she uses her Telekinesis to pull a random book to her.
The book is not moved. Instead a voice asks aloud, "F3 and E5, what am I the beginning of?"
Alyssa runs the terms through her head, working for an answer.
Knowledge roll here? I mean, I know they're chess square references. I don't have e a board in front of me to reference though.
That and the Red Knight has a long running chess reference theme. Got any skills related to it?
I have no idea what skills would be applicable at all.
Int check in that case.
> roll 1d20+9 Int
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+9 Int --> [ 1d20=17 ]{26}
You recall a tidbit: There's a way to win a chess game in only a few moves, if your opponent is exceedingly foolish. Called Fool's Mate, it can begin with those notations - chess notations in particular.
"The Fool's Mate? An opening gambit?"
The book flies up and into your hand once you speak.
"Got it," Jarem whistles as Emily tilts her head to the side. "You need lore, tactics and insight to read the books here. Often, you may not know the answer to the book you seek, requiring you to study elsewhere. But a wise mind sharp in tactics will find the books here come to them, while those that are not will spend time learning and sharpening their minds." Gesturing about with a sweep of his arm, "The mind is a weapon as surely as a blade or spell, she teaches us to hone it well."
"So... Like a novice's spell exercises... Though a code at the same time... Tiered. There must be meaning in the progression of knowledge. Breaking the system is possible, then, given the right starting point, which reveals the superior students. An interesting system... Something we might put into function at the guild. Would prevent foolish over reach."
"Yes. To quote one of my own students," Jarem clears his throat and smiles, "You have to become learned to learn. It cuts down on all sorts of foolishness."
Emily nods along at that, "Oh, it was a chess...oh! I should have..." Murmuring to herself, "But I don't play chess."
"First time for everything," Jarem says, "If we have some time tonight, I'll play a game with each of you. Games like that are a popular past time here, all manner of strategy and tactical games to keep our minds sharp."
"Might be interesting to see how I match up. Though I imagine I'm not nearly as practiced as you."
Idly, Allysa opens the book in her hand and flips through it.
It looks to be a book on basic battle tactics titled War's Fundaments.
"Sure," Emily says, "It can't be that hard to learn."
After a dry look over at Emily, "Now then," Jarem says, "Queen, narrow down what you want to look for here?"
"Wars or battles centering around an artifact that might do something similar as the ring did."
"Third floor, magic items and wars around them," Jarem says, leading the way forward.
Roll and post 1d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 22, total 22[/blockquote]
It's room after room and hall after hall. Each is well kept and with obvious choke points, defensive lines and other such things. Jarem doesn't comment on them, instead walking up to the second floor. As you pass by more books, "You there! You three!" A strong, feminine voice calls from behind the party. "Hold, hold, in the Name of the Lady of Strategy!"
Alyssa raises an eyebrow and turns.
A woman in red plate armor, blonde hair cut raggedly short, advances. She wears a long, golden chain with it with a medallion, the horse-knight of the Red Knight's holy symbol engraved within.
"Jarem Aruwood," she says, "You've proven you deserve to be here, but these two have not." Her voice is sharp, strident.
"Yeah, see, this is Jyssi Warmack," Jarem says, keeping his expression calm, "One of the librarians here. Pretty sure she's about to put you through the wringer, Queen, so make sure your mind's on. You too, Princess."
So I said normal prep spells, but lack of internet prevents me from posting it, but Bibliotheca was part of it.
"Oh? And what does this consist of?"
Sure, all good.
Emily stiffens up and faces her, her lips becoming a tight line.
"A test of your insight and mind," Jyssi declares. "A test of your ability to think."
Alyssa's other eyebrow joins the first.
"Oh? And what will the subjects be? How were they chosen? What criteria determines the applicability of the subjects? How does specialized knowledge come into play? What if a person is a pacifist and has no knowledge of battle tactics, but extreme insight on healing and medicines?"
Jarem steps back, leaning against a shelf with a grin.
"I will choose them, as is MY duty!" She points at you, "Then let us begin. Name five herbs that can prevent infection in wounds!"
K:N and heal, I assume?
"How did you decide this was an applicable question? If I were trained in purely magical healing, then those effects could be simulated with spells, making knowledge of the herbs useless to me. Assuming you argue that magic can be blocked, I can argue that herbs aren't always available either."
"That is none of your concern," Jyssi retorts right away, "Can you answer the question, or are you too stupid?"
K:N or Heal applies, yes.
K:N:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+57 : 13 + 57, total 70[/blockquote]
You can think of a few dozen. Sage's root, madalas, crone's weed, Elysian mint, balacrodos, llarin, absam grass...there's more you can think of, if you care to try at all.
Not to be a pain, but I do want to list them all. Just to tweek her nose.
Alyssa locks eyes with the librarian, "You will be polite, at the very least. The Red Queen's followers are all soldiers so roughness is to be expected, but unwarranted rudeness debases the reputation of your Order and her name as your patron. I enjoy her company more than enough to not allow it in my presence.
As to your question, from the top of my head, Sage's root, madalas, crone's weed, Elysian mint, balacrodos, llarin, absam grass..." Alyssa continues firing off every herb that comes to mind that can fill the role, purposely keeping her ice cold look locked on the librarian, keeping her listing going at a pace, hoping to roll over anything she might retort with.
Make an Intimidate check.
Intimidate/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+28 : 4 + 28, total 32[/blockquote]
Jyssi's gaze doesn't break, but she listens to your answers and when you stop, "Acceptable," she says, "Armored calvary is charging a prepared position you hold. Name five ways you would have prepared to repel the charge."
"Pitfall and spike trap, Time Stop combined with Shape Earth and Delayed Blast Fireball, Chained Enlarge Person on a platoon of soldiers, Chain Lightning, Stone to Lava spells, Cloudkill, Bladewall, Black Tentacles followed with a Sphere of Ultimate Destruction..."
Alyssa gives her a look that says she can continue, and do so easily. Though she does note the rudeness is gone, if only replaced by matter-of-factly posing questions.
"Means without magic," The woman asks next, "Because yo udon't always have the specialists to manage all of that. Three of them."
Alyssa raises an eyebrow.
"And how does a farm village have access to the specialists needed to break an armored cavalry charge? Plow the earth to soften it, stumble and break the horses' legs. Chain and rope traps for the same effect. Various detritus obstacles. Overturned wagons, plows in the way, logs, pulled up stumps. Anything like that would break their formation up. Archers. My own cavalry."
"Hmph." You get a look at that, "Name me magic that can cure a curse besides remove curse."
"Arcane or Divine? Single effect or able to counter multiple curses? Single target or multiple or area? To what level of power? Break Enchantment is the most commonly used spell aside from Remove Curse. Dispel Magic and Greater Dispel Magic. Unbinding can remove certain curse effects. Then there's Limited Wish and Wish, along with Lesser Miracle and Miracle. If the curse has as built-in release condition, like a Geas, then meeting those conditions releases the curse using the spell's own magic, though that's a bit of closed-loop logic. Consecration dispels Desecration and thus removes the curse effects it imbues the area with, and vice-versa. Certain curse effects can be removed with Heal or Mass Heal. A spell like Anathema functions to mark the target as accursed, would such an effect fall within the same category for the purpose of this poorly constructed question? If so, then Atonement qualifies as well."
Alyssa gives Jyssi an icy look of boredom.
This look gets matched as your foe merely glares at you a few moments, Jarem chuckling to himself. As Emily watches, quietly scribbling away in the corner, Jyssi snaps off, "So you're more than one of Jarem's floozies," she says, "How do you heal cursed damage from evil sources? What about injuries from extreme cold that resist normal healing? How would you build a doctrine to deal with those if your opposition could inflict them?"
"My my, she's got a temper. Would you happen to be on the unpleasant side of being one of those floozies? Which question would you like answered first?"
She turns to look at Jarem, "Aren't soldiers supposed to have discipline and control? Or is this one some sort of berserker?"
Jarem smirks a bit at this, "Yeah, Queen, you get the idea. She's used to people she doesn't know folding on up and getting thrown out. Tried it with me, but what's her routine after liberating an entire empire before I was 19?"
"All of them," Jyssi snaps, glaring and then adding, "Shut it, acolyte."
"See? All the personality of a heavy mace." Jarem doesn't blink, "Just answer her questions."
"Acolyte? What's the ranking system here?
In any case, vile damage can only be healed in a consecrated or hallowed area by healing spells cast within that area, or by being present in any holy place and having healing magic cast on the injured. That type of cold damage is fairly easily dealt with. Once the damage is done, move the patient to a normal temperature environment and heal as normal. In a continued cold environment, simply overpower the damage with powerful enough healing magic--"
Alyssa gives Jyssi a speculative, then a slightly pitying but dismissive look,
"--if you can. A few clever ideas could be the application of an endure elements spell first, then use of healing magic or to simply avoid the damage with much the same line of spells or an energy immunity spell targeting cold damage. Though I suppose a spell like Transformation of the Deeps could be tweaked to work similarly... Or by simply wearing warm enough clothes and using insulated furs."
The glare you get is cold, before at last she says, "Fine, you're qualified. I taught Jarem the basics, once on a time."
"Yeah, and there's a reason you're here," Jarem fires right back, "So anyway, anything else? You can put Emily Aryn over there through it if you like, but I think we both know you'll be wasting your time doing it."
"I'm not sure that'd be appropriate. This entire little... event... makes me quite concerned for the Red Knight's library. Your questions were horribly unstructured, loosely defined to the point of you manipulating them after the fact to place constraints for things you didn't like, the presentation of the questions changed in format, the questions had no preparatory subject to frame why they would be applicable to warfare, they were presented with the intention of intimidation instead of examination, and your attitude is very nearly entirely unacceptable. I'd give you... A seven out of ten rating. A bare seven out of ten. More likely a six, but I'm granting you an allowance for width and breadth of implied knowledge. If you were in my Order, I'm not sure I'd even allow you to do application examinations without supervision, and certainly no classes at all. Especially when I take into account that we were invited here as guests. I can't even imagine how you'd deal with a student presented to you by someone you don't like; I can't help but think you'd sabotage their examination."
Jyssi gives you a glare and says, "Well," she says, huffily, "I'm glad I'm not part of such a pathetic guild!" She turns on her heel and marches off, Jarem chuckling to himself all the while. "That was about right. Look, she's good at things and she's impressed the Red Knight, but she's never been a people person. Very much an unpolished stone, that one. Still, I learned a lot from her once I got passed all the brusqueness."
Looking up from her writing, "Isn't that a nice way of saying that she's a bitch?" Emily asks.
That gets Jarem to glance on over at Emily, "Princess!" he gasps, hand over his chest and grinning, "What would your mother say if she heard you saying that?"
"Good work?" Emily says, completely innocently. "Mom doesn't really put up with bitches like that."
"Unpolished stone? She's rather more like a bared blade. Serrated, too. And it could be that some of her attitude could be due to a lack of Jarem in her personal life. In any case, let's start our research."
'You know, you don't have to be a bitch right back, Queen." Jarem says, "Yeah, she's unpleasant, but she's not all bad."
Emily puts away her book and adds in, "Oh! Why don't you say that you like her in the first place?"
"To a degree, I did. Don't forget that I'm the head of my Order, and if I roll over or allow attitude or slights to pass, it infers things about the entirety of the order. Similarly to how the lead soldier tends to be the hardest."
"Sure, but she's not one of your Guild, either," Jarem responds, straightening up. "Anyway, come on, third floor."
Alyssa nods and follows.
Thus you reach the third floor. Jarem cracks his knuckles and says, "Alright, we're where we're supposed to be. Start looking for titles that might be useful. When you see one you like, take that book and read it."
Alyssa begins to search!
Okay, elaborate on what sort of titles you're looking for.
I don't really know. Something like 'the war of <relic>' or 'battle of the ring/amulet/ect' maybe.
The first book you find that falls into that range is 'Padar's Shield War.' You can try and take this book to read it if you like or continue searching.
Alyssa picks it up. If nothing else, it might lead to a different relic later.
The book does not move. Instead a voice speaks aloud. "Blade and axe, rapier and dagger, mace and club. Which of these does a lich fear?"
At work, so no books on hand. K check? Think it's bludgeoning, IIRC.
K:R.
K:R:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+57 : 11 + 57, total 68[/blockquote]
It is indeed the bludgeoning weapons.
"Bludgeoning weapons."
Nothing happens to those words.
Whoops, forgot to reference back to the other post.
"Club, then. Overly inflexible. I can see why the librarians are the way they are."
On that the book flies into your hand.
Alyssa begins flipping through it, looking for anything that might stand out.
Just for clarity, what do you consider standing out?
Anything that references powerful spirits or gods in the flesh without causing the normal calamities/wounds to a world, or something that's a significant artifact. More the first, but the second could be noted for later questing.
This book is about Padar's Shield War. The shield in question is Padar's Shield, said to be unblockable and grant the graces of a knight, the magic of a paladin and the wisdom of a sage. Two kingdoms went to war over it, ultimately bringing several other nations into it. In the end, the shield was lost and kingdoms were ruined for nothing.
'Hmm... Sounds like something Jarem would be interested in...'
Alyssa makes a note to do research into this for later and continues looking, hoping her innate wandering will serve her well as it has in the past.
A little more searching brings up another potential book. It is titled, 'Famous Artifacts of War.' Do you wish to take it?
Alyssa reaches for it, waiting for the inevitable question.
The question is thus, "Recite the Maxim of the Warrior."
Heh, just include which K check it is.
Sure. K:R.
> roll 1d20+42+15 K:R
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 67 > [d20=10]
It's a simple maxim from Tempus's faith. It is, 'If you can make it bleed, you can kill it.' It is held to be a simple statement to warriors and to remind them that no battle where they can wound the enemy is hopeless.
"If you can make it bleed, you can kill it."
Alyssa sighs. "Is there some way I can test out of all of this? Challenge the library or something? This is tediously slow."
"Well, Queen," Jarem calls over from flipping through a book. "You can, if you can defeat the High Librarian in a game of chess."
Uh, I don't even know what kind of rolls or anything that would include. Mind elaborating how that would actually work out?
She rolls checks on a skill of Profession (Chess Master).
What would I roll? Just an int check?
Correct.
To hell with that, there's no way I can beat that until I get access to way more stat boosters than I have, or find something to give me ranks in chess master or something.
Alyssa sighs. "I have no true mastery of chess. Seems unusually one-sided. Perhaps I'll start a study of it."
In any case, she begins flipping through the new book.
It's about artifacts used in war. It's what you'd expect, no leads. But tucked into the book is an old folded piece of parchment.
Alyssa opens it and reads! Perhaps a hidden love letter?!
It looks to be a sketch of a building, a floor plan. It has a line that travels through it to an X within.
On a glance it's a floor plain with many rooms and halls that connect, ultimately in a long square.
Alyssa studies it, trying to figure out exactly what the building might be for and where.
K:A&E check.
> roll 1d20+15+20 K:A&E/Cunning Knowledge
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 39 > [d20=4]
You think it could be a floor plan of this library, actually.
'Interesting...'
Alyssa tries to orient herself and find this mysterious X.
Assuming the direction is right...several rooms ahead and to the east.
Alyssa heads there!
But not before finding Emily and Jarem. Emily was looking for adventure and this'll be it for sure.
Emily's reading a book and Jarem's relaxing in a comfortable chair. On a table nearby is a chess board, pieces playing a game of their own volition.
Go ahead, Alyssa.
"Emily, Jarem. I found something unexpected. Seems to be a map of this building with something marked a few rooms away. Shall we explore mystery in the library?"
Alyssa looks genuinely excited at the prospect.
"Let me see," Jarem's smiling, "It's a puzzle most likely, the librarians spread them. If you succeed, you'll indeed find a treasure."
Alyssa hands it to Emily.
"First step into adventure."
Emily smiles and focuses, "It's this floor? Then this way," she points, leading on.
Jarem smiles and takes up the rear, watching both of you go.
Alyssa follows as well, trying to puzzle it out herself just to double-check Emily.
Emily seems on the right path - except that where there should be the final hallway leading to the room with the X, there's nothing but a wall there, heavy with bookshelves built into it.
"What? Did I read it wrong?" Emily peers closer at the map.
"Seems correct to me. Perhaps something hidden?"
Considering this is a library, Alyssa takes a look at the titles on the shelves. There's likely to be a hint or key there.
There are the following titles on this shelf:
Encyclopedia of Magic Items, A-C.
Dragoncraft Wondrous Treasures
Encyclopedia of Magic Items, I-L.
Heroes and Halberds.
Encyclopedia of Magic Items, D-G.
Encyclopedia of Magic Items, M-Q.
Zansobre's 10 Artisan Breakthroughs in Magic Rings
Encyclopedia of Magic Items, R-T
Encyclopedia of Magic Items, U-Z
Gwinnan's Travels, Volume 23: The House of Knowledge
"Hmm... The Encyclopedias are missing the H section. And shouldn't they be on the shelf in order?"
"There must be something related to that!" Emily says quickly, "There's a book that starts with an H, that might be related, too!"
Alyssa begins arranging the books correctly!
"I'll leave the Heroes and Halbards to you, Emily."
List how you're resorting the shelves?
Dragoncraft Wondrous Treasures
Encyclopedia of Magic Items, A-C.
Encyclopedia of Magic Items, D-G.
<SPACE FOR EMILY'S BOOK>
Encyclopedia of Magic Items, I-L.
Encyclopedia of Magic Items, M-Q.
Encyclopedia of Magic Items, R-T
Encyclopedia of Magic Items, U-Z
Gwinnan's Travels, Volume 23: The House of Knowledge
Zansobre's 10 Artisan Breakthroughs in Magic Rings
Heroes and Halberds.
Emily puts in Heroes and Halberds. The bookshelf slides apart, revealing a hallway ahead.
"We did it!" Emily cheers, "A secret passage, just like in one of Mom's stories!"
"No Emily, in the start of your story and our story. Earning a prize from the library of the Red Knight is a good starting point, wouldn't you say?"
"Yeah, let's go," Emily agrees brightly, hurrying along and deeper in. "To a great adventure start! To a great story!"
Jarem watches and brings up the rear, not chiming in, letting you and Emily go.
"Remember caution. Traps and bait are part of normal war tactics."
Alyssa sedately follows Emily.
"Oh! Right," Emily says as...
Perception you two.
> roll 1d20+42 Perception Serith
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 49 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+39 Emily Perception REi
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+39 Emily Perception REi --> [ 1d20=8 ]{47}
The two of you go along and as you walk through the hall - you hear a soft click from the ground, and a woosh of air - INCOMING!
Reflex save, you two. You made the check so you don't suffer a penalty.
> roll 1d20+20+9 Ref/Cunning Insight Serith
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 42 > [d20=13]
11 Inspiration remain.
> roll 1d20+34 Rei
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+34 Rei --> [ 1d20=6 ]{40}
A pale white spray fills the air, but you react fast. You chant a simple spell to reverse the air flow, sending it back against the wall, as with a cry from Emily, flames immolate the mist altogether. Whew!
Both made the save.
Alyssa nods.
"See? Let's keep going."
"Dullmist," Jarem calls, voice light and amused. "Makes you stupider to breath it, lasts several days. Technically a poison."
Emily exhales, "Mom has stories about traps. So do most of my Aunts and even Uncle Donald. They're so nasty."
"Yes, they are. Effective and fairly cheap and simple to employ as well. Quick to set up. That's why they're so common."
Alyssa continues on.
"They make a lot of sense on defense, especially if you use magic to make them selective, though that's more for permanent traps in a permanent defensive structure, not battlefield defense," Jarem pipes up. "Be it as simple as wooden stakes to slow down infantry so your archers can decimate them, to simple caltrops and rope trippers, these can have big returns for minimal investment. At worst, if you have the time, you lose almost nothing but using them, even if they all fail."
Emily listens, "That makes traps sound really defensive, but aren't they used offensively to hurt people like us?"
"They can be. There are some rogues and specialists who focus on actively using traps. I like to think of them as fences. Use them to channel things where I want them. They can be cheap and effective. If you use the right magic you can even deploy them quickly and quietly. Telekinesis lets me do that, to a degree, though I haven't really focused on traps much."
"Yeah, Queen?" Jarem perks up, "Got any particular tricks with that you've worked out?"
"Not quite. A few ideas, but I need someone more specialized in building the mechanical components. Thoughts of self-contained all in one kits. Move it to a location of choice, and press a button to set it up. If I can get the weight down, it can be done with a simple Mage Hand spell, then."
Alyssa looks around, watching for more traps or anything interesting.
Ahead is a room full of books, like many others here. What's different is the gilded, golden treasure chest sitting in the middle, like something out of a story.
"What do you think Emily?"
"Check it for traps, of course," Emily says, right away.
"Traps? Preposterous!" The chest's lips opens, showing lots of teeth. "I happen to be completely untrapped and thoroughly friendly, so long as you can answer some riddles."
"That's new. I doubted the treasure was truly in the chest, but for the chest to be... a librarian, I'm guessing?"
"Close enough, close enough. Tell me: You are sentenced to die and must choose between one of three rooms. One room is full of mages ready to throw deadly spells at you. The second is full of boiling acid, ready to melt you. The third is full of hungry lions that haven't eaten in years. Which room is the safest?" The chest asks.
"Do we each get a chance to answer or is it a single answer for all of us?"
"Talk and answer, answer and talk! Choose wisely and once," The golden box declares.
Emily watches in fascination, "A mimic! How amazing, and a friendly one no less, one that communicates. So as to the riddle...?"
"Well, consider each and give your opinion. I personally think the lions are the best choice. If they've been starving for years, and there's more than one, then there's something preventing them from killing each other. What do you think?"
Jarem stands back and smiles, keeping it out of it.
"Oh, oh! You just told me the answer. If the lions haven't eaten in years, they're dead, right?" Emily says.
"Depends. If they're dead, how can they be starving? That requires hunger. Undead lions are possible!"
Alyssa smiles at Emily.
"But the riddle doesn't bring that up!" Emily stomps her foot, flushing. "That's assuming! Riddles are meant to be self contained!"
"Wow Princess, your claws are showing," Jarem drawls.
Emily looks sharply at her hands, flexing them back and forth. "They are not!"
Alyssa chuckles.
"Just saying. What about the other two? Can you think of reasons they would, or would not, be viable?"
"...not really?" Emily finally says, "Can you?"
"Mages said ready to, but not that they well for certain. The second room might be full of acid, but there could also be a bridge over it. But I'm mostly poking holes. If you're confident with the lions answer, I am too."
"Then go for it," Emily says, "You're the guild leader, right?"
"You're not a guild member, and you're the one who wants adventure."
Alyssa continues smiling.
"But I don't want to get eaten if I'm wrong," Emily points out with natural reasonableness. "You surely have secret spell pool magic that will help you deal with that, right?"
Alyssa chuckles.
"Such bravery from the new adventurer!"
She turns to the chest and answers, "The room of lions."
"That's..." The box draws it out, "Right! Good one!" The box says, "Question two: 16, 06, 68, 88, ?, 98. What is the missing number?"
"Emily? Care to try this one since I did the last?"
> roll 1d20+5
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=20]
Emily's lucky day. Doing it this way so I can fairly adjudicate NPCs here, since I obviously know the answers.
"...OH! I got it! What number do you get if you put 16 upside down, Alyssa? Then what about 06?" Emily says, "I get it!"
Alyssa nods. "Interesting one. Give him the answer."
Jarem whistles but otherwise stays quiet.
"78!" Emily says, "That's the answer."
"That's...right! Two for two!" The box cheers, "We have some people with the Red Knight's own mind here. Now for number three. This five letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it. What word is it?"
Alyssa chuckles and turns to Jarem.
"Seems you're being patronized a bit."
"Me, Queen?" Jarem shakes his head, "I'm here to watch you two try this, nothing else. Go on, got the answer to this one?"
"Short. And you're not an observer, you invited us here."
"Yeah, yeah, observing this part," Jarem says, "You're doing pretty well.
"That's right! Three for three! I think we have a winner!" The golden mimic declares, "But can you handle a fourth question for double or nothing?"
"Why not? We've done well so far."
"Good luck!" After a moment, "I am rarely touched but often held, if you are smart you will use me well. What am I?"
Alyssa chuckles.
"Emily, any ideas?"
> roll 1d20+5
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=11]
"Um...I don't know that one," Emily admits, "Do you?"
"I have a good idea. It's your tongue, dear."
"That's...right! Win! Winner!" The golden mimic then promptly coughs several times, before coughing up a book - bone dry, thankfully. "There you go, your prize. Enjoy it!"
"Why, thank you. And the other books in this room?"
Alyssa picks the book up and begins leafing through it.
"Normal books. Read and answer away," he says.
It is a book of alchemy and crafting. It would be useful to anyone making anything and a crafter in particular.
Alyssa hands the book to Emily for her to look through as she moves to the bookshelves, reading through the titles.
It's a hodge-podge here of various things, "Hey," The golden mimic calls, "What are you looking for?"
"A reference to an artifact that might prevent spiritual wounds to a world."
"Stay right there," The book says, legs sprouting as it hurries off, "I'll be back, smart woman!"
Jarem stands aside for the golden mimic. Once he's gone, "He's a good one. Just adores reading, I think he ate too many books once upon a time."
"Better than eating adventurers. What do you think of this little escapade, Emily?"
"It's fun and evil dragons aren't tearing us apart," Emily smiles, "But it's also not a real test of our talents, is it?"
"Isn't it? A mage's most powerful weapon is their mind. While it might be trivial knowledge, for the most part, it works at improving your ability to recall information quickly. And trust me, being covered in grit and grime from battle is less flattering than you think."
"That is an important consideration, Queen," Jarem smiles at that.
Emily blushes for some completely innocent (surely) reason and adds, "Well, that is true, and Mom's so smart in battle, it helps her."
"While there's no true stress here, thinking under pressure is a vital skill. See if there are any books on the shelves here that grab your interest."
Emily goes to do so as Jarem comes up, "Nice," he murmurs, keeping his voice low.
Alyssa turns to Jarem with an expectant, raised eyebrow.
"Good leadership and reinforcement," Jarem says, "Encourage her and direct her to more action that'll improve herself. Builds up confidence, helps prevent her crumbling in face of stress."
"Mmm... You do remember that I lead an entire Order, right? It's not my first time dealing with teaching."
"So what? Still complement someone when they're not making an ogre fuck of things," Jarem retorts, smiling and giving you a look.
Alyssa snorts. "I'm used to being underestimated because I'm young. As long as it's genuine, I appreciate it."
"Doesn't matter if you're 25 or 25 million years old," Jarem leans in a little closer, "Not fucking up is a rare and praise worthy skill. An average soldier, a raw recruit? More time is teaching them not to fuck up than how to fight. Swing a sword right, hold a pike line, use a shield properly? You can drill that into someone. Teaching common people not to be dumb fucks is a far harder art."
"Stubbornness is another troublesome trait, I've found. Though spinelessness is even worse."
"Yeah," Jarem agrees, giving you a side long look. "Stubbornness at least hides a strong will. Spinelessness merely hides cowardice. I can work with a strong will, point it in the right direction unless it's absolutely unbending. Cowardice can only be cured, and not even reliably without magic."
"There's magic for it, but it's evil stuff. But yes, training and guidance works well with stubborn. A little praise to make them more affable."
Smirking now as he turns his gaze to you, "Something to make them...loosen up a bit, relax around them? Just a few kind words, really, huh, Queen?"
Alyssa shrugs. "Works with Madala. As long as there's something that's worth praising, it doesn't hurt to occasionally give it."
The dialogue is broken up as the golden mimic returns, coughing up a book at your feet and making Jarem step back. "Here you go!" he calls.
"Well, thank you."
Alyssa bends over and picks it up, beginning to leaf through it.
"I dare say you've been more useful than Jarem has. More pleasant, as well. What's your name?"
It looks to be a study of exactly what you need: Various things that can protect the Prime from powerful outsiders.
"Am I allowed to take this with me, or do I need to copy notes here?"
"Well, you're not allowed to take it out-"
At this moment Jarem steps in, "I think I'll take it out, thank you," he says, "As a servant of the Mistress of Tactics doing HER business."
> roll 1d20+43 (+5 circumstance)
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 60 > [d20=17]
The golden mimic eyes Jarem, "Well, the Head Librarian will..."
"Talk to Our Great Lady of Strategies, and realize she approves of this," Jarem's voice is warm, "Got it?"
Alyssa chuckles. "Well, far be it from me to interfere in internal politics. Emily, are you interested in anything else before we leave?"
"Oh! No no, I'm fine if the adventure's ready to move on," Emily says, "You got your book? Great!"
"It's more your book than anything, Emily. Remember, this is your quest from Waukeen. When we get back, you'll have to do the research and pick which of the artifacts in the book you want to go after."
"Right, I promise!" Emily says, taking the book.
Anything else to add here?
Nope. Done unless something else goes on here.
You reached level up time. Go level up, your NPCs will do the same soon. Congrats. In your case we'll start with a new topic next time.