Southern Seas - Act 15 - Skalfier

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18 Jan
Southern Seas - Act 15 - Skalfier
39th Day of Fall
The party has returned to Skalfier! With different things to do, everyone goes their separate way - GRAIAN to the Conclave, CALLIN to the Temple, ATACIUS receives a note from the Innkeeper... leaving TOBIAS and TAKASHI by themselves.
This day has a chill in the air, with clouds in the sky. The seas are rough and angry looking.
(OOC - check for your own reply/thread below. If you come together for a reason, I'll merge you into a new reply thread. We'll try to keep this going until you all reach a point of major time jumps. We have a couple of things to deal with first though...)
18 Jan
GRAIAN and the Conclave
18 Jan
GRAIAN, you enter the Conclave meeting room and a round of applause erupts from the Foamfollowers, with Shaiman standing and approaching you with a huge smile on his face. "Welcome back, Searcher!" He claps your shoulder and takes you to a seat next to his. Angon is behind him, a smile on her face as well.
Many other elves look curious, even hopeful; it would seem that news of your success has traveled quickly. Vinalin looks as if he has just eaten an entire basket of sour apples. Sinyr is not present in the room, but Rulian of the Seadreamers is. They all gradually sit and quiet down while Shaiman leads the questioning of you into what happened. The books are shared and as the tome titled "The City's Legacy" - the book written by the elf Calimo Larethaen - passes from hand to hand and elves read the bookmarked passages of note, a murmur begins to grow. Vinalin takes a cursory look through the book and passes it on, clearly unhappy at what he sees.
As the stories of Yannon's and Yacano's deaths are shared, the elves as one stand and a moment of silence for each is observed. "Alyes!" all the elves say in unison at the end of each story. (Think of it as an elven "amen" honoring their sacrifice).
Finally, the telling of the Search is done and it is midday. Sweet meats, breads and wine are brought, but the Conclave is not adjourned. Groups of elves have formed as they discuss, and it's fairly obvious to see that more elves are beginning to stand on the Foamfollower side of the room. You catch Vinalin shooting you venomous looks now and again.
Shaiman stands and bangs the meeting to order.
"I will make a very simple and direct proposal. It is clear that our original intent, to ascertain if Ramathia was worth of a Search, has been fulfilled. I submit to my fellow ships and mates that this intent has been fulfilled. At a cost, but fulfilled. Therefore, I propose that we send couriers to Acoer, to have ships sent here, where we shall resupply, gain guides and additional equipment and information, and then set sail to Ramathia, where we will search for clues to our Home!"
The cheer is especially loud from the Foamfollowers, but it is echoed by a clear majority!
"If there is no dissent..." Shaiman says, looking straight at Vinalin. The latter has assumed an affectation of boredom, idly flipping through the Merchant's Annal of Ramathia that was also brought back. He waves his hand in a "go on" manner.
"Does the Searcher wish to add anything?" Shaiman says, looking at you.
19 Jan
GRAIAN nods in acknowledgement of the status bestowed, looking around the room he slowly walks arounf the table. "This search was not without its difficulties and we lost two fine members of our family, but we did move our search of the homeland forward. We have our differences, and that will always be the case, but let us not make futile the sacrifice our brothers made. Ramathia clearly has has more to tell us, but let us not forget the knowledge still to be uncovered in the libraries of Athenum." He looks around the room, taking note of those who still seem ambivalent.
"Make no mistake, this will not be an easy path, our search has taken a toll on our kind and many have been lost over time. I ask that you set aside any thoughts of war against the humans," he pauses slightly and looks at Vinalin, "instead let us take up this search in unity and fulfill the dreams we have longed for." He is back with Shaiman "Thank you for the trust and support you gave to me, and my friends, in this search." Sitting down he watches for the reaction to his words.
23 Jan
Shaiman looks around the room and most of the elves are nodding. Hope has risen in the room and for now, it seems that they are accepting GRAIAN's words of warning.
"Very well. Let the couriers be sent! I declare this Conclave adjourned until our ships arrive!" Shaiman says in an exultant voice and there is more cheering and many elves come over to congratulate you!
A few hours later, after much more wine has been drunk, Angon comes over to you and gives you a big hug.
"Well done. I would sail with you anytime, and be proud to call you shipmate." she says in a slightly slurred voice.
23 Jan
GRAIAN returns the hug, "I look forward to many more adventures with at my side."
24 Jan
With that, we'll close the Conclave, unless there is anyone else you'd like to speak to, or have questions for?
24 Jan
No I am fine with this!
24 Jan
Start thinking about what you might want to do in large chunks of time, say 30 days at a time. So think about the first third of winter. The winters in Skalfier (and the southern part of the continent) are not like what Enonia/Irecia suffered through. A lot of rain is possible. You'll need to think about money of course.
18 Jan
CALLIN returns to Temple
18 Jan
Maria: "During your travels with Bindi... did her... hmm.. bad luck come out? That poor child, if she didn't have bad luck, she'd have no luck at all."
CALLIN: "While Bindi did have moments where she lost her pack, or dropped items from the horse, that her Faith in the Light outshined all of that. She saved the entire group by summoning her Faith in the Light as a becon that forced back numerous undead, allowing us to dispatch them unharmed. In addition her healing skills did well to heal some serious wounds on our travels. She was a great aid to us on our journey and I would always be willing to have her travel with me again, should she wish too. And of course thank you High Curate, for allowing Bindi to travel with me in the first place."
18 Jan
Maria smiles at you, as you two sit in her small office. A small crystal in the wall spreads the sunlight outside into a soft glow in the room.
"That's wonderful to hear, brother, but I have no doubt your faith and example is what helped her to show that. I knew that child would blossom with some real experience and mentoring. You've done what I hoped, thank you. No doubt, a bit of your debt to me for helping your friends has been repaid. And I see you come back with no demons or Damned in tow..." Maria smiles and chuckles. "I have a couple of other acolytes who need to become adepts... they could learn much as Bindi has learned. And.... they would be receiving a positive message and example."
18 Jan
CALLIN: Bows deeply to Maria at the compliement. "I am always happy and ready to help spread the Faith in the Light. I only do what I feel is true to the Light so taking on additional acolytes would be an honor. Currently I do not belive we have any plans on returning to that foul place, but I seem to find the Darkness fairly easy, so I am at your call whenever you need for such training duties. " CALLIN pauses and adds " And of course if there is anything I can do for you High Curate. I always honor my debts, but even once you are satisfied with payment, I would be honored to fullfill tasks that you may ask of me."
19 Jan
Maria nods. "There may be, Priest CALLIN, there may be." She stands and goes to the door of her tiny cell, opens it quietly, peers through and then closes it. She then sits much closer to you, almost an uncomfortable closeness and starts to whisper to you.
"There is trouble brewing in this Temple. I have seen the cleric that you are and I believe I am safe in telling you this. I hope that trust is not misplaced, that you truly do believe in the Light as you have professed and shown."
She continues "Two events happened while you were away. The first is that several of Marshal Reffyndi's men from the Keep came to the Temple. They spoke with Otollum and Deneb. Apparently, there was some sort of disturbance at the Keep, a fire was lit that killed two men and the criminals escaped. They were unusually circumspect about it and asked if we knew of any strange folks about. One even apparently bore the symbol of the Light as a cleric. Having seen you and your friends, you should know that descriptions are being passed around that are close to what you look like. The odd thing is that they are not raising a hue and cry, but acting almost as if you are spies to be followed. If they are talking about you that is..."
Maria pauses and studies your face carefully for a reaction, but it looks like she has more to say.
20 Jan
CALLIN nods slowly. And then begins speaking. Obvious trust in Maria as he speaks "When I first arrived I was looking to help the Militia as they had saved my family from raiders years ago... I thought if I could lend my Faith in the Light to those who protect us, it would be the least I could do. I met follow travelers whom joined the Militia for their own reasons, but with a common goal. Do our job, and protect one another. As we traveled, we noticed something didn't seem right with the Captain of the Guard. We were guarding a merchant and his caravan. The unease had us band together under a banner of waryness. That first evening we were attacked by Demonte's men. They had a Mage with them who cast a spell upon us which drifted us to slumber. I can only attest that they seemed to seek us out specifically, and I can only assume they noticed our waryness. We awoke the next morning bloodshed surrounding us, with treasonous notes in our packs. A rider came to see that we were still there to take the fall for our actions, but we freed ourselves and dispatched him before he could warn Delmonte's men. Realizing the Captain of the Guard was in league with Delmonte we traveled back to the Keep to warn them of said treachery and turned ourselves over freely. We spend days in the prison, with no questions asked, no visits from concerned Milita or guards. We knew the folly of what we had done. We had not realized that the corruption was much higher than the Captain of the Guard. We once again banded together and made our escape. I know for certain that I did not harm anyone during our escape. No weapon was drawn by my hand. It was my own naivety that lead me to imprisonment and for that I am remorseful. Those that died during the escape I was unaware of, and for those I mourn for them. It was not my intention or desire. I only wished to spread Light upon the land and banish the Darkness. I do wish to return to the keep and shine the Light upon the darkness within the militia, but I have learned through experience that I must be much stronger and capabile before attempting such an effort again." After the words pour from Callin he looks up at Maria.....now waiting to see her reaction.
23 Jan
Maria listens without comment to CALLIN's confession. Once he's done, she reads beside her small chair into a sack and withdraws a bottle. Uncorking it, she offers it to you, the smell of strong wine coming from the neck. Once finished, she'll take it back from you, take a deep swig herself, cork the bottle and replace it in the sack.
"The Light shines into many corners and reflects off of many surfaces. The humblest candle can push away the night, while the glitter of coin and cold surfaces doesn't comfort. All that is to say, I judge by actions, and although I have only met you, I don't feel that you are a criminal or a liar. I believe you, CALLIN, and I don't think this is a story that needs to be repeated anywhere else. The Light demands that we better ourselves through our actions, and sometimes those actions mean we get a little messier before we get more clean."
She pauses and thinks for a moment.
"I will say, you are fairly brave to stay in the area, knowing that there might be inquiries."
She sighs.
"CALLIN, there is something else I need to tell you. It's not related, but it speaks to trouble on the horizon. If the rot of corruption and evil has spread to the Keep, then this may complicate things."
She takes a deep breath. "Last week, a team of Deneb's lovely thugs (she narrows her eyes) was ambushed by Delmonte's men. Most were killed, there were survivors. Deneb has promised retribution and has declared anyone supporting the bandits, as well as the bandits themselves, apostates and of Darkness. He's been preaching the last two days that we must rise up against Delmonte, and he's agitating the Town Masters and the Guild to pressure Reffyndi to do more. He's also sending a letter to the High Priest in Dawn to speak to the Duchess."
"Did you see evidence that the Marshal is involved? If he is, this could get complicated in a hurry."
23 Jan
CALLIN: "I only have the evidence that we were locked up for no reason. We do wish to find out how deep the corruption goes. However it is something that takes time. As for Deneb pushing for a rise against Delmonte, is he attempting to fill his void of thugs with actual soldiers and milita? That seems a volital situation. Especially if the Marshal is involved, which to my thinking he is. Can you tell me more of this ambush? Perhaps if we know the details we can find out who informed Delmonte's men."
23 Jan
Maria purses her lips. "I wish I could tell you more, but Deneb keeps his Lightbringer thugs under his thumb. He didn't give many details on the ambush. If the Marshal is aligned with Delmonte, and Deneb agitates the Duchess into action, there could be serious ramifications! Deneb knows how to use power and influence to get his way, even if it means pitting Ducal forces against a Marshal if he accuses Refffyndi of such!"
"We must be cautious though, if Reffyndi is innocent, though, then that means his command is a rotted fruit and will burst in his hands."
25 Jan
CALLIN: "I agree. I feel that Captain Marks is in league with Greenweeve....Greenweeve was the head of the militia of the caravan when we were ambushed. He told us to stand aside as the caravan was raided. We didn't comply. The way Captain Marks treated us after we spilled our guts to him he locked us up, claiming we raided the caravan, although we had nothing to show for such a raid. As for the Marshall I have no idea if he knows anything...." CALLIN ponders for a moment. "We need more information to act correclty on this. Do you think it wise for me to talk with Deneb? Perhaps I can request to investigate the attack, and gather information for him. I am no friend of Delmoonte and vanquishing his vile darkness would indeed be a blessing, but perhaps just being somewhat on the inside might help. My concern is what Deneb may ask of me. I'm sure that his vision of the Light is not my own. What do you think High Curate?"
26 Jan
Maria shakes her head vigorously.
"I think that the further you stay away from Deneb, the better. I don't trust him. You say it very well, and very diplomatically - but let me be blunt. I don't see the Light within him, and only It knows how he has the power to do what he does. I think he's an ass who would kill and lie and cheat anyone to keep in power, because that is what I see in his fucking beady eyes... lust for power. He bullied Otollum, but he stays away from me as much as possible. With good reason! I would brain his fucking head in a heartbeat if I saw him up to evil." she says in a quiet, forceful and crude way.
"Ahem..." and she sighs. "There I go, letting anger control me."
"In anyrate, you are right. More information. Do you have other sources of information, or ways to find out what is going on? Anything outside of the Temple, maybe your friends have connections?"
26 Jan
CALLIN: "Perhaps, our littleling is quite crafty, he may have some leads. I will share this information with them and see what we can find. I will provide you with any details I can. And please if you ever have need of me, you but only ask. I think we might be spending some time in Appleton, you are always welcome for a visit should you need a country visit." Callin says smiling attempting to shine a little Light on a dark topic. "I have the beginnings of a Shrine to the Light there. Doing what I can to spread the Light to those whom need it most. "
27 Jan
Maria nods. "That's wonderful. Certainly what we'd want from our curates, but it's not unheard of a priest doing that. You are an example that more should follow. I will indeed visit as time permits. Likewise, if you are back in the city, please do come visit." she beams broadly at you.
She stands and bows and offers a blessing to you. "May the Light bring you peace. May the Light bring you joy. May the Light shine your way. May the Light be with you always."
Assuming that you don't want to do anything else specific, I'll encourage you to do the same things I'm asking the other players - what do you want to do for the first third of Winter?
27 Jan
CALLIN: Stand and returns the bow and blessing "May the Light shine upon you, May it cast away the darkness, and shine upon you always".
For Callin he will wish to speak with ATACIUS and the rest of the group informing them of what Maria told him. He will want to do some investigation into the depth of the mole. Perhaps speak to the merchants guild. Outside of that like the others CALLIN will wish to return to Appleton, and work upon his Shrine to the Light, giving service, helping those within the Villiage and showing them the goodness the Light can provide. He may also wish to begin to build himself a small home ( should TOBAIS agree to such a thing ) If TOBAIS agrees, CALLIN would seek out help from the village in the contruction and pay rates above average to help the community :)
18 Jan
ATACIUS receives a message
18 Jan
A knock comes at your door at the Golden Coach. A serving boy shoves it into your hands. "This came a couple of days ago, but since your Sir paid your room up, we saved it. Here." He turns and runs off.
Opening the small note that has a bit of candlewax holding it shut, it simply says "The bird has flown the nest, along with the golden eggs. -Thom"
18 Jan
ATACIUS will pocket the note and head for the Captain's Quarters.
19 Jan
What will you do there? It is morning of the 39th.
19 Jan
ATACIUS will look for Thom there.
19 Jan
A serving man lets you know that "the gambler" doesn't usually show up until after midday, and usually closer to dusk. "Iffin ye want, ye can leave a message, little sahr." he says.
19 Jan
ATACIUS thanks the man and decide to pay a visit to Notebana.
19 Jan
Passing through the Dawnsedge neighborhood, you come to Notebana's little, well-kept house. It stands out among the other buildings in this neighborhood, with it's iron fence, clean sides and windows and even a couple of banners in celebration of Harvest End. Jeseves opens the door promptly to your knock and escorts you to the morning room, where Notebana is enjoying his second breakfast. Spicy eggs, beans and strong hintea are served to you and Notebana motions you to enjoy yourself while he eats himself. He doesn't say much until he's finished, and sits back with a contented sigh.
"Perfect! And now, for a pipe!" he proclaims and you both go to his sitting room, where pipes are filled and lit. Finally, Notebana smiles and says "So, my brother, what brings you here? How has adventuring treated you?"
24 Jan
ATACIUS: 'Thanks again for your hospitality Master Notebana. It's always a pleasure and honor to share food and pipe with you. Since we last time we met, more that three ten-days ago, many things have happened!'
He then tells Notebana about Sir Flinigan, Appleton, their first delve into Athenum, Apsuna, the Chaos symbols in the dungeons, he stops to detail the workshop with its tables, cupborads and benches with arcane writings, containing jars, vials, boxes, along with scrolls and books written in foul language, the black marble pedestals with glass jars filled with liquid containing an Orc and a Dwarf, about Lady Christine trapped in a globe of energy surrounded by animated shadows of twisted smoke. He also tells about the Damned in a farmstead near Appleton, and how we brought one to be healed by the Church of the Light. Then about our second delve into the Athenum dungeons looking for information about Ramathia, and how we found books of Elven Magick, and how our elven friend got turned into a demonic creature but preserved his soul and got healed by the Light. How we delved a 3rd time into Athenum, this time in the company of the Foamfollower & Seadreamers from the Conclave and fought many creatures and found many books: one with eyes, "The Features of the Six Classifications of Fauna of the Southern Isles" by a "G.S. Yerkshimer, Esquire", "A Codex of Wines & Spirits" by Bishop Bronzesmith, "Horticulture and Seasons: a Handbook" by John Baker, "The Compendium of Awful Secrets" by Archpriestess Stelbanishia, a huge collection of The Merchant's Annals, volumes covering famous cities such as Regium, Greyrock, Richinia, Irecia and Ramathia, "The City's Legacy - a history of the ancient city of Ramathia" by Calimo Larethaen, "The Founding - a Lost Story", "Two Towers of the Darkness" the Mage’s Guild history, several volumes about the Kings of the Lands of Men and more.
(I guess after all that we're now into elevenses.)
25 Jan
The story is told through the end of second breakfast, early lunch, late lunch and hintea time! Notebana asks many questions for details and once you've finished, he puffs on yet another pipe and thinks very hard for a long time -- making sure to enjoy some spicy meat snacks in his contemplation.
"My brother, I'd heard and read of this place - the Athenum - but had dismissed it as embellished myth. I can see I was wrong! By stars above, what an adventure! I'm quite jealous and I've a mind to hire you to take me there! Orcs and Dwarfs in jars? How fascinating! How fabulous! Books and treasure? It's just... oh my!"
Notebana calls for a bottle of wine and grabs some ink, quill and paper. He begins to jot down notes and even quizzes you for information to create a sort of map.
"Do you think there is more there to find? Did this mage companion of yours... the elf, you called him Grain, I believe? Odd name for an elf - Grain - but ... anyway, does he think that this place is worth reclaiming? Is he going to make it his home? And you said the elves disappeared for awhile and then came back?"
The requestioning and discussion takes you into the evening, where Notebana wrings about as much information from your memory as he can ... and your stomach is about as full as it can get! It is late evening before he sits back with a satisfied sigh.
"What an amazing story, my brother. You are very lucky to have survived - mages, especially those who delved into the dark powers, were not to be taken lightly at all. Very dangerous! It's said that some may have even survived the great Shriving of the Guild and that they even survived the Doom! You know, there are rumors of something awful happening around Skalfier lately, and a few folks have muttered about evil mages... "
25 Jan
ATACIUS: 'I guess we just scratched but the surface of Athenum. There are many places still to be explored on the first level, though Sir Flinigan warned us not to proceed deeper. Foul and dark creatures delve down there, he said.' he pauses for another puff.
'I don't think Master GRAIAN would like to make that place his home, my bet is he's all for sailing to Ramathia! As for reclaiming Athenum, well, since it's on Appleton's lands its for young Master TOBIAS, Sir Flinigan's protégée, to decide. He's into the Arcane Arts too. I think you should go back with us to Appleton and talk to him, and look at the books we found. We could even take you to Athenum if you want!' he savors another puff.
'And the elves that dissapeared and then came back, they were so disturbed and shocked, they wouldn't say a word about what they found or saw down there. Who knows what evil they faced... (sighs) Anyway, it's being a wonderful evening Master Notebana. It reminded me of home, sharing stories by the fire...' as he stares into the winding smoke of his pipe.
25 Jan
Notebana's eyes go wide as ATACIUS describes the actions and reactions of the Seadreamers at the Athenum.
"My word, I wonder what they found? I wonder if they would be willing to talk about it, hmm... damned elves are always so touchy about things, so it's hard to say..." Notebana draws slowly on his pipe and smiles at ATACIUS's words.
"You are always welcome, brother, especially with tales like you just told. By the stars above, I've not enjoyed a day like this since I went adventuring at an old mage's tomb last summer...." and then he stops.
"My stars, do you suppose the two are linked? The tomb and the Athenum? We found mysteries and dangerous traps there at that tomb, but we did find books and treasure, as I recall. A shame that those adventurers haven't been seen since..."
Notebana invites ATACIUS to spend the night in comfort (and fed!) if he wishes, but is also welcome to go if he wants.
25 Jan
ATACIUS graciuosly accepts his invitation (totally forgetting about his pending business with Thom) to stay the night. 'Maybe if you tell me more about this tomb, we may found if they are related. Even it may also help convince my friends to explore it, if you will!'
26 Jan
It is late evening and even Jeseve has gone to be before Notebana finishes his story. Notebana had clues and a rough map to the location of this old mage's tomb. However, on the way to it, the weather changed into something unbelievable - storms and tornados AND an earthquake!
"It was as if the elements had tossed the dice and found the strangest combination of rolls in them!" Notebana exclaims.
The tomb was found and it took several days to dig out the debris from the earthquake, fight off a band of orcs and then open the door. It was, at that point, that Notebana's demeanor changes.
"So... in all the excitement, I ... well... I fell and hit my head on the door slab and woke up to my friends hauling out books and vases full of coins and weird ingredients!" he confesses in an embarrassed voice. "They told me all about this strange room where it was dark, and you had to get on your knees and there were strange things all around. They apparently didn't want to stay, as they had some other job to do... something about the strange ingredients and a book! Funny enough, I haven't seen them since... guess they found what they were looking for!"
He shrugs and sighs. "It would be interesting to go back and see if there's a connection between the two, but I don't know if the men cleared out the place or even if it's still untouched after we closed it up!"
Notebana yawns mightily, stands up.
"What a fantastic day! ATACIUS, it's so good to have you here with me. I was serious before, if you have the hankering for adventure, and possibly some fabulous treasure, do come see me. I have the most fascinating tales and trivia of this place! And what with the bandits and pirates and an entire city waiting for the humans and elves to come back! Why, if you do go to Ramathia, I do hope you'll consider taking me! I promise not to hit my head on strange doors!" Notebana laughs.
The night is in pure comfort, with the kinds of beds, pillows, blankets, sheets that a proper littleling would expect.
If you're done with Notebana, I'll have you do the same thing I'm asking the others... think about what you'd like to do for the first third of winter. Remember that you'll need money for expenses, unless you go back to Appleton to stay with TOBIAS and TAKASHI.
27 Jan
The next morning ATACIUS will thank Notebana for his hospitality and reiterate the offer to visit Appleton. He'll depart with the promise to send him a message if we were to delve in Athenum again or sail to Ramathia. He plans to stay another day in Skalfier to talk to Thom and find out how much would it cost to build a watchtower in Appleton. He'll go to the Golden Coach to secure a room and then head where the rebuild of Skalfier is taking place. There he'll try to find a foreman to talk to about the watchtower or can give him directions to whom to talk to. That evening he'll go to que Captain's Quarters to find Thom. He plans to leave for Appleton the next morning.
As for his plans for the winter, he'll try to advice TOBIAS on Appelton's financial matters, possibly overseer the watchtower construction and maybe help TAKASHI train any militia volunteers on rock throwing and the use of the sling. He'll also spend time updating both Athenum and Skalfier area maps, and looking for references to the mage's tomb on the books we found.
27 Jan
Notebana agrees and reiterates his willingness to keep a relationship with you.
The construction foreman that will actually talk to you (most others just shoo you away as if you were a child) tells you that it would be easy enough for the villagers to make their own watch towers - a simple tripod of logs, some boards on top and a rope or rope ladder would be his suggestion. For something more permanent or resistant to attack, it would depend on the specifications - what do the villagers want? Enclosed? Stone sides? How resistant to attack? He'd have to know those things before a price can be driven to.
Surprisingly, Thom isn't around the evening you go there. After contributing 10 gold to a server's purse, she tells you that sometimes Thom will "disappear" for a few days and then return. She wonders if this might not be one of those times.
You can stay in the Golden Coach one more night, on GRAIAN's previously paid bill.
27 Jan
ATACIUS, upon his return to Appleton, will relay to the group his conversation with Notebana about him joining on any eventual delve into Athenum or trip to Ramathia, and also the story about the mage's tomb, as well as his talk with the construction foreman.
18 Jan
TAKASHI finds himself with time on his hands
18 Jan
What will you do?
19 Jan
TAKASHI looks around his surroundings, and is about to warn TOBIAS to keep a guarded watch on his purse today when he realizes the boys is already gone, flown from his location like an arrow from his bow.
TAKASHI: "No matter what happens to that boy today, I'm sure he'll learn many new things!"
TAKASHI looks himself over, and with new found coin in his purse, he decides to visit the armorer to see about a new suit of armor, to protect him better in his adventures.
19 Jan
A visit to the same armorer (Mulhim) that you bought the leather armor from, then? He's pleased to see you again and is more than happy to show you his wares. He confesses to not having much in stock ("The sailors all want the same thing - leather or padded - they don't like sinking in the water!") beyond the more simple armors but he can scrounge up some chainmail. "The better ones, ye'd be best to see what is in the Market, or p'raps take a visit to the Keep. I ken make ye somethin' a bit more advanced then th' split ye say ye wear, but it take time, m'lord. Plate be somethin' that is expensive and takes time and fittin'. Don't let anyone tell ye otherwise!"
19 Jan
TAKASHI: "Mulhim, I like your work and we do have a bit of time, so if you could size me for plate, I'd be appreciative. What would be the cost for this custom work? I have some coin I could place with you to cover the material expenses, if needed."
23 Jan
Mulhim's eyes go wide.
"Plate you say? Of course, of course... I'd have to dig out me notes from me Pa, and hire on an assistant for some days, that's quite a bit of work, and not cheap.." he muses. He gets up, goes over to a dusty wood box underneath a workbench and opens it, beginning to flip through old papers and diagrams inside.
"Plate... plate... plate..." he mutters. Then he brightens up. "Aha! Me Pa knew his letters and even studied in the Duchy's army!" Mulhim says proudly. "He made some of the duke's knights armor and kept the designs. I helped him with a couple when he was still alive, but not had the reason to do any since. Still..."
He spreads them out on the workbench. The drawings show an elaborate set of interlocking plates and lames, movable rivts and straps, mail undercoat, pauldrons, gauntlets, mailed and plated gloves and an ornate helmet with a slight ridge going from nose over the top to the back.
"This would... take getting some ingots, beating out the breast plate and back plate... " he mutters on for a long time, then sighs and looks at you.
"My sir, this will not be cheap. I would need to hire on another for at least two ten dates, so that he could do my work. It would probably be middle of Winter before it would be ready and that's if ye would come every ten day, so's I can measure and fit. And.. the materials and... it would be the wages for three men for a year, my sir... when all is said and done, almost 400 gold crowns."
He puts on a poker face and waits to see your reaction.
23 Jan
TAKASHI: "That is a princely sum, indeed, Mulhim. At completion, would you take my current set of armor in as trade on the balance? I currently have 200 gold crowns, but should be able to come up with more by the time the suit is complete. I believe you to be a man of honor, and ask that you charge me what is fair. I would not want to deprive you of your fair compensation for your specialised skills."
23 Jan
Mulhim gives TAKASHI a smile. "I promise you, that although I haven't done a suit in a long time, it will be the best quality you can get this side of the Kingdom!" he says.
He looks at your suit carefully. "I could give you a trade of 50 gold crowns for this - it's seen some battle, my friend. It would be half of the cost now and the rest due upon delivery. I'd need to measure you first and then..." he glances at the plans. "Probably in about a ten day, I'd have the basic breastplate done and could begin the straps and mail off it and then..." he wanders into details that quickly descend into armorer-speak.
A few minutes later... "... so what say you, my sir?"
24 Jan
TAKASHI: "If we count the armor at trade-in, that means I owe you 350 crowns. I can give you 175 now, and my armor plus the final 175 upon completion."
If Mulhim, accepts, TAKASHI will rid himself of all his accumulated silver, and then give the rest in gold crowns.
TAKASHI: "I'll be back in a ten day for sizing. Thank you for your quality work, Mulhim!"
25 Jan
Mulhim accepts. The rest of your day is taken up with measurements, cutting out rough pieces of cloth to get the shape of your body and a couple of mugs of ale to seal the deal. Finally, at dusk, Mulhim nods and lets you leave with a reminder to return in ten days.
"Thank you, kind sir! Light bless you for your custom!" he calls out as you leave.
Similar to GRAIAN, if you're finished, we'll close this bit - Start thinking about what you might want to do in large chunks of time, say 30 days at a time. So think about the first third of winter. The winters in Skalfier (and the southern part of the continent) are not like what Enonia/Irecia suffered through. A lot of rain is possible. You'll need to think about money of course. Staying in the city won't be cheap!
25 Jan
TAKASHI's intention is to return and stay in Appleton, unless needed in the city by Mulhim. He wishes to continue to train Claudia through the short winter days, to prepare her better for what might be coming. He will focus her training on the battle axe he gifted her, as well as her new short bow. He will also take her on rides around the area on horseback to improve her riding skills.
TAKASHI: "When travelling through dangerous places, it is always good to have your bow at hand. Some creatures are sly and will position themselves out of the reach of your axe, and others may fly. If they choose to close into melee, then you can loose an arrow and then draw your axe."
He will also plant the seed of a potential trip to the lost city of Ramathia. He's not sure if her parents would allow her to go or not, so best break the subject early before the campaigning season arrives.
18 Jan
TOBIAS is left unsupervised...
18 Jan
What will you do?
19 Jan
He gets to explore the city at last!! Before he and GRAIAN part company though, he makes sure he's paid him back the gold he owes him with some of the coins we've all found up to this point. Then, time to see the city! He definitely wants to find someplace where he can buy supplies "for those folks what work with magic" so he can finish copying spells into his spellbooks when he gets back to his real home in Appleton. With plenty left over so that he might be able to cast some spells in a ritual when he needs to. He'll also want to try and find some folks that can tell him how much coin it would take to build some things for Appleton, like a watch tower or a library. Other than that, he'll look for some fun things to do or buy, spend the night at a nice inn, then head off in the morning back to Appleton, where he has some other things that he wants to do.
19 Jan
An exciting day for you! As you walk about Skalfier, you quickly find that most folks are busy about their day and either look at you sceptically or turn their noses up when you ask them about "folks who work with magic." Some even pull out symbols of the Light from their pockets and rub them, muttering about "damnfool mages and their cursed ways!" Luckily, one older woman takes pity on you and whispers to you "There's one in the Dawnsedge neighborhood, why I was just on my way there! He's a bit of a peeve, and grumpy, but don't worry, 'e loves the shine of crowns!" She chuckles and takes you by the arm.
Along the way, she introduces herself as "Ms. Joe." She prattles on about the weather "Do you believe that snow. Nothin' like it ever! Such a shame, so many children lost" and about the city "Such a lovely place, love the colors on feasts, don't you just love the Harvest End?" and about her aches and pains. As you two talk, you realize that she's very interested in where you come from, where you live and why you want to go to an old bookstore with "that reputation."
19 Jan
TOBIAS doesn't know quite what to make of Ms. Joe, so he will talk with her as best he can to try and figure out what she's about, although he's not very good at asking questions. He'll talk a bit guardedly about himself, since she's a stranger, but there are two things that he has no chance of hiding about himself that will come across easily: 1. By his manner of speech, he was low born, i.e. he was born a poor commoner or a farmer, and 2. He really, really loves to read books!
23 Jan
She doesn't seem to mind, patting your arm, sometimes reaching over to rumple your hair and she's quite pleased to hear that you like books!
"Always running off, folks are, to find adventure and fortune. My husband, he always said that knowledge is the grandest adventure and that one could live a lifetime reading and writing!"
Eventually, after traveling into the Dawnsedge area, which looks fairly shady and not fun to travel alone, you reach a dilapidated storefront wedged in between two other equally dilapidated buildings. The faded paint on the window says "Tomfrey's Books and Oddities" and the merchandise in the window is dusty, faded and looks more like a junk pile than a book store. The bell attached to the string on the door tinkles as Ms. Joe opens the door and enters. "Oh lovey! I'm here for the usuals.. and I brought a friend!"
The inside of the store looks like nothing more than haphazardly piled books, odds and bits, furniture, piles of paper, boxes and a couple of bird cages with stuffed birds within. Eventually, a short squat man makes his way through the piles and waddles up to you both. He looks TOBIAS over closely, grunts and then smiles a somewhat scary smile to Ms. Joe.
"Always a pleasure, m'dear. You look lovely as always!" he croaks and she laughs in delight and pats your arm. "Go ahead dearie, tell Tomfrey what you want and interested in!"
The squat man focuses his beady eyes on you. "And you better have crowns, scamp! I don't need ankle-biting troublemakers in here!" he grunts.
23 Jan
TOBIAS: "Well um, yeah. There is some special ink what the wizards use to write down spells... I need to get some of that, and some of the right parchment to write it on. And I need to get some stuff for helping to cast spells..." He starts to use his right hand to point to fingers on his left hand one by one at this point, as he tries to remember the components, "Some mercury, some clear crystal, and some rose petals, and..."
23 Jan
Tomfrey nods impatiently and waddles off. Soon enough, two small dusty pouches of petals, crystals and other odd items appear in front of you, as does a vial of mercury and a small stoppered bottle of a foul smelling thick oil. A sheaf of fine paper, even finer quills and a basic mortar and pestle are set in front of you as well.
While he's gathering supplies, Ms. Joe hums a tune and thumbs through some of the books that are stacked precariously on a rickety table. She mutters to herself, and you can hear a "Why yes, dearie, mhmm" now and then. It's unclear who she is talking to.
After some time, Tomfrey lurches back in front of you. He licks his fingers, makes a quick count and tells you the price. (OOC: I enforce the cost of scroll creation and spell copying at the time of doing it. So assume this covers the cost of GRAIAN's components as well as your future writings.) (*nod* sounds good)
23 Jan
(Tomfrey has now given you all the things you need for inks, parchment and other components.)
23 Jan
TOBIAS smiles and opens his belt pouch, pouring out coins and counting out whatever is necessary. "A great store this is, thank you... thank you both! I'll be coming back here for sure when this runs out."
23 Jan
Tomfrey nods brusquely, but Ms. Joe claps her hands. "How wonderful! I was just telling the children that I had a feeling I needed to go shopping today... and here you were!" She picks up a package wrapped in brown paper and tied shut securely with twine. "As always, you're a love, Tom!" she says and the squat man breaks out in a smile of missing teeth, gross gums but his eyes shine in appreciation at her.
"Anything you want." he grunts and sketches a bow. "Now.. I've got some things to take care of... off w'ye!" he growls at TOBIAS and spins on his heels and disappears into the back behind more stacks of books and odds and ends.
Ms. Joe smiles at TOBIAS. "Anything you be needing, my dear? It's been lovely sharing some time with you."
23 Jan
"Likewise I'm sure, I'm having a great time!" says TOBIAS, as he scrambles to pick up all his things, lest he anger Tomfrey. "I've read that there are some inns in some cities what have a bath you can take right in your room! Do you know if there's one like that in town?"
24 Jan
"Oh, the Golden Coach can bring a tub to your room for a few silvers dearie!" Ms. Joe smiles. "I'm sure your friends will be happy to help you get a room there!"
She opens the door to the outside, then looks behind you. "Oh, dearie, you dropped one of your packages. Best to get that, you don't want to leave anything here!"
When you turn back around, after picking up the small box that was indeed on the floor, Ms. Joe is gone. The door is closed.
24 Jan
TOBIAS thinks to himself, "How did she know I had friends in town? That's kind of creepy..." He cracks open the door a tiny bit and peaks outside.
24 Jan
There are various pedestrians walking down the street, a few are pushing handcarts filled with crates, food or even garbage. Ms. Joe, however, is not within sight.
24 Jan
TOBIAS darts out of the building and tries to leave the area as quickly as possible. He wants to try and find the Golden Coach.
25 Jan
Once out of the Dawnsedge area, it's easy enough to get directions to the Golden Coach. As you approach, there is a crowd outside of folks muttering excitedly. It seems that the Elves have come to a conclusion of their Conclave - they are sailing to Ramathia!
The doors of the Inn then open and people start curiously going in, heading to the bar. The Innkeeper is beaming, ushering folks into the bar/eating area where some of the Elves are already at, enjoying bottles of wine. You catch a glimpse of another room where more elves are gathered, talking excitedly, but the doors are then shut, and it appears that nobody else aside from the Conclave are allowed in.
25 Jan
TOBIAS looks around to see if any of his new friends are here. If he doesn't see any of them, he'll give the Innkeeper their description and see if he or she remembers seeing them. Failing that, he'll walk right up to that door with the impetuousness of youth and knock on it! To see if those snooty elfs in there know anything.
25 Jan
After awhile of poking around (and being gruffly told that "This is for elves only!" at the other door), you see GRAIAN emerge from the meeting room. It looks like there are many bottles of wine being shared, and a good number of elves in that room.
25 Jan
@Chris - you and TOBIAS can join together and work out what's next for you all.
26 Jan
GRAIAN: "Ah Tobias, good to see you" he says in a rather loud and somewhat exhuberant way. "Good news we have succeeded in persuading the Conclave we should search more, I think we will be heading to Ramathia in the Spring. Now what are you drinking, tell me what you have been doing, by the looks of thoise packages you have been shopping!"
26 Jan
TOBIAS smiles up at Graian. "Can I have some of what you're drinking?" he asks with a hopeful look. He asks Graian to sit at a table with him, and while he opens up all the packages for him to see, he tells Graian all about Ms. Joe, Tomfrey, and this great shop he's found.
26 Jan
For the long term, TOBIAS would obviously like to spend a lot of time reading through those books and scrolls, and learning new magic! But he doesn't want to turn into a hermit either; he's starting to get some sense of the responsiblity he has now, like when he remembers that he'll need to find a spot for Takashi to live while he's in town (probably at the manor, there's more room there now that Sir Flinigan is gone, rest his soul), and he realizes he'll need a way to protect the village from bandits. He'll want to talk to the townspeople and see what they think about having a watchtower built, and who he could get to volunteer to man it in shifts. And would anyone be willing to volunteer to train with Master Takashi to form a village militia? He also has these budding, confusing feelings regarding Claudia. The first thing he'll do when he gets back is go give her the book he found in Athenum that he hopes she'll like.
27 Jan
GRAIAN agrees with Tobias, although he personally would like to spend as much time as possible studying the books they have found to see if he can increase his knowledge and skills in magyck and also learn as much as possible about his ancestors and Ramathia. Obviously he will assist as he can in whatever preparations or work that is needed to protect the village.