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Yes, I collect toys. You all know that.
Plumb the depths of my mania, if you dare.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
A catchphrase is born.
As noted above, the party waited for their enlistment papers from Lorrister, and finally they came.
Reporting to the Spear of Dawn, the party made certain Lorrister understood just why they were joining the crew and setting out, giving him all the pertinent details about statues, Daask, House Tharashk, House Orien, etc etc. Lorrister seemed fairly willing to believe them, but had more pressing matters; he wanted them to go find his pilot, Averam Helon. As Lorrister put it, Averam Helon, his pilot, was a troubled man in need of a second chance. An excoriate of House Lyrandar, an inveterate drunk and drug addict, Averam was hired for one reason; when you need a Mark of Storm to pilot your airship, you take what you can get. The Chain of Command chart for the Spear of Dawn noted that Averam was not allowed to give orders to anyone unless they directly involved the immediate safety and air-worthiness of the ship. Furthermore, Lorrister introduced them to the new member of their squad; a Sovereign Host Priestess named Amira d'Medani; yes, another member of a Dragonmarked House (a new player! a cleric! no more nearly dying in every combat). She would accompany them to find Averam, and be integrated into their squad for all future action.
According to his most recent information, Averam was in a skeezy tavern in the Cogs known as "The Bloody Mug." Also, Lorrister issued them their livery; sky-blue tabards with the Spear of Dawn symbol (basically the Sunrise for Dol Arrah crossed by a spear) on them. They'd be expected to wear them in the future, but not just yet.
Off to the "Bloody Mug." Averam was not there, but he did leave a sizable tab behind, and maybe if that got paid the bartender might have an idea where he went next.
Fifty gold later, the bartender said Averam was making a point of hitting all his favorite haunts in his last two days in port, and was headed for a place called the "Broken Jaw." Where was it?
The dazzling multiplicity of responses to that innocuous question incited a barfight. Punches were thrown. Chairs broken. The bartender was stabbed with a broken bottle. It got ugly.
Adan did the only sensible thing, turned invisible, and left. Eventually the party followed him, after more or less breaking up the fight.
Thence to the "Broken Jaw." A ratty looking, drunken half-elf was face-down in a puddle of drool, rotgut, and perhaps a little bit of vomit on his table. The party settled his bill, told him they were leaving and to pack his stuff; Averam hefted his bottle and said, "This is my stuff," then off they went. Adan explained that they were shipping out tomorrow, to which Averam replied, with a pained groan, "Have you ever tried talking to an elemental with a hangover?"
As they walked back, Averam kept pulling at his bottle and asking if they could stop so he could score; it was going to be a long trip and he was going to need some stuff to get through it. As he said, "Have you ever tried talking to an elemental clean?" And so on. Averam's basic response to every situation was to imply that talking to the elemental that way was worse than if he had lots of drugs and booze in his system.
As the party wandered towards a dark corner of the street, they were accosted....by 5 men in red cloaks. They seemed familiar; in fact, they seemed exactly like the Redcloaks who had met them previously and been bribed. The reason for this meeting was quickly made clear; the Redcloaks were there to take care of what the Dolgaunt hadn't accomplished.
Cue the swords.
The Redcloaks were no fools, with solid tacticals; no grouping together to get hit by an area effect, ganging up, using spells to best effect, etc. Amira and Kaloei quickly got lightning-bolted by a spellcaster and things looked grim. Averam did the only sensible thing, and hunkered down in a defensive huddle (read: the fetal position) and sucked on his bottle.
Eventually, though, our heroes won the day and the Redcloaks were dispatched. It seemed, curiously, as though some of them didn't fight like Redcloaks ought to fight; instead they were incompetent, including one axe-man who was clearly not proficient with his weapon. Two definitely knew what they were about; one was captured, the other (the spellcaster, who had thrown out lightning bolt, burning hands, ray of enfeeblement, and cure spells...curious) was overwhelmed by Celestial Fire Beetles summoned by Amira. The incompetent axe-man was also taken into custody. The corpses were quickly stripped and rolled into the gutter.
Averam's bottle was empty and had to be discarded; he asked, once more, if Adan had anything, exclaiming, "You have no idea what it's like trying to talk to an elemental sober."
The party was left with questions; why were Redcloaks attacking them? Why didn't they all fight like real Redcloaks? If it had been a real Redcloak squad, the party would likely be dead. What would they do with the prisoners? What would Lorrister think of them taking prisoners? And last but not least...just how was Averam going to be capable of flying the ship?
Note: I still have two posts to catch up with the party's exploits. I will try to knock those out this week. In the meantime, read the toy blog.
Articles of Service
I, the undersigned, hereby pledge my service in the name of Dol Arrah, Dol Dorn, and all the Sovereign Host, under the command of Prince Lorrister, to the Heavenly Fleet.
My service is to commence aboard the Spear of Dawn and will last for a period until the Prince or Captain should discharge me, or one year from this date, whichever should come first.
My pay is to be in shares of profit realized, prizes taken, and bounties earned, along with regular meals and a wine ration of 1 liter per day. Extra shares shall be awarded as the Prince, Captain, or other officers deem fitting.
With this pledge I swear the following:
1. I am not secretly serving the interests of any other power, benign or malevolent though their intent may be.
2. I am agreeing to these articles under my own free will and not under the compulsion of any force or person, magical or mundane.
3. That I will serve steadfastly and truly and obey all lawful orders rendered to me by superior officers.
4. I will keep my weapons, armor, and accoutrements clean and fit for an engagement at all times.
5. I will not show cowardice in the face of the enemy nor shirk any duty given me.
6. I will not attempt to hoard plunder, treasure, food or drink that does not rightfully belong to me.
7. That while on watch I shall remain vigilant and aware.
8. That I will not be drunk nor engaged in games of chance or dalliance while on duty.
9. That I shall not engage in duel of arms or magic against any of my crew-mates.
10. That I shall not attempt to interfere with or coerce any prudent woman I encounter, upon pain of death.
11. That if I possess the ability to grant healing either magical or mundane I shall not withhold it from any member of the crew in dire need.
12. That if I violate any of the above articles I shall be subject to the justice of the Captain’s Mast and that my punishment may include, but is not limited to; reduced rations, imprisonment, the lash, being put off the ship, or death.
At the satisfactory conclusion of my service I shall be presented with a purse of gold in an amount to be decided upon by the Prince, Captain, or other officers, and will be offered legal citizenship in the Lhazar Principalities, complete with traveling papers.
Designate next of kin or heirs to be notified in the event of death:
Signed:
Reporting to the Spear of Dawn, the party made certain Lorrister understood just why they were joining the crew and setting out, giving him all the pertinent details about statues, Daask, House Tharashk, House Orien, etc etc. Lorrister seemed fairly willing to believe them, but had more pressing matters; he wanted them to go find his pilot, Averam Helon. As Lorrister put it, Averam Helon, his pilot, was a troubled man in need of a second chance. An excoriate of House Lyrandar, an inveterate drunk and drug addict, Averam was hired for one reason; when you need a Mark of Storm to pilot your airship, you take what you can get. The Chain of Command chart for the Spear of Dawn noted that Averam was not allowed to give orders to anyone unless they directly involved the immediate safety and air-worthiness of the ship. Furthermore, Lorrister introduced them to the new member of their squad; a Sovereign Host Priestess named Amira d'Medani; yes, another member of a Dragonmarked House (a new player! a cleric! no more nearly dying in every combat). She would accompany them to find Averam, and be integrated into their squad for all future action.
According to his most recent information, Averam was in a skeezy tavern in the Cogs known as "The Bloody Mug." Also, Lorrister issued them their livery; sky-blue tabards with the Spear of Dawn symbol (basically the Sunrise for Dol Arrah crossed by a spear) on them. They'd be expected to wear them in the future, but not just yet.
Off to the "Bloody Mug." Averam was not there, but he did leave a sizable tab behind, and maybe if that got paid the bartender might have an idea where he went next.
Fifty gold later, the bartender said Averam was making a point of hitting all his favorite haunts in his last two days in port, and was headed for a place called the "Broken Jaw." Where was it?
The dazzling multiplicity of responses to that innocuous question incited a barfight. Punches were thrown. Chairs broken. The bartender was stabbed with a broken bottle. It got ugly.
Adan did the only sensible thing, turned invisible, and left. Eventually the party followed him, after more or less breaking up the fight.
Thence to the "Broken Jaw." A ratty looking, drunken half-elf was face-down in a puddle of drool, rotgut, and perhaps a little bit of vomit on his table. The party settled his bill, told him they were leaving and to pack his stuff; Averam hefted his bottle and said, "This is my stuff," then off they went. Adan explained that they were shipping out tomorrow, to which Averam replied, with a pained groan, "Have you ever tried talking to an elemental with a hangover?"
As they walked back, Averam kept pulling at his bottle and asking if they could stop so he could score; it was going to be a long trip and he was going to need some stuff to get through it. As he said, "Have you ever tried talking to an elemental clean?" And so on. Averam's basic response to every situation was to imply that talking to the elemental that way was worse than if he had lots of drugs and booze in his system.
As the party wandered towards a dark corner of the street, they were accosted....by 5 men in red cloaks. They seemed familiar; in fact, they seemed exactly like the Redcloaks who had met them previously and been bribed. The reason for this meeting was quickly made clear; the Redcloaks were there to take care of what the Dolgaunt hadn't accomplished.
Cue the swords.
The Redcloaks were no fools, with solid tacticals; no grouping together to get hit by an area effect, ganging up, using spells to best effect, etc. Amira and Kaloei quickly got lightning-bolted by a spellcaster and things looked grim. Averam did the only sensible thing, and hunkered down in a defensive huddle (read: the fetal position) and sucked on his bottle.
Eventually, though, our heroes won the day and the Redcloaks were dispatched. It seemed, curiously, as though some of them didn't fight like Redcloaks ought to fight; instead they were incompetent, including one axe-man who was clearly not proficient with his weapon. Two definitely knew what they were about; one was captured, the other (the spellcaster, who had thrown out lightning bolt, burning hands, ray of enfeeblement, and cure spells...curious) was overwhelmed by Celestial Fire Beetles summoned by Amira. The incompetent axe-man was also taken into custody. The corpses were quickly stripped and rolled into the gutter.
Averam's bottle was empty and had to be discarded; he asked, once more, if Adan had anything, exclaiming, "You have no idea what it's like trying to talk to an elemental sober."
The party was left with questions; why were Redcloaks attacking them? Why didn't they all fight like real Redcloaks? If it had been a real Redcloak squad, the party would likely be dead. What would they do with the prisoners? What would Lorrister think of them taking prisoners? And last but not least...just how was Averam going to be capable of flying the ship?
Note: I still have two posts to catch up with the party's exploits. I will try to knock those out this week. In the meantime, read the toy blog.
Taking the Prince's Shilling (Sort of)
When last we left our heroes...
...they were faced with difficult choices. Pietra had been found and she was safe for the moment, but not forever. At least three...perhaps more...of the "statues" had been shipped out in the past few days, on ships bound for the Lhazar Principalities. Duvrin was letting them stay at his place, but probably not forever. Whatever was going to happen, they were leaving Sharn, that much seemed certain. But where? To sign on the ship Prince Lorrister was refitting and taking to war? Back to Fairhaven, to report to Urik Rorham and see if more employment was in the offing?
Not to mention they had a lease to cancel, a house to empty, AND the mail cut-out at The Drunken Dragon. Adventuring is complicated.
First things first; send messages. One was sent to Urik, via House Sivis Speaking Stone. Basically it said; Pietra is found, she is safe, our involvement on the case is through, pay up.
The message that came back said: Can you arrange transport for the girl back to Fairhaven or do you need help doing so?
A message was sent to Morgana Corleis saying that they were in pursuit of her niece, and they would stay in touch. She replied that she'd do the same.
Another was sent to Constable Corleith telling him not to give up hope; they were pursuing the Captain. He didn't reply. He's far too bitter for that.
So, the next up was to investigate the allegiances, motives, means, ways, policies and devices of Prince Lorrister.
All the digging Adan and Gideon could do...speaking to former associates of his, speaking to nobles and sponsors and clergy...it seems that Lorrister is that so-rare thing in Eberron; exactly what he appears to be. Prince Lorrister is a Holy Knight of Dol Arrah who, a few years ago, decided to raise an army and sweep clean the pirates of the Lhazar Principalities. He really was gathering a crew, having found sponsors willing to put up enough cash to buy an old airship and refit it for war (or at least for scouting for war...airships can be a bit fragile). He was taking on crew, having 'auditions' at the temple of Dol Arrah in Sovereign Towers.
So the party queued up at the temple. Eventually they got inside to see the man himself, wings, cockatoo animal companion and all.
(Editor's note: this NPC is basically from the book. In the illustration, he has wings, and a cockatoo. I would not create an NPC with wings and a cockatoo).
Next to him was a massive half-orc whom he introduced as his second mate, and boarding party commander, Tavaak Half-Ear, who, it was evident by his clothes, was a priest of the Sovereign Host. The Prince indicated that the party would have to subject itself to some minor magic; Detect Evil, Zone of Truth, that sort of thing. They acquiesced, and more or less passed that part of the test. Then Lorrister wanted to know what the party was capable of, and was told they saw themselves as an asset when it came to combat, not as sailors or airmen.
In order to test the veracity of that claim, without further ado, Lorrister drew his cutlass, leaped over the table, and attacked Kaloei.
It was evident that he was just sparring. He quickly overcame Kal, but also pointed out to her that she had given the best showing so far that day. Sol was next and the result was much the same, with the Prince scoring many solid blows, and Sol scrambling around the room flinging axes, but ultimately being cornered and overcome.
When the Prince turned to Adan, Adan bowed, then cast a spell that seemed to suck all the color and substance from his own form and sent it hurtling in a bolt of color and light at the Prince's eyes, blinding him. Adan disappeared.
When the Prince recovered his sight, he told them they were accepted and where should he send the paperwork?
With much rejoicing, the party headed back towards Duvrin's house. On the way there, near a lift, they were suddenly ambushed by two gnolls, one of whom said "Cavallah says hello."
The gnolls, however, were not alone; eventually something large and ugly and tentacled joined the fight; a Dolgaunt. Dolgaunts are, for those not in the know, a creature of the Daelkyr, twisted, evil, and horrid...did I mentioned tentacled?
The dolgaunt was overcome with some difficulty, and the party was busy trussing up gnolls and heaving them over the rails when the distinctive jingle of armor and weapons approached. A squad of 5 or 6 men, all armed and armored varyingly but dressed in distinctive red cloaks, approached the party, claiming to have been out hunting the Dolgaunt. They of course thoroughly questioned the party and what was going on out there, claiming to be from the Redcloak Battalion, an elite unit of the Brelish military attached to the Sharn City Watch.
Rather than mess with the Redcloaks, Adan wisely "found" a pouch of 200 gold on the ground that, as he said, "Surely belonged to the Captain." With that out of the way, the party finally went back to Duvrin to receive...gifts!
Duvrin lavishly showed his gratitude for saving his adopted daughter, with the following presents:
Adan: Ring of the Beguiler; +2 bonus to Intelligence, grants the Spell Focus feat for Illusion school and Enchantment school spells.
Kaloei: +1 Keen Flaming Rapier
Sol: Skirmisher's Axe: +1 Returning Throwing Axe, extra 1d6 damage on a Skirmish attack.
Duvrin also pointed out that he could arrange the party a loan from the Kundarak Bank at reasonable interest, which would grant them each roughly 7,000 gold pieces with which to purchase equipment, supplies and magical goodies before shipping out on the Spear of Dawn. He also made clear that his plan was to hire several Changelings to impersonate Pietra and have them scatter in various directions, while the real one would take to the Lightning Rail with guards, headed ultimately across Karrnath for the Mror Holds.
The party awaited their enlistment papers from Lorrister while shopping and pondering this question; where would Cavallah's troops get a tame Dolgaunt?
Edit: You'll note I have been lax with the posts. Trying to catch up. One down, two to go!
...they were faced with difficult choices. Pietra had been found and she was safe for the moment, but not forever. At least three...perhaps more...of the "statues" had been shipped out in the past few days, on ships bound for the Lhazar Principalities. Duvrin was letting them stay at his place, but probably not forever. Whatever was going to happen, they were leaving Sharn, that much seemed certain. But where? To sign on the ship Prince Lorrister was refitting and taking to war? Back to Fairhaven, to report to Urik Rorham and see if more employment was in the offing?
Not to mention they had a lease to cancel, a house to empty, AND the mail cut-out at The Drunken Dragon. Adventuring is complicated.
First things first; send messages. One was sent to Urik, via House Sivis Speaking Stone. Basically it said; Pietra is found, she is safe, our involvement on the case is through, pay up.
The message that came back said: Can you arrange transport for the girl back to Fairhaven or do you need help doing so?
A message was sent to Morgana Corleis saying that they were in pursuit of her niece, and they would stay in touch. She replied that she'd do the same.
Another was sent to Constable Corleith telling him not to give up hope; they were pursuing the Captain. He didn't reply. He's far too bitter for that.
So, the next up was to investigate the allegiances, motives, means, ways, policies and devices of Prince Lorrister.
All the digging Adan and Gideon could do...speaking to former associates of his, speaking to nobles and sponsors and clergy...it seems that Lorrister is that so-rare thing in Eberron; exactly what he appears to be. Prince Lorrister is a Holy Knight of Dol Arrah who, a few years ago, decided to raise an army and sweep clean the pirates of the Lhazar Principalities. He really was gathering a crew, having found sponsors willing to put up enough cash to buy an old airship and refit it for war (or at least for scouting for war...airships can be a bit fragile). He was taking on crew, having 'auditions' at the temple of Dol Arrah in Sovereign Towers.
So the party queued up at the temple. Eventually they got inside to see the man himself, wings, cockatoo animal companion and all.
(Editor's note: this NPC is basically from the book. In the illustration, he has wings, and a cockatoo. I would not create an NPC with wings and a cockatoo).
Next to him was a massive half-orc whom he introduced as his second mate, and boarding party commander, Tavaak Half-Ear, who, it was evident by his clothes, was a priest of the Sovereign Host. The Prince indicated that the party would have to subject itself to some minor magic; Detect Evil, Zone of Truth, that sort of thing. They acquiesced, and more or less passed that part of the test. Then Lorrister wanted to know what the party was capable of, and was told they saw themselves as an asset when it came to combat, not as sailors or airmen.
In order to test the veracity of that claim, without further ado, Lorrister drew his cutlass, leaped over the table, and attacked Kaloei.
It was evident that he was just sparring. He quickly overcame Kal, but also pointed out to her that she had given the best showing so far that day. Sol was next and the result was much the same, with the Prince scoring many solid blows, and Sol scrambling around the room flinging axes, but ultimately being cornered and overcome.
When the Prince turned to Adan, Adan bowed, then cast a spell that seemed to suck all the color and substance from his own form and sent it hurtling in a bolt of color and light at the Prince's eyes, blinding him. Adan disappeared.
When the Prince recovered his sight, he told them they were accepted and where should he send the paperwork?
With much rejoicing, the party headed back towards Duvrin's house. On the way there, near a lift, they were suddenly ambushed by two gnolls, one of whom said "Cavallah says hello."
The gnolls, however, were not alone; eventually something large and ugly and tentacled joined the fight; a Dolgaunt. Dolgaunts are, for those not in the know, a creature of the Daelkyr, twisted, evil, and horrid...did I mentioned tentacled?
The dolgaunt was overcome with some difficulty, and the party was busy trussing up gnolls and heaving them over the rails when the distinctive jingle of armor and weapons approached. A squad of 5 or 6 men, all armed and armored varyingly but dressed in distinctive red cloaks, approached the party, claiming to have been out hunting the Dolgaunt. They of course thoroughly questioned the party and what was going on out there, claiming to be from the Redcloak Battalion, an elite unit of the Brelish military attached to the Sharn City Watch.
Rather than mess with the Redcloaks, Adan wisely "found" a pouch of 200 gold on the ground that, as he said, "Surely belonged to the Captain." With that out of the way, the party finally went back to Duvrin to receive...gifts!
Duvrin lavishly showed his gratitude for saving his adopted daughter, with the following presents:
Adan: Ring of the Beguiler; +2 bonus to Intelligence, grants the Spell Focus feat for Illusion school and Enchantment school spells.
Kaloei: +1 Keen Flaming Rapier
Sol: Skirmisher's Axe: +1 Returning Throwing Axe, extra 1d6 damage on a Skirmish attack.
Duvrin also pointed out that he could arrange the party a loan from the Kundarak Bank at reasonable interest, which would grant them each roughly 7,000 gold pieces with which to purchase equipment, supplies and magical goodies before shipping out on the Spear of Dawn. He also made clear that his plan was to hire several Changelings to impersonate Pietra and have them scatter in various directions, while the real one would take to the Lightning Rail with guards, headed ultimately across Karrnath for the Mror Holds.
The party awaited their enlistment papers from Lorrister while shopping and pondering this question; where would Cavallah's troops get a tame Dolgaunt?
Edit: You'll note I have been lax with the posts. Trying to catch up. One down, two to go!
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