A group of elderly adventures rush into the main hall, so eager to save the day they almost fall over each other.
“Hm. Hm. Yup. Looks like we missed this half of the battle.”, says Garu, just the same as if he was looking over the farm after a flood, “Hm. It’s your regular sorcerer done bad. Hm. How ‘bout y’all calm yourself and make some space away from the ruckus.”
He herds the party-goers to one side and explains as much as he knows, making sure everyone knows Avad has done wrong.
Auntie Fatta walks up to Gear with the little steps of an old lady.
“My apologies. Avad had summons three demons prior to the festival and they were waiting on the roof. We had to destroy them before coming inside. Luce is injured, but I healed her wounds as best I could. She’ll be okay, the gods are on her side. I know this.”
Auntie Fatta puts a hand on your shattered face and focuses. You gain 10 HP.
Gear twist her mouth. "I'd say something brave but" she collapses. "i've killed 8 demons today already. Myself. Baber and hado tagged more. Kinda done hurting folks for the day." she takes a deep breath as hse feels her face knit back togther. "Tizu, the devil there, is under Avad's control. We're contracted to free him. He's a good person - we need to find Avad's summoning circle. he wishes to stay and be free. This" she gestures vaugely at the king "is King Nilbog, lord of the goblins."
Gear takes another deep breath and gets back to her feet. "Which are a thing. Avad threw us into a Gouge. Tizu helped us to escape, and lead us safely through the spirit roads. we allied with the Goblins during that, once we told them the viellord was dead and gone. We'll uh, need to sort out homes for em. We may have brought all of them back. Traded with some gods too. it was "
As gear says that, Goblins start to pop out of hiding all around, having presumably gotten real bored of not being involved. Gear makes a mental note to apologize to luce later, and does manage to yell "STOP THAT" at one goblin poking at a shrine. "At least they're lively."
She reaches up and feels her face. Damaged, but it'll mend. Feels like she's going to have a permanent scar through one eye though. That's good - there should be knoweldge gained from these things. "Oona can probably help explain avad's crimes once she's done being a sad sack. She's partiality complicit, but wants to make ammends. i think"
That said, Gear falls over again. It sounds like she's snoring as she hits the ground.
Baber reels back from the acid splashed in their face, and from the burns along their side. They roll over onto their back, still with an iron grip on Avad's wrist, and take a few deep breaths before sitting up.
"Hi, Auntie! I knew you'd be here!" they say around a partially melted grin, clothes still smouldering.
The goblins have stolen 378 individual things during the five minutes they have been back in the Material. One has married a statue to a minor deity.
Baber, you took a terrible acidic orb to your face. A stranger threw a bucket of water over you as soon as they could. Accepted defeat or not, you give Avad a sucker punch. Bastard. He spits out his front teeth, but stays conscious.
Oona bursts out with it, “The summoning circle for Tizu is inside a cart! That’s why they can’t sense for sure where it is. It’s the one our monks use when they travel around town. They don’t know it’s there because he covered it in a rug! There’s a bomb! A bomb he made! I thought he was going to blow up the Hierarchy but his cronies have set off into the wilds with it! I think they must want to open... something! Something terrible!”
Gear may be asleep (not really), but her monkey is not. An angry chittering is heard followed by a bolt scorching the ground riiiiiiiiiight behind Rufio's feet.
"Suggest you dont taunt the monkey, idiot" gear says blearily as she sits up.
Gear staggers over to Luce, and plops down with her. "Sorry about the goblins. I think one of them married one of your statues. Also i got the new duds from the Hagab gods. Hope you like em."
"Okay guys. What's the play? We need to sort out Tizu's summoning circle and free him." She glares at Avad. "No one should be ensalved. fucker. Find housing for the goblins. Stop the idiots with the bomb. What else./.." It's obvious she's flagging.
Tynnanseldom correct, never unsureRegistered Userregular
edited September 2020
Hado was relatively unscathed in the battle, and he’s having none of Rufio’s attempt. He overheard the last bit of the conversation between Rufio and Avad.
“Are you sure all you did was invite him in? You know I was standing right behind you before we announced ourselves.” Hado growls, looming over Rufio.
Baber gets tired of standing there holding onto Avad's wrist (they can't stand to touch him anymore than they have to), so they hand him off to Auntie Fatta's friends and they wander over to Gear and Luce and they grin and wink at Luce, flashing their lights over their face in a way that's basically giving her the Calipdis equivalent of a suggestive eyebrow wiggle. Mostly shades of peach and lavender.
Luce whispers urgently, “Gear! Are you up on your gods? The Hagab are of the Ephedae zodiac sign, a sign that that is only visible in the night’s sky once every three years! They’re not like other gods, they’re unknowable, capricious! The Hagab themselves are the Hungering Tigers of the River of Darkness! That’s too many ofs! That’s how you know they’re dangerous!”
Then she takes a breath.
“I’m glad you’re okay buddy.”
—
After awhile the patrolmen arrive.
It’s the same ones you saw earlier.
The Dwarven Officer Nu steps up to Avad.
He addresses him first, “Hello Abbot Avad. Who’d have thought I’d see an old friend twice in one night.”
Avad smiles.
“I have been caught. I will explain my actions at the station. I’ll make no attempt to escape.”, Avad quietly states, looking down at his feet.”
Auntie Fatta watches, her words drawn taught like a bowstring.
“It must be terrible for you officer, to be associated with the first demon summoner raised in our city. People will no doubt question how such a criminal slipped by the patrolmen of this district, famed as it is for the populace’s heroic lineage. Trust me when I say Auntie Fatta will never hold that against you, or look into your past. Some might. Don’t worry.”
With that Officer Nu heel-turns to face Hado and Baber.
He nods, “Good work, gentlemen!”
—
Baber
The large Kaburin chap that looks like he could explode into a violent rage at any second squeezes Avad by the arms with all four of his.
“Hm. I’ve got him. Hm.”
For Gear:
Ephedae, the Winding
Interpretations…
Ephedae is the tangle of uncounted millipedes.
Ephedae is the riddle yet to be solved.
Ephedae is the mistaken shadow
Ephedae is the river in the night.
Ephedae is the ink and the page.
Ephedae is considered to be the singular ‘metal sign’ by Kaburin astrologists, with metal in this context referring to rarities such as steel, silver and gold, as well as any undiscovered aspects of the world.
As with Incanim, the Ishtari presume Ephedae to be an ‘outside sign’, though in this case the gods of Ephedae are thought of as having traits unlike any mortals share, rather than being without fixed gender.
Like Drasius, the sign has an accent to it now foreign to New Zellatians, so much so a few sources have attempted to push Upnahee as the New Tongue name for the sign. It was likely titled Ephedae by a now extinct culture.
Unlike the other signs of the Divine Zodiac, it is not always visible, with upwards to three years between appearances. It moves position between sightings, circling the other signs in an inconsistent manner. Children born during the limited time of its appearance are beholden to Ephedae regardless of the time of year.
(Any questions about the zodiac I’ll give you a link, it’s not important, just a bit of fluff for you there.)
“Ow... He said he’d make the city ours. That the Hierarchy was keeping the... good stuff... from us. That it needed a single leader. But now it doesn’t make sense! It’s like he tricked me somehow.”
Gear! Fragment really wants to get Avad’s necklace!
Tynnanseldom correct, never unsureRegistered Userregular
Hado will pull Auntie Fatta aside for a moment and tell her what he overheard between Avad and Rufio just before the group attacked. “Their stories don’t line up. Rufio is hardly innocent here.”
After that, he’ll go over to Garu and greet him with a deep bow. “Thank you for answering our call, Garu. I hope you are well?”
Gear hobbles over to avad, reaches, and pulls the necklace off him. "Forgive me officers, but i think it's best we make sure he has as little on him as possible, dont you? He's already thrown us into a gouge once tonight. I'd suggest we dont let him do anything else like that."
This does of course mean she's holding the fragment in one hand and the necklace in the other, but that's fiiiiiine.
Geth roll 1d20+3 for perception
((Just me, or also Hado and baber? quick reminder my passive perception is 13 if that helps!))
Look, I mean, it’s just nature taking its course. Fragment’s body unfolds like a coiled spring and snatches up the necklace. You drop it Gear, as it gains a little more mass. It rolls away, and rights itself on four legs. That last leg is run through with silver.
It skitters for purchase against the floor, then does a few laps of the room. Sure it’s got all the metal it can find, it folds up next to Baber.
—
King Nilbog
I’m dying, he thinks.
He knew how time ran differently in other worlds, he learned that long ago when his 12 birthday came and he felt no different. Then the next year, when he felt a little older. In time the goblins stopped trying to count the days.
He was far older than a goblin should be.
He ran a hand through his long thin hair and a few strands came with it.
Gotta put on a brave face, he thinks, right now they still need me. I won’t let my people get bossed around or pushed aside. Goblins will make it here. They’ll learn what it means to see a sun rise, to play in the sea. Just a little more, then I’ll find the heir to my throne.
Gear, you see the king of the goblins sneak out the way you came, and outside some goblins are sprinting off with the steel chest you felt you were owed.
He turns back to you.
“Good eyes. We need a little starting money, so we’re taking the chest. I’ll be seeing you again soon, I bet my crown on it...”
Back in the Leaner, there’s a sudden lack of goblins. They’re gone.
—
Hado
Garu gives Hado a bow in return.
“I am well! The torbon’s graze and the crops are bountiful. My children are many and strong! My youngest grandchild won first prize in a egg painting contest at school. Many and strong! Hm!”, he says, his arms flailing wilding as he speaks quickly in his own language too out of habit.
—
Avad is escorted away, bound in manacles with a paper hex glued to his forehead to dampen his magic. Such a thing hasn’t been used in decades—the patrolmen had to wait some time for it to be brought to them from a wizard from Blindside, still dressed for the festival.
Rufio is taken in for questioning, but you’re not as sure if he’s been got. One minute he’s saying he doesn’t know Avad, then next he says he tricked him into this. Perhaps he’s going to say he was charmed by magic?
The Ashen Creed members are also taken away. You suspect they’ll be sentenced to a year’s clean up duty and other such punishments. Locking people up is for serious offences, and it doesn’t look like any half-cocked rebellion is going to happen. They’ll be monitored by, well, everyone. The community comes together over such things.
This bomb though... it must have been made by Avad from the explosives his invisible demons stole from the construction sight. Oona has drawn a rough map of the direction they were headed... Its far from the city... but you’re too late, you won’t be able to catch them. Are those the demons your elderly allies destroyed?
Whatever Avad’s other minions were going to do, they’ve done it by now. The best you can hope for is making your own expedition to that location, much later, when you’re fully healed, fully prepared.
Avad goes quietly. But he manages to flash you all one last smile. He’ll be locked up for life... so what does he think he has to smile about?
—
As the days go by the monks are informed of his misdeeds, and each cart is searched until Tizu’s summoning circle is destroyed. Avad’s tomes of demonology are confiscated by the Hierarchy, and his funds (which no monk should have at all) are distributed to you heroes!
Gear takes the time to introduce Tizu and Luce, and get into some really DEEP conversations of the nature of gods, devils, demons, and where to go from here. There's already a fast friendship forming between Tizu and Luce, even if Tizu is a bit put off by Luce's tendecy to hug.
Gear makes a point to just advise Tizu to roll with it - telling Luce to stop just gets an apology, and more hugs later. She's a hugger. You could stop the sun rising more easily than you could stop Luce hugging everyone, even a chain-covered devil. Tizu does seem a bit more at ease watching Gear practice her acrobatics, stealth, and the resulting pratfalls with Luce.
They're all uneasy about the raminfactions of Gear's offering to the Hagab, but for now? There's not a lot to be done. She'll deal with it or not as it comes.
She's not sure what to think about the chest being taken. Honestly, while she'd have liked to use some of it for materials, she suspect it just would have ended up eaten by Fragment. Which, you know, would have been interesting too. the King's right, really - the goblins need a start here, and if the king's clever (and if he's not clever, he's twice as cunning gear would be bet) that chest will go far. She does want to find them again though - She has a horrible sneaking suspcion ticklign at the back of her brain about the king's health and his lifespan now he's back on the Material plane.
it was the right thing to bring them back here, and it's not like she compelled them, but still - it's also the right thing to see this whole thing through, no matter where it lands.
Also! Hey! Treasure!
Gear is mostly excited about treasure because that means materials. Which means she can build things. Her brain is buzzing with ideas already - With Tizu's help, she'd like to do something with the demon bone trophy she claimed. Hado wanted some ornamental carving done on his staff, but surely gear can do more than just ORNAMENTAL for hado, right!? And Baber needs to be dragged off to Juzo and convicned to finally get that mana turned into something or Gear swears she's going to steal it and Baber's trident herself just to get things made
Use this time now to narrate from this point to getting home for a rest. In the coming (real life) days we’ll discuss what you get up to.
DELICIOUS LOOT
The Hierarchy (council of many that run the city, elected by vote and common understanding that they’re the best at their particular trade) award you almost everything Avad owns. What little they kept was to build their case against him.
Coins are made from very hardy baked clay, but for ease I’ll be using standard terms.
300gp in New Zellatian coins!
300sp in New Zellatian coins!
Enough other New Zellatian coins that when you want to describe your character buying food, they just do. You can maintain a modest lifestyle without cutting into the loot you’ve been awarded.
3 ancient coins, each worth a sizable sum! You’ll need to go to the auction house in Petalway if you want to sell them, otherwise they’re fine as ornaments or gifts.
A miner’s pick. Why Avad had this is a mystery.
An iron ingot, about ½ a foot squared.
A very large flower with thick leaves and petals in a clay pot. It’s carnivorous.
An ornamental bookend made from several varnished shells. Three perfect pearls sit in the middle of a clam shell.
A thin book detailing the general points of spell creation. It’s the only one the Hierarchy staff haven’t confiscated as evidence. It’s enough to start you on your way, but not enough that you could make a spell right now.
A small wooden mallet.
Demon Nails. Long ivory nails etched with strange markings. Tizu believes they can be hammered into a demon to banish it instantly. (3 uses).
To use a demon nail you will need to make a successful attack while wielding a hammer in one hand and a nail in the other.
Cruel Ember. A simple stone cup that houses an ever-dying ember, never truly lighting, never becoming cool. White ash wilts from the cup, piling up at the base. It exudes malice. You don’t know what it does.
A little statuette of Flora, the goddess that died during the rebellion. Famously she was the only god to take mortal form to battle the Vilelord directly. Her dead body became a giant forest, and her essence cast over the world, creating the Floretta race.
Alarm scroll. If you can cast spells, by reading the magic words on this spell aloud, you can cast the Alarm spell as an action. Once read, the scroll becomes blank, and the magic is spent.
Beast hide rug. A moth-eaten old rug made from some furry monster’s hide.
Archery Bracers. These bracers depict some long forgotten race that look much like Tunglani, with pointed ears.
While wearing these bracers, you have proficiency with the longbow and shortbow, and you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls on ranged attacks made with such weapons.
A bag of flour.
A small glass bell without a ringer.
A mandolin. Looks unused.
A war banner of the rebel soldiers of Dogabag. Slightly singed.
A letter Avad had yet to send. It reads:
Dear Q,
The mercenaries have set off to the location. The work will be long, and they shall remain there until they recover that which we desire most. They have the description, but know nothing of its application. Our dream of giving this city the leader it deserves will come to fruition. I hope all is well with your health and the flowers are blooming. I have enclosed in this letter the finest medicines money can buy.
Yours sincerely,
Avad.
(The Hierarchy made a copy, but left you the real one.)
3 minor healing potions. They each heal 1d4 HP.
A major healing potion. It heals 5d4 HP.
A salve that removes the effects of any poison. 3 uses, takes 1 minute to apply.
Philosopher’s Staff. A wooden staff that Avad’s late master held decades ago. It was given to Avad when he passed on, but Avad never used it. Generally the monks assume it has special properties, but don’t know what, if any.
As well as this you gain:
A bundle of food from the monks of The Ripple of the Lotus, and a request that you have tea with them some day, as they feel responsible.
Finally, a representative of the Hierarchy gives you their thanks, and grants you audience in Shealth, the central district, should you ever wish to make a request to those running the city. They won’t give you just anything, but this is worth something, for sure.
[OOC: Your characters don’t know this, but for the record Avad’s silver necklace gave him advantage on Charisma skill checks and saving throws. Maybe Fragment has that now, but they’re very dumb and have no plans, so it’s pretty safe.]
What should be done with Oona? She was Avad’s student, but is that reason enough to follow him? She wanted to stop him, but did nothing about it. She’s currently telling all she knows to the patrolmen, and is working on a rough map of where she thinks Avad sent some people with a bomb. Is that enough?
Baber, how do you feel that Hado cast a spell that harmed you?
Hado, how do you feel that your anger got the better of you?
Gear, why don’t you kill Avad while he is in prison, he slighted you! Are you not a tiger among lambs? Should you not kill every last person involved in this to protect your territory?
I mean, do you think you look pretty in your new clothes?
Baber shows interest in the Demon Nails and mallet, one of the healing potions, the beast rug, the glass bell, and the mandolin. They haven't ever played one before, but it's an interesting and beautiful sounding instrument they'd be willing to learn with.
Satisfied that for now things seem to be stable and safe, Baber thanks Auntie Fatta and her friends for coming to their aid with Avad. They tell Fatta, "I'll come by and see you in a day or so, and if you need anything, ever, do not hesitate to ask." They bow deeply to her.
They walk over to Luce and Gear and Tizu, and they give Luce a big hug. "Hey, girl! Thanks for helping us out! I'll be by tomorrow to help clean this place up, but for now I'm gonna head home and get some well-earned rest." They turn to Tizu and they grip his shoulder, giving him a little nod and ask, "Have we completed our deal? Did I hold up my end of the bargain?"
Baber tells Hado and Gear that they'll see them soon, then they pick up Fragment and leave the Leaner and head towards the inn they had stayed at the previous night to pick up their gear they had left. This night has gone on too long, and they're bone weary. Then they set out for Seafoam. It's not a terribly long walk, but it seems like one of the longest in their life. Their little hut right by the ocean has never looked more welcoming in their eyes. They set all of their stuff down, propping open the door so they can listen to the waves, and then they set about trying to figure out how to get this fucking armor off. They eventually find a spot on the belt they can press that causes the hexagonal plates to fold back up into the arm guards, bracers, and belt. Then they walk out and wade straight into the surf, letting the cool water wash away the blood and dirt and worries. They swim for thirty minutes, relaxing, and then walk back and towel off. Then Baber just collapses into the bed and for awhile they know no more.
Gear takes the pearls and everything that looks remotely magical from the loot. A quick use of Detect magic helps with that! Not to keep, but she does spend some time using the Pearls to cast Identify over each item
(Staff, the Cinder, anything else that we can identify~ she can also use detect magic, so assume I found everything, muhahahaha)
That done she's out like a light in her room back at the rig. She's managed to undress but nothing more - her injuries slowly break over night save for an impressive crack across one eye that now crackles with electricity whether her emotions rise up
Tynnanseldom correct, never unsureRegistered Userregular
Hado takes an interest in the Cruel Ember, the statuette of Flora, and the rebel banner. (Does the banner match his Rebel’s Defiance shield in its design?)
Hado’s Petalway home is not too far away. He’ll extricate himself from the crowd after finishing with the Hierarchy and head there. Exhausted, Hado takes off his (battered, filthy) smock, puts his equipment in a corner - he’ll tidy up later - and falls onto his bed.
For a long time, exhausted though he is, Hado doesn’t sleep. He lost control in the Leaner. He wanted to make Avad burn, and he threw his fury at the abbot without seeing that his friend would be burned, too. There was a moment where he could have stopped the spell, at the last second, when he saw Baber wrestling Avad to the floor, and he did not stop. He spends a long time thinking about this. He could have done anything else, and he chose to do it.
Hado eventually succumbs to the dreadful exhaustion of the past... how long was it? Too long, for a festival evening.
Hado dreams of seeing the city from a great height. Of walking through it as he casts a long shadow. He dreams of running his fingers through the cold clouds above.
Real talk, me to you, I’ve been busy lately and it’s not letting up. I might need a day to figure out how to best make this month of downtime fun and interesting, while getting you all prepared for a journey into the wilds with some cool new equipment.
As always, there’s nothing stopping you setting a scene between yourself just for the sake of roleplaying.
All seriousness: dont stress about making it fun and interesting. You've done a wonderful job in general, i'm not gonna be stressed if you need to play fast and loose right now
Things that would be cool:
Let us know what the goblins are upto (obviously, gear's got a big interest there). How'd Jade and Roam get on? Stuff between Tizu and Luce and how Tizu's settling in.
But dont feel like you /have/ to do anythign to make this interesting as such. It'd be cool to have you expand on the lore a bit (I kinda want ot have gear go poke at Avad in Jail - not to do what the nice cat dreams said, but just to try and... get a why out of him)
Like seriously: Some lore, tell us the exact details of what we got since we've got the time to identify everything now, and give us a chance to talk about making some new equipment. and you know, finally visit Juyo. Get baber's trident sorted. i dont think you need to worrry about doing anything for it to be fun and interesting!
[OOC: I was gonna do a monthly planner game where you try to fit what you want into it, with each project taking up between 3-5 days, but let’s just chat.
We’ll start with a simple meet up, then you can go do stuff.]
All around the city life goes on. People are buying fruit. Kids play with sticks and hoops (the in thing this year) while their parents gossip. The weather is, as it so often is, glorious. Birds lazily glide on the hot updrafts pushed up the cliffs. The tide slowly rocks the shore. Fishers bring back a bounty to feed the people.
—
In a black, unadorned building in Sheath, the central district, agents inspect and bag up the more unsavoury books found in Avad’s private collection. They’re piled on a cart and taken to a deep chamber lined with things best forgotten.
Avad is elsewhere. There is only one prison in New Zellatia, as the city tries to find other things to do with ne’er do wells. The prison is in Blindside district. Here Avad lays on a small cot, on the bottom bunk. He is alone in his cell.
He’s in a strange position. Summoning demons and enslaving a devil are terrible deeds... but he’s not a murderer, as far as anyone knows. Just how securely should he be held? How dangerous is he now? What was it all for?
The wardens have decided he won’t get a bunk mate any time soon, and he certainly won’t be getting his hands on anything to write or carve with. His alone in his cell, waiting, smiling... Its much less intimidating now he’s got no front teeth, mind you.
—
Tizu is lost for a few days, but finds they’ve been adopted by Gear’s family. One day a child calls them “kin”, and someone else says “Hey cousin, will you lend me a hand?” and there they were.
They’re eventually hoping to teach magic to folks, but for now they’re the one learning. Underneath the heavy coat they like to wear they’re still bound by some chains, for the chains are both real and metaphorical, but they’re looking more like a person every day. It’s not the transformation you’d imagine, but this is no fairy tale.
Tizu is now Gear’s cousin or something closer, your call. They live at the Rig and spend most of their time at Uncle Iroh’s workshop. One day they might prefer living and working in Smokestop, the district with lots of thinkers and craftsmen, or Blindside, where strange folk and wilder magic users (warlocks, bards, and sorcerers) live.
They and Luce have shared tea since that night, and are becoming good friends. They still have opposing opinions regarding the gods, but that just means they always have something to talk about.
—
The goblins have been surprisingly quiet this few days after returning to the world. Reports of food vanishing off stalls with the correct change left for the merchant have been spreading through the city, but such idle gossip hasn’t raised any suspicion within the Hierarchy.
The morning following the battle against Avad you each saw a little goblin scout checking you out from a distance, but they didn’t stop to chat. You noticed each was wearing nicely fitting, clean, new clothes. They did not carry weapons.
Gear, you get the sense you’ll be visited soon, by an emissary or the king himself...
—
Luce is affected by the night. You’re not sure if it’s good or bad, just different.
The Leaner is still open to everyone, and Luce is as friendly as ever. But she’s conducting more ceremonies. She’s praying more often, and working longer days.
She’d like a weapon from one of you, to begin training with it. Will you give her one?
—
Roam stayed a Jade’s parent’s house that night.
Roam you recall was a Ishtari, who was dating Jade, a Primodem.
A group of traditionalist Ishtari has caught wind that their work-friend’s son was dating outside their race and took it upon themselves to do something drastic. All of them have been dealt with, and are now shamed and banished from the meetings of the Ishtari elders. They’ve no say in how things run for the tribe.
Roam’s own parents weren’t involved, and while they shared in the racists sentiments, they ultimately chose their son over losing him. Jade’s parents (Dwarves as it happens), don’t mind. Primodems? How do they work? is how they’ve tackled raising Jade so far.
Together they’re moving forward step by step, but the pair still get funny looks occasionally. Roam’s father has gained a place on the elder’s council by default, filling the gap Ghigan made. He’s trying his best to reinterpret the old laws for the betterment of his tribe.
It’s a small place, but full of sunlight. You sit at a table on a balcony. Creeping vines with tiny yellow flowers clamber around the balcony, and humming birds feed on the nectar of large orchids sat snug in hanging baskets above your heads.
Hado has a big woven bamboo chair, while Baber and Gear sit on large sized stools carved from palm wood. Gear has enough room to sit crossed legged on a cushion.
There’s no immediate troubles, though you all know you’re going to venture into the wilds eventually to find those mercenaries Avad sent off with the stolen explosives. You have an idea where they headed, and know it’s too far for them to get there, do what they need to do (whatever that may be) and come back any time soon.
For today, you can just be yourselves.
[OOC: I’ll fill you in on your items in a bit. Plus I’ll make a rough map soon.]
Tynnanseldom correct, never unsureRegistered Userregular
edited September 2020
The interior of Hado’s apartment is airy, for good reason: there’s a modest living/dining room area, but the kitchen, separated from the other space by a bar, is disproportionately large. It has a tandoor. Hado has set up a substantial brick firebreak to support the oven, and there’s a generous layer of glowing coals in its base. (This makes moving from the balcony to the interior a briefly uncomfortable task)
((Hado is proficient with Cook’s Utensils. Get ready to be catered to, you jerks))
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Tynnanseldom correct, never unsureRegistered Userregular
((Uh. What will Gear be having? Hado can prepare a few things for Primodem, but I think he’d have asked her ahead of time rather than winging it))
Tizu is something more than just cousin to Gear now, a brother perhaps, and she's pleased that Iroh has taken him under his wing. They've spent time talking over what Gear could create using the demon bone, but that's for later.
For now in Petalway, Gear sits in Hados apartment, woodcrafts tools in her lap. In Gears hands a pair of Eskrima sticks are taking shape, carved with elegant patterns of the various gods. If Luce wishes a weapon, then of course Gear is going to make her one. And these are a safe choice - Luce could use them in her acrobatics, in her spells, or just for non lethal defense.
Gear doesn't notice that In her carving she's included a pair of watchful looking Tigers... Just as she hasn't noticed her incisors have grown sharp and fang like.
She has however noticed Hados new neck tattoo and inquired after that, as well as how Babers pact with the God is going.
Posts
“Have a heightened spell for your trouble!”, he spits.
Baber, make a Dexterity saving throw with disadvantage!
“Tizu. You’ve obviously betrayed me somehow. Stop fighting. Stand down.”
Avad lays back, smiling. He’s given up.
The Ashen Creed members drop their cudgels and put their hands up.
“Woah!”, says a drunken guy sat on a chair in the corner.
Uncle Iroh. Tunglani Alchemist Artificer.
Garu-bo-Ado-ba-Toki-ata-Gawa-so-Ando. Kaburin Ancestral Guardian Barbarian.
Holding the Morning. Tunglani Scout Rogue.
A group of elderly adventures rush into the main hall, so eager to save the day they almost fall over each other.
“Hm. Hm. Yup. Looks like we missed this half of the battle.”, says Garu, just the same as if he was looking over the farm after a flood, “Hm. It’s your regular sorcerer done bad. Hm. How ‘bout y’all calm yourself and make some space away from the ruckus.”
He herds the party-goers to one side and explains as much as he knows, making sure everyone knows Avad has done wrong.
Auntie Fatta walks up to Gear with the little steps of an old lady.
“My apologies. Avad had summons three demons prior to the festival and they were waiting on the roof. We had to destroy them before coming inside. Luce is injured, but I healed her wounds as best I could. She’ll be okay, the gods are on her side. I know this.”
Auntie Fatta puts a hand on your shattered face and focuses. You gain 10 HP.
Geth roll 1d20+1 for DEX 2
Gear takes another deep breath and gets back to her feet. "Which are a thing. Avad threw us into a Gouge. Tizu helped us to escape, and lead us safely through the spirit roads. we allied with the Goblins during that, once we told them the viellord was dead and gone. We'll uh, need to sort out homes for em. We may have brought all of them back. Traded with some gods too. it was "
As gear says that, Goblins start to pop out of hiding all around, having presumably gotten real bored of not being involved. Gear makes a mental note to apologize to luce later, and does manage to yell "STOP THAT" at one goblin poking at a shrine. "At least they're lively."
She reaches up and feels her face. Damaged, but it'll mend. Feels like she's going to have a permanent scar through one eye though. That's good - there should be knoweldge gained from these things. "Oona can probably help explain avad's crimes once she's done being a sad sack. She's partiality complicit, but wants to make ammends. i think"
That said, Gear falls over again. It sounds like she's snoring as she hits the ground.
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"Hi, Auntie! I knew you'd be here!" they say around a partially melted grin, clothes still smouldering.
It's hideous.
Baber, you took a terrible acidic orb to your face. A stranger threw a bucket of water over you as soon as they could. Accepted defeat or not, you give Avad a sucker punch. Bastard. He spits out his front teeth, but stays conscious.
Oona bursts out with it, “The summoning circle for Tizu is inside a cart! That’s why they can’t sense for sure where it is. It’s the one our monks use when they travel around town. They don’t know it’s there because he covered it in a rug! There’s a bomb! A bomb he made! I thought he was going to blow up the Hierarchy but his cronies have set off into the wilds with it! I think they must want to open... something! Something terrible!”
“Hey handsome”, they say, giving Baber a finger gun.
They cast Healing Word, focused on his charming jawline.
“Wish I could do more. I... Maybe need to start taking this chosen by the gods to be one of their clerics thing seriously from now on.”
Rufio looks dejected, stood rigid in the middle of the main hall.
“What was I thinking?”, he sighs.
He starts to take a few steps backwards...
"Suggest you dont taunt the monkey, idiot" gear says blearily as she sits up.
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"Hey, friend. I don't think you should go anywhere right now."
They grin, showing off all their teeth. It doesn't reach their eyes, and their mouth is full of blood.
"This fuckin guy? This fuckin guy. He's the one responsible for all this."
"Okay guys. What's the play? We need to sort out Tizu's summoning circle and free him." She glares at Avad. "No one should be ensalved. fucker. Find housing for the goblins. Stop the idiots with the bomb. What else./.." It's obvious she's flagging.
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“Are you sure all you did was invite him in? You know I was standing right behind you before we announced ourselves.” Hado growls, looming over Rufio.
((Hado is also slow. Hah!))
There's even a goblin on Baber's head right now.
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Luce whispers urgently, “Gear! Are you up on your gods? The Hagab are of the Ephedae zodiac sign, a sign that that is only visible in the night’s sky once every three years! They’re not like other gods, they’re unknowable, capricious! The Hagab themselves are the Hungering Tigers of the River of Darkness! That’s too many ofs! That’s how you know they’re dangerous!”
Then she takes a breath.
“I’m glad you’re okay buddy.”
—
After awhile the patrolmen arrive.
It’s the same ones you saw earlier.
The Dwarven Officer Nu steps up to Avad.
He addresses him first, “Hello Abbot Avad. Who’d have thought I’d see an old friend twice in one night.”
Avad smiles.
“I have been caught. I will explain my actions at the station. I’ll make no attempt to escape.”, Avad quietly states, looking down at his feet.”
Auntie Fatta watches, her words drawn taught like a bowstring.
“It must be terrible for you officer, to be associated with the first demon summoner raised in our city. People will no doubt question how such a criminal slipped by the patrolmen of this district, famed as it is for the populace’s heroic lineage. Trust me when I say Auntie Fatta will never hold that against you, or look into your past. Some might. Don’t worry.”
With that Officer Nu heel-turns to face Hado and Baber.
He nods, “Good work, gentlemen!”
—
Baber
The large Kaburin chap that looks like he could explode into a violent rage at any second squeezes Avad by the arms with all four of his.
“Hm. I’ve got him. Hm.”
For Gear:
Interpretations…
Ephedae is the tangle of uncounted millipedes.
Ephedae is the riddle yet to be solved.
Ephedae is the mistaken shadow
Ephedae is the river in the night.
Ephedae is the ink and the page.
Ephedae is considered to be the singular ‘metal sign’ by Kaburin astrologists, with metal in this context referring to rarities such as steel, silver and gold, as well as any undiscovered aspects of the world.
As with Incanim, the Ishtari presume Ephedae to be an ‘outside sign’, though in this case the gods of Ephedae are thought of as having traits unlike any mortals share, rather than being without fixed gender.
Like Drasius, the sign has an accent to it now foreign to New Zellatians, so much so a few sources have attempted to push Upnahee as the New Tongue name for the sign. It was likely titled Ephedae by a now extinct culture.
Unlike the other signs of the Divine Zodiac, it is not always visible, with upwards to three years between appearances. It moves position between sightings, circling the other signs in an inconsistent manner. Children born during the limited time of its appearance are beholden to Ephedae regardless of the time of year.
(Any questions about the zodiac I’ll give you a link, it’s not important, just a bit of fluff for you there.)
You give Rufio a quick boot in the shin.
“Ow... He said he’d make the city ours. That the Hierarchy was keeping the... good stuff... from us. That it needed a single leader. But now it doesn’t make sense! It’s like he tricked me somehow.”
Gear! Fragment really wants to get Avad’s necklace!
Is it in your hand right now? Or in your sleeve?
After that, he’ll go over to Garu and greet him with a deep bow. “Thank you for answering our call, Garu. I hope you are well?”
This does of course mean she's holding the fragment in one hand and the necklace in the other, but that's fiiiiiine.
Geth roll 1d20+3 for perception
((Just me, or also Hado and baber? quick reminder my passive perception is 13 if that helps!))
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Look, I mean, it’s just nature taking its course. Fragment’s body unfolds like a coiled spring and snatches up the necklace. You drop it Gear, as it gains a little more mass. It rolls away, and rights itself on four legs. That last leg is run through with silver.
It skitters for purchase against the floor, then does a few laps of the room. Sure it’s got all the metal it can find, it folds up next to Baber.
—
King Nilbog
I’m dying, he thinks.
He knew how time ran differently in other worlds, he learned that long ago when his 12 birthday came and he felt no different. Then the next year, when he felt a little older. In time the goblins stopped trying to count the days.
He was far older than a goblin should be.
He ran a hand through his long thin hair and a few strands came with it.
Gotta put on a brave face, he thinks, right now they still need me. I won’t let my people get bossed around or pushed aside. Goblins will make it here. They’ll learn what it means to see a sun rise, to play in the sea. Just a little more, then I’ll find the heir to my throne.
Gear, you see the king of the goblins sneak out the way you came, and outside some goblins are sprinting off with the steel chest you felt you were owed.
He turns back to you.
“Good eyes. We need a little starting money, so we’re taking the chest. I’ll be seeing you again soon, I bet my crown on it...”
Back in the Leaner, there’s a sudden lack of goblins. They’re gone.
—
Hado
Garu gives Hado a bow in return.
“I am well! The torbon’s graze and the crops are bountiful. My children are many and strong! My youngest grandchild won first prize in a egg painting contest at school. Many and strong! Hm!”, he says, his arms flailing wilding as he speaks quickly in his own language too out of habit.
—
Avad is escorted away, bound in manacles with a paper hex glued to his forehead to dampen his magic. Such a thing hasn’t been used in decades—the patrolmen had to wait some time for it to be brought to them from a wizard from Blindside, still dressed for the festival.
Rufio is taken in for questioning, but you’re not as sure if he’s been got. One minute he’s saying he doesn’t know Avad, then next he says he tricked him into this. Perhaps he’s going to say he was charmed by magic?
The Ashen Creed members are also taken away. You suspect they’ll be sentenced to a year’s clean up duty and other such punishments. Locking people up is for serious offences, and it doesn’t look like any half-cocked rebellion is going to happen. They’ll be monitored by, well, everyone. The community comes together over such things.
This bomb though... it must have been made by Avad from the explosives his invisible demons stole from the construction sight. Oona has drawn a rough map of the direction they were headed... Its far from the city... but you’re too late, you won’t be able to catch them. Are those the demons your elderly allies destroyed?
Whatever Avad’s other minions were going to do, they’ve done it by now. The best you can hope for is making your own expedition to that location, much later, when you’re fully healed, fully prepared.
Avad goes quietly. But he manages to flash you all one last smile. He’ll be locked up for life... so what does he think he has to smile about?
—
As the days go by the monks are informed of his misdeeds, and each cart is searched until Tizu’s summoning circle is destroyed. Avad’s tomes of demonology are confiscated by the Hierarchy, and his funds (which no monk should have at all) are distributed to you heroes!
Gear makes a point to just advise Tizu to roll with it - telling Luce to stop just gets an apology, and more hugs later. She's a hugger. You could stop the sun rising more easily than you could stop Luce hugging everyone, even a chain-covered devil. Tizu does seem a bit more at ease watching Gear practice her acrobatics, stealth, and the resulting pratfalls with Luce.
They're all uneasy about the raminfactions of Gear's offering to the Hagab, but for now? There's not a lot to be done. She'll deal with it or not as it comes.
She's not sure what to think about the chest being taken. Honestly, while she'd have liked to use some of it for materials, she suspect it just would have ended up eaten by Fragment. Which, you know, would have been interesting too. the King's right, really - the goblins need a start here, and if the king's clever (and if he's not clever, he's twice as cunning gear would be bet) that chest will go far. She does want to find them again though - She has a horrible sneaking suspcion ticklign at the back of her brain about the king's health and his lifespan now he's back on the Material plane.
it was the right thing to bring them back here, and it's not like she compelled them, but still - it's also the right thing to see this whole thing through, no matter where it lands.
Also! Hey! Treasure!
Gear is mostly excited about treasure because that means materials. Which means she can build things. Her brain is buzzing with ideas already - With Tizu's help, she'd like to do something with the demon bone trophy she claimed. Hado wanted some ornamental carving done on his staff, but surely gear can do more than just ORNAMENTAL for hado, right!? And Baber needs to be dragged off to Juzo and convicned to finally get that mana turned into something or Gear swears she's going to steal it and Baber's trident herself just to get things made
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DELICIOUS LOOT
The Hierarchy (council of many that run the city, elected by vote and common understanding that they’re the best at their particular trade) award you almost everything Avad owns. What little they kept was to build their case against him.
Coins are made from very hardy baked clay, but for ease I’ll be using standard terms.
300gp in New Zellatian coins!
300sp in New Zellatian coins!
Enough other New Zellatian coins that when you want to describe your character buying food, they just do. You can maintain a modest lifestyle without cutting into the loot you’ve been awarded.
3 ancient coins, each worth a sizable sum! You’ll need to go to the auction house in Petalway if you want to sell them, otherwise they’re fine as ornaments or gifts.
A miner’s pick. Why Avad had this is a mystery.
An iron ingot, about ½ a foot squared.
A very large flower with thick leaves and petals in a clay pot. It’s carnivorous.
An ornamental bookend made from several varnished shells. Three perfect pearls sit in the middle of a clam shell.
A thin book detailing the general points of spell creation. It’s the only one the Hierarchy staff haven’t confiscated as evidence. It’s enough to start you on your way, but not enough that you could make a spell right now.
A small wooden mallet.
Demon Nails. Long ivory nails etched with strange markings. Tizu believes they can be hammered into a demon to banish it instantly. (3 uses).
To use a demon nail you will need to make a successful attack while wielding a hammer in one hand and a nail in the other.
Cruel Ember. A simple stone cup that houses an ever-dying ember, never truly lighting, never becoming cool. White ash wilts from the cup, piling up at the base. It exudes malice. You don’t know what it does.
A little statuette of Flora, the goddess that died during the rebellion. Famously she was the only god to take mortal form to battle the Vilelord directly. Her dead body became a giant forest, and her essence cast over the world, creating the Floretta race.
Alarm scroll. If you can cast spells, by reading the magic words on this spell aloud, you can cast the Alarm spell as an action. Once read, the scroll becomes blank, and the magic is spent.
Beast hide rug. A moth-eaten old rug made from some furry monster’s hide.
Archery Bracers. These bracers depict some long forgotten race that look much like Tunglani, with pointed ears.
While wearing these bracers, you have proficiency with the longbow and shortbow, and you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls on ranged attacks made with such weapons.
A bag of flour.
A small glass bell without a ringer.
A mandolin. Looks unused.
A war banner of the rebel soldiers of Dogabag. Slightly singed.
A letter Avad had yet to send. It reads:
Dear Q,
The mercenaries have set off to the location. The work will be long, and they shall remain there until they recover that which we desire most. They have the description, but know nothing of its application. Our dream of giving this city the leader it deserves will come to fruition. I hope all is well with your health and the flowers are blooming. I have enclosed in this letter the finest medicines money can buy.
Yours sincerely,
Avad.
(The Hierarchy made a copy, but left you the real one.)
3 minor healing potions. They each heal 1d4 HP.
A major healing potion. It heals 5d4 HP.
A salve that removes the effects of any poison. 3 uses, takes 1 minute to apply.
Philosopher’s Staff. A wooden staff that Avad’s late master held decades ago. It was given to Avad when he passed on, but Avad never used it. Generally the monks assume it has special properties, but don’t know what, if any.
As well as this you gain:
A bundle of food from the monks of The Ripple of the Lotus, and a request that you have tea with them some day, as they feel responsible.
Finally, a representative of the Hierarchy gives you their thanks, and grants you audience in Shealth, the central district, should you ever wish to make a request to those running the city. They won’t give you just anything, but this is worth something, for sure.
[OOC: Your characters don’t know this, but for the record Avad’s silver necklace gave him advantage on Charisma skill checks and saving throws. Maybe Fragment has that now, but they’re very dumb and have no plans, so it’s pretty safe.]
What should be done with Oona? She was Avad’s student, but is that reason enough to follow him? She wanted to stop him, but did nothing about it. She’s currently telling all she knows to the patrolmen, and is working on a rough map of where she thinks Avad sent some people with a bomb. Is that enough?
Baber, how do you feel that Hado cast a spell that harmed you?
Hado, how do you feel that your anger got the better of you?
Gear, why don’t you kill Avad while he is in prison, he slighted you! Are you not a tiger among lambs? Should you not kill every last person involved in this to protect your territory?
I mean, do you think you look pretty in your new clothes?
Satisfied that for now things seem to be stable and safe, Baber thanks Auntie Fatta and her friends for coming to their aid with Avad. They tell Fatta, "I'll come by and see you in a day or so, and if you need anything, ever, do not hesitate to ask." They bow deeply to her.
They walk over to Luce and Gear and Tizu, and they give Luce a big hug. "Hey, girl! Thanks for helping us out! I'll be by tomorrow to help clean this place up, but for now I'm gonna head home and get some well-earned rest." They turn to Tizu and they grip his shoulder, giving him a little nod and ask, "Have we completed our deal? Did I hold up my end of the bargain?"
Baber tells Hado and Gear that they'll see them soon, then they pick up Fragment and leave the Leaner and head towards the inn they had stayed at the previous night to pick up their gear they had left. This night has gone on too long, and they're bone weary. Then they set out for Seafoam. It's not a terribly long walk, but it seems like one of the longest in their life. Their little hut right by the ocean has never looked more welcoming in their eyes. They set all of their stuff down, propping open the door so they can listen to the waves, and then they set about trying to figure out how to get this fucking armor off. They eventually find a spot on the belt they can press that causes the hexagonal plates to fold back up into the arm guards, bracers, and belt. Then they walk out and wade straight into the surf, letting the cool water wash away the blood and dirt and worries. They swim for thirty minutes, relaxing, and then walk back and towel off. Then Baber just collapses into the bed and for awhile they know no more.
—
Oh yeah.
Everyone earns 1000 experience!
Baber!
You dream of fish.
(Staff, the Cinder, anything else that we can identify~ she can also use detect magic, so assume I found everything, muhahahaha)
That done she's out like a light in her room back at the rig. She's managed to undress but nothing more - her injuries slowly break over night save for an impressive crack across one eye that now crackles with electricity whether her emotions rise up
She dreams of Tigers, blood and Goblins
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Hado’s Petalway home is not too far away. He’ll extricate himself from the crowd after finishing with the Hierarchy and head there. Exhausted, Hado takes off his (battered, filthy) smock, puts his equipment in a corner - he’ll tidy up later - and falls onto his bed.
For a long time, exhausted though he is, Hado doesn’t sleep. He lost control in the Leaner. He wanted to make Avad burn, and he threw his fury at the abbot without seeing that his friend would be burned, too. There was a moment where he could have stopped the spell, at the last second, when he saw Baber wrestling Avad to the floor, and he did not stop. He spends a long time thinking about this. He could have done anything else, and he chose to do it.
Hado eventually succumbs to the dreadful exhaustion of the past... how long was it? Too long, for a festival evening.
Real talk, me to you, I’ve been busy lately and it’s not letting up. I might need a day to figure out how to best make this month of downtime fun and interesting, while getting you all prepared for a journey into the wilds with some cool new equipment.
As always, there’s nothing stopping you setting a scene between yourself just for the sake of roleplaying.
Catch you in a little bit!
Have some New Zellatia vibes in the meantime.
Things that would be cool:
Let us know what the goblins are upto (obviously, gear's got a big interest there). How'd Jade and Roam get on? Stuff between Tizu and Luce and how Tizu's settling in.
But dont feel like you /have/ to do anythign to make this interesting as such. It'd be cool to have you expand on the lore a bit (I kinda want ot have gear go poke at Avad in Jail - not to do what the nice cat dreams said, but just to try and... get a why out of him)
Like seriously: Some lore, tell us the exact details of what we got since we've got the time to identify everything now, and give us a chance to talk about making some new equipment. and you know, finally visit Juyo. Get baber's trident sorted. i dont think you need to worrry about doing anything for it to be fun and interesting!
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We’ll start with a simple meet up, then you can go do stuff.]
All around the city life goes on. People are buying fruit. Kids play with sticks and hoops (the in thing this year) while their parents gossip. The weather is, as it so often is, glorious. Birds lazily glide on the hot updrafts pushed up the cliffs. The tide slowly rocks the shore. Fishers bring back a bounty to feed the people.
—
In a black, unadorned building in Sheath, the central district, agents inspect and bag up the more unsavoury books found in Avad’s private collection. They’re piled on a cart and taken to a deep chamber lined with things best forgotten.
Avad is elsewhere. There is only one prison in New Zellatia, as the city tries to find other things to do with ne’er do wells. The prison is in Blindside district. Here Avad lays on a small cot, on the bottom bunk. He is alone in his cell.
He’s in a strange position. Summoning demons and enslaving a devil are terrible deeds... but he’s not a murderer, as far as anyone knows. Just how securely should he be held? How dangerous is he now? What was it all for?
The wardens have decided he won’t get a bunk mate any time soon, and he certainly won’t be getting his hands on anything to write or carve with. His alone in his cell, waiting, smiling... Its much less intimidating now he’s got no front teeth, mind you.
—
Tizu is lost for a few days, but finds they’ve been adopted by Gear’s family. One day a child calls them “kin”, and someone else says “Hey cousin, will you lend me a hand?” and there they were.
They’re eventually hoping to teach magic to folks, but for now they’re the one learning. Underneath the heavy coat they like to wear they’re still bound by some chains, for the chains are both real and metaphorical, but they’re looking more like a person every day. It’s not the transformation you’d imagine, but this is no fairy tale.
Tizu is now Gear’s cousin or something closer, your call. They live at the Rig and spend most of their time at Uncle Iroh’s workshop. One day they might prefer living and working in Smokestop, the district with lots of thinkers and craftsmen, or Blindside, where strange folk and wilder magic users (warlocks, bards, and sorcerers) live.
They and Luce have shared tea since that night, and are becoming good friends. They still have opposing opinions regarding the gods, but that just means they always have something to talk about.
—
The goblins have been surprisingly quiet this few days after returning to the world. Reports of food vanishing off stalls with the correct change left for the merchant have been spreading through the city, but such idle gossip hasn’t raised any suspicion within the Hierarchy.
The morning following the battle against Avad you each saw a little goblin scout checking you out from a distance, but they didn’t stop to chat. You noticed each was wearing nicely fitting, clean, new clothes. They did not carry weapons.
Gear, you get the sense you’ll be visited soon, by an emissary or the king himself...
—
Luce is affected by the night. You’re not sure if it’s good or bad, just different.
The Leaner is still open to everyone, and Luce is as friendly as ever. But she’s conducting more ceremonies. She’s praying more often, and working longer days.
She’d like a weapon from one of you, to begin training with it. Will you give her one?
—
Roam stayed a Jade’s parent’s house that night.
Roam you recall was a Ishtari, who was dating Jade, a Primodem.
A group of traditionalist Ishtari has caught wind that their work-friend’s son was dating outside their race and took it upon themselves to do something drastic. All of them have been dealt with, and are now shamed and banished from the meetings of the Ishtari elders. They’ve no say in how things run for the tribe.
Roam’s own parents weren’t involved, and while they shared in the racists sentiments, they ultimately chose their son over losing him. Jade’s parents (Dwarves as it happens), don’t mind. Primodems? How do they work? is how they’ve tackled raising Jade so far.
Together they’re moving forward step by step, but the pair still get funny looks occasionally. Roam’s father has gained a place on the elder’s council by default, filling the gap Ghigan made. He’s trying his best to reinterpret the old laws for the betterment of his tribe.
Petalway
It’s a small place, but full of sunlight. You sit at a table on a balcony. Creeping vines with tiny yellow flowers clamber around the balcony, and humming birds feed on the nectar of large orchids sat snug in hanging baskets above your heads.
Hado has a big woven bamboo chair, while Baber and Gear sit on large sized stools carved from palm wood. Gear has enough room to sit crossed legged on a cushion.
There’s no immediate troubles, though you all know you’re going to venture into the wilds eventually to find those mercenaries Avad sent off with the stolen explosives. You have an idea where they headed, and know it’s too far for them to get there, do what they need to do (whatever that may be) and come back any time soon.
For today, you can just be yourselves.
[OOC: I’ll fill you in on your items in a bit. Plus I’ll make a rough map soon.]
((Hado is proficient with Cook’s Utensils. Get ready to be catered to, you jerks))
For now in Petalway, Gear sits in Hados apartment, woodcrafts tools in her lap. In Gears hands a pair of Eskrima sticks are taking shape, carved with elegant patterns of the various gods. If Luce wishes a weapon, then of course Gear is going to make her one. And these are a safe choice - Luce could use them in her acrobatics, in her spells, or just for non lethal defense.
Gear doesn't notice that In her carving she's included a pair of watchful looking Tigers... Just as she hasn't noticed her incisors have grown sharp and fang like.
She has however noticed Hados new neck tattoo and inquired after that, as well as how Babers pact with the God is going.
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