Yes, there's room for one level 1 spell slot of magic in the gem.
nope, i only nos bout da six gods: meriel, finan, roywin, osrik, lander, and arawan. nevr herd of a vorrix. he soundz scary. Ger'Cath shudders, his gears tinkling.
Back in the interrogation...
The gnome looks up. "Whoa whoa whoa, I'm just hired muscle, I don't believe in no fallen gods. They pay me money to keep Vani there safe, I don't ask questions. I'll tell you everything I know, because they aren't paying me enough to deal with this *****, and after today I don't think I'll be getting the cash anyway. So they're holed up in this abandoned temple in the mountains, 'bout four days ride south of here. Don't even bother trying to take the road down, they've got patrols watching for caravans. You got a map? I'll mark it for you. There's a whole bunch of cultists in the temple, and their leader is a cleric named Toriad. Nasty piece of work, that one. Likes to torture. Like, I think he gets off on it. I don't deal with him much; Vani hired me directly, but my payment comes from a guy named Det.
"I mean, hells, if I'd known you all were actual adventurers and not a bunch of backwater hicks I'd have left Vani to it and gotten the hell out of here."
Reed finishes in the temple and considers what to do next.
The claims of a hidden dark god are troubling. If the gods saw fit to lock him away, we need to deal with these fools seeking to release him as soon as possible. The two in the Inn must be dealth with swiftly. The innkeep is probably in shock, so I'll need to find the town leaders myself.
He ventures outside to the doddering old town cleric. "Brother, who adjudicates crimes here? The heretics who've been operating under your nose will need to face justice."
He watches the cleric carefully, unsure if the old cleric has just become incompetent or something worse.
Dice Roller1 D20 rolled with a +6 modifier
20 + 6
THE ALL SEEING EYE STRIKES ONCE MORE. I PEER INTO THE CLERIC'S SOUL.
Can I assume that Reed's given me the 5gp for the perch so I can go to the blacksmith. Also, I know you just spoiled it, but can I inadvertently set Ger'Cath down on a smithy book (or similar item) when I head to the smithy to commission the perch? I'm fine with "no" here.
Emeryn stares down at the gnome. "I see. Perhaps your compliance will grant you leniency, but I cannot speak for the judgment of the village. I believe my companions have a map, we shall consult with you once they return."
The fair-haired paladin leaves the gnome, although she keeps an eye on her, and assists the innkeeper with righting the overturned tables and chairs, then cleans her armor, shield, and weapon, sitting across from the gnome as she waits for Reed and the others to return.
As Reed touches the kitten, there's a light buzz in his head. Hai der. We're friendz nao! I'm Ger'Cath!
-=-=-
Later, in the temple, he speaks with the cleric of Belros. "The Council of Elders is convened, and then any decisions they make are put to a vote of the populace. It's been months since the council met, though, and I myself have just returned this week from a long pilgrimage into the wilderness to try and reconnect with my god. It seems that Belros has chosen to withhold his divine lightning from the shrine from some time, and I had hoped that travelling out into the grasslands would let me commune with him. Alas, there was only silence," the old cleric says. "Tell me, what exactly has been going on in my absence?"
He's being completely genuine. You sense he's been so preoccupied with the lack of communication with his god that he's been neglecting the affairs of the village, likely out of shame that his god hasn't spoken with him in so long. He's visibly upset that such dangerous goings on have happened in his absence.
Reed shrugs away the thoughts that appeared in his head for later. There is too much to do now to process that a mechanical cat just communicated with him by thought. That was... weird.
---
Reed sighs and explains to the priest about this cult of Vorrix, and the two scouts that have waylayed his town.
"This is what has been causing Belros' absence, brother. Finian sent me here himself to investigate. This blank spot stretches all the way to Ull-Seagle, at least. I need you to send word to the Clerics of other nearby towns. Their priority should be on protecting their people, now. Matters of faith can wait until we succeed or fail at disrupting the cult's plans. But first, gather your elders at the inn. We need to pass judgment on these two, and quickly."
Before walking away, Paravrax thanks Reed for the loan, and makes his way to the blacksmith. Walking into the smithy, Paravrax sets Ger'Cath down on a book laying on a work bench and describes the device he would like to commission to the man (I assume?).
"Issss there any chance that it would be available in the morning? I understand this may be a rushed job, but my companions and I will be striking out tomorrow."
2011: Best Mafia Performance (Individual) - Best Newcomer
2012: Best (False?) Role Claim - Worst Town Performance (Group) - Best Mafia Performance (Group) - Best SK Performance - Best Overall Player
2013: Best Non-SK Neutral Performance
2014: Best Town Performance (Individual) - Best Town Performance (Group) - Most Interesting Role - Best Game - Best Overall Player
2015: Worst Mafia Performance (Group) - Best Read
2016: Best Town Performance (Group) - Best Town Player - Best Overall Player
So today got crazier than I expected at work, and then I lost track of time finalizing all the encounters/XP/treasure in the dungeon. That said, tally ho! I'm fast-forwarding through the rest of the village scenes with this one post; if anyone's absolutely dying to roleplay any of this out you can and I will retcon as needed.
Following Paravrax's directions, Luan is able to locate the camp where Strathalmere and Korvat are talking. He explains the situation back in the village, and they return with him. By this time, the prisoners have been moved out of the inn and into the village square. The council of elders has heard Reed explain the situation, and Nyx has plead for her life. Vani has not been allowed to speak for fear that leaving her ungagged would allow her to work her spellcraft. The entire village (approximately 25 people) have come out for the trial.
The elders enter the inn to deliberate in private, having heard all the evidence. They remain there for only a few minutes, before returning to announce their decision--Vani will be put to death immediately, while Nyx will be turned over to the Justicars in Silverwatch for judgement before Vicben.
A few of the men from the village drag Vani to the shrine and tie her to the metal spire. The priest offers her a few last prayers, then channels his gods' lighting into the metal spire. Vani cries out from behind her gag, then falls silent.
With that, everyone retires to the inn. The next morning, following the directions given to you by Nyx, you set out for the lost temple where the Cult of the Broken Chain awaits.
It takes four days to reach the spot Nyx marked on your map. The travels are uneventful. Paravrax has obtained a strange clockwork kitten sitting in a specially made perch on his shoulder; he seems to be conversing with it as though it understands him. Reed seems to be the only person not confused by this. Strathalmere has a baby axebeak following him (in addition to Starfall). No one has tried to eat either the kitten or the bird, though Starfall is a little too interested in the bird.
You arrive at the place marked on the map midday on the fourth day of your travels. Although damaged by time and covered with ivy, you find a massive temple carved into the side of a mountain. The front facade stands 40 feet tall by 80 feet wide, with stone doors stand open, 10 feet wide by 20 feet tall. There are six massive openings in the front on the temple; at one point they would have held stained glass windows, but the glass has long been broken away. The temple seems to have been abandoned for over a thousand years. The entire structure is carved in white granite, directly into the face of the mountain.
Korvat and Strathalmere find that, in the woods just beyond the temple entrance, there is a makeshift barn. Parked outside the barn are about a dozen wagons of various sizes. From within the structure you hear the nickering of horses.
Dice Roller1 D20 rolled with a -1 modifier
16 - 1
dis luks kinda like my houz, wher mama lives! but is so old an borked, and mamas houz iz new and shiney.
Shivering a bit, Paravrax pats Ger'Cath on the head and thanks him for his answer, then realizes a question he never asked:
I'm not sure you ever asked if Ger'Cath can read my mind so I don't have to physically speak, or if he can only telepathically broadcast. If he can only broadcast, I'll edit my post appropriately.
"Ger'Cath, if you don't mind me asking, who isssss your "mama"?"
Shivering a bit, Paravrax pats Ger'Cath on the head and thanks him for his answer, then realizes a question he never asked:
I'm not sure you ever asked if Ger'Cath can read my mind so I don't have to physically speak, or if he can only telepathically broadcast. If he can only broadcast, I'll edit my post appropriately.
Ger'Cath, if you don't mind me asking, who isssss your "mama"?
He only broadcasts right now; if you want to talk to him you have to actually speak. Is funnier this way.
mama iz mama, he says. mama builded me. she builds lotsa tings. shes a artificer.
(And yes, he learned the word artificer from the blacksmith's books. )
Reed shrugs to the ranger. "The construct is sentient. It bonded Paravrax and then myself when I touched it. I will relay what it says if Paravrax does not."
lets assume I'll tell you all what the cat says so that we Dont have to go back and forth every time.
Also, kaburi during the trip I expend the misty steps in the ring and store five level 1 cure wounds spells.
I'm on vacation so my activity will be really spotty this week and next. If I'm not around for combat assume I'm healing or using radiant flame can trips.
A change came over Lucial. This was his world - infiltration, espionage, assassination. He moved in a manner akin to the flow of water as he gained his bearings and checked out the temple and immediately surrounding areas.
Stealth:
Dice Roller1 D20 rolled with a +3 modifier
15 + 3
Perception:
Dice Roller1 D20 rolled
12
History:
Dice Roller1 D20 rolled with a +3 modifier
9 + 3
I'm going to assume that will cover information about the area, including any traps/alerting spells that the temple-goers may have set up, the history of the structure I'm looking at and any religious connotations associated with it, and not getting caught in the process. If I need to roll anything else, let me know.
2011: Best Mafia Performance (Individual) - Best Newcomer
2012: Best (False?) Role Claim - Worst Town Performance (Group) - Best Mafia Performance (Group) - Best SK Performance - Best Overall Player
2013: Best Non-SK Neutral Performance
2014: Best Town Performance (Individual) - Best Town Performance (Group) - Most Interesting Role - Best Game - Best Overall Player
2015: Worst Mafia Performance (Group) - Best Read
2016: Best Town Performance (Group) - Best Town Player - Best Overall Player
Barring exceptional circumstances, I don't actually have any issue just assuming that I will share information. I post frequently enough that I don't mind sharing it, and I also like the delineation of others not reading things they wouldn't be able to understand (or at least not acting as though they could). There's also the added element that the cat can understand what you're saying, and since I will be interacting with it, I don't want it to be assumed that you'll pass everything on if there's the chance something shared might cause a reaction from it and it's glossed over due to assumptions.
"What Reed sssays is true. You clearly heard my questions to it. It says that it recognizes the style of this temple as one like its mother's, but that its mother's is shiny and new."
Turning back to the kitty, he asks, "Ger'Cath, can you tell me your mother'ssss name? Did she build the temple, or is the temple built to honor her?"
mama's name iz mama. duh. mama didnt build teh temple, silly, she livez thar an makez tings for da temple peeples to worship da godz. she makes statues an swordz and trap doors and seekret panels and lockd chests and all kindz ov things. i iz made of coppurr, but she makez lotsa stuff outta steel an iron and bronz. she gots a hammer!
There's no one outside the temple. The temple appears to have sat abandoned for years, though the undergrowth has recently been cut away to allow a clear path to the massive doors. The temple is of an ancient design, old beyond anything you've ever seen. There are six windows, which is unusual. Most temples have eleven. There appears to be no one outside the temple, nor do you see anyone through the window openings or the open doorway.
When I get home tonight, I'll upload a map of the temple. It will be considered out of game knowledge, but give you a guide to know what room we're in at any given point. I've got to go back and add numbers to the rooms, or I would have uploaded it last night.
The gnome looks up. "Whoa whoa whoa, I'm just hired muscle, I don't believe in no fallen gods. They pay me money to keep Vani there safe, I don't ask questions. I'll tell you everything I know, because they aren't paying me enough to deal with this *****, and after today I don't think I'll be getting the cash anyway. So they're holed up in this abandoned temple in the mountains, 'bout four days ride south of here. Don't even bother trying to take the road down, they've got patrols watching for caravans. You got a map? I'll mark it for you. There's a whole bunch of cultists in the temple, and their leader is a cleric named Toriad. Nasty piece of work, that one. Likes to torture. Like, I think he gets off on it. I don't deal with him much; Vani hired me directly, but my payment comes from a guy named Det.
"I mean, hells, if I'd known you all were actual adventurers and not a bunch of backwater hicks I'd have left Vani to it and gotten the hell out of here."
@_kaburi_ on Twitter
Special thanks to Serrot_29 for Catbug'mrakul!
The claims of a hidden dark god are troubling. If the gods saw fit to lock him away, we need to deal with these fools seeking to release him as soon as possible. The two in the Inn must be dealth with swiftly. The innkeep is probably in shock, so I'll need to find the town leaders myself.
He ventures outside to the doddering old town cleric. "Brother, who adjudicates crimes here? The heretics who've been operating under your nose will need to face justice."
He watches the cleric carefully, unsure if the old cleric has just become incompetent or something worse.
TerribleBad at Magic since 1998.A Vorthos Guide to Magic Story | Twitter | Tumblr
[Primer] Krenko | Azor | Kess | Zacama | Kumena | Sram | The Ur-Dragon | Edgar Markov | Daretti | Marath
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
TerribleBad at Magic since 1998.A Vorthos Guide to Magic Story | Twitter | Tumblr
[Primer] Krenko | Azor | Kess | Zacama | Kumena | Sram | The Ur-Dragon | Edgar Markov | Daretti | Marath
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
The fair-haired paladin leaves the gnome, although she keeps an eye on her, and assists the innkeeper with righting the overturned tables and chairs, then cleans her armor, shield, and weapon, sitting across from the gnome as she waits for Reed and the others to return.
-=-=-
Later, in the temple, he speaks with the cleric of Belros. "The Council of Elders is convened, and then any decisions they make are put to a vote of the populace. It's been months since the council met, though, and I myself have just returned this week from a long pilgrimage into the wilderness to try and reconnect with my god. It seems that Belros has chosen to withhold his divine lightning from the shrine from some time, and I had hoped that travelling out into the grasslands would let me commune with him. Alas, there was only silence," the old cleric says. "Tell me, what exactly has been going on in my absence?"
@_kaburi_ on Twitter
Special thanks to Serrot_29 for Catbug'mrakul!
No silly, i don eats rocks. but i liek magic and da colors look like magic lite. is not tho, dey iz just roks.
@_kaburi_ on Twitter
Special thanks to Serrot_29 for Catbug'mrakul!
---
Reed sighs and explains to the priest about this cult of Vorrix, and the two scouts that have waylayed his town.
"This is what has been causing Belros' absence, brother. Finian sent me here himself to investigate. This blank spot stretches all the way to Ull-Seagle, at least. I need you to send word to the Clerics of other nearby towns. Their priority should be on protecting their people, now. Matters of faith can wait until we succeed or fail at disrupting the cult's plans. But first, gather your elders at the inn. We need to pass judgment on these two, and quickly."
TerribleBad at Magic since 1998.A Vorthos Guide to Magic Story | Twitter | Tumblr
[Primer] Krenko | Azor | Kess | Zacama | Kumena | Sram | The Ur-Dragon | Edgar Markov | Daretti | Marath
"Issss there any chance that it would be available in the morning? I understand this may be a rushed job, but my companions and I will be striking out tomorrow."
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
{мы, тьма}
2012: Best (False?) Role Claim - Worst Town Performance (Group) - Best Mafia Performance (Group) - Best SK Performance - Best Overall Player
2013: Best Non-SK Neutral Performance
2014: Best Town Performance (Individual) - Best Town Performance (Group) - Most Interesting Role - Best Game - Best Overall Player
2015: Worst Mafia Performance (Group) - Best Read
2016: Best Town Performance (Group) - Best Town Player - Best Overall Player
Following Paravrax's directions, Luan is able to locate the camp where Strathalmere and Korvat are talking. He explains the situation back in the village, and they return with him. By this time, the prisoners have been moved out of the inn and into the village square. The council of elders has heard Reed explain the situation, and Nyx has plead for her life. Vani has not been allowed to speak for fear that leaving her ungagged would allow her to work her spellcraft. The entire village (approximately 25 people) have come out for the trial.
The elders enter the inn to deliberate in private, having heard all the evidence. They remain there for only a few minutes, before returning to announce their decision--Vani will be put to death immediately, while Nyx will be turned over to the Justicars in Silverwatch for judgement before Vicben.
A few of the men from the village drag Vani to the shrine and tie her to the metal spire. The priest offers her a few last prayers, then channels his gods' lighting into the metal spire. Vani cries out from behind her gag, then falls silent.
With that, everyone retires to the inn. The next morning, following the directions given to you by Nyx, you set out for the lost temple where the Cult of the Broken Chain awaits.
@_kaburi_ on Twitter
Special thanks to Serrot_29 for Catbug'mrakul!
You arrive at the place marked on the map midday on the fourth day of your travels. Although damaged by time and covered with ivy, you find a massive temple carved into the side of a mountain. The front facade stands 40 feet tall by 80 feet wide, with stone doors stand open, 10 feet wide by 20 feet tall. There are six massive openings in the front on the temple; at one point they would have held stained glass windows, but the glass has long been broken away. The temple seems to have been abandoned for over a thousand years. The entire structure is carved in white granite, directly into the face of the mountain.
@_kaburi_ on Twitter
Special thanks to Serrot_29 for Catbug'mrakul!
In addition, given the state of the temple, he asks Ger'Cath if he knows or can tell who this temple was once devoted to or anything else about it.
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
Perception
survival
- H.L Mencken
I Became insane with long Intervals of horrible Sanity
All Religion, my friend is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination and poetry.
- Edgar Allan Poe
The Crafters' Rules Guru
Currently Playing:
Legacy: Something U/W Controlish
EDH Cube
Hypercube! A New EDH Deck Every Week(ish)!
@_kaburi_ on Twitter
Special thanks to Serrot_29 for Catbug'mrakul!
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
mama iz mama, he says. mama builded me. she builds lotsa tings. shes a artificer.
(And yes, he learned the word artificer from the blacksmith's books. )
@_kaburi_ on Twitter
Special thanks to Serrot_29 for Catbug'mrakul!
- H.L Mencken
I Became insane with long Intervals of horrible Sanity
All Religion, my friend is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination and poetry.
- Edgar Allan Poe
The Crafters' Rules Guru
Also, kaburi during the trip I expend the misty steps in the ring and store five level 1 cure wounds spells.
I'm on vacation so my activity will be really spotty this week and next. If I'm not around for combat assume I'm healing or using radiant flame can trips.
TerribleBad at Magic since 1998.A Vorthos Guide to Magic Story | Twitter | Tumblr
[Primer] Krenko | Azor | Kess | Zacama | Kumena | Sram | The Ur-Dragon | Edgar Markov | Daretti | Marath
Stealth:
Perception:
History:
I'm going to assume that will cover information about the area, including any traps/alerting spells that the temple-goers may have set up, the history of the structure I'm looking at and any religious connotations associated with it, and not getting caught in the process. If I need to roll anything else, let me know.
{мы, тьма}
2012: Best (False?) Role Claim - Worst Town Performance (Group) - Best Mafia Performance (Group) - Best SK Performance - Best Overall Player
2013: Best Non-SK Neutral Performance
2014: Best Town Performance (Individual) - Best Town Performance (Group) - Most Interesting Role - Best Game - Best Overall Player
2015: Worst Mafia Performance (Group) - Best Read
2016: Best Town Performance (Group) - Best Town Player - Best Overall Player
"What Reed sssays is true. You clearly heard my questions to it. It says that it recognizes the style of this temple as one like its mother's, but that its mother's is shiny and new."
Turning back to the kitty, he asks, "Ger'Cath, can you tell me your mother'ssss name? Did she build the temple, or is the temple built to honor her?"
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
Arcana
Religion
"Do we know how many people it can bond to at once?" With that I hold my hand over the cats head and ask it. "Do you mind"?
- H.L Mencken
I Became insane with long Intervals of horrible Sanity
All Religion, my friend is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination and poetry.
- Edgar Allan Poe
The Crafters' Rules Guru
@_kaburi_ on Twitter
Special thanks to Serrot_29 for Catbug'mrakul!