Habololy Forum
Young New World => Out Into the World => Topic started by: Asinjin on February 04, 2025, 11:53:49 PM
-
Everyone gets 500 xp with personal to come.
Also, xp for a recap for Terrorshard
-
RECAP
The group, after a couple weather related setbacks, continued on their journey to Ermaneo. We made it almost all the way without incident until we were roughly one day out. It was at this time that we were still on the road, but deep within the Gremlin Forest when we were suddenly overwhelmed by a potent stench the likes of which none of us had ever experienced.
Wafting from the forest bellowed a pungent odor that immediately felled Os, Oz, Jessie, and Iwakasi. They all became so sick that the only course of action was to lay them in the cart and hope for the best, essentially disabled. The others were overwhelmed with disgust, but managed to keep their wits about them and arm themselves. It was at that time that a swarm of Stirges came flying out of the woods and attacked us all. They hit us with beak-like stingers and numbed our limbs with poison. Most of us had one or two of them latched onto us as they leeched our bodily fluids and fed off us like vampiric mosquitos.
Those of us capable of fighting them off began to squish them one at a time, but more waves of them kept coming from the forest onto the road. Our camels freaked out and fled the scene except for the one attached to the cart. That one was also being drained by Stirges.
Just when things couldn't look bleaker, a 14 foot tall wave of debris rose from the forest and encroached the group. We were hit with another gust of putrid stench that sickened most of us. The wave of debris included all manner of waste and decay as it rose higher and eventually collapsed in a heap on top of Breach. Breach managed to bust out of the waste heap and ignited himself in Balor Nimbus flames.
The Stirge assault continued as another swarm of them entered the road and latched onto us. We continued to pummel away as Akrah grew large, Rano fired arrows, and everyone fought to the best of their abilities assuming they were still strong enough to fight.
Emerging from the forest shambled a large bulbous creature with a 6 foot wide toothy maw and eight tentacles. As it entered the melee, it released a breath weapon of sorts and hit us all with another wave of debilitating stench. After the breath attack, it forced another tidal wave of filth onto Breach. He managed to break loose again and engage the creature in a grapple. Once held, he ignited it with flame before his spell faded.
At this time, the Stirges were all but defeated or forced to flee and we all focused on the hideous monster from the forest. We hit it with all we could, but many of us were weakened and sick from the stench attacks. Only enlarged Akrah with her massive karmic strikes seemed to do any measurable damage. It is also of note that, had it not been for Figment flying around and healing us, many may not have survived the encounter.
While we were fighting, Esra turned invisible and snuck into the forest to see if anyone or anything was controlling this creature. He discovered a black skinned, green haired giant watching the scene unfold from a distance. He threw a bottle of alchemist fire on it and fled back to the group. The giant pursued and came upon the group just as we had damaged the creature enough to force it to flee the battle. As it rolled back into the forest, the giant presented himself to all of us and put his hands up in a show of peace.
He introduced himself as a scout from a neighboring town who was part of a hunting expedition designed to destroy the creature we were fighting. Apparently this creature had a lair far from here and was lured to us by something. The giant wasn't sure if it was one of us in the party or if one of us summoned it with dark magic. We assured him we didn't summon it and that it must've been alerted to our presence in some other way. He wished us luck on our journey and went to gather his companions to finish off the creature.
With that; tired, battered, sickened, and utterly repulsive with the stench of rot and decay, we made our way through the last leg of our journey to Ermaneo. Vechi scouted ahead and told of us of a festival the town was preparing for in three months called the "Festival of the Council" dedicated to celebrating the Council Deities. As luck would have it, we arrived early enough before the activities that there was plenty of lodging available for us to procure a place to stay. This place was none other than "The Low Bar" situated near a dock down by the port where we could charter a boat to Iott.
Upon entering the Low Bar, we were greeted at the door by the bouncer, a hulking and heavily armed and armored Bugbear named Zalthor. After presenting gold, the group was allowed to enter, although not before Figment was patted down with excessive force due to clear discrimination. All others were either barely acknowledged or scoffed at. We all bathed, ate, and composed ourselves after the harrowing experience on the road. That's where we left off.
-
75 xp for the recap, like when its done before I wake up
-
Questions about Ermaneo?
After a good night's rest, Vechi will inquire about ships leaving for Iott. Anyone want to join him?
-
Oz will pray for Lesser Restorations since they don't have a material cost. I can use all my 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th level spell slots if need be, but I'll start with all 6 of my 2nd level slots. Rano gets 2, so he's back to full CON. Let me know who needs restoration and I'll get to work.
Restoration, Lesser
(Player's Handbook v.3.5, p. 272)
Conjuration (Healing)
Level: Paladin 1, Knight of the Weave 1, Death Delver 1, Cleric 2, Druid 2, Healer 2, Hunter of the Dead 2, Death Master 2, Urban Druid 2, Renewal 1,
Components: V, S,
Casting Time: 3 rounds
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
Lesser restoration dispels any magical effects reducing one of the subject's ability scores (such as ray of enfeeblement) or cures 1d4 points of temporary ability damage to one of the subject's ability scores (such as from a shadow's touch or from poison). It also eliminates any fatigue suffered by the character, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued. It does not restore permanent ability drain.
-
Questions about Ermaneo?
After a good night's rest, Vechi will inquire about ships leaving for Iott. Anyone want to join him?
Bearik will, he just wants to move and see ships
-
Esra would like to find out what the magic item market is like here. I have money to spend.
-
The recaps are down to a science.
Gareth wants to find out what that creature was. He will explore the city if we have time. (After bathing, sleeping, eating and bathing again)
Cyrus also bathes and looks for a shrine to Celetal as he is still annoyed that there was not one in Jaswap.
-
The stench is no easy to remove and it requires spells and the purchase of some oils and perfumes to get it off. A total of 5 gold coins for the whole group to get yourselves smelling well enough to mingle.
-
Bearik will, he just wants to move and see ships
The city has a U shaped harbor with larger ships forced to anchor out to sea a bit and row boats to the piers.
There is lots of activity as the city is in full swing preparing for the upcoming festival of the Counsil.
-
Cyrus also bathes and looks for a shrine to Celetal as he is still annoyed that there was not one in Jaswap.
The city has a shrine to every Counsil deity, which becomes evident if you talk to anyone about the upcoming festival.
-
Esra would like to find out what the magic item market is like here. I have money to spend.
Wide and shallow. There are lots of shops but nothing of high value.
-
Gareth wants to find out what that creature was. He will explore the city if we have time. (After bathing, sleeping, eating and bathing again)
Gather information?
-
Wide and shallow. There are lots of shops but nothing of high value.
All the more reason we need to build the high temple of The Collector in Ermaneo. There's so much untapped potential out here.
That being said, is there at least one premium magic shop in the city? There has to be someplace that the wealthier citizens go to shop, plus there's likely new shops opening to service all the tourists coming for the festival.
-
All the more reason we need to build the high temple of The Collector in Ermaneo. There's so much untapped potential out here.
That being said, is there at least one premium magic shop in the city? There has to be someplace that the wealthier citizens go to shop, plus there's likely new shops opening to service all the tourists coming for the festival.
Nine that are obvious. Basic questioning just gets you different opinions on which shop is the best among the ones you here about.
There are three: Council Relics for the Faithful, Rahmine's Treasures, and Little Conveniences.
-
Nine that are obvious. Basic questioning just gets you different opinions on which shop is the best among the ones you here about.
There are three: Council Relics for the Faithful, Rahmine's Treasures, and Little Conveniences.
Are there any Iottian stores? Curious if we could buy one of their arcane casting rings.
-
Figment wants to spend his rubies. How do I do that?
-
Are there any Iottian stores? Curious if we could buy one of their arcane casting rings.
There are none that are obviously Iottian. Those rings are effectively never for sale. They are too afraid to sell them for fear of Iottian reprisal; but most likely there would never be a case where it would come up for sale unless someone didn't know what it was, in which case they wouldn't know they had one to sell.
-
Figment wants to spend his rubies. How do I do that?
Vechi says, "First figure out what you want and how many you want to spend, then go to a store and buy it."
-
There are none that are obviously Iottian. Those rings are effectively never for sale. They are too afraid to sell them for fear of Iottian reprisal; but most likely there would never be a case where it would come up for sale unless someone didn't know what it was, in which case they wouldn't know they had one to sell.
Then we'll need to look for thrift shops and yard sales.
-
For those that weren't there or don't remember, a description of Zalthor would be good.
-
For those that weren't there or don't remember, a description of Zalthor would be good.
Zalthor
9'4" and 510 pounds of pure muscle. This Bugbear is enrobed in charcoal fur with smatterings of grey poking through. He has blood red eyes and black skin under the fur. He is broad chested and his exquisite physique is apparent even through the fur. He stands tall and doesn't slouch, so his full height is shining through. He is fully armed with mithral chainmail and has two exceptionally well made weapons across his back in an "X" formation, ready to be called at a moment's notice. The first is a gruesome looking dire pick and the other a maul. Both are clearly functional and of outstanding quality, but still show signs of battle and look to have been deliberately kept stained with blood and viscera from previous victims.
If looking directly at him, you feel uneasy and must resist the urge to soil yourself out of sheer intimidation. If you make it through the initial eye contact, you notice he seems to be trying very hard to control a fiery rage that boils within him, as if the slightest quirk or inconvenience would send him into a blood frenzy the likes of which none of you have ever seen. Only Breach and Akrah seem to be able to look at him for more than a few seconds or so based clearly on race alone. He eyeballs Figment as possible food and ignores Oz as you can hear him mumble from time to time that "there's not enough meat on that one" before scoffing and walking away.
-
Figment wants to spend his rubies. How do I do that?
Esra offers to be Figment’s personal shopper.
-
Did Haarl ever talk about this Zalthor?
-
Did Haarl ever talk about this Zalthor?
No
-
Then we'll need to look for thrift shops and yard sales.
Jesse chimes in at this point "Aimlessly wandering around trash heaps of crap other people don't want is not a good use of our considerably limited time. A better use would be to see if Osrick can cast the 'Locate Object' spell to locate any other of the rings we need in the area. If he doesn't have that spell, then we go see if we can purchase a scroll or two so he can cast the spell from those."
-
Jesse chimes in at this point "Aimlessly wandering around trash heaps of crap other people don't want is not a good use of our considerably limited time. A better use would be to see if Osrick can cast the 'Locate Object' spell to locate any other of the rings we need in the area. If he doesn't have that spell, then we go see if we can purchase a scroll or two so he can cast the spell from those."
That's an excellent idea. What say you, Osrick?
-
Vechi says, "First figure out what you want and how many you want to spend, then go to a store and buy it."
Vechi, Lets go to the store figment wants to spend.
-
Vechi, Lets go to the store figment wants to spend.
Barek avoids that mess, and just explores
-
Vechi, Lets go to the store figment wants to spend.
Esra is going shopping. Figment may join. Combining our buying power would put us in better position to negotiate better prices.
-
The city has a shrine to every Counsil deity, which becomes evident if you talk to anyone about the upcoming festival.
Is there representation here by any quasi deities?
-
Is there representation here by any quasi deities?
Yes, most of them are here. This is the city where they promote themselves to the Counsil.
-
Super. You know which one Esra is visiting. I do not announce it.
Breach pays a visit to Dedestroyt and Tyrogatore.
-
All of the shrines you visit are run by clerics that are either evangelists or evangelist-adjacent. It is a city gearing up to host 100,000 visitors and everyone is looking to convert those that attend. That is to say, if you are already a worshipper of the deity whose shrine you visit, they are polite, but move on to other people (unless you offer to spend time helping conversions.)
-
Vechi (after spending a day resting and cleaning from your travel); spends a day at the ports collecting travel information.
He reports that he finds four options:
1) Charter a yacht to take you as soon as you are ready to leave
2) Wait for an Iottian ship to arrive and ride it back. This would be a smaller passenger with some cargo ship.
3) Wait for the next cargo ship bound for Iott to leave and pay to travel as 'cargo'.
4) Buy a small ship and sail there your selves.
-
All of the shrines you visit are run by clerics that are either evangelists or evangelist-adjacent. It is a city gearing up to host 100,000 visitors and everyone is looking to convert those that attend. That is to say, if you are already a worshipper of the deity whose shrine you visit, they are polite, but move on to other people (unless you offer to spend time helping conversions.)
Breach will help the Dedestroyt shrine with recruiting. It will mostly devolve into yelling at people as they walk by and intimidation through flexing.
-
If I had another character who was not figment then I would rule 4 out. However, Figment thinks all options will be filled with perilous fun! However, if pressed figment's favored option is 4 and starts singing a song how he will chop up an eat any creatures of the sea that challenge us and who are not friendly. Then he sings another song about meeting lots of new friends on his adventures at sea.
-
1) Charter a yacht to take you as soon as you are ready to leave
2) Wait for an Iottian ship to arrive and ride it back. This would be a smaller passenger with some cargo ship.
3) Wait for the next cargo ship bound for Iott to leave and pay to travel as 'cargo'.
4) Buy a small ship and sail there your selves.
How much does each option cost?
-
2) Wait for an Iottian ship to arrive and ride it back. This would be a smaller passenger with some cargo ship.
This makes the most sense to Barek. Akrah doesn't really care.
-
Breach will help the Dedestroyt shrine with recruiting. It will mostly devolve into yelling at people as they walk by and intimidation through flexing.
As soon as you do that once, the cleric of the shrine reads to the riot act and tells you to stop.
-
How much does each option cost?
Vechi doesn't have exact amounts, but he ranks them from most to least:
1) buy boat
2) Yacht
3) Passenger
4) Cargo
-
https://imgur.com/nYDvP0C
The road to Ermaneo.
-
Vechi doesn't have exact amounts, but he ranks them from most to least:
1) buy boat
2) Yacht
3) Passenger
4) Cargo
I vote for the cheapest way.
-
https://imgur.com/OCPtLGr
Vechi
-
1) Charter a yacht to take you as soon as you are ready to leave
2) Wait for an Iottian ship to arrive and ride it back. This would be a smaller passenger with some cargo ship.
3) Wait for the next cargo ship bound for Iott to leave and pay to travel as 'cargo'.
4) Buy a small ship and sail there your selves.
Jesse and Iwakasi both vote for the Passenger ship
-
What about the return trip? We may need to make a hasty exit.
-
What about the return trip? We may need to make a hasty exit.
With enough coin we will be able to find someone to smuggle the survivors out if it comes to that...