Sapphire:Sessions:20200822
A "creepy feeling" blankets the area for 30 miles around Gu-Win [not Gahwin or Godwin]. Loop and Cal grimace; Chalker speaks to them reassuringly. Intrinsius' fire damps down to a candle flame. Shawna is sure the effect originates in Gu-Win; Chalker notes it is not psychic in origin and is amplified by the locals.
Chalker has picked out a high point to the north of Gu-Win as the group's destination. It takes all day to get there. Several times they come across the tracks of "woodsmen"; Shawna says "They're search parties."
Chalker relates a tale to Intrinsius about "the great orc wars" and how "Father's temple burned to the ground."
Late in the afternoon Tara [not Tam] warns of a group of six people ahead, dressed in leathers and armed with bows and various blades. Shawna sends Tara, Cal, and Loop to go around and behind them. Shawna slips among the trees as Intrinsius and Chalker come upon the hunters.
Immediately the leader, Nevin, says, "You're trespassing." Chalker: "I'm from the Coastal Kingdoms. I was unaware." Nevin: "You're way off the road." Chalker: (to Intrinsius) "What are we drinking?" (to Nevin) "Are you a highwayman or robber?" Nevin: "We are hunting for poachers on the baron's property." Chalker: "We're heading for Gu-Win." Nevin points in the opposite direction from Gu-Win.
Chalker: "Do you know my friend the Grey Wizard? He's 350 years old." Intrinsius takes a swig from his flask and belches loudly. Chalker hooks Nevin's knife, pulls it out, and points it between Nevin's eyes. Nevin (staring at Intrinsius): "Peace, we're not hostile!" Chalker: "I'll have Grey put this in your eye." Nevin repeats: "Baron... poachers..." Intrinsius dismounts and pulls out his quarterstaff as Chalker says: "I think you're here to rob me." Nevin changes his story: "Dark elves... finding for the baron..." Chalker: "Why would you go in the woods?" Nevin: "Elves are vastly overrated."
Intrinsius outlines his staff in flames. Chalker (to Nevin): "Look what you've done. You've told me all I need to know. What's it gonna be -- will you surrender, or do I have to kill you? There are three people with crossbows behind you, and one is an elf." Intrinsius builds a 6d Explosive Fireball in his hand. Nevin calls out, "Barl, Elqund, come back," and orders his men to unnock their bows.
Nevin: "We don't want trouble." Chalker: "You don't want to die." Chalker returns the knife to Nevin's sheath. Chalker: "We'll knock you out, tie you up, and be on our way. That's easier than digging six graves." Nevin changes his story again: "The baron sent us to look for a party of eight marauders from Ashley." Chalker: "Why did you come this direction? Ashley is that way." Nevin: "Uh, just to be 'complete.'"
Chalker's Aura Sight shows Nevin "deep under" DH influence, as are the other five. They all have the DH mark he has come to recognize. The "creepy feeling" interacts with their auras. Shawna detects no spells or soul riders.
"You owe me a knife," Intrinsius reminds Chalker, so Chalker takes Nevil's again. Intrinsius gives Nevil five coppers.
Chalker: "I need your word that you will walk until you get to (a town about ten miles away), get a room, and spend the day there." Nevin leads his men away and Shawna has Tara follow them.
The group reaches their observation point at sunset as the moon is rising. They see one fast schooner in port. The city walls are 12' high, the gates are open, the guards are human. Chalker senses dark copper in the city. Tara reports in that Nevin's group had done as Chalker ordered.
Chalker leaves Dink-Dink with Cal, and Intrinsius places his katana in Tiny Wagon. Wearing cloaks and appearing to be travelers, they hike down to the road which leads to the eastern gate.
Shawna writes a message in her Journey Book to Rory and Trace: Notify the Crown to arrest Jessie Nixa of Kell, and her accomplice, Rodlin, on suspicion of collaboration with the Dark Halflings.
Shawna communicates with her elven forces. Four rangers are reconnoitering Cliff Hollow, with eleven more on the way. Eighty-five rangers are pushing toward Gu-Win. Shawna tells them all, "Prepare for war."
The two guards at the east gate seem not particularly alert. Intrinsius notes something painted on the gate with "magic varnish," and the guards each have a magic pouch. Guard1: "State your business." Chalker: "Food, rest, and transportation by ship." Guard1: "That'll be one copper tax each." He recommends the Mean Owl as the best tavern for food. As Chalker passes him Guard1 touches his magic pouch, then nods. Sensing the magic effect, Intrinsius also nods. Chalker uses his Penetrating Vision to examine the magic pouches, finding a mixture of herbs and a jagged clump of metal, iron with a trace of dark copper.
At the first horse trough they pass, Intrinsius extinguishes his torch and leaves it. Chalker takes out his Journey Book and sketches the rune painted on the gate. Shawna writes: "It's an obscure Identify spell." Chalker: "Like a timestamp."
The tavern called Mean Owl is well-lit and busy. There is just one barkeep, who is also waiting tables. All the patrons turn to look at the strangers. Sitting on the edge of the performers' stage is a DH, swinging his legs, grinning, watching them be seated. Chalker doesn't see the DH until Intrinsius tells him.
Intrinsius smiles at the waitress and orders a pitcher of ale; Chalker asks for cheese and bread. Chalker sees dark copper in a compartment hidden on the inside of the DH's belt, but no weapons or armor. The DH is definitely interested in them. Neither of them see any other DHs in the tavern. Chalker checks several people's Auras and finds in them all "deep DH influence." He checks Intrinsius' Aura just to be sure.
Simultaneously "a weird creepy feeling washes over" Intrinsius and Chalker trying to "link up" but "not connecting." Chalker thinks it came from the DH. Intrinsius glances over at Chalker; Chalker winks, then relaxes, looking content.
DH hops off the stage, walks over and tugs on Intrinsius' cloak. Intrinsius looks down at a (normal) halfling, three-and-a-half feet tall, with brown hair. Loudly the halfling squeals, "You're a mage! Can you do tricks? There's a stage --" "I'm a hunter," Intrinsius replies. Chalker has hooked Intrinsius' belt knife and pulled it from its sheath; now he drops it, point-down, meaning to impale DH's foot. But DH snatches the knife in mid-air and exclaims, "This is nice! Thank you!" Intrinsius mutters, "It must have fallen." He feels a strong urge to give the knife to DH, and lets him take it. "Thank you! Thank you!" shouts DH, then repeats his call for Intrinsius to perform a magic show. Intrinsius: "I'm not a performer."
Eventually the DH starts to skip out the door. Momentarily Chalker holds the knife in place; the DH looks back at Intrinsius and raises an eyebrow. Chalker lets the knife go. DH squeals, "Ooh, a magic knife!" and leaves. In DH's wake the entire tavern has gone quiet.
Chalker asks the waitress if there is a Temple Row. She "thinks" there is one. When Chalker asks which of the Chosen are represented, she has trouble recalling. "Jarooth, Agar, Mensep I think, Gauder I think... It's just not that important." But then she says, "The First Chosen are very important." Looking confused, she leaves the table.
Chalker notes in the Journey Book: We are at Mean Owl. DH here, tried something on Intrinsius."
Intrinsius introduces himself to a patron as "John Rambo" and Chalker as "Kellogg." Chalker: "Where is the temple of Mensep?" Patron, indignant: "Isn't that the one that blesses thieves? There's no thieves in town.... I see that MerryLee likes you. They moved in quite a bit ago. They lighten up the whole town. They are merchants and craftsmen. Their ships bring in all kinds of good stuff. I'm sure they can aid you.... I think they have houses near the shoreline, and near City Hall. They work closely with the baron.... The baron went to the mainland. Andrew is the baron's deputy.... We must have chaos, else it would be boring! Aaoo and Aup add spice to life!" Chalker: "What about Phor's wife, the Mother of Night?" Patron: "Definitely not!" Chalker and Intrinsius chat, letting the patron think they have fallen under DH's influence.
Shawna instinctively lets a hostile Seek spell flow over and past their camp, then makes the spell defensive active.
Chalker and Intrinsius leave Mean Owl. Chalker sends Intrinsius over to Bar of Bulls while he goes looking for the temple of Mensep. Those he asks for directions react with disgust; "You mean the god of thieves?"
Intrinsius enters Bar of Bulls and looks toward the stage. He has to concentrate to see the DH there, a different one than the one he saw at Mean Owl. Intrinsius slams a silver piece on the bar and says, "Ale. Hold onto the change; I might need more." Picking up his mug, he goes over and sits on the stage near DH and says, "You must be a friend of MerryLee." "Yes! That's my brother! I'm Tipton!" "I like you guys." "You're very perceptive!" Tipton accepts Intrinsius' offer of ale. As they drink, Intrinsius teases information out of Tipton. "We like to live on ships, or underground... There are dozens and dozens [about 100] of us!... I'm jealous, you gave a knife to MerryLee!" Tipton briefly lays a hand on Intrinsius, who resists some effect; Intrinsius realizes that the DH don't read Auras, so they have to test to see whether he's "hooked."
It's hard to find, but Chalker locates the temple of Mensep. It, along with most of the other "temples" is shabby and run-down; only the temples of Asseraah, Aaoo, and Aup are kept up at all. He goes inside. Lying across a pulpit behind the altar is a priest wearing the robes and medallion of Mensep. The priest is breathing shallowly and seems to be in a coma. His Aura shows no DH taint at all.
Chalker places his hands on the altar and concentrates until he feels the presence of Mensep. "Should I wake your priest up?" The response is "Faith and power." "I have no faith and very little power. Why are you letting yourself be bullied in your temple?" "It is necessary." "Thank you for your time."
Chalker storms out and goes to Aaoo's temple. An acolyte is preparing for tomorrow's service; his Aura is "touched but not controlled." Chalker: "You know what's going on. Your eyes are clear." Acolyte: "Mostly. My mistress keeps them the way she desires." "You won't tell me the plan, will you." The acolyte mutters, "Let me see this person's essence." "You don't want to do that." "I've been told that when I see one touched as you, I am to respond as 'crazy'. This is an experiment. I look forward to the outcome." "Tell Sweetie 'I will talk to you soon'."
Chalker writes: Priestess of Aaoo affected, not under DH. This is an experiment, a 'proof of concept'. I don't know what that means, but I don't like it."
Intrinsius is still chatting with Tipton as Chalker comes up. "It's my buddy, Rice Kellogg! Do you know how to make a Bajeeter Special?" "Only the Clan Bajeeter knows."
Intrinsius: "This is Tipton. He likes to make artwork." Chalker: "Dwarves live underground. You're a strange halfling." Tipton: "We're unique!"
Chalker excuses himself and "John Rambo". "We might hit another bar or two."
After they've walked around Gu-Win for a time, Chalker tells Intrinsius that the "weird field" is strongest in the middle of the port and at the administration center.
Near the docks Chalker detects someone following them, a normal human about 5'7". "Intrinsius, we're being followed! What should be do?" "Confront them!" They split up around opposite sides of a building to see which of them is followed -- it's Intrinsius. Intrinsius heads down a dark alley and conceals himself. The man follows him in. Chalker sneaks up from behind, pulls a dagger, and puts it to the man's throat. The man freezes. Chalker motions Intrinsius forward and questions the man. He says his name is Ted Gentry and he was told to "follow the mage" by a halfling named Sivet. Intrinsius: "Why?" Ted: "To confirm you are what you seem to be, a powerful mage who will aid us in our goals." Intrinsius to Chalker: "Go for it." Chalker knocks Ted out; they lay him down in a corner of the alley. Chalker searches him.
Intrinsius and Chalker go to the docks. The feeling is definitely stronger than at Temple Row, strongest at the admin center. Intrinsius: "At... or under."
Chalker doesn't want to leave via any of the gates, so the two of them avoid patrols and search for another way out. Chalker finds an unrepaired breach in the wall. He checks Intrinsius' Aura and it's clear of DH influence.
Back at the overlook, Chalker and Intrinsius confer with Shawna. Chalker confirms he did not look beneath the admin center, and he recalls that there was part of the harbor he didn't look at.
Over the course of several hours, Shawna's expected rangers and wardens arrive in camp. Most of them have some innate resistance to DH control, but some of them have to be cleansed of it. While working with those effected, a cure is found that removes DH control and gives 100% resistance. Shawna is very pleased.
Shawna and Intrinsius have a quiet chat. "Who were you before?" "A mercenary who didn't like who he was... who liked fire too much."
Intrinsius prays to Santash, "Prepare me for holy war." He feels that Santash strongly approves, and Intrinsius feels stronger and sharper.
It is sundown on Blooming Time 12.