Sapphire:Sessions:20190504
Chalker replies, "We never said we were gonna kill the dog."
Corey claims "I don't keep track of Huber" but he last saw him "somewhere south of Falconhurst." He first met Huber five months ago and at that time the priest paid him to "look in the woods for 'spiritual markers'." When Corey located one, Huber came and dug it up. "It had symbols on it." Chalker asks how Corey knows he's "found" something, and Corey says "I break out in hives." Chalker asks how he contacts Huber; Corey (after rapidfire assurances that he's not reaching for a weapon) pulls out a red and purple bag which he says contains a stone that he "holds and prays over" and then summarizes his report. Chalker: "I propose a trade -- give me that bag and I don't put you in a hole." Corey twirls the bag by its drawstring and slings it at Chalker who catches it one-handed and puts it inside another bag.
Chalker: "Corey, it's been nice meeting you. Now that we're even, is there anything I can do for you?" Corey rambles about "soldiers moving into the orc lands," "weird things" like entire herds of cattle and sheep gutted and beheaded but no carcasses left behind and "carrion eaters won't touch the remains" but they decay quickly, and as a vague afterthought, "some people have been killed."
Day, the dog, has been sniffing at Intrinsius. Chalker: "How long has the dog had you?" "Ten years," Corey avers. Chalker: "But you don't look any older than fourteen or fifteen." Corey stammers that Day has been with him as long as he can remember.
Then Corey talks about how he follows "adventuring groups," one group two weeks ago and another group six days before that, but quit following since "they didn't go to Falconhurst."
Intrinsius asks the dog, "You want to join us?" The dog shakes its head in a humanlike gesture and barks twice. Intrinsius tosses Corey a coin and says, "Quit working for priests."
Nothing noteworthy happens the rest of the day, and by evening the group has reached a "hamlet" whose main landmarks are a blacksmith's shop and a tiny "wayfarer's inn" with three available rooms. Chalker has Cal and Alastor sleep in the common room. Intrinsius goes out into a clearing and practices his new spell by setting small fires and then magically extinguishing them, then whiles away the rest of the evening by drinking and telling stories to the locals. He hears that "people have been coming north for the past eight months," "no orcs have been seen in over a year," and there are "monsters" ('Mother's children') north of Omea.
As Shawna falls asleep she gets a feeling of "moving toward answers" and that Assaraah and Charesoon are "moving" in the north a day's journey away.
The next day, the group reaches Falconhurst two hours before sunset. The village has fewer than 900 people but has walls and guards. Shawna wonders aloud why, on the edge of the dangerous orc lands, there are tents and wagons camped to the northeast outside the protective wall. After the group gets rooms at the better of the two inns in town, Intrinsius goes to the camp. He is told they have been there several days and are headed for "an ancient area where the ground is so rich that crops grow faster." He befriends a scout called Danel (who works for the group's leader, Ethan) and invites him for a drink.
There isn't a "temple row" in Falconhurst but there are several shrines, only a few of which have priests. Chalker has to search carefully to find a shrine to Assaraah, a mere "glint" in a niche in an alley. A man peers sidewise at him, tenses, then shuffles aside to make room for Chalker at the tiny altar. The man is short (5'1") and wears a dark robe and hood. Chalker speaks the observance, then lays the red and purple bag on the altar. "Father, your son of Chaos, who wields the sword of Yasseph and Roo, has come calling." Shadows and dust begin to swirl chaotically. Chalker, boldly: "Why are you pissed off? I am in the area now. Provide me guidance to piss you off the least. There's no reason to be mad; you will probably win. I bring a peace offering and I apologize in advance. Are we cool?"
The short man picks up the bag, opens it, and dumps out what looks like a smooth black river rock. He cups the rock in his hands. He starts to say, "You are --" then stops, stares at Chalker, and asks "Are you looking for Uber? He's out doing my lord's work." Chalker: "I'm not looking for him, but he's looking for me." SM: "Have you met High Priest Uber?" Chalker: "No, I haven't met Huber." In an arcane language, the short man mutters, "My lord, reveal this one's demeanor and tell me what light shines from him." Chalker: "Why do you want to reveal my demeanor?" SM is taken aback that Chalker understood his words. "I am Uber. Huber is my high priest. We are spreading the growth of Chaos, so darkness may shine." Chalker: "I'm going to talk to Mensep. I didn't know I had a 'light'! Tell Huber that what he's doing is dangerous." Uber: "I know some great power has entered the town." Chalker: "I got that bag from a boy and his dog. This dog had an aura and the boy wasn't telling the truth. I brought it here as a peace offering, for what I'm about to do. ... Father helped me understand you." Chalker asks a few more questions, to which Uber responds "Roo is in 'the common temple'" and there are shrines to the Mother of Night "scattered around." Chalker: "I will tell her about you."
At Roo's shrine, an old woman seated on a stool smiles at Chalker. Chalker gives observance, then states, "I have a question about our present path and I would like your guidance." The old woman asks, "What do you need read for [sic]?" Chalker: "Will I have to kill any of Charesoon's children on this mission?" OW: "Yes, unless you want to meet Damarot sooner. That was easy. Your faith radiates off you. Most fascinating." Chalker: "Talking to Roo confuses me." OW: "You'd be surprised how many people don't ask. The old are not noticed."
At Yasseph's shrine Shawna briefly addresses the priestess, Jessie Bardos, and the two other worshippers, then asks for information. Jessie responds that shrines to Charesoon are being uncovered and reactivated. "The foolish, in their quest for land and power, unintentionally reactivated them," including a powerful shrine from a previous age. The curse upon the land is spreading. Animals are being sacrificed, and both animals and people killed. "I have prayed for Yasseph's hands to cleanse this blight," which extends "at least a days journey into the former orc lands... Orcs have been leaving their lands for some time," some to attack the Coastal Kingdoms, others journeying to the far west. "These mysteries are shrouded by Dark and Evil Ones... The light and air of our Lady need to be spread... I tried to scout; I returned unharmed but with little information. ... I pray to the Lady for your success." Jessie describes two-legged, horned creatures, giant worms, and other monsters. She has heard of Huber; she has met him twice, and each time both of them left frustrated. He is in his 50s with short grey hair, a scar that runs from his forehead to his right eye, 5'6", 172 pounds, very strong. He is ugly but sometimes alters his appearance to appear average. "He walks close to his lord." Around him, plants grow in "odd" ways. He has followers, including some settlers who have sworn allegiance to Assaraah. Oh, and he has four acolytes named Hugh, Uber, Ber, and Be, and one of those is in town. Saying "May Luck be with us," Shawna leaves to look for Charesoon's shrine.
Intrinsius and Danel walk into the Forest Image Inn. Sixty people crowd the tavern. Danel points out his boss, Ethan. Intrinsius boldly walks up, sits down, and orders a round for the table. Intrinsius asks why they are heading north. Ethan: "Opportunity, riches, the usual -- and to get out from under the thumb of their boss. So I'm guiding about fifty to the north." Danel and Jeb are his scouts, and he has some rough maps he'd drawn months ago. Intrinsius: "I can add five scouts, probably at little cost, but I gotta ask my boss." Ethan says "I've got another hundred people interested" but he doesn't want to spend any money for more scouts or protection.
Chalker and Shawna meet and swap stories, then go to the inn. Intrinsius, who Chalker dubs "Greg Kellogg" (Intrinsius calls Chalker "Krusty Von Clown") says he's offered our group as scouts. Chalker quotes a rate of 5cp per day, plus food, "and a horse bow for Greg."
Ethan's aura: Very greedy; strong will; "something" influencing him; "marker of void" (something was "pulled out of him"); not directly touched by the First Chosen. Chalker's Penetrating Vision shows him a fetish bag containing a collection of charms (e.g. fortune, battle power) indicating that Ethan is superstitious. Implanted in his wrist is a small coinlike item marked with two runes. Dipping his finger in a puddle of ale, Chalker traces the two runes on the table; Shawna says they are part of a geas to "explore the unknown" and "claim them." Danel has a similar implant, but upon questioning, neither are aware of it, nor can they see the short thin scar. Danel's aura: Not as greedy as Ethan; Magery 0; possible Combat Sense; Curious; overall a decent man. Ethan and Danel, both ex-militia, had met in a tavern, and about a year ago they'd gotten wanderlust. Regarding his wrist, Ethan says he'd sprained it a year ago and it was healed by a mage at a mercenary hall. Danel once sprained an ankle and the healer he describes, as well as Ethan's mage, sounds to Chalker like Huber.
Ethan asks Chalker an odd question, "What kingdom sent you?" "No kingdom," responds Chalker. Peculiarly, especially since he is not himself religious, Ethan comments that Chalker, Intrinsius, and Shawna "look blessed" and he seems suspicious that "people of your quality" are here. He throws in a rumor that Omea, Albana, and Saxony "might join together."
That night, Shawna's dreams are "shielded" by Yasseph and Roo against a "probe" that brushed against her will. Aakbarath seems to say, "Cry out for vengeance! I am here. If I am invoked, I will answer. Assaraah quests for you; I 'accidentally' shoved him aside."
Intrinsius dreams he is in a training arena. Before him stands a robed and hooded figure who speaks in a gravelly voice, "You are new here. Is this your first quest?" Intrinsius identifies the figure as Assaraah. Intrinsius: "I am out to do what is right (and stay away from home)." Assaraah: "I suppose you are committed to her." "I am committed to what she stands for." "Until you meet my representatives, and this is decided." Replies Intrinsius boldly, "Bring them to me." The figure vanishes. Intrinsius senses that Assaraah would have attacked him had he sensed he was vulnerable. Intrinsius resumes training.
Chalker has an uncomfortable feeling that chaos and darkness are "enticing" him. "Father?" Voice: "May I come in?" "Nope. What's the problem? Are you upset with me?" Waves of force surge and pound against Chalker's mental defenses. Shawna awakens, grabs her sword, rushes to Chalker's door, Lockmasters the lock, steps in, and slashes away the darkness billowing around Chalker. Chalker sits up, shaken, holding his head. Shawna dashes down the hall and checks on Alastor, who is peacefully asleep; his talisman glows upon his chest. Shawna says a prayer to Delsa over Alastor, and sees that "Delsa has him in the palm of her hand."
On the other hand, Cal is tossing and turning, fighting a losing battle. Chalker enters the room, and Shawna warns, "It's Assaraah." Chalker shakes Cal awake, and the goblin's eyes focus on Shawna's glowing sword. Shakily, Cal says, "The Chaos Lord wanted me to stop what we're doing. I called on Mensep but he didn't come."
Shawna and Chalker check on Intrinsius, who seems fast asleep. Seated in a chair, she remains in Chalker's room the rest of the night to protect against further attacks.
In the morning Ethan's scouts, Danel and Jeb, await them. Jeb's Aura: not greedy; loyal, orderly, Magery 0, Danger Sense. He, too, has a wrist implant.
Omea's border is only a quarter-mile north of Falconhurst. The good road is maintained up to that line, then forest and undergrowth encroach. Nothing has passed this way in a couple of weeks.
An hour later, Chalker senses "odd metal" a quarter-mile to the east, like pellets for a sling. Shawna suggests that Cal scout ahead of them. When the goblin returns, he describes a shrine surrounded by perches on which a dozen large crows sit. Atop the shrine are four wooden bowls. As the group proceeds, Chalker senses the sling stones 'twirling' and swooping through the air at treetop level. He reaches out to a flying pellet; at first his power slips off, but he tries again, takes hold, and pulls. A black bird is drawn toward him, not struggling; it has a deformed head and a cylindrical beak like a blowpipe, and its claws look extremely sharp. Chalker pulls straight down and the bird flies into a tree. Then Chalker pulls upward so that the pellet injures the bird.
A flock of these birds flies toward the group. Alastor crits with his crossbow; Danel hits; Cal hits and knocks a bird down; Intrinsius engulfs two birds in a Fireball; Chalker hits; Shawna casts a wind gust straight down that knocks ten birds out of the air, leaving seven approaching, ten yards away.
Intrinsius hits one with a Fireball. Shawna casts Explosive Lightning and knocks two birds down. Alastor reloads. Danel aims high. Jeb hits one of the birds on the ground. Chalker fast-draws Flame On! then slashes a bird, killing it. A wounded bird spits a pellet at Jeb, who ducks behind a tree; the pellet drills a hole into the ground. Intrinsius kicks a bird to death. Two very large wild boars (4' at the shoulder) crash through the underbrush behind the group; they have long quills and double barbed tails. Shawna screams, charges, and strikes Boar2 [its hide has +5 DR]. Intrinsius' katana flies out of his hand, almost hitting Danel before it sticks into the trunk of a tree.
Chalker fast-draws Dink-Dink and strikes Boar1. Shawna swings and slices off part of Boar2's hide [removing 3 dr from its back]. Boar1 tries to gore Chalker, who parries such that Dink-Dink pares away part of the tusk. Boar2 misses Shawna entirely. Intrinsius slides two daggers out of his wrist sheaths and stabs a boar's left eye. Cal fires his crossbow and misses.
Shawna chops Boar2's snout; it squeals loudly. Chalker chops across Boar1's face, right beneath its eyes. Intrinsius stabs through Boar1's eye into its brain. Boar1, blinded, thrashes about; Boar2 sluggishly attacks Shawna but misses.
Shawna impales Boar2 in its shaved spot, killing it. Intrinsius goes to retrieve his katana. Chalker stabs Boar1's brain and the beast dies.
Intrinsius says to Jeb, "It's a copper for the haircut." Hearing something slithering on bark, Shawna warns the others, "Snakes." Two extremely poisonous snakes were about to drop from a tree onto Intrinsius and Alastor, but the group quickly kills the serpents. Alastor collects the snakes' heads.
Intrinsius asks Shawna, "Would it be very good or very bad to destroy this shrine?" The group examines the thing. The bowls contain more of the metallic pellets. Chalker senses that the pellets are steel "infused" with some non-metallic substance. Shawna senses the spirit touch of Assaraah and Charesoon. Chalker dumps the pellets into a bag.
Intrinsius sets fire to the shrine, then shapes the flames to engulf the structure. Shawna prays to Yasseph to cleanse it. Soon plants sprout and reclaim the barren ground.
Chalker examines the birds with his Penetrating Vision and reports that they seem to be "cobbled together." They don't even have digestive systems. Alastor identifies what seem to be "spiritual" organs.
Shawna sends Cal, Danel, and Jeb out to look around. Cal reports that four hours ago, around dawn, someone had come from the north and left footprints. Shawna casts Seeker on a pellet and gets an image of a goblin.
By 10:30 the group has returned to the road, five miles north from where they'd departed it. A half-hour later they take a side road to the left that leads to a ruined farm. Fairly fresh corpses are strewn about, their throats and guts ripped out. Tracks of bears and bobcats enter from the west. There are no dead farm animals; they appear to have been driven away. Shawna shakes her head. "If this is the work of Assaraah and Charesoon, it seems... petty."
Walking across the fields toward the group comes a 5' tall goblin. Strapped onto his back is a hand-and-a-half sword, and he wears two more swords at his belt. He wears leathers that have protective magic on them. His spirit is "masked" but Chalker can detect in his aura strong will; touched by Gauder, Assaraah, Aaoo, Aup, and Damarot; Magery 1; greed; overconfidence.
Shawna calls out, "Hold, stranger, and identify yourself." The goblin gives his name as Dow Gender and says, "I want to parley about your intentions... I have tried to help the settlements... Someone must have pissed off the Mother of Night." Chalker's Penetrating Vision reveals a tiny (thumbnail-sized) "shield" over the goblin's heart. Chalker: "Does your chest hurt?" DG: "I'm surprised you can see that. A mage put it there." Shawna: "Why stay where it is so hard to make a living?" DG: "A priest sensed struggle... I came here with 40 other goblins... There are shrines to Agar, Gauder, Aakbarath, and Erathoe.... We burned our bridges in the Coastal Kingdoms... fleeing past indiscretions."
DG gives landmarks to the next settlement, Langdale, two miles to the north. Humans, goblins, and halflings live there. The mayor of the settlement is a human male, Douglas Lang.
DG has encountered Uber before, in a small town in the Coastal Kingdoms. "He is vile. He was robed as a priest of Assaraah. He cursed at people and even spat on a child." Intrinsius: "If you see Uber again, you should kill him."
At Intrinsius' suggestion, DG draws in the dirt a map to other local hamlets. DG indicates the tiny towns of Goldenleaf and Glenarm, adding "I don't know how they're faring... I saw two dozen wagons going north."
Dow Gender turns and goes back the way he came. The group sees a human and a halfing that had been watching them (and which DG never mentioned) also head away across the field.
The group resumes their journey north.