THE SAVAGE TIDE ADVENTURE PATH
Module One: There is No Honor... (Dungeon #139)
Chapter Three: The Vanderboren Vault
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:29, Tue 23 June 2015.

A few minutes after the PC's finish interrogating the thugs the district watch appear, headed by none other than Keltar Islaran himself. The old sailor is red in the face from the exertion of running across town, and it is clear that he is deeply troubled by the news that has just been presented to him. “Lady Vanderboren, I am so sorry for the injustice that has been done to you,” are the first words he speaks, then he continues his apologies with many mutterings of “In my own harbor, I can’t believe it” and “I should never have trusted the rascal Vark”. He arranges for all of the thugs on the vessel to be slapped in irons and then placed on a gondola for direct transport to Castle Teraknian where he promised that would sit in the dungeons while awaiting sentencing. The thugs need to be physically dragged onto the boat, and the two charmed persons are very sad to say goodbye to their friend Celene.

Lavnina then completes some commercial business. She presents the payment for the overdue mooring fees to Keltar, and at Celene’s urging gets a notarized document with the wax seal of the harbormaster at the bottom to prove he has received the money. The harbormaster also arranges for the contraband cargo to be  removed from the Blue Nixie and impounded until the Dawn Council decide what to do with it. Then he and his men make their exit, with a final coughing fit interrupting his otherwise graceful last apology.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:43, Thu 02 July 2015.

After those formalities are finished, the sun is low in the sky and the party realizes that they are all hungry having skipped lunch that day. Lavinia takes it upon herself to organize an evening meal for them all, but insists that they eat it on the boat since she is worried about losing her precious possession again. “Kora! Oh Kora!” calls out the noblewoman. “Be a dear and see if you can find a local tavern who will bring some food out to us here on the pier.” Lavinia then adds something else in a low voice, that only the closest party members manage to overhear. “Oh, and make sure it is somewhere that will extend us credit, there’s a dear.”

Soon the party is eating a fine dinner on the main deck of the Blue Nixie as the sun quickly sets in the west. “My dear people!” says Lavinia, getting to her feet from a bundle of rope that had been serving as a seat, and raising a glass of wine. “A toast to you all for returning my ship to me, retrieving my lost payment and most importantly, finding my father’s signet ring! Well done to all of you. Now, we must complete the second half of the mission. If you will all meet me here on the Blue Nixie at eight o’clock tomorrow, we will head over to Castle Teraknian together and you can assist me with entering my family’s vault. As you can understand, I will much more comfortable with an armed guard since I will be retrieving quite a bit of coin in order to stabilize my family’s affairs. After we get it back to the Vanderboren mansion, I will pay you your two hundred gold then.”

OOC: Can I get a paragraph from each of you describing how you spend the night, or what you do the next morning.

This message was last edited by the player at 07:44, Thu 02 July 2015.

Celene would under normal circumstances head back to the temple for prayer and rites, and to do her chores. However, under these special circumstances, she doesn't really feel it's safe to leave Lavinia behind, with Vark still on the loose. Sleeping on the ship might be fun, too.

She therefore returns only temporarily to the temple of Wee Jas, asking Magus Eseriel that she may stay with the Lady Vanderboren to guard her, hopefully gaining a favour with the Vanderboren family for the temple of Wee Jas. She also reports on the events of the last days.

Already, the church places very few restrictions on the arcane spell casters connected to the temple, so she expects no problems. Should this not be so, she will of course defer to the Magus. But if all is in order, she is back at the ship in time to find some decent sleeping quarter - if that's available.

Kassius greatly enjoys the meal on the Blue Nixie, eating heartily and saying little. He interprets Lavinia's words as a dismissal for the night, and stands up hesitantly. He considers asking to sleep on the Nixie, but decides against it. Too awkward, and I'd end up making it seem that I'm homeless. Hah! He thinks to himself as he exits the ship with Kibeti and the two begin the walk to the Sunrise district.

He arrives at his grandfather's house, politely greets his mother, and then heads straight to his room. It had been a long and stressful day, and Kassius has little interest in the stress that actual interaction with his family would cause. Thankfully, his grandfather doesn't seem in the mood to contest that for now. After a bit of grooming and tending of Kibeti's wounds, Half-Orc and panther are both blissfully asleep.

Kassius casts Cure Light Wounds on Kibeti. Since Kibeti was only down 2 hp, that brings him to full.
In response to your earlier question, you can generally assume that Kassius uses all but one of his spell slots on CLW each night. Except in special circumstances, he keeps the last slot available in case of night-time emergency.

Logan enjoys the evening with Lavinia and his companions, especially the fine food and wine.  At the end of the evening, he discreetly sets aside a bundle of food, taking it back to his hovel, where he shares it with Tessara, giving his mother the best meal she's probably had in months, maybe years, not that the the elf seems to notice it at all.  The next morning, Logan goes out to retrieve breakfast, and leaves some with Tessara, arriving back the Blue Nixie with about a quarter-hour to spare.

HIT POINTS & MISFORTUNE

Angati  HP: 11/11   <MF NOT USED>
Alohan  HP:  9/15   <MF NOT USED>
Celene  HP:  7/ 7   <MF NOT USED>
Kassius HP:  8/ 8   <MF NOT USED>
Kibeti  HP: 14/14   <MF NOT USED>
Logan   HP:  9/ 9   <MF NOT USED>




Magnus Eseriel listens to Celene's story with interest - she is impressed with the young novice's deeds and is open to her continuing her association with the Vanderboren family. She raises no objection to Celene sleeping on the Blue Nixie.

For her part, Lavinia is overjoyed to have some company as it means that she can send Kora back to look after Vanderboren manion. The young ladies then start cleaning up the captain's quarters and officier's bunkroom so that they will each have a room to sleep in.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:05, Fri 03 July 2015.

Celene welcomes the gritty work, as that leaves a chance for her to thoroughly check out the ship for any other items left behind by the thug crew. A whole ship for her playground and treasure hunt sounds fascinating to her. She gets to work cleaning,but also investigating.

Angati burns her last 1st level slot to cast CLW on Alohan.

09:16, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 9 using 1d8+1. CLW on Alohan.

HIT POINTS & MISFORTUNE

Angati  HP: 11/11   <MF NOT USED>
Alohan  HP: 15/15   <MF NOT USED>
Celene  HP:  7/ 7   <MF NOT USED>
Kassius HP:  8/ 8   <MF NOT USED>
Kibeti  HP: 14/14   <MF NOT USED>
Logan   HP:  9/ 9   <MF NOT USED>

After the delicious feast, Alohan bid farewell to his friends. His goodbye was quick since he'd see them again first thing in the morning. The sun was low in the sky and Alohan contemplated seeking the loving embrace of Rowyn. Lavinia barely paid any attention to him putting the crown prince in a bit of a dejected mood, one where only sex could possibly remedy. But his wound itched something fierce as the arcane bindings and his own body fought to heal the damage done by the rhagodessa. Plus, he was a bit fatigued and the Native knew he wouldn't be able to perform at his best. Off the pier he set, seeking out Rodolfo for a quick trip across the bay to Shadowshore.
---------- ------------

Alohan woke the next morning at first light even before Remmi started to stir. He grabbed his loin cloth and set off, departing their simple apartment to the streets of Shadowshore. Up till this point, Alohan had virtually ignored Master Haku's teachings. He was in good physical condition with great eating habits and a naturally quick metabolism. He almost felt time spent conditioning the body as a waste -less time for things like corrupting females and eating. Yet his run in yesterday -and his inability to be effective- had reminded him what Haku had continuously told him -"Focus your Mana". Alohan was getting the sense he could no longer trust his rage and inner pele to accomplish his needs.

So he ran. Ran until the sun had cleared noble district. Then he swam. When he was finished, Alohan had found Remmi awake and pacing the room. Alohan suspected his hoalhoa was worried for the crown prince. "Good morning my hoalhoa," he announced, entering the room already a bit fatigued but energized. "Hold my cloth, my hoalhoa, I be havin' little time "

Remmi is relieved to see his charge reappear, but perhaps a little less happy to help yet again with the royal ablutions. "Yes Sire, of course Sire," says Remmi as he attends to the royal loin cloth. "<sigh> Perhaps you will propose to a young lady today Sire?" he asks wistfully, imagining himself back home in the palace with people to do this sort of thing for the young price.

Those on the Blue Nixie have a quiet night and in the morning a simple breakfast of bread and cheese is prepared and eaten in the small wardroom. It is a tight fit to get everybody in there, but Lavinia insists that they talk somewhere private. She explains that they will travel over to Castle Teraknian on a gondola, retrieve a substantial amount of wealth from the Vanderboren family vault and then make their way to the gondola and back to the mansion. Lavinia says that she has never seen the vault under Castle Teraknain herself, but from the things that she heard her father say over the years it is a relatively small and safe vault.

Without further fuss, the party makes their way to the city Castle, but unfortunately spend little time in the keep itself. They just stop long enough to talk to a clerk who verifies Lavinia's identity and her signet, then get her to sign a huge log book.

"Oh, my goodness," says Lavinia as she examines the book before my signing. "Look at that, Vanthus, that is my brother, was her EVERY day for..." she flicks back one page, and then another, "...every day for the last month, well, his last visit was three days ago."
Lavinia looks as the clerk. "But that means that you must have allowed him in without a signet ring! That is against the rules!"

"Lady Vanderboren," says the clerk in a very certain tone. "I can assure you that he had a signet ring. Entry is impossible otherwise."

"My goodness..." says Lavinia to no-one in particular. "But my father's ring was hidden on the Blue Nixie and my mother's was lost... about two months ago. Strange, strange, strange..."


The clerk escorts them down a spiral staircase into a large circular chamber under the castle. Over a dozen five-foot wide hallways radiate out from the central vault chamber, each of these halls is ten feet long and ends at a single iron door - the entrance to each vault of the great families of Sasserine. The clerk does not accompany the party to the actual value; he merely points out the Vanderboren vault and then bids a good day and returns to his office in the castle above.

The party heads down the short passageway until it ends at a solid-looking iron door. The door is emblazoned with a simple symbol - it is the eight pointed star of the Vanderborens. Above the door, inscribed in flowing script on a polished silver plaque is the name 'Vanderboren'. A single handle protrudes from the door, just below this is a circular depression bearing the mark of the Vanderboren signet.

Lavinia hesitates at the door. "My goodness, it is you all that are the experts. What do I do?"

OOC: It's a new day. All spell slots are restored. Remember, last chance to buy mundane adventuring equipment. don't complain about missing something once you are in the dungeon! PM me if you want to buy something additional.

Angati healed Alohan before leaving the party and promising that she would be there first thing in the morning. She made a big detour all the while mumbling with herself about just keeping the scissors for a few days and make him learn a lesson... but what did that make of her ?. At any rate, by the time she was almost in the brink of making a decision, she had already walked far too much to walk back just for simple pettiness. So she went to the tailor, and handed him the scissors "This is all that we have been able to recover... I hope it means something to you".

---

Then it was her home, she dropped by her sister's to let her know about the economic situation of Lavinia, and the dangerous liasons of her own brother Vanthus. She also added that Lavinia seemed to be a good woman, if only a bit innocent, that abode the law, and handled herself with as much dignity as she could. She also added that she was finding adventuring rather spicy and given the day's she had left in her, she was thinking about taking to it and maybe leaving the shrine.

---

Her next stop was the shrine, she looked for Karthach and found the dwarf just about to leave. She felt quite a bit of warmth for the older dwarf and so she told him of her day. When she was done with it, she went on... "I am thinking of leaving the shrine... I am not sure yet, but I feel more alive if I am doing these kind of things than if I rest here... I am old, and... well, what's there to loose ?. I really want to feel like I am not just letting time slip you know ?"

---

The next morning she took all her goods... her shield, the morningstar, the scale mail, and settled her backpack to leave. She did not wear the scale mail while navigating just to be able to make a swim to the coast in case something happened.

When they arrived, and after hearing the exchange with the guard at the entrance she really had to bite her tongue not to go with a 'Told you!!!' regarding Vanthus. Still, upon Lavinia's comments she sighed and said:

"Lavinia, if there were only two rings, one was hidden, which is the one you hold, and the other was worn by your mother, who has gone missing, and that ring is now carried by your brother... I'd be very suspicious about your brother. Please, we may come to a point where we all depend upon your judgement of your own brother, and while I really appreciate what family means, please think things out coldly because your life and ours will be at stake". She wanted to add, think were might your brother keep your mother in case he is keeping her alive which is doubtful... but she just could not find a wording that would not be devastating... and it was just not the time.

She paused there a bit, as she asked Logan to help her with settling the scale mail on her, and she held the shield on her left hand "Now... I'd say... let's find out what goes on in there...".

OOC: What money should we use for those purchases ? you got us working for free here or on credit which amounts to the same thing :P

OOC: Umm... Actually the scissors were just one thing in the black velvet bag. There was also a some expensive cloth, thread and a whole lot of gold at the bottom! Are you going to give it all back, or just give him the scissors? He is probably hoping for a little more than just those! :D

---

Zelina is overjoyed that Angati has found something interesting to occupy her final years, although surprised that 'adventuring' is her choice. She supports Angati in her wish to leave the temple, as long as she can find suitable lodgings somewhere else.

---

The old dwarf looks sad. "We'll I will miss you, but I understand why you want to get out and look around. Remember, we are always here for you if you need help."

---

"Oh," says Lavinia. "I am sure it is just a co-incidence. Maybe there was a third ring that I never heard about." But she seems unsure and unsettled.



OOC: Yes, money is a little bit tight here at the beginning, but if you completed your intro quest then you would get a little reward from that. (Hint hint...)

Kassius looks at Lady Vanderboren, and struggles to keep his face impassive. The naivete of this woman in trusting her brother despite all evidence overwhelms him, coming out as a snort that he barely manages to disguise as a cough. "Frakking dust." The half-orc explains.

Looking at the door, Kassius affects a high-class, overly pompous accent and announces, "Well in my expert opinion on such matters, I would expect that the signet ring would go into the circular ring-sized depression. Then perhaps one would exert a pushing force on the handle, causing it to depress and then allow the door to be pulled open." He finishes off with a few harrumphs and then a slight chuckle at his own cleverness.

Logan shakes his head at Lavinia's continued inability to realize that her brother is up to anything shady.  In Logan's mind, Vanthus is already the mastermind behind everything that's been happening to Amarilde and Lavinia, and he probably arranged fro his parents' fates in order to secure their fortune before his sister could get it.  The rogue shrugged.  He was being paid, and well-paid at that, so he'd go along with whatever she wanted for enough coin.

In the vault, Logan inspects the door itself.  Assuming all is safe, he motions for the signet ring from Lavinia.

"Oh!" says Lavinia, obviously surprised by the idea of using the signet ring as a key. Once Logan is finished and has given her the go ahead, she inserts her ring into the small depression above the handle. At this point, the door flashes once with blue light, then slowly swings open on creaking hinges.

Inside the door is a domed chamber 30" high, with polished green marble on both the floor and ceiling - the ceiling emits a faint light which is just enough illumination to see the room by. On either side of the main domed chamber are 15" wide alcoves that have lower ceilings (about 10") and each features a central green marble pillar carved to resemble a coiling snake. At the far end of the domed chamber - directly opposite the party - there is a third column embedded into the wall.

On the domed ceiling is the eight pointed Vanderboren star that the party are getting used to seeing now.

The room is dusty, with lots of marks and footprints spread around the place. The green light emitting from the ceiling gives the room a creepy feeling, like the room is in the middle of a dense, dry jungle where the light filters through a thick canopy of leaves.

"Well, it's not exactly packed with treasure, is it?" mutters Lavinia. "My father mentioned that there is more than one room, so don't give up hope yet," she says half to the party and half to herself. She seems to be hesitating, not wanting to be the first to go into the room but not wanting to ask somebody else to do it either.
This message was last updated by the player at 18:20, Mon 06 July 2015.

Here it is, probably the ugliest map in the AP - how you are meant to imagine a central domed chamber and two alcoves coming off from it on this map I do not know. Europeans please take note, 1 square = 5 ft.

Logan holds up his hand, motioning for the others to remain still while he advances into the room, searching for traps.  "Hmm, there must be some sort of hidden door here, if what your father said about multiple rooms is correct."    Logan carefully walks over the two supporting columns, inspecting them, then moves on to the innermost column at the back of the room.

Logan moves to the first column - this is the one to the east - and examines it carefully, making sure that he doesn't touch any part of it. The column is an incredibly detailed carving of a snake wrapped around a jungle tree, with the head of the snake at about eye level. The rogue looks at the head, checking for some clue to a hidden lever or switch that might open a hidden door.

Then the snake's eyes open and look at him.

The creature lunges off the pillar and bites the thief on the shoulder, its long teeth easily penetrating through his armour. The creature is about three feet long and as soon as it has completed the bite, it drops off and lands on the floor. It pulls back to look for a new opening.

20:41, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 18 using 1d20+2. Snake bites Logan.
20:42, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 3 using 1d6+1. Snake damage vs Logan.
OOC: Take 3 damage and I also need a DC14 fort save versus poison thanks Logan.

The rest of the party are still in the corridor in single file marching order.

Updated map.

Logan yells and draws his weapons: "Lavinia, did your parents say anything about this?!"  He dodges to one side and tries to simultaneously stab and slice the snake with his swords.

Move: Draw Weapons
Standard: Attack

Made fort saves.  Two attacks vs snake.
14:59, Today: Logan rolled 3 using 1d6+1. Rapier Damage?
14:58, Today: Logan rolled 3 using 1d20+2. Short Sword Attack.
14:58, Today: Logan rolled 13 using 1d20+3. Rapier Attack.
14:58, Today: Logan rolled 15 using 1d20. Fort Save.

Logan misses with both attacks.

"Oh!" screams the young lady. "Um, no! But I am sure my parents would never put anything down here that is dangerous!"

Alohan watches Logan suddenly get bit by a snake. He lurches into action, maneuvering past the Shadowshore rogue. He goes into a dive, hoping to roll out of the maneuver behind the jungle creature. Hoping his position helps Logan surround the beast. Yet his hopes were different than his results.  Alohan found himself sprawled out on the floor in comical fashion, starring up at the creature. He rolled, sprang to his feet, and moved past the snake with his arms out in a defensive posture.

With his arms still spread Alohan makes a few cautious swipes at the snake hoping to draw its attention away from Logan and on to him. He hoots and hollers, batting at the creature playfully. Alohan was not surprised how ineffectual he was. It was as if the gods were telling him -'Trust in your pele.' For once, Alohan might listen to reason.

---

Dearest DM: [Private to Dungeon Master: The only thing Alohan would buy (or rather borrow off of Remmi), is a simple dagger. I want Alohan to be all fists and grapples, but this first level is going to suck without a weapon.]
Move Action:Alohan wants to Move to I3. Alohan will only actually tumble from G4->H4 since it doubles your movement (Even with a failure, I still would get mobility... right?).
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/skills/acrobatics
18:25, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 8 using 1d20+7. Acrobatics vs CMD.
Note: Alohan has Mobility so for his failure and his next move H4->I3 he will have a +4 to his AC
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/...ility-combat---final
FRAK
Standard Action: Aid Another for Logan- Attack vs DC10
18:46, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 7 using 1d20+2. Aid Another for Logan vs DC10.
Double Frak
Free Action: Know(Nature) or Perception to figure out what breed the thing is?
18:39, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 10 using 1d20. Identifying Snake.
TRIPLE FRAK!!!!
Should only be Three AoOs but probably only one since the snake probably doesnt have that feat.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:53, Mon 06 July 2015.

"Frak!" Kassius swears as the snake bites Logan, and hurries into the room, drawing his bow. The tight quarters will render the weapon less effective than it might be, but at least it would allow him to avoid the snake's fangs.

Kufu He calls to Kibeti, who follows him agreeably. The cat peers at the snake with his alien blue eyes. The cat seems to be waiting for the precise right moment to strike. Until then Kibeti seems content to watch, an almost human-like curiosity expressed on his face.

---

Kassius
22:17, Today: Kassius rolled 24 using 1d20+5. initiative?
22:18, Today: Kassius rolled 9 using 1d20+3. knowledge (nature) identify snake.
Move Action: Move to E2
Standard Action: Draw Bow
Free/Swift Action:  Set Kibeti's Animal Focus to Tiger

---

HP: 9/9  AC 18, Saves+3/+7/+3
Spells Slots: 1st: 2/2

---

Kibeti
Move Action: Move to F2
Standard Action: Ready Action to attack the snake if it moves within reach

---

HP: 14/14 AC 15, Saves+4/+7/+2
Current Animal Focus: Tiger (+2 dex)

Angati moved into the fray like someone who did not have a care, getting between Alohan and Logan, and hoping to keep close to Logan should that snake be poisonous. It was not the time for healing yet though, and she swung her morning-star mightily. Had it touched the snake it would have probably made a pulp of it, but as it was, it was a clumsy tool to use with such a fast animal, and the ball just hit the floor with a mighty CLANK.

---

Free : Step towards grate | Swft : | Move : to G4 | Stnd : Attack
07:53, Today: Angati rolled 6,9 using 1d20+1,1d8+1. Attack Snake & Dmg.

---

HP: 11 |  AC: 17 | CMD : 11 | Saves: 2/1/2

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs :
 Conditions :
  L0 Spells : 4/4
  L1 Spells : 1/3 Cure Light Wounds, Protect from evil, Fear
  Abilities : Misfortune, Temporal Celerity

The snakes snaps out at the native, but despite Alohan's precarious upside down position, he is able to avoid the bite and get to his feet.

09:14, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 7 using 1d20+2. Snake AoO on Alohan.





OOC: Yes, hello dearest player.



Umm, no. You lose the rest of your move and get stuck in the square. Mobility gives you an AC bonus but doesn't help you move further. Alohan gets pinned down in H4 (he lands in that square but can't go any further)





Alohan tries to herd the snake towards Logan like he used to play with the peacocks back in the royal palace's grounds - he learns that snakes are not as easy to puasuade as peacocks. Logan does not feel assisted at all.



Ha! Alohan has no idea what it snake is.



Agreed, the snake only gets one AoO each round.

OOC: Oh, actually we're using modified initiative rules for most of the battles to help the posting rate. The party all take a turn at once, and then the enemy all take a turn. Normally the party goes first, since they are the heroes, unless the bad guys get surprise and then they go first.

I promose to mix things up a bit so that high dexterity is not a total was of time.



Kassius has never seen anything like it before.

You know, I would let you draw your bow as a swift action. In fact, I would have assumed that Kassius had it in his hand before the door was opened...

Angati's blow is strong, but wild.

OOC: Celene left to play in this round.

As the way ahead of her clears, and the sounds of pain and battle erupts, Celene shuffles forward as the rest of the team. She urges along Lavinia, saying, almost shouting, "Come along, maybe the presence of your signet ring will suppress whatever damnation is down here."

Getting into the vault chamber, she stares at the treacherous snake, and sees Logan clutching his shoulder. Guessing it must be poisonous, she realises she must help avert more attacks, if possible. She focuses on the hidden, fiery part of her mind, and lets flames gush forth. In her effort to avoid hurting her friends, though, all it amounts to is singed eyebrows - on everyone except the damned snake!

---

Free : talk to L | Swft :  | Move : to E4 | Stnd : flame lance | Full :

---

HP: 7/7 |  AC: 11/10/11  | CMD : 9 | Saves: 0/0/+4

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs :
 Conditions :
  L0 Spells (DC14):
   - Unlim. : Detect poison, Daze (+1 DC), Flame Burst, Mage Hand,
   - Bonus  : 1/1 Detect Magic, 1/1 Light , 1/1 Prestidigitation
  L1 Spells (DC15):
   - 4/4    : Charm person (+1 DC), Sleep (+1 DC)
  Abilities :
   - 6/7    : Flame lance

Yes, Celene misses by miles! But she does one thing right - thanks to her encouragement Lavinia enters the room. The noble woman gasps at her first sight of a combat - Logan bleeding from the shoulder, Kassius unslinging his bow, Kibeti growling and Alohan sitting on his ass - all while the snake hisses and makes small darting attacks.

"Um, my goodness, stop?" says Lavinia. The creature takes no notice. "I said stop!" says Lavinia, holding up her hand to emphasise the command and by chance also revealing the signet ring on her finger.

At the sight of a Vanderboren wearing a Vanderboren signet ring, the creature instantly calms down and adopts an unaggressive posture. It slides back to the pillar and climbs back up to its position amount the stone leaves. Now that it's  moving slower, the party sees that it is not a natural snake. And although it's skin is the same emerald green as the marble everything in this room is made out of, it isn't rock either. It's skin is some sort of flexible but tough looking metal - it would have been a tough adversary indeed! It slots back into a specially carved groove in the pillar - this is why Logan didn't spot it earlier, it seemed too low profile to be anything substantial.

OOC: Yes, DR 5/adamantine and pretty good spell resistance to boot - figuring out this puzzle was a much better option, well done Johannes! (Although I think John was on the right track as well)

Now that the danger is pass, Logan returns to his original task while holding his shoulder to keep the bleeding under control - it isn't too bad, just two thin puncture wounds.



When Logan searches the northern pillar, he notices that the snake patterns are different from the other two pillars. He finds a hidden switch set into one of the eyes of the many snakes carved into this pillar. He also searches for traps but finds none.

19:23, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 13 using 1d20+8. Logan searches for secret door in north pillar.
Revealed (for fun) since you passed. Find traps roll remains secret.

Logan grimaces.  "We'll have to remember that little trick for the future.  I suppose your parents wouldn't have needed to mention that to you.  The snake would have seen you and your signet and let you pass."

The rogue motions to the northern pillar.  "Speaking of which, I found a hidden switch here.  My guess is it leads to more treasure.  But you should be up in front, Lavinia, in case there's any more surprises that might get us killed."

"Certainly, if you think it best Logan. A hidden switch?" The young lady looks at the pillar next to where Logan is standing. "Oh! Yes, I see. So it should be used like this..."

Lavinia pushes the button before Logan can intervene, and the green marble snake designs begin to animate. They writhe aside like living creatures, forming a coiling archway that allows access into the next room.

And the next room is a very strange one. It is roughly octagonal and supported by a single large pillar of peculiar design - it has dozen's of deep grooves running vertically along its sides. This pillar is also made of some type of bright metal, unlike the rest of the room which is the familiar green marble.

On the ceiling is the now familiar eight pointed star of the Vanderborens, except the southern most point is bright red, whereas the rest of the arms of the star are black.

On the seven walls of the rooms are fantastically detailed bas-relief carvings of exotic monsters in threatening poses - all carved in green marble.


Honestly, what a dismal attempt at a map. Does that room look octagonal to you? They should have gotten Ron to make this battlemap instead.

"Oh, my goodness, how wonderful!" says Lavinia clapping her hands and running into the room before anyone can stop her. "Look at these carvings, all my favourites are here!" She starts circling the room from the wall immediately to the west of the entrance, and then moving clockwise, giving a running commentary as see moves on the name and qualities of each of the monsters carved into the walls.

"Well, okay, it isn't though THIS is one of my favourites. I think this is called a 'floating eye', although for the life of me I cannot image how it can be threatening. <giggle> Well, I guess it could glare menacingly!" She moves on.


"Oh, my goodness. Kora used to tell me bedtimes stories about these guys - it gave me such nightmares but I always asked her for more the next night. This is a 'choker', a nasty type of predator that normally lives in the darkest and deepest parts of caves and then waits for something to walk past and then they lash out and gobble them up whole. Kora said that had started moving into the slums of big towns, but what a lot of rubbish, honestly, she is such an old housewife sometimes..."


"And THIS is my favourite! These evil mastermind fish are called 'aboleth', no-one knows if that is a singular or plural term. They are so old they existed before the gods and are inter-dimensional or some sort of thing like that. Watch out, they can enslave you with their minds."


"A confused monster that fights with itself sometimes.  Two heads, always squabbling, this is the brutish 'ettin'."


"Oh, oh, oh! THIS is my favourite! Everyone loves a beholder, although..." she tilts her head sideways. "This looks like a baby. I think it is called a 'spectator beholderkin', see, it is the funny jaw that gives it away as not being a real beholder. Oh! Wouldn't it be lovely to see a REAL behold one day! And not just a paper napkin version..." Lavinia finally drags herself onto the next carving.


"These immense brutes live in the swamp, I've read they are quite rare, they go by the name of 'gray render'. I don't know much else about them, hmm, I should go back to the house and read up."


"Sneaky, crafty, scuttling in the dark, it is a 'monstrous spider' <shivers> imagine meeting one of them in a dark corner of a dark wood... wonderful!"


Lavinia looks around and finally realises that something is missing. "But, where is the treasure?" she asks with a despairing wail.


The room again, this time with the position of each monster bas-relief marked.

Logan looks around at the monsters, shivering a little at the (all too recent) memory of the snakebite.  "Hmm, okay, maybe there's some kind of hidden switch here again.  Lavinia, your parents' obsession with teaching you about monsters seems to have had a purpose - teaching you how to get through this vault.  Tell me, did they give Vanthus the same instruction?  The clerk said he got in here, but maybe he couldn't figure out his way through to the actual treasure."

Logan claps a hand over his wounded shoulder, and walks around the room, inspecting the carvings for traps and secret switches, wary for any sudden movement from the carvings.

The rogue stops and looks around.  "Wait a minute.  The floating eye has...one eye.  The choker, two.  All the way up to the monstrous spider at eight.  And they're arranged in order.  That must mean something."  Logan taps his chin.  "Eyes...Celene, wasn't that scrap of paper inside the ring, with the monsters and different number of eyes?  Maybe there's something here.  What was the first one?  Chimera looks to sunrise?  Well, that would be the gray render, right?"

Logan walks over to re-inspect the gray render sculpture.  "But what are we supposed to do now?  Looks to sunrise?"

Kassius enters slowly, bow drawn and arrow knocked, Kibeti prowling warily besides him. More riddles apparently before they had accomplished their task, it seemed.

"Sun rises in the East, and sets in the West. Seems like directions to me. Logan, did ya see any way to turn the carvings?" Kassius asks.

Pondering the code that's obviously hidden within this room, Celene puts a hand on her chin, the index finger tapping her temple. She stands well away from the statues near the entrance. "Well, one detail is that there isn't any monster here with seven eyes, but that may not be important. Other than that, you're absolutely right; the statues show them to have increasing numbers of eyes. So yes, the chimera with six eyes would correspond to the gray render, also with six eyes... then what?"

"Kassius has a point in that the note implies directions, east and west. Perhaps we should walk from one statue to the other, touching them in the order of the note? Meaning gray render for chimera, floating eye for cyclops... but how many eyes does a medusa have? With her snake hair, it would be quite a lot, I guess? And the basilisk? Does it simply have two eyes - I really don't know?"

"But if not walking or touching them, then perhaps something else? Can that pillar in the center be turned, or is it completely solid? Or what about the star in the ceiling, can anyone tall enough turn that?" Celene is obviously very reluctant to get near anything, hoping to coax the others to touch or manipulate the content of the room.

OOC: sorry if that suggestion is odd, but looking at the map it just made me think of one of these numbered dials on a safety deposit box (before the age of key cards, of course :-) ) Where is the Vanderboren star situated relative to the pillar? Does the 'red south' point toward the pillar?

OOC: you've named the choker as 'gasper' on the map. Is that important?
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Tue 07 July 2015.

When combat finished, she moved in to check Logan, "How bad are you hurt ? do you need a bit of a heal now or shall we wait a bit just in case ?... do you feel any poison ?"

As they moved into the room Angati walked from one image to the next. She had not noticed the eye ordering and that made her feel stupid and old... "I'd say that its the pillar that must turn.... all the monsters look at the center now, lets see if we can align the pillar so it shows a sunrise or sunset according to each of the sides of the room".

Angati moved then to investigate the pillar without touching anything until Logan or someone that knows what he is doing gives an ok.

"Pffft! Oh please! My parents tried, but the only thing my little brother was interested in was smoking zzonga and trying to look up cousin Amarilde's skirt! Well, I suppose that my mother did manage to teach him Sylvan, but I learnt it better."

"So you think there might still be some treasure left?" she says, looking around. "I mean, not that I think Vanthus took it but..."



Logan searches the whole room and finds no traps or secret devices of any kind.



OOC: Getting warm!



Logan tries one bas-relief and then the next. They don't have much profile, so there isn't much to turn, but the thief gives it a try anyway - no success!

"Oh my goodness!" says Lavinia. "Do you think the carvings are the key to something? I guess if we try and open them the wrong way they will animate and all attack us?!" she says half fearfully and half eagerly while looking at the beholderkin.



OOC: Huh? No, the spider has seven eyes, I photoshoped it to make sure it had seven, but the lower left-hand eye is small and dark so hard to see.



Lavinia speaks up. "Actually, medusa only have two eyes - the snakes on their head are blind."

OOC: At least in this game...



OOC: Meaning that you want Logan to take the hit if there is a trap ;D Fine, that is what he is there for I guess. :P


Logan inspects the shiny metal pillar in the middle of the room. After checking for traps and hidden devices, he grabs a longitudinal groove in each hand and then gently twists. To his surprise the column rotates easily - but not smoothly. It moves in little increments and makes a soft *click* *click* *click* noise and rotates each step.

Furthermore, the entire ceiling rotates with the pillar! There must be some sort of magic involved because there is no way that Logan should be able to move the entire green marble ceiling with such ease otherwise. The arms of the star rotate, including the red arm which moves off its starting position in the south.



OOC: The suggestion is not odd at all, it is in fact spot on! Yeah, I should have described the star better. The center of the star is the center of the pillar, so the arms spread out from this central point. The 'red south' therefore points directly AWAY from the pillar, to its starting position which is above the door they came in from.



OOC: That is an error, it should read 'choker'



OOC: The pillar has now been touched and it is confirmed that it can turn. What do you mean by 'align the pillar so it shows a sunrise or sunset'? The metal pillar has the groves, but otherwise nothing that looks like the sun...

Logan shook his head in response to Angati's question.  "No, I don't feel any poison now.  I think whatever that snake had, I managed to fight off.  As for being hurt..."  Logan lifted off his hand and inspected the wound.  "The snake bit deep, but I'm in mortal danger right now.  Why don't you keep the healing in case we meet some other guardian down here."

Logan's at 6/9 hp.  Not bloodied yet, but he's feeling the damage.

The rogue considers the central pillar, then nods to Kassius. "Hmm, sunrise and sunset corresponding to east and west..."

Logan looks at the room.  "That doesn't quite make sense.  It might make sense as thinking about it how the earth spins..."

Or, for a Ptolemaic Model, how everything spins around the earth.  How does the cosmology of Mystara work, anyway?  Does Logan even know?

"But if you assume you'd be looking at things like a map, and north was up, turning east would be spinning counterclockwise, and west would be clockwise.  So, by that logic..."

Logan starts to spin the central pillar counterclockwise, ending when the red arrow points at the Gray Render.  "Chimera looks to sunrise..."  He reverses the pillar, turning it clockwise back to the carving of the floating eye.  And that's Cyclops at sunset..."  After a brief pause, Logan pushes the pillar widdershins one carving, stopping at the choker.  "Medusa looks to sunrise," Logan's pauses grow briefer as the rogue's excitement builds, and he pushes it back around to the Ettin.  "Umber hulk looks to sunset, and..." the rogue is almost jogging now as he pushes the pillar, eager to get the next door open, and pushes the pillar back the other way, stopping at the choker again.  "And basilisk looks to sunrise, I guess?  Do basilisks have two eyes?"

OOC: I am so glad to hear you ask that! Mystara is based on our planet earth 165 million years ago. It is the third planet orbiting around the sun, and all of the other planets you know are present and visible in the solar system. There is one visible moon.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:22, Wed 08 July 2015.

Lavinia opens her mouth to answer that question but is stopped by the entire room rumbling and the five alcoves spread around the room rotating in place - each of them revealing a very large chest.

Lavinia's eyes twinkle. "I guess my father thought that they had two eyes, huh Logan?" The young lady laughs in relief at seeing the treasure found safe and sound. She takes a step foward.

"Oh, I suppose you want to check for traps? Although it would be pretty mean for my parents to put a trap in at this point!"

OOC: Ah, I think I remember hearing that at some point.  So a moon and other planets.  Does it specify anywhere in the Mystara setting what average people know about that?  Not that it matter much, but do they know their world is round?  That it orbits around the sun?

Logan nods to Lavinia, his excitement apparent.  "I think you're right, that your parents would have counted on that snake, then this puzzle to keep their treasures safe.  But it never hurts to check."

Logan moves forward into each of the five alcoves, checking each one carefully for traps as he does so.

Logan isn't able to find any traps on any of the chests, so Lavinia happily takes a step forward to the first chest. She gets down on her knees, and then opens the big chest... and the smile dies on her face - the chest is empty.

"What? But how?" she asks, almost falling over in shock. She scrambles over to the next chest on all fours and flings back the lid.

The second chest is empty.

"Oh no! Oh no, oh no!" she screams, she sprints to the next chest in a crouched run and opens it.

The third chest is empty.

Lavinia shrieks and sobs at the same time and springs to the fourth chest.

The fourth chest is also empty.
OOC: Damn. Looks like the party ain't gunna get paid!

Lavinia is sobbing heavily as she moves to the last chest. With a despairing shake of her head she slowly opens it.

The fifth chest is full to the brim with gold and platinum.

OOC: Ha! Fake out!

Lavinia's crying turns to gasping sobs of relief. "Thank you <sob> mom <sob> and dad <sob> I won't forget you <sob> and I will make the family <sob> great again."

Lavinia looks at the masses of coins and nods her head. "I think it will be enough. At least for a couple of months until I can stabilise the finances," she says in an evaluating tone.

She notices a book on top of the gold coins and opens it. "Oh my goodness. This is my mother's writing - look, she has written it in Sylvan but I recognise her handwriting... so elegant." After leafing through a few pages she gasps. "Look at these sketches... a jungle island... exotic animals... great thunder lizards... wild natives... what is this place?"

Excited about the entire treasure hunt, Celene is both thrilled and sorry to apparently be at an end here. But as Lavinia opens first one, then another, empty chest, she turns sad, and furious at the actions of Vanthus, whom Celene holds to the blame. All the more her astonishment when the final chest opens to a hoard of wealth. Even though Celene has a rather practical perspective on money, not desiring it much, but realising the usability of it, she feels a shiver going up her neck at the sight of this amazing fortune.

Trying to shake of the thoughts of all that money, she tears away her gaze. Going to the side of Lavinia, she smiles at her luck, and joins the choir against her brother, “Well, at least he missed one chest! I am glad this didn't turn out as dreadful at the first chests promised.”

Looking at the book that Lavinia so adores, she wonders out loud, “why did your mother write in Sylvan? Is it a rare language, so most people wouldn't be able to read it? Or did she just fancy it?”

At least being able to fathom the sketches - if not the language - of creatures and landscapes, she appreciates the artistic value. “I'm not familiar with much outside this city, and not much in it anyway, but perhaps Kassius or Alohan  can shed some light on it, if you're curious?”
This message was last edited by the player at 19:14, Wed 08 July 2015.

Alohan was going to open his mouth about the note left with the signet ring but the Shadowshore boy had already begun to spin the pillar. He watched in admiration as the boy went about solving the puzzle and unlocking the Vanderboren vault. His wonderment increased when the entire structure began to shift to reveal modest sized chests. He wasn't entirely eager to get paid; just satisfied Lavinia could finally get the peace she deserved. Of course, her dismay whilst opening empty chests sent a pang of regret through the Native. He wanted to reach out and console her but recognized it wasn't his place.

At Celene's beckon, Alohan stepped forward to peek at Lavinia's book. "Let me be a lookin,'"he grumbled, peering over their shoulders. Lavinia flipped through the sketches, giving Alohan the chance to observe but he was coming up short. He recognized some of the more common depictions but anyone could notice them.

He shook his head at a loss.

---

15:32, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 9 using 1d20. Know(Nature) vs Book.
Looking to see if the pictures match something that might be on the Pearl Islands
This Dice Roller plagues me

This message was last edited by the player at 19:35, Wed 08 July 2015.

Kassius peered into the final room with interest, his face impassive as Lavinia opened one after another empty chest. He wondered what the lady would do if there was no treasure in all, grimacing slightly. He hated crying womenfolk. It reminded him of his mother. Father had always seemed to know what to do, Father always knew just what to do, but he was dead, and Kassius wasn't half the hero that Kull the Konquerer had been.

Thankfully, the last box was not empty, although Lavinia was still apparently crying. Kassius did perk up when he heard the comment about jungle islands and exotic animals. He stepped up, giving his own look-over at the book. His knowledge was quite limited, but he knew more than these city people.



Knowledge (geography) would probably be more appropriate, but I don't have that. So hopefully knowledge (nature) will give something useful.
16:27, Today: Kassius rolled 14 using 1d20+3. knowledge (nature).

Angati's face as the chests were opened was a poem to sourness. A hint of a smile appeared at her mouth when the coins were found... but quite frankly, she expected much much more. It made no sense that someone capable of constructing a place like this, of putting together the resources and will to do it, would have only left an amount like that and not wonders upon wonders...

As she approached to console Lavinia, she said "I do not suppose any of us can see invisible objects right ? maybe there is something more escaping our perception" she said as she casted attuned to the passing of time to be able to detect magic, and gave a round to the room and passed her hands by the chests before meeting the others around Lavinia.

OOC: I am not sure if Elven is the same as Sylvan... if it is, Angati can speak it... else... nope.
Anyway, let me know if anything is detected as magical please.

"Oh, my mother, Larissa Vanderboren, was a famous druid you know. She felt that Sylvan was a language much closer to nature than the common tongue. I doubt she wrote it in that language to stop it being read, after all there are plenty of people who know Sylvan."



Alohan thinks he recognizes one of the sketches... was it a fern? Didn't they have ferns on his islands? He is pretty sure that they do, but he'd never taken much notice of them, well, unless they were on the skirts of the girls dancing the hula, oh, that he could remember, with all their jiggling bits and swaying skirts, sometimes her would just kick back in his throne room and watch for hours, hula, girls, hula, girls, girls, girls, erection…

Alohan's mind wanders and he don't make any progress on the sketches.

OOC: Jeez, did you bully the dice roller when he was a kid or something?



Kassius' approach at trying to recognizing the contents of the sketches is more focused but ultimately not much more successful. Giant lizards? Surely those sketches were not to scale? That would that creature as big as a house with teeth the size of a man! He doubts the sketches are of real living creatures unless they are magical constructs.



Angati does not locate anything magic in that final vault room or in the preceding snake room. She does notice again that judging from the disturbed dust in the first room, there were a lot of objects stored there until recently. Maybe the Vanderboren family did have a lot of stuff prior to it all going... missing recently. Although, probably not as much as was jammed into the much bigger Lidu vault around the corner!

The chests appear entirely non magical and normal.



OOC: Yes, Sylvan is the same as Elven.

Angati is actually able to read a bit of the book over Lavinia's shoulder, although with Celene, Alohan and Kassius all also trying to get a look it is getting crowded! She reads the front cover 'The Ecology of the Isle of Dread - being an account of the magnificent fauna and flora of the Isle as discovered by Larissa Vanderboren during her travels.' But then Lavinia hugs the book to her chest and starts speaking.

"I will translate it. My mother would have liked that. Okay, let's more this all back!" she exclaims. Many large sacks are procured from the clerk in the castle, and all filled up with gold and platinum coins. Then with each member of the party taking a sack (except for Alohan who takes two) they trudge up the stairs and onto a private gondola. Surprisingly little interest is taken of them - apparently the castle staff are used to the great families of the city making large deposits and withdrawals.

They head back to Vanderboren manner and leave the sacks in the family safe, which Lavinia closes and locks after taking out a couple of handfuls of platinum coins. She turns around and addresses the entire party.

"I am so happy with what you have done for me. Without your help I know I would never have gotten the signet ring back or gained access to the family treasure. At least what was left of it," she mutters. "So, here is your payment, given with great satisfaction from my behalf." She hands 20 platinum coins to each of you (well, not Kibeti, he works for free).

"But, I hope our involvement can go further! I would like to make you all a business proposal. I will pay you each 100 gold crowns a month to be continue working for me - sort of a replacement for the Jade Ravens if you like. And I will have your first job for you if you come... well, not tomorrow, let's take a day off... but be hear at eight o'clock the day after tomorrow and I will tell you about it. Are you interested?"

OOC: Questions?

Logan's emotions had run quite the roller coaster, from surprise and pain at the snake, to elation at unlocking the puzzle, to mounting despair as the chests revealed themselves to be empty, then joy and finally just stunned shock.  First at how much money was left, but second, the tantalizing clues as to how much money there once had been.  If all of those rooms had been filled the same way...maybe if Lavinia was successful, they would be once again?  And Logan would be there to help, and gain his rewards.  The last thought was the rational thread Logan clung to rationalize not stealing one of the bulging bags of gold and disappearing into the city.  His growing attachment to his teammates, even to Lavinia herself, he ignored for the time being.

Back at Vanderboren manor, Logan thanks Lavinia: "100 gold a month?  For jobs like this, that sounds great."  The rogue tries to temper his enthusiasm a little, not wanting his new employer to realize how incredibly amazing her offer is.  Maybe he could even convince her to increase it?  The rogue rubs his wounded shoulder.  "Well, I could go without the biting snakes in the future.  That would certainly be nice."  He glances to Alohan, shivering at the memory of the islander's belly laid open by the creature on the boat, thankful that worse things hadn't happened to him.  (Though there had been those undead creatures in Aubreck's secret basement...

Logan brought his attention back to the present.  "Yes, day after tomorrow.  I'll be here at 8!"

And Logan left, already thinking about the new places he could afford to live with a steady stream of income far beyond what he thought was possible.  The thief sighed.  His mother might not care, but it would make him feel better.  Maybe he could even get one of the temples to see her?  As a matter of fact...

Logan turned back to the Vanderboren estate, waiting for Celene to leave and talk with her.  When the young acolyte appeared, Logan approached her.

"Celene, I need some advice on dealing with a personal matter.  I don't want to trouble anyone else, but I need some help for my mother.  Do you have  time to spare?"

Just to be clear to everyone, that 100/month income must be consumed by your character's lifestyle and cannot be used to buy equipment. You can live a 'weathly' lifestyle with this money.



So spend it on renting a place to stay, nice meals, training, books, services like getting weapons sharpened and armour cleaned, magic lessons, or just give it away.

Celene was obviously intrigued by such an offer. How could one not be tempted? But how would this affect her life from now on? "That is a very generous offer, Lavinia. And it is not that I am saying no, but there's more than just securing a salary in this. Does this mean that we're bound to you from now on? Can you dispose of our time any time you like. After all, I have other obligations and things to attend to. And does the tasks we are to do cover equally fetching a bag of money from the bank, as well as fighting an undead legion of vampires month after month without end? Will our employment keep us from other avenues of income? After all, we just earned double the monthly salary for a days work. As I said, I am certainly not saying no to such a generous offer, but I would like to think this through - and perhaps get your own oppinion on all my concerns? But count me in for the moment, I will be here on the morning of tomorrow, ready for your proposal." She then lets Lavinia make any comments on this that she may feel like.

That said, Celene sees the others drifting off, and decides to take her leave as well. "See you all soon again, I hope! And keep your eyes out for Vark, he's still out there. And Vanthus!"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:52, Fri 10 July 2015.

As Logan came to her, asking about his mother, Celene reckoned it was rather personal, and not something he did not want to share with too many, so she beckoned down the street. "Of course, any time! If I can help in any way, I will. Come, let's walk along and you can tell me about it?"

In reply to Celene (msg # 54):

Logan breathes a sigh of relief as Celene agrees to talk with him.  The rogue is silent for a half-dozen paces, unsure of how exactly to start.  Finally, he clears his throat.  "Sorry, this is hard to talk about.  I'm not used to divulging personal things like this.  Among the people in my community in Shadowshore, it can be a...liability.  There's honor among thieves, more or less, but some of them fall to the decidely less.  If the wrong person found out what I was about to say..."  Logan shook his head, then clears his throat again.

"Anyway...it's my mother, like I said.  When I was a boy, my father was killed.  At the time, he was a wealthy merchant.  After his death, my mother just stopped...everything.  Caring, trying.  We filtered down through the city as she spent what money we had, and came to rest in Shadowshore.  I learned how to...work on the streets, making enough money to get by, but enough to do much more.  And my mother kept getting worse.  Now, she's mostly catatonic.  Just sits and stares out the window most days.  I can get her to eat, but that's about all.  I never had the money to do any more than that.  Even the temple healers cost money.  Not that they'd even give the time of day to someone that looked like me in Shadowshore!"  Logan gives a hurt-sounding laugh.

"But now that can all change!  I have money.  More than I ever thought I'd have.  But I don't know where to start.  And I thought you could help me.  Find a temple that could see if there's anything to be done.  Or at least help look after her.  Or maybe I just need to get her out of Shadowshore.  Get a better place somewhere, maybe that'll be enough to improve her spirits."

Logan looks to Celene, waiting for her reply.

The Native simply sighed at Lavinia's offer. Living in affluent luxury was one of the reasons he left the Pearl Islands. He didn't need it nor did he want it. The feeling of loss and loneliness brought on by the grandeur of his life, unable to escape the prison of a royal welcome. His time here in Sasserine had been refreshing. He was just another person, another face in the crowd. He could picture Remmi's reaction. Most likely his friend would squeal in delight and jump at the opportunity. And maybe he should! Remmi had been ever loyal and obedient -he deserved a bit of a break from Alohan's soul searching escapade in Sasserine.

Still, there was another woman in his life, one that would reciprocate his advances and temporarily fill a need that seemed to continuously consume him.

"I be thankin' ya Lavinia," was all Alohan could muster. He failed to give her a proper answer but decided everyone would be too distracted by their recent turn of luck to notice the Native's reluctance. Given the proper time, he slipped out of Vanderboren manor, avoided Celene and Logan in discussion, and went to find his ipo ahi.

---

DM: Alohan would like to spend the night with Rowyn. Is this possible? I also wanted to have some dialogue with her about her job opportunity. It doesn't seem appropriate doing it in the other thread. Maybe here?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:32, Thu 09 July 2015.

Kassius merely grunts at Lavinia's offer. Whatever the half-orc feels of it, he's apparently not saying much right now. He does look intently at Lavinia after Celene's barrage of questions. He has many of the same, and listens carefully to the answer.

Inside, his mind is slowly picking over the idea. A regular income would allow him to live completely independent of his mother and grandfather. Was that actually a good thing? Kassius wasn't sure. Still, having the money would be better than not having it, and the work for Lavinia had been interesting enough so far. As he walked back to his family's estate, he felt himself leaning towards accepting.

Angati thanked Lavinia profusely and promised to be there the day after the morrow. Before moving on though she tried to catch a word with her companions. Trying to keep Alohan from leaving right away before Logan finished talking with Celene.

Once they were together she went right to the heart of the matter "Ok... it seems to me that many of us are seriously considering this work... I am quite convinced for it, I like the girl and she tries to live up to her promises, and I think that will be more than we can hope for if we try to find another job offer of this sort.... anyway, I think that many of us are going to be changing quite a bit from our lifestyle up to now, and given that we might be moving to live in another place, and given that much of our work will be together and that... let's face it... thanks to this work we will be making common enemies. I wanted to suggest we try to find a spot to live were we don't need to go across town to find each other, and were we can defend ourselves should the need arise. Maybe a tavern or maybe renting a house or whatnot, if that's in your interest"

In reply to Angati (msg # 58):

OOC: i would like celene to have an answer from lavinia first, if possible?

In reply to Logan (msg # 55):



Celene appreciates how difficult this it for Logan, both due to his experience on the street, but also because of his anguish. "Of course, Logan. This remains between the two of us."

"I will do whatever I can to help you and your mother. But I must be frank with you - my influence within the temple of Wee Jas is very small. I am not even a cleric yet, although my ordainment is very close. AND our temple is hardly known for being kind and caring. To
be honest, the clergy cares for anything but people - excepting themselves. Still, I feel at home there, and they took me in when I was alone and vulnerable. That is why I wish to be part of the church, and follow the goddess. I hope to do better, though, with whatever power I may recieve. And perhaps even one day change this. For the moment, though, the church of Wee Jas is not our best option for helping your mother."

"But there are other temples in Sasserine that we can seek out for aid. Particularly, in the Sunrise district, there are several temples that I can think of, that may be able and willing to help us. From what you say, your mother is not afflicted by a disease, but by grief and sadness, from the loss of your father, yes? So I doubt a normal healer will be able to help. Her condition is in and of herself. She needs perhaps peace and comfort, and help to come to terms with her loss. That I think she is most likely to be able to get in Sunrise. The shrine of Rao, god of peace and serenity, could be one place, or perhaps even Pelor, whose followers may heal her with his brightness, bringing light back to her. I will help in any way I can to get her what she needs there.

But.. I do not mean this in any scornful way, but what is it that so burdens your mother with her loss. Was something extraordinarily special between your father and her? Because, in most cases when we loose another, we grieve and feel sad and lost for a time - but the grief burns much of the loss, allowing us to let our loved ones go to the beyond. What is it that is so special that your mother is unable to let your father, and her own grief, go?"

"Oh my, no, it's not like that! I would merely have 'first rights', meaning that you should work preferentially for me over other clients, but if I had no work then you would be free to pursue other interests - as long as you let me know if you were going to be away for extended periods. Think of it as being more of a retainer fee."

"And of course you are free to refuse a mission if you think it is just too dangerous or there is a better course of action - so no fighting legions of vampires! We could even prepare a legal contract if you wanted... feel free to bring one with you when you visit in two days"



OOC: Sure, thread for sexposition on its way!

Logan listens to Celene, glad he has found a source of assistance.  Finally the rogue nods.  "Thanks for your words.  I didn't know what the temple of Wee Jas stood for, or that they wouldn't be the best people to see.  In truth, none of the temples in Shadowshore seemed particularly good.  But now that I have more options..."  The rogue trails off, thinking of the money he carries, and the monthly retainer that Lavinia has promised them.  Suddenly he looks up, face deep in thought.  "I wonder if our new employer would be willing to provide any sort of...post death benefits for our families?  If wouldn't do any good for my mother if I were caught in some horrible trap tomorrow or next week and she ended up back on the street again."  Logan shakes his head.  "For another time, I guess."

The rogue looks thoughtful again, considering Celene's questions.  "As to my mother and father.  Well, as you might be able to tell, I'm not full-blooded human.  I'm a half-elf, and not just 'one of my ancestors was an elf long ago.'  Tessara, my mother, is a full-blooded elf.  My father, Theodric, was a human merchant.  My mother knew she was giving a lot away when she accepted his marriage proposal.  At the very least, she'd outlive him by centuries, but she thought it was worth it.  Unfortunately, she didn't even get the two score years she thought she would.  Soon after I was born, my father was killed in an accident."  Logan shakes his head.  "I've thought the same thing as you many times.  It seems as though, given that she knew she'd have to face his loss anyway, facing it sooner almost shouldn't have been this bad."  Logan shakes his head sadly again.  "Maybe she was just grieving at what she saw for our future, and now she grieves still for what she's down to all of us, and for a happiness that never really happened.  Or maybe she realized that every elf that opposed her being with my father was right, and she's reaping exactly what they all saw happening.  Or maybe my father really was special, and Tessara knows that she lost something unique."  Logan looks away, obviously trying to hide his emotions.  "I wouldn't really know, since I don't even remember him."

Finally, he turns back to Celene, emotions in check.  "But if you think Pelor or Rao would offer what she needs in Sunrise, that's a lot better than I can offer her now."  The rogue smiles again.  "Thank you, Celene."

A sudden thought occurred to Celene at Logan's words, making her halt his final dismissive words. "Wait, your speech about your mother's possible ailments makes other ideas spring up. If she does grieve for things not borne to fruition, or words not said with your father, there may be avenues that our temple in fact may be uniquely competent at." Celene shivers involuntarily at the thought, as this is the part of her faith she's least accustomed to. "Wee Jas is not just Goddess of Law, Magic and even Love, but also Death, in a natural way. I am not saying you should do this, it's entirely your descision, but priests of Wee Jas may fascilitate a communion between your mother and your father. Or you and your father if that may actually be beneficial, since you admit you've never even known him."

Changing avenue of thought, she adds "What do you know of him? What was the accident that happened to him? How did he and your mother meet?" Putting a hand on her chin, a finger tapping her temple, she thinks out load, "do these questions perhaps hold any clues to your mother's situation - and yours?"

Sighing, she shrugs. "Ah, well, maybe all she needs is peace and caring. And you near her? If so, I believe the orders of Pelor or particularly Rao would be the place we visit. And yes, I am quite certain Lavinia will add a compensation to closest relative if we perish during employment. If not, I'll make sure she agrees to one, and one that will take care of your mother for a long time."


OOC: GM, i've just ad hoc'ed it so far, based on the Sasserine background info doc. Any information relevant to this Celene might have? Knowledge  checks (or is it up to me to determine what to try?)

Note that C will make sure a proper clause on a compensation in case of death is added to our contract:-).

Logan listens to Celene, then shivers.  "You might think I'm superstitious, but talking to my dead father sounds...frightening.  And not just because he's dead!  What would say, if he saw how I'm living?"  The rogue shakes his head.  "I'm not even sure that's what my mom needs, though I don't know exactly what she needs, so I could be completely wrong!  It's possible that it could help Tessara speak with Theodric, though it's also possible it might just hammer home how much she's lost.  We can try that option if we really need to, I suppose, but let's start with something simpler first."

Logan thinks for a second before answering.  "I don't know all that much about my father.  I know he was a powerful businessman in Sasserine, traveling the world and such to procure expensive things for himself, which is how he met my mother in the first place.  Whenever Tessara speaks of how he dies, it's always 'the accident', and from what else I've been able to piece together, it was just that: an accident in the streets.  I think it was a runaway cart that crushed him before anyone could stop it - just a terrible accident in the city, but something that happens.  Maybe the fact that there really was no one to blame for it all, except for fate itself, is what started this whole thing, but I don't know."  Logan shrugged.  "It's possible there's more to it, but questioning my mother too much only seems to make her depression worse, so I try not to do that.  The rare moments of life in her are when she sees something that makes her forget the past, so maybe getting her out of Shadowshore into more peaceful surroundings is what she needs."

Celene: Talking to Logan's dead Dad sounded fun, may be you can convince him to give it a try further on down the road. But which spell were you planning on using? For 'speak to dead' you need the corpse, and Logan's Dad was worm food many decades before.

Logan: If you decide to move your Mom out of Shadowshore to a new location then I want to describe her reaction.

Dungeon Master:

Celene: Talking to Logan's dead Dad sounded fun, may be you can convince him to give it a try further on down the road. But which spell were you planning on using? For 'speak to dead' you need the corpse, and Logan's Dad was worm food many decades before.

No particular one, didn't look it up, just assumed it may somehow be possible. If it's something Logan wants to explore, I'll dig in to see if it's possible. Otherwise we'll buy an Ouija board.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Tue 14 July 2015.