So then, once the orifice contracted, we went whoosh-

The Truthteller holds up a hand to stop Chandanar from going further.  Okay.  Yeah.  I get it.

The most surprising thing was how much it smelled like strawberry jam.

I hate you. The Truthteller looks at the rest of you, and gestures at your Cleric.  I hate him.  I really do.

Sial chuckles.  Well.  It seems you all survived your...'sojurn'.  So I take it that you can attest to their trial?

The Truthteller nods.  Yeah.  I mean, they earned it.

You are all standing on top of the cliff, hours after exiting the worm.  Chandanar was exaggerating parts of it.  But he was right about one thing:  there at the end...it really did smell like strawberry jam.

Sial claps his hands.  Well.  I must say I think you've all earned a bit of rest.  Allow me to handle your accommodations at least...

Soon he, or more accurately his chain demon, has set up a series of tents.  He's also managed to conjure up large jugs of warm water and a basket of good soap.  So at long last, you can bathe.

I coulda done that... Chandanar mutters.

Yes yes.  But you didn't, now did you?  At any rate, you've all earned an evening of leisure.  Please relax.  I will prepare some food. Sial nods with a smile and heads towards the camp fire.

The Truthteller looks you all over.  You survived the worm.  And I'll testify to that.  Now you can join the Sun Clan.  I'm not sure what information you're after from them.  But you've earned it.  But I gotta ask... He drops his voice.  Do you guys trust Sial?  I spent a little time talking to him while you guys were swallowed.  He's not exactly someone I'd wanna hang around with if ya know what I mean.

Even soap didn't seem enough for the half-orc, as he bathed himself thoroughly before applying his own magical attentions to himself. Prestidigitation removed the most stubborn bits, gunks, fungi, and smells from every article of clothing before he dabbed himself from his own bottle of cologne, certain he could still smell something before he finally settled down to enjoy the campsite.

Food, fire, and a member of the moon clan who'd speak of their tale. If nothing else, if all went to shit they had a tribe to settle down with out here. "Not particularly, still not even sure what he's after." He didn't seem to be an enemy at least and that was good enough for the half-orc...for now. "We met him in a temple and...say, any idea what this actually is?" pointing to the moon-like tattoo that had begun to glow on his head since he touched the stone there. "Does this make me a member of the Moon clan as well?"

In reply to Izzick (msg # 2):

The Truthteller peers at the stigmata and whistles.  Uhmmm...sorta.  It's a mark of favor in our religion.  You should feel some effect whenever you see the moon...

Since it's come up, Izzy, you get one additional spell of level 3 or less a day.  But you can only cast that extra spell when you are in direct moonlight.

A hot bath was something of a luxury for Zuni, and one that she fully intended to abuse.  It wasn't as though there was a lot of hot water on the ruined streets of Korvosa, and breaking into brothels to use the tub was always risky.  She peeled off her clothing and gave serious thought to burning the lot of it.  There was going to be no way that she was going to be able to wash the smell out.  Her armor she could clean, that was metal, but cloth and leather?

"Hey, I don't suppose that any of you have some spare clothes that I could borrow?" she called out, finishing putting on the only other outfit that she had packed.  The frilly entertainers dress was hardly the best choice of attire for traipsing around the countryside in.  Maybe the Sun Clan would have something that she could use.  They were going to be members after all, so wouldn't that extend to clothing.

Zuni emerged from the tent and stepped over to where Izzick and the Truthteller were talking.  "Talking about Sial?  I don't trust him.  Just haven't figured out what his angle is just yet.  What was that saying?  Keep your enemies closer than your friends?"

Selvin had dismissed his symbiotic pal Zac once they were back among with the Truthteller. He figured Zac would appreciate it since it would give him a chance to not be covered in....worm goo and juices. Selvin was appreciative that Zac had taken the brunt of the goo and juices for him and was easily 'cleaned'. Win-win.

He chuckled as Chandanar deliberately tried to gross out the Truthteller, who kind of deserved. He still wasn't sure what to make of Sial, though. The man was just...creepy and his motives were unclear. He shook his head at the Truthteller. "No." He didn't elaborate.

Selvin glanced at Zuni with a far-too-innocent smile. "Want me t'wash your back?" He was in the process of taking off his armor, which wasn't really all the involved as mostly just a light breastplate and shoulder guards made from lacquered leather plates bound together and fitted over a silk shirt. He stopped and nodded at Zuni. "Sure I guess."

He rummaged in his backpack and pulled out an explorer's outfit tunic. "I don't have a second pair of pants unfortunately, but the armor has a shirt as part of it." He pulled the breastplate off to reveal his bare torso, letting out a sigh of relief. "I just need t'cool down a bit."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:15, Fri 12 Apr 2019.

"Thanks.  Appreciate that."  Zuni replied, giving the Half-Elf a soft smile.



Zuni took the shirt and folded it over one forearm.  "Thanks.  It looks a little more durable than this dress, and a lot more material than that devil girl Sial has working him wears.  Even missing pants."  She stood watching the bare chested Selvin, not ashamed of taking in the sight.  "Summoning Zac takes that much out of you?"

Selvin's smile at her widened slightly when she smiled at him. But inside his thoughts started to whirl. Was she being serious? Was she taking him seriously? Was he flirting too much? Was he in the friendzone? Suddenly little doubts crept into his head. He was unsure of himself.

He shrugged it off and nodded to her. "Of course! Always happy t'help." To her question, he frowned slightly. "Some, but it's not just that. It..." He looked down, searching for the right words. "...bringin' him here, keepin' him here, healin' him with my own vitality, keepin' us both in sync, maneuverin' him but lettin' him have enough control t'be himself an' fight the best he can, that we can...it takes a LOT of effort, physical an' mental." He shrugged. "S'why I don't cast that many spells most o'the time or summon other creatures."

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer,  Truthy says in response to Zuni. I ask because he doesn't seem very trustworthy. While you were gone he kept sending that naked chain freak he calls a girlfriend out like she was delivering messages. He didn't say much to me. But I kinda got the feeling that because I'm necessary, I was safe. He glances around. Glad you guys got back before he decided I wasn't necessary.

"Hold on." Zuni said, tearing her gaze away from Selvin at something their Truthteller had said.  "What do you mean she was out delivering messages?  Messages to whom?"

"Maybe we can finally figure out just what he's up to." A devil being sent to deliver messages wasn't the most unheard of thing - plenty of wizards kept imps and dredges around for just that. One woman he'd met from Cheliax had practically had a parade following her back in the Academae. But a chain devil was a step above and beyond, so clearly it was a message that needed to stay safe. "Perhaps, if we can catch her off guard, we can trap her. I've been considering some of my studies of magic diagrams and theoretically, if we could get her inside of one...we might be able to get some information out of her." If she'd been leaving his side that much, it might be their best chance to get an answer.

Truthy shrugs at Zuni's question. Like I was gonna ask him? Right after you guys left, he started drilling me about the various clans. Then he sits down and starts writing out this long letter. And off she goes. I watched from a safe distance. He shakes his head. I can tell you 9ne thing...whoever it is he worships...it ain't someone run a' the mill.

Yeah I picked up on that too, Chandanar stretches his arms over his head, yawns, and scratches his belly. He ain't no disciple of Asmodeus. That's for sure. He's just using that as a cover.

Selvin rolled his neck around a few times, back and forth, while the other talked, trying to work the kinks out of it. Then shook his head. "Hell with alla this." He let out a frustrated chuckle.

He walked straight towards Sial, stopping a few feet away. "Sial. Time t'tell the truth about who you really worship an' serve, an' who you sent the message or messages to while we were inside the worm. If we think you're lyin' t'us again, we kill you. Clear?"


22:21, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Intimidation.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 12):

You find Sial reclining next to a cooking fire Selvin. He smiles as you approach, though that smile seems a trifle forced as you deliver your ultimatum.

Hmmm... he hmms. Well. I suppose it's about time we discuss these matters. Do you mind if we do it over dinner? The answer you are looking for isn't conveyable in a few sentences. And I believe some of you haven't had a chance to finish refreshing yourselves. We've had an agreeable enough truce up until now. For my side, I believe our interests coincide at least for a while longer. If after you hear me out, you wish to end the truce, well. We can discuss how to separate peacefully. I swear on my appetites...I will not make any moves against your group until I have heard your decision after dinner. Is that fair enough?

Forgot to mention: Know Religon rolls please. If you are a follower of Asmodeus, give yourself a +5 bonus. Thanks
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:01, Mon 15 Apr 2019.

21:15, Today: Izzick rolled 2 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge Religion (Untrained).

Asmode-who?

Selvin gave a slow nod. "Of course we're willin' t'hear you out, Sial. We're not barbarians." He looked over at the Truthteller and smirked. "No offense." Clearly, he maybe meant a tiny bit of offense.

OOC: Can Chandanar Sense Motive him? That's not my strong suit.

19:33, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 15 using 1d20+6.  Knowledge Religion.
19:34, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 19 using 1d20+14.  Perception (any poison in that thar food?).
19:38, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 5 using 1d20+3.  Sense Motive on Sial.

Well, that was blunt, Zuni thought with a shake of her head.  It was probably her own damnable fault for flirting with Selvin and then appearing to brush him off when the topic turned to Sial.  Oh well, it was bound to happen sometime.  Could have waited until after my bath though.

Zuni walked over and stood near the fire, ready to listen.

OOC:
Knowledge Religion -> 12
Sense Motive -> 13

In reply to Izzick (msg # 14):

Selvin, you feel pretty confident the roast Sial has over the spit hasn't been tampered with.  You spot some meat juice on edge of his knife:  he was just tasting it to see if it was done.  He doesn't seem the type to poison himself carelessly.

The oath he took:  ...on my appetites sounds a little odd.  But it doesn't mean anything to any of you.  Chandanar however frowns.  You're swearing by your what?  Appetites?  Oh.  Wait.  Are you one of the Followers of Maw?

Sial smiles broadly.  The first genuine seeming smile you've yet seen from him.  And here I thought you were just a blithering idiot.

Chandanar sighs and seems to refuse to take the bait. About a...what?  Decade ago? There were rumors about a schism in the Church of Asmodeus.  It was kept pretty hush hush.  But the rumors went that some of the upper level clergy found a new patron.  No one really knows who.  But the new patron was planning some kind of coup.  Those who followed him...or her...left Chelaix.  Then, a year or so later, there was supposedly a new cult in town.  The Followers of Maw-

The Maw.  Get it right.

Yeah.  My apologies.  THE Maw.  Anyway.  They're supposedly hardcore pleasure seekers.  Their orgies put the decadence in decadence.  No one really knows who they bend their knees to.  But they supposedly are quite...uh...'active' while those knees are bent.

Sial barks a laugh.  Aren't you a hoot?  There's quite a few of those rumors which are utter balderdash.  He smirks.  But then again, there are a few of those rumors which are spot on.

In any event, yes.  I'm one of the Followers of The Maw.  So.  Why don't you all finish getting ready and we can talk more about the matters at hand over dinner. He glances at the roast.  I think we have one more hour until we're ready.

I'll give you guys a little time in case there's any other roleplaying ops you want to take.

Obviously none of you rolled high enough on the religion check.  Chandy got a natch, so he at least knew something.

We'll play a round of 20 questions with Sial starting tomorrow.  I'm going to keep it short so we can move on to the Sun Clan.

Also, I may be spotty in my posting Wednesday to Saturday.  May have to travel.

Let me know if there's questions.  Thanks folks.

Selvin's face twisted in to a frown. "...The Maw?" He gave an involuntary shiver. "After what we just went through? Yuck, is all I can say. Brings up bad memories." He shook his head. "I guess as long as he doesn't worship that one god....or what was the name, creepy god o'disease, gluttony an'...oh right, Urgathoa!" He shivered again. "So gross."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 18):

Alright.  Let's get to masticating.

An hour and a half later, you are all gathered around the cooking fire. The roast is indeed excellent.  Sial had some Chelaxian herbs on him and the flavors of mint and lemon balm making the rich fatty meat as flavorful as any you've had.  The fact he's come up with a couple of bottles of nice wine don't hurt either.

Right.  So.  I guess I should begin.  Sial neatly wipes his mouth with a handkerchief and sets aside the wooden plate he was using.  I guess I should start where we first met.  As you may have surmised, I was not at that ruin by chance.  I had in fact done an augury about a week before.  And the augury told me that my best chances of meeting you were if I waited in that place.

Your efforts came to the attention of certain of our agents who are present in Korvosa.  The events going on there are of great interest to us.  Specifically, we are concerned about the change that has overcome the Queen.

He sips from his wine glass.  We believe she has come to be possessed.  This has interfered with some of our plans.  No, I will not be explaining what those plans were.  Suffice it to say, all that went the way of ashes once the Queen made her grab for power.

Now, we see an opportunity.  If we can assist in restoring order to Korvosa, we hope to be able to establish a base of operations there.  As He-Who-States-The-Obvious there...  He gestures at Chandanar, has mentioned, we are not exactly welcome in Chelaix. More wine anyone?

Questions for Mr. Sial thus far? Thanks