Haazheel has no objections to feeding Mystique.

He can, given time, Identify.

He remarks, "I think we just got volunteered for another trip."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:16, Wed 01 May 2019.

Lantamori was once again unhappy to dwell within the walls of Fort Cross.  She'd be glad to get back on the road in the morning with the caravan.  Out from behind these bleak stone walls.

Master Deyna is happy to have her items and ready to get back on the road.  Commander Brighthearth leaves word that the Leafblade Company may stock up on arrows, bolts, up to two weeks' rations each, and have any of their gear fixed or cleaned before they leave in the morning.

That morning, while the caravan is loading Haazheel can cast identify on any single object to determine all of its magical properties.  But a quick perusal with detect magic will tell you the following about different items (and assuming anyone chooses to examine their worth, can get estimates on the following):


From the caverns where you rescued the dwarves:

*50' of fine golden rope - mundane, fine silk rope, worth 10gp
*a leather belt decorated with symbols of the sun - at the very least you know this is a belt of opposite gender - magical, minor transmutation
*a fine red silk scarf - mundane, worth 50gp
*four colorful potions in a blue leather belt - magical, and upon examination there is a potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of magic fang, elixir of fire breath and a potion of water breathing
*a silver plate decorated with blue stones in a moon motif -  mundane, worth 250gp
*a pair of silvery bracers with symbol of a shield and fists upon them - magical, minor abjuration
*a small heap of coins and gems - 300gp worth of coins, the lesser gems total some 200gp, but one outstanding ruby is worth 1000gp on its own
*a blue-black buckler - Upon examination, it is a quiescent beetle the size of a buckler!
*a pair of green snakeskin gloves - magical, minor transmutation
*a leather collar spiked with wooden spikes - magical, minor transmutation

From the attack by the shadows and bears:

*two dried gourds with broken wax seals that have been cast aside.  It seems as if the gourds had contained something liquid that had since been poured out or drunk - faint residue of magic, minor conjuration and transmutation

*There's also a broken charm that Prreet finds, woven grasses with a bit of polished obsidian caught within its strands.  The charm would have fit around a very large wrist or a normal elf's leg. - Minor divination

From the fight with the harpies:

*two shortswords of fine make, one with a grip of silver carved to look like an octopus, the other with a hilt carved to look like roses, with tiny garnets tucked amongst the “petals.” - Mundane, both masterwork shortsword worth 500gp each due to their fine carvings

*three dead wood pigeons (good eating!) -  made great snacks for the Company's carnivores - unmagical

*two leather belts and scabbards that are in good shape underneath the dirt and blood - mundane, worth 30gp each, one is dark blue, one is rose red

*two belt pouches that have about twenty platinum coins between them - mundane

*Two armbands with shards of obsidian tucked amongst the woven threads.  Anyone examining the items with magic finds that only the armbands have a faint dusting of magic about them.
- magical, minor divination
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:35, Wed 01 May 2019.

Farian awakes the morning of the last leg with an new sense of serenity. "Welcome the Dawn Light with new Awareness! This belt is not a curse, but a revelation!" Even for the preachy priest, this is new to her companions. "As I have admired Saint Bane, so have I admired the woman and her gift to bring Life into the world! The Ultimate Light! It is this form that Pelor has chosen for me, so that I might burn brighter, and banish the darkness like the Dawn Light!" She adjusts her armor and surcoat. "Perhaps a visit to Fort Cross's armorer first, though. The Light shines better from a proper lantern!" she adds with a laugh. It is obvious that she is making her claim on the belt permanent.

She visits the armorer first thing in the morning. Upon learning the properties of the harpy swords, Farian says, "Pelor has granted me the Armorer's Secrets, that I might add enchantments to such blades such as these. Should any of you be so interested, Pelor's Light will shine for you!"

Dellas appreciates the wood pigeon for Vish, who himself seems delighted at the food option and tears into it almost immediately. "Thank you. I am sure... Yes he enjoys it." Dellas says with a slight giggle. Dellas then turns to look at Vish "Perhaps your friend would like some too?" As Dellas pulls out the stone gargoyle and with a word brings it to life "Do you eat?"

"Averdante, the magic arrows that I loaned before are gifted to you now. Use them to good effect!" He approaches the new Farian, who he's starting to get used to in this new form. "I would have the sun god's blessing on my spear, if you will. The abominable werewolves would feel the bite of the sun!"

Farian nods to Narthian. "I will. However, the process is not without cost. The ritual will require expensive materials - to focus and magic of the blessing. I think as much as 1000 gold."

Dante laughs when Narthian tells him to keep the arrows. "Given I shared them with you after I found them, and only later discovered they need to be used with this bow to work to full effect," he brushes his fingers over Ehlonna's bow, "that's probably for the best, but I thank you for them.

"Of course, there's only one left, now, as I used the rest against the shadows. I hope not to need the last one; I need to find one of the Lady's priestesses and find out what they really are -- and find out if it's possible to acquire more. They appeared even more harmful to the shadows than to the crow godling."

Returning to the fort was a relief. Stiffling stone or not, he was glad to sit down and put a full meal in his belly after several lean days.

He's also very happy to take advantage of the chance to restock some travel rations. He'd relied on the halfling's cooking for meals on this journey, but clearly he needed to be prepared for when that luxury wasn't available, too.

Now that things have settled down, Bruenor takes a moment to study Farian.  Seeing a woman in place of the beefy cleric was disconcerting.  He'd have to remember not to try on any random armor without having it fully identified!

"So, Farian, you reckon this is your true form, hmm? What happens if you take the belt off?" he asks, genuinely interested in how all this works.  "Is this permanent, or perpetually dependent on the magic?"

Farian smiles and removes the belt, and she does not change. She rolls up her sleeves, exposing well muscled arms. "I have not changed that much. But the signs are obvious," she says, indicating the sun decorations on the belt. "When our elven friends found the trove in the ceiling, it dropped to my feet. How can it be anything other then a gift from my patron Saint Bane the Scourger, champion of life?" Her smile changes, becoming a bit mischieveous. "Unless, of course, you want to try it?"

Dellas jumped at the opportunity to refresh his food stores and gleefully packed away the rations away. He looked through the items and nodded to the others "I can help if need be on the items if we have the pearls tomorrow morning. Today though I would like to rest. Maybe we should have a feast of sorts tonight?" He seems almost hopeful at the thought.

"I will have to wait," Narthian tells Farian after checking his stash of coins. "Even with my share, I'll be a bit short. However, I do like the silk rope. And, if I'm not being greedy, the potions - particularly the Magic Fang and Fire Breathing." His eyes shine, likely with the thought of a fire breathing wolf.

In reply to Narthian Goldleaf (msg # 269):

Dellas sorta glares at Narthian as he had his eyes on the fire breath potion as well... because who doesn't want to be a dragon for even a moment. He sorta grins at the thought.

In reply to Farian Raymellie (msg # 267):

"Gods!" Bruenor exclaims as he backs away a step from Farian and the belt...almost as if he's afraid even coming into contact with it might forever turn him into a woman.  And for all he knows...it might!  He shakes his head in wonder...permanent...from simply wearing an item of clothing!

"Such powerful magic as this...what...it's...I don't...Gods." he repeats again.  Bruenor finally simply shuts his mouth, realizing nothing intelligent would be coming out of it imminently.

The cleric had proven loyal to their company, regardless.  "Well, you're still a friend either way.  I wish you luck in your new form, good sir...uh, m'lady." he stammers over the last bit.

OOC: I'm assuming Volsh is present but quiet lately...

Volsh laughed suddenly at Bruenor's reaction to Farian. Honestly it was more sound than he'd made in a while, he'd seemed off kilter and quiet for a couple of days now. Almost since they'd returned to the fort. "People turn into wolves and live after they should have died. Turning into a woman isn't the oddest thing I've seen this trip."

He nodded at the other items people discussed, "when we know what those things are I'd like a shot at something if useful for me. That spiked collar looks neat. I'm going to see if I can't get me a horse of my own before we leave here." Volsh added with a chuckle, "It's high time I grew soft like the rest of you."

Volsh stood and started to walk out of the then paused by Narthian and whispered to him.

Then he strode out to fill up his own pack with supplies and see if he could find a horse the fort was willing to part with.

In talking to the Stablemaster, an older human man with a bald head and a slight limp, the man strokes his chin with a callused hand as he considers Volsh's request.

"We get more call for mountain ponies and light horses around here, any beast who can cope with narrow trails.  But sometimes the powers that be send us bigger beasts, or we get some high-ranking officer sent here with a mount from his home, and then realize they can't use it like they should a month after they've been on duty.  Aye, we have a couple who could use better homes in exchange for fair coin."  The Stablemaster takes Volsh down to the end of the stable, past the relatively small messenger horses and mountain ponies used for scouting, to two large horses several hands taller (and definitely far broader) than any of the others.

"The blue roan here is Steelsmiter.  He was a knight's mount, meant for a large man in armor, combat trained, steady in the face of thunder and shouting.  He's a little older, but has years of good service in him still.

"This one here," the Stablemaster gestures at the other, a palamino, "is Eagle.  Bit like your friend Bruenor's horse Demon, I was told this one has a bit of an unusual lineage - one of her ancestors was a pegasus.  No wings on her, but she grows them in her mane and tail, and birds like her something fierce.  She eats what normal horses eat, but put some sun seeds, worms, or caterpillars in front of her and she'll gobble them up too.  Friendly, but when she fights she's got a hoof-bash that'll knock a troll into next week.  I'll let either go for three fifty gold, and throw in their tack," he says, raising an eyebrow at Volsh.

He nodded initally at the man's raised eyebrows. "I like the name of one, but the different in the other. I'll take Eagle and the tack for her. Plus if I can't get normal feed she can eat other things. That is useful. "

Volsh rooted in his pouches and backpack looking for payment, and eventually pulled out a few different coin sacks that he tossed the stablemaster. "You get my heavy coin, no fancy gems for you."

He looked up as he was about to cinch the bags shut. "What about armor. Do you have horse armor?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:36, Wed 08 May 2019.

Dellas looked at Kel as he spoke towards the dragon upon his wrist, switching his tongue to draconic "Do you understand the tongues of the Dragon's? It is a harsh language for me to use. So forgive me if I don't say everything clearly."

Kel nods as he "talks" with the little dragon figure wrapped around Dellas' wrist.  It seems his talking is mostly a matter of gestures, so perhaps Kel only understands multiple languages, rather than speaking them.

"For some the change is natural," Narthian reminds Volsh, the elf's eyes flashing particularly wolfish. "Lycanthropy will change you permanently into a creature of wickedness unless we lift the curse. Never forget this." His hand subconsciously waggles his silvered spear.

Farian smiles warmly at Bruenor. "Please forgive my jest. You are safe in my hands, as always. I will do my best to ensure that no such wicked magic befalls you."

The Stablemaster nods as he brings Eagle out to Volsh.  Her mane and tail look oddly fluffy, but after a second glance you can see feathers growing alongside the hair.  Once you feed her a little and put her through her paces, she seems eager to please.  She is, perhaps very unsurprisingly, very light on her feet.

"Aye, we have horse armor.  Leather barding will likely due for you, as we keep the heavier for the few times we need it ourselves!  Forty gold, and I'll help you tack her up," he says, going to bring out the riveted, stiffened leather horse armor.

Volsh seemed very satisfied with Eagle once they'd gotten to know each other a bit. He wordlessly passed the requested gold to the stablemaster for the barding.

"Yes, show me how to armor her properly." he said with a nod. "If we're in the field, can she wear the armor and sleep or is it too heavy for that?"

He stroked Eagles mane as he spoke to the Stablemaster, fascinated by the mix of feathers and hair that he found there. With a chuckle he added, "might be able to sell these feathers of yours to flethers for my arrows. That would be neat, eh girl?"

The Stablemaster is happy to show Volsh how to tack Eagle's barding up properly.  "You don't to leave this on her when you don't think there's need; it'll chafe and slow her down, just like leaving a saddle on all day.  I'd put it on when you know you're going to be in a fight, or if you know you're coming to a possible ambush site on the road.  I'd leave it off at night and when she's grazing, and mostly leave it off when traveling, unless you're sure you have enemies nearby."

Volsh finds Eagle's feathers too soft to be good for fletching, but they will make a splendid display on a hat or helm.

"Good to know about the armor. My people didn't have many, definitely no armor for them, and definitely none as big or as well trained as Eagle here." Volsh patted Eagle's neck as he worked to re-do what the Stablemaster had shown him, to practice a few times before he took his leave. "Want to make sure I know this so I don't fumble it when we're out in the wilds..."

Though devoid of decoration on his person except his headband with his people's creedo on it, Volsh finds a few of the loose feathers from Eagle and in his freetime that evening, Volsh worked them into a totem that he attached to Widowmaker's shaft, just below the obsidian head. Something to tie him and Eagle together in spirit.