Kal looks to Pious and asks, "Can you do some sort of divination or augury to which Pious replies, <Blue>"But of course, young Kal."</Blue>

It doesn't matter that Kal is much older than the priest.

He calls upon his god, takes a mighty swig of the elixer of augury and said, "We're gonna be here awhile, might as well keep ourselves warm."

Sure enough, it takes about an hour for the deity's appointed messenger to arrive.

What do you want now Pious?

At which point Pious shrugs his shoulders and leaves it for you to ask the question.

Have a little fun with this.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:04, Fri 21 May 2021.

Kal thought about it and simply said, "What was the Monk seeking here and where might we find it?"

ooc: Messenger? So, it's like a guy with a hat and a clipboard?

You got it! LOL!

The messenger, a stout Irish looking prince says, "Well, lad, what do you want?

When Kal replies, the messenger said, "I have to confer with my people. I'll be right back."

About ten minutes later, the messenger comes back and says, "Oi, laddy, this is a trouble spot. There be's somewhere in the north near the pole a large piece of StarCoal that has fallen to earth. It holds intrinsic magical properties, enough for a bakers dozen of mages to expand their abilities with nary an ounce of sweat. Such a find hasn't been discovered in a thousand years."

"We need you to find that lode, lad. It is very important to make sure the powers of darkness do not get their hands on it!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:11, Fri 21 May 2021.

Kal thought quickly, Yeah, enhance a dozen magi considerably or two or three quite a bit! His thoughts running towards his allied mage, the Beldame and lover, Elora. While he did not yet know what her intentions were long term, the fae beauty would outlive him by several hundred years, so he decided that he would go where the love affair took him, completely taken with her.

He regarded the messenger with a grin and said, "Can you be more specific where it is or can you tell us how to detect it?" Hopefully, they got a few questions before the messenger vanished!

"Listen, do I look like a tour guide? I am a messenger of a fairly well known deity, for St. Criminies sake. It's up to you to figure it out. I will say, it's probably in a deep hole, so even if you're near, you might have take a good bit of time finding it."

Having said his peace, he disappears.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:01, Fri 21 May 2021.

Kal nodded, "My apologies, I did not mean to insinuate that you were some sort of menial, I merely sought more information. Very well, due north until I find a deep hole with a magical rock. Seems simple enough, don't suppose you'd have some sort of distance would you?"

Kal inwardly seethed at the slight but did not want to cause Pious undue stress after being so very helpful all these months. 'Go north and look for a hole' was a good start on a slow death in  his opinion.

Pious sits and sips his elixer. He's a bit ripe at the moment, but still able to talk.

"The messengers can be a bit touchy when it comes to their service to their patron. I wouldn't worry about it. That said, I wouldn't talk the higher ups in that same tone. But you have nothing to fear, most deities want nothing to do with the prime material planes."

Kal sighed. He guessed 'go north and look for a hole' would have to do. He looked up Olaf to get some maps together and compare notes on where they had gone with the Monk and perhaps get a bead on where they must go for the meteor.

Despite the ministrations of the healers in her coven, the Beldame announces that she will not be able to join the party for a second foray into the wastes. She does, however, offer the party some items of use:

4 scrolls: Pass without trace, Summon monster (displacer beast), Cure Serious wounds, spectral Force.

Along with the scrolls, you get 4 potions: Potion of healing (Max recovered HP), Potion of Extra healing (Max recovered HP), Potion of Flying (30 minutes), potion of neutralize poison.
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It's been a couple days since Olaf went in search of the other ranger. On the 5th day he returned with a Wildish looking elfess wearing Studded leather and twin blades over her shoulders. Along with the swords and several daggers about her baldric, a recurved bow is stowed in quiver harness. She is attractive, not conventionally so, but rather an untamed beauty, whose eyes never stop roving, even in the safety of the Beldame's encampment.

Thanking the Beldame for her continued and invaluable assistance, Kal gave the potions to Pious to manage while saving the scrolls for Elora to use. (Yes, I'm letting you do the book keeping unless it becomes a good idea to copy the spells then I'll make sure Elora gets to copy them over into her books as well).

When Olaf arrived with the wild elf, Kal bowed slightly, "Kalmus the Grey, rogue, mage, well met."

The map comparisons with Olaf would have to wait it seemed.

"And to you," the lady elf ranger replied. "I've heard good things about you from Olaf. Seems we three are peas in a pod. But where are my manners. I am Calaidafial, but much easier to say Calli. I've trod these surrounds from top to bottom, all the way to the pole. A strange place, I don't often go there anymore. It should be an interesting trek. Now, how about food!"

It seems she's not one to stand on ceremony - she immediately puts thought to action and heads for the tavern.

ooc: this is a good time to get to know the elfess warder.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:53, Sun 23 May 2021.

Kal smiled, he liked the newcomer but as a companion, his heart was still firmly in Elora's grasp. He turned to her with a smile and kissed her soundly. "It seems, my dear, that we're being summoned to the tavern." Taking her hand, Kal headed for the tavern, rag-tag following in tow.

The group makes its way toward the tavern, Calli and Olaf hurling false insults while talking together about past adventures, Elora and Kal walking behind and listening. Eventually all of you make your way to the tavern, where the Beldame awaits, with her herbal tea and a young initiate who is bright eyed and bit overwhelmed.

A moment later, Agrax and a fairly hung over Pious join the fray. The kitchen bustles, the smell of fried onions, toast, eggs, and pretty much anything anyone would want to eat. In short order, the food is ready and everyone sets to; for awhile there is very little talk and only the sounds of utensils clinking upon dishes indicate anyone is even there.

Eventually, one by one the plates are pushed aside, and carafes of kaf are brought out as the group discusses the next step.

"Well, the time is nigh. The end game approaches, I believe," the Beldame said. "The Black Hole Sun, the Riven King and the Wisp and Smoke tell a tale of daring and danger. Just as we prepare, I believe that the Gith also prepare. It is unfortunate that our ally perished in that last encounter. But we are stout and I feel certain that we will overcome our enemies. It helps that Calli has offered her services to our cause. Now, I've provisioned you with some items that should help.

"Now's the time to ask any final questions."

"Beldame, thanks for all you have done so far. I suppose the only question is: What can you tell us about the Gith that will give us an advantage?"

ooc: was all XP handed out, levels achieved, etc?

Experience Point totals: 8230, including the primary warrior, 4 lesser gith, Red dragon (you were able to hurt it enough so that it flew away), 3 winter wolves and a yeti.

Special award: 2500 for roleplay and items found.

Grand total of 10,750XP
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:29, Fri 28 May 2021.

The party grows quiet, waiting for the Beldame to answer. After a sip of tea she said, "They are powerful mind-renders, on a level with the flayers they once were held in thrall to. They are wanderers of the ethereal plane. They have alliances with the chromatic dragons - it is said that Tiamat herself shares information with their WitchQueen. They use intellect devourers as guardians throughout their secret holds.

If there is a weakness among them, it is that they are constantly at war, both with their enemies the Githyanki, as well as their ancient menace, the Mind Flayers. Typically they fight in small squads, with a mighty captain at the fore. Tis fortunate that they don't typically attack in greater numbers, as we've already seen."

OK, was this for Kal or is this a total?

thanks!

In reply to Stormbringer (msg # 32):

"Is there some way to guard against their mental abilities?" Kal asked. He thought about the other things she had said and then said, "Everyone pull out any maps or notes we have about the area north of here up to the battle in which the Monk died. Let's combine those notes, maps, drawings, musings, journal entries along with anything anyone remembers and get Cali's input which I am sure will be invaluable.

"Let's see if we can make a chart and perhaps figure out the best place to start looking for this shard of magic rock."

That's a total number for XP.

ok, so split how many ways?

Beldame
Elora
Kal
Olaf
Pious
Agrax

Right? 6 ways?

Beldame advanced as much as she's able (which is a very powerful witch).

Olaf, Kal, Elora, Pious, and Agrax get XP awards.

In reply to Stormbringer (msg # 37):

but that figure above is split 5 ways?

yes - each of you get 2150 Xp - if you have reached the next level, mark it on your character sheet.

OK, took level of fighter and maxxed out hit points!! well, 1/3 of max... sigh...

Anyway, onward, let's construct that map!

I'm going to assume that the party will get to where the initial battles took place without any random encounters. From there, you'll be trying to discover where the StarCoal is located While fending off bad guys and gals.

Working on the map now. FYI.