In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 38):

Fenrick was already tired of shopping and still had one more place to go at least, but he pressed on, knowing he had to stock up for what lies ahead.

He felt bad that he was going to intrude on the orc's meal, but he supposed it was her choice to try to eat while running the store.

"Pardon the interruption of your meal, but I was hoping I would be able to purchase a few items.  An Explorer's pack, a crowbar, a set of Traveler's clothes, and a Playing card set."

Fenrick handed over the coins to pay for the items (OOC 14gp 5 sp if going by PHB prices).  "Thank you, and again, my apologies."

With that accomplished, once Gryphon was done with any shopping he cared to do Fenrick went on to visit the Hammer and Anvil.  Fenrick was considering upgrading his armor from Chain Mail to Splint and wanted to see if the store had a suit available.

Anders looked a little shocked and surprised but recovered quickly. He smiled widely. "Well! That is very generous of you!" He shook his head slightly. "I don't have the items with me, since I was going to identify them after I'd learned the spell, assuming I could find the spell."

He pulled his spellbook out. "I fear my recorded spells are a bit basic, but if you find one that you would like to copy in return, you are most welcome to do so."

He glanced at Sora. "You are, of course, also welcome to watch, but I fear this may be a trifle boring and will take a couple of hours."

Sora smiled at the offer of remaining. "My magic is different to yours. You copy the spell, I will find the others and bring them and the items here."

She then goes to leave, but pauses at the door, looks at them and smiles. "Perhaps our new friends have some insight of my magic."

She then left the shop, searching gor the others in the town

-------------------------------------------

Sora returns some time later with a bag in hand and smiles at Anders, handing him the bag.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:55, Wed 22 July 2020.

He listened patiently as Chelonia explained her ideas about what might cause a whole group of people to have nightmares "Thank you for sharing your insight regarding the possibilities." He paused and pondered. "Do you have any farther insight about how to seek out such things to combat them? You certainly know more about this than I. Perhaps the keepers of this temple know even more? Or have resources we may use to seek enlightenment? While research is not my strong suit, it seems necessary. If it is within our ability to stop this nighttime assault, we should do it."

Alekos' eyes stopped drifting around the place and drifted back to Chelonia as she spoke. They got significantly wider as her speculation went on. Morwinyon's calmness in the face of the information given though allowed Alekos to remain mostly relaxed as well. "By the old gods and new..." The phrase rolled off his tongue like a favored curse. And then he snapped his mouth shut realizing where they were standing. "Uh, sorry. Habit."

He really was at peak charm here, right now... He shook his head and raised one hand to rub at his temple. First impressions were usually his thing but obviously last night's dreams had taken their toll. And that was just one night. "I agree, we gotta stop whatever it is that doing this. Strange though, most of the locals didn't seem impacted."

In response to Morwinyon:

"It is highly unlikely that any cleric here would know more on the subject.  I am what is known as a Twilight Cleric. Just as twilight is the time noting the shift between night and day both at dawn and at dusk there is a space between sleep and wakefulness where dreams take place.  It requires specialized training to be able to influence or 'walk' within them.  There are a few divine and arcane magics in existence that enable dream walkers to do what they do, but none that I can think of that would allow for what we all are experiencing simultaneously in our sleep.

It is unlikely that this is the work of a hag as there is too much effort involved...it is too methodical.  They seek quick results so that they may feed.  Though, if this is the work of a Spirit Shaman, it is rare for their efforts involving the dreams of others to possess ill intent.  I'm sorry as that doesn't really answer the question you asked...but without more to go on, that is the best I can offer."

(OOC) Sorry for the Delayed post, for whatever reason I couldn't get on the website Yesterday.

Sora walks in a rather large bag slung over her shoulder. From the bag she produces a few items that make sense, then a few more that too a commoner would make their eyes bug out.

"Oh a very interesting assortment of items, we have here. Luckily for each of you, I am more than a practitioner of arcane, I have also studied at Brannstan University not only will I be able to tell you any magical properties I can also give you the lore if any noted." He smiled both at slipping in a compliment himself and at the notion of discovery. "Of course, hoping and knowing I shall see your patronage, I will look at these items free of charge complimentary if you will."

Lifting the ring aloft he cast a simple spell while holding a pearl aloft, both the words and motions he made musical and powerful. As Anders knows, each Wizard casts a spell with their own flavor, certain aspects are similar, but as a signature or mark each spell to a wizard is unique. "Oh yes, I thought I recognized the rune engravings, if one were to wear this they would have a magical enhancement to avoid getting hit in many situations."

Taking the clear liquid vial he simply says, "Potion that would turn the drinker and what they wear invisible. And this Red potion would heal great wounds on the drinker."

Grabbing the Jug he smiles, "Interesting find, I have one of my own, very useful and can be vaulable to the right person. Each location produces a different liquid. Only a certain amount comes at a time, but each time you use it more will come out. Each Dawn the contents are reset. The green is Acid, the lime green Basic poison, the light brown Beer, the yellow Honey, the white Mayonnaise, the black Oil, the brown Vinegar, dark blue fresh Water, light blue salt Water, and red is Wine."

Once again using the pearl, "Very curious, these slippers would give the wearer the ability to walk on walls and ceils like a spider. I would be interested in this item of course unless you want it. Would back a great gift."

Taking up the Greataxe, obviously uncomfortable holding it taking the pearl again. "Yes, the edge is keen, and brutal those that would wield it would find hitting and dealing more damage more often. There are also runes, unrelated to the enchantment. Warning those that would attack the wielder. I can't discern what these warnings mean, but they are powerful and strong."

"Ah, a rod of magic, these are highly sought after and valuable. These one is very rare and would be a great addition to my collection. This Rod makes the wielder more alert of their surroundings while also giving a few lesser powerful arcane spells. And can bestow an area of protection." 

Grabbing the hilt he turns it over a few times examining it. "Very interesting, this is an ancient hilt. Dating back when the Lizardfolk Empire use to control this area. The workmanship is exquisite, with the right metal and a master smith a sword could be crafted from it that would prove very powerful. As it is right now, nothing more than an artifact. To the right buyer would fetch a very good price."


he turns to regard the two, after examining all the items shown to him.


OOC

I will be getting the Smith for Fenrick and Gryphon tonight, I have to take care of my daughter.

Ring of Evasion
Potion of invisibility
Potion of Greater healing
Alchemy Jug
Slippers of Spider Climbing
Greataxe +1 with an unknown Enchantment
Rod of Alertness
  Rod, very rare (requires attunement)
  This rod has a flanged head and the following properties.
  Alertness: While holding the rod, you have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and on rolls for initiative.
  Spells: While holding the rod, you can use an action to cast one of the following spells from it:
  Detect evil and good, detect magic, detect poison and disease, or see invisibility.
  Protective Aura: As an action, you can plant the haft end of the rod in the ground, whereupon the rod’s head sheds bright light in a 60-foot
  radius and dim light for an additional 60 feet. While in that bright light, you and any creature that is friendly to you gain a +1 bonus to AC
  and saving throws and can sense the location of any invisible hostile creature that is also in the bright light. The rod’s head stops glowing and
  the effect ends after 10 minutes, or when a creature uses an action to pull the rod from the ground. This property can’t be used again until the
  next dawn.
The hilt of Broken Sword - valuable to a collector and cool lore, could be crafted into a powerful weapon with the right metals and a master smith.

Sora looked at Ander's, knowing well that any one of these items was a rare item, and that several of them virtually impossible to find. She raised her eyebrows at the magic user, impressed with him and the group for the items.

Sora looked at the man with a smile. "You have our thanks for your assistance in this and rest assure, our patronage will be with you." She places the items back in the bag of holding and smiled. "the group as a whole will need input on these and who would like them, but any that are needed, we will return here."

She looked at Anders with a smile. "I will wait for you at the inn." Again, the young girl looked at the shop owner. "I may return soon....someone of your knowledge may be able to help me with some questions."

She them smiles as she departs

In the church Alekos listened intently to Chelonia's further explanation, an idea growing in his mind. He probably should have thought of it sooner but, curse the long night he'd had, his mind was already muddled and his usual quickness of thought was slowed this day. "These various things that might be haunting our dreams you say they would inhabit this space between dreams and wakefulness. Something you specialize in it sounds like. This twilight zone if you will. I don't know much about it but I've a trick I've learned using a certain prop that allows me to see things that others can't if only for a short time. Would this trick perhaps be able to see one of the twilight walkers or whatever it is that is coordinating an assault on all our dreams? That is, if I were to observe a dreamer in the thralls of a nightmare caused by one of these things while I could see things that aren't usually there, would I perhaps be able to gain some insight into what they are? And, perhaps more importantly, if they noticed I was observing them would I be in any danger if I'm awake?"

Anders was busy with copying the Identify spell from the other mage's spellbook. He gave a very bare acknowledgement of Sora when she returned, his attention very focused. It took time and effort to copy the spell, so he barely heard what the items were when identified, though the information was stored in the back of his brain for analysis later. Several of them sounded very interesting.

He kept working away since it would take two hours, though.

The cleric had both knowledge and pride, a dangerous combination. "Knowing that the grasshoppers cause the crops to fail is not the same as knowing how to stop them from destroying the crops."

But his newest friend proved to be a man of unusual talents. "Alekos, sounds like you have the start of an idea on how to stop these things now that you know what to search for. Not a one of these things, knowing of things that cause horror dreams, or how to find them, is anything in which I have expertise."

As the duo approaches the smith the smell of ash fills their nostrils. The smithy is small, but even as untrained people us notice it is set up to make a perfect rotation of tools, everything is perfectly placed in the most optimal locations. Three younger men are moving about doing various tasks. A large barrel-chested man working a horseshoe. To the side of the smith is a small collection of armors and arms that are for sale.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 51):

Fenrick remembered the smell of ash.  There was always a smith present near the battlefield to repair arms and armor after each battle.  He had learned some things while watching and helping them out, and hoped one day he would maybe have a smith of his own to tend when the time came to settle down.  "It's been a long time", he thought to himself, "since I smelled this.  Seems like so long ago..."

After a brief pause to reminisce, his thoughts came back to the task at hand.  He walked up to the older gentleman who he believed to be the master smith and waited for a proper time to introduce himself.

"Well met sir, and I apologize for the intrusion.  My name is Fenrick, and I was wondering if you had a Splint armor suit for sale?  I was looking to trade in my current armor for one if you had one available."

Fenrick had some trouble getting out the part about trading in his current suit of armor; he had worn this armor for most if not all of his military career.  He had grown very attached to it, saving his life more times than he could count.  But he knew if he were to survive what lie ahead, he needed all the protection he could afford.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:07, Fri 24 July 2020.

“Welcome!!” The mans voice boomed, yelling even though he didn’t need to. His massive frame walked over to regard Fenrick. Under his gray washed beard and long hair a wide smile spread on his face, his eyes warm and welcoming.

“Hahaha indeed you do need a new set of armor. That one you have there is worst for wear. Patched, dented, smashed, it’s a wander this set has kept you alive. Hope you haven’t been in a fight recently, this armor might have fallen off you on the first hit. Bahaha. Hmmm, I guess I could scrap the metal, I will give you its weight in gold. The best I can do, it’s a relic of your past, but worthless to me. I’ll give you 40gp. We can put it against the cost of the splint mail. I have two sets, your lucky though, just about to finish another set, I can fit you in it, it will cost an extra 10gp.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:57, Fri 24 July 2020.

In reply to Alekos Eclipse (msg # 48):

"I really couldn't say without knowing the specifics of the 'trick's you've referenced? Could you elaborate?"

"Master smith, I am looking for a suit of studded armor and a rapier. If you can provide me with what I need, am willing to donate this leather armor to someone in need. Will leave it to you to select the deserving person." Looks around the shop as Fen also conducts his business with the Smith.

"Well, I mean I haven't done it often before..." Alekos furrowed his brow looking at Chelonia as he tried to figure out how to explain it. Then he raised both of his apparently bare hands up turning them this way and that. "Most of the stage magic I do is smoke and mirrors but there have been a few things I've picked up that are actually founded in the truly arcane. Using these, the right combination of words, and some talc and bit of powdered silver I can see things that would otherwise be invisible or even those ghostly things that live in the next world. I try not to use it around graveyards ever since..." He sort of shuddered, "Well anyway... Do you think it could be of advantage to us? Its not something I'm very practiced at though so if your wizard friend Anders or maybe that other gal Sora. Oh right you haven't met her, also arcanely inclined I think she said something about sorcery right Morwinyon? Maybe they or someone else in the group would be better to handle it. I can't really get it to work all the time... Still getting the hang of these." After all that he hooked his thumbs back in his belt and looked at Chelonia expectantly with a half quirked almost smug but mostly tired grin.

OOC: He's offering to use a once a day ability to cast See Invisibility which also reveals the ethereal plane for an hour. That newly identified rod could accomplish the same if the actual casters haven't got the spell available.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 53):

"Excellent!", Fenrick replied with enthusiasm.  "I shall gladly take you up on your offer with many thanks."

Fenrick removed the chain mail and handed it to the smith.  He then handed him the remaining coin for the purchase and waited for the smith to be ready for the fitting portion. (OOC 200+ 10 for fitting -40 = 170gp)

Once that was complete, he donned the armor and smiled.  It had been a long time since he was in a suit of armor that looked respectable.  "Again, many thanks sir.  I look forward to coming back the next time I'm in need of something.  And perhaps some day you can teach me a thing or two as well about the trade".

With his portion complete, he waited for Gryphon to finish his shopping, perusing the weapon to see if any struck his interest for future purchases.

Once Gryphon was done, he turned to him and asked, "So, anywhere else?  I believe I am done for now.  Or should we head back to the tavern and see if the others have returned and found out anything?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Sat 25 July 2020.

"Yes let us return and see if we can finally divide up our loot, so  that we can get ready for our next adventure."

Chelonia listened intently as Alekos described his 'trick' in greater detail.  She went silent for a short while and bemused the possibilities.  Eventually she turned to the man and offered him a warm and friendly smile:

"I think you may be on to something, as I am fairly confident that would work.  The challenge becomes 'being in the right place at the right time'.  I would think you would have to be awake while others were sleeping 'and' this dream walker would need to be present in the dreams of the those you are observing 'at the same time'.  That creates a fairly small window of about an hour.  We have no evidence, at this time, as to whether or not it is observable to know when such an entry of dreams is occuring?"

In reply to Gryphon (msg # 55):

“Oh yes or course, studded leather is a common purchase with the guards and repaired often. I also have a few rapiers first sale, again a common purchase and if you leave it with me I will make sure to find a Good home for it.”

"Aye, the timing of the thing will be the difficult part..." Alekos fell silent for a bit leaving space for others to interject. Specifically he looked to Morwinyon, a person who seemed to have a few good insights in the short time they'd known eachother. His mind wandered while waited. Maybe some of the others from the tavern would have more to add to this idea that was building as well. It was going to be hard to think over the next few days if their nights kept ending like the last... The nightmare had only started while in the keep for himself maybe it only happened here. He'd have to ask once everyone was together again. Unless someone else had the same thought and asked before he could.

"If it happens any time someone sleeps, then arranging that is easy enough. Falling asleep is not exactly a challenge. If it happens any time someone sleeps, your plan can be investigated any time. If it only happens during the night, same kind of issue for us about the actual when besides it just being at night."

He stopped just to gather his thoughts before launching into it again. "The notion of this being about seeking out feeding would almost be a comfort. It would suggest happening at the same time with a very specific intention. Can this thing you all a Spirit Shaman influence a population this size? Can it broadcast across so many people? Can any of these things? If neither Hags nor Shaman can do this sort of thing, perhaps it is yet more sinister. If you wanted to do terrible things to a large number of people, having them be short on sleep and disturbed by their dreams, having them feel isolated and afraid to sleep, that is a rather distressing tactic. We should speak with those who live here, like these priests, and find out how long this has been going on."

"Perhaps some investigation is required into whether others here at the keep are being affected or if it is just us and the others of our group?"

Sora, having returned to the inn, sat at a table, drowsy and exausted. Thinking on her time since her arrival, not even a day ago yet, she had found like minded people and had (to some degree) a purpose.

Alexos and Mowinyon, who had came into town just after her, were the first to sit with her, then the others. She smiled as she sat there, thinking of the people she had known this short time, then the smile faded.

Would they leave her like everyone else did?

She sighed and her eyes drooped at the table, and she opened them suddenly. She needed to stay awake....another nightmare like last night could be a problem.

She ordered some water, and sat, waiting for the others