I wonder if we could counter-infiltrate the Illithid base, most connections can be made 2-ways after all.
Maybe through possession? Try to see if someone/something possessing more soul/mind lore can find a way to access the dormant body after possessing the puppet and go from there.
I wonder if we could counter-infiltrate the Illithid base, most connections can be made 2-ways after all.
Maybe through possession? Try to see if someone/something possessing more soul/mind lore can find a way to access the dormant body after possessing the puppet and go from there.
Good idea but risky. All of the Psionic clones have deadman switches in the form of their original bodies in the Deep Ones possession. If we dont move their souls to the clone and destroy all the original tissue through abxhanneled curse they will kill them.
Also thinking about it I would add Detect Undead Monocles to that list of Detect Items for Inquisitiors. That one to check all grave sites and places of conflict to check for any potential trouble.
Good idea but risky. All of the Psionic clones have deadman switches in the form of their original bodies in the Deep Ones possession. If we dont move their souls to the clone and destroy all the original tissue through abxhanneled curse they will kill them.
Also thinking about it I would add Detect Undead Monocles to that list of Detect Items for Inquisitiors. That one to check all grave sites and places of conflict to check for any potential trouble.
True but I'd like to save as many as we can. They are the only technically human Psionics users in existence.
Oh and Detect Demon is apparently a spell. Go figure. Basically in my ideal scenario Inquisitors would want around with a key ring full of Monocles like in that scene in Constantine checking an area and people for everything down the list. Ideally.
Detect Magic and Psionics for checking Mindcontrol, Deep One Infiltrator, illusions or posession. Detect Undead to check one for ghosts or other undead auras. Detect Mind to see if something is hiding.
Detect Life for the same but to check if somebody is actually a construct or something. That Detect shifter spell I cant remember to check for Werepeople. And Detect Abberation and Demon to check for any of them.
Hmm apparently Detect Charm is also a thing. Add a monocle of that with Detect magic and any Inquisitor could check if a person has magic on them, change tot he other thing to check if they are a sap being controlled or manipulated and act accordingly.
Now if only there was a Detect Devil, Detect Daemon and Detect Asura.
True but I'd like to save as many as we can. They are the only technically human Psionics users in existence.
Oh and Detect Demon is apparently a spell. Go figure. Basically in my ideal scenario Inquisitors would want around with a key ring full of Monocles like in that scene in Constantine checking an area and people for everything down the list. Ideally.
Detect Magic and Psionics for checking Mindcontrol, Deep One Infiltrator, illusions or posession. Detect Undead to check one for ghosts or other undead auras. Detect Mind to see if something is hiding. Detect Life for the same but to check if somebody is actually a construct or something. That Detect shifter spell I cant remember to check for Werepeople. And Detect Abberation and Demon to check for any of them. Now if only there was a Detect Devil, Detect Daemon and Detect Asura.
I wonder if we could counter-infiltrate the Illithid base, most connections can be made 2-ways after all.
Maybe through possession? Try to see if someone/something possessing more soul/mind lore can find a way to access the dormant body after possessing the puppet and go from there.
Adhoc vote count started by egoo on Oct 18, 2019 at 3:52 PM, finished with 112 posts and 13 votes.
[X] Shopping -[X] Commission Enchantments --[X] Level 8-9: Eight Rings of Mind Blank (22,000 IM each, 176,000 IM total) ---[X] Speak to the Master Enchanters to get an idea of what each would require to permanently enter your services. What kinds of research they might wish to work on, what their goals are and whether or not they would chaff under your employment, etc. Once you get a general idea you can decide whether or not to pose an offer to them before you leave Vialesk. --[X] Level 6-7: Twenty-nine +1 Soulfire Mithril Bracers (5,000 IM each, 145,000 IM total), and three Circlets of Perceive Betrayal (26,400 IM each, 73,800 IM total) --[X] Level 0-5: One-hundred PfE Rings (800 IM each), one-hundred Healing Belts (150 IM each), one-hundred Wands of Cure Light Wounds (150 IM each), twenty items (spectacles or something) with a constant Detect Aberration effect (800 IM each), ten Gravewatch Pendants to be given to the Night's Watch (1,600 IM each), two-hundred Beads of Newt Prevention (200 IM each), two-hundred Muleback Cords (200 IM each), ten Inquisitor's Monocles (1,360 IM each), and twenty Spectacles of Understanding (600 IM each) - 113,400 IM ---[X] Grand Total Expenditure: 508,200 IM -[X] Go to the Mirror Market --[X] Browse what lore is available for purchase (rare books and regular lore are both of interest, but make sure to get a book on aquatic architecture for use once we get back home) ---[X] Also get Extraordinary Maps of Vialesk and the Plane of Water, and the Inner and Outer Planes if any are available (hopefully ones good enough to detail strongholds of the Deep Ones) --[X] Browse what aquatic beasts are available for purchase (starting with Hippocampi to buy in bulk but other animals are also of interest) --[X] Browse what aquatic plants are available for purchase --[X] See what mercenaries/adventurers are available for hire and if any might be tempted into our service, especially against the Deep Ones --[X] Hire any available Alchemists --[X] Purchase two Titan's Tool equivalents for Coral Growth to properly build up the aquatic sector of Sorcerer's Deep to be equal to the surface --[X] Purchase as many of those Aberration-detecting pearls that Relath purchased a while back as you can for use all across the Imperium --[X] We will purchase all available single-use Teleport, Plane Shift, and Sending Charms (each should be 450 IM to purchase)
Once the last of the contracts have been signed you escort your newest retainers home, leaving them to the already experienced of what are already unofficially named 'Alinor's greeters', clerks whose task it is to swiftly and effectively teach the very basics of life not only in Sorcerer's Deep but in the world under the sun.
"... yes the sky is full of air, we are not sure if it goes on forever, no nothing too terrible falls out of it in the usual run of things, especially here where we have Zathir to look out for us..." one goes on to explain.
Unlike with most other visitors to Sorcerer's Deep the talk of warding serpent gods lays to rest more questions than it raises. The greeters know their business. "Do you think they aught to be folded into the diplomatic corps?" you ask your mother as the two of you prepare to return to Vialesk.
After pondering the question for a moment she shakes her head. "No, though this might make use of some of the same skills it is not really a herald's task, more oil for the gears of state."
***
Ninth Day of the Eleventh Month 293 AC
On the next day you head out to commission a truly prodigious number of enchantments, from circlets anointed with the blood of guardians loyal onto death that the furies might see through even the most skillful of treachery to pendants blessed by priests of the Merling King to guard against the unliving and meant for the men of the Night's Watch. Doubtlessly the clerks of the Imperial Administration would greet the spectacles that can read any tongue with just as much fervor given the recent expansion to the east. Still, it is acquiring the more potent enchantments that will require the deftest touch...
Enchanted Items:
Level 8-9: Eight Rings of Mind Blank (22,000 IM each, 176,000 IM total)
Level 6-7: Twenty-nine +1 Soulfire Mithril Bracers (5,000 IM each, 145,000 IM total), and three Circlets of Perceive Betrayal (26,400 IM each, 73,800 IM total)
Level 0-5: One-hundred PfE Rings (800 IM each), one-hundred Healing Belts (150 IM each), one-hundred Wands of Cure Light Wounds (150 IM each), twenty items (spectacles or something) with a constant Detect Aberration effect (800 IM each), ten Gravewatch Pendants to be given to the Night's Watch (1,600 IM each), two-hundred Beads of Newt Prevention (200 IM each), two-hundred Muleback Cords (200 IM each), ten Inquisitor's Monocles (1,360 IM each), and twenty Spectacles of Understanding (600 IM each) - (113,400 IM total)
Costs: 508,200 IM
A great mage might ignore a bag heavy with coin, for the powers they wield can easily be turned to making more. By the same token mages who have mastered the Eighth or Ninth Circle might feel comfortable leaving the door firmly closed in a Dragon's face, or even that of two Dragons come to that, but both together have a way of opening many paths indeed. Some are reluctant, others confused by your heritage, and a couple seems so distracted by their studies that they would not notice if you were a Dragon or a talking donkey. Of those curious enough to do more than take their payment for a promissory note you mark three who seem genuinely interested in the possibilities of the Sphere of Balance, the Garden of old.
The first is Clo'Tiss, a Locathah sorcerer who replaced much of his scaly skin with rune-etched True Silver. His tower, for it is almost invariably a tower as high places seem to draw mages almost as much as they draw cats, is filled with all manner of clockwork contraptions wrought of bone, limestone and even cold delicate copper wires set in arcane traceries of his own design. Unusually for a mage involved in a great project he makes no attempt to veil his interests, crafting the most efficient constructs with the least amount if magic. "If only the Garden had remained as drained of magic as it was so recently, I would have been most eager to accompany you then," he comments.
"Had that sphere remained so drained of magic you could have never visited it, nor I for that matter," Relath says with utter seriousness that you nonetheless suspect of holding more than genuine annoyance.
"Quite so... quite so..." the mage shook his head. "In any case I would be interested in acquiring samples of magically nonreactive materials and any other means of lowering ambient magic without outright banishing them. If you could find such a place in your domain I would be inclined to take your generous offer."
To that you have no answer yet, and so you take your leave and move on with your visits.
The next mage to show more interest in you than the weight of your coin pouch is one of the rare full-blooded Marid in Vilaesk, a rather bombastic fellow by the name of Zamorto. He makes no attempt to hide his connections to several Free Companies and rumor has it that he is studying wide-scale battlefield magic, though despite being loud and inclined to gossip he does not seem to trust you quite enough to speak of his studies.
Lastly is a sorceress with a ribbon of glistering blue-grey scales ruining over her face and around the neck. One look into the bright sea-green eyes is enough to guess at the Brine Dragon blood, but as easily as you had guessed her heritage she does not offer her true name, but only the title Wavespinner. Her current project is not easily guessed, though she does seem uncommonly curious about Relath.
Which of the three do you attempt to cultivate going forward?
[] Clo'Tiss (INT based caster; max spell level 8)
[] Zamorto (Sorcerer Creature/Sorcerer, max spell level 8)
[] Wavespinner(CHA based caster; max spell level 9)
[] Write in
OOC: You guys rolled only middling to fair so no clear avenues for recruitment at first attempt, so the question is now who you want to focus on getting to know. @Abhishek M I'm sorry there's no alchemy yet, the enchanters took up the spotlight in this update. I'll cover hunting for alchemists tomorrow.
I wonder if we could counter-infiltrate the Illithid base, most connections can be made 2-ways after all.
Maybe through possession? Try to see if someone/something possessing more soul/mind lore can find a way to access the dormant body after possessing the puppet and go from there.
Hmmm... In that case let's go for the latter two. Clo'Tiss probably just wants an area of dead magic to practice in, so we'll contact him when we find one.
[X] Cultivating Contacts
-[X] Zamorto (Sorcerer Creature/Sorcerer, max spell level 8)
-[X] Wavespinner (CHA based caster; max spell level 9)
-[X] Resolve to contact Clo'Tiss later if you ever find a place like he requested
-[X] Move on to the Mirror Market
Once the last of the contracts have been signed, you escort your newest retainers home, leaving them to the already experienced of what are already unofficially named Alinor's 'greeters', clerks whose task it is to swiftly and effectively teach the very basics of life not only in Sorcerer's Deep, but in the world under the sun.
"...yes the sky is full of air, we are not sure if it goes on forever. No, nothing too terrible falls out of it in the usual run of things, especially here where we have Zanthir to look out for us..."
Unlike with most other visitors to Sorcerer's Deep, the talk of warding serpent gods lays to rest more questions than it raises. The greeters know their business. "Do you think they aught to be folded into the diplomatic corps?" you ask your mother as the two of you prepare to return to Vialesk.
After pondering the question for a moment she shakes her head. "No, though they might make use of some of the same skills, it is not really a herald's task, more oil for the gears of state."
***
Ninth Day of the Eleventh Month 293 AC
On the next day you head out to commission a truly prodigious number of enchantments. From circlets anointed with the blood of guardians loyal unto death that the Furies might see through even he most skillful of treachery, to blessed pendants of wrought by priests of the Merling King to guard against the unliving and meant for the men of the Night's Watch. Doubtless, the clerks of the imperial administration would greet the spectacles that can read any tongue with just as much fervor given the recent expansion to the east. Still, it is acquiring the more potent enchantments that will require the deftest touch....
Enchanted Items:
Level 8-9: Eight Rings of Mind Blank (22,000 IM each, 176,000 IM total)
Level 6-7: Twenty-nine +1 Soulfire Mithril Bracers (5,000 IM each, 145,000 IM total), and three Circlets of Perceive Betrayal (26,400 IM each, 73,800 IM total)
Level 0-5: One-hundred PfE Rings (800 IM each), one-hundred Healing Belts (150 IM each), one-hundred Wands of Cure Light Wounds (150 IM each), twenty items (spectacles or something) with a constant Detect Aberration effect (800 IM each), ten Gravewatch Pendants to be given to the Night's Watch (1,600 IM each), two-hundred Beads of Newt Prevention (200 IM each), two-hundred Muleback Cords (200 IM each), ten Inquisitor's Monocles (1,360 IM each), and twenty Spectacles of Understanding (600 IM each) - 113,400 IM
Costs: 508,200 IM
A great mage might ignore a bag heavy with coin, for the powers they wield can easily be turned to making more. By the same token, mages who have mastered the eighth or ninth circle might feel comfortable leaving the door firmly closed in a dragon's face, or even that of two dragons come to that, but both together have a way of opening many paths indeed. Some are reluctant, others confused by your heritage, and a couple seem so distracted by their studies they would not notice if you were a dragon or a talking donkey. Of those curious enough to do more than take their payment for a promissory note, you mark three who seem genuinely interested in the possibilities of the Sphere of Balance, the Garden of old.
The first is Clo'Tiss, a locathah sorcerer who replaced much of his scaly skin with rune-etched true silver. His tower, for it is almost invariably a tower, as high places seem to draw mages almost as much as they draw cats, is filled with all manner of clockwork contraptions wrought of bone, limestone and even cold delicate copper wires set in arcane traceries of his own design. Unusually for a mage involved in a great project, he makes no attempt to veil his interests, crafting the most efficient constructs with the least amount if magic. "If only the Garden had remained as drained of magic as it was so recently, I would be most eager to accompany you there," he comments.
"Had that sphere remained so drained of magic you could have never visited it, nor I for that matter," Relath says with utter seriousness, that you nonetheless suspect of holding more than genuine annoyance.
"Quite so... quite so..." the mage shook his head. "In any case, I would be interested in acquiring samples of magically nonreactive materials, and any other means of lowering ambient magic without outright banishing it. If you could find such a place in your domain, I would be inclined to take your generous offer."
To that you have no answer, not yet at least, and so you take your leave and move on with your visits.
The next mage to show more interest for you than the weight of your coin pouch is one of the rare full blooded marid in Vilaesk, a rather bombastic fellow by the name of Zamorto. He makes no attempt to hide his connections to several Free Companies, and rumor has it that he is studying wide-scale battlefield magic. Despite being loud and inclined to gossip, however, he does not seem to trust you quite enough to speak of his studies.
Lastly is a sorceress with a ribbon of glistering blue-grey scales ruining over her face and around the neck. One look into the bright sea-green eyes is enough to guess at the Brine Dragon blood. She does not offer true name, only the title Wavespinner. Her current project is not easily guessed, though she does seem uncommonly curious about Relath.
Which of the three do you attempt to cultivate going forward?
[] Clo'Tiss (INT based caster; max spell level 8)
[] Zamorto (Sorcerer Creature/Sorcerer, max spell level 8)
[] Wavespinner(CHA based caster; max spell level 9)
[] Write in
OOC: You guys rolled only middling-fair so no clear avenues for recruitment at first attempt, so the question is now who you want to focus on getting to know. @Abhishek M I'm sorry there's no alchemy yet, the enchanters took up the spotlight in this update. I'll cover hunting for alchemists tomorrow.
Here's an edited version of the chapter, @DragonParadox.
Commissioned items have been added to the appropriate section of the Armory.
Speaking of commissioned items, @DragonParadox, we have four sets of Soulfire Bracers commissioned on the 3rd of last month. Safe to assume someone made the quick trip there to pick them up for us? I can go ahead and move them to the Wondrous Item section.
Enchanted Items [Commissioned on the 8th day of the 11th month, 293 AC]
[X] Clo'Tiss
-[X] "Honored Wisdom, I will endeavor to keep my eye out for such a low-ambient zone of magic, though with all of the strange phenomenon I have witnessed effecting our Plane, to the sheer variance in these effects, you would likely have better luck chasing such leads in the Garden than waiting for rumors of uncommon deposits turning up where they are likely warded as they often are by hazards both mundane and not."
-[X] Describe the duality of conceptual rivening of Fire effecting the wastes of the Lands of Long Summer, the Shadow that hangs above Asshai and how reality fades out the closer to the poles you near until it is less a matter of distance than will that one might advance or retreat across the twisting nether and ice. "I was of the understanding the Elemental Planes were given to follow certain rhythms if not necessarily ordered, ever-shifting unless the scales were tilted by a Power's finger pressing upon them. I also discovered some zones of wild magic in the Southlands--that is to say, near an equatorial range miles away from my realm, where the ruins of long lost civilizations are often marked by a variety of enchantments given over to the environment or vents for energies sprouting from the earth, air and water." Meaning no one is going to risk going into the wildlands here or anywhere else in the Inner Spheres without a good reason, but exploring the Plane of Balance wouldn't be particularly onerous for a mage of the Eighth or Ninth circle in all but the most deadly places, and they would need people equally skilled cooperating together to delve into them anyway.
-[X] "However, if you are attempting to advance the cause of magical engineering and construct forging, I haven't met anyone more skilled at the task than those researching those fields in my realm." Describe the work of Lya and Anu.
[X] Zamorto
-[X] Lead the conversation toward how you are planning to place several or more Free Companies on retainer if possible to further your war in the Deep and carve out safe haven in the Narrow Sea for your vassals. Might need to ward the room prior to that if it's not already.
-[X] The battles ahead on that front will likely have many different hard targets and masses of enemies where battlefield scale magic would see much practical use, and as is often the case when advancing a field which is just as much luck as it is skill, practical examples advances study more rapidly than anything else.
-[X] And if it ends up killing Mind Flayers, Aboleths and other horrors, no one is likely to find more acceptable targets than that, especially for a Marid mage.
-[X] If some targets to test his research on isn't enough enticement, we also have our own battlefield spells that might be of interest to him. If he lends his aid to our cause, the Hammer of the Waters is one spell which might be of immense use to him.
[X] Wavespinner
-[X] Encourage Relath to feel her out in private while you focus on the others before deciding on your approach.
[X] Clo'Tiss
-[X] "Honored Wisdom, I will endeavor to keep my eye out for such a low-ambient zone of magic, though with all of the strange phenomenon I have witnessed effecting our Plane, to the sheer variance in these effects, you would likely have better luck chasing such leads in the Garden than waiting for rumors of uncommon deposits turning up where they are likely warded as they often are by hazards both mundane and not."
-[X] Describe the duality of conceptual rivening of Fire effecting the wastes of the Lands of Long Summer, the Shadow that hangs above Asshai and how reality fades out the closer to the poles you near until it is less a matter of distance than will that one might advance or retreat across the twisting nether and ice. "I was given to understand the Elemental Planes were given to certain rhythms if not necessarily ordered, ever-shifting unless the scales were tilted by a Power's finger pressing upon them." Meaning no one is going to risk going into the wildlands here or anywhere else in the Inner Spheres without a good reason but exploring the Plane of Balance wouldn't be particularly onerous for a mage of the Eighth or Ninth circle in all but the most deadly places, and they would need people equally skilled coopering together to delve into anyway.
-[X] "However if you attempting to advance the cause of magical engineering and constructs, I haven't met anyone more skilled at the task than those researching those fields in my realm." Describe the work of Lya and Anu.
[X] Zamorto
-[X] Lead the conversation toward how you are planning to place several or more Free Companies on retainer if possible to further your war in the Deep and carve out safe haven in the Narrow Sea for your vassals.
-[X] The battles ahead on that front will likely have many different hard targets and masses of enemies where battlefield scale magic would see much practical use, and as is often the case when advancing a field which is just as much luck as it is skill, practical examples advances study more rapidly than anything else.
-[X] And if it ends up killing Mind Flayers, Aboleths and other horrors, no one is likely to find more acceptable targets than that, especially for a Marid mage.
[X] Wavespinner
-[X] Bluntly: "You are trying to ascend." Wave off her first response with a smile. "I can hardly fault the ambition, look no further than myself for those who the blood shows true in the end."
-[X] If we guessed correctly: "That is a perilous path as I have come to discover, though one which research over long centuries holds little relevance. Dragons are creatures of deeds as much as depthless ambition. In some the waters are hard to tread and there is little room for one to stretch their wings." The Plane of Water's power balance has likely found a degree of equilibrium, at least for now compared to wars being fought elsewhere. Not much opportunity to stoke one's soul to greater heights. "Such is not the case in my realm."
We might be able to use that area of Wild Magic we found in Sothoryos, where magic fluctuates significantly from one moment to the next, to attract Clo'Tiss' interest.
We might be able to use that area of Wild Magic we found in Sothoryos, where magic fluctuates significantly from one moment to the next, to attract Clo'Tiss' interest.
