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Age of Ice and Blood: A Pathfinder System Heroic Fantasy Quest
- Thread starter DragonParadox
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
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- Tags
- pathfinder open voting
Arc 14 Post 65: Mercurial Middle
Mercurial Middle
Fifth Day of Olweje-eza (Olweje Ascendant), 1349 A. L. (After Landfall)
"Watch for flying bat-lizard," the last is less a word and more a portrait of the wounded, but still very lively foe. You hope Antonio can understand, but in the midst of battle it's all you can do.
Ice crackles from Inge's hands, grazing the creature's left wing illuminated from behind by the pale moonlight of Esha's conjuring, prayer and sorcery doing together what each alone could not and sending the thing off balance. Its blood is red now, but its words ring with inhuman power: "Thinkest thou that you are wise mortal? You who raised a tower of sand upon the sands standing? Do you not see the tide, do you not see the One it brings? More kinship have you to me and mine than to the one who summoned you with trickery and baited you with the Stolen King..."
The strange spirit is more nimble in the air than its long bat wings might show, passing just over the heavy blow of Wanderer's club and taking but a pinprick from Tom's spear in passing jab. In his defense he is not used to fighting things that fly.
So it is that you are upon the creature just as it reaches the base of the rope and still it speaks even as the bear of Olweje tries to drag it down on the pale-stone body: "Why make a deal with one who would treat you as a tool, who would of the Fateless make thrall for its own ends, for its own amusement?" Though its face can show no emotion you can hear the smile in the spirit's voice. "I have no riddles, only answers to give if you would listen to them, perhaps the tide will not sweep you in if you heed me..."
"A task you have been given, a task you have accepted." Words ring out from the very floor at your feet, from the flesh of the Great Worm, if such it is to be called.
"See, see, he's using you, not a true follower of Father Chaos in the least. It's me you should be making deals with."
Even the thought of betrayal chaffs, but you cannot deny that it is a point well made. Why would the Worm give you more than crumbs and maybe whatever is left of Ansefu? This creature though is skilled in battle and strong in the powers of the soul and might be less inclined to pull the wool over your eyes.
And on the other hand... or is it back to the first one, if you were to take the side of the fleeing spirit how are you meant to get out from under the Worm's shell?
What do you reply?
[] Take this new deal, you have no time for riddles and you have sworn no oaths
[] Your word is your bond even when it is not formally made
[] Write in
OOC: This one is a short one because the creatures of chaos are more than capable of initiating negotiations when it suites them.
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For the record when this arc finally ends you guys are going to have so much XP, it has been a rather large one
Eh, what? It's almost like Roland isn't thinking straight there, the point "might be less inclined to pull the wool over your eyes" does not in any way follow from "This creature though is skilled in battle and strong in the powers of the soul", and the overall point is not well made. Why is the creature more likely to give us something than the Great Worm?
The Great Worm proposed conditions, we accepted, and so far we do not seem to be being double crossed. How is it less trustworthy than this confirmed chaos spawn, if it is "not a true follower of Father Chaos" by the spawn's own words?
Like yeah, it's powerful and might look at all this as a game, as a source of nothing but amusement for itself or maybe furthering of some of its goals, though I'm not sure what would it get from us killing some formless and then passing some test of will, which we might yet refuse to do if it would not be to our liking; we went into this knowing all that.
I rate the chance to get Ansefu in any form better than uncertain chance of getting some answers that may be lies, and the uncertainty is large because we'll have to fight the Great Worm and the Formless are not obligated to follow their words, this chaos beast can tell us anything it wants and do anything it pleases, it does not even fear "death" we can give it.
[X] Your word is your bond even when it is not formally made
Or maybe something like this:
[X] We accepted the task and see no reason not to finish it.
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The idea is that this thing is more of an equal while also knowing stuff, at least enough to make Roland doubt. Whether that is thinking straight or not is up to you guys.
Good night.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Yeah, I like this angle better, too. I'm no fan of the Great Worm, whatever the hell it actually ends up being, but it's not like the Formless is any better. They're cruel and capricious, not to mention Chaotic for the sheer joy of it. Better to make a deal with a Fey or a Dragon than with this world's version of the Proteans.
We're not finishing the task because our word is our bond, although it kinda is for the most part, but because the task must be finished now that we started it and to not do so not only does us no good, but would certainly make our situation actively worse.
[X] We accepted the task and see no reason not to finish it.
@DragonParadox, regarding this,
There are Great Worms in Pathfinder, but it doesn't look like one. Dragons are sometimes called worms, but again, Esha would probably be able to recognize a dragon that up close.
Edit: Did Esha and Inge by chance tried to examined it with Detect Magic / Detect Fiendish Presence before the fight? Does Esha's Planwalker's Insight offer any insights?
does Esha has any guesses on the nature of our host she would rate more likely true than not, or was she just fishing for something, anything, with the Worm just laughing in her face?
There are Great Worms in Pathfinder, but it doesn't look like one. Dragons are sometimes called worms, but again, Esha would probably be able to recognize a dragon that up close.
Edit: Did Esha and Inge by chance tried to examined it with Detect Magic / Detect Fiendish Presence before the fight? Does Esha's Planwalker's Insight offer any insights?
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Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
I was thinking it might be some sort of Dragon Turtle, but what we've seen of the anatomy so far doesn't seem to fit.
- Location
- Texas
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] We accepted the task and see no reason not to finish it.
We know it has powers over fog:
It can hear us speaking on the deck of Marcella from quite afar:
It has powers over water:
It made a show of being insulted by implied comparison with sharks and general sea creatures, but not with whales:
It was asked by someone/something:
It dreams, if it's even significant:
It has jaws and tail (unless it meant it figuratively and not literally):
It has a blowhole, for blowing water apparently and not the air, as opposed to whales:
And apparently it has less common with us then even Formless:
So a giant magical whale-like creature that for some reason has a shell of pumice? Though Swift Pebble did not notice anything resembling tail or jaws.
Or a giant magical sea urchin-like creature because of the shell and the blowhole and no tail?
Or maybe something from another plane (or even from further beyond, an Aberration?) if it has less common with us than even the Formless?
- Location
- Germany
Maybe something Fey-related, since it can offer us Ansefu?
Like a really tiny version of the Leviathan?
- Location
- Russia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Damn. And now I feel sorry for that guy.
Great Worm threatened Ripper and ought us to fight very dangerous Proteans at the threat of violence. Naunet, on the other hand, are the victims of our attack, they did not fight back, and one of them decided to escape.
Alas, I can not see a plausible way to peacful solution.
Chamging sides will be too dangerous.
[X] Your word is your bond even when it is not formally made
-[X] It's regretfully, but, alas, necessary. At least this Formless will not die permanantly
Great Worm threatened Ripper and ought us to fight very dangerous Proteans at the threat of violence. Naunet, on the other hand, are the victims of our attack, they did not fight back, and one of them decided to escape.
Alas, I can not see a plausible way to peacful solution.
Chamging sides will be too dangerous.[X] Your word is your bond even when it is not formally made
-[X] It's regretfully, but, alas, necessary. At least this Formless will not die permanantly
- Location
- Russia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
@DragonParadox , I've taken the liberity to slightly adjust Fellowship post.
Changelog:
1) Added Zuan the Dragonslaying Cook and Mad Marco to saylors ("Fleet of the Company" tab)
2) To the tab "Soldiers of the Company" added Unknown volunteer for Horn of the Werebear and Cor Eso, drummer of Drums of Haste
3) Added that Wanderer's contract expires at 22 of Olweje-eza, 1349
4) Added @Goldfish adjustments of Wanderer's damage with two-handed Northern Fury.
5) Added tab "Passengers" (maybe it is excessive, but I could not find other way. They are not soldiers. Feel free to remake this section). Added Ripper, Mengin and Mog to passengers.
6) Moved otter-kin from soldiers to passengers (they are not soldiers yet, after all), reduced their number to 9 (because Swift Pebble is already accounted as companion), added Runs in Rain.
7) Added Ipsit Iron Tamer's spellbook to the tab "Notable possessions" with link to the still unknown spells.
8) Added Shadow's head to the tab "Notable possessions" (we've taken it, right?)
9) Added destroyed Banded Mail to the tab "Armory"
10) Added "Dose of Dream Dust: x8" to consumables. Thank you, @myrix , I knew I've forgotten something!
Three questions.
1) Season ended, but I've not seen write-off of ship cost in the text.
2) Could you please use @Goldfish update of character sheet? It includes very important Roland's AC.
3) Are our funds correct? Fellowship page was updated at 12 June and thus does not include 650 from troll. But does it accounted Mengin cost?
The Fellowship
Motto: Truth from the Unknown
Leadership: Triumvirate of Antonio, Roland, and Zaia as joint council
Motto: Truth from the Unknown
Leadership: Triumvirate of Antonio, Roland, and Zaia as joint council
- Fleet of the Company
- Soldiers of the Company
- Associates
-
Ripper, Young Ocean Lion
9 otter-kin recruits
- Runs in Rain
Mengin, Kathlin
Mog, Imjarvi Gremlin (contract expires at Day of Rule, 1352)
- Finances of the Company
- Fame and Infamy
- Consumables
- Notable possessions
-
Books on Alchemy and Metallurgy (+3 to Craft Alchemy and all Metal Craft skills as long as one is in a position to reference the tomes)*
Masterwork Smithing and Alchemy Tools (+2 to relevant rolls)*
Ipsit Iron Tamer's spellbook*
Cauldron of Living Bronze (Ikomi-blessed Cauldron of Brewing, +5 competence bonus on Craft (alchemy) skill checks)*
A cauldron of brewing looks like a fine cooking pot with four stout legs. The cauldron is capable of heating any liquid placed in it to a precise temperature (anywhere from just above room temperature to hot enough to boil salt water) and maintaining it indefinitely while still remaining only slightly warm to the touch on the outside. A cauldron of brewing provides a +5 competence bonus on Craft (alchemy) skill checks.
Instructions for Dragon Crafting (a book that when consulted allows an alchemist to act as though they possess Dragoncrafting at the cost of taking twice as long as with the feat)*
Drums of Haste
Fey Gold
While wearing a Fey Gold nugget around the neck, the wearer gains fire resistance 1 and a +1 resistance bonus on Will saving throws.
Northern Fury
Northern Fury
Description: This heavy oaken club, roughly carved, is not quite sentient, but still seems drawn to violence, dragging its wielder into battle with it if it can.
Powers:
- +1 Greatclub
- The wielder takes a -2 penalty on Will saves against any spells or effects that incite rage, compel hostility or otherwise contribute to starting a fight.
- With the first hit made in a combat the club casts Deadly Juggernaut as a free action, but also requires the wielder to make a DC 14 Will save to retreat from melee-range of any opponent still standing. The spell can only be activated once per day.
Horn of the Werebear
Description: A horn in form but not of horn wrought, rather it seems to have been carved from a single piece of ivory by most skillful and loving craft. Carved all about its length with scenes of war that feature men and bears as well as the obviously quite painful transformation between them.
Power: A sacred relic of Olweje, when this horn is blown it can temporarily transform a warrior into large, armored monstrosity of a bear, a Zentragt. The warrior must accept the transformation willingly and after the battle for which he was transformed sacrifice the arms and armor of all foes he has slain to Olweje (by eating them in his bear-form), or else the warrior remains a Zentragt and is driven battle-mad to attack his former comrades.
The transformation takes a full round and lasts for an hour, the target of the transformation must be within 10 feet of the hornblower.
Okunrin Okomo's Hollow Drums (might be used for enchantment)*
Broken Wyrd Lantern (might serve as the base for future enchantments)*
Shadow's various potions and poisons*
Shadow's dragon tablets*
Gold Sheet*
Hedon's skull*
Dragon's corpse (Large; used x2 grip skin, x5 blood, x1 musk)
Red Lion's head*
Ulk's head
Shadow's head - Armory
1) Added Zuan the Dragonslaying Cook and Mad Marco to saylors ("Fleet of the Company" tab)
2) To the tab "Soldiers of the Company" added Unknown volunteer for Horn of the Werebear and Cor Eso, drummer of Drums of Haste
3) Added that Wanderer's contract expires at 22 of Olweje-eza, 1349
4) Added @Goldfish adjustments of Wanderer's damage with two-handed Northern Fury.
5) Added tab "Passengers" (maybe it is excessive, but I could not find other way. They are not soldiers. Feel free to remake this section). Added Ripper, Mengin and Mog to passengers.
6) Moved otter-kin from soldiers to passengers (they are not soldiers yet, after all), reduced their number to 9 (because Swift Pebble is already accounted as companion), added Runs in Rain.
7) Added Ipsit Iron Tamer's spellbook to the tab "Notable possessions" with link to the still unknown spells.
8) Added Shadow's head to the tab "Notable possessions" (we've taken it, right?)
9) Added destroyed Banded Mail to the tab "Armory"
10) Added "Dose of Dream Dust: x8" to consumables. Thank you, @myrix , I knew I've forgotten something!
Three questions.
1) Season ended, but I've not seen write-off of ship cost in the text.
2) Could you please use @Goldfish update of character sheet? It includes very important Roland's AC.
3) Are our funds correct? Fellowship page was updated at 12 June and thus does not include 650 from troll. But does it accounted Mengin cost?
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Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Very nice, dude. Thanks for bringing all of that together.@DragonParadox , I've taken the liberity to slightly adjust Fellowship post.
Changelog:The Fellowship
Motto: Truth from the Unknown
Leadership: Triumvirate of Antonio, Roland, and Zaia as joint council
- Fleet of the Company
- Soldiers of the Company
- Passengers
- Ripper, Young Ocean Lion
9 otter-kin recruits
- Runs in Rain
Mengin, Kathlin
Mog, Imjarvi Gremlin (contract expires at Day of Rule, 1352)
- Finances of the Company
- Fame and Infamy
- Consumables
- Notable possessions
- Books on Alchemy and Metallurgy (+3 to Craft Alchemy and all Metal Craft skills as long as one is in a position to reference the tomes)*
Masterwork Smithing and Alchemy Tools (+2 to relevant rolls)*
Ipsit Iron Tamer's spellbook*
Cauldron of Living Bronze (Ikomi-blessed Cauldron of Brewing, +5 competence bonus on Craft (alchemy) skill checks)*
A cauldron of brewing looks like a fine cooking pot with four stout legs. The cauldron is capable of heating any liquid placed in it to a precise temperature (anywhere from just above room temperature to hot enough to boil salt water) and maintaining it indefinitely while still remaining only slightly warm to the touch on the outside. A cauldron of brewing provides a +5 competence bonus on Craft (alchemy) skill checks.
Instructions for Dragon Crafting (a book that when consulted allows an alchemist to act as though they possess Dragoncrafting at the cost of taking twice as long as with the feat)*
Drums of Haste
Fey Gold
While wearing a Fey Gold nugget around the neck, the wearer gains fire resistance 1 and a +1 resistance bonus on Will saving throws.
Northern Fury
Northern Fury
Description: This heavy oaken club, roughly carved, is not quite sentient, but still seems drawn to violence, dragging its wielder into battle with it if it can.
Powers:
- +1 Greatclub
- The wielder takes a -2 penalty on Will saves against any spells or effects that incite rage, compel hostility or otherwise contribute to starting a fight.
- With the first hit made in a combat the club casts Deadly Juggernaut as a free action, but also requires the wielder to make a DC 14 Will save to retreat from melee-range of any opponent still standing. The spell can only be activated once per day.
Horn of the Werebear
Description: A horn in form but not of horn wrought, rather it seems to have been carved from a single piece of ivory by most skillful and loving craft. Carved all about its length with scenes of war that feature men and bears as well as the obviously quite painful transformation between them.
Power: A sacred relic of Olweje, when this horn is blown it can temporarily transform a warrior into large, armored monstrosity of a bear, a Zentragt. The warrior must accept the transformation willingly and after the battle for which he was transformed sacrifice the arms and armor of all foes he has slain to Olweje (by eating them in his bear-form), or else the warrior remains a Zentragt and is driven battle-mad to attack his former comrades.
The transformation takes a full round and lasts for an hour, the target of the transformation must be within 10 feet of the hornblower.
Okunrin Okomo's Hollow Drums (might be used for enchantment)*
Broken Wyrd Lantern (might serve as the base for future enchantments)*
Shadow's various potions and poisons*
Shadow's dragon tablets*
Gold Sheet*
Hedon's skull*
Dragon's corpse (Large; used x2 grip skin, x5 blood, x1 musk)
Red Lion's head*
Ulk's head
Shadow's head- Armory
1) Added Zuan the Dragonslaying Cook and Mad Marco to saylors ("Fleet of the Company" tab)
2) To the tab "Soldiers of the Company" added Unknown volunteer for Horn of the Werebear and Cor Eso, drummer of Drums of Haste
3) Added that Wanderer's contract expires at 22 of Olweje-eza, 1349
4) Added @Goldfish adjustments of Wanderer's damage with two-handed Northern Fury.
5) Added tab "Passengers" (maybe it is excessive, but I could not find other way. They are not soldiers. Feel free to remake this section). Added Ripper, Mengin and Mog to passengers.
6) Moved otter-kin from soldiers to passengers (they are not soldiers yet, after all), reduced their number to 9 (because Swift Pebble is already accounted as companion), added Runs in Rain.
7) Added Ipsit Iron Tamer's spellbook to the tab "Notable possessions" with link to the still unknown spells.
8) Added Shadow's head to the tab "Notable possessions" (we've taken it, right?)
9) Added destroyed Banded Mail to the tab "Armory"
Two questions.
1) Season ended, but I've not seen write-off of ship cost in the text.
2) Could you please use @Goldfish update of character sheet? It includes very important Roland's AC.
Perhaps change "Passengers" to "Associates"?@DragonParadox , I've taken the liberity to slightly adjust Fellowship post.
Changelog:The Fellowship
Motto: Truth from the Unknown
Leadership: Triumvirate of Antonio, Roland, and Zaia as joint council
- Fleet of the Company
- Soldiers of the Company
- Passengers
- Ripper, Young Ocean Lion
9 otter-kin recruits
- Runs in Rain
Mengin, Kathlin
Mog, Imjarvi Gremlin (contract expires at Day of Rule, 1352)
- Finances of the Company
- Fame and Infamy
- Consumables
- Notable possessions
- Books on Alchemy and Metallurgy (+3 to Craft Alchemy and all Metal Craft skills as long as one is in a position to reference the tomes)*
Masterwork Smithing and Alchemy Tools (+2 to relevant rolls)*
Ipsit Iron Tamer's spellbook*
Cauldron of Living Bronze (Ikomi-blessed Cauldron of Brewing, +5 competence bonus on Craft (alchemy) skill checks)*
A cauldron of brewing looks like a fine cooking pot with four stout legs. The cauldron is capable of heating any liquid placed in it to a precise temperature (anywhere from just above room temperature to hot enough to boil salt water) and maintaining it indefinitely while still remaining only slightly warm to the touch on the outside. A cauldron of brewing provides a +5 competence bonus on Craft (alchemy) skill checks.
Instructions for Dragon Crafting (a book that when consulted allows an alchemist to act as though they possess Dragoncrafting at the cost of taking twice as long as with the feat)*
Drums of Haste
Fey Gold
While wearing a Fey Gold nugget around the neck, the wearer gains fire resistance 1 and a +1 resistance bonus on Will saving throws.
Northern Fury
Northern Fury
Description: This heavy oaken club, roughly carved, is not quite sentient, but still seems drawn to violence, dragging its wielder into battle with it if it can.
Powers:
- +1 Greatclub
- The wielder takes a -2 penalty on Will saves against any spells or effects that incite rage, compel hostility or otherwise contribute to starting a fight.
- With the first hit made in a combat the club casts Deadly Juggernaut as a free action, but also requires the wielder to make a DC 14 Will save to retreat from melee-range of any opponent still standing. The spell can only be activated once per day.
Horn of the Werebear
Description: A horn in form but not of horn wrought, rather it seems to have been carved from a single piece of ivory by most skillful and loving craft. Carved all about its length with scenes of war that feature men and bears as well as the obviously quite painful transformation between them.
Power: A sacred relic of Olweje, when this horn is blown it can temporarily transform a warrior into large, armored monstrosity of a bear, a Zentragt. The warrior must accept the transformation willingly and after the battle for which he was transformed sacrifice the arms and armor of all foes he has slain to Olweje (by eating them in his bear-form), or else the warrior remains a Zentragt and is driven battle-mad to attack his former comrades.
The transformation takes a full round and lasts for an hour, the target of the transformation must be within 10 feet of the hornblower.
Okunrin Okomo's Hollow Drums (might be used for enchantment)*
Broken Wyrd Lantern (might serve as the base for future enchantments)*
Shadow's various potions and poisons*
Shadow's dragon tablets*
Gold Sheet*
Hedon's skull*
Dragon's corpse (Large; used x2 grip skin, x5 blood, x1 musk)
Red Lion's head*
Ulk's head
Shadow's head- Armory
1) Added Zuan the Dragonslaying Cook and Mad Marco to saylors ("Fleet of the Company" tab)
2) To the tab "Soldiers of the Company" added Unknown volunteer for Horn of the Werebear and Cor Eso, drummer of Drums of Haste
3) Added that Wanderer's contract expires at 22 of Olweje-eza, 1349
4) Added @Goldfish adjustments of Wanderer's damage with two-handed Northern Fury.
5) Added tab "Passengers" (maybe it is excessive, but I could not find other way. They are not soldiers. Feel free to remake this section). Added Ripper, Mengin and Mog to passengers.
6) Moved otter-kin from soldiers to passengers (they are not soldiers yet, after all), reduced their number to 9 (because Swift Pebble is already accounted as companion), added Runs in Rain.
7) Added Ipsit Iron Tamer's spellbook to the tab "Notable possessions" with link to the still unknown spells.
8) Added Shadow's head to the tab "Notable possessions" (we've taken it, right?)
9) Added destroyed Banded Mail to the tab "Armory"
Two questions.
1) Season ended, but I've not seen write-off of ship cost in the text.
2) Could you please use @Goldfish update of character sheet? It includes very important Roland's AC.
Also add "8 Doses of Dream Dust" to Consumables?
And adjust company's gold by - 1300 + 650 gp we paid for Megin's bond and got from gems from Mynid?
I'm not so sure on the Horm of the Werebear volunteer, was it the same person every time? @DragonParadox, if this is indeed the same person, how are they feeling about being permanently recruited to be a full-time designated Zentragt soldier?
Thanks for the updates to the sheets @Arhin, I put in the money changes as well.
It is not the same person, just one of the Anwari sailors with enough experience in battle to be able to use it.
It is not the same person, just one of the Anwari sailors with enough experience in battle to be able to use it.
It was updated from my changes,
and I did not include -1300gp for Megin at the time, so if DP did not edit it in then, it was not accounted for. That's why I mentioned it as a possible edit in my previous post.
And @DragonParadox, while you are here, is there anything you can say on my previous question? Regarding this,
does Esha has any guesses on the nature of our host she would rate more likely true than not, or was she just fishing for something, anything, with the Worm just laughing in her face?
There are Great Worms in Pathfinder, but it doesn't look like one. Dragons are sometimes called worms, but again, Esha would probably be able to recognize a dragon that up close.
And did Esha and Inge by chance tried to examine it with Detect Magic / Detect Fiendish Presence? Does Esha's Planwalker's Insight offer any insights?
- Location
- Russia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I knew I forgot something!
Added.
As far as I can see, @DragonParadox already accounted 1300 for Mengin (Fellowship page was updated at 12 June, and my saved copy from 11 June (edited at 20 April, before Mengin deal) says 21,768 gp... mmm, something strange here.
Esha thinks the being has to be something very old and powerful to have faceless living in its flesh and off its blood for a long time. The fact that it came with the fog and that it was able to find you would indicate that it maybe does not belong wholly to this world.
It checks out, we paid 1300 gp, received 650 gp, and looks like there was additional expense of 50 gp (for Esha's spellbook maybe?), so the current finances are 21,068 gp, 700 gp less.
- Location
- Russia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
- Location
- Texas
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Where would the 10lbs of Ebony Vitae we gained from killing the Ebon Ooze go to? Notable possessions or Consumables?