- Location
- Argentina
It can probably feed on rats. I love a self cleaning ship
Age of Ice and Blood: A Pathfinder System Heroic Fantasy Quest
- Thread starter DragonParadox
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
-
- Tags
- pathfinder open voting
It can probably feed on rats. I love a self cleaning ship
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
If she only needs rats then we shouldn't have much trouble feeding her. Easy to find those in any port.
If her appetite is bigger, though, we don't want crew members to get slurped down her gullet when no one is looking. Or for her to get hungry and go deep sea diving after a tasty looking orca, while everyone else is just minding their own business above and below deck.
[X] Try to find a seer to divine what the Marcella ha become, for all that this is likely to be expensive
Vote closed, let's see about that seer.
Arc 5 Post 12: A Tale of Three Cities
A Tale of Three Cities
Eight Day of Olweje-hamba (Olweje Descending) 1348 A. L. (After Landfall)
Orinilu you soon learn is not one city, but several, though the mark of where one ends and the other begins is not writ upon any mark or sign, but known to those born to it and signaled in dark looks and and weary whispers. There is the High City, where until less than half a century ago the Priest King ruled in splendor and in grace, where still the temples rise like pale peaks from the mass of noble habitation to gaze upon the face of the new-risen sun over the isle.
From here bells ting at every hour, it is said at the indication of water clocks which are as old as the city itself carried aboard the ship of its first king, though you had not heard anyone to say the word 'king' without cursing and spitting. The remaining temples of the Great Gods and the shrines of lesser strips also mark the high holy days by the bells and by wondering it streets one can without a doubt learn much of the gods as well as other wisdom, for poets gather in its plazas and orators who would be heard by the crowd as well as philosophers. The lucky ones get praise, though chance had taken you to meed many more unlucky and the folk of Orinilu are not shy to make their displeasure known with mocking words and rotting fruit, which you mark at least as a sign the city is not starving.
"Hell of a sty," Tom snorts as you pass the most the most recent example of less than skillful oratory.
"Less than some I've seen," you counter, distracted. "At least the gutters are kept clear and without horses there is less filth to go around." the most common beasts you have seen around are fowl, chicken and oddly enough a sort of plump pheasant of a sort that would not be uncommon on the platters of the nobility back home as well as geese which seem to be favored in place to guard dogs, filling the are with their screeching. It is a wonder the gods are not more offended.
Still rumor had proven true, the oracle priests have no interest in emerging for any price paid in gold or silver, which leaves you descending power.
The Heaven is the city by the shore, it is the abode of merchants, in such company as you have found yourself in as well as the beating heart of the league of captains. Here fortunes are won and lost at a turning in the wind, the scent of rare spice from the east mixing with oils and herbs from the deep south, the glint of silver vying with that of tin to a warrior's way of thinking more precious by far. If one thinks the docks of Apuku and Noboro rowdy than what meets your eye here is as Lucifer's own den of sin and bloodshed. Brothels and houses of gambling operate under the light of day, concerning none of the great and the supposedly good of the city. The more you see of the place the more glad you are that you had listened to Antonio's counsel and taken nothing but veterans with you on shore. The younger men would have found themselves, drunk, robbed and out to sea as an oarsman on some other galley before their first evening is out. Even the lanterns here reek of some strange perfume that befuddles the senses the better to loosen one's grip on the coin pouch.
Still you cannot begrudge the fire dancers or jugglers their daily bread and so you toss a coin their way, and by that generosity at last buy your way to a kind of seer... but he is not to be found in the Heaven.
For there is a third city on the banks of the Kime, one that is not seen from the sea and to which the mighty which have taken the palace of the Priest Kings for their own turned a blind eye eye to. Faarshore had grown like lichen on the stones beneath an old oak spreading out from the ferry that linked Orinilu 'proper' with the north bank of the river. It was a town of beaten paths and earthen shacks, when it was not simply tents raised from the tattered hides of beasts. You would sooner trust the round houses of the Boar Folk raised inside a week to guard you from the rain and you feel a shiver down your spine at the mere thought of spending a winter in one of them and the smell of waste which Tom had accused before was far more pungent in your nostrils here, mixed in with the smell of fear.
There had never been a siege of the city which had not burned Farshore and the tribes of Orinilu were not known for their habit of charity to the less fortunate in such instances. One cannot help but wonder what manner of seer would still abide in such a place, in such a time and if perhaps you had been lead astray.
You come thus to one of the rare stone houses in the whole sorry pile, though there is little of the craftsmanship you had seen in the high city in evidence here, rather than blocks of granite so tightly stacked you could not slip a belt knife between them the holes are like bright eyes peering between the the stones. As gauntleted fist meets pale poplar of the door you feel the lightest tingle on your skin, like threads of unseen gossamer testing at your armor and the runes upon your shield flicker ever so faintly to brief life. Perhaps you had not come to the wrong place after all.
The question now remains how much of the Marcella's origins and her strange powers you aught to explain before striking a deal?
[] Only the bare minimum, you have a ship you think might be haunted or touched by some magic and you need a seer to make sense of it
[] The tale of the rat and its death, though not your previous encounter with the Knikut of the Mouth of the World
[] Everything you know or have guessed, you have not met many wizards, but in your experience the drive to know strange things is almost as strong as the desire to profit from their arts if not more so, and rare you suspect is the tale rarer than yours
[] Try to test the waters and judge what tale is more likely to earn you the seer's aid, though be ware that while you are judging him he too will be judging you, in your shirt of steel and with talisman and shield touched by magic
[] Write in
OOC: And we are off, the others will be rolling in the background for their own objectives, but for now the question is how much you want to tell the seer to entice them and not scare them. Not yet edited.
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Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Shit, we're in the really shifty slums. Really surprised to find an actual mage of some sort out here, too.
I have a feeling the Oracle Priests haven't just stopped doing Divinations out of some desire to remain neutral or impartial. More likely, something is either interfering with their attempts or everything they see is really, really bad.
As for what to share, I don't think we should decide that just yet. Roland needs to flex his social expertise first, IMO, to get a read on the "Seer" we've come to visit.
[X] Try to test the waters and judge what tale is more likely to earn you the seer's aid, though be ware that while you are judging him he too will be judging you, in your shirt of steel and with talisman and shield touched by magic
I have a feeling the Oracle Priests haven't just stopped doing Divinations out of some desire to remain neutral or impartial. More likely, something is either interfering with their attempts or everything they see is really, really bad.
As for what to share, I don't think we should decide that just yet. Roland needs to flex his social expertise first, IMO, to get a read on the "Seer" we've come to visit.
[X] Try to test the waters and judge what tale is more likely to earn you the seer's aid, though be ware that while you are judging him he too will be judging you, in your shirt of steel and with talisman and shield touched by magic
- Location
- Texas
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Try to test the waters and judge what tale is more likely to earn you the seer's aid, though be ware that while you are judging him he too will be judging you, in your shirt of steel and with talisman and shield touched by magic
[X] Try to test the waters and judge what tale is more likely to earn you the seer's aid, though be ware that while you are judging him he too will be judging you, in your shirt of steel and with talisman and shield touched by magic
- Location
- Germany
[X] Try to test the waters and judge what tale is more likely to earn you the seer's aid, though be ware that while you are judging him he too will be judging you, in your shirt of steel and with talisman and shield touched by magic
Sense Motive battle against a diviner? Seems like a bad choice, but not the worst.
Sense Motive battle against a diviner? Seems like a bad choice, but not the worst.
So how are you guys liking the city so far? I'm having fun with it, but I want to know your thoughts? Too much description, too little? Is there something you would like me to focus on in the presentation or do you want me to hurry the action along?
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
We've just barely scraped the surface so far, but I'm enjoying it. World building is always appreciated.
I hope we get to spend more time here to learn about the city and culture, make useful contacts, maybe find another NPC questgiver, etc., without having to flee to avoid being pressed into naval service.
- Location
- Chicago
Kinda glad now we ended up not hunting the gilded serpents when we had the chance, it sounds like success would have had some complications like being pressured extra hard to join up.
List of Men at Arms (Updated)
- Location
- Russia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I decided to update the list of Men at Arms and indicate in what encounters did they participated. Maybe DragonParadox has such list, but I decided that it can be useful nevertheless. It is possible that I missed something. Beware spoilers!
List of Men at Arms
Rest in peace
Updated at 16.12
List of Men at Arms
Spearmen
- Hugh the Elder: Veteran of the Baron's War. Used to work in carding and sheering sheep, which is where he picked up his numbers (nor letters just numbers)
- Fought with deads on the Spear Islands
- Fell unconscious during this fight, then fell into the coma
- Was healed by Ohun in exchage for reconnaissance of standing stone (during which Tam died)
- Participated in the melee challenge during the festival on Normomo
- Accompanied Roland during seeking Zuan (the cook) in Orinilu
- Participated in Danuk's expedition
- Fighted with corrupted Wyrdoki
- Left in Orinilu to take care about Wayfarer's Respite
- John Lorson: Veteran of the Baron's War. Related to you though in a very distant sort of way that mostly just makes for servant's gossip, he is the grandson of a Verley bastard, you share a great grandfather. Lorson is a compression of Lord's Son
- Fought with deads on the Spear Islands
- Fell unconscious during this fight, but then get better
- Accompanied Roland during the visit to the Treant on Lirman
- Was wounded during the encounter with Hedon
- Was one of spearman who fighted with Ayushman
- Accompanied Roland during seeking the Seer in Orinilu
- Participated in assault on Ipsit Iron Tamer's den in Orinilu
- Was severe wounded and poisoned during the encounter with Ipsit Iron Tamer
- Participated in assault on longship of Anwari raiders
- Was wounded in the beginnig of Knikut ambush
- Participated in Danuk's expedition
- Fighted in fire spirit's cave alongside Tom
- Accompanied Roland during duel with Eku
- Calmed down Hugh the Younger when he shouted about ghost ships
- Was wounded during the battle with Isele Okomo's raiders due to flame
- Was cursed during the battle with Isele Okomo
- Commanded men to put down fire when Zaia tinkered Flame sword
- Refused to lift the curse in Ashinu's temple
- His curse was removed by Moru
- Suffered Strength damage during the encounter with Pale men
- Was wounded during the fight with Elk raiders
- Participated in horse taming expedition
- 'Lyin' Pete. Named not for a constant habit of lying, but for trying to make up a lie about being essential to managing the herds to get out of serving in Roland's band. Used to be deathly afraid of sailing and also violently seasick, though that sees to have cleared up some
- Accompanied Roland during the visit to the Treant on Lirman
- During the encaunter with Hedons killed one of them, was lightly wounded
- Beated Henri when he wanted to commit suicide
- Participated in assault on longship of Anwari raiders, was wounded and lɒst a finger
- Was badly wounded in the beginning of Knikut ambush, fell unconscious
- Made off color jest about Silver and Ziku's Quagga
- Was cursed during the battle with Isele Okomo
- Was eager to lift the curse in Ashinu's temple
- Agreed to accept Marcella's mark
- Jean the Red: Named for his bright red hair and supposedly haveing a temper to match though you have not seen it
- Accompanied Zaia during the first visit in Apuku
- Participated in the reconnaissance of standing stone
- Tried to take the fey's gold (perhaps being enchanted by Ukuhamba)
- Participated in Danuk's expedition
- Fighted with corrupted Wyrdoki
- Agreed to accept Marcella's mark
- Suffered 3 Strength damage during the encounter with Pale men
- Fallen during the encounter with Pale men, but was healed in time
- Fighted in Aina room during Daemon Night Attack
- Aubert: Good singer, younger son of the village priest back home.
- Fought with deads on the Spear Islands
- Was lightly wounded during this fight.
- Accompanied Zaia during the first visit in Apuku
- Was seiously wounded during the escape from Normomo
- Asked is it worth to take belongings of dead Vetala
- Was attacked by the Rat Swarm and wounded
- Shouted about fire when Zaia tinkered Flame sword
- Guarded Roland during meeting with Purple
- Killed the foe pinned by Mark during the encounter with Pale men
- Peter the Bastard, son of a peddler and not in wedlock, a bit of a loner and not well loved by the other men at arms
- Agreed to accept Marcella's mark
- Fallen on one knee and survived only due to the helmet during the encounter with Pale men
- Fighted in Aina room during Daemon Night Attack
Archers
- James Tanner: Young, only son of a Yeoman who took the call to crusade as a chance to get away from some kind of family conflict (Roland does not know what sort because it is not the sort of thing a knight asks of his men)
- Asked Roland if Marco was right
- Participated in the first reconnaissance on Spear Islands
- Become an archer
- Was left on Lirman with the task to care for horses
- Fighted near Aina room during Daemon Night Attack
- Was wounded during the fight with Elk raiders.
- Nico: Younger than Roland himself, but by only a few months, quite pious and troubled by all the strangeness
- Fought with deads on the Spear Islands
- Become an archer
- Participated in the reconnaissance of standing stone
- Stayed with Jean
- Accompanied Roland during the visit to the Treant on Lirman
- Boasted that with his bow he'll never be hungry, and then Zaia telled him about scurvy
- Participated in assault on Ipsit Iron Tamer's den in Orinilu
- Participated in the first reconnaissance on the shores of not-France
- Participated in Danuk's expedition
- Brought otter-kin in that expedition
- Fought with corrupted Wyrdoki
- Tried to help Roland with crate of fresh supplies during the storm
- Agreed to accept Marcella's mark
- Was wounded during Daemon Night Attack, fell unconscious
- Fought alongside Branch Breaker during encaunter with Air Elementals
- Was wounded during the fight with Elk raiders
- Henri Glaser: Three years older than you, has a sweetheart he plans to marry (names Anne), just as soon as he can convince her father. Talks about said sweetheart enough that even you have heard your fill.
- Fought with deads on the Spear Islands
- Broke his arm during this fight
- Become an archer
- Participated in the reconnaissance of standing stone
- Accompanied Roland during the visit to the Treant on Lirman
- Was enchanted during the return trip from Orinilu, walked off the ship and was saved only by Ripper.
- Was bitten as a "cursed" by Pete and Mark because he wanted to commit suicide.
- His gelding was gifted to the king Ansefu
- Participated in Danuk's expedition
- Fighted with corrupted Wyrdoki
- Was get into the brawl on the shore during the journey to Orinilu
- Left in Orinilu to take care about Wayfarer's Respite
- Luc: Youngest person in the whole company, still has confidence issues from not facing his first battle as well as he 'should' have. This is not a standard anyone else is holding him to but it is hard to get someone to let of guilt er imagined faults.
- Asked Roland if Marcella is really lost.
- Was wounded cutting the mooring line during escape from Normomo
- Was wounded during the battle with Isele Okomo's raiders, fell unconscious
- Agreed to accept Marcella's mark
- Claimed that saw a mermaid during the departure from Noromo
- Received a "proper battle scar" on the temple during encaunter with Air Elementals
- Killed a man during the fire in Apuku
- Hugh the Younger: Loves horses, food and drink - in that order, is self conscious about his pox scars as he used to be quite proud of his looks and after he survived the sickness many called it out as God's punishment for vanity
- Become an archer
- Was left on Lirman with the task to care for horses
- Was wounded in the beginnig of Knikut ambush
- Shouted about ghost ships before the battle with Isele Okomo's raiders
- Was wounded during the battle with Isele Okomo's raiders
- Was cursed during the battle with Isele Okomo
- Refused to lift the curse in Ashinu's temple
- Fall in love with Sacha, weaver from House Koire
- Agreed to accept Marcella's mark
- His curse was not removed by Moru
- Was wounded and maddered during Daemon Night Attack
- Participated in horse taming expedition
Net-wielders
- Marc (or Mark) the Marked: almost died to an infected wound to the face in the crusade, still bears a very large and distinctive scar. Was caught trying to loot dead knights and whipped for it
- Learned to use the net
- Accompanied Roland during seeking Zuan (the cook) in Orinilu
- Participated in assault on Ipsit Iron Tamer's den in Orinilu
- Was wounded during the encounter with Ipsit Iron Tamer
- Beated Henri when he wanted to commit suicide
- Participated in assault on longship of Anwari raiders.
- Participated in Danuk's expedition
- Fighted with corrupted Wyrdoki
- Was wounded during the battle with Isele Okomo's raiders due to flame
- Agreed to accept Marcella's mark
- Pinned the foe during the encounter with Pale men
- Protected Antonio from assassin in Noromo
- Participated in horse taming expedition
- George Miller: Oldest man in the company but he is more of a complainer than a leader
- Participated in the first reconnaissance on Spear Islands
- Learned to use the net
- Participated in assault on Ipsit Iron Tamer's den in Orinilu
- Wounded Roland in the neck during the spar
- Participated in Danuk's expedition
- Fighted with corrupted Wyrdoki
- Was wounded during the battle with Isele Okomo's raiders
- Rooted Dahzagan with net during Dahzagan-Giant encounter
- Suffered 6 Strength damage during the encounter with Pale men
- Fighted near Aina room during Daemon Night Attack
- Protected Antonio from assassin in Noromo
- Participated in horse taming expedition
Anwa Warriors
- Uvo: His cheeks, more burned than pale in the sun tell the story of some northern blood, a bastard with a bastard's way of carving his way in life.
- Aki: had come along with Uvo, missing two fingers of his right hand, but skilled a knife thrower in addition to his skill with sword and shield.
- Old Fegu: A leathery faced fellow who barely speaks save to the old shaggy dog he brings with him.
- Osenku: The youngest of the lot, though anyone who can wrestle Wanderer to the ground and be laughing about it with the knikut by the next drink is worth noting.
- One Eyed Langa: Looks more like a goat herder than a fisher by his dress, but insists he knows to work the nets as much as milk goats and he is also uncommonly untroubled on meeting Ripper and Megin.
- Tom Wodsworth: Veteran of the Baron's War, contemporary of Roland's father, loyal but not uncritical especially when he feels you are making a mistake from inexperience
- Accompanied Roland during the visit to palace in Normomo
- Participated in the melee challenge during the festival in Normomo
- Accompanied Roland during the visit to the Treant on Lirman
- Was wounded during the encounter with Hedon
- Accompanied Roland during seeking the Seer in Orinilu
- Accompanied Roland during seeking Zuan (the cook) in Orinilu
- Participated in assault on Ipsit Iron Tamer's den in Orinilu
- Participated in assault on longship of Anwari raiders.
- Participated in the first reconnaissance on the shores of not-France
- Become PC right before the dragon fight
Rest in peace
- 'Silent' Tam: Veteran of the Baron's War, unusually quiet, never speaking two words when one will do, but a good and bold fighter. Has children John and Marry.
- Fought with deads on the Spear Islands
- Was lightly wounded during this fight.
- Participated in the reconnaissance of standing stone
- Fell unconscious during the battle with bard, Inge did not manage to heal him to 0 HP.
- Was killed by Chaneque
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- Location
- Russia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
We do not have Louis among Men at Arms.
Further in the text it was Henri who accomponied us and Nico who remained with Jean.
We voted for that but I do not remember that Ohun looked at Marcella (maybe I missed this).
[X] The tale of the rat and its death, though not your previous encounter with the Knikut of the Mouth of the World
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
This is great, dude. Thanks for putting it together for us.
It will definitely help me keep track of our people. DP will probably add this to one of the front info pages.
You guys pissed off Ohun and he was busy with the fallout of the revelations on Korman so he did not poke the ship.
Great work on the list of men at arms BTW, threadmarked.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
It might be a good thing he didn't poke the Marcella.
She may have poked back.
- Location
- Russia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
But this was even before the first meeting with king Ansefu!
...well, Roland probably forgot to ask due to revelation about another world...
It's a pleasure to help, I'll try to update in the future.
It is stated that it's Aubert who is the son of the priest. It is not necessary a mistake: nothing prevents them both being sons of the priests. Is that correct?
- You guys did not have any leverage to ask Ohun to look at the ship until you came back from Korman... at which point you had pissed off the druid
- No, that should have actually been Aubert, edited.
Good night guys, see you tomorrow as we meet the seer and maybe he meets the ship as well.
Arc 5 Post 13: Eye of Blood and Eye of Silver
Eye of Blood and Eye of Silver
Eight Day of Olweje-hamba (Olweje Descending) 1348 A. L. (After Landfall)
The first you see of the master of the house is a single bloodshot eye peering at you though a round hole you had at first mistaken for the work of Hobbling Andrew, but must instead have been bored with a purpose. Then the door swings open all at once to reveal a man in patched and ragged garb, greying hair hacked just above the shoulders, mouth set in a grim line. At first glance you might have mistaken him for a beggar, but then you note that his 'robes' seem patched together from a very particular sort of cloth, all of them stitched with some manner of rune or symbol, some in thread of bright red that only a noble might afford and in the fading light you even catch sight of what might be the gleam of silver.
The man bows, hand over his heart, and as you get a better look at the crown of his head. "I am Eriran, Eriran Three Eyes," he says first in the local tongue and then to your relief in Anwari, while the tongue is common here it is not known to all. At a closer look you realize he might not be as old as it first seemed, his hair lightly dusted with chalk for some reason, though whether from some necesity of sorcery or eccentricity you could not say for certain.
In return you offer your own bow, just as deep and with the hand held likewise, now is not the time to let pride get in the way of our purpose, for all that it is strange to see a wizard in such a place as this. Stepping into the hut, careful of the low doorframe you see that it is a tangle of ropes, fine mesh upon the walls that that hold within their grasp all manner of dried insects still gleaming with colors far too lifelike and in the corner beside a low pallet a shelf of driftwood holding simple cookware and above it scrolls and copper plates of the sort you had seen wizards use before.Set in a corner like a single staring eye is a mirror, a silvered mirror such as one would only see in the hands of princes or high clergymen.
"Heh... wonder you do why Eriran lives here and not behind the pale walls to sleep on soft fluff and spell the myrtle and almond and fine ressins instead of the goat stink of Farshore?" A bitter smile grows on his face. "The city is too full of the din and clatter of fools, loud for the mind not just the ears, a thousand knocks at by door every day all begging for the same things. Yes that girl loves you... yes you shall be lucky at bones tonight... yes long life and many sons. Feh, fools all of them, as though the Elnu casts down with his hand only from one jar and not the both of them, as though all fates are true and never tangled. At least out here I am not bothered by petty troubles. You cross river you must have interesting story..." the sorcerer peers out at you, eyes lingering on the talisman and the shield you bear. "You cross more than river to get here yes, almost you have the look of one of the northern Wood Kin, but you do not speak with a tongue like theirs, not Anwari neither for all that is the tongue in your head."
"I am indeed a traveler from far off lands and my men also. " you motion to Tom and John. "In our travels our ship has come under the influence of strange powers. We are not without means to pay for your gaze nor your skills wise one," you conclude, reasoning that wizards just as much as other craftsmen would not be unmoved by flattery in their craft.
"Strange powers you say?" the mage rubs a boney hand hand across his chin, his thin beard rasping like sand in the wind. He glances at the mirror behind him for a moment as though lost in the contemplation of his own face, then adds. "What sort of strange would that be then? Describe it to me as best you can and mayhap I can help clear up your troubles and your fair ship might sail under clear blue skies."
What do you reply?
[] Only the bare minimum, you have a ship you think might be haunted or touched by some magic and you need a seer to make sense of it (Bluff DC ???)
[] The tale of the rat and its death, though not your previous encounter with the Knikut of the Mouth of the World (Bluff DC ???)
[] Everything you know or have guessed, no sense in being coy with a man you aim to hire for the sharpness of his sight (Diplomacy DC ???)
[] Lead with the offer of gold, then recount something of your tale (Diplomacy DC ???)
-[] Write in offer and how much you wish to tell
[] Write in
OOC: You did not roll high enough to see an approximate DC with the options so you will just have to guess based on the narrative how much to tell.