S3: The Scythe of Seto (Bront Judging)[Completed]

Manzanita · 28th November 2007, 08:30 PM

Here continues the tale of Torvin Arkenthrasher and the Scythe of Seto.

Our intrepid band, consistingt of Father Eusebius, Banion, Beamer, Ogrin & Rasereit, have obtained what seems to be an evil artifact, the Scythe of Seto. Together with Banion's distant cousin Poto Knezer, they have decided to seek the item's destruction. They begin in the town of Braeholl in northern Vastermarch.

Spoiler:

Patlin · 28th November 2007, 08:48 PM

Banion, nearly invisible in the shadows, awaits an opportunity to be usefull.

rln · 28th November 2007, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Follow up from S2...

"Well, maybe we could question Torvin Arkenthrasher again before we decide our course of action. But I feel much better today than I did yesterday. I couldn't have imagined yesterday actually being in possesion of this vile weapon and such noble company. Let's retire for the night and make a decision in the morning. Please, I insist you come sleep at my shop. I've got some cots which will be more comfortable than those piles of straw." says Poto.

Ogrin wonders how someone could feel better about having found a vile weapon but refrains from commenting on just that. "Thank you master Poto, you are much too gen'rous. We wouldn't want to intrude too much on your hospitality, see, so stayin' at the Inn is fine, methink. We'll meet at yer house on tomorrows morning, aye?"

Later, when they can't be overheard, Ogrin says to Razh in a hushed voice:
"Not sure I trust this Poto fella. Supposedly he's a relative of Banions, but from what I've heard he seems kind of a scoundrel. What if he's in with this Seto lot? Don't ya think it's kinda convenient that he's been lookin' for the same weapon that Tharok has, at the same time? They may be working for the same employer..."

OOC: Ogrin will attempt to find out more of Poto later that evening - With a whopping +0 on Gather Information.

Boddynock · 29th November 2007, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rln (in S2)

To Eusebius, Ogrin replies"Yeah, 'Love conquers all', ay? I seriously doubt that, Brother E. Love does funny things to ya. It don't make ya right... in yer head." Ogrin stares down at his half empty glass of ale. "Trust me... I know."

"Ah, but you're speaking of the madness of romance, my friend. I had in mind the more ... rigorous ... passion of those who look on the face of the god."

"Still, finding such a one would be a major challenge. I wonder? ..."

OOC

Rae ArdGaoth · 29th November 2007, 08:00 AM

OOC:

When Ogrin asks for potion buyers, Rasereit pipes up fast. "Aye, Ah usually end up needin' these more'n most. Ah'd 'ave bought one from the shop myself anyway, so saves me a trip." Rasereit gives 30 platinum dragons to Ogrin. He also takes the other cure light wounds potion from the pile. "If nobody wants this...? Alrigh', mine!"

Rasereit sits back as Poto tells the tale of Seto. "Creepy bloke, eh?"

He does recall some information about Jareth.

When Ogrin whispers in his ear, he replies, in a similarly hushed voice:

Whisper to Ogrin:

"Eh, about this god-furnace-thinger... Ah never heard o' such a thing. Ye'd think such a thing, a physical manifestation of the gods' power, if ye will... ye'd think it'd be well known, neh? Big tourist attraction an' all that?"

Rasereit pauses a moment and then continues, "Ah mean, what are our options, 'ere? Choice A: Find a right straight holy man, 'olier than Father Eusebius 'ere, an' pray that he can wish the thing away. Choice B: Travel, on foot, through a forest larger than me third mother's belly, t'a mystical god-furnace that may or may not exist, located in an as yet unspecified grove in said large forest, an' hope that thing is unprotected and jus' waitin' for people t'come by an' toss weapons into. Choice C: Go dragon huntin', an' likely get our rumps roasted. Or choice C: Go to a nearby port, take a nice, short cruise to a known volcanic island, and chuck the cursed thing in." Rasereit waits for all that to sink in. "Ah use 'nice' in the loosest sense, by the way," he adds as an aside to Ogrin.

Rae ArdGaoth · 29th November 2007, 08:03 AM

OOC: Sorry, I seem to have lost track of the sequence of events. Are we retiring for the evening, or are we still discussing plans for the disposal?

Boddynock · 29th November 2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manzanita

"Now Father Eusebius. You are at the heart of this quest. You are on a personal mission from your god, are you not? Have you any recourse to help us determine the best way to destroy this weapon? Can you not ask your god? Have you not run into anything in the course of your travels that could aid us in this conundrum. I would very much prefer to get it right the first time & not wander about the lands in search of perfect agent of destruction. I fear the longer we hold this item, the greater our danger."

"You're right, good sir, I may indeed ask the blessed Hyrag for guidance in this matter. It is not a prayer I have made before, so I will need to spend time in meditation to prepare. In the morning, perhaps the god can shed some light on our choices."

OOC

Rae ArdGaoth · 29th November 2007, 08:51 AM

OOC: I'm not sure how useful Augury will be, considering it can only see 30 minutes into the future...

Bront · 29th November 2007, 08:53 AM

OOC: I'm here, watching, waiting, laughing manically...

Boddynock · 29th November 2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rae ArdGaoth

OOC: I'm not sure how useful Augury will be, considering it can only see 30 minutes into the future...

OOC: Ah, yep, see ... that's the sort of help I was hoping for.

In that case, Eusebius has nothing helpful on his spell list.

Patlin · 29th November 2007, 01:55 PM

"Sinking the thing in a pool of lava would at the least make it difficult to retrieve." Banion murmurs.

He thinks to himself that if the god were to get directly involved, all bets would be off.

SlagMortar · 29th November 2007, 04:44 PM

"I can't think of any options to add to your list, Rasereit." Beamer's eyes light up a bit as he continues, "I have heard of some powerful magics that can turn an item or a man into a fine powder, or change an object completely into another, or even let a man turn into a dragon so we would not need to find one. But I have never seen anyone capable of creating such. Poto, have you heard of a wizard called Trimble who lives east of the Gypsy Inn? A dwarven merchant told us he crafts magic weapons and armor. He might also know how to unmake such a weapon. If not, then I think Ogrin's Volcano is our best option, unless we can find out some more information about this God's Furnace. I mean, if a dwarf is recommending we use a ship, that must mean its a good idea, right?"

Manzanita · 29th November 2007, 07:31 PM

"I'm never heard of this 'Trimble, though he sounds worthwhile to talk to if we had the time. In any case, the fact is," Poto says, then pauses to take a long pull of his ale, "I'm part of a bigger organization. I am able to contact them for assistance, and this seems like a prime time to do so. There are few items around as dangerous as this scythe, I fear. I will come to the stables, er, your 'quarters' in the morning & let you know what I've found out, if anything. Good night."

Ogrin pokes around that evening a bit more on Poto. He finds out only things he already knows, that Poto owns a magic shop, and has an eccentric, though kindly, reputation. One halfling stable boy, however, whispers to Ogrin that he thinks Poto is actually a halfling, not a gnome. He certainly can speak the halfling language anyway.

I'm going to skip to morning, but let me know if there's anything else you want to do.

Manzanita · 29th November 2007, 07:42 PM

In the morning, Poto Knezer shows up bright and early, looking very excited. He's wearing a bright green robe, and a purple conical hat.

He ushers the group together in the privacy of a horse stall. "Ah. I have good news. I don't know how accurate the story about the falling rock is, but I am informed that our best bet for destroying this weapon does indeed lie in the Silverwoods. In fact, I am told to contact this very Trimble of whom you spoke. How did you know him?"

Rae ArdGaoth · 29th November 2007, 08:00 PM

In the morning (or the evening, whenever Poto isn't present really), Rasereit converses with Ogrin and the others. "Alrigh', Ah'm all for gettin' rid o' this thing, but who's this Poto fellow anyway? Father Eusebius, did ye know 'im before now? Is 'e a member o' yer church? Ah mean, the way he's talkin', the weapon ye got is a divine artifact, of great importance an' all that. Ah'm no cultist meself, but what better way t'steal such a thing than to lure some hapless adventurers like ourselves into yer lair, in the middle of an unpopulated forest? Just seems fishy t'me, that's all.

"It's your mission, though, Father. Ah'll do whatever ye think is best."

OOC: Not sure, but I don't think Banion has made it known to Rasereit that Poto's his uncle.

SlagMortar · 29th November 2007, 08:02 PM

"There was a dwarven merchant that gave us a ride on the way here. I don't remember his name, Reinart maybe, but he was a goodly fellow. He asked if we wanted to buy any magic weapons as he apparently had a somewhat exclusive contract with Trimble to sell them. I do try to remember when someone tells me about an important and powerful wizard, though I've had few occasions to need one before," he finishes with a smile.

OOC: That sounds better than the dwarf's story stuck in the head of this force that directs my thoughts and created me out of his imagination because said force had another figment of his imagination gain Trimble's help in repairing an imaginary fey killing sword. Right?

Patlin · 29th November 2007, 08:08 PM

"Poto is a relative, at least of a sort. I gather he's a bit odd, but he doesn't have what I'd really call a bad reputation. I'd be willing to take what he says at face value until proven otherwise."

SlagMortar · 29th November 2007, 08:11 PM

"You know, Eusebius mentioned he can use a spell that reveals falsehoods. Maybe we should use that, just in case. If Poto is really worried about the weapon falling into the wrong hands, he should understand that we can't take any chances."

rln · 29th November 2007, 08:14 PM

Evening: Ogrin nods at Razh's words. "It seems awfully convenient that he's here and just happens to know about the scythe. How do we know he's not in league with Seto's people?"

Patlin · 29th November 2007, 08:28 PM

"If my cousin were a follower of Seto, I think I'd know about it." Banion puts in. "The Lorishes are always in and out of one anothers business, and that's not the sort of secret that would keep."

Banion's starting to get anoyed at the repeated suggestions that Poto is not to be trusted. He agrees that suspicion is good as a general rule, but enough is enough.