GREYHAWK, THE GOLDEN ERA CY963: CHAPTER THREE

Aust Thale · Feb 4, 2017

Respen To Tulane

~ At last. We are getting somewhere. If what this Tulane says is true, then perhaps my travels are indeed coming to and end. My prospects are also considerably better than they were a week ago. I don't have to resort to thievery to eat. ~

To Terrance Tulane: "Mage Tulane, I would be pleased to accompany you to Laramon's tower. Indeed, we paid him a visit a fortnight ago for information. Had I known then what you say, I'd have approached him then. Thank you for your advice, sir. It will be nice to be able to obtain a resolution to my quest, perhaps just as our adventures appear to be coming along. <changing the subject> Sir, Lt. Benquist has requested we remain within the city until this bit of bad business is resolved; hence, his request for your presence here to assist us in identifying these items. I'd caution you that we've encountered what we believe are cursed or magically trapped items in all this. Please be careful in your assessment of the items. Tulane, I shall accompany you back to Laramon's on the morn, as evening has come, unless you believe Laramon is more amenable to company this evening. <turning to the others> Perhaps Dewydd or Sylvar wishes to come? I see Lathir has retired. Kasnik? Vega?"

To Fr. Xavier: "Father Xavier, we most appreciate your assistance yesterday and today, and we are terribly sorry for what happened to Fr. Clarence. Would you be amenable to sharing breakfast with us in the morning here at the Inn? I'd also ask if you wish to keep the cursed ring such that I might be studied to help Clarence regain his former faculties? "

Aust Thale · Feb 4, 2017

Vale to Lt. Benquist & The Rest of the Party & Kasnik

~ This Beringer fellow is a right piece of work. ~

To Lt. Benquist, with Dewydd and Kasnik within earshot: "Leftenant, I would have a word or three. We pretty well stumbled on this Beringer fellow surveilling a related matter with Sheriff Denby of Caltaran. I believe one of the parchments that Dewydd providing you includes a report on the matter. Given just now the attempt on his life involved four assailants (never mind that they include the Captain of your Guard), as well as what happened to Fr. Clarence when we questioned Beringer...also hopefully in the report...I think we can call this a conspiracy of some sort. They also seem to have the means to magically communicate over distance, including scrying and casting traps or curses through magical items. We have a box containing a ring that Beringer wore. It activated when it was examined by Fr. Clarence, rending his memory severely. Beringer claimed it allowed his master...some demon orc of somesuch...to reach out to him. We encountered no issue on the road while the ring was sequestered in a closed box. I think that means it must have proximity and line of sight for the scrying to work. I'd check these uglies for magic rings that do the same."

To Respen: " Respen, where did you put the pouch with the jewelry and rings taken from these baddies?"
<Respen, without breaking his own conversation with Tulane & Co., points to the magic item/gear stack near the paddy wagon>.

Again, to Lt. Benquist & Co., "I don't know if these blokes had similar rings, but it would behoove us to know. The first fellow who attacked clearly was surprised that Beringer got out of the wagon. He wasn't expecting it. The others appeared out of thin air; clearly magic. But they only did so after he attacked. Either they have line of sight to the garrison, or there was a signal. I don't think that they knew we were delivering him. They seemed very intent, perhaps even desperate, to make him dead. Makes me wonder what they know. Even if I'm overthinking this, Beringer's ring clearly allowed them to keep tabs on him. We put it in the box as a precaution. I'd suggest the same with these rings. I'd also like to be present when the big guy is interrogated. Strictly as an observer, of course. And I have a couple of scrolls left for questioning the deceased after the fact. I'm tolerable with them, but they are a wee-tad at the high end of my experience. I'd happily provide them if you have a cleric at the ready or Father Xavier would question them. This is not really what I'm all about; again, we stumbled into this messiness. However, I'd really like to know whether I must have my Gus watch my back all of the time. What say you, Sir, to my request? "

To Kasnik, "What say, when we settle in at the Inn, that an orc and a dwarf have a pint and another meal and swap stories?"

As an aside, before leaving Benquist: "Oh, before I forget, Beringer claims he's from a prominent family from around here. What can you tell us about them, and what in the bloody hell happened to Beringer that he finds himself in irons now?"

Tellerian Hawke · Feb 6, 2017

Lots of Loose Ends to Tie Up!

Respen said:
"Mage Tulane, I would be pleased to accompany you to Laramon's tower."

Tulane nods in agreement, "I shall return in the morning then, and escort you. It is too late in the evening to see Laramon today."

Respen said:
To Fr. Xavier: "Father Xavier, we most appreciate your assistance yesterday and today, and we are terribly sorry for what happened to Fr. Clarence. Would you be amenable to sharing breakfast with us in the morning here at the Inn? I'd also ask if you wish to keep the cursed ring such that I might be studied to help Clarence regain his former faculties?"

Father Xavier replies: "Thank you for the generous offer, but Father Clarence and I are going to the church tonight, where we will attend the late mass at 10 pm., and afterwards, talk to Father Engels about helping to restore Father Clarence's memory. We shall not have need of that cursed ring. You may give it to the Wizards for their inspection and use, whatever that turns out to be. Once we have spoken to Father Engels, we shall probably both sleep at the church, rather than walking all the way back here to the inn. We will, of course, stay in Dyvers long enough to assist the Lieutenant by giving testimony at the trial."

GM:

Today is Patchwall 12, CY 963. It is currently 8:45 pm as these conversations are taking place.
I am advancing the timeline at this point, in order to get some of the housekeeping items out of the way.

The party spends the night at the inn.

The new day is Patchwall 13, CY 963:

Everyone wakes up at 6:30 am.
Everyone is bathed, groomed, and dressed by 7:30 am.
Breakfast is served between 7:30 am and 8:30 am.
The party members who need to are now able to retire to their rooms, for study and prayers.
Spells are regained by 9:30 am. [Everyone should take this opportunity to adjust and/or update your spell lists, as needed.]

You arrive at Laramon's Tower at 10 am.

Laramon welcomes you, and orders 4 of his assistants to help Tulane identify the items. That means that 5 items per hour can be identified. Thus, all 21 items can be identified within 5 hours' time.

However, Laramon takes three of the items (two rings, and an amulet) out of the pile, and says that they will require special attention. Thus, the remaining 18 items can be identified within 4 hours' time.

Laramon says that it may be nothing, but he has a hunch that these items were made by the same artisan, because all of them bear a symbol that is very close to the symbol of the religion of Wee Jas, the Suloise deity of magic.

Laramon also asks you for the boxed ring, after you mention it to him. He says that he can have these 4 items identified in the same amount of time as it will take for the other 18 items. He retires to his study during this process.

After 4 hours have passed, this is what you end up with at 2 pm:

Loot that is fair game:
Full Plate Armor [Faint Abjuration] Full Plate +1
Mithril Heavy Shield [Moderate Abjuration] Mithril Heavy Shield +2
Flail [Moderate Evocation] +1 Unholy Flail (Consecrated to Hextor)
3 Masterwork Throwing Axes
Belt [Moderate Transmutation] Belt of Giant Strength +2
Black Silk Cloak [Faint Abjuration] Cloak of Resistance +1
Gauntlet [Moderate Transmutation] Gauntlet of Rust
Ring [Strong Transmutation] Ring of Heroic Athleticism (Custom Item) (+10 to Climb, Jump, & Swim Checks)
***Ring [Strong Abjuration] DETAILS TO FOLLOW - NEEDED IN TRIAL
3 Milky White Potions [Faint Transmutation] Potion of Heroism x3
2 Blue Potions [Faint Evocation] Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds x2
3 Dirty Brown Potions [Faint Transmutation] Potion of Bear's Endurance x3
Bracers [Faint Abjuration] Bracers of Armor +1
Ring [Faint Abjuration] Ring of Protection +1
Ring [Faint Transmutation] Ring of Feather Falling
Masterwork Quarterstaff
Masterwork Dagger
***Ring [Moderate Abjuration] DETAILS TO FOLLOW - NEEDED IN TRIAL
***Amulet [Moderate Abjuration] DETAILS TO FOLLOW - NEEDED IN TRIAL

This concludes PART ONE of the housekeeping post. Part two is coming soon.

PLEASE DON'T POST UNTIL PART TWO IS UP!

Tellerian Hawke · Feb 7, 2017

Lots of Loose Ends: Part Two.

Laramon explains to Respen, "Rings are common devices for people who want to spy on others. Rings can easily be enchanted with all sorts of scrying magic, and because rings are worn on the body as jewelry, they are able to bypass spells like Mind Blank, because of their source. The Mind Blank spell prevents EXTERNAL scrying and mental affects. But when the scrying and mental affects come from yourself, the spell fails to function. And because rings (and other pieces of jewelry as well) are often given as gifts, people willingly slip them on without a thought. I would not be surprised to find many officials in high places unknowingly wearing such rings."

Laramon switches gears in mid-thought, and says, "Ah, damaged magical armor. Things like this once vexed me greatly until I developed this spell..."

Laramon waves his hand, and the leather armor instantly mends itself! He hands it back to you with his compliments, citing that your help in apprehending the Captain was greatly appreciated.

GM:

[sblock=Laramon's examination of the previously held items (Edited)]

- Rumpled Hat = Hat of Disguise - .25 lb. - Respen wants
- Cloak = Cloak of Displacement, Major - 03 lbs. [EXTREMELY VALUABLE] - Sylvar wants
- Ornate Belt = Belt of Dexterity +2 - .05 lb. - Lathir wants
- 1 vial of clear liquid with a blue tint = Cure Moderate Wounds -.10 lb.
- Ornate Ring = Ring of Protection +2 - 00 lb. - Lathir wants, will trade up his +1 ring of protection for it.
- 1 set of Studded Leather +3 - 17 lbs. - This item has been taken by Dewydd; since the party had plans to scrap it, and Dewydd had been willing to pay the repair costs in the interests of possibly selling it on his own, I am going to let him have it. No one could have foreseen Laramon's generosity; therefore, since Dewydd salvaged it, and was gong to spend his own money on its repair, Dewydd gets it.

It shall not count as part of "his take."

[/sblock]

[sblock=Laramon's examination of the rings and the amulet.]
Of the three rings, one might be called a "major" ring, one might be called a "cursed" ring, and the other might be called a "minor" ring. All of these rings were made for the purposes of espionage. Whomever made these items was an Arch Mage such as myself, and was counting on secrecy to keep it out of hands such as mine.

Major Ring of (?) (Ring of Protection +4, Wearer can be scried (undetectable) even with mind blank, every word spoken by wearer of ring is magically recorded; at the end of every 24 hour period, a magical scroll appears on the creator's desk, with all of the spoken words on it.) This ring appears to be a signet ring of the goddess Wee Jas, but it is NOT.

Minor Ring of (?) [Ring of Protection +2, Twisting it around one half rotation on one's finger causes the ring to send a magical signal to whomever wears the Master Amulet for that particular strike team. The signal is a "dumb signal," i.e., a single pulse of energy, which serves to make the Amulet Wearer aware of trouble.] Ring is made of copper.

Cursed Ring of (?) - This ring has 5 main powers, described below: (The ring was designed to fool the Identify spell as noted, but I was able to get around that.)

1. Effect: (Detects as Illusion): If the ring is worn by anyone affected by the Shapechange spell, that affect will be veiled from True Seeing.

2. Effect: (Does not detect at all): People who are the wearer's close friends distrust and despise him if they fail a Willpower save, DC 13.

3. Effect: (Does not detect at all): People who have failed their save, and despise the wearer, will become argumentative and aggressive with him, when he tries to explain who he is, unless they make a Will save, DC 13.

4. Effect: (Does not detect at all): If the command word "Scarlet" is spoken anywhere within 10 miles of the ring, the wearer will be shapechanged back into his original form.

5. Effect: (Does not detect at all): Anytime the ring wearer engages in combat, he must make a Will save DC 13, or enter into a raging bloodlust (like a barbarian, but worse) in the throes of which the wearer is capable of killing friend and foe alike, without remorse.

Master Amulet of (?) [Amulet of Proof vs. Det & Loc; can scry undetected, and unfailingly upon anyone wearing the minor ring to which it is attuned.] - It is attuned to the minor ring you recovered, directly above.
[/sblock]

GM:

For the party's convenience, I am re-posting the following information:

[sblock=Master List of Loot]
Party & Transportation: (does not count Fr. Xavier, Clarence, Eldonius)

Dewydd - warhorse, 2 extra saddlebags
Kasnik - warhorse
Lathir - light riding horse & 2nd light riding horse (Sugarfoot), 2 extra saddle bags
Sylvar - light riding horse, 1 extra saddlebag
Vale - light riding horse, 1 extra saddlebag
Respen - light riding horse, 1 extra saddlebag w/ 3 weeks iron rations
Vega - light riding horse
Gus the St. Cuthbert
Angus the Bear
( Horse Carrying Capacity: Light load <=150 lbs; Medium load, 151–300 pounds; Heavy load, 301–450 pounds. Drag load 2,250 pounds. )

Items Carried, Status, & Location:

All current coinage (blended total): IN VALE's BACKPACK, in which it magically fits perfectly with little to no encumbrance.
847 gp. (16.94 lbs.)
322 sp. (6.44 lbs.)
1527 pp. (30.54 lbs.)

Group Stash:

- 48 manticore spikes - 24 lbs. - Lathir wants share or all
- Composite Longbow - 03 lbs. - Sylvar wants
- Quiver/ 20 arrows - 03 lbs. - Sylvar wants
- Venison - 300 lbs. (paid butcher 60 lbs.)
- 2 Chainmail Shirts (on whomever can carry it) - 50 lbs.
- 50 ft. silk rope - 05 lbs.
- Greatsword - 08 lbs.
- 2 waterskins - 08 lbs.
- 1 Short sword - 02 lbs.
- 1 Dagger - 01 lb.
- 3 vials of dark liquid - Carrion Crawler brain juice; hunters use to paralyze prey -.3 lbs. (140 gp. ea. vial.x3=420gp.) - Respen wants

Respen decides to divvy the remaining venison among the party, forcing an additional 33.33 lbs. of encumbrance for everyone. He and Vale decide to split 20 lbs. between them, give Gus 6 lbs. or so of venison that he promptly makes a meal of, and give the remaining 40 lbs. to the innkeeper as a gratuity and goodwill for future stays.
[/sblock]

Laramon addresses Respen, after reading his letter of introduction: "It might surprise you to know that Auror was a good friend of mine. Not only were we both apprentices to Delbin Arcanus, but we were also members of the same adventuring group, Knights of the Red Flag. Red is the color of blood, you know. It made for a pretty scary moniker. At any rate, I am grieved to hear of his passing, and if Delbin cannot spare the time to apprentice you, then I will take on the task, gladly and willingly. I see that your uncle made you one of his famous utility staves; keep it, it's quite useful in a ruckus. And as your skill with magic grows, I will teach you how to add other powers to it, gradually. I can also teach you many other things, such as how to reduce your dependence upon spell components, and how to heighten the power of your spells. But for now, you may freely peruse my library, and copy whatever spells spark your interest."

Tulane eyes you with a mixture of admiration and envy; he is clearly taken aback by your connections.

As an afterthought, Laramon adds: "Oh yes, before I forget, when you were digging through your bag earlier, I noticed a scroll tube bearing an enchantment upon it. Either the scroll tube, or perhaps the scroll inside, is magical in some way, beyond the mere fact that a spell is recorded upon it. Did you want me to take a look at it?

RESPEN: What do you do?

Aust Thale · Feb 8, 2017

Respen Replies To Laramon

Respen, to Laramon: "This? It appears to be a scroll for elf ear stew. We took it off of a couple of red orcs we encountered on the way to Caltaran. I thought for a moment that it might be a secret message, but I didn't think to dig deeper. It's magical, you say? "

Tellerian Hawke · Feb 8, 2017

Laramon's Further Revelations

Laramon answers: "The cloak I wear gives me the ability to detect magic at all times, and to see things as they really are. That's why I noticed it. When I saw that it was mixed in with the mundane items, separated from the items you had given me to identify, I began to wonder if you even knew that the scroll was magical. May I see it?"

You hand the scroll to him, and he opens it and begins to read. Then he begins to laugh. "Ah yes, it's as I suspected. This is what is known as a Secret Page. A simple Comprehend Languages spell, combined with the powers of my cloak, should reveal its contents."

GM:

Laramon casts Comprehend Languages.

Laramon begins to read aloud: "It is addressed to His Most Cruel Excellency, Tharvok Bloodmoon, High Chancellor of the Orcreich. It is sent from His Most Fearsome Presence, the High Warlord Gurrok Mak, son of Turrosh Mak, True Herald of Gruumsh, Slayer of False Orcs, Harbinger of Doom, Leader of the Orcs of the Pomarj Empire; it reads as follows: My brother in Gruumsh, Tharvok, the time has come for you to listen, and to obey. I am the chosen of Gruumsh, anointed by him in blood, and I wield the great Bloodspear, the symbol of Gruumsh's favor. By all rights, I am your superior, your emperor, and you owe me your allegiance. The time has come to take back that which was stolen from us, lands which are rightfully ours, and to make the Human thieves who took it from us BLEED. The time has also come to purify our race, and to erase the stain of the deceiver, Marek, from our heritage! We have allies who shall aid us in this endeavor, supplying us with equipment, provisions, and magical support. But the hands which spill the blood shall be OURS, as will be the GLORY of VICTORY! All that is required is for our armies to join together, united, and the world shall tremble at our combined power!

Although I shall lead this endeavor personally, your obedience to me shall not go unnoticed, nor unrewarded! For the gift of your armies, I shall make you my High Duke and Justiciar, my Lord of Pain, and a third of the new lands that we regain shall form the new Duchy of Bloodmoon, of which you, of course, shall be the head. This scroll is specially enchanted to bring you before my presence; all that need be done is for you to say... um, I'm not going to speak that word... and you will be magically transported to my presence, where you shall kneel before me, and kiss my spear. I shall then command you to arise, and bestow upon you a RING OF POWER, which shall protect you in combat, and give you the wisdom to see through the treachery of your enemies! As for your armies, they shall cross thousands of miles in the space of a moment, through a mystical gateway that we have knowledge of.

The first task of your armies shall be the destruction of the northern Human kingdom known as The Perrenland. Your armies are vast, and the conquest of this small realm shall happen quickly, before they can call for aid. Those are the lands which shall become the Northern reaches of your new Duchy! And from there, we will converge on our old enemy, Veluna; your army shall strike from the North, mine from the South. And when our conquest is complete, our armies shall combine, and push into Furyondy, our greater enemy, and put their lands to the torch! Theirs is a mighty kingdom, but it will pale in comparison to our legions! And with Furyondy gone, we will be unstoppable. The entire Western Flanaess shall fall to our banners, and all of this will serve the Glory of Gruumsh!

And once we have taken back our lands, we shall cleanse them, rooting out the followers of Marek, and drinking their blood! Come to me, Tharvok, see the proof of my claim, inspect my armies, talk with our allies, and take your place of honor! A ring of power awaits you, my brother, as does untold glory!"

Coming to the end of the letter, Laramon's face is as white as ash. "My lad, you've stumbled onto something very dire, here. Very dire, indeed! Whence came you by this scroll?"

GM:

As a reminder, Tulane brought Respen and Dewydd to speak with Laramon. Although Respen has been doing most of the talking, I'd like to hear from Dewydd on these matters as well.

RESPEN, DEWYDD: What do you do?

Diarmadhim · Feb 8, 2017

"On our way to Caltaran, we came upon what we suspected to be a Pomarj scouting team. They were two red-skinned orcs. Assuming that they were forward observers for an attack, we engaged them. Not a half hour after that, an assassin - a half-orc by the name of Vaelik - pretending to be Sheriff Denby attacked us. We surmised he was likely their contact in Caltaran."

MacConnell · Feb 8, 2017

OOC:

Lathir would like the belt. He would also like to trade up for the ring, if there are no other takers, giving his +1 to the selling lot.

GM:

Very well, I will place a tag on it in Laramon's post, saying that you'd like it. But the party needs to agree, and someone (Dewydd? Respen?) needs to make a post on the party's behalf, stating which pieces are distributed to whom.

Tellerian Hawke · Feb 8, 2017

Laramon's Thoughts...

Laramon ponders this information, and says: "I'd be surprised if these two events were directly related, although they DO seem to be orchestrated by the same organization. On the one hand, the cursed ring has very specific powers, designed to mislead, and spread distrust. But the letter to the Orc leader seems pretty direct, although I suspect that this "ring of power" that he is being offered will likely benefit these "allies" more than it will benefit him. I sense a powerful force behind both events, and I believe that I may be able to help you sort some of it out. Give me about a week, to track down the exact destination of the scroll's teleport destination, and about another week after that to gather information on the place. If he is so keen on the leader teleporting to him, and he is expecting it, then you and your compatriots might be able to teleport into his stronghold unnoticed. Rather than fight a full-scale war, or face the Orc King in personal combat, a more subtle move might block his plans. He sets great store by this Bloodspear of his. It's his proof of being Gruumsh's chosen; it's obviously unique, and irreplaceable. What would happen to his credibility if it were to be stolen?"

A wry grin spreads across Laramon's face. "But like I said, this will take some time. Today is Patchwall 13th. Come back to me at the end of the month (Patchwall 28th); I should have something for you by then."

Laramon The Wise.

What the mysterious rings look like.

Respen, Dewydd: What do you do?

Tellerian Hawke · Feb 9, 2017

GM:

Quick GM NOTE: Laramon is also a skilled Jeweler, Gemcutter, and Appraiser. He tells you that your gems (which you recovered from the Captain, and his men) have a market value of:

2 Black Opals [1,000 gp. each.]
1 Blue Sapphire [1,000 gp.]
1 Black Pearl [500 gp.]
4 pieces of Amber [100 gp. each.]

He says that he needs all sorts of gems for magic items which he is always tinkering with, and for spell components. He offers to buy them from you at 80% of their market value:

2 Black Opals [800 gp. each.]
1 Blue Sapphire [800 gp.]
1 Black Pearl [400 gp.]
4 pieces of Amber [80 gp. each.]

TOTAL OFFER: 3,120 gp.

GREYHAWK, THE GOLDEN ERA CY963: CHAPTER THREE

Aust Thale

Adventurer

Aust Thale

Adventurer

Tellerian Hawke

Defender of Oerth

Tellerian Hawke

Defender of Oerth

Aust Thale

Adventurer

Tellerian Hawke

Defender of Oerth

Diarmadhim

Explorer

MacConnell

Creator of The Untamed Wilds

Tellerian Hawke

Defender of Oerth

Tellerian Hawke

Defender of Oerth

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