Pathfinder 1E [IC] - TIDERULER OF MARAN

The sorceress clears her throat.

"I already know some of that. It can contact individuals with a particular lineage. And I think...that lineage is likely related to dragons, based on what it showed me."
 

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Near Maran
Night
Round 0

“Bah,” Morgrym grumbled. “Throw ‘em all in th’ocean, I say. Still no’ sure why we shuildnae jus’ leave this Tideruler buried where ‘tis.” Of course, there were way too many people looking for it now. Seemed like everyone and their mother that they stumbled across wanted the gods-bedamned thing!

[sblock=Actions and Rolls]
Move:
Action:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Ministats]
HP: 59/59 NL: 0
AC: 17 FF: 11 T: 16 (+4 vs Giants)
CMD: 16 (+2 vs bull rush, trip)
Fort: 8 Ref: 2 Will: 8 (+2 vs poisons, spells, SLA; +4 v fey and plant effects)
Armed: MW Cold Iron Battleaxe
Ammunition: 9/10 bullets
Storm Burst 6/7/day
Wild Shape 1/1/day

Conditions:

Spells Prepared
0: Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
1: Obscuring Mist (Domain), Cure Light Wounds, Produce Flame, Faerie Fire*, [Summon Nature’s Ally 1 (Spontaneous)]
2: Fog Cloud (Domain), Barkskin*, Flaming Sphere*, [Summon Nature’s Ally II (Spontaneous)]
3: Call Lightning (Domain), Cure Moderate Wounds, Protection from Energy, [Summon Nature’s Ally III (Spontaneous)][/sblock]
 

EVERYONE

“Bah,” Morgrym grumbled. “Throw ‘em all in th’ocean, I say. Still no’ sure why we shuildnae jus’ leave this Tideruler buried where ‘tis.” Of course, there were way too many people looking for it now. Seemed like everyone and their mother that they stumbled across wanted the gods-bedamned thing!

"Well, if they wanted the Tideruler, they'd come for the dagger, wouldn't they?" - Arvana says, considering the recent discoveries. "And people feel the dagger's presence... So, as long as we hold it, we're living targets, for those who want the blade or the Tideruler. If I wanted either of them, I'd look for someone that had been linked to it in the past, at the very least..." - she continues. "Which reminds me that a fixed target is, as the saying goes, an easy one. We really should get going."

Shayuri shrugs. "She may have known to expect us...it may have been hard for her to tell precisely when unless she was meticulously counting days. Even that assumes things play out identically every single time, even if my half-baked idea is accurate. Also..." she grimaces, "she's maintaining the mental connection, so it's possible she can hear us talking. Something to bear in mind."

"The course seems clear though. Dram. What do we know of him, and where to find him?"

Common knowledge about Adalous Dram is scarce. Even those closely related to him have difficulty deciding what to make of him. His appearances are so vague that most people don't even know how he looks like. Some things are sure, though. As the old lords of Laholt once did, he hires mercenaries to protect his hold and do his dirty work - Hagadark and his group being the living proof of it. In ancient times, men like these were considered masters of dungeons and mazes, holding power too terrible to behold. They were attracted to the eastern parts of Laholt - and many other areas of Gaelia - under the promise of riches and power. As the story goes, these ancient lords sought out demonic secrets and powerful magics. Generally, they used the power of orc troops to aid them - scattered as they were, it was a lot easier to have them employed. Their pacts and experiments are the stuff of legend, and many of them grew to build entire bloodlines, forcefully accepted under more civilized governments nowadays.

Dram's profile fits the description. A man living in an isolated hill and resorting to orcs could only mean trouble. At least, as far as midwives tales could confirm...


SHAYURI


Shayuri, though remembers his name. Dram became notorious among less talented spell-casting circles as a relentless pursuer of knowledge, being able to yield a few unique spell, suposedly of his own making. But what made him known to her is his thirst for draconic knowledge, similar to her own. More often than not she heard about him among sailors and travelers, librarians and sages alike. His renown as a collector and a wise man went far, and many a caravan left the western lands to deliver him pieces of unusual rarity. Thieves and explorers weren't far from his payroll as well, adding a heavier charge to his name, as it might be expected.

MARIUS


As for Marius, the name only came under scrutiny during his present exploits. He hopes, though, that his suspicions aren't to be confirmed. Word of mercenaries and plunderers is common around these deserts, and someone like Dram might be turning in a profit from such actions. After all, how could someone maintain a bunch of rabid orcs under command without resorting to less-than-reputable ways to pay and satisfy them?

Either way, he heard descriptions that might apply to Dram. A couple of wandering monks, upon returning to the Temple with amassed donations - told a story about a mysterious sorcerer, lodged in a manor at the center of a hill-hold. Locals said he commanded great power, having first settled in the area a long time ago - around a century, to be more precise. He would be described as somewhat stern, but fair, and the population was quick to defend him - at least, at the local taverns. It might be only fear of the many orcs that served him, or gratitude for the healing salves and the field blessings he assumedly bestowed upon the region. Than, they said, they left through the road that led to the manor, expecting to benefit from the lord's generosity, but were quickly dissuaded as they met around forty men hung by the side of the path. They left the desert soon after that.


HAGADARK


The one closest to Dram, Hagadark knows of his collecting habits and understands the myth even further. He is an alchemist, and a good one. His impressive results are constantly confused with magic, and he seems to feed the rumors. He demands secrecy, as it goes, since much that occurs within his manor wouldn't be quite understood by most commoners. He designed a peculiar protective web around himself. He serves as a prince of sorts for the villages around the hill, providing for them and helping sustain a huge oasis through secret concoctions - this Hagadark uncovered by pretending drunkenness while he overheard some of his few, selected apprentices talking to each other. Aside from that, the tribes under his banner are grateful for his payment - and for letting them sack the surrounding areas at will, as long as they haven't sworn him loyalty. Hagadark's alliance with him holds several points of interest: the knowledge he promises is rare - and won't be as demanding as that of the Book, for sure - and he might be able to aid the shaman in his search for stronger blood, in the future.

He wonders what this man might do, if holding this dagger in hand...

MORGRYM

The druid holds little contact with the desert people, but little's enough when a man can rise an oasis down the hills of the driest desert of Gaelia. He doesn't know how it was done, but he met many a druid - and many a warrior - seeking aid in the valleys from the mass of orcs that now crowded the feet of the northern hills. For a while, he considered why Maran stood silent as the green menace gathered under its beard - and now he realizes that Grontar had an alliance with Dram. Probably, both leaders reached an understanding. Perhaps they'd end up using the orcs against the odrosan, a common enemy, surely. But how could a dwarf accept such insidious plans to develop - provided, of course, that Morgrym's suspicions are true...

[You can keep the information given to each of you in secret, if you so choose. The rest of it is known by everyone. Summing it all, mostly you have rumors, as you can see. :) Again, as in the other threads, trying to get into each character set of details, skills and backstory. Shay would obviously know arcane and draconian lore the most, while Marius might have heard many rumors from the road; Morgrym hails from a close area, so some geopolitical concern would be more common, I think... And Hagadark has an alliance with the man, giving him sensitive info, but also putting him in an inconvenient spot. :) Please, let me know if I'm on the right path, as usual! I'm also trying to focus a bit more on the mood of the campaigns, as you might notice - that is, if I did it correctly, hehe. Hope you'll enjoy!]
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION]
 


HAGADARK


The one closest to Dram, Hagadark knows of his collecting habits and understands the myth even further. He is an alchemist, and a good one. His impressive results are constantly confused with magic, and he seems to feed the rumors. He demands secrecy, as it goes, since much that occurs within his manor wouldn't be quite understood by most commoners. He designed a peculiar protective web around himself. He serves as a prince of sorts for the villages around the hill, providing for them and helping sustain a huge oasis through secret concoctions - this Hagadark uncovered by pretending drunkenness while he overheard some of his few, selected apprentices talking to each other. Aside from that, the tribes under his banner are grateful for his payment - and for letting them sack the surrounding areas at will, as long as they haven't sworn him loyalty. Hagadark's alliance with him holds several points of interest: the knowledge he promises is rare - and won't be as demanding as that of the Book, for sure - and he might be able to aid the shaman in his search for stronger blood, in the future.

Hagadark has no intention of revealing any of this to his unwilling companions. But their talk about importance of keeping the evil out even at the cost of Maran and not fighting evil with evil strangely resonates with his own doubts and considerations of the future. On the other hand, again similar to him, they are willing to go to great lenghts at great personal risk to save those save Marans. And each of them carries some power about them. The druid doesn't talk much and may be the weakest. But he also might be the strongest. Hard to say. The monk is straightforward, trained, focused. Except for that great sword he carries around and never uses. And the magic he wields. New one, Shayuri, draconic sorceress. Might be a blaster. Or enabler. Someone to watch out for. Especially with her blood.


He wonders what this man might do, if holding this dagger in hand...
"If Dram gets his hands on the Enslaver, he would try to enslave the nations. Godking with absolute power. And the experiments he would do...even I shudder at the thought. He wouldn't really care about the plight of Maran or who rules the surroundings. Tideruler would be less interesting unless he knows he could get extra power from it. But what would happen to my people then?" shaman is disturbed by this thoughts, but aloud he agrees with the rogue

"If you're ready and you finally agree to see Dram, I will send my hunters home with the treasure we recovered earlier. I will escort you to Dram myself."
 

Near Maran
Night
Round 0

“I still dunnae like th’idea o’ gaein’ t’ Dram an’ givin’ ‘im anythin’.” He glared at Hagadark. Filthy orcs. But they didn’t have much of a choice. They were outnumbered. “I agree. As soon as ‘tis dark, we shuild be movin’. We shuild rest until then while we ‘ave shelter an’ water.”

[sblock=Actions and Rolls]
Move:
Action:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Ministats]
HP: 59/59 NL: 0
AC: 17 FF: 11 T: 16 (+4 vs Giants)
CMD: 16 (+2 vs bull rush, trip)
Fort: 8 Ref: 2 Will: 8 (+2 vs poisons, spells, SLA; +4 v fey and plant effects)
Armed: MW Cold Iron Battleaxe
Ammunition: 9/10 bullets
Storm Burst 6/7/day
Wild Shape 1/1/day

Conditions:

Spells Prepared
0: Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
1: Obscuring Mist (Domain), Cure Light Wounds, Produce Flame, Faerie Fire*, [Summon Nature’s Ally 1 (Spontaneous)]
2: Fog Cloud (Domain), Barkskin*, Flaming Sphere*, [Summon Nature’s Ally II (Spontaneous)]
3: Call Lightning (Domain), Cure Moderate Wounds, Protection from Energy, [Summon Nature’s Ally III (Spontaneous)][/sblock]
 

"I will go with you to see Dram, Hagadark the Shaman. If he shows to be a necromancer, I'll do my best to kill him or survive long enough to inform the temple about him. Fair warning." purple eyes glitter in darkness as young monk easily stands up.

"I thought this is our camping place. We'll survive the night with the guards and we need the rest to survive serious battle if someone finds us tomorrow."

OOC: I think we traveled until night fell and we need some real rest, don't we? I mean, wounds, resources...
[MENTION=6855545]Archon Basileus[/MENTION], assuming there are no more planned encounters, you could fast-forward to Dram with us describing what we're doing in the meantime (such as Marius asking Shayuri to identify his sword.
 

"I've heard he's more of a collector of lore," Shayuri mentions. "Draconic lore, interestingly enough. I've never had occasion to meet him before now though. Rather looking forward to it."

She smiles. "Always nice to meet a colleague."
 

@Archon Basileus, assuming there are no more planned encounters, you could fast-forward to Dram with us describing what we're doing in the meantime (such as Marius asking Shayuri to identify his sword.

[My thoughts exactly! I wanted to gather all opinions on the matter before moving on! Thanks!:)]


Despite the many risks involved, the party bets against the odds and rests for a while. The plan pays off, as it seems, since no more scouts or troops find them. Under the cover of dark skies, the companions depart once more, crossing the white deserts as crude, restless winds oppose their advance.

A few hours later, the sight suffers a radical change, becoming a mental effort to navigate gorges and shadows. Soon enough the desert begins to surrender its white dryness, giving place to a scarce, livelier savannah, dotted in the distance by the presence of scouting parties. Hagadark immediately identifies them as watchers from Lenath Valley, Dram's allies. The others recognize a peculiar, mixed party, composed mainly by halfings and humans.

It doesn't take long till they're approached by one of these groups, turning towards them from the south on purpose. Their steeds make it clear that there's no outrinning the watchers, and their manners show that they recognize Hagadark from a distance. The column greets the adventurers hastily, giving loose explanations about a ghost city, saurian troops and men from Odros before leaving. If war isn't here, it's certain to arrive soon enough....

The soft climb that follows the encounter drives the entourage straight towards a set of distant hills, surrounded by valleys of unnatural beauty. Within them, green pastures and long lakes become the home of a few small, wooden villages, inhabited by dwarves and humans, halflings and gnomes alike.

The small settlements reveal their complexity as the entourage crosses the oasis. The small races took to the hills and surrounding cliffs, building excavated complexes that might even be called cities, given the proportions of all other gatherings. Outside, by the open field, men make their homes, surrounding enviously a trading post. Adjacent to it, a permanent fair allows local and distant merchants a chance to earn their living, all races gathering through multi-colored tents. The place is open and receptive, and even so the greenskins will keep from coming down from the hills. As Hagadark knows well, they're not always welcome, Dwarven mistrust beng the main reason. It's all the same for most of them: they'd rather remain at the walls and up in the hills, where they managed to build their own gathering, the Conclave of Thunder. Either way, it's rare to see struggle between the Conclave and the people of Lanath. Whether this is the result of mutual tolerance or the device of Dram's authority the companions cannot tell. For the time being, uneasy glances and stern postures make the group move forward, towards the manor. Uphill, the situation is no less alarming: most of the greenskin warriors are gone to the edge of the valley, readying themselves for a possible conflict. The manor itself seems to be in uproar. The old construction, a palatine building of impressive architecture, meets an impressive flow of servants and students, all of them concerned with the chance of conflict. In hushed tones and weary gestures, people speak of the advent of terrible days, when the mettle of all living men will be tested, while others, less concerned, try to set such concerns aside, even though their fearful thoughts cannot be entirely hidden.

And so, under heavy expectations, the adventurers are led to meet Adalous Dram.

***


EVERYONE


The travelers are placed in the central study, being left to deliberate and rest as they arrive. Ale, wine and meat are placed before them in hasted paces, covering the long table that covers the center of the room. Around them, several portraits depict noblemen in strange outfits, completely unknown to them. The heavy darkness in the room is barely traversed by the dim light that enters from the tall, thin window panes, in multi-colored chokes that contrast with the fine tapestry that covers the white marble on the floors.

They barely have the time to relieve themselves of their loads when Adalous Dram enters.

The bronze double doors swing open as the man comes inside. At first, the adventurers ask themselves if this isn't a decoy. Dram would be far older than a hundred years, if some of the stories are true, and yet here stands a man in his early forties, bearing a well-shaved face, a hair that hints white by the temples and the vigorous body of a young man. As soon as he starts, though, no one doubts his identity: the strong voice and the deep gray eyes are as decided as they are charismatic, as experienced as they are jovial.

"Welcome, friends, to my refuge! We've been expecting you with great anticipation." - he gestures towards the arrivals, letting a subtle, enigmatic smile flourish upon his face. "And I am glad to see my close ally return to safety unharmed." - he stares at Hagadark with a friendly, yet calculated, scrutiny. Cunning and power seem to flow from him as he studies the arrivals with careful curiosity.


[You may use the trip downtime as you see fit, and you may plan stops at any point. Just include them in the next post. :)]

[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION]
 

Near Maran
Night
Round 0

Morgrym trooped along after the others through the desert, passing into the scrubland and savannah before being met by one of the outrider groups and led to the village. The unkempt dwarf glanced at his fellow dwarves in the village as they were led to the mansion. They didn’t seem particularly friendly.

Morgrym shifted nervously in the grandly appointed room, digging eagerly into the food and ale provided. He looked up as Dram entered, a much younger and energetic man than the stories would have you believe.

Morgrym wasn’t at all taken in by the man’s affability. He stared at the man skeptically, very evident of the Enslaver tucked safely inside his armor and shirt against his chest. He’d be damned if he would give it to this man.

[sblock=Actions and Rolls]
Move:
Action:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Ministats]
HP: 59/59 NL: 0
AC: 17 FF: 11 T: 16 (+4 vs Giants)
CMD: 16 (+2 vs bull rush, trip)
Fort: 8 Ref: 2 Will: 8 (+2 vs poisons, spells, SLA; +4 v fey and plant effects)
Armed: MW Cold Iron Battleaxe
Ammunition: 9/10 bullets
Storm Burst 7/7/day
Wild Shape 1/1/day

Conditions:

Spells Prepared
0: Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
1: Obscuring Mist (Domain), Cure Light Wounds, Produce Flame, Faerie Fire, [Summon Nature’s Ally 1 (Spontaneous)]
2: Fog Cloud (Domain), Barkskin, Flaming Sphere, [Summon Nature’s Ally II (Spontaneous)]
3: Call Lightning (Domain), Cure Moderate Wounds, Protection from Energy, [Summon Nature’s Ally III (Spontaneous)][/sblock]
 

Hagadark sends the hunters away to their friends and families as soon as possible. Klutha takes the idol (and hopefully Mhuagra) to their local shaman.
"I will be along shortly when Dram dismisses us. I'll bring your part of the payment."

When Dram appears, Hagadark nods to the mage showing deferrence to the employer, but no fear. If anything, he shows a bit of hungry look. Image what he could d learn from a man that studies alchemy for decades. Or centuries.
 

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