Pathfinder 1E [IC] - TIDERULER OF MARAN

[Archon Basileus]

HAGADARK

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."

For those that stayed behind, it was evident that Tugg didn't seem normal. Mhuagra chose not to give any explanations for the time being, relying on the hunters - and above all on Klutha - to hide the happenstances that led to his possession. Cautiously, the hunters conceal the totem, speaking in place of Tugg-Mhuagra and distracting the others with the promises of reward. This alone allows Hagadark to leave his brethren for a moment, as he moves on, along with the others, to meet Dram.

As he departs, a moot forms within the Dead Halfman, the heart of orc festivities within Dram's hold. Around the arrivals, there are ostly children and elders, greenskins and the half-breeds that joined orc ranks by merit. Nihlatak, elder seer of the human clan that merged with Hagadark's warriors, observes patiently, his retinue of warriors probably marching alongside the others at the hills. One of the hunters begins to tell the tale of the trip, highlighting the battle against the Wyvern, but slyly omitting the giantess episode. Everything seems to be under control - at least, for now.

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.

During their brief and indirect relationship, Hagadark and Dram never saw a hint of hierarchy between them. At some point, the half-orc suspected Dram feared the greenskins, never appearing before them out of pure dread. Time showed otherwise, though. the alchemist's calculated mind keeps him busy most of the time. And even though this is the first time they meet eye-to-eye, he knows these pleasantries are only a means to an end. Hagadark can practically smell the elixirs running through his blood right now, forcing his sullen face towards a fraternal expression and his brains into an overload of thoughts.

"Shaman..." - he says, in a very direct, inflexible tone - "You have kept your end of the bargain, as I knew you would. I thank you for that." - he pulls a bag of coins straight from his pouch, placing it over the table and bending his head in thanks, as an orc would do. He knows how orc traditions go: always keep your word and never leave an ally waiting. "As time allows, we should discuss our common interests. I'm sure we can find more to aid you and your blood within my laboratory."- he clasps his hands together, turning towards the others.

EVERYONE

"And here we have a monk from the Temple of the Dragon, a mountaineer, clearly... And our ladies are... of intriguing origins, for sure!" - he glances at Shayuri and Arvana, choosing his next few words. Finally, she selects Arvana first, with a sly glance.

"My lady, I humbly ask of you to show us your face. We are to be allies, after all." - he awaits for her reaction, and her refusal strikes him with no surprises. "You must've suffered indeed through the desert, my lady. I'll make sure you have a place to refresh yourself as soon as we are done." - for some reason, he treats her as if she addressed nobility. Arvana seems surprised and annoyed at his words, but answers nothing.


MORGRYM

"I am surprised to see a mountaineer under the service of maranans. Don't tell me, you ended up working with the Ironsight by accident, didn't you? Lots of accidents such as this, when that accursed dagger is involved." - he hints disdain for the blade, but who's to say? At least his manners are colder, more honest, almost predatory, now.

"We have some nice valley ale for you, if you wish." - he points a flagon upon the table, recommending a light, sweetened drink, during the discussion. "And later on we should talk about the news the merchants bring from your homeland..." - he almost doesn't show, but he senses the strong smell of the dwarf even from across the table. Probably that's one of the reasons he knows where Morgrym comes from. Pelts over the shoulder, unwashed since gods know when. Pelts taken from mountain herds, no doubt.


MARIUS

"As for you" - he continues - "Ironsight bargained well, didn't he? No coincidences here. He called you, I bet. Your Temple, as he surely knew, as a deep link with the Tideruler." - he sits, pouring wine into a goblet. He then offers it to the monk. "Say, did your brothers ever mention the Tideruler? Or the blade, perchance? No, I would bet they didn't." - he transitions, as if he began to talk to himself. Every observation seems to place a theory he wants to confirm or disproof. "Probably your ancestors forgot all about it, or your founder himself might have set it aside on purpose. I believe he did." - he awaits for Marius' confirmation.


SHAYURI

"As for you..." - he studies Shayuri carefully for a second. "I didn't think Grontar Ironsight would be so lucky to have found the right bloodline himself. But he might have made the bet, anyway. How did he come to hire you, anyway?" - he glances at her, distrustful of his own words. "Either way, I'm honored to meet you. I'm sure we'll have plenty to discuss, and perhaps you might yet shed some light into matters that have eluded me so far... Matters involving your... noble ancestry." - he motions towards her face, even though her apron hides her distinctive traces quite well. He's certainly using some device to read them, she knows for sure, now.


EVERYONE

"Well, I believe Grontar directed you towards me, so I could help you find the Tideruler. This, he believes, would free the coastal areas from the blockade and give maranans the upper hand against the Old Crown." - he smiles as he pours wine for himself, mixing it with an equal amount of water. "Well, we have plenty to discuss."

"First, for my help I'd only require a brief inspection of the blade, as well as a single use of it. Nothing more. After that, I'd be glad if you took it from here. Preferably, to be destroyed. I would gladly help, by the way. I'd hate to die only to be dragged throughout eternity by it." - he seems to talk more to himself, but the companions' keen senses allow them to notice he's still studying their reactions.

"I know, people say there's no known way to destroy it. But I might have found a solution for that." - he scans the table, observing evereyone's faces. "That solution will be yours as well, if you allow me access to the blade.

"Aside from that, I'll be glad to help find the Tideruler. But there are things you should know before setting out to find it." - he toys with the wine, drinking it slowly. He considers his next few words, and finally allows them to reach the conversation, without rush or concern.

"There are a few groups chasing the Tideruler. One of them is the Braves. You should know about them already. Grontar Ironsight is one of their leaders, after all. They want the Tideruler to defend Maran, or at least that's what they say. Truth might be a bit more complicated, though."

"Before I made my pact with them, I uncovered a second group, also interested in the artifact. They're called the Herald of Exile. I came into contact with them in Taraz, but I have reason to believe they're centered around Ashir. They tried to bribe me and, when that failed, they decided to threaten me. I... managed to survive. But during this brief contact, I received some interesting background on the Tideruler." - he pauses for a moment and wets his lips on the wine, as if to quench some thirst. He seems more talkative as he describes his theories and discoveries, perhaps even more impassionate.

"The Braves seem to believe that the Tideruler is a means to control the vast seas around Gaelia. But the Heralds... They spoke of a royal legacy of great power, one that would, in fact, grant power over Gaelia and, eventually, the known world. I decided to seek out more about the Tideruler and, to my surprise, I found nearly nothing. Only the Living Tides hypothesis remained. Other theories seemed to vanish, almost as if someone deliberately destroyed them."

"Something's... amiss. And I fear the worse got hidden, or lost, to the tides of time. But I would hear your opinions on the matter at hand..."
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION]

 

[Shayuri]

Shayuri lifted her chin slightly at Dram's words. He clearly knew his business, but he hadn't said much of his own motives. The condition he asked for his aid...a use of the dagger known of as 'the Enslaver'...wasn't encouraging.

"Grontar didn't find me. I found him."

She lowers the hood of her cloak, showing off her strange features with a hint of defiance.

"I don't know what your stake in all this is, Dram, but for me it's knowledge. Of the true history of the old world...and of myself. I understand you're a scholar as well. I am a little surprised that your main interest seems to be this dagger though, rather than the Tideruler itself."

 

[Archon Basileus]

"Grontar didn't find me. I found him."

Dram seems surprised by her words, and a hint of frustration crosses his face for a few seconds.

"You found him... And not for the Tideruler... Interesting. Grontar wasn't particularly easy to find. That's an impressive achievement. Even more so because his passion by ancient artifacts and history isn't widely known. He insists in keeping it secret, for obvious reasons, now."

"I don't know what your stake in all this is, Dram, but for me it's knowledge. Of the true history of the old world...and of myself. I understand you're a scholar as well. I am a little surprised that your main interest seems to be this dagger though, rather than the Tideruler itself."

"The Tideruler isn't mine to claim. There are other things though, that I consider mine... Or I consider myself theirs, one might argue. These things I hold so dear that I'm willing to risk eternal torment just to get them back." - his manners are sincere, as is the willful way he bends his words away from the topic. "If you seek ancient knowledge, we certainly have much to discuss. I have access to things not even Grontar would have. And that includes the path towards the Tideruler."

Deep inside her mind Shayuri feels the idol's soul rummaging, wandering. It alerts Shayuri of dangers still unknown when Dram speaks of his coveted lost treasures. The faint voice rises, simply whispering "Pain is sure to come, should he use the dagger". Still, the voice does not sound desperate. Indeed, it seems to hint a gamble as it speaks. Soon after, it falls silent once more.
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION]

 

[Shayuri]

"Well, it was for the Tideruler, after a fashion. It is, after all, perhaps the ultimate window to the past. The final glory of a long-lost era. I'm not terribly interested in using it, but I'm very keen on studying it. Grontar covers his tracks well, but there's only so much you can do to be discrete when you're hiring adventurers."

Shayuri looks at the others in the party.

"The dagger is something I don't feel I have any right to bargain with. They had it before I found them, and they know its power and price far better than I. I'll let someone else take the lead on that."

 

[Neurotic]

OOC: On the way

Marius asked Shayuri to identify his sword, the one taken from the snake knight. It is too light for its size, black and slick, but not evil, as far as any of the group can sense.

He asked Klutha about Dram, about Hagadark and their involvement. Not that he expected much, but whatever he hears may help.

OOC: In Drams fort

Marius steps forward, resplendent in his temple regalia. But unused to niceties of the polite society and awkward in the spotlight. Shadows are much more his thing.

He bows in front of Dram, formal recognition of his host.
"Thank you for your grand hospitality, and thank you for sending your warriors to aid us. They were just in time to help in an unpleasant battle with one of the slaves of the dagger."

Collecting his thought for a moment he continues:
"As we understood the task, it was to find The Tideruler. But The Enslaver is the key to it. That much we know. And you should were supposed to provide the details, as we agreed with Grontar. There was no mention of additional cost or use. Maybe naively, but I believed you wish to save Maran and live in peace, not fight the snakes for the foreseeable future.

We'll gladly let you examine it. But using it is not wise, no matter your precautions. We fought a creature much older than any of us that was desperate to get it because its soul was enslaved. Especially in the light of what we learned on the way."

Marius pauses and thinks for a moment.
"How about this. We show the dagger to you as proof we have it. You can examine it at your leisure. With some of us present of course, no offence meant, but until we agree on the use of it, it would be prudent we hold on to it. In exchange, you tell us what you know of both The Enslaver and The Tideruler. For your benefit, we tell you what we found out under Maran and from the snake people and other sources about the distant past. You tell us how and why you want to use the dagger. It is an evil soul stealing item. No good can come out from using it.

We talk first, we all get the knowledge before doing anything. So we go our separate ways richer for the knowledge even if we conclude we cannot work together."

Marius waits after this speech, relaxed, but ready to act. In truth, any sign of casting the spell without asking will end up in grapple attempt to stop the casting. They are at the mercy of the mage and beneficial face aside, they are still prisoners. Even if they came voluntary.

 

[KahlessNestor]

Near Maran
Night
Round 0

Morgrym grunted at Dram’s greeting, eying the sorcerer skeptically, Begrudgingly he pours himself a glass of the valley ale. It wasn’t bad. A bit light and sweet for his taste, but it would do in a pinch. And it was free.

Morgrym crossed his arms as the others spoke and bargained about the dagger. He scowled.

“Ye’re assumin’ we still ‘ave the bluidy dagger,” the surly dwarf pointed out. “Jus’ wot are ye plannin’ on daein’ wi’ the dastardly thing, anyway?” he demanded of Dram.

[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]

 

[Archon Basileus]

SHAYURI

"Well, it was for the Tideruler, after a fashion. It is, after all, perhaps the ultimate window to the past. The final glory of a long-lost era. I'm not terribly interested in using it, but I'm very keen on studying it. Grontar covers his tracks well, but there's only so much you can do to be discrete when you're hiring adventurers."

"True. I asked him myself why he'd hire people to do the Braves job. No offence, but up until you know who you'd be working with, everyone is a liability. I often found him careless... Until I realized the many prices the Tideruler would demand. In the end, his Braves are not the ones being hunted by former users of the blade, now, are they?"

"Grontar gave you just as much as you needed to keep moving. You have my name, and you have the dagger. If you happen to get caught, I am the next natural target." - he smiles at the contours of Grontar's choices. "And even so I truly believe Grontar Ironsight wouldn't put you in risk, if he could have helped it."

MORGRYM

“Ye’re assumin’ we still ‘ave the bluidy dagger,” the surly dwarf pointed out. “Jus’ wot are ye plannin’ on daein’ wi’ the dastardly thing, anyway?” he demanded of Dram.

"You are an honest man, master dwarf" - Dram smiles as he courts Morgrym - "and such a quality is a rare gift. Still, it turns men into poor liars. You do have the dagger. You and your fair companions are far too concerned with its fate to leave it behind, and it can't be destroyed by regular means. Even the exquisite dwarven forges of the Old Kingdom would be defeated, should this be their purpose. Besides" - he looks around the room, towards the many portraits that crowd the walls - "I understand you hold with you a collection of magically-imbued items, one of particular power among them. Worry not, I would never try to force you to relinquish the dagger. I wouldn't be so low... Or so foolish." - he smiles as he acknowledges the travelers' skills.

"No... I intend to fully respect your decisions on the matter. I do not find myself in a wise man's position, and most of my decisions might be considered... hasty, at the very least. Your combined efforts might offer a better resolution to this dilemma... Or so I hope."

MARIUS

Klutha is stingy with details, just as Marius imagined. She seems to consider the relationship an alliance, though, and emphasizes that Hagadark would have it no other way. She rambles on about the very few sages that are powerful enough to receive an orc's praise in Gaelia - such as Dram and the Seeres of Bood, both good allies, not like the Red Mage of Harbard, an accursed and elitist elf that would hunt greenskins for pleasure.

Marius is far more lucky with the group's resident powerful sorcerer, Shayuri. She manages to read the sword with ease, uncovering its secrets. It wasn't forged by any means known, and it holds powerful spells that drain life from those it cuts. Also, it's lighter and swifter, concentrating the blows and facilitating the wielders skill. Lastly, the sword increases the damage a person suffers by focusing negative energy towards the victim, reaching into the very tapestry of life. A perfectly functional vampire blade, that's what it is.

[Sword offers +2 on attack and parry rolls, as well as +2 damage. An extra 1d8 is rolled for negative(death) damage. Half the damage delivered turns into life for the wielder.]

"As we understood the task, it was to find The Tideruler. But The Enslaver is the key to it. That much we know. And you should were supposed to provide the details, as we agreed with Grontar. There was no mention of additional cost or use. Maybe naively, but I believed you wish to save Maran and live in peace, not fight the snakes for the foreseeable future.

"I do, indeed, want to see Maran safe. If not for a sense of humanity - which I understand all of us in this room share, to some extent - at least for Grontar's sake" - once more, he glances at the walls, as if confirming some kind of occult info. I owe him too much to ignore his plights. But still, there are things I myself could not set aside, for in my own heart they are set in stone."

"How about this. We show the dagger to you as proof we have it. You can examine it at your leisure. With some of us present of course, no offence meant, but until we agree on the use of it, it would be prudent we hold on to it. In exchange, you tell us what you know of both The Enslaver and The Tideruler. For your benefit, we tell you what we found out under Maran and from the snake people and other sources about the distant past. You tell us how and why you want to use the dagger. It is an evil soul stealing item. No good can come out from using it.

EVERYONE

We talk first, we all get the knowledge before doing anything. So we go our separate ways richer for the knowledge even if we conclude we cannot work together."

"You put me in a delicate position, serene monk. But still, I understand your concern." - he pauses for a moment, his eyes distant in thought. A small hint of concern and sadness crosses him, until he finally speaks.

"Very well.... I will indulge you. First, my reasons: as I said, I wish Grontar and his people to be safe, no doubt about it. Grontar found me stranded, many years ago, as I quested through the Pillars of Gaelia. The dwarf and his companions saved me, and I've been indebted to them ever since. Grontar feels for Maran, and so I feel for Maran as well. I will see this through, one way or another. Still... I've come to lose my innocence during the last few years, and the remedy Ironsight discovered might be worse than the disease, I fear."

"As for my own reasons..." - he sighs heavily, as if trying to convince himself to go on - "When I first came to Gaelia, I was lost. I traveled with my companion and my child. And then... unforeseen circumstances set us apart. I haven't seen them since. Not even the most potent spells available could help me find them." - he pauses, considering his words to be enough. "This is why I need the dagger. One use, no more. And later on I can find a way to rid myself of its curse. Maybe even destroy it." - he lowers his eyes for a second, as if his feelings were about to overtake him, but before long his focused countenance appears before the companions once more.

"I will not hold back on what I know on account of this. Grontar sent you to me because he knew the Tideruler would be useless without my knowledge. The origins of the artifact are confusing, to say the least. It is said that the dragons that first came to Gaelia forged it in the now forgotten Wyrmsforge, for a purpose mostly unknown. It had something to do with the war they waged against the Willing and their heritage, as far as I've uncovered" - he deliberately looks at Shayuri as he tells the story. "Perhaps our discoveries combined can shed light on the matter as we talk, but this was the first lead that led me to believe the Tideruler to be more than was advertised by the Braves."

"As the story goes, the dragons forged the Tideruler after they cleansed the continent of Willing influence. Creating their own children to stand watch and eliminate any possible threats that might have survived their purge, they drew the Tideruler to maintain balance and peace among their brethren." - he drinks copiously from the goblet, quenching his considerable thirst.

"And here's the trick: they've chosen a few bloodlines that would wield the Tideruler's power. Only them could use the artifact. And this truth hasn't changed. Grontar knew it when he hired you. He probably tried his luck, attempting to find heirs of dragon bloodlines. But even among dragons access to the Tideruler was preserved only to two lineages. One of them, I believe, gave birth to the myth that erected the Temple of the Dragon" - he points out to Marius. "The other one belongs to the black serpent whose armies now roam the deserts." - he pours more wine into his goblet, drinking avidly from it once more.

"Of course, I might be wrong. My research is still lacking. Who's to know if there weren't other lineages involved in the confection and employment of the Tideruler? In fact" - he grabs a few grapes - "I bet Grontar was suspitious that Mazda the Red could claim it as well" - he motions towards Shayuri - "or that the Green Advent, the skin Gozreh once used while blessing the dragons with his presence" - he points towards Morgrym - "would want it for himself."

@Neurotic @Shayuri @MetaVoid @KahlessNestor

 

[KahlessNestor]

Near Maran
Night
Round 0

Morgrym just grumbled into his beard when Dram called him on his bluff. He hated dealing with people. It’s why he lived alone on a mountain. He should have just gone home instead of signing up for this job. Now he was saddled with some evil artifact and the key to some possibly world-destroying device.

“Tha’ still doesnae tell us wot ye’re plannin’ on daein’ wi’ the dagger,” he said. “I may worship Nature’s Keeper, but I ain’t got nae dragon blood in my like the lass there.”

[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]

 

[MetaVoid]

Hagadark takes the money bag without checking the content. He nods at the mage
"I'm at your disposal, both for knowledge sharing and development. And I'm open to further work regarding the artifacts."

 

[Archon Basileus]

MORGRYM

“Tha’ still doesnae tell us wot ye’re plannin’ on daein’ wi’ the dagger,” he said. “I may worship Nature’s Keeper, but I ain’t got nae dragon blood in my like the lass there.”

"No, I believe you don't. But if the legends are to be believed, it might be that his priests also have a claim over the Tideruler. At least, some of them, as it goes..." - he muses for a moment, setting the topic aside.

"As for the dagger, I want to use it to bring my kin back, bleeding by the dagger and calling them towards me. I believe that is the gift of the dagger, isn't it? The same should be done with the Tideruler, eventually. Except that the one to be cut would have to be someone from a bloodline capable of claiming the artifact, one of its true heritage."

"I understand, though, that none of you would like to condemn someone to be shackled by the blade. It is necessary, though, if you are to retrieve the Tideruler. Now, if I can harness more knowledge of the Enslaver's nature,... Well, I might have found a way to destroy it, freeing the souls under its influence. It would only be advisable, though, to know exactly what we are freeing." - he continues. "I wish the identities of those shackled by the blade, nothing more."

HAGADARK

"I'm at your disposal, both for knowledge sharing and development. And I'm open to further work regarding the artifacts."

"Well, honorable shaman, I think I shall have need of your talents immediately. Valley scouts have reported that the serpents roam the northern edge of the desert, menacing to clash against the odrosan forces. The valley isn't safe, in other words, and your men are far more skilled than nerathian militias. I asked them to move towards the hills for the time being. After suggesting they could use the old walls, provided they managed to rebuild at least part of them, they laughed, saying that "orcs do not hide behind walls". I have offered a sum of gold in advance for your services, to be partaken between your men. As for you, I guess we might negotiate around more sensible riches. I am prepared to offer you part of my knowledge in exchange of your allegiance..." - he now turns to the others - "...and the same goes to you. But first I must have your decision on what pertains the dagger... and the Tideruler. I warn you, though. Nothing that is decided here will be easy to accomplish. Should you wish to find the Tideruler, we'll need to find an heir to the artifact first; should you choose to forget all of it and destroy the dagger, we still have to uncover the whereabouts of the only thing that stands a chance of destroying it. There are yet other options that have occurred to be, but you must define if you are to see Maran's salvation to the end or not."
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION]