[Game Thread] Prologue: Unwelcome Spirits

[Elanir]

Keani Owata Keani Owata (Art by “Littlerock”) Vanerua weathered Keani’s verbal downpour with such calmness and grace that the Ki’Nau bit his lower lip in shame, his anger evaporating as quickly as water on a hot summer day. The burning cheeks and gnawing feeling inside him reminded him of the days when his mother would scold him for abandoning his chores to explore the Copia Wildwood with his friends or spending hours diving in the Tyodan without permission. With the wind taken out of his sails, the half-elf meekly followed the group, remaining silent, unless directly spoken to. The strange combination of sugar and insects, exotic feathered masks and masterfully carved wooden boxes caught his attention too, but he knew with certainty that he could not afford such knick-knacks, not with the shadow of the debt he owed constantly in his mind. The Myriad were not known to show compassion and understanding to those in need and the nefarious organization was rumored to have infiltrated the whole continent. It wasn’t unthinkable that one of Dumprot’s gnolls or one of the merchants plying their trade in Urzin were keeping an eye on him on behalf of the brotherhood. No place was beyond the Myriad’s reach, people claimed, and Keani had no reason to doubt it. Though lacking in artistic expression, the ogre lord’s palace of sorts more than made up for it in size and location. Built on the back of the largest creature the sailor had ever seen, the tower looked like a gigantic needle ready to impale the very skies above it. Perhaps such a thing would not be such a bad idea. Perhaps it could teach a certain meddling god a valuable lesson - to mind his own business. With the spark of anger reignited inside him, Keani swiftly climbed the imposing stairs, trying to ignore Dumprot’s warning about “doing funny business” in the presence of the ogre lord. Though decidedly primitive compared to the throne rooms of other rulers, the wood, furs and smell of cooked food reminded the Ki’Nau of home. His parents’ house in Tussoa evoked the same feeling of warmth and coziness and even the sight of the huge ogre in front of him unnerved the half-elf less than he would have thought possible. It was easy to see how Buhfall had become the master of Urzin. There was no one inside this room, and quite possibly outside of it as well, who could have hoped to best him in combat. The multitude of scars and the bear’s hide the lord was wearing were clear testament to that. Keani had the distinct feeling that the ogre could have raised him over his head and snapped him in two with the same ease that he would do the same to a twig. Thankfully, nothing gave the impression that he actually wanted to do so, which was truly comforting. "May your salt and sand be plentiful, may the breeze and foam never leave you", said Keani with a respectful bow of his head, before sitting down next to the pallid elf. It was a strange thing to say in a city built upon the backs of giant tortoises wandering aimlessly in a huge swamp far away from the sea, but these were the traditional words the Ki’Nau spoke when accepting the hospitality of others and the half-elf saw no reason to change them. If Buhfall was as clever as he appeared to be strong, he would know to value them. Among the various roasted meats that had once belonged to creatures Keani had probably never before encountered, was a large plate with paella, a traditional dish of the Menagerie Coast and Keani’s personal favorite. His eyes widening in delightful surprise, the half-elf eagerly scooped up a sizable portion of it inside a small bowl and imitating the ogre lord’s disdain for the use of cutlery, tasted it using only his fingers. It wasn’t long before his eyes closed in enjoyment and a smile formed on his lips. Most dishes required a strict adherence to a recipe, hoping to reconstruct a particular mix of flavors. It was not so with paella. This was a dish that varied from place to place and time to time, since a great variety of different ingredients could be used. Each time it was prepared the result was unexpected and unique, never having been experienced before or ever to be repeated again. It was exactly this quality that made the dish so special and beloved to Keani. Opening his eyes once more, the sailor turned to face the pallid elf, his smile like the sun emerging after the storm. "You must taste the paella, Vanerua. It is excellent. I cannot exactly identify the kind of meat and fish that were used to prepare it, but this mystery just adds to the flavor, I think." Taking the liberty to offer the cleric a small bowl full of the aromatic dish, Keani suddenly grew serious. "I am terribly sorry about the way I talked to you before. It’s like there is this fierce storm raging inside me and it takes incredible effort to keep it contained. Sometimes, and through no fault of yours, it escapes and… changes me." The half-elf sighed and looked sadly at the priestess. "I know this is no excuse, I just wanted you to know that I am not like that normally. Please forgive me, if you have it within you, even though I do not deserve it. Still, it would mean a lot to me." Sighing deeply, he gave the pallid elf a somewhat sorrowful smile. Apologizing had not been easy, but it was the right thing to do. Having done whatever he could to resolve the situation he himself had caused, Keani’s attention was drawn back to their illustrious host, blissfully tearing off huge chunks of flesh from the largest “chicken leg” the sailor had ever seen. His hatred for the Empire seemed to be shared by the pallid elf priestess, who summarized it in just a few fiery words. The Ki’Nau didn’t share that sentiment to the same extent, though he was definitely wary of the Empire’s strict structure and stifling rules and regulations. "Is the Empire one of the reasons you asked for outside assistance, Lord? Do you think that the Dwendalians are involved in the disappearance of counselor Bol’bara?" Though normally a person content with enjoying the small pleasures of life that each moment entailed, Keani had the distinct feeling that he was running out of time. Perhaps the ogre lord could be goaded into offering them some information about the task he had in mind, before his companions were so full of food and drink that they would have to postpone setting off for the following day. Fourty four days have already passed, the half elf reminded himself. One and a half months with nothing to show for it. Let’s see if coming here is going to change all that.

 

Actions Action: Roleplaying. Reaction: Bonus: Move: Effects: Notes etc:

Keani Owata Half-Elf (Mark of the Storm) | Sorcerer (Divine Soul) 1 Armor Class: 13 | Hit Points: 9/9 | Speed: 30 ft | Luck Points: 5 Melee/Ranged Attack: +5 / 1d4+3 (dagger) | +5 / 1d8+3 (light crossbow) | Bolts: 20/20 Str 11 (+0) | Dex 16 (+3) | Con 16 (+3) | Int 13 (+1) | Wis 16 (+3) | Cha 18 (+4) Saving throws: Str +0 | Dex +3 | Con +5 | Int +1 | Wis +3 | Cha +6 Skills: Arcana +3 | Athletics +2 | Perception +5| Persuasion +6 | Navigator’s tools | Vehicles (Water) Passive Perception: 13 | Initiative: +3 | Hit Dice: 1d6 Darkvision: 60 feet | Fey ancestry: IMM to magical sleep, ADV Vs charm Windwright’s intuition: add +1d4 to Acrobatics and Navigator’s tools checks Favored by the gods: add 2d4 to a failed save or attack roll [1/1 pSR] Storm’s boon: resistance to lightning damage Feat - Telekinetic: attempt to move (5ft) a creature as a bonus action (Str DC 13) Spellcasting: Charisma - DC 14 | Spell attack: +6 Spells: 1st level – 2/2 Spells known: Guidance (0), Gust (0), (modified) Mage Hand (0), Prestidigitation (0), Ray of Frost (0), Thunderclap (0), Cure Wounds (1), Featherfall (1), Fog Cloud (1), Guiding Bolt (1), Thunderwave (1) Languages: Common | Elvish | Naush | Primordial Items of Note: Wand [piece of wood from the Silver Dolphin] (arcane focus) | Coins: 10 gp

[Saratek]

Vanerua Galanodel Level 1 Twilight Cleric The turn in demeanor was surprising, but not entirely unexpected. Reaching out to pluck the bowl from the man's grasp to set it in front of her, Vanerua scooped with her fingers, showing a technique that was much more common on the Menagerie Coast, and took a taste. Moving it around her mouth a moment in a studied manner, the cleric turned to smile at the sailor before his seriousness softened it as she absorbed his words. The Pallid's warm smile returned as Keani asked forgiveness, causing Vanerua to softly shake her head, "There is no such forgiveness needed given. I overstepped. Sometimes it is difficult to not be preaching, especially after…" The thought seemed to hang to woman up, but for only a moment, "Your reaction was one I should have expected, and is also one I have encountered many times before in my travels. Pay it no mind." Vanerua thought it better not to say more, given Keani's previous cursing of the god he was so very much emulating. Her smile, as practiced as it was, hid her amusement as she turned her attention back to the paella and plantains in front of her. Pondering it for a moment, the elf scooped up some of the rice onto a fried slice and took a bite of the fusion, pondering it as she looked up in wait for the Ogre Lord's replies.   Actions: Action: Reactions OA: Rapier: +4 Attack; 1d8+2 Piercing Rolls   Vanerua Galanodel, Level 1 Pallid Elf Twilight Cleric Initiative: +2 HP: 12/12, AC: 12 18 (Scale + Shield) Status Effect: None; Concentration: Speed: 30ft, Senses: Darkvision 300 ft; Passive Perception 16, Insight 21, Investigation 19 Languages: Celestial, Common, Elvish, Marquesian, Naush, Sylvan Saving Throws Str +0, Dex +2, Con +4, Int +2, prof-Wis +6, prof-Cha +2 Abilities: Str 11, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 18, Cha 11 Special Abilities: Grant Darkvision 300 feet onto up to 4 willing creatures within 10 feet of you for 1 hour. Usable 1 per Long Rest or with a Spell Slot.Eyes of the Night; Advantage on Next Initiative CheckVigilant Blessing: Target; Can cast Silvery Barbs and Misty Step once per Long Rest or with Appropriate-Leveled Spell SlotsFey Touched: Silvery Barbs, Misty Step Spellcasting: Spell Save DC 14, 2/2 - 1st Level Slots Cantrips: Guidance, Light, Sacred Flame, Word of Radiance Spells Known: Faerie Fire, Sleep, Silvery Barbs, Misty Step Spells Prepared: Bless, Detect Magic, Guiding Bolt, Healing Word, Sanctuary Luck Points: 5 Notes: 4sp 3cp

[Hillsy7]

Dewdrop The chaos and clamour of the warrens grew around them as hawkers and shopkeepers bawled at anyone and everyone. It was like a tsunami of civilisation that roared towards them and finally crashed down, drowning them in sounds, smells, and the growing heat of cramped bodies. As that wave grew, Dewdrop felt anxiety grow as she drifted to the centre of the group, tugging her cloak further over her head and pressing it across her face. But once the tide hit and swept them along, she relaxed. It wasn’t that she didn’t underestimate the dangers of such chaos; she’d cut enough purses to know how easily a blade could be produced and employed without anyone seeing. But it made planning nigh on impossible. If the Children were to spot, organise, and try and abduct her here, there was a few hundred dozen ways anything like that could be thwarted, while she could easily use that chaos to escape. This was Urzin in its most natural form, and it suited her just fine. So she let the group wash her along. When they finally left the throng of the Warrens and moved onto the huge stretch of bridge, Dew’s mood shifted once again. The huge onyx-like shell of the horizonback ahead made the impossibly tall edifice atop it seem like it was brighter, larger, and rising from some dark morass. The imagery was not lost on her; the thin bridge was a break from chaos into the ordered power of Urzin, where the Dynasty’s control was aggregated like some cloud of night upon which Urzin’s people floated. But where the Dynasty exerted influence was of interest to her - it was after all why she’d accepted Buhfall’s invitation in the first place. And so as they moved through the paved courtyard Dew’s alertness peaked, doing all she could to take in every detail. Where guards were standing by doors to protect them; areas that might be set apart for planning; if goods and equipment were being moved about. In her experience military establishments moved in a series of interlocking mechanical systems that, if you could understand it, might leave gaps for one to move through unseen. Even as they stepped into the Lord’s main chamber, she first glanced at the walls looking for doors and guards and cloistered rooms where one might keep information the Dynasty might not want people to see. And so it was that she was still scanning for crossbowmen hidden somewhere out of sight when Buhfall boomed out his introduction, and she looked at him for the first time. Well, at his navel, then she had to tilt her head up to take him in fully. The Scars, spikes, and affectations of combat all pointed to a savage and mindless control, but Dew reminder herself that the craftiest card players she’d lost to often hid sharp wits behind blunted exteriors. ~Keep your eyes open, Sabanna. Not sure how this is going to play out.~ She turned to the platters of food, wondering if Buhfall was intimating the Empire might’ve poisoned it. Which was one of the oddest serving suggestions she’d come across. ~You really think this brute will somehow get us access to the aurora guard’s stations here?~ Sabanna aske wryly, and Dew gave a mental shrug at her. ~Do you even think he knows what consecution is?~ She grabbed a small knot of bread dusted with something dark that might’ve been sugar and stuffed the whole thing in her mouth at once absently. ~I don’t know, but if you’ve got any better ideas I’d love to hear them because…oh wow, this is delicious!~ Dew felt Sabanna grump to herself for a moment, then settled down into a watchful state while Dew scuttled up and down the tables, absently shovelling anything bite sized and colourful into her mouth l while paying attention to the room concealed behind the powerful visage of Buhfall himself. OOC   Stat Block Dewdrop Neutral Good Shifter, Level 1 Warlock STR: 10 (+0) | DEX: 18 (+4) |CON: 14 (+2) | INT: 16 (+3) | WIS: 7 (-2**) | CHA: 19 (+4**) HP: 10/10 AC: 15; Initiative: +4; PP: 8 Darkvision: 60 feet. Weapons: +6 to hit, 1d8+4 damageL. Crossbow, +6 to hit, 1d4+4 damage, 20/60 range, finesse, lightDagger Spell Attack Roll: +6 Spell Save DC: 14 Armor: AC 11+4Leather Gear and Items: Proficient Skills: Acrobatics +6 | Arcana +5 | Deception +6 | Investigation +5 | Sleight of Hand +6 Features & Abilities: 1/1 Spell Slots (1st Level) - SR 3/3 Echoes of the Past - SR 1/1 Detect Thoughts (feat) - LR 2/2 Shifting - LR 5/* Luck Points - DM

[Retry]

Kimmaath "Kimma" Vyufras Art by @Third_Cookie There was a reverberation within Kimma's very core from Buhfall's voice. A sense of strength and power. Copper eyes rushed to take the mighty ogre in, to trace the muscles and scars. Kimma wanted to fight this hulking figure. Ogres would appear here and there in Jigow for fisticuff matches. Yet they were always kept in a bracket of their own. Their ferocity never knowing the words "stop you blithering idiot, you're killing them!" This just made the concept of challenge all the more alluring. Taking the Lord's offer of food and drink, Kimmaath took a seat upon the furs adorning his fancy new mask. A trinket that was more of an impulse by and earned him a bit of chiding from his new friend over the concept of haggling. Yet, how could you say something that made you THIS handsome should be worth less than what he paid for?! Fierce eyes looked towards the one who summoned them. A thin arc of electricity leapt from his opening mouth to the tin lining of his mask as his hands instinctively shoved food in. Amid his chewing Kimmaath leaned down in what appeared as the most non-discrete way, from a third-party point of view, to 'whisper' to Nissa. "Oi. Need an honest opinion here - d'ya think I could take 'im on one-on-one?" "Or d'ya think it would be improper to fight the one hiring you?" OOC   Actions Move: Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Interaction: Contingencies: Notes/Rolls: Kimmaath "Kimma" Vyufras Theme Song "Destructive Goodwill" by Daisuke Ishiwatari Level Ravenite Fighter 1 HP: 14/14 | AC: Chain Shirt15 | Speed: 30 ft. | Senses: PP 11 DV:60ft | HD: 1d10 Luck Pts. 5/5 Status: Healthy Feats: Draconic Ancestry - Bronze, Breath weapon (Lightning), Darkvision, Vengeful Assault, Chef, Fighting Style: Unarmed Fighting, Second Wind, Skills: Athletics +6, Insight +3, Performance +4, Survival +3 Tools: Cook's Utensils, Dice Set Languages: Common, Draconic, Goblin, Orcish Combat Equipment: Unarmed Strike [open] (+6 <> 1d8+4 Blud.), Unarmed Strike [armed] (+6 <> 1d6+4 Blud.), Handaxe (+6 <> 1d6+4 Slash), Net (+4 <> -), Breath (DEX 14 <> 2d6 Lightning) Magic Items: - Abilities Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha Score: 18 14 18 12 12 14 Modifier: +4 +2 +4 +1 +1 +2 Saves: +6 +2 +6 +1 +1 +2   As an action once per short rest, exhale in a 5 by 30 ft. line (DEX DC 14, half damage on success) for 2d6 Lightning Damage [6th] 3d6, [11th] 4d6, [16th] 5d6Breath Weapon (Bronze) - [1/1] Once per Short Rest, when you take damage from a creature you can use your reaction to make a counter attack against that creature.Vengeful Assault - [1/1] Once per Short Rest as a Bonus Action, you can regain 1d10+[Fighter Lv] HP.Second Wind - [1/1] You can prepare food that allows creatures to regain additional hit points when taking a short rest as well as gain temporary hit points after a long rest.Chef [limit: 6 creatures for short rest, 2 treats for long]

[hafrogman]

Argus Varak, Student of the Five Metal Path Argus kept himself mostly aloof from whatever small drama had been swirling around Keani and Vanerua during their journey. He had also avoided the street vendors hawking their wares, a quick glance around revealed nothing worth owning, let alone spending coin on. But now they had arrived at their destination, and he found himself face to face, more or less, with the illustrious Ogre Lord Buhfall II. The ogre himself was everything one might expect from a member of that species, if perhaps a little more well spoken. The lord's greeting was a curious one. Argus found himself silently asking the same question that Keani gave voice to. What did the Empire have to do with all this? The scion of House Varak did not echo nor decry Vanerua's sentiments, mindful of diplomatic relationships that would be important to maintain once Draconia was restored. Still, the Kryn Dynasty was a much closer neighbor than Rexxentrum. His tailed swayed unconsciously back and forth as he weighed the political ramifications of conflict between the two powers. The silver draconian helped himself to some of the Ogre Lord's largesse, a little curious why they were being treated to such a warm welcome. Perhaps if he had been meeting with Buhfall himself as a representative of his house, this kind of spread would be warranted... but for this crowd of ne'er-do-wells and vagrants? Or was this simply the ogre's normal repast, and feeding half a dozen normal sized individuals along side him was no extra burden? Either way, Argus made sure to strike a balance in his selections, careful to appear neither ungrateful nor overly grasping. There would be plenty of time for avarice later, when they were being paid... Speaking of which, as he passed Kimmaath and Nissa on his way to find a spot to sit and eat, Argus could not help but overhear a whispered conversation between the two. Wincing a little, he forced a smile and contributed his own opinion unsolicited. "I think Dumprot might consider that 'funny business'. Perhaps wait until after we have accomplished our task... and been rewarded." Turning back to their, Argus spoke up louder, hoping to move the conversation past anything that may or may not have been heard by the group as a whole. "Truly a generous greeting you have for us, Lord Buhfall. But with a person missing, time may be of the essence? Perhaps we could move on to business matters?"

OOC   Actions Move: Action: Bonus Action:   Stat Block Argus Varak | Dragonborn (Metallic) | Monk | Level 1 HP: 9/9 | AC: unarmored defense16 | PP: 13 | Initiative: +3 | Speed: 30ft | Luck Points: 5 Stats: Str 12 (+1), Dex 17 (+3), Con 13 (+1), Int 12 (+1), Wis 16 (+3), Cha 14 (+2) Saves: Str +3 | Dex +5 Attacks: Attack +5 ; 1d6+3 piercing damageShortsword, Attack +5 ; 1d4+3 piercing damage; Range 20/60Dart, Attack +5 ; 1d4+3 bludgeoning damageUnarmed Strike Skills: Acrobatics +5 | Athletics +3 | History +3 | Persuasion +4 Languages: Common, Draconic, Elvish, Marquesian Relevant Equipment: Shortsword, Darts (10) Silver - ColdMetallic Ancestry | You have resistance to the damage type associated with your Metallic Ancestry.Draconic Resistance | Feature: Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.Position of Privilege | While you are wearing no armor and not wielding a shield, your AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Wisdom modifier.Unarmored Defense | You gain the following benefits while you are unarmed or wielding only monk weapons and you aren’t wearing armor or wielding a shield:[list][*]You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons.[*]You can roll a d4 in place of the normal damage of your unarmed strike or monk weapon. This die changes as you gain monk levels, as shown in the Martial Arts column of the Monk table.[*]When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action.Martial Arts (1d4) | Feat: Gift of the Chromatic Dragon   Powers and Abilities Dragonborn When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can replace one attack with a 15 ft. cone breath weapon. Each creature must make a DEX save taking 1d10 cold damage on a fail or half as much on a success.Breath Weapon (DC11) [ ][ ] Gift of the Metallic Dragon You learn the cure wounds spell. Once per long rest, you can cast it without expending a spell slot. You can also cast it using any spell slots you have. Your spellcasting ability for this spell is Wisdom.Draconic Healing [ ] When you or another creature you can see within 5 ft. of you is hit by an attack, you can use your reaction to grant a +2 bonus to the target's AC against that attack roll, potentially causing it to miss. You can use this reaction 2 times per long rest.Protective Wings [ ][ ]