Prologue (1/2): What A Nice DayAh, Whitekeep. Whether a permanent resident or grudgingly here on an errand, you have to admit that it's a big place. Most people find it nice as well, and it's certainly interesting.
Still, no sense daydreaming. You've a day to get on with.
Vazastar (Asilidae)Ah, what a beautiful day, don't you think? Yes, yes, of course you do... Just because everyone keeps shying away from you and a concerned-looking member of the White Guard stops by to talk to you every half hour, making sure you're aware there's no summoning allowed or planned, that you're doing okay and everything's happy and fine, is certainly no reason today wouldn't be a fine day, yes.
Speaking of which, you've got some things you might want to do. Magister Milvrion, a mage currently located in the Temple District, wanted to have food with you sometime to discuss matters extraplanar. You've heard a rumor that someone in the Market District- a peddler named Morikon or Korimo or somesuch- has found something not meant for mortal eyes. And a little girl in a black robe recently handed you a note, tersely indicating that one Tor of the Demonforge, Craftsman's District, wanted to speak with you.
Or, of course, you could do something completely different. You pat yourself down while considering, remembering your more unusual possessions.
-Belt of Mouths - This leather belt really did not need to be decorated as to make the pouches running across it look like mouths. Nonetheless, it was, and serves as a prerequisite for conjuring any substance with at least a fistful stored in one of the containers.
-Forgotten Idol - This pale grey mass of stone tentacles seems to writhe in the corners of your vision. It serves as a connection to things unspoken of, and therefore a prerequisite for certain activities.
-Skirt of Faces - This long pleated skirt is made of purple leather. Faces run the lengths of each pleat, frozen in a look of generic dismay. The skirt may be activated to force a summoned creature to comply with orders for a turn, after which they begin acting in accordance with their own unknown agenda.
Hmph. Another day surrounded by weaklings. Everyone here is so soft... they usually avert their eyes immediately upon noticing you scowling at them. The guards tend to scowl at you to, as though they were anything but cloth puppets meant to look nice. Someday you'll show them the face of true power...
But that's someday. In the meantime, you've got some things you might want to do. Some healer named Charity- you checked, that's supposedly her name- wants to talk to you about something in the Temple District. You've heard about some jackanape bragging in the Market District about how tough he is. Someone named "S" from the Docks District claims to have information you will absolutely want at a price you can absolutely afford.
Or, of course, you could do something completely different. You pat yourself down while considering, remembering your more unusual possessions.
-Sphere of the Sojourner - This grapefruit-sized crystal ball is ringed with a golden
crescent mount trailing a similarly colored chain. When held close to something, it
functions as a magnifying glass that can see things deeper and smaller than normal.
-Belt of Bones - This ominous belt looks an awful lot like a spine with claws wrapped
around its bearer's waist. It stores a spell's worth of healing energy, then attempts
to release it to heal the wearer the first time they slay an enemy while somewhat
wounded.
-Fists of Steel - These fingerless studded black leather gloves feature arcane runes on
the backs of the hands. When activated, they harden whatever they are holding or
touching, including themselves if nothing else is available.
Oh, Whitekeep. How its white walls illuminate your soft skin. How its streets channel dramatic winds through your hair. How its grandeur makes you sigh longingly for the old glories of your house. A nearby woman makes that sort of longing moan that they and some men are prone to from time to time.
Oh, but there are some things you might want to do. A Lady Leafbalm in the Temple District apparently has need of someone with your talents. Keruta of Wellspring, a healer currently in the Docks District, supposedly wanted to speak with you. A passing, laughing drunk mentioned that there's some kind of dance competition in the Market District.
Or, of course, you could do something completely different. You pat yourself down while considering, remembering your more unusual possessions.
-Ytrakariem's Circlet - This simple yet elegant silver tiara is reported to have been worn by the Ytrakariem family's mythical founder. It features graceful wings sweeping back behind the ears, and is set with an oval, fingernail-sized emerald. On taking enough damage to be dropped, the wearer may make an immediate free counterattack first. If this incapacitates the attacker, the bearer is spared any damage or other ill effects from the attack. If not, things proceed as expected.
-Treads of the Frost Jarl - These fluffy blue slippers allow their wearer to slide quickly but in complete control over ice, allowing them to outpace and outmaneuver opponents.
-Gauntlets of Power - These fingerless elbow-length leather gloves sport thick crystal discs on the backs of the hands. When in battle, the discs emit streamers of brilliantly colored light, distracting from and obscuring the wearer. +2 Scaling Dodge.
Oh, Whitekeep... it's a bit intimidating, actually. All the buildings are so large, and the walls especially... plus every woman here is better endowed than you are. Oh, there's one you're probably at least close to... she's a lot taller than you and looks like some kind of fancy swordswinging noble, though.
Oh, but you have some things you might want to do. A nice girl named Kurimo invited you to come talk to her about making friends in the Market District. A mage named Magister Milvrion in the Temple District wanted to talk to you about summoning. You've heard someone named Flick has bunnies- real live ones- for sale in the Docks District.
Or, of course, you could do something completely different. You pat yourself down while considering, remembering your more unusual possessions.
-Dust Bunny - This small, brown stone figurine is shaped like a bunny. The more one looks at it, the more details one sees- beautiful, cheerful striations of color and tiny veins of green throughout the orange-brown stone. The stone serves as a reminder that there is beauty and joy everywhere and in all things, and functions as a prerequisite for its bearer to summon cute, fluffy things.
-Trousers of the Worm - These rugged brown cloth pants are slightly baggy. When used properly, they allow the wearer to quickly wriggle along or through the dirt using whatever the pants cover. This makes transit a bit silly-looking, and makes it difficult to truly burrow, but can allow for rapid manuevering, fast travel, and circumventing some obstacles to those who know how to use the pants.
-Skirt of the Squire - This faintly yellowish beige skirt is made of tough leather and extends to mid-shin on someone short. It is ringed with pockets fueled by summoning magic, allowing its wearer to constantly be able to pull out things their knight may want or need... though the wearer has rather imperfect control over what that is. Common items include crossbow quarrels, roses, bugles, silk hankerchiefs, and even the occasional smoke potion, all of which dissipate after a short while.
Whitekeep... seems rather dull without anyone to defend. You know battle is nothing to hope for, but still... attacking demons gives you a sense of purpose, horrible as it is to say. You know you're not the only one, though from the looks of it you might be the only one here- everyone seems fairly cheerful, or at least not unhappy.
Still, you might have some things to take care of. You've heard there's some experienced demon hunters meeting at the Demonskull Inn in the Market District. A woman named Thorn is apparently looking for a healer of Oro in the Temple District. A Vindil of Vindil's Fine Glassworks in the Craftsman's District is apparently dying to get a chance to talk to you about your... companion.
Or, of course, you could do something completely different. You pat yourself down while considering, remembering your more unusual possessions.
-Restoration Armor, Metamagic Potion, Water Artifact Artifact Pet
-Glowhide Armor - This bright white leather cuirass features small pauldrons and a skirt of thick leather strips. A circle inscribed with some sort of rune or holy symbol adorns the chest. Recovers the wearer by 1 hp every time they heal someone else.
-Potion of Overwhelming Power - This vibrantly glowing pink elixir contains entirely too much arcane energy. When imbibed, it boosts the caster's Metamagic skill to +5 Master for the next three spells, but deals arcane damage equal to the net boost from their normal skill on each cast and each round they do not cast.
-Song - This bizarre creature looks like a clockwork or puppet eel or serpent. Its motif is decidedly blue, with a large, deep blue gem set into its forehead, a light blue glow emanating from its eyes and some joints, a blue mist trailing behind it, and a largely light blue and white body, favoring slightly lighter colors on its underbelly. It features fins and frills all along it, giving it a decidedly aquatic appearance. It is known to produce melodic sounds, which gives it its name, and it is clearly fairly intelligent but does not communicate much. It has numerous powers related to water and song, notably the ability to produce a blue energy that responds to water magic as though it were real water.
Pfft, Whitekeep. Such a quivering collection of useless cowards. Look at how they cower before you! It's rather casual cowering, you'll grant, but cowering nonetheless. None of them have the spine to face you in a battle of magical power. Well, none of the ones you plan to run into today. Those worthless fools are lucky cheaters you let win because the sun was in your eyes anyway.
Ah yes, but you doubtlessly have some important things you might or might not want to do today. You've heard rumors that a Magifaffer Melon or whatever in the Temple District is working on something involving planar travel. Some fool in the Market District is apparently going on about how tough he is. Apparently someone who won't even give their name has been talking trash on you in the Docks District.
Or, of course, you could do something completely different. You pat yourself down while considering, remembering your more unusual possessions.
-Collar of Coins - This black leather collar is attached to its bearer's neck by way of curved bone spikes or teeth along its edges. It cannot be removed without damage to the wearer, and while active, causes the bearer to immediately recast an attack spell upon rolling a failed natural [1]. If this attack misses or fails for any reason, they strike themselves with a duplicate of it in addition to any other consequences of their poor roll.
-Prism Badge - This grape-sized violet gem is the sign of a true master, or at least one who can't stand to be anything less. Its bearer may activte it to deal double damage on their next arcane attack, but on rolling a natural [3] or less, hits themselves with this damage instead.
-The Lens - This pendant consists of a rough quartz dangling from a red silk rope. Its nature is clouded by the events near it, allowing its bearer to use it as a prerequisite for conjuring things relating to the most recent events to occur near its wearer.
Hmph, Whitekeep. Bunch of weak-minded fools bumbling through the world as best they can. Moderately useful, if determined to prevent any learning from occurring within their borders. Someday you'll show these simpletons what true power really is...
But that's someday. In the meantime, you have some things you might want to do. Someone calling themselves "S" in the Docks District has assured you they have need of your services and can pay you well for them. A woman from the Temple District is offering you a future corpse or other favor if you'll take the fall for casually maiming a child. Tor, the Craftsman's District blacksmith, sent his apprentice to tell you that he wanted to speak with you about your Soul Reaper.
Or, of course, you could do something completely different. You pat yourself down while considering, remembering your more unusual possessions.
-Soul Reaper - This great khopeshlike weapon is shaped like a short length of greatsword blending into a semicircular sickle. The whole weapon is of a black metal, pitted and chipped around the edges. The black runes carved into the flat of the blade glow ominous red when wielded. The weapon hungers for souls, and while it cannot store them, it does sever and hold onto those of what it slays, for a short time. +1 Attack, Two-Handed Sword.
-Bonehide Ring - This black stone band sports a single tiny, spherical, metallic teal gem. It hardens the wearer's hide. 2/2 Piercing HP.
-Necklace of the Withered Cabal - This string of shrunken heads only occasionally mutters to its wearer when not activated. They provide cryptic epithets in the tongues of the dead when prompted for information on creatures of the grave.
Beautiful day out. Would be more beautiful if you had some metals to work with, and a shop to do it in, but that's true of all days. Most of the people in Whitekeep are pretty friendly, and itemcrafters are certainly popular among the guards... but that's more true of generous itemcrafters with reliable equipment to donate.
Still, you might have some things you want to do. A woman named Thorn in the Temple District may actually want to commission you for something. Some experienced demon hunters are supposedly gathering at the Demonskull Inn in the Market District. You've heard that Tor, a blacksmith in the Craftsman's District with a reputation for being unorthodox, had some choice words to say about you and your probable work.
Or, of course, you could do something completely different. You pat yourself down while considering, remembering your more unusual possessions.
-Songsmith's Ring - This ring is currently an icy platinum band set with a single violet gem, but it slowly shifts its appearance over time. It allows its bearer to submit a song while forging, which then influences the results.
-Girdle of Refusal - This leather belt features a prominent round metal image on the front, featuring a highly stylized image of a figure with a shield. It allows its bearer to challenge an enemy they are currently in melee with, gaining 6/6 Physical HP and preventing the enemy from reasonably getting around the wearer, but reducing the wearer's Dodge to +0 in the process.
-Potion of Tongues - This glowing white potion is occasionally tinged by swirls of black. It allows its imbiber to speak and write with any tongue they wish for 2 turns, including inscribing runes of up to Level 3 as a flat roll. Runes created in particularly exotic tongues may have unusual effects based on their nature.
Vazastar (Asilidae)
8/8 HP
-1 Dodge
-
+2 Apprentice Conjurer (0/8)
+1 Novice Far Flesh Mage (0/4)
+1 Novice Summoner (0/4)
+8 Toughness (0/8)
-
Belt of Mouths
Skirt of Faces (Control summon, then erratic)
Black Fine Linen Turban and Veil
Black Fine Linen Cloak and Robes
Black Sandals
-
Forgotten Idol
Black Leather Coinpurse (26 White Gold Coins)
Torgjer Ekren (Nirur)
8/8 HP
-1 Dodge
-
+2 Apprentice Transmogrifier (0/8)
+1 Novice Restoration Mage (0/4)
+1 Novice Transmuter (0/4)
+8 Toughness (0/8)
-
Belt of Bones (Stores heal spell, release on kill)
Fists of Steel (Harden target)
Stretchy Black Karate Gi
-
Sphere of the Sojourner
Black Hemp Coinpurse (20 Gold Coins)
Cinaedica Ytrakariem tar Ferren (Errol)
8/8 HP
+1 Dodge
+5 Heirloom and Dagger (Slashing)
-
+2 Apprentice Ytrakariem Twin-Fang Warrior (0/8)
+1 Novice Artistic Ice Mage (0/4)
+1 Novice Graceful Dodger (0/4)
+8 Toughness (0/8)
-
Ytrakariem Heirloom Sword (+3 Attack, Slashing)
Long Iron Dagger (+0 Attack, Slashing)
Ytrakariem's Circlet (Final counter on being dropped)
Fine Flowing Blue Silk Kimono, Exquisite Black Silk Bike Shorts
Fine Blue Silk Bridal Gloves, Fine Blue Leather Smooth-Soled Sandals
-
Treads of the Frost Jarl (Icewalking)
Gauntlets of Power (+2 Scaling Dodge)
Large Leather Waterskin
Elegant Pink Silk Coinpurse (3 Gold Coins)
Selina Martin (RangerCado)
8/8 HP
-1 Dodge
+1 Crossbow (Piercing)
+1 Cheap Iron Dagger (Slashing, first attack only)
-
+2 Apprentice Summoner (0/8)
+1 Novice Earth Mage (0/4)
+1 Novice Crossbowwoman (0/4)
+8 Toughness (0/8)
-
White Wooden Crossbow (+0 Attack, Piercing)
Cheap Iron Dagger (+1 Attack first round, -1 after; Slashing)
Quiver of Crossbow Bolts
Tight Leather Tunic, Black Wool Undergarments
Sturdy Leather Boots
-
Dust Bunny (Focus)
Trousers of the Worm (Limited earthwriggle)
Skirt of the Squire (Erratic squire conjuration)
Brown Wool Coinpurse (6 Gold Coins)
Olivier Auiore (Ochita)
8/8 HP
2/2 Slashing
-1 Dodge
+0 Iron Dagger (Piercing)
-
+2 Apprentice Restoration Mage (0/8)
+1 Novice Metamage (0/4)
+1 Novice Water Mage (0/4)
+8 Toughness (0/8)
-
Iron Dagger (+0 Attack, Piercing)
Glowhide Armor (2/2 Slashing HP, +1 HP per healing on other)
Slightly Worn Dark Blue Hemp Robes
Slightly Worn Leather Shoes
-
Waterskin
Potion of Overwhelming Power (Metamagic to +5, self damage 3 rounds)
Song (Floating mechanical water dragon)
White Hemp Coinpurse (23 White Gold Coins)
Varden Wyrmfeld (Chink)
8/8 HP
-1 Dodge
+0 Worn Steel Dagger (Slashing)
-
+2 Apprentice Destruction Mage (0/8)
+1 Novice Metamage (0/4)
+1 Novice Conjurer (0/4)
+8 Toughness (0/8)
-
Worn Steel Dagger (+0 Attack, Slashing)
The Lens
Collar of Coins (Recast on 1, self on miss)
Prism Badge (Double or self)
Wooden Wizard Staff
Scuffed Blue Hemp Wizard Robes
Scuffed Blue Hemp Wizard Hat
Scuffed Leather Sandals
-
Plum-Sized Lightstone (Glass)
Waterskin
Blue Hemp Coinpurse (18 White Gold Coins)
Al Korrak (Sarrak)
10/10 HP
2/2 Piercing
-1 Dodge
-
+2 Apprentice Necromancer (0/8)
+1 Novice Undead Scholar (0/4)
+10 Toughness (0/10)
-
Bonehide Ring (2/2 Piercing HP)
Necklace of the Withered Cabal
Black Hemp Robes
Leather Sandals
-
Soul Reaper (+1 Attack, Slashing; briefly holds souls of slain enemies)
Skull-Handled Iron Kris (+0 Attack, Slashing)
Encrypted Necromancy Notes
Encrypted Undead Notes
Black Hemp Coinpurse (16 Gold Coins)
Mageforge, Karla Perloc (Samarkand)
8/8 HP
-1 Dodge
-
+2 Apprentice Metal Armor Crafter (0/8)
+1 Novice Priest of Ayum (0/4)
+1 Novice Runecrafter (0/4)
+8 Toughness (0/8)
-
Girdle of Refusal (Challenge, 6/6 Physical HP, +0 max Dodge)
Burlap Shirt, Burlap Breeches, Leather Smith's Apron
Songsmith's Ring
-
Hammer and Prongs
Iron Burin (+0 Attack, Piercing)
Potion of Tongues (L3 flat roll exotic runecrafting for 2 turns)
Burlap Coinpurse (17 White Gold Coins)
You all start with 1d4d10 gold coins. White refers to white square ceramic tokens with lesser metal corners, minted by Whitekeep in an effort to keep precious metals safe from the dangers of the Outlands. Their use is somewhat controversial, with people friendlier to Whitekeep generally being more open to their use and likely to have them.
Gold is very valuable. Copper or silver is more often used for day to day transactions, and you can be assumed to have whatever denominations you need for a clean transaction.
Author
Topic: Outlands 2 RTD [Turn 7: Noises!] (Read 25150 times)