Turn 0: Inevitable"I thank you for your hospitality on the matter."
Look around for any practical baubles before I choose, otherwise find a nice-looking bracelet or ring. Wait until Vindil's completed his sketches before taking my leave.
[1] Practical? In here?
[2] Come to think of it, most of this stuff is pretty fragile-looking. There's this nice looking purple ring with beautiful swirling effects in the glass, but it's got four flaring dragon heads at regular intervals. You're pretty sure they'd snap off in any kind of a practical situation. There's a bracelet of green glass beads, but whatever they're strung on feels rather frail; you're afraid to even test it much. And then there's a vibrant multicolored ring made of intricately interlocking pieces, except that there's not much locking going on. You get the feeling it'd take constant effort to keep together at a party, much less in the field.
You're in the process of searching for some kind of bulk section that might have simpler wares when you hear the sound. Vindil and Song hear it too, and both glance up- Vindil looking horrified, Song curious. It's the faint cry of the war horn from the border towers, and a moment later, it's answered by the city.
A low, long, ominous horn booms through the city, magically amplified for strength and even spread. It's the sign that something has slipped past the towers and is heading for Whitekeep or its surrounding fields. Occasionally that means a lone marauding beast or demon that's equally likely to be confused as cunning. More traditionally, it means a force so great they have to abandon the towers and fall back to the city, or a cunning, malicious raiding party intentionally skirting the outer defenses to strike at the city or fields. Judging by the relatively quick tempo of the blasts, probably the last option; stragglers are usually announced with much shorter, less insistent calls; greater forces usually receive extremely long notes.
In the event of a raid, standard practice is for civilians to get to safety; the Temple District is generally the preferred place for that. Armed forces typically man the walls at first, then venture out if it becomes apparent that the raiders are manageable and going for outside targets. Anyone able and willing to help is expected to do so as best they can or report to a military unit for orders. Even for soldiers and volunteers, however, Whitekeep's mantra is "Keep yourself safe."
Vindil begins rushing around his shop like a frightened bird, putting a few things away and pining over what you presume is his inability to ensure the safety of everything else.
"Oh. No, no. There is nothing strange about my magic. Why I'm practically a druid. So sorry to leave you disappointed."
Vazastar squats down and slowly drags a fingernail across the floor.
Conjure a patch of Far Flesh in the wake of the fingernail path that grows out like a fungus until about the size of a large cat that tapers into the floor. Attempt to make it docile.
[2+2-1] The Far Flesh comes out rather small and with only one eye and one mouth.
Tor turns from the other person he was speaking to, scoffs, and leans in. "Spice!" he barks.
"On it!" You recognize the sweetling from before, scurrying over and kneeling before your... druidism.
[5+2-1][6] Spice drifts off into a daze for a moment, before twitching her mouth, chuckling, and building her way into a cracked cackle. She stumbles back and out of her reverie in the process, looking disturbed. Tor glares at her, but it takes her a moment to gather herself.
"T-toxic. Definitely... elsewhere. Not likely to be anything you've seen before. Unsure of the rest," she finally states, quietly and apologetically.
[1] Tor grabs it, rips it out of the ground, and stuffs it in his mouth. He spits out some grime a moment later, hacking, coughing, and apparently trying to clear a bad taste from his tongue.
"I'll fetch some water," Spice adds quietly, slinking off.
[5] A few moments later, a horn blares in the distance. Not long after, the city replies thunderously. You recall that meaning that wicked things have slipped past the outer defenses, and that everyone is expected to run to and hide in the city... unless, of course, they're soldiers or volunteers, in which case they go to the walls to defend the city.
Spice slinks back not long after, without any water. Tor is still coughing, but he fetches a truly giant axe from behind one of the weapon racks and motions for Spice to follow him.
"Bah, all these shitty stalls have nothing I can use!"
Try to find some better stalls with cheaper items, and practice levitating myself with metamagic.
[5] You wander over to some fancy little girl with a cart of stuff. [1][5][3] You spy a garish pink ball, a runed paper talisman you're pretty sure protects against death, and a violet crystal shard that might help ward off arcane energies.
[4] "Are you sure you weren't looking for this?" she asks, holding up a gnarled black wand. A quick examination reveals it to boost destruction magic at the cost of damaging the user on each cast (+2 Scaling Destruction, -2 HP per cast).
A moment later, the city thunders with the sound of a horn. It's their way of letting everyone know that the scaaaaaary demons are coming and they should run for it.
The little girl seems to have bought into that, because she tosses the wand back in her cart with an "oh well."
Karla's reply was hesitant.
"Really my magic is more suited to protecting you from others, but... necromantic energies are something that one certainly needs to be protected from... and the enchanting isn't so different..."
She thought quietly for a moment.
"Listen, you haven't told me what precisely it is that you need protecting from, and I don't want to know right now. For now, you're somebody that needs protecting from necromantic powers, and I'm a smith of Ayum who needs work, and specializing in those sorts of armors. For all I know, you're fighting a dark necromancer and are in desperate need of the kind of protection only Ayum can offer. If you can supply me with materials, or their equivalent in coin, plus some coin to feed me and get me materials for personal investment, I can make you some armor. Knowledge will only become a part of this exchange so far as it is necessary for me to do my job. Perhaps in the future I can get to know you better, but not just yet."
Trying to call to mind all of the details she would need to make this work, she frowned in thought before addressing Thorn again.
"What I need to know right now is what, if anything, you know about the nature of the necromancy being cast near you, what piece of armor would most directly protect you, such as a shield, or gauntlets, or a mask, how long you have to be protected for, and most importantly, what can you give me to carry out this task and make it worth my time."
Thorn's expression turns to a somewhat sinister smile, and she pats you on the shoulder.
"Very good. I believe gauntlets might be best for this task; you know how wounds tend to accumulate on the hands in battle. Fitted to a young boy's hands, that tends to be a flexible size. I seek something to defend against occasional mishaps more than prolonged or repeated exposures; terrible as they are, you know how rare necromantic demons are. Finally, the strength doesn't need to be excessive; the defenses I require are against relatively low-power incidents.
As for what I can provide, anything within reason. Metals, leathers, wood, rarer components, space at a forge if you don't have access to one... this should not be a difficult or expensive task. For your compensation, I suppose that depends upon how well you do, mmm? How about... thirty gold if I am completely satisfied and you are completely quiet?"
[5] While waiting for your answer, a horn sounds in the distance. A moment later the city replies thunderously. It's the signal that something has made it past the outer defenses; in this case, probably raiders intentionally bypassing them.
Thorn gives you another pair of quick pats on the shoulder.
"Well I really must be going now, consider my offer," she says quickly before hurrying back to the door you met her at.
((Probably-secret snake-motif shape-changer cabal with vague ideals of "perfection?" Perfectly safe.))
"Sounds good." He shrugs. "Understand that I intend to share my talents, and create superior forms for those who fight back to reclaim our world. If you would have me hoard my abilities and let the world continue to wither around us, I'll forge my own path."
Charity waits a moment before answering.
"Understood. I look forward to working with you in the future. This place is officially a house of healing, but it is also the sanctum of me and my associates. Do attempt to avoid acting suspicious around it, would you?"
She unlocks the door and opens it for you, wearing her soft expression and demeanor again. [5] Just then, you hear a distant horn sounding, followed by the city ringing with its answer. Based on the pattern- a series of medium blasts- it sounds like raiders have bypassed the outer towers and are coming for the city or its fields. In any event, standard practice is for everyone weak to huddle in the city, while soldiers and volunteers man the walls and go hunting if necessary.
Charity seems lost in thought.
"...But... what about friends that are people? I though maybe you wanted... to be my friend..." Selina sighs in defeat.
She giggles again.
"I do!" She grabs both your hands in hers and looks straight into your eyes. "But that's why I want you to get stronger, too. It's more fun having friends who share your hobbies, right?"
A very blue wizard saunters up a moment later, staring imperiously at her cart. She lets go of your hands to fish out and hold up a wand for him to see.
Not long after, you hear a faint horn, followed by a decidedly un-faint horn. It echoes through the whole city, warning everyone of a demonic attack. Based on the patterns, a few medium-length blasts, it sounds like a raiding party has skirted the outer defenses and is heading inwards. Standard practice is for everyone to get to safety, except soldiers who report to the walls and volunteers who report to the soldiers.
Kurimo giggles and waves. "Well, I'd better be off. See you later! Make sure to get stronger and don't die, okay? And you can keep the knight if you want."
Korrak certainly did not appreciate such kind of treatment. Still, Tor was an unique specialist and what necromancer thought about him, remained wisely unsaid.
"What else can I expect from it with frequent use beside alterations?", - he asked instead when blacksmiths guest started on something irrelevant. - "It remains untested, yes, but you should know its possible side-effects much better than me."
"Tainting of the metal by the souls is the most likely concern; it's not properly storing them, but it is attuned to and in contact with them. The sword's will bleeding into yours is likely if you're well-attuned to it, but probably not seriously or permanently. Otherwise the usual; it might decay or act in peculiar ways, if something went or goes wrong. Same as any steel."
He then stuffs some light purple flesh with an eye in it into his mouth. This goes perhaps better than might be expected, and his assistant goes to fetch some water to ease his coughing.
A moment later, you hear a horn sounding, and then a much louder, much close one responding in kind. It's the city's signal for invaders past the outer defenses, and that everyone is to hide in the city until further notice.
Tor's apprentice slinks back not long after, without any water. Tor is still coughing, but he fetches a truly giant axe from behind one of the weapon racks and motions for Spice to follow him.
This was a situation entirely to Cinaedica's liking. Maybe he'd get a massage! Getting massaged by such a graceful woman, ahh... that'd be pure bliss. A faint alarm bell was ringing somewhere in the deeper, rarely used chambers of his brain, but he brushed it aside.
No, being locked inside was the chief source of his unrest. He was a free bird! Not to be caged by anything. Should, for some reason, this nice and gentle lady turn out to be a harpy, or an assassin, or a thief, or even a cultist... he'd have no escape. And there were many items on his person he'd rather keep. His clothes had cost a fortune...
Oh, right, fortune. The exact thing he didn't have right now. Focus, Cinae, focus! He couldn't let himself get distracted like that!
"Milady? What... do you require my services for, exactly? And will I get compensated for this? Uh... I should warn you, I haven't bathed yet today... so if you were to need me for some physical labor, then, well..."
"Oh, well... and yes, of course you'll be compensated! I'm very wealthy, you know, and yes, a bath would be just the thing..."
You're led just past the far door, into a room with a staircase curving to the left ahead and doors to each side, when you hear the sound of a far off horn. Lady Leafbalm apparently doesn't, because it's not until the city answers that she jumps slightly. You recognize the fainter horn as a signal from one of the Towers guarding Whitekeep's surroundings, and the much more obvious one as the city's warning to everyone. Based on the patterns, you'd guess it's a raid- lone wandering threats tend to be a few quick bursts, and armies so massive the Towers are abandoned tend to be as long a note as possible. This was a series of medium-length sounds, which means something has intentionally skirted around the outer defenses and is now heading towards the city or its surroundings to prey on softer or more vital targets. Gallant heroes are expected to rally to the city's walls, where they'll either repel the invaders or go out to meet them. Everyone else is expected to flee to the Temple District.
"...hah, well. Good thing we're already in the city, isn't it? I have a place outside the walls, but you know how it is... not safe, supposedly. Well! Good thing the door's locked and all. We'll be fine to enjoy our bath together."
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
Small Basket of Candies
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)
Author
Topic: Outlands 2 RTD [Turn 7: Noises!] (Read 25314 times)