It's Written in the STARS
"The damnable girl ran away. Got it in her head that she's going to get married, that it's a prophecy that's been foretold or what have you. WRitten in the stars, she said."
"The problem is she THINKS that a dragon is gonna swoop down and carry her off on her adventure and that they'll fall in love."
He looks at the lot of you significantly, this grey haired old man with accumulated wealth of his long career as a merhcant and finery.
"I don't need to tell you how bloody *stupid* this is but she's a romatnic at heart. You need to find her before she gets eaten."
Burai is silent for a long time. "A dragon?" he finally repeats, incredulously. "This girl has ran away to be with a dragon?"
Lysos's left eye twitches slightly as the old man mentions prophecy, then she closes her eyes and sighs. Her fingers drum along the wood of her quarterstaff as she starts imagining some naive girl with her head filled with stories... then scowls. "It's not like that," she mutters before opening her eyes again. "Too many stories, it sounds like. Too many of the wrong kind, anyways."
"Nothing wrong with the romance, good sir. But I can see your point. There are very few dragons that will be swooping down to carry off girls for a romantic adventure, I'm thinking. Can you tell us about her? About this prophecy and the dragon she thinks she'll be meeting?" ,Sabina asks while petting her peacock on her shoulder.
Sora cocks her head to the side and nods, "Any idea where we should look?"
"Romance is one thing! DELUSIONS are another," says the elder. "Her name is Vala and I'm hoping you'll catch her and talk her out of this insanity. There aren't even any dragons oiut that way! Just all manner of monster and beast. She could DIE." He sounds very concerned for her. He pulls a book out and sets it upon the briefing room table and opens it up to a particular page. "This is a book on the stars. She'll be heading to the location she mentioned here. 'THe mountain with the crooked peak,' it says," He sighs.
Edinaz folds his arms across his chest, as he listens. He pauses. "Are we sure there are no dragons?" He purses his lips. "Prophecies are notoriously tricky." He doesn't look at Lysos.
Sabina moves forward to open the book and start reading. She tries to hold it so that those that wish to join her in reading may do so.
"Can we take the book, Sir?" Lysos asks, also not looking Edinaz's way. She doesn't make any move to look at it now, not wishing to crowd Sabina or anyone else. "Maybe there are other clues... and the story might help us convince her to come home."
Burai squints at the page. Mountain with the crooked peak? He tries to recall if he's seen a peak that would fit the description. "Isn't there an observatory nearby?" he asks the others in the party. "Perhaps we could get a better view from there..."
Edinaz gives a little shrug, and ambles over towards Sabina and the book. His purses his lips, squinting at the writing speculatively. "Should we try to track her?"
Sora lets the smarter ones take the lead on this. With a shake of her head, she waits.
GAME: Lysos rolls bluff: (19)+12: 31
GAME: Burai rolls knowledge/geography: (3)+6: 9
GAME: Edinaz rolls knowledge/geography: Trained Use Only: 0
"I'm *fairly* sure it means one of the Red Ridge which, as you all know, is not a good place to be what with hte MOUNTAIN THAT EXPLODED AND IS FULL OF DEMONS AND WHAT NOT," he sounds exasperated by this.
"At least it's far from THAT peak, but not far enough if you know what I mean." He lets out a sigh. "With any luck, she won't even bea near it yet. Good luck, eh? Please find my daughter and don't let her get herself killed."
"The exploding mountian?" Sabina blinks repeatedly and then looks around at the others. "With demons? Sounds like a wonderful place. Wonderful." She says sarcasticly.
Sora cocks her head to side, and nods, "A place to go. Good"
Burai nods. "That sounds like the place to start." He still finds it hard to believe he's never heard of these places. Perhaps he should spend more time exploring and learning about the lands around Alexandria.
Edinaz pauses. "I don't know about an observatory, but let's go get her before demons do, then." he nods firmly, resolutely. "It's better that we're out there chasing than talking about chasing."
Lysos nods agreement with the votes to go.. and where to go. She scoops up the book before heading to the door. "I hope someone is decent at following a trail."
It's absolutely wonderful, that exploding mountain. More accurately, the tip caved in and out poured demons. Seems some evil wizard hollowed out the cap ofit and has made it a demon nest of sone kind.
Thankfully, you're not heading *there*.
Instead, after some research that used up some time you'd probably have rather spent chasing down the girl, you're able to make sure of waht mountain is the 'crooked peak'.
It's not actually crooked. It's just an optical illusion from the ground and the shadows the other mountains cast over it. Either way, you're heading out of the city on horse back and moving at a brisk pace. It'll take a couple days to reach the foot of the mountain in question and she's got a good head start on you. Fortunately, she's not likely an experienced rider or survivalist, so her chance of moving quicker than you overland is not the highest.
Sora is glad to be doing something so is happy when they are heading to the right mountain.
Sabina is not so comfortable on a horse but seems to be alright with the traveling. Her times spent taking in the world about them as they go and making small conversation with the group. Thebig scary mountian makes her shiver however.
Lysos flips through the book during the ride, at least during the times when the group is letting the horses rest a bit between bouts of hurried pace. And at one point she asks, "So.. just so we all know what everyone's thinking.. are we going to try to talk her out of this? Or just hit her on the back of the head and drag her back?" Hey. Someone has to ask.
Edinaz rides up next to Lysos. "We should try to talk her out of it. Or make her unconscious if she runs towards the demon mountain looking for her imaginary lover." A pause. "What if there's a dragon? Did you find anything in the book?"
Burai chuckles. He doesn't have a good grasp of riding. He is able to sit in the saddle after watching the others and talk it into walking after the others. He does indeed study the land ss they travel, commiting it to memory.
"I think we should be talking to her first. Trying to carry her back unwilling for two days doesn't strike me as a good time." Sabina says with a sigh. "But if that doesn't work I'm open to sugjestions."
Lysos shakes her head, almost in disgust. "I'm not sure," she answers Edinaz. "I'm not sure I can even figure out how she came by these directions... " She sighs and closes the book for now, rubbing at her eyes as she looks ahead again, having a bit of an easier time on her horse than some of the others. "I'm not sure where the idea of this dragon came into her head. I'm actually starting to wonder if something out here maybe... contacted her?"
So the good news is that you've probably gained some ground on an inexperienced rider. That's the best news you've got, since there's no other sign of her, the book gives you precious little in the way of clues beyond her marginal notes about astrology.
Still, you're going to need to stop and set a watch and camp byh the side of the road you're on, on your way to the mountains, because you have as of yet not found her.
It's raining. And its starting to rain worse.
Edinaz frowns at Lysos, "That doesn't sound good. Not at all." He pats his sword-hilt then looks up at the rain. "Shit." Then he rides forwards to help with the search for a place to hunker down.
GAME: Edinaz rolls survival: (16)+11: 27
"That does sound like a troublesome thing. That or even an enchantment of some sort? I'll have to check her for such when we find her." And as the rain falls she laughs. "If we find her at this rate." She continues to chuckle as the rain soaks her. The bird on her shoulder is not so happy about it all and voices complaint.
GAME: Lysos casts Alarm. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15
Lysos sighs when it starts to rain. Yet seems oddly accepting of it. Resigned, sure, but almost like she expected it. She quickly digs out an oilskin cloak from one of the packs on her horse and dons it before her clothes get too wet. She then helps with looking for a spot to camp, though she makes sure to stay close... apparently prefering not to get lost before the adventure has even begun.
It isn't hard to find a safe *enough* location to make camp. Sure, it's rainy and muddy, but that's just the time of the year it is, and you're able to erect enough tent and shelter to make yourself as comfortable as you can, especially once the fire is shielded and going.
Drying out is more than possible.
The first night passes mostly uneventfully. A passing military-grade airship, bristling with cannoins, does fly noisily over your heads at one point. Alexandrian patrols are serious business.
Burai watches how the others set up camp. It's a bit different with a party than just sleeping in the wilds on his own, and even different than army camps he experienced from a lifetime ago. Still, he learns quickly and when it comes time to take his turn on watch he seems very familiar with the concept. The next day he spends time checking over each horse, feeding them goodberries and encouraging them in preparation for another day's travel.
Edinaz gets busy at camp, building the fire, banking it, making sure there's dry shelter for people. He doesn't think, he does, and he seems happier for it. Finally, be gets comfortable and dried out, dozing has be watches the airship go overhead.
As far as camping out goes, Sabina finds this group more then capable. She even helps dry things out with use of the simple magics she has to use. That and water for drinking and cleaning as need be. The airship gets a long look and then a frown before she rolls over again and falls asleep.
Sora takes her turn at watch and then just tries to get rest when she can.
Lysos elected to take first watch. Unsurprising, perhaps.. those arcanists seem to like having one length of unbroken sleep for some strange reason. When she retired for the night, she set up a simple spell to wake everyone should anything invate the camp. But when the morning comes... well, unpleasant is one word that could be used to describe the tsuran wagon girl. Small wonder.. she's soaking wet, and upon discovering that the water managed to get into her supposedly water-proofed saddle bags where her spare change of clothes was to soak them too doesn't help her mood.
Oh, hey! What an adorable lizard.
It's standing on a rock, having just crawled up onto it silently. It is soon joined by another, and then another.
They're perhaps the size of smaller dogs but for their long tails.
Then one spits electricity at Lysos.
Befcause she's standing in a puddle. Really.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Whirlpool has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Whirlpool to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
Edinaz gets up, stretching, happy. He sets to getting a morning meal sorted when fucking lizards appear!
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 17.
It is now Shocker Lizards' turn! Edinaz is next!
GAME: Lysos rolls reflex: (12)+4: 16
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d8: (8): 8
The lizard, perhaps wanting lunch, lands a lightning bolt at Lysos feet.
In the water.
Her hair is going to be standing on end for DAYS. Either way, that looks like it hurt. The other two lizards clamber down from the rock and bristle brightly with electricity.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 11.
It is now Edinaz's turn! Lysos is next!
GAME: Edinaz rolls 1d20+9: (8)+9: 17
GAME: Edinaz rolls 1d8+5: (2)+5: 7
Edinaz draws out both swords as the lizard starts shooting lightning. He snaps out one sword in a quick cut that bloodies the lizard. He considers feeling sorry the squealing, but decides against it.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 8.
It is now Lysos' turn! Sora is next!
Such a good day. Maybe that spare change of clothes will be useful after all, as it appears the ones Lysos are in have suffered a mishap. The skirts and blouse are burned in several places.. the young woman's skin has blistered here and there from the sudden evaporation of water from the lightning burp. And yes, her hair is standing on end. And still sizzling a bit. And yet... she still doesn't seem surprised. "D..d...d.. defendarius!" she manages to stutter out, thrusting her hand forward.. and it only vibrates slightly as her protective shield of blue energy shimmers into view briefly before disappearing. And then she steps sideways out of her puddle.
GAME: Lysos casts Shield. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 7.
It is now Sora's turn! Burai is next!
GAME: Sora rolls strike+2: aliased to finesse+3+2: (9)+11+3+2: 25
GAME: Sora rolls powdam: aliased to 2d6+3+2+1+1+6: (5)+3+2+1+1+6: 18
Sora surges forward pulling her mithril greatsword, dancing with it as she whips it forward as if it were some smaller lighter blade. The blade easily rips into one of the lizards almost killing it.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 5.
It is now Burai's turn! Sabina is next!
GAME: Burai spends ONE use of FIRE BOLT.
GAME: Burai rolls ranged-4: (10)+5+-4: 11
Burai draws his falchion but hesitates when he notes that there are already two other sword-wielders already engaging the lizards. Burai decides to remain close to Lysos and Sabina, in case the lizards somehow get around the swordsmen. Instead he raises a hand. A bolt of fire streakes out of his palm towards the fray. But instead of directing it into the side of the creature Burai sends the bolt sizzling harmlessly into a puddle nearby.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 4.
It is now Sabina's turn! Shocker Lizards is next!
GAME: Sabina casts Color Spray. Caster Level: 1 DC: 14
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+2: (20)+2: 22
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+2: (8)+2: 10
Sabina blinks repeatedly but then is moving quickly to one side of the combat. Raising her hands she speaks arcane words and a fountian of clashing colors of the rainbow and beyond sprays forth over the lizards and narrowly missing the others of the group.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 17.
It is now Shocker Lizards' turn! Edinaz is next!
THe lizards back up a little and fire off shocks! BEcause they're scared animals!
GAME: Edinaz rolls ref: (13)+5: 18
GAME: Sora rolls reflex: (15)+7: 22
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 18: (3)+18: 21
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d8: (2): 2
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d8: (8): 8
One lizard flips over on its back, paws scrambling at the air as its bedazzled by the magical effect. The other two scrabble back and blast off lightning arcs from their open maws at Sora and Edinaz, since they're closest.
It works well enoiugh, but it's not much more than capable of singing them.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 11.
It is now Edinaz's turn! Lysos is next!
GAME: Edinaz rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14
GAME: Edinaz rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21
Edinaz lunges again as the lizards shoot electricity. He misses on the initial thrust, but his follow-up splits a lizard in twain. There goes a nice cut of meat, ruined.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 8.
It is now Lysos' turn! Sora is next!
Lysos raises her finger.. maybe she's going to summon another spell! But, no, she just shakes it. "Fecking. Lizards." She all but hisses that. And seeing that one has been stunned senseless, another is dead.. and the third about to be, she simply turns on her heel and starts stalking back towards her tent. "I am getting changed!" she announces. "Save one of those for breakfast!"
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 7.
It is now Sora's turn! Burai is next!
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 5.
It is now Burai's turn! Sabina is next!
GAME: Burai rolls weapon3-1: (15)+8+-1: 22
GAME: Burai rolls 2d4+9: (4)+9: 13
GAME: Whirlpool removes the timestop.
Timestop by Whirlpool has left.
Burai watches as the numbers of creatures are whittled down. One by the color spray, another by Edinaz's blades. The half-orc hefts his own blade and moves forward to stand next to Sora. Taking advantage of a moment of distraction on the lizard's part, he manages to split it's head with a well-placed blow.
Sabina looks around for any more of the critters and blows out a breath, bangs lifting up andthen flopping down. "Well.. That's a fine morning wake-up then. And..Do we really think they'll make good eats?" She asks to the changing Lysos.
"I don't know!" Lysos calls out in response from insider her tent. Which may not be the best place to stay dry. But at least it's private. "Don't know, don't care! It pissed me off, so I'm going to eat it!"
GAME: Lysos casts Prestidigitation. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14
GAME: Lysos rolls bluff: (1)+12: 13 (EPIC FAIL)
... breakfast is tasty enough once you've skinned and cooked up the lizards. It's a boost to morale to have fresh meat, right, especially on a rainy morning like this one.
Soon, though, your camp is packed up, the fire doused, an you're on your way again. There's a--