A Resurrectionist's Visit, Part 1
Log Info
- Title: A Resurrectionist's Visit, Part 1
- GM: Whirlpool
- Place: Mountains on Alexandros's East Border
- Summary: A 'lower level' investigation of a magical phenomenon at the behest of Griva Brassbinger, localhead of the Resurrectionists of Animus.
The Resurrectionists of Animus are an organization dedicated to the supposed goal of resurrecting the slain God of Magic: Animus. It's right there in the name.
In accordance with these goals, the Resurrectionists frequently investigate disruptions to the Sea of Mana, or other magical oddities that have been not uncommon in the decade plus since the cataclysmic event occurred.
One such example is the report of a strange, blue fire in the mountains of Alexandros' eastern border, and thqat's where you're off to now. A quick airship ride across the tracts of farmland and villages, being dropped at the foot of the mountains, carefully, and provided a miner's map to the location in question, your mission is to verify the phenomenon, observe it, and see if it has any identifiable cause. If there's something you *can* do about it, do it, but don't unnecessarily risk yourselves if there's no need. Information and magical knowledge is the real goal here.
Victor steps off of the airship. His mass and a certain stiffness to his movement cause his footsteps to thud. He peers in the direction where they were told the fire would be, searching for hints of blue in the sky.
"'If there's something you can do about it, do it'" Fidget quotes from the instructions, "About cool blue fire? What would we want to do about it except see if we can get some of it and take it home to, like, put in a jar, or keep on your hat or something. Doesn't seem like a *problem*, it's just cool!" The goblin doesn't really see what the concern is, but that might be more apparent after they find the curiosity than it is now. Plus, she wants to steal some. It would make for an excellent party trick.
For the one known as Thoth, it had been quite the surprise to learn that Animus was no longer the keeper of the world's magic. To think that such a task had been taken over by two far different Gods, and one of which now being indicated as the 'killer of Animus', was... 'worrisome'. Of course, the more complex subtleties and secret workings of those within the city of Alexandria are yet an unknown to this rather unusual War Golem. When the group takes their airship ride, the War Golem had remained quiet amongst the cargo, unmoving, saving its strength. So many pieces of it broken that most of those traveling might have considered it some Wizard's discarded project. But once they arrive, the thing rises. A few metalic scraping sounds, as the tangled mess of metalic feathers and wire rises up. Revealing its black and golden self. Its motions are a bit rigid, and there's enough sounds to indicate it is damaged as it begins to move down the airship right behind Victor. A click-clacking of its beak just as Fidget finishes speaking, its wings too broken to see any use, as it decides to preen them. Running its beak over the marred and damaged metal, trying to straighten some of them in a moment of obsession, before it directs itself to what lies ahead of them. It's almost like it wished to say something, but then got lost in that moment of preening.
Having been away for awhile, Ous had jumped on the ship with Dog at his side. they had spent most of the trip with Ous sitting near the rails watching the world go by below while Dog had, in order, whimpered for the first quarter of the trip while trying to hide behind Thoth. Realized Thoth was not an inanimate object, and tried to leap over the side. Spent 10 minutes being soothed by Ous, tried to piss on victor's leg for a moment, then thought the better of it, then fallen asleep at Ous' feet. it had been an eventful trip for the Huge Mastiff.
Now they were coming off the ship. Ous moving with quick, silent strides as the big man spoke quietly to the dog. "Time tae get yer haid in it dog. Stay Tae me, aye?" Dog in return seems to become a different animal. less goofy and more like a creature that might tear someone's arm off. Looking to Fidget, Ous adds. "Aye dinnae think ye want tae try an' bottle Blue fire. it always starts wit' lookin' pretty, then someone get their immortal soul burned away and turned intae th' ever unlivin undead or someat as weird, aye?"
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Okay! Survival cehcks." GAME: Thoth rolls Survival: (4)+1: 5 GAME: Victor rolls survival: (5)+8: 13 GAME: Ous rolls Survival: (15)+9: 24 GAME: Fidget rolls survival: (18)+0: 18
WIth the help of the map, and particularly Ous' keen eyes, you are soon on your way up into the mountains. This far into the fall, it's fairly cool and soon the chill is truly settling in. It's a good thing you left early into the day, as you're probably going to need to overnight out here. The mountains themselves are quiet. You can see the signs of the mining villages that dwell here in the far distance, absent the one you're heading to. The trails up through the hills are easy enough to navigate, and light forests don't pose much difficulty. All is well so far.
Victor strides along the trail. He tries to study the surroundings. He's never been to this region and a lot of the sights and even a few of the sounds are unfamiliar.
"Sure, but if you bottle it, and it steals your soul, then you'll know where your soul is and can get it back any time you want. I guess it doesn't work as well if it destroys your soul, though. Worth being careful with, I suppose." Fidget agrees, reluctantly. "I've been meaning to ask you if I saw you again, though. Do you want to learn to speak dog?" she asks as they travel up into the mountains, wishing that she'd brought heavier clothes with a little shiver. "Briefly, anyways. Seems like you two could use a proper chat sometimes."
The presence of the large Mastiff had been something that had not bothered Thoth. Now that they are on the road however, Thoth tilts its head a bit as Ous speaks. The accent is unfamiliar to it after all. Along the trail they go. The quiet of the mountains broken up by the slower pace of the mechanical avian. It is trying its best to keep up, but there's clearly parts in its legs that are not as they should be anymore. There's clear signs of some kind of crushing damage. The chill is clearly not bothering it however. From time to time, when they enter the forests, a bird might land on one of the broken spokes of its wings. But Thoth seems to heed this no mind. Instead, it listens to the conversation between Fidget and Ous - the gobbo offering up two good ideas. After all, experimentation is important.
Neither Ous nor Dog seem too worried about the cold. The Aesir born Ranger moving at an easy pacewith the group, he was dressed in a heavy Elk hide shirt, the collar and cuffs lined with Wolf hair. having padded a pair of axes hanging from his waist, the the Ranger keeps an eye out as they move. "Aye likes th' mountains. Always feels like 'ome" Hearing Fidget's question, Ous looks down at Dog for a moment then shrugs. "Aye dinnae. We comm...co... We talks pretty good as it is Aye thinks. But Aye might take ye up on it. If ye're up fer it, We might make better time If'n ye rides 'im. 'E Dinnae mind."
After several hours, you're finally starting into the mountains proper, and it's clear why they didn't want to bring the airships any closer. After all, the wind is starting to pick up, and little flurries of snow are beginning to become apparent. It is cold. And getting colder. And windier. Still, you're right on target according to the map. The blue flame was sighted relatively close to a particular mountain pass by an explorer prosecting for fresh ores.
GAME: Thoth casts Dancing Lights. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15
As the flurries of snow begin to descend, and visibility is getting a bit more poor, Thoth finally chimes up. It has been quiet this entire time. But finally... "If thee permit me. I shalt light our way." It remarks, before a set of feathers near its neck shift and open. And from a set of broken pinions, a group of lights flit up into the air, and immediately begin to drift forward. Notably, its own accent is... strange. Old, certainly, but though the words sound familiar, there's something to them. An old dialect of the same language that, while still able to be understood, isn't quite right. Still, the lights light the way, helping make it easier to find one-another within the snowdrift for visibility.
Victor marches along. At some point he triggers an amulet, causing most of his armor plates to retract and fold away to leave himself a bit more mobile. This also frees a cape from where it had been worn inside the plating, which he proceeds to pull around himself as best he can, like a cloak.
"Sure thing, technically it'll be teaching him to speak people, but since his tongue isn't suited to the whole talking thing, it mostly helps him understand better. I can't do it right now, but after we're done here." Fidget says, though occassionally pausing as the chill wind rushes over her. Not having any extra clothes or a particularly handy spell for the problem, she solves it in the most expedient way. Fire! She fumbles through her bag for a torch and lights it with a snap of her fingers and a word. It doesn't add much heat, but it's a little, plus - fire pretty!
GAME: Fidget casts Prestidigitation. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15
Ous' own dialect was a smattering of Northern dialects smashed together, twisted, and garbled into one unique Oussian dialect. Looking up at Thoth creates light, the Ranger lets out a low whistle and chuckles. "tha's right pretty mis-ter. Probably a good idea as well. It can be a long step down tae sturdy footing when ye're 1000 feet up and no seein where ye're going." Looking down at Fidget, the Ranger considers something for a moment, then finally unslings his small pack as he walks. There were various odds and ends inside. but he finally comes out with a small, tightly rolled piece of mottled wool. Nodding quietly, Ous unrolls the fabric to reveal a woollen cloak of various mottled earth tones. It was a heavy garment. looking like it had been used for sleeping under more than once, and resembling a patch of Rocky ground of dropped. But ot was well maintained and most of all, warm. Draping the Cloak around Fidget's shoulders, the Ranger nods. "Tha' should keep ye warm. But again, if ye gets on Dog, 'e'll keep ye warmer too. Jes nae wit' th' torch."
One advantage of the general increasing level of frost and snow as you climb up into the mountains is that, well ... it makes spotting tracks easy. You're not alone up here at all. There's ... something, bipedal and large, also out here. It's footfalls definitely look like something Fidget could crawl into based on the depressions left by it. Worse, it's ahead of you, and seems to be going the same way you are.
<OOC> Ous says, "any chance a tracking skill would help identify?" <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Roll knowledge/nature :)" <OOC> Fidget says, "Can I assist?" GAME: Ous rolls knowledge/nature: (11)+8: 19 GAME: Fidget rolls knowledge/nature: (17)+9: 26 <OOC> Victor would like to assist as well GAME: Victor rolls knowledge/nature: (9)+9: 18 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "You're all able to identify it, worryingly, as likely a giant of some kind ... most likely a troll."
Noticing the Footprints, Ous frowns as he considers them for a moment. Kneeling down and placing his hand beside a massive print, the ranger grunts and looks up at the others. He could tell by the looks on their faces that at least 2 of the others knew what they were delaing with as well, and so the Ranger just slips a large flask from the leg of his soft soled boot, removes the cap and takes a swig from said flask. the wind carrying the scents of Apples and strong alcohol on the wind towards the others. "Aye dinnae think this is gonnae be so easy as we'd hoped. aye?" Looking at Thoth, the Ranger adds. "Ye've been through a scrap or many, aye? Ye gonna be alright again' a Troll? Aye mean. neither of ye..." Here he motions to both of the war forged as he continues "...Looks like some'at tha' th' thing might want tae eat. But things maight get...Squidgy."
Thoth isn't used to these kinds of outdoors. So much of its life had been spent in very different kinds of locale. It can't really feel the cold either, so it just proceeds. It does however, chime in when ous refers to it. "If it pleases thee, This one is not a mister." It points out. "This one is designated, 'Thoth'." It then adds in the hopes of helping Ous refer to it. "And thank thee for the compliment. Though I fear my Master is no longer around to hear one appreciate his work." Slowing down just a bit further as they get to the large footsteps in the snow. "Did another War Golem get sent ahead to investigate this matter?" Thoth inquires with the group. Nature is so far beyond its recognition. Only for Ous to explain what is going on. On Ous' assumption however, Thoth answers; "Negative. This one does not believe it has been in a 'scrap' before." It then clicks its beak open and closed a few times, and preens at its broken wings for a moment. Nudging some of the metalic feathers that remain. "Tell me about this... 'troll'." As it continues to walk.
Victor watches Ous examine the tracks and then nods in agreement at the conclusion. Thoth's comments about a master draw his interest. When the party resumes moving he lists off a few of the school-of-magic lesson facts regarding trolls. "Some theorize trolls are the result of some ancient arcane experiment. Giant-kin that were somehow transformed, and they went on to become a species of their own..."
It is, perhaps, unfortunate that the troll is heading the same way you are for most of the next little ways. The good news is that you don't SEE it... yet. You do know you're getting closer, however. On the map, the remains of the scout's camp are clearly marked, and you can see his fire ring and the haphazard shelter he constructed against the mountain said. It will offer you a chance to rest and some shelter from the environment should you wish to take a breather and let the troll get further ahead of you.
Moving once more, Ous Looks back to Thoth for a moment and nods at Victor's explanation. "Aye dinnae know about tha' stuff. bu' they 'as bad breath. they are...to use a tech-n'c-al term...Feck-off-big...They are always hungry, an are no picky about what they eat. Tae a point. Aye mean. Aye'm made o' meat. so they're happy tae try an' eat me. Meat bein' something they likes tae eat. Bein' a metal..." Here Ous stops again and considers something for a long moment. "Listen. wha' 'xactly are ye pair? Aye dinnae mean tae be rude, though Aye know th' question probably seems tha' way, but Aye've nae idea wha' ye lot are. Are ye statues? magic thingers? knights in really fancy Armor? is callin' ye a statue offensive? Does anyone want a drink 'fore we head on an try tae get our heads kicked in?" The last part is said as he holds the flask up for the others to see before he adds. "Anyways. Wha' e'er ye lot are. being made o metal, they might still try an eat ye. An Fail, but then they'll probably be pissed that ye're no edible an' take tha' frustration out on ye as well. Kind of like going tae a fancy place wit' a rumblin' stomach, an' findin out the apple in th' fruit bowl ye just grabbed is made o Wax." Moving once more, Ous looks to the sky for a long moment as they approach the scout's camp. Looking around for a moment, he looks to his companions as if appraising. "Ye lot want tae rest a minute? Aye'd like tae sneak ahead a bit an' mebbe have a peek tae make sure we are nae gonna be eaten by someat."
Victor says, "I'm not entirely metal," Victor remarks. "But each War Golem is different." He stops at the edge of the scout's camp. "If you want to scout ahead, we should follow. At a suitable distance. This type of terrain, and weather would make it seem unwise to be completely alone. Perpaps you could leave signs for us to follow, and some special marker if you want us to stop and wait.""
Thoth looks towards Victor for a moment, then back to Ous. "This one is what you call, a War Golem." It answers Ous patiently. "This one believes this one." Motioning to Victor. "Is as well." It then lowers its clawed hand. "This one does not require a drink or food. But this one will sit with thee whilst thou refuels, so that thee can feel more comfortable." Thoth notes, as he follows Fidget and Ous dutifully to follow their leads. "This one believes it would be unwise to... 'get our heads kicked in'. A better strategy is recommended."
"No no, what he...they?" Fidget seems unsure, "want to know is how you kill the damned things. Burn them with fire, or burn them with acid. Blue fire might work too! Oh it would be good if we found the troll right by the blue fire and someone could just push them in." the goblin laughs, "I think we could slow down here and let the troll get further ahead though, probably avoid them entirely, if you want." With another gesture, Fidget makes the flame of her torch unwind from it, and vanish into a point in the air, leaving a barely smoking torch she can stow away for later.
The goblin then clambers up onto Dog with her new cloak wrapped around her for warmth from both sides, "Much better...", she says quietly. "I can come along if you need a second, I'm small and quiet, when I want to be. Which is...sometimes."
<OOC> Ous says, "do my stealth rolls get a +2 for favored terrain now?" <OOC> Whirlpool says, "I'd say so, Ous." GAME: Ous rolls stealth+2: (11)+7+2: 20
Looking between the War Golems, Ous nods as he considers things. "Ye're right. Gettin' our 'eads kicked in isnae a ver' sound stra-te-gy. Aye'm gonna go ahead then." Pulling a piece or Red chord from his belt, the ranger nods. "If ye lot follows an' sees this in th' trail. Stop there an' wait or look for other signs. If ye hear screamin' mebbe come a bit faster an' help me...or run away. up to ye lot wha' ye does at tha' point." Looking at Fidget, the ranger adds. "Aye'd bring ye wit' me, But ye might want tae take a bit tae start a fire an' get warmed up 'ere. 'Sides, Aye'll 'ave dog wit' me." Nodding to the trio, the ranger winks and steps back into the trees
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Roll perception and survival too, Ous!" GAME: Ous rolls perception: (17)+7: 24 GAME: Ous rolls survival+2: (17)+9+2: 28
There's a tick of its head when Fidget says they. That is one of the ways it accepts, it would appear. It then looks to Victor for a moment, then to Fidget once more. The descriptor of how to destroy a Troll is filed away within its memory, as it is told to sit back and wait while the others scout ahead. Splitting the party - registered as a standard Adventurer tactic.
It's a couple of hours later when Ous returns. One minute there's a space with a distinct lack of Ous, the next, it's filled with a broad shouldered, heavily bearded ranger in hides with his thick mane of hair and beard frosted over and covered in snow, Looking around the camp at the others, Ous offers a bright smile. "Well...there's some good news, an' there's some bad news. Which do ye lot want first?"
"This one has no preference. Dost thou wisheth this one to flip a coin?" Thoth prompts Ous when he returns. There was surprise at his sudden appearance, but the War Golem didn't really 'show' it on its expression.
Now bereft of her brief doggo cuddles, Fidget is a little cold again, but the cloak/blanket is helping, as she does a little collecting of firewood, and lights a fire for those waiting...which consists of herself, and two people who don't care about the cold. So... mostly for herself. When Ous gets back, Fidget replies, "The good news, it makes the anticipation for the bad news more exciting."
Nodding to the group again, Ous hesitates for a moment then speaks once more. "Well. Aue found th' fire. It's pretty. Bright blue, kind of like a sapphire. comin' out of a crack in th' rocks. right out th' mountian itself. Ver' pretty. that's th' good news. Tha' an' we shouldnae have much problem stoppin th' flame. just dump a bunch of rock intae it. But tha' leads us tae th' bad news. The bad news is tha' the Troll thinks th' flames is pretty too. loves them. Is sittin' right in front of them starin' intae them...which isnae a normal thing fer a troll tae be doing, No so normal fer th' bugbears tae be doin' it either. But they are. Lots of them...right next tae th' troll...Between us an' th' flames..."
"Bugbears en masse, and a Troll." Thoth takes this information in, then decides; "This one does not believe it is suited for a large conflict. Perhaps this is the information we return with to the Guild?" The War Golem offers to Ous.
Nodding to Thoth, Ous chuckles quietly. "Might be a good idea. An we might want tae get out of here pretty quick, If tha' flame is attracting the tatty-bogles it might only be a matter o' time 'fore something else comes wanderin; through here, aye? Aye'm no th' magical type. aye knows a trick or 2. But Them things were so fixed on them flames tha' I'm pretty sure aye could have shaved one of them Owl bears and none of 'em would have noticed." Looking down at Dog, Ous seems to be considering the animal intently for a moment. "Don' ye get nae ideas."
Victor nods in agreement. "I second that - it would seem the best course of action. I'm not used to this environment. Even my spells may go awry. A larger force that -is- more at home in this climate than most of us, would be a nearly insurmountable challenge."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "You can absolutely return to report this. There will still clearly be a part two. xD"
<<Next: A Ressurrrectionist's Visit, Part 2>>