Post
by predajey » Tue Dec 28, 2021 2:48 pm
Hidden in the third story of the Great Library is a volume of what appears to be a conspiracy. When asked about it, the scribes detail that the Great Library paid way too much for it, and even had to go through relatively unsavory channels compared to other entries. Intrigue sets over you as you dive into a story of ulterior motive, written by one who goes by Nyxallah Praetor.
I traveled to the city of Throal after hearing about a particularly world ending event where a group of Cultists decended on a township to the south. After a fairly quick investigation, it would seem the Adepts who averted this crisis all began their journeys into mastery of their various disciplines in Throal. Seems like as good a place as any, especially considering the task I've been assigned. Here's hoping that Alex is happy with the results.
I ventured into the underground Kaer and heard word of a Lawyer who needed a job done. It was a simple rescue job, so I could probably have done it on my own. Unfortunately, the hiring group was looking for a team. It was probably a good thing that I found just such a team. It was in a bar, after all, so potential wasn't favorable, but the team looked like they'd be willing to venture out for money. I didn't even make a fuss at Vargo carrying a keg with him. Or maybe it was Melcar? I'm so horrible with names. These were the Novice Adepts who were most well known, so they and their company would be my first set of potentials. For now, I shall observe their abilities. There was also another Adept sitting in the corner. Amidst the Hurgl binging, I waved him over to join, and I even brought his presence up to the rest of the team. We agreed to undertake the rescue operation.
The next day, we arrived at a Lawyer's office, along with many solo adventurers. It was clear that the clerk taking names for the job was looking for a team or trying to group other teams together. I urged one of my more extrovert allies to sign us in, but he was speechless, so I informed the clerk of our arrival and as a group. We were given priority over the rest of the applicants. We went inside and some speech artistry was done, not that I was ever one to pay attention to such things. We got directions, with which Valoric was able to guide us to our objective. Or maybe it was Kalandar? I'm horrible with names.
After speaking with random folks along the way, we made it through Bartertown, Juniper Hollow, and Clear Creek Crossing to end at Kampung Gaja. There was a band playing, so I did some dancing and made a few acquaintances, but nothing really lasting. Likely they were looking for a one night relationship. I think it was Valoric or Vargo who started a brawl while the others tried to ply their lexical artistry to obtain more information. I jumped into the brawl as well, emerging to provide my own attempt at insight into the events in the Fire Swamp, but after coming up with nothing, I returned to the brawl. It was so much fun, more so than the dance floor.
In the morning, we left towards the Fire Swamps. Upon arrival, I got to see my potentials aptitude first hand. I'm not sure if they were working as a team intentionally or not, but right off the bat, they formed a front line with a group of Rodents of Unusual Size. This kept our single caster a safe distance from combat and allowed Redroum to give three of us an appearance of beastial form. Without even taking note of my visual aesthetics, I charged forward and began to take down the rodents on the edges of the combat. My personal favorite was punting one of the rodents across the swamp.
We survived and spent a couple days making camp nearby. Afterwards, we found a village where the member of Ueraven, who had his mind set on wedding the girl we were asked to rescue, was in a rather inebriated state, and not from any mind altering substance like liquor or hallucinogens. This was likely a spell. More verbal word play ensued, an area of expertise I'd leave to those better capable. I think it was Redroum and Kalandar this time? I'm horrible with names.
We left for the Fire Swamps once more, this time coming across what appeared to be a tear in the astral plane? But it was here in the physical world. A woman or several women were being constrained, and before we had a chance to rescue her or them, we were once again assailed, this time by muck covered beings. When struck, some of my potentials got stuck in the muck. Once more, I allowed Redroum to cast his illusionary magic on me, then proceeded to remove the opponents around the edge of the accidental front formed by Valoric, Vargo, Kalandar, and Melcar. They survived quite well, even when being blind sided, and they kept the attention of the muckers well enough for me to strike in the most vulnerable places to turn the momentum in our favor. Victory was ours.
We then bore witness to a forced marriage before the rest of the party (or at least one of them) mended the astral rift. This forced the groom, an astral being named Shackles (I think?), back into the Astral Plane, freeing the bride-to-be to become a Questor of Jaspree. The rift left an unsettling residual aura, so we may need to get an expert here to deal with that.
Overall, while the potentials were a bit lacking in damaging their opponents, they still were quite savvy in understanding team dynamics, pulling the front line away from their caster; although, Kalandar and Melcar would benefit from allowing their caster to buff them before leaping into action. Still, they seem like a decent group of candidates. I'll have to watch how they develop in future endeavors. I could recommend them to Ruby, since my sights are pretty much set on Vargo. His expertise on Palisade placement is something that falls within my area of responsibility, and he's a Weaponsmith. Both valuable to my mission.