(Too) Good Omens 4 - What we face in dreams

[Leriel]

We're back :)

So... a brief but useful summary:

Our heroes (in alphabetic order):

Felgor Stoneheart - the good dwarf!

Lao Taidim - the Regal One!

Nathor Thalestan (retired/NPC) - "Don't touch my fauchard"!

Ren the Sharp - our favorite cat-girl!

Shefri Albadwin (retired/NPC) - he's on fire!

Victor White - ready for the snowball fight!
Their friends (in order of appearance):
Yrriur - the unicorn

Kroxigor - the crocodile-man

Endymion - the adamantium golem

Master Cherudek - the dead dwarf gem cutter

Jaikine - owner of the Burning Corpse tavern

Foxglove - the half-fey bard

Jacqueline - the young scribe (and Shefri's girlfriend)

Benkei - the tiefling undead-hunter

Hari Seldon - the scribe and lorekeeper, amateur inventor

Master Hora - head scribe

Lain - the little child, Hari's nephew

Irlana - the female halfling trapper

Rayen - the paladin with the turban, follower of Al-Kalim

Valkyria - a luminous creature summoned by Jacqueline
Their foes:
Wenger - the Cultist

Lord Zaibach - the kyton

Lady Meredith Gray - former Fredo's girlfriend, she tried to kill him

The Spider Riders - undead ju-ju quaggoths

"Master Farnog" - drider follower of the Elder Chaos God

"OuLsTrA" - a demon, working with Farnog the drider
Blood Bowl players:
Fredo D. Stefani - captain and blitzer of Red Sabres Blood Bowl team

M.J. and "Big" Ben - players of "The prophecies" Blood Bowl team
Old Friends of Ren:
"Hero" (real name Johnny) - learned the "Clenched Fist" combat style

Shark - learned the "Open Palm" combat style
Other Strange People:
Aziraphel - the creator of the Gem of Omens

Poldus - bartender of the Tavern of the Reeling Rat

The "Shrouded One" - the mysterious summoner friend of Lord Zaibach

Barret, Sgt. Scott, McKenzie - city guards

The "Black Orchid" - a masked heroine?

Witch Doctor and Strong Arm - the dynamic duo

The insect-like creatures - gem bearers with luminous swords

"Lord Xolytar" - the skeleton trapped and forced to walk in the chamber of bones

"Lizzy" - the mutated fire lizard



Feel free to tell me if I'm missing someone ;)

[Leriel]

The story so far...

Ren and Felgor
Ren and Felgor met in a glade, where an unicorn was protecting an holy pool, facing some crocodile-man creatures. They managed to calm both; then the unicorn teleported our heroes to a swamp - a nice place for the crocodile-men, but with a small problem... a flying creature.

With some efforts, Felgor and Ren managed to reach a cave somewhat protected by the flying golem. With his adamantium dagger (gift from his parents) Felgor destroyed the creature. So they reached the end of the cave, where a teleport circle activated.
They were teleported in a cave, and after some trials they reached the sanctuary of Master Cherudek - a dead dwarf, gem-cutter, the one that prepared the Gem of Omens for Aziraphel.

In this sanctuary Ren got a magic pauldron and Felgor a magic gem (left by Master Cherudek himself!); they took a lot of adamantium to sell / reforge and finally met Endymion, an adamantium golem with feelings.
He gave a box with some magic items to Ren and explained Felgor about the army of golems created by Master Cherudek, who feared a big menace.

They teleported again outside and ended successfully their quest for the unicorn. Finally they reached the City of Omen - ready for a party (Ren and her tambourine were amazing!)

Shefri, Victor, Lao and Nathor
Nathor was already a city guard, while Shefri, Victor and Lao arrived to the city in different days (and were in different taverns). They met when they heard words about Fredo - shot with a powerful magic bolt by a misterious sniper.
They faced a mad cultist (of a cult that wanted to destroy the magic shards found by the Gem Bearers), a kyton called "Lord Zaibach" and a water elemental; somewhat hurted they were successfull (and Nathor learned something about the "Shrouded One" and his magic fauchard).
After some investigation they discovered that Fredo (a famous Blood Bowl player) was shot by his former girlfriend, wanting to make him suffer.
Jaikine, owner of the Burning Corpse tavern, offered drinks to everyone and a hot night to Victor.
The morning brought hangovers and a chat with the half-fey bard Foxglove; the Blood Bowl match was win by Red Sabres.

Everyone
Before the leaving of the caravan directed to the Cave of Omens, the big party was a nice surprise for Shefri - he met Jacqueline.
Our heroes met the following morning - and finally the caravan left.
A really mixed group - apart the scribes, cleric and guards, they met Benkei (a tiefling undead hunter), Rayen (a paladin), a strange duo called Strong Arm (powerful fighter) and Witch Doctor (magic user, summoner of shadowy creatures) and finally Hari Seldon and his nephew Lain.
Shefri was really happy to discover that Jacqueline was also part of the caravan.

The second night of the travel, the caravan was assaulted by undeads - quaggoth ju-ju zombies riding undead spiders, lead by a drider.
Felgor was amazed by a staff/crossbow created by Hari - and also by a box with holy water icicles. A box with decorations similar to the one received by Ren at the sanctuary of Master Cherudek.

Our heroes managed to win, but in order to stop the menace they had to trace back the drider to its hiding.
Here they discovered a foul laboratory (and Nathor underwent a strange transformation), a bone chamber with a skeleton following a strange path, a tribe of quaggoth dominated by the drider, a mutated fire lizard called "Lizzy" and finally the chambers of the drider.
Here they discovered the plan of the drider and its demonic ally - to open a gate between the Abyss and the Negative Energy Plane in order to imbue undeads with chaos power.
They overcame this demon, also, and retrieved a lot of crystals (imbued with negative energy), some magic weapons, a magic book called "the book of Zala" and finally a golden circlet - the crown of the skeleton in the chamber of bones.
The skeleton - that Jacqueline recognized as "Lord Xolytar" - put on the crown... crumbling to dust. Only his sword, called "Blutgetränkter" - "The sword that has taken too much" - remains.

Finally Felgor threw all crystals into the gate to the negative plane (located in the bone chamber and kept open by the rune walked by the skeleton), closing it.

The winning party return to the caravan for a short sleep: the next morning they arrived to the Cave of Omen, where they received their prophecies.

Jacqueline and Hari answered some questions... just in time for a party!

Finally the caravan returned to the City of Omens.

- - - Updated - - -

Prophecies, hints and other info

REN:To overcome an Hero, all your Valor you need.
You already found a piece, but it sleeps;
A lady in a plate, an old friend of the reef,
Another forgotten while taking a sip.
To see the creatures of your dream,
get a dreamscape and walk in;
but Valor will find you, I mean,
even if you don't look for it.

FELGOR:The gem of the master – you know what does need?
What came with the heart as a gift for your leave,
An heart that would give it birth, breath and feel,
From a steel heart, a new life of steel.

VICTOR:To learn your story and your fate, you need to find
the keeper of the Green Fields of Gaoth Dobhair.
Beware of the Wyrms, but beware most
Who is hunting them.

LAO:If you want to free your heart
From the shame that lies at its bottom
You need to descend the seven hundred steps
To the Gate of Deeper Slumber.

Some hints:

- Hari suggested to ask about "Gaoth Dobhair" to a fey or an half-fey; Foxglove said that she's an half-fey :)
- About dreamscape - Hari will try to find a "tabaxi".
- About "Valor" - the so called "Arm of Valor" takes the form of five pieces of adamantine full plate armor. Together, the five pieces form a complete covering for one arm. The pieces are a gauntlet, a vambrace, a couter, a rerebrace and a pauldron. Each piece is infused with powerful magic and wearing more pieces grants additional powers.
- About the Gate of Deeper Slumber - according to Hari, again, some dreamers are able to create "Dreamscapes"; such dreamscapes are linked together and from the center of the network starts a stairway that brings to it.
- About Felgor's gem - the dodecahedron green gem found at Master Cherudek desk - the message of the dwarf said that it's important to find a way to "activate" it.


@Everyone: please post all magic items you own - so I can double check them.
(Also Ren has a *lot* of adamantium...)

Please post also some ideas for magic items you think you can get from reforging/selling ;)

[Chained Birds]

Ren

Ren spends some time contemplating the meaning behind the prophecy given to her, but her simple cat brain can't quite understand much beyond the superficial. Even with the help of her allies, she can't help but feel that something is missing. Although she also feel anxious about staying still for far too long.

She eventually wanders by to her first ally, Felgor, waving for his attention.

"Sir Stoneheart. I feel as though my path may lead me back to my homeland. Maybe not so much physically, but I just... It feels strange. I truly don't want those who I consider family to find me in such a confused state.
Riddles are stupid! I think they want me to find my stupid friends! But I don't know where to start!"

Ren lets out her frustration on a nearby tree. The tree topples harmlessly over an area of grass.

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The snakeman waits through Ren's outburst and her subsequent show of anger, before speaking in his usual calm, slightly quiet voice. "Your strikes are as centered as ever, miss Ren. So what has your mind so confused? Supposedly, you will be found even if you do not seek... though not waiting for fate to fall on you might be the better option."

[Chained Birds]

Ren

"That's the point! Oh, and good day to you Regal One.
Anyways, I just can't lay around waiting for something to happen. And the prophecy was really ominous about my childhood friends being involved.
Now Shark can handle himself, but that Hero would get into trouble on a daily bases. I mean... It is all just so... Arg!"

Ren begins ripping away the bark from the fallen tree. The tree is soon cleanly removed of all its bark.

[Leriel]

OC - it's still the evening of Dragon, 17th, and you are just arrived to the same place where the caravan started some days ago. Celebrations for the returning ended... Nathor, Shefri and Jacqueline already moved away. The guards, clerics and scribes are busy - just few people noticed Ren cutting down the tree.

Benkei nods to Lao, getting near to him and Ren.

"Well said, Lao... And hello, Sharp One... Oh, I was just looking for you and I heard the tree falling..."

He speaks to the party:

"Just wanting to thank you... The drider, the cave... Honestly I was not expecting so much danger, when I accepted to escort the caravan."

He sighs.

"Well, I'll remain in town a couple of days - you know, those scribes want a full report from my side... I will be at the barracks, if you need.
What about you? Do you know a good tavern for a farewell drink?"

[Starbin]

Felgor listened to Ren's rant, pausing to collect his thoughts when Lao spoke. Before he could respond, Benkei also came over and spoke. Sighing, he patted Ren on the back. "Such be th'way o' prophecies ... ever teasin' ye wit glimpses o' th'future, but rarely spellin' it out plainly. Fer yer own words, ye be lucky ... dinnae th'riddle say ye'll find this 'Valor', e'en without tryin'? But if'n ye want ta find a start, Ah say we look fer a way inta this dreamscape."

To the request for a tavern, he let the others speak. He was as fond of drink as the next dwarf, but hadn't spent enough time in the city to know where all the good establishments were.

[TheTick]

Victor will go along to a tavern, but is keeping his own counsel for now.

[The_Shaman]

"There is nothing to thank, Benkei," Lao said, nodding slightly as he nears. "To walk along the path laid for you is natural. The encounters along the way... well, the designs of fate are difficult to guess."

He thought for a moment, then spoke again. "I guess we should prepare for the road ahead. Do you know of any place we can, hmm, get a good deal on the things we found in the cavern? I doubt the general store would be the smartest choice." Those who know him very well might sense the slightly different tone in the last two sentences.

[Starbin]

Felgor waited to see if the others found a tavern to meet at, then he sought out Hari to ask a few questions. "Lad, kin ye give me directions ta th'local forge? Preferably dwarven, ye unnerstand. 'N if'n ye know a weapon shop, or wizard's store Ah kin visit, Ah'd be obliged. Ah got a bit o' work ta do."

Figure Felgor will need to find a place to do his work and a few days to take on his projects.
Wayfinder for Ren
Amulet of Elemental Damage for Ren/Lao
Adamantine temple sword for Lao
And ... I've got an idea for adamantine claws for Ren.

Didn't hear anything from Vic on desires for magic items (or I missed them). Let me know!

[Chained Birds]

Ren

Ren is somewhat calm now. Or, a better way of describing her current state: "Calmer".

"I have nothing to do for the rest of the day, so I'll just go out into the woods and wrestle bears. It'll at least bring up nostagic memories of my younger days training with those two idiots."

Ren grabs a piece of discarded bark from the ground and chews on it as she leaves.

"I hate trees. Don't tell any of those cool-looking forest folk that, or I'll put you in a coma or something."

[Leriel]

Hari thinks for a moment.
"Well, about the forge... There are few dwarves living in the city, I'm sorry. Nevertheless there is a good forge near the North gate - ask for Raróg and Untar. They are really skilled forger. Tell them that Hari sent you..."

"And about the place to trade magic items... well, I advise against the magic academy."

He feels somewhat in anger - you are not sure, but he has a different tone, speaking of it.

"I can suggest to visit a lady called Dharma, near Lorix, the Taxodermist... how can I explain better... well... Ask for the fur market; when you reach it, ask for Lorix. He can advise you about Dharma's place."

He nods.

"Be not scared of the Inevitable that protects her."

He smiles.

"I have little time for you, even if you truly accomplished a noble task by destroing the nest of the drider... I'm sorry, but I need to coordinate the transcription of the prophecies. Farewell, heroes!"

[The_Shaman]

Lao bows slightly to Hari in a somewhat more formal manner than he has acted for a while. Then again, meeting someone and leaving them - perhaps temporarily, perhaps forever - called for some formality. "Fare you well too, Master Hari. Perhaps we would meet again, if we come here - I would not tempt fate, but I would expect you will live here for a while yet?

[Leriel]

Hari smiles to the ophidian.
"Sure, noble Lao - I have a duty in this city... I live here since I heard about the Gem of Omens, in my youth. You can find me at the library, whenever you need."

[Starbin]

Felgor gave Hari a bow, stroking his beard as he leaned on his axe. "Thank ye kindly, lad ... ye've been a huge help. We'll be findin' ye later, if'n ye dinnae mind. Health and happiness!" Once they had said their goodbyes, Felgor turned back to the other. "Ah'll be findin' me way t'the forge, an' then be workin' on yer requests ... if'n ye need me. Praps we kin meet fer dinner ..."

[The_Shaman]

Lao crossed his hands before his chest in a gesture of respectful greeting. "Then I hope to see you soon in good health, Master Hari. May the stars above be ever auspicious," he said in way of goodbye - he was still somewhat confused of the manner of the locals to shake hands, and unsure just when it was appropriate.

Afterwards, he turned towards Felgor and pointed towards his weapon. "I, hmm, I have a request, priest Felgor. My weapon has suffered the last few days, and I have not been able to find any like it here. Would it be within your abilties to repair it or have a replacement forged? The locals seemed confident ,that your people are masters of such crafts."

[Starbin]

Felgor took the blade from Lao, a serious look on his face. He looked at it first, taking in the curved, heavier end and the slender hilt. Holding it up, he checked the lines, looking for any variations or imperfections. Finally, he tested the heft a few times, before swinging it slowly. It was obviously awkward in the dwarf's hands, but he was savvy enough with weapons to understand how the blade was supposed to work, even if he wouldn't trust himself to use it in combat. "Intrestin' ... looks ta be top heavy, if'n ye take my meanin'. let's ye get more from momentum then yer sinews, eh? Take a bit o' gittin' used to, Ah'm bettin'.

Ah'm thinkin' Ah kin set ye up proper ... anythin' specific ye need, or just want me ta be 'creative'?"

Just to be clear, this is the temple sword we were going to make out of adamantine, right?

[Chained Birds]

Ren

Ren spends some time cooling off with some basic bear wrestling, like what she used to do as a child. Why bears? They know why!

[Malaki]

Victor is thoughtful about the various voices of his comrades.
With a doubtful tone he spoke to Felgor:
"I think that for my weapons I'll feel comfortable with some reinforcement to a quarterstaff and maybe a new, better crossbow for me. Nothing more"
And then to the tiefling:
"Benkei, where do you think to go for that farewell drink? I'm going to the Burning Corpse, I think that over there I may find a person to ask something about my prophecy. I've got someone in mind, and if it's not there, I think Mistress Jaikine may know where I can find her... If everyone else want to join me"

[Leriel]

The pale tiefling nods at Victor.

"Good! Let's see there for dinner and for the drink! I'll ask to the guards for the whereabouts of the place. Good luck for your prophecy, Victor!"

He turns to the party, before leaving.

"See you there later, then!"

Hari, too, smiles at Victor.

"That's good... to start looking for the fullfillment of your omen. Don't expect me at a tavern... I have a lot of duties at the library. Farewell, then!"

And also the scribe moves away.

[Chained Birds]

Ren

Ren returns after a few minutes. She seems a bit more calm, and slightly bloodier than usual.

"I return with a less heavy heart."

[The_Shaman]

Lao

((OOC, darn it, if I were a smart sarcastic character I would totally quip here))

The snakeman raises a head from his discussion and looks in Ren's direction. "You look injured, miss Ren. Is everything alright?"

[Chained Birds]

Ren

"You should see the other guy. Not a single scratch on him... What, I'm no bully."

She looks up into the sky with a smile on her face.

"That bear is going home a hero...
...
Anyways, did I miss anything?"

[The_Shaman]

Lao

"We were mostly talking about swords, miss Ren. And... bear," Lao says, innerly nonplussed. "Here, in the city?" He was getting a bit more experienced with human cities, but all the large animals here seemed domesticated. Unless... "Ah, of course. It was a bear trainer, wasn't it?"

[Malaki]

Victor greet Ren, but after some moments he speaks to the group:
I think i'll go to the Burning Corpse. If my memory is right, there's someone there that can help me with my prophecy. I'll be there , or maybe i'll go there when i'll catch this person. So, if you want to join me go to that inn
And then Victor start to go to the Inn.
When he reach the Burning corpse then he search for Jaikine.