Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

[lostsole31]

R2T34: Phi, continuing to point out any weaknesses to Bur, will drop his spear. He won't draw his mithral falcata again, but this is a boss-battle. Sofia-Korina, for when your opponent deserves the very best. But it's not Fathi's best as the tip barely clacks past Girrigz' armor.

R2T32: Eta leaves the sleeping wererats to Zeta. She goes up behind her husband and casts CLW on him for 8.

R2T23: Despite his successes, the wererat is still wary of the big man. With two brilliant swordstrokes he fails to get past his defenses.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T36: Burçin takes out another odd arrow and shoots it defensively into Girrigz' chest for 7 mod.

Phi/ Eta?

[PSinger]

Phi continues to attack defensively.

Spoiler

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FD, Hold the Line, Coordinated Strike (-3 attack, +5 AC)
Attack (1d20+12)[27], damage (1d8+8)[10], (1d4)[1] force, (1d6)[2] vs evil
* Miss chance (1d100)[75]

Eta casts a spell on herself, Fathi, and Bur that increases their ability to better exploit tactical positioning.

Spoiler

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Cast tactical acumen.

[lostsole31]

R3T34: Phi continues to hold the line and directing attacks and cuts into Girrigz' left shoulder for 7 mod, but in doing so, Sofia-Korina hums with a glow as its target is now known. FH2.

R3T32: Eta casts a spell on herself, Fathi, and Bur that increases their ability to better exploit tactical positioning.

R3T23: Girrigz fails attacks.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T36: Bur FD-shoots an armor-piercing arrow through the chain shirt of Girrigz' right upper arm for 9 mod. No sooner does that land, than the odd-shaped arrow he fired last round hisses and then flashes briefly for 4 fire before going out.

R4T34: Phi/ Eta?

[PSinger]

Spoiler: Standard

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Unless Bur changes something, assume that I'm FD with him to Hold the Line, and always using Coordinated Strike, none of which I add. Also FH2.

Phi continues his assault, but this time his sword is linked to the wererat leader.

Spoiler

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Attack (1d20+14)[31], damage (1d8+10)[12] + linked striking (2d6)[3] + evil (1d6)[4] + force (1d4)[2]
* Miss chance (1d100)[19]

Eta will now begin to play a beautiful tune that lifts her husband's spirit and sharpens his mind for battle.

Spoiler

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Inspire courage: +1 competence bonus to attack & weapon damage rolls to stack with the sick morale and other things.

[lostsole31]

R4T34: Phi continues to assault the wererat leader, and this time his sword is linked to him. It is a beautiful stroke that misses from the damnable blurring effect.

R4T32: Eta will now begin to play a beautiful tune that lifts her husband's spirit and sharpens his mind for battle.

R4T23: Girrigz fails.

End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T36: Bur fires 2 AP arrows this time but both miss.

R5T34: Phi, Eta?

[PSinger]

Same as before. Phi attacks, Eta plays.

Spoiler

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Attack (1d20+14)[24], damage (1d8+10)[18], linked (2d6)[2], evil (1d6)[5], force (1d4)[3]
* Miss chance (1d100)[98]

[lostsole31]

R5T34-2: Phi's sword is stopped by Girrigz' armor. Eta plays. Girrigz now seems to have gotten over his initial fright.
R5T23: A brutal warrior, Girrigz crits Fathi's right knee for 19.

End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T36: Bur tries to fire a volley but his first draw smacks the bow back at him and he falls prone. He stands up.
R6T34-32: Phi/ Eta?

[PSinger]

As before, but Eta maintains the song while casting CLW.

Spoiler

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Fathi: Attack (1d20+14)[31], damage (1d8+10)[18], linked (2d6)[5], evil (1d6)[6], force (1d4)[3]
* Miss chance (1d100)[57]

Eta: (1d8+4)[10]

[lostsole31]

R6T34-32: At last, Phi deals an excellent blow to Girrigz' left hand for 27 mod! Girrigz screams from his wound most hideously even as Eta heals her hubby of 10.
R6T23: Girrigz misses.

End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T36: One of two AP arrows hits Girrigz right in the groin for 17 mod.
R7T34-32: Fathi/ Eta?

[PSinger]

Again, without CLW.

Spoiler

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Attack (1d20+14)[18], damage (1d8+10)[11], linked (2d6)[5], evil (1d6)[6], force (1d4)[4]
* Miss chance (1d100)[64]

[lostsole31]

R7T34-32: Fathi misses.
R7T23: It is a furious back-and-forth of blocks, feints, deflections, and dodges between the two combatants.

End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T36: Certain places just beg for pain, and an AP arrow rips through Ripperclaws right paw for 13 mod. Girrigz will be dead soon, but his own hatred and sense of racial superiority won't allow him to recognize this.
R8T34-32: Phi/ Eta?

[PSinger]

Phi attacks; Eta plays.

Spoiler

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Attack (1d20+14)[33], damage (1d8+10)[12], linked (2d6)[6], evil (1d6)[5], force (1d4)[1]
* Miss chance (1d100)[43]

[lostsole31]

R8T34-32: Girrigz had put his sword in his left hand after that brutal assault, but Fathi's tactical mind instantly adjusts to the change in battle cadence allows the final critting blow from his signature weapon to cut Girrigz' left hand clean off, the shock killing the wererat leader instantly.

Girrigz Ripperclaws, who shattered so many heroic lives recently, is vanquished.

[PSinger]

Take the silver falcata out after putting SK away, lop off Girrigz' head, and take it into the next room. The rats will be waking up soon, and I want that sitting there for them to see. In the meanwhile, truss them up. Eta will dismiss Athas. Then, take the group (w/ prisoners in tow and head in a sack) back into the other room where we were going. Strip mine Girrigz for goodies and detect magic/ appraise/ identify.

Seek out the source of the noise. We have 3 wererat bodies to feed it.

[lostsole31]

Not a minute too soon, as the wererats are just waking up as the battle is ending. At seeing their leaders head and a monstrous boar in front of them, they are too demoralized to give a fight as they are tied up (including tying their muzzles shut so they can't bite their bonds). Eta then dismisses Athas-Gulthhrag, but not before giving him a treat (because you always did that if you had time, thus the two pouches full - one of salt licks and the other sugar cubes). He gives a surprisingly courteous bow and a twinkle of the eye, and back to the forests outside Shelyn's realm to eat tastier mushrooms than the poopy-flavored ones he had here.

There is a poor, mangy alleycat in a cage in this first chamber.

Group and prisoners (and GR's head) taken into the next room. It is 40' long E-W, but only about 15' at its widest N-S. It does narrow to a 5pwy continuing east. In the middle of the room to the south is another 5pwy, and from there (which would be back towards the direction of the main sewer) you see the indirect lighting of a fire's glow.

More complaining for food, and something about being "caught by the mean rat hoomans." This time, Burçin is allowed to do his job of trying to scout ahead.

"Oooh! Come feeds me!!" comes the loud voice from the south, evidence that Burçin was not as stealthy as he had hoped.

"Uhhh, yeah, lemme go get the feast!" yips the archer and he comes running into this room. "An otyugh ... living sewage disposal .... big ... three tentacles .... they have it trapped beyond the southern passage behind bars. It's stuck in the main sewage corridor. Worse, there are a bunch of bodies stacked just out of range where the tentacles happen to be. Ummm, orders?"

[PSinger]

"Cover us with the bow," says Phi, and then he leads the group into that chamber.

[lostsole31]

Several pieces of broken furniture, dried hay, and fragments of lumber burn in a small fire at the center of this open, ruggedly carved cavern. Short alcoves filled with filthy, oversized rats’ nests dot the walls, and the disgusting drip of polluted black condensation echoes through the chamber. A thick flow of sewage spreads across the western edge of the chamber, seeping from a crack in the western wall to another in the south. The crack has a big eye looking in and blinking, but it's way too small a crack for whatever large monstrosity splashes around down there. A lone tentacle reaches through 10' flopping around desperately reaching for what looks to be several bodies stacked like cordwood.

"Gives me bodies! I clean place and eat 'dems for you!" comes the voice from behind the crack.

Meanwhile, Burçin tries to collect what arrows he can recover from the battle.

What do you do?

[PSinger]

As before, check Girrigz and the wererat's equipment ... detect magic ... ID if possible.

[lostsole31]

Beta ... the second day after the loss, it turns out that you developed filth fever, likely from all the exposure to filth and sewage. Without access to magical healing, it feels pretty atrocious, but it is more of a 24-hour bug for you. With complete rest, it is now the third day after the loss.

Spoiler: Beta

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You are fully healed. You will need to set up your maneuvers on your sheet, please, once you take time to meditate for them and for your daily allotment of ki points (1 hour for the full deal). Also, you are empty of psionic energy, and neither your claws of the beast nor inertial armor are manifested. You are not psionically focused. Likewise, it takes a full, separate hour to prepare your psionics.

What do you do?

---

Alpha ... you have the sense of having been carried and some amount of hubbub, but it seems hazy and distant. The next sense that you might have been awake or dreaming, you have no ability to focus your mind and you feel drugged heavily. A woman in white hair, covered in mask and surgical hat, seems to be doing something to your face, and it stings - causing you to start a bit. She says something hazy to someone else, and a large hand comes from somewhere with plant matter and you fall back into unconsciousness.

You awake in a finely appointed, though unfamiliar, bedchamber. It's definitely been more than 24 hours since you were last active, as evidenced by the fact that all of your melds have since unshaped. You are also hazy as you have no psionic power available. You feel at once refreshed and exhausted - the former is the state of your body, but the latter comes from having lain about for an indeterminate amount of time and likely not having had food and drink.

Spoiler: Alpha

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Please set up your melds again. I erased them on purpose to give you a chance to start afresh if you need to do so. Then again, if you act right away instead of meditating and shaping melds - 1 hour of time - then we'll hold off of that for now. Also, you'd need to meditate for an hour (separate, it takes 2 hours for you a day to ready yourself) if you want to get your psionic points back. You are not psionically focused.

You stir, and a figure - possibly Vudrani from the looks of him, but with a strange style of robes - floats into view. You note that there is the faintest glow coming from him, and something odd about his eyes. Though he floats, not walks, inches off of the ground, there is an unnatural stillness about him.

"Greetings, Allen Phan" he says, an odd quality about the lightness and resonance of his voice, "do not be alarmed. You are in the house of friends. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Anaximander Shuul, late of 141 years, but bound to serve House al-Din until its end."

With this he gives a bow and an unfamiliar salute of some sort. "You were brought into the house of my master when you were found a hair's breadth from death itself. After your surgery, I was asked to watch after you until you stirred, so as to ease your re-introduction to the world of the living. You must eat and drink - but carefully and slowly at first - for only small infusions were fed to you while you were out these couple days. May I answer any questions, or are you ready to follow?"

What do you do?

---

Dr. Plat, a Druman merchant living in the Midlands - one Sakhr Darzi - was reported missing a few days prior. A fellow countryman of the deceased was contacted by the widow to conduct an independent search in addition to the one requested by the Korvosan Guard. While the latter came up empty-handed, the independent group found his body in the sewers. From there, they found the corpses of the alleged murderers. The alleged murderers' killers in turn were found less than a quarter-mile away in the sewers; it seems they fell victim to a particularly viscious wererat band.

This wererat leader - one Girrigz Ripperclaws - is the one likely responsible for a brutal raid by wererats and swarms of rats alike that occurred in the poorer districts a few nights ago. The fallout of the disease of filth fever will likely have casualties of its own, in addition to making people even more susceptible to this red plague that has all but effectively shut down the city in a way. You have done calculations (based on K: Local & Nature), and you estimate based on a variety of factors that somewhere in the ballpark of 400 citizens will have perished from this before a fortnight is through, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it. Sheer numbers. Ripperclaws supposedly did this as part of a plan to attack the city while it was weakened from the plague, though a report was filed estimating that his timetable was advanced ahead of his desire - based on plans found in his lair - that may have been in retaliation to a first strike against he and his followers.

Well, that first strike that is estimated to have weakened Ripperclaws band was led by none other than the local chapter of your old fraternity: Epsilon Elite. It was they that allegedly killed the murderers who allegedly killed Sakhr Darzi. It was an abysmal failure. It is not known if they managed to take down any of the wererats. You never met any of them, but they went by the codenames Delta, Gamma, and Omega. Alpha was left for dead but recovered the following day. Beta was the only one who lived, and he went back to what is effectively the local chapterhouse of the Epsilon Elite. His activities from this point aren't known by you (you are the coroner, not yet the detective).

The Druman who led the group that killed Ripperclaws and his followers was led by Fathi Sharif of House al-Din. House al-Din, it seems is a recent arrival to Korvosa (the last six months) and is reputed to be a very successful merchant house with an office in northern Varisia (in Magnimar, the City of Monuments) and home offices in the capital of Druma. Beta is likely at the Epsilon Elite chapterhouse, but Alpha's body was found with the faintest breath of life. The wealthy merchant prince had the man removed to his own home for surgery and healing.

All of this is of note ESPECIALLY because you actually had met Beta and Gamma in the past as part of a moot set up by Epsilon Prime, a way for members from different teams to "network." On the more mundane note, and the reason this has come to your attention, is because the bodies of three wererats (including Ripperclaws), the fallen Epsilons, another small creature that accompanied the Epsilons, the four alleged murderers, and Sakhr Darzi himself were all delivered to the Korvosan Guard. Actually, only the head of Ripperclaws was available; supposedly, Sharif's group placated a trapped otyugh by feeding it the wererat leader's body.

An overwhelmingly detailed report was filed with the Guard, and word on the street is that it went straight up the chain-of-command to Field Marshal Cressida Kroft herself. It turns out that some town hero accompanied the Epsilons and was also killed is causing quite a stir. You don't know the deceased celebrity in question, but the rumor is that he had earned the Pseudodragon's Mark, a medal bestowed directly by the Field Marshal onto a member of the citizenry who has performed a great service for Korvosa, usually in the realm of peacekeeping and often posthumously given. Of course, without the report (or a copy) in hand, you really can't make the best picture of what had happened.

That means ... you, Dr. Plat (lieutenant by grade) ... would have to go up the chain-of-command to the Field Marshal herself if you have any questions. Possibly difficult, because the Guard's official position on all manners relating to this combination of events - the murder of Sakhr Darzi, the death of his alleged murderers, the death of the adventurers in question, and the final blow against Ripperclaws and his gang - is that these matters are now closed.

What do you do?

[meemaas]

Beta was difficult to keep in bed for his recovery, but once he's better, he takes some time to relax and focus on himself, before taking some warm up practice to make sure he doesn't grow stale. Once sure he's ready, he starts out the door, looking for word of Paxre, annoyed that the bug-man hasn't returned yet.

Spoiler

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He will rest to regain his PP, but doesn't set up his necessary buffs. He doesn't expect combat, he just wants to find Paxre.

Alpha looks around quietly, wordlessly, closing his eyes as the figure speaks. "It's Alpha. Why am I alive? I should be dead." With a surprising movement, Alpha pulls himself out of bed, attempting to draw his focus together, he uses the small vestiges of power he retains, causing his eyes to glow as he views the figure. Lead the way. Don't want to keep your master waiting, right?"

Spoiler

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Alpha will regain his Psionic Focus, and use it to manifest Detect Psionics to get a quick read on the figure. After that he's just going to go with Anaximander

Kaul sighs as he goes through the information he has, annoyed that he doesn't have the full picture. After a few times going over it, he gives up, putting together his gear, he moves out to seek information from the Field Marshal herself. It's hard to believe. The Epsilon Elite were supposed to be some of the best. While he doesn't have any good feelings towards them, he knew better than to underestimate them, which makes the entire ordeal seem nearly impossible. Once face to face with her, he asks her for any more information on the events. If pressured as to why, he simply says it is because the Epsilon Elite was involved.

[lostsole31]

Beta .... Shyamal agrees and you head to see your brother.

---

Kaul, the Field Marshal thinks about it for a second and says, "No, I did not share knowledge of your past affiliation with them. Good luck."

Presumably, you head out.

---

Alpha? What do you do?

(Paul, get ready to do the intro/ descriptions.)

[meemaas]

Alpha heads through the door, letting his thoughts preoccupy him as he does. The last thing he does before closing the door, is turn to the unusual servant and say one last thing. "We can talk another time, i'm sure."

[lostsole31]

Alpha shuts the door, turns around, and Anaximander Shuul is standing right there. "Please, this way ..."

He leads you along well-appointed halls and past broad, open-air chambers, with guards stationed here and there. Across the way is a very large dining room table with people sitting around it. As you head towards it, a chorus of children's voices ring out, "Uncle Ani! Uncle Ani! Come play with us .... pleeeease!"

There is one boy (somewhere near 8), and three younger girls (the littlest one is a toddler no more than 2). "Uncle Ani" (as you guessed, Anaximander) smiles warmly and chides, "The first one of you to explain the concept of the apeiron to little Thana so she grasps the most basic concept - in an hour in the Rhetoric Room - will receive an extra serving of pomegranate as dessert with their lunch. And then, we'll play."

The kids cheer (except for the littlest one) but that is cut short when that very same small child steps forward fearlessly, and with no malice in her voice but a child's curiosity untempered by social grace she looks up at Alpha and says, "What are you supposed to be? Your eyes are funny. Why do you have all those dimples on your cheek?"

Alpha, you know your eyes are red ... a giveaway to many that perhaps you are not quite human. But, "all those dimples on your cheek?" You have no idea what she's on about.

P.S.: You have no idea what an appear-on is, either.

[meemaas]

Alpha looks surprised at the sight of the children and the conversations therein. When the youngest speaks to him, he smiles a little. "I'm not normal. But you can think of me like a human. I don't know what dimples you're talking about. They might be new."

Spoiler

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Love the reference. Yes, I googled it, lol.

[lostsole31]

She screws up her face as if trying to think took a physical effort, then shrugs. The kids run off to wherever to talk about "appear-on." Obviously, this must be studies concerning illusion, probably glamers since "appear"ance is important.

"Uncle Ani" takes you into the dining room where several people are there. You recognize two of them ... Beta and Shyamal. Shyamal stands, overcome by some amount of emotion and his elan eyes welling up.

[PSinger]

Spoiler: Hülya Sharif of House al-Din (Eta)

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As listed in the dossier, she is 5'5", 120 lbs Taldan-Keleshi(t)e mixed human female with soft brown eyes, black hair and a light bronze tan. Hülya's beauty is completely beyond anything you've ever seen or even dreamt about; you might have dreamed the idea, but she makes the concept of divine beauty real and tangible. She wears colorful clothing favoring lavender, with soft blue and purple streamers and ribbons in her hair and around her waist. Her dress is at once provocative and flattering without being lustful or wanton. Think of this, though with stated colors, and it only gives you an idea (and perhaps just a touch more modest). She doesn't have the staff, however, she does have a flute at her side. She wears a lot of simple jewelry - all beautiful, but tasteful.

Spoiler: Eta's Visual

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"Welcome to our home," says this vision. "I am Hülya Sharif of House al-Din, but among our siblings in Epsilon Elite, I am known as Eta.

"It lifts my heart to see you finally awake and rested, Allen. Your ordeal must have been truly terrible. The abomination formerly known as Girrigz Ripperclaws was one completely without beauty or merit beyond rank ferocity. You carry a mark of him with you, but know that if what I am told is correct, then your mind is one of ephemerality whose power exists beyond the physically comely."

"HA!" half-roars, half-laughs a giant of a man who strides across the room in only a few short paces. He claps Alpha on the back with a strength that almost has the elan sprawling if the man also didn't hold him in check with his fingers on Alpha's shoulder blade. With a sonorous, powerful baritone he continues, "What worry, that? You, Alpha, will have a great tale to tell, and no end of those who would hear it. You braved a gang of powerful wererats with naught but your wits. You fell in battle against them, and yet you did not die. They took you for dead and even tried to eat you, and still they could not kill you. No, lad, never seek to move that mark, and carry it with the pride you deserve!"

Spoiler: Fathi Sharif of House al-Din (Phi)

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This guy is Steve Reeves to the third power. 6'10" and stacked with muscle, but not clumsily so. In fact, he looks like he stepped off of a marble statue and was given color and life. Yet, you only guess at this the way he carries himself and the way his white robes, which fully cover him from lower neck all the way down to the floor. He wears a white fez with a gem centering it. In fact, he wears a lot of jewelry, but manages to make it fashionable and not gaudy. This entire ensemble manages to give him a quality that helps ease all manner of interactions. Oddly, though it works, he wears white gloves that are spotless. His hair and beard are a lustrous black, and his eyes are a stunning green.

Everything about this guy shouts Alpha Male ... and it isn't because he is the one trying to do so. He has a quality about him that marks him, almost tangibly, as a leader of men.

Spoiler: Supernatural Ability

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I'm not rolling Diplomacy, and other PCs are technically not affected by such. However, I will let you know that he has a supernatural ability which, without save, improves folks attitude one direction in his favor when they first meet him, unless they started as hostile. Since it is supernatural, like charm person (which technically works off of Diplomacy, but still affects PCs) it still has an affect on you. That's just on first meeting. Normal interactions over time can change that as would be expected. Take that for what it's worth.

"As for me, I am Fathi Sharif of House al-Din, and Hülya is my beloved wife. As regards the Epsilon sorority, you may call me Phi. You already know your adopted father, Shyamal ... and your brother-in-arms, Beta. This here is our counselor, sage, and seer, Dušana Essert ... Zeta, as she is known in our Tekritani code. Next to her is Ruor, her wolf, who is given free range of the house. And, may I introduce, our liaison to the office of the Field Marshal of Korvosa, Lieutenant Kaul Plat ..."

Spoiler: For Kaul ...

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Kaul, from the point at which you came to them and they invited you in, you probably introduced yourself as Doctor Plat. However, Fathi still calls you by your military rank. Given his incredible charisma, it is obvious that he means no disrespect, but rather clues you in that however great a doctor you may be, it is your military rank that means more to him.

Spoiler: Dušana Essert (Zeta)

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The one whom Phi referred to as Zeta doesn't say anything but quietly observes. She is a half-elf of obviously Varisian stock on her human side, though there is a mildly diagonal lift on the outer corners of her eyes that says she might not be wholly elf and human. She is tall (5'10") and thin, and she appears to be some manner of albino: white hair, pale skin, and purple eyes (instead of pale blue or red). This latter quality is shared by the wolf laying and panting at her feet, for this Ruor is a white wolf with pale blue eyes. It is possible that Ruor suffers from some type of wound or ailment, for the it seems to have a bandage rolled around its chest and back several times. Zeta's gaze is intent, as if she is carefully weighing everything she sees, but is otherwise benign. She is mildly off-putting, but no more than an average elan might be to some people.
DM ... read aura cheez-burger. Other than gazing intently, there's no sensory oogedy-boogedy like Alpha's detect psionics. Include spirit sense fries with that. Wash that all down with non-diet preternatural knowledge as she goes, light on the ice. Take 10 apple pies where appropriate.

As far as her visual, it is a .gif but look at the picture that's part of my signature, below.

Y'all's turn ...

[meemaas]

The strangers see the strange looking man walk in. His eyes glow red, a highly unusual color, even among other races. What stands out almost as much is his bright red hair, it almost mirrors the color of fire. He has a look of surprise on his face as he quickly approaches the Oread and Shyamal.

The Oread smiles a bit, reaching out to grab the mans arm, as if testing to see if he really was here. Unlike the first, he doesn't much stand out for his race, bald with brown eyes, it is almost as if he were one with the earth, which is fitting considering his race. His outfit is pretty plain, and he seems to move with a surprising amount of grace considering his physique and build. After accepting the man in front of him as real, he pulls that man into a tight hug and starts speaking. "I'm glad you survived. I wouldn't be able to bear with myself if I was the only survivor."

After that touching reunion, Alpha turns to the other group, and bows his head softly. "My looks don't much matter. I'm just happy to be alive, and functioning."

As Fathi finishes the introductions, the last unknown figure steps forward. Clad in his heavy armor, with a sword and a hammer strapped across his back, he pushes the helmet he had removed aside and speaks. Surprisingly, similar to Alpha, he has red hair, although differing from the Elan, this one at least has a more normal eye color. He speaks up calmly. "It is nice to meet you. It is not often that I meet a man who should be a corpse."

Spoiler

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Well, that's my introductions out of the way, although I suck at them.

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: The Bodyguard

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As a DM I led PSinger astray because I mixed up "Blackjack" and "Blackjacket." The first is the name of a Robin Hood-like character that has seen over Korvosa for some two centuries. He is active for a few decades, is gone for a time, and then resurfaces decades later. Though possibly an inconstant elf, it is most likely that Blackjack is an honorific name that is inherited by some worthy. (Something akin to "The Dread Pirate Roberts" from THE PRINCESS BRIDE.) The Blackjacket, however, is both the elite soldiering force of the Resplendent Bureaucracy of Druma, but also mercenary bodyguards and caravan soldiers for rich merchants of that land. The term is entirely unknown to Alpha and Beta, but is well understood by Professor Plat. Here is the wiki: Blackjacket, and the jacket worn is actually the same type as worn by this guy. You'll notice he was not introduced by Fathi, but his entire demeanor is that of servant and bodyguard, not of "fellow adventurer." Still, he bears description.

This young man (early 20s) is battle-hardened, but appears to have an easy smile that undermines the intimidation factor he should have. [His Intimidation score for this encounter is a mere 10. Not abysmal, but just not impressive.] He has the black eyes and hair and dark tan of his people. Drumans are a Taldane stock for the most part, but heavily influenced by ancient Garundi blood and years of their people travelling abroad in caravans to the continent of Garund to the south of the Inner Sea. He is tall (6' 2") and possessing a lanky musculature. He is armed with long composite bow, longsword, light hammer, and an old and beaten-looking quiver. He is spit and polish and gleaming, polished boots and the like, but the dusty, light brown duck canvas quiver seems to be a stark contrast. He stands at parade rest. He is both alert, but sometimes his attention strays. By that, I mean that he is too involved at listening to the conversation instead of taking a more peripheral-vision approach to looking for danger like perhaps he should be.

Remember, he wasn't introduced to Alpha and Beta, and Kaul only guesses who he is from the dossier, down to the fact that the only reason such a decrepit quiver should be worn is that it is probably the gifted magical item listed in the "Night Heralds" report. (Which I did not permit PSinger to read, even though he played Hülya for that adventure (she, specifically, used to be his PC). What is or is not known by Korvosa should be as much a mystery to him (his PCs) so as not to know what Kaul knows about them.

Spoiler: Guru Shyamal

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I decided that these descriptions should include Shyamal, because until now he has been a named entity that has been extremely important to the characters - especially to Alpha and Beta as he is a psionic guru (and an accomplished martial artist) - so he should be included.

Shyamal (no family name, which is unusual for one of his stature) seems like a Vudrani, and yet there is something off about him. He is 5' 8" tall; slightly below average for someone from southern Avistan, but about average for most Vudrani. His eyes are brown, but a BROWN-brown, not the common brown one might think of, and yet there is the faintest bit of luminosity in them - much like Alpha. He is quite slender, at only 126 lbs, and he is bald - not even an ounce of hair such as eyebrows or eyelashes - which is unsettling in its own right. His dark brown skin might easily be mistaken for a Vudrani from southern Vudra where the sun is hottest, but at second glance something is wrong there as well. Whereas Eta's unblemished skin comes from a great beauty and seems to complement her, Shyamal's skin is absolutely the same shade of dark brown everywhere - even on the palms of his hands or at the undernails or the auricles of his ears. Everything and everywhere on him is exactly the same shade, and not even veins appear near the surface to add any variance of color. He seems to be a man nigh constructed.

He wears a simple robe, very light in form, that shows most of his right arm, and some of his left. Simple, soft shoes like slippers. He wears a simple copper headband set with a rectangular (tall setting) topaz with flat-facing facet in the center, and in a small recess below that is a less decorative but multi-faceted crystal that is semi-clear and occluded with platinum striations that is set vertically. Above this, on his upper forehead, is some manner of blue gem that is too dark to be a blue diamond, and too light to be a sapphire. It is oval (set tall) with a cabochon cut (smooth, rounded). About his neck is a type of metal collar that is open in the front (so as to be spread apart enough to put on and take off) that is banded with precious metals; it is a foreign wear from the northeast of Avistan, known as a torc. He wears a belt, and on that belt is a small, metal box that seems like it has seen better days.

Shyamal is known to be a wise teacher, respected, but not particularly liked. His seeming artificiality has that same sense to put the average person off just a little.

Spoiler: Alpha, Beta, Eta, Zeta, Kaul

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You recognize him as an aberrant form of humanoid known as an elan, the same type of humanoid as Alpha.

Spoiler: Zeta, Kaul

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Elan have supernatural abilities that help protect them against near-death situations, which is surely what saved Alpha. They are created through a mystical process by other elan who wish to grow their numbers, and they are the souls of others who had died or gone before. While elan have to mature at roughly the same rate as a human, and usually do not remember their past lives, once grown they do not age past their prime (or perhaps a "sense" of their prime as some elan appear older). Elan do not age after this point, and only die from misadventure or seeking enlightenment as a way to ease their consciousness to a greater state. As a people, they tend to be as adaptable and varied as humans in their natural gifts.

Spoiler: Eta

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Elan are a psionically-endowed race, but in what manner you know not.

Spoiler: Alpha, Beta

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Not only is Shyamal your adopted father, but he is your guru. I don't mean the "character class" guru like Omega (of blessed memory), but a wise and learned man who transmits his wisdom and training to others. He is a few centuries in age, that much you know, but how old you do not exactly know. You, as a player, are probably familiar with the more common multi-pantheon god Irori ("The Perfect Man"), who is also one of the top deities among the thousands of Vudran deities. He has been your teacher and mentor, especially in psionic matters. He venerates (not exactly "worship," but more as a daevic patron) Gruhastha, a Vudran deity that is more focused on spiritual enlightenment than his "uncle" Irori - but neither of you know much more than that.

Shyamal approaches issues with a great spiritualism. He is a yogi of various types of meditations, mantras, and physical exercises - some extremely mental and others lending themselves more to the very physical. While he is a great mind, it is his wisdom, insight, and intuition that set him apart. He does not boast, brag, or show off with his abilities. In fact, beyond him telling you how to do something, he minimizes what he knows and to what extent. His martial training incorporates many different styles, but neither of you are really martial scholars. Beta knows what he knows from kinesthetics and feel from his training, not from any scholarship (in spite of his best efforts for Beta, and even a little for Alpha).

Spoiler: Alpha

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He gives no martial training of any kind for Alpha, that being seen to by one of his subordinates, but otherwise leads him through various physical exercises. Among other things, he is Alpha's primary source of tutored knowledge in magical and psionic spell and power theory; psionic traditions, practices, organizations/ cults/ famous persons, and creatures; and until recently, arcane traditions, occult lore, and knowledge of various monsters such as constructs, dragons, and the like. To this latter end, to Shyamal's paternal joy, he sees Alpha as good at this subject in under a century what took him more than three centuries to learn himself, and that the former's foci on akashic magic and advanced mathematics and motion/ dimensional theories, Alpha will soon and easily surpass him. He also teaches Alpha mind over body skills. Shyamal has superhuman control of his body, and while never actually coming out and saying it, Alpha has brilliantly (rather easily) deduced that Shyamal is a psion like himself, but an egoist (not a nomad). While Alpha brings forth his prana/ tillana/ akasha/ ki to create physical forms with supernatural abilities upon his person (like a crafter), Shyamal has power over his vital life energies to give him powers that his purely mental psionic abiilties cannot.

Of interest, and this is only shown to Alpha, but the very winds seem to follow his command and Shyamal can bear himself aloft with no more effort than walking. This is a recent development, as the elder is laying the groundwork for understanding non-terrestrial, three-dimensional movement for the younger nomad. He is also the one that showed Alpha how to externally distill a specific portion of his psyche, and Shyamal himself is a master with advanced knowledge of psicrystals, even forming two personalities into his. Though Alpha's flighty nature created a nimble personality, Shyamal brought forth a single-minded, heroic entity. Speaking of which, Alpha will need to reform his psicrystal again. The odd, vertically mounted, less fancy crystal under the main topaz of Shyamal's headband is actually Padma, his psicrystal. In addition to verbal speech, Padma has exhibited telepathic speech to Alpha before.

Spoiler: Beta

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Shyamal, though a pure psion, is more sharing of his physical psionic and martial abilities when it comes to Beta. Other tutors or adventuring fellows continue Beta's training in all-around combat and weapons both melee and ranged, but it is Shyamal that taught you martial arts, empowering your unarmed blows with mental power, and faster re-alignment of your psionic focus. While not a psychic warrior, he is an egoist who easily transforms into some terrifying creatures with which he has put you through the wringer. He never fights or trains with weapons - you've never even seen him hold a knife or a staff - but, like you, he can control his body to bring forth all manner of natural weaponry. He is a master of ki energy, and you know that he is what is called a "psychic fist" - usually a psychic warrior, though sometimes like he a martially-oriented psion - who seamlessly blends martial arts, psionics, and ki energy (in Vudrani, and honestly the means by which he would call it, and by extension yourself ... prana or tillana, or sometimes simply life force).

In addition, as far as teaching you, he is a jaw-dropping acrobat for someone who "appears upper middle-aged" (despite being immortal) and has been your greatest mentor in skills as far as that, honing your senses, and pure willpower. On the other hand, you had learned your entire other side as a stalker from a senior Spring Lord of the Wheel that is a sometime associate of Shyamal's. As with your father, your stalker-mentor likewise bemoans the fact that you do not at least learn some sense of history and recognizing other martial styles.

Spoiler: Anaximander "Uncle Ani" Shuul

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Anaximander "Uncle Ani" Shuul is a small man of lighter-skinned Garundi persuasion. He is small (5'5") and sleight of frame (148 lbs? hard to tell). He floats a few inches off of the ground. He is the youngest one here, looking only around 18 years of age. He has brown hair (clean-shaven) and hazel eyes that shine with a distinct glow; in fact, most of him is suffused with a glow. All three of the newcomers: Alpha, Beta, and Kaul Plat, notice - and it's not easily perceptible - the slightest, slightest bit of translucence from him. He also makes no fidgeting movements, does not visuall respire, or do anything that a normal body does. He is completely still unless he does something. It is very possible that he is some type of spectre or ghost, which is scary knowledge.

Spoiler: Kaul Plat

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Spectres, ghosts, and other incorporeal undead (if that is what he is) are dire entities that refuse to release their spirit to the afterlife. Usually, they have some unfulfilled purpose. Because they are reduced to this state and the living go about their tasks freely, these undead hate the living. They are powered by negative energy, a form of anti-life energy that is anathema to the living.

He wears a headband of precious metal and gems, and yet there is a tight cord of linen that is wound around the length of it. He also wears an extremely ornate amulet.

Spoiler: Kaul Plat

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Anaximander is a very rare name given to those of northern Garundi, mainly around the area of Thuvia-Osirion. While you are no historian, the original Anaximander lived thousands of years ago during what is called the Age of Destiny, a time of great heroes and ancient kingdoms. Also coming out of that timeframe from that area were great philosophers who advanced much of what is known about the physical and metaphysical universe. The one called Anaximander is well-known among several of your disciplines for being one of the first, documented astronomer-cosmologists that studied the celestial bodies in relation to Golarion, and came up with the sense of the "boundless," or "infiniite," a cosmological sense not only of a theoretically infinite universe, but that our universe (now called "plane" in modern parlance) touched the realms of the physical elements and the metaphysical planes. He also drew maps of these places (now somewhat debunked from the ancient mysticism and more wholly understood in modern times), and in fact was one of the first to teach the importance of cartography and geography in the "modern" (now ancient) world, advancing trade and civilization as a result.

Though a person's name is given him at birth (normally), this cannot be he, but whomever his parents might have been either liked the sound or possibly were learned and liked the accomplishments. If the latter is true, then perhaps this Anaximander might be skilled in some of the disciplines of his namesake.

[PSinger]

"We had only just finished our introductions ourselves, Alpha," says Phi. "Please, sit down, everyone. We have much to discuss. My treasure, if you will do the honors ...?"

Hülya stands as Fathi sits (and assuming everyone either sits, or at least takes on a more comfortable standing position). "Korvosa ... is in trouble. First, there was the entire unrest that occurred during the transition of the late King Arabasti and the ascension of his very young bride Queen Ileosa Arabasti. The coronation was upset by a scofflaw. And now, this plague which is called the "blood veil" that they say once you catch it, you die in about seven days.

"First, we apologize for unhappy circumstance. Had we known you previously, we would have contacted you to see if we could pool our minds and talents. Beta and your late friends Omega and Paxre managed to undo the schemes of a high-venue scavenger and sent her out of town. Before that, word reached us of Gamma's and Omega's brilliant medical ministrations in helping the Abadarian priest Ishari (or was it Ishani?) in helping one of the first cases. Well, misfortune claimed two brilliant physicians, one of whom carried divine blessings to at least bring succor to the sick.

"Separately, and without knowledge of you, without any particular mission Zeta would go out and give what relief she could and it was her knowledge and compassion as much as her learning that may have saved some. But something isn't right, and she knows healing more from intuition. We asked Field Marshal Kroft for help from ..... Zeta, what's the term?"

The half-elf speaks up. She is younger, but not too young, and her voice is simple and soft, but not light and airy. Just a simple voice. "A thanatologist, preferably one who specializes in epidemiology and pathology, and possible toxicology."

There's probably a noticeable silence from Alpha and Beta? She gives a low sigh. "A thanatologist studies the nature and causes of death, and the effects of post-mortem on the body; pathology is the study of diseases; epidemiology is the study of the causation of diseases, propagation, and possible curtailing and curing; and toxicology is the study of poisons and harmful foreign substances and their effects on the body."

Eta continues, "Yes. To that end, Field Marshal Kroft sent us Dr. Plat here - lead coroner and lieutenant with the Korvosan Guard - to aid us and act as our liaison. This disease is foreign-borne, and has acted with incredible immediacy. The ship that was sunk in the harbor is a mystery and likewise clues us in that something is terrible amiss. Also, if you are not aware of it .... Dr. Plat here, as is evidenced by his looking more like a dealer of death than a doctor ... was once also a member of the Epsilon Elite, codenamed Kappa.

"Well, Dr. Plat, it just so happens that we need the very science which caused a rift between you and Epsilon Prime a few years ago."

Zeta speaks up again ... "I have had dreams of late of a city drowning in blood and wailing, of a great number of deaths not caused by direct violence but of anguish and suffering. I have seen the auras of the harrow that surround you, Alpha - moderate Harrow energy and the five of diamonds, the Mountain Man; and you, Beta - the five of clubs, and likewise moderate Harrow energy. I know this because I recently made a friend whom you might recognize, a friend whose spirit lives on in the Harrow deck once carried by your late entobian ally, Paxre."

She takes out Paxre's Harrow deck. "These cards more than simply give a clue to past, present, and future; they also give a sense, if you know how to listen to destiny, of how to turn fortune your way. A Harrow reading I could give you to - Alpha and Beta - but you already have destiny's favor and can gain no more, at least at this time. But, it is time for us to receive readings for ourselves. Dr. Plat, if you are to be with us, than you should receive a Harrow reading as well that destiny might give you a little help where perhaps science cannot. With your permission?"

Does Plat allow Zeta to do read the cards for him? Zeta will give a reading on my PCs (including herself, which she does every day), Ruor (for animals have destinies as well), Plat, and Uzun. For the heck of it, I might as well include Shyamal and even Anaximander since he is an active listener in these problems. Perhaps they might get some off-camera help that can come to us as guidance or something. In the meantime, Eta will perform a coffee ceremony for everyone (obviously not Ruor or Ani).

[lostsole31]

[Just to describe it for the mee's benefit ...]

Eta would go first so she can leave and then serve coffee while the readings are made for the rest. It is an extremely ritualized and beautiful thing ... the grinding of the beans, the tray, the dishware, the pouring, the handling of all of these things. It is like a dance, but to some persons it might be annoyingly long if you like coffee but don't need a production. However, some might be interested in the readings and the process enough where they aren't as focused. That's up to you guys. The coffee is incredible, though it is not like you are used to having. There isn't quite as much of it, but it is a much thicker, heartier roast than what you may be used to if you drink this substance (brought up by the colonies in Sargava near the Mwangi Expanse).

Spoiler: Druman Coffee Ritual

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The real-world equivalent would not be the tea ceremony from Japan (though mechanically in-game it is similar and she has the Geisha archetype as a bard), but rather an intricate, post-meal coffee ritual for guests you might find in Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, and some of the "-istan" countries of the Bospurs and the Black Sea. Turkish coffee is thick and very full-bodied. Speaking of which, to me Druma is effectively Pathfinder's take on a medieval Turkey, including takes on the Ottoman's. Whereas Kele****e Sarenrae worship is very much full of Islamic flavor, Druma (and the Prophecies of Kalistrade) strike me as more of the philosophical-not-as-absolute-religious essence of Muslim worship you might find in Ottoman Empire Turkey, and even with elements in modern times. Obviously, enough whitewashing and fantasization help to make this not as obvious to most.

Actually, your humble author-DM really, really hates coffee, and was given some this past day when he ordered a chai. I mean I REALLY hate it.

Spoiler: Coffee Ceremony Benefits

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By the end of the ceremony and after everyone has had their coffee (and small sweet cakes), everyone feels like they could take on the world and that their minds are clear and focused. (It has the effects of either inspire courage or inspire competence for 10 minutes after the ceremony). The former is not likely ... let's stop and have coffee before the boss battle; Hulya, did you bring your tray? ... but the inspire competence helps in solving out-of-combat, passive issues with Knowledge checks and the like.