Legacy of Fire SoP/SoM/PoW IV: With A Vengeance (or 2 if they're on sale)

[digiman619]

Veneema dips her skull in an understanding nod. "Very well. I've disabled the guardians of this isle for you and you are welcome back here if you choose Furthermore, take this." A panel opens on the podium her skull was resting on. "It is a rod that enhances the user's magic to affect a larger area. May it help you on your journey. There's a boat charm on the dock should you need to call a galley to take you to your next destination."

Spoiler: DC 20 Spellcraft

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It's a metamagic rod of widen spell. To adjust it to spheres, it grants a the user the widen spell feat. Furthermore, it allows them to freely widen one sphere effect a day without an increase in SP cost (though it still takes 1 step longer).

[lostsole31]

Malak will take the rod only sofar as to get a chance to look at it and study it for its uniqueness, then holds it out. "Akaash .... Rowan ... probably Akaash?"

[stack]

"Best for Rowan, I think". And now, we should give our thanks and say our goodbyes; we have much yet to do."

[pfm1995]

Alssariq nods at the choice, and gives Veneema a short bow. "Thank you for the help."

You never knew when being polite to a centuries-old spirit might prove profitable.

[pfm1995]

"To this smith, Salinax, then?" Alssariq prompts, now that the discussion over the rod seems to be resolved.

[lostsole31]

Malak nods. Oddity shrugs ... oddly.

[stack]

Akaash nod, then bows to their host before departing.

[digiman619]

Heading out, the cat that lead you here (that Goma was playing with pretty much the entire time you were talking to Veneema) has decided that it likes Goma and follows him to the dock. It takes about 2 hours for the galley to arrive, but eventually you get on and instruct it to take you to Salenax, home of the Azer blacksmith Artel Norrin. Heading on with your seven passengers (the cat having invited itself along), you begin the journey,

After another hour and a half (It now being around 3 in the afternoon), you notice another galley approaching yours. Atop it, you see a beautiful young woman in expensive clothes and jewelry. She seems to be hailing you, hoping to bring her galley alongside yours to chat.

What do you do?

Spoiler: Goma

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The cat as a bit of a good luck charm; as long as the cat is alive, you get a +1 luck bonus to all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks and caster level checks (the last one being less important for you)

[stack]

Akaash keeps his voice low so only his companions can hear. "Well, meeting anyone here is highly suspicious, but I suppose we may as well talk to her and find out how big a trap it is."

[SwordChucks]

Goma strokes the cat as he whispers "Rowan, if this is a trap I wouldn't argue with a warp on to the other boat should violence begin."

[lostsole31]

"Oddity, prepare to protect Shahrazad."

Malak - to the unenlightened looking a lot like Nethys - steps to the gunwale and raises his arm. "Hail!" he calls loudly over the water.

[pfm1995]

Alssariq just keeps a hand on his knife, waiting for this to turn sour on them.

[bcool999]

Rowan

Rowan has been fiddling with his new magic rod, trying to figure out how to juggle having his staff in one hand, rod in the other, and still have a hand free for somatic magical gestures. Giving up that pursuit for the moment, Rowan examines the approaching vessel and nods to Goma's request. "Just say the word and I will send you over. Try to leave a clear line of fire for me if you can manage." Rowan says as he watches the developments with interest.

[digiman619]

The galley comes to rest relative to your own. "Greetings", the young elven woman says warmly. "My Mistress in the Brass Dome would speak with you.if you would hear what she has to say,” she says. “She is curious about you, and suspects you are curious about her and this world you find yourselves in. And if you are willing to help her, she can help you—you will not leave Kakishon without her aid, and should this be your desire, you would do best to accompany me back to the Pleasure Palace of Nex.”

[stack]

Akaash arches an eyebrow, "Just how many factions are there in this place?" he mutters under his breath.

Speaking more clearly, he inquires, "We would know with whom we are to meet. Who is your mistress and what is her position regarding the other denizens of this place?"

[pfm1995]

Alssariq arches an eyebrow. The 'Pleasure Palace of Nex' sounds like something you'd read about on a ratty, perverse flier, but if it was to be found anywhere it would be here. Didn't make it any less dangerous, though.

[digiman619]

"Formally of Jhavul's employ, my Mistress Dilix now maintains the Pleasure Palace. She remained true when the vile Obherak staged his revolt to go and play warlord. She has information you will need in order to get free from this realm, so you'd be wise to seek her." She shrugged "Or if you desire to stay, she maintains the Pleasure Palace, as I said earlier. Either way, seeing her seems like an obvious step for you."

[lostsole31]

"I, for one, would be thankful for a warm welcome," says Malak.

[pfm1995]

"Which begs the question," Alssariq drawls, still not having lifted his hand from his knife, "Why did she send a servant to fetch us? What could she possibly want from us?"

[lostsole31]

"We could speculate," says Malak, "or simply allow things to unfold by accepting the invitation. Let's assume selfish desires and danger from them, and be wary ourselves. But we serve nothing circumnavigating Kakishon while Jhavhul wreaks havoc."

[bcool999]

Rowan

Hearing that they are being invited to a place called the Pleasure Palace, Rowan merely blinks for a few moments before sighing. "I am pretty sure when my wife sent me off to have an adventure going to a brothel was not the kind she was referring to." Rowan says wryly to Goma.

[SwordChucks]

"This part of our journey is definitely getting left out of my recounting." Goma says as he gulps.

[lostsole31]

"Don't worry, Goma," says Malak, smiling ... a disturbing effect given his strange visage now ... "I am good at accounting. I will make sure details are not lost."

[stack]

"Don't worry Rowan, with our luck, we will end up burning the place down anyway."

[SwordChucks]

"Strangely, I'm both more tense and more relieved than I was before." Goma says as he rubs the cat's head.

[digiman619]

Deciding to take the woman up on her offer, you follow her to the Pleasure Palace. It's a large domed building, filled with lush furnishings and numerous pieces of art. There are only a few dozen people 'working' there that you can tell, though it's clear that at its height, this place had a staff of at least a few hundred. After being led to a central chamber, you are brought before a beautiful woman, adorned in jewels and fine silks. Having gotten word of your arrival, she has prepared a feast for you.

Do you take her up on her offer?

[lostsole31]

Malak thinks it is only polite, and says as much to his fellow party members.

[pfm1995]

While Alssariq is more than happy to sit and make small talk, giving every appearance of being ready and able to eat, his lips don't touch the food until at least someone else's has. And not just anyone, but ideally someone human - for all that Malak's new form is impressive, he doubts it treats poison or curses the same way as the party's more mortal members.

[bcool999]

Rowan

Throwing caution to the wind, Rowan eats the food.

[SwordChucks]

Goma tries to remain polite while still stuffing his face. Occasionally he sneaks the cat a bite under the table.