Old World» Group One

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Contents

Iraklis, Nika, Omri, Dorc.

Player characters

Player characters associated with Group One.

Companions, henchmen, followers, etc.

Nika’s basilisks

Nika has a trio of tame basilisks (Nibblesf, Kibblesf, and Bitsm). They are trained for guarding, plus the following additional tricks: stay.

Ezra

A wizard and aspiring demonologist who has come to Dusthill in hope of learning from Nika. (Ezra is a 2nd-level conjurer, with a focus on summoning.)

Omri’s followers

Omri has a few followers—local youths in Dusthill, who look up to Omri and take any opportunity to spend time with him (whenever their other obligations permit), follow him around, hang on his every word, etc. (All are 1st-level: three commoners, one aristocrat, one warrior.)

Hired mercenaries

Omri has a number of mercenaries in his employ (former soldiers in the king’s troops, hired in Caledas). All are currently serving as deputies to the sheriff of Dusthill, where they focus on protecting the town, and the all-important trade route between Dusthill and Drylake, from raids by bandits and goblins.

Quick reference

(:template first:)

 HDCharismaPerceptionSense MotiveSurvivalLanguagesVisionFortRefWill

(:template each:)

{=$Titlespaced}?{=$:Level}{=$:Charisma}{=$:Perception}{=$:Sense_Motive}{=$:Survival}{=$:Languages}{=$:Vision}{=$:Fortitude}{=$:Reflex}{=$:Will}

 HDCharismaPerceptionSense MotiveSurvivalLanguagesVisionFortRefWill
Dorctor5+2+3+3+3Common, Orcdarkvision, tremorsense 30 ft.+5+1+7
Iraklis8+3+12+8+10Common, Orc +8+4+7
Mouse6+0+9+6+9Common, Infernaldarkvision+7+2+5
Nika8+4−1−1−1Common, Infernaldarkvision+4 [+6]+4 [+6]+5 [+7]
Omri8+2+11+14+0Auran, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Goblin, Ignan, Infernal, Orc, Terrandarkvision+4+8+5

Procedures

Standard operating procedures.

Watch order

(See Timekeeping and Rest.)

Watches in a typical travel/adventuring day:

If party is Dorc, Iraklis, Nika, Omri:

  1. Travel/exploration/adventuring
  2. Travel/exploration/adventuring
  3. Foraging/downtime
  4. Foraging/downtime
  5. Rest
    • Dorc on watch; others asleep
  6. Rest
    • Iraklis on watch; others asleep

If party is Iraklis, Nika, Omri:

  1. Travel/exploration/adventuring
  2. Travel/exploration/adventuring
  3. Foraging/downtime
  4. Rest
    • Iraklis on watch; others asleep
  5. Rest
    • Iraklis on watch; others asleep
  6. Rest
    • Nika and Omri on watch; Iraklis asleep

Marching order

(Left is forward)

If party is Dorc, Iraklis, Nika, Omri:

Single-file (narrow passages): 

I D O N m

Double-wide (wider passages / outdoors): 

D N m
I O

If party is Iraklis, Nika, Omri:

Single-file (narrow passages): 

I O N m

Double-wide (wider passages / outdoors): 

O m
I N

Acquaintances

Characters that have been encountered by Group One.

Travelogue

Locations that have been visited by Group One.

Legend:

Dusthill Old guard tower Cool grotto Goblin warrens Outcast cave-village Strange crystal cave Lower Caverns Strange canyon oasis Evil cave shrine Box canyon with ruins Wayside shrine Basilisk lair Drylake St. Aurantius Castle Stone circle Sunset Heights Ruined outpost Mad barbarian’s cave Metalstorm hills Korrulan’s home Planar anomaly Plain of death Old cemetary

Item catalog

Special items that have been found by Group One.

Bestiary

Creatures that have been encountered by Group One.

  • Achaierai Massive, intelligent, evil flightless birds from the Lower Planes.
  • Ashen husk Risen corpse of a humanoid that died of thirst in the wastes.
  • Assassin vine Semi-mobile plant that grabs and crushes creatures that come within its reach.
  • Basilisk Eight-legged lizards with a petrifying gaze.
  • Bats Nocturnal flying animals that can “see” by emitting high-pitched sounds.
  • Carrion crawler Segmented bug-like monster with paralyzing tentacles.
  • Cat Felines, big and small.
  • Cockroaches Ubiquitous, multitudinous, and hard to kill.
  • Coyote Wild canines, scavengers and opportunistic hunters.
  • Darkmantle Subterranean, flying, squid-like monster that tries to drop on victims from above.
  • Fungus Predatory subterranean mushrooms of all sorts.
  • Ghouls Savage undead creatures that eat the flesh of the living.
  • Gnolls Hyena-headed humanoids, savage and evil.
  • Goblins Small, barely civilized, and mostly evil humanoids.
  • Grick Worm-like subterranean monster with suckered tentacles and a tough, rubbery hide.
  • Intellect devourer Strange, brain-eating creatures of unknown origin.
  • Ironthorn Carnivorous plant with deadly, thorn-covered, grasping vines.
  • Lizards Carnivorous reptiles the size of horses, with a venomous bite.
  • Phantom fungus Naturally invisible, cave-dwelling, carnivorous fungal monster.
  • Phase spider Giant spider that can shift in and out of material existence.
  • Rats Rodents of unusual size.
  • Ravenous ghoul Undead creatures that live to eat, and have a powerful bite attack.
  • Scorpions Arthrophods that deliver a deadly venom with their tail stingers.
  • Shocker lizard Small lizards that can strike at enemies with an electrical attack.
  • Skeleton The animated bones of the dead—mindless automatons that obey the orders of their evil masters.
  • Snakes Deadly serpents, either venomous or constrictors.
  • Spiders Spiders of unusual size.
  • Stirge Bat-like creatures that feed on blood.
  • Treant Intelligent trees that act as protectors of their forests.
  • Vulture Large, carrion-eating birds.
  • Wight Corpses that rise from their crypts with hatred of the living.
  • Wood woad Vaguely humanoid tree creatures that serve dryads and treants as guardians.
  • Worg Intelligent, evil wolf-like creatures that often associate with goblins.
  • Yellow musk creeper Climbing plant whose scent entrances living creatures, which are then turned into controlled zombies or consumed.

Party inventory

Party Currency: 3,519 gp

Monthly Income & Expenses

Current through Ayaz, 301 R.C.

Income

Expenses

Net

Plot Loot

Known Alchemical Recipes

Gems

Loot to be Vendored

(none)

Loot to be ID’d

Alchemical Components

Common Equipment

Loot to be Distributed

Already Distributed Loot

Adventure log

2024-08-10

2024-09-07

2024-09-28

2024-09-28 (add.: navigating the Lower Caverns)

Instructions for traversing the Lower Caverns to the Master’s domain (received from Andoras and the other outcasts):

When you find the entrance, descend; out of the caverns nearest the entrance lead two paths—take the left-hand path. Make your way deeper, always descending; you should soon find a large vaulted cavern with water flowing through it. Swim upstream to the first branching; then take the other branch downstream until you come to a narrow beach at the bottom of a canyon.

From this beach there is a steep ascent, and you may climb up to the canyon top. Take the second of two passages, and follow it until a great void opens before you. This is the hardest part. There are paths across, but they are treacherous; watch your footing here, as it is a long way down, and a fall means death. Look for an opening level with that which you came through.

Having crossed the void, follow the passage until you come to the top of a cliff; descend and once again take the left-most path. Soon you will emerge into a large cavern, and at the far side will rise another cliff. Now be wary, as at the top of that cliff is the guarded passage to our people’s realm; you will certainly be seen before you’ve reached the foot of the cliff, and you’ll be challenged if you approach.

2024-10-19

2024-11-02

2024-12-07

2024-12-28

2025-02-01

2025-02-01 (add.: minor events & Marie’s alchemicals)

Meanwhile, it takes you a bit under two weeks to build your house (which is located about half a mile east of the town center). (Usually such a project would take longer, but magic helps, as does the fact that a heavy rain starts the day after you get back to town.)

The house is one-story, about 25 feet square (which should be enough space for rooms for each of you plus a couple of other rooms—common room? loot storage room?… well, you can decide how you’d like to arrange it, of course), plus an enclosure for your mules. (Naturally you can expand it if you want; materials are plentiful, the only real limitations are time and architectural constraints.)

Not much happens during this time, but there are a couple of minor events:

A couple of days after you get back, on a day when Johnny and Omri are supposed to perform at the tavern, you find Johnny in one of his depressed moods; he mutters something about being “no good, man, just no good…”; it’s clear he’s been drinking; and continues to do so for the next day (which is not, in itself, unusual for him). That day, Omri feels a sense of contentment and satisfaction from his shroom companion. Johnny seems back in good spirits in another day.

About a week later, Nika once again spends the night tormented by nightmares of failure and incompetence, and wakes up with a step of Charisma damage (easily enough cured by a lesser restoration spell from Dorc, of course).

On one of your trips into town, you’re stopped by Marie, who (in gratitude for you taking care of those goblins that were pursuing her son) gives you some homemade alchemical concoctions, of minor but unusual effect.

I’ll post a detailed description later, but one of them is a sort of edible plant preserve which lets you go a day without having to drink (or eat anything else), while another is a cream which treats burns and poisons. (Nothing too consequential, really, but it’s the thought that counts.)

Finally (for now), the fact that you returned from a trip out into the wastes not only alive (itself notable) but also laden with all manner of loot, has not gone unnoticed; people are talking about you, and speculating on what you might’ve found out there; a couple of the townsfolk try to engage you in conversation on the subject, though they don’t pry too hard (people do mostly mind their own business around here).

Anyhow… as far as talking to Marie about getting the recipes for those concoctions… well, she’s a little reluctant since they’re secret recipes… but she likes you, so she agrees, on two conditions: first, that you don’t give away or sell the recipes to anyone else… and second, that (whenever you next head out into the wastes) you bring back a bunch of some special ingredients (certain desert plants) needed for said recipes (she’ll reimburse you by using some of that to make you more of the stuff).

2025-02-16

2025-02-23

2025-03-01

2025-03-01 (add.: flashback to a strange dream)

As the party approached the stone tower, all (excepting Mouse, of course) had a flashback, remembering a dream they’d all had (but had all forgotten quickly after waking—as normal for most dreams—and had ascribed no significance to) about a month previously:

You are on a mountain. Or, to be precise, you are at the foot of a mountain. Yet you feel certain, you are convinced, that you were—not too long ago—climbing this mountain, and that you had managed to get pretty high up. But—looking up, from the plain on which you lie, fallen—you can’t imagine how you could possibly have climbed up there. Even the lowest part of the mountain, which you see before you, is a sheer cliff—a rock face with no ledges or footholds; and further up, above the plateau to which that first rise leads, are climbs even more impossible than the first one…

But you look again, and you see now that there are paths that lead up from the plain to the various parts of the mountain; the paths are narrow and winding, with sheer drops to either side; you are not sure whether they’re natural paths, or causeways that someone has built; but either way, you can see that the paths are treacherous and crumbling. It would be very easy to fall from one of these paths; and you are quite certain that a fall would mean death.

Many of the paths are very far away, and you cannot see them clearly. There is one path which is not too far off; its distant end leads to a very high part of the mountain, so high that it’s lost in the clouds; at the base of this path is a structure, whose details you can’t make out, but which seems familiar, somehow…

But there is also one path which is quite close. It leads to the top of the first plateau; and the base of this path is guarded by a tower; and you see that it is the tower which stands before you.

2025-04-12

2025-05-04

2025-05-10

2025-05-17

Walther Bronzehlm

St. Aurantius Castle

2025-05-31

2025-06-07

2025-06-15

2025-07-19

2025-08-09

2025-08-16

2025-08-30

2025-08-30 (add.: Iraklis’s dream) 

On the night immediately following the events of the previous session, Iraklis has a dream...

You see... a man. He’s tall and muscular, much like yourself; and looks like one of your tribe, though you don’t know him. He’s dressed in the usual manner of a desert warrior, loose flowing clothes over light armor... though he wears something more, too, some accessories or something that are unusual... in the typical manner of a dream, you don’t really have control over what you focus on or how clearly you perceive it, so you couldn’t say exactly what he’s wearing that seems out of place. He holds some sort of short club or mace, resting it upon one shoulder.

It’s a bit hard to make out details, too, because it’s mostly dark... or to be more precise, it seems to be around the time of dawn; the first rays of the sun are just emerging from beyond the horizon. The man stands with his back to the rising sun; his head is half-turned, and he is looking over his shoulder at the sunrise, and scowling mightily.

He turns to the side - toward you - and gives you a long, meaningful look. Then, very deliberately, he turns to stare straight ahead - to the west.

That’s the dream. When you wake, you remember all of it, such as it is; and it bears the unmistakable sense of profound meaning.

Of course, as you know, a sense of profound meaning is not at all the same thing as actually knowing or understanding what that meaning is supposed to be...

Still, you can’t shake the feeling that this man is familiar somehow; that you’ve seen him before, at least once.

2025-10-19

2025-10-26

Iraklis:

I sent some of my people to the place you showed me. Mushrooms are gone. Faint echo can be heard; the place is otherwise empty of life.

—K

2025-11-15

2025-11-30

2025-11-30 (add. one: the Halls of the Goddess)

The map, provided by Mirala, of the Halls of the Goddess (in the Master’s domain):


(Click to enlarge.)

Legend:

2025-11-30 (add. two: Nona tells of the Master’s domain)

As you’ve been traveling, Nona has taken the opportunity to tell you about her former home - the Master’s domain (or, as the people there call it, simply “the community”).

There are, it seems, four “levels”, rougly speaking, to that part of these caverns which the Master and his people dwell in…

The largest is the main cavern: where the great majority of their people live. This is a great vaulted space, densely filled with habitation structures, public spaces, communal facilities for the preparation of food and taking of meals, workshops, administration offices… here as well is a plateau called the Warriors’ Rise, which houses barracks and training grounds for the protectors, and the Acolytes’ Rise, where the priestesses of the Goddess reside.

A series of large side caverns off this main vault house communal baths, mushroom farms, care chambers for the injured and ill, and miscellaneous other facilities.

Beneath this main cavern is a lower level, devoted primarily to aquatic farms, a warren of multitudinous storehouses, and series of great compost heaps.

Lower still is a cave dominated by a large lake (perhaps a thousand feet across).

Finally, a passage from the Acolytes’ Rise leads to the topmost level of the Master’s domain: the Upper Caverns, also known as the Halls of the Goddess. The Master himself resides there, as does the high priestess; there are also meditation and instruction halls for the acolytes, a public instruction hall for lessons in the civic doctrines of the community… and, of course, the Chamber of the Goddess herself.

The secret passage with which Nona is familiar—but which may well be impassable, blocked by a closed metal door (as you hope to learn, one way or the other, soon enough)—leads to an old, unused storehouse, beneath a workshop not far from the Acolytes’ Rise. If you are able to make use of this passage, it’ll place you pretty close to your goal.

Failing that, the other possibility is Nona’s theory that a cavern outside of the Master’s domain must be connected by a waterway to the lake. If this turns out to be true, you’ll have to make your way across most of the community, from the lake level, up through the farm/storehouse level, through the main cavern…

Nona explains that unlike on the surface, since there’s no day/night cycle down here, there’s also no single period when most of the community is asleep; people sleep and wake in shifts that aren’t connected to any consistent time of day—so there’s no possibility of waiting until night and trying to sneak through then. Rather, she explains that the time when there’ll be fewest eyes to avoid, to speak, would be meal times—when most of those who’re awake at the time gather to take communal meals together.

(Of course, that’s assuming that you can get in at all!)

As Nona talks about her people’s society, you notice some things…

She often uses words that you’re unfamiliar with, for one thing, or uses common words in somewhat odd ways. You can generally make sense of what she’s saying, but it’s clear that the Master’s people have ways of doing things—and, in particular, things that they use in their daily lives—which you have no experience of.

Some of these things have to do with living life underground, in an ecology which is quite different from the surface environments that you’re used to… many others, however, have to do with objects, materials, devices, techniques (of farming or cooking, for example), which are totally unfamiliar to you.

It’s clear to you that the things you’ve seen among the outcasts—the shade cloaks, “unbreakable string”, the odd materials that their clothing is made from, the unfamiliar metal of the blade of Andoras’s spear—are just a small part of a very different way of life, based on a “material culture” that little resembles what you’ve always taken to be ordinary and universal.

Nevertheless, the essential pattern of life that Nona describes is not fundamentally different from the one you’ve encountered basically everywhere you’ve been: a substantial part of the population devoted to farming (even if the farming practices have almost nothing in common with anything you’ve seen); most of the rest engaged in labor of various sorts (from preparing food to maintaining public infrastructure to simply keeping the caverns and dwellings clean—a lot of effort goes into that, it sounds like); a class of warriors; a class of priests (or priestesses, rather)…

2025-12-14

2025-12-14 (add. one: progress through the Lower Caverns)

Below is a map of the explored parts of the Lower Caverns.


(Click to enlarge; scroll to zoom, drag to pan.)

2025-12-14 (add. two: lake level of the Master’s domain)

Below is a map showing the lake that makes up most of the lower level of the Master’s domain.

The red x shows where the party entered the lake, through the hidden tunnel from the Lower Caverns.

The red o shows the party’s current location, as of the end of session 2025-12-14.


(Click to enlarge; scroll to zoom, drag to pan.)

2026-01-10

2026-01-25

2026-02-01

2026-02-22

Note: The following addenda (where they refer to various events or goings-on) concern the period from 24th Ayaz through 8th Razim, 301 R.C.

2026-02-22 (add. one: alchemy texts)

Click to expand/collapse 
So, the annotations in the alchemy texts are several different sorts of things:

Some of them are sort of "notes for the newbie" - hints about non-obvious elements of recipes and the creation process. (Traditionally, figuring out this sort of thing is supposed to be a challenge that an aspiring alchemist is supposed to overcome by himself; authors of alchemical texts disdain to include such hints, as a point of honor.) If you had less than 2 ranks of Alchemy, this would be useful to you, but as it stands, it’s all old hat.

Other annotations concern bits where a recipe or a technique can be done in more than one way (one of several different possible special components, say, or something along those lines), and the annotation specifies that a particular one of those options should be used; "we do it this way, not that way", basically.

Finally, some of the margin notes seem to concern cases where something could be done in a certain way in the past, but now must be done in another way. (For instance, "[some piece of equipment whose name you are unfamiliar with] doesn’t work, so do [some other approach for that step of the recipe] instead"; or, "we can’t get [some reagent whose name you don’t recognize], so use [other thing] instead".) Oddly enough, in basically all such cases, the suggested substitute already is the way that you would naturally think to do it, so these annotations tell you nothing you didn’t already know.

That’s it.

PhelanArcetus: aside from that if I ever discover that machine or reagent, I can use it

Yep, true

2026-02-22 (add. two: calling rituals)

Click to expand/collapse 
PhelanArcetus: ok then we are done with for-profit crafting until we know if Nika manages to put together a calling ritual so we can acquire the stuff for liquid ice or false life elixirs

Yes, the calling rituals... so, here’s what Nika knows...

As far as calling an ice elemental goes, the bottom line is that it’s not really feasible for you.

(The longer explanation is: when you call or summon an elemental, generally what you’re actually doing is calling or summoning an elemental spirit, which animates local elemental matter. To call an ice elemental, therefore, you’d need to either be somewhere very cold, or have powerful ice magic, or... something; spells like Planar Binding are designed to make it easier to overcome such limitations, but even then you’d have some difficulty. A ritual to accomplish the same thing is possible, but the check DCs and component requirements would be steep enough not to bother.)

(If you wanted to travel to some cold mountain-top, or something, and do this there, that’d be easier. Probably you don’t want to do that.)

The barbazu devil, on the other hand, is quite a bit easier. There you actually have several options.

PhelanArcetus: similarly, earth elementals or air elementals wouldn't be too bad

Correct

PhelanArcetus: (given that we also may care about false life elixirs)

By far the simplest method for summoning said devil (or any similar monster) would be simply to do a sacrificial ritual: offer up a human [or, generally, sentient creature] sacrifice to some evil god or archdevil, ask for a barbazu devil to be sent to you, and bam, done deal.

Obviously this is very evil.

(And probably you wouldn’t want to deal with such powers even if you were willing to do such terrible things...?)

I’m going to assume you don’t want to do this and keep describing the other methods...

PhelanArcetus: Erin isn't looking now but I feel comfortable speaking for her in agreeing with that assumption

A ceremonial ritual for calling a devil is definitely also possible. Such rituals do tend to have specific requirements, but, with such things, the more power you have and the stronger your connection is to the kind of magic you are trying to do, the less the details matter. Nika is a tiefling; and she’s a summoner; *and* she has died, gone to... some fiendish-looking place [not clear exactly which] and returned; her connection to the Lower Planes is strong.

Armesan: Nika has not quite given up on humanity (or whatever the equivalent is here) to commit to the evil stereotypes of her race quite yet.

Still a ritual like this does need some structure, and figuring this out will take a bit of work, but doable. Outline of what would be entailed:

- A ritual diagram (easy enough); incantations in Infernal (likewise); several secondary performers (a total of 9 [i.e. 8 + Nika herself] would be ideal, but 5 sufficient).

- Optional (can succeed without these things but they’d make it easier): performing the ritual in a location tainted with evil; using expensive material components

- Dangers/drawbacks: the ritual’s performers would be exposed to the fiend’s essence and affected by it; in the case of a barbazu this might mean being afflicted with the disease that such creatures carry

- Risks: if the ritual is done incorrectly (see the ritual failure rules, as explained on the wiki), the devil may simply not be called, but also may be called but then not be bound (and thus free to e.g. teleport away and start killing people or something)

That last risk can be mitigated by using a Magic Circle Against Evil spell on the ritual diagram, and a Dimensional Anchor as well, as described here https://pathfinder.d20srd.org/coreRulebook/spells/magicCircleAgainstEvil.html#magic-circle-against-evil

This isn’t required, but is good insurance

I think that covers it

(And, again, this all basically applies to any kind of fiendish creature - demon, devil, whatever - you would want to call; of course the difficulty - i.e., ritual skill check DC - would vary depending on the monster in question; but the above-listed considerations pretty much all apply regardless)

PhelanArcetus: This sounds excessive for "let's make some potions to sell for 41gp profit each"
PhelanArcetus: how about calling elementals of locale-appropriate types?

For calling elementals, the rituals are going to resemble this one https://br.obormot.net/OldWorld/Rituals#expedient-whirlwind

2026-02-22 (add. three: spying on Ambrose)

Click to expand/collapse 
PhelanArcetus: flyovers of Ambrose's compound?

mm, yes

Tell me about that

We’re talking about what? Someone’s getting on Omri’s ebony fly, then... Nika casts Invis on both mount and rider... and they do a flyover and see what they can spot?

PhelanArcetus: yep

Invis lasts min/lvl, so we’re talking about 8 minutes... hmm... just a cursory survey, then

Multiple times, but no long hovering and watching or anything

PhelanArcetus: Right

Alright, so who’s the rider?

PhelanArcetus: but a couple of trips at different times, etc.

Who’s going up there

PhelanArcetus: I suggested it, I guess I can unless Omri really wants to

Alright

How high up do you want to fly?

Oliver: How's his perception?
Oliver: I've got an 11 and some stealth

Note also that Iraklis doing it means that he can’t do it at night... unless you guys have some way of providing Iraklis with darkvision?

PhelanArcetus: 12 for me

Perhaps those eye drops...? I forget if you have that recipe

PhelanArcetus: and we do not
PhelanArcetus: so an actual nighttime one, Omri would be better
PhelanArcetus: I do not have the recipe yet, we have not encountered it I think, but I think it's a good one to look for

Alright, so Iraklis during the daytime, Omri at night

And how high up are these flights to be?

(Higher up means harder to spot things, but lower means a chance that someone might *hear* you flying over...)

https://br.obormot.net/OldWorld/WildernessExplorationTravel#visibility ... the table for range modifiers to spot checks, fyi

PhelanArcetus: I feel like there's little reason to do more than 100 ft, say...

Alright

PhelanArcetus: but that seems on the high end honestly
PhelanArcetus: 40 ft up seems fine

Very good

Now, given the short duration of Invis, you’ll presumably want to start from as close by as possible (rather than from your house); it is easy enough to find some sort of rock outcropping or something to hide behind once you’re on the far side of the hill, but do you also want to try to avoid being seen heading there? If so, let’s have a Stealth check from Omri (with the aiding-other-people modifier); if not, tell me

Oliver: Omri removes the anklet for this purpose
Oliver: !try 16;stealth
* Robomot rolls attempt for Oliver: (stealth) 1d20 < 7 = 7 > + 16 = 23

Alright

Let’s have two Perception checks each from Iraklis and Omri, then

PhelanArcetus: !try 12 12
* Robomot rolls attempts for PhelanArcetus: 
* Robomot 1d20 < 2 = 2 > + 12 = 14
* Robomot 1d20 < 10 = 10 > + 12 = 22

PhelanArcetus: If Omri is willing to throw heroism at this too, those become 25 & 17

Oliver: Given the timeframe, that seems wise
Oliver: mine was a 25
Oliver: !try 13;per+hero 13;per+hero
* Robomot rolls attempts for Oliver: 
* Robomot (per+hero) 1d20 < 12 = 12 > + 13 = 25
* Robomot (per+hero) 1d20 < 4 = 4 > + 13 = 17

PhelanArcetus: amusing that we end up with identical results.
Oliver: man... I think my rolling average here over the past day has been aboud 6 or so

Ok, here’s what you see...

Right down at the foot of the hill, below its western slope, is a rectangular walled-in area, maybe 500 feet long and a little less than that in width. The perimeter wall is of mud-brick, mostly, though the western part is stone-reinforced, and taller - twice a man’s height (probably this is to shield from the dust storms that blow in from the west).

Within that walled perimeter are a number of simple, rectangular, one-floor structures of mud brick. A couple of times, you spot people entering or exiting these; they could be dorms/barracks, certainly. There’s also a larger central building, from which you can hear the sound of conversation and occasional laughter. Several outhouses stand near the perimeter wall at intervals. Steps on the inner side of the same wall lead up to lookout platforms, where bored-looking guards stand; a couple more guards occasionally patrol the interior. By their posture, demeanor, etc., it’s clear that none of these warriors are particularly expecting any trouble.

You estimate that this compound could easily house several hundred people... half the total population of Dusthill could probably fit in here, if these low buildings are all barracks-style living quarters, as they look to be. Nothing remotely like that many currently occupy the compound, of course; there’s not a whole lot of activity to see from the air, but even at a very rough estimate, there can’t be more than a couple dozen men here, total.

On the whole, what you see is all consistent with what you’ve heard - a walled compound, housing for laborers and mercenaries.

That’s pretty much it.

Oliver: where are the laborers going
PhelanArcetus: at a slightly different time we should figure out where the workers go yeah

Going? They’re not going anywhere

At least, not at the times you happen to go look

PhelanArcetus: yeah that may require a stakeout

They walk to the central building and back to the smaller ones, or to an outhouse and back, etc.

Oliver: I think we can figure out when/where they tend to go
Oliver: and plan a recon accordingly

Well, during the times when you have gone and done these flyovers, you haven’t seen anyone enter or leave the compound

You can of course find a concealed spot, on the hillside, say, and do a days-long or even weeks-long stakeout... do you want to do that? Obviously you can’t both do that and anything else you might want to be doing (such as crafting, building your inn, whatever else)

PhelanArcetus: So either he's got something valuable going on in the compound itself, or the workers go somewhere else and we'd need to snoop a bunch
Oliver: Do the cops have any ideas?

Your hired guys? No, not really; they don’t patrol out that way. The sheriff’s got them focused on the town center, the homesteads relatively close to the town center, and a bit east of town, the way the caravans come in... there’s not really enough of them for covering a significantly broader area than that, and certainly not to go west of the hill

PhelanArcetus: I would say that unless Omri wants to spend a lot of time staking this out, we'll defer that to a future date
Oliver: agreed

2026-02-22 (add. four: Omri builds an inn)

Click to expand/collapse 

(One of these days, someone’s going to have to build a proper inn in this town... but no one’s done so yet)

Oliver: Johnny's is... the wrong kind of inn, eh?

Johnny’s Entertainments offers food, drink, live music, private dining rooms, and... companionship... for its customers

But not housing

Oliver: Well... that's actually not a bad goal for Omri

Oliver: good suggestion!

Quite so

Oliver: Build it close to Johnny's to avoid competing with him for cooking

Oliver: Just bed and stables.

Note that you very strongly suspect that the reason that Johnny hasn’t branched out into the hospitality business is that he doesn’t want to step on Ambrose’s toes

Oliver: Ambr Bed and Breakfast?

That is... when someone comes to Dusthill looking for work - not adventuring, but mercenary or labor sort of work - Ambrose offers them a place to stay (in his villa for skilled warriors, or his worker compound for laborers) and a job

The two go together

Oliver: Oh, to hell with that.

It’s a very efficient way of capturing basically the entirety of the incoming work and fighting force

Oliver: Yeah... the dust hill fuzzywuzzies deserve better.

So someone who offered space at an inn or anything like that, especially if it was cheap, would be directly threatening that business model, as it were

And Johnny clearly isn’t interested in any making that sort of trouble

(And Ambrose’s men are a big chunk of his clientele these days)

Oliver: We'll try to create a new set of clientelle

Oliver: While the others are doing their things, Omri finds a good spot near Johnny's, and starts carpentrying a new building

Oliver: handful of rooms

Oliver: stables

Oliver: common area, ideally with a back door connecting to Johnny's

Oliver: enough space to set up for food prep... but not built out for now.

Now hold on

Remember that there’s basically zero lumber to be had in this area

Most of the buildings (including Johnny’s, and including your house) is mud brick

Oliver: Ah

Oliver: iirc, ordering wood was an option

It was indeed, and is, so the question is what sort of budget you are comfortable with, for this project

Oliver: say we wanted to start out with 4 rooms, stables, and a common area?

(Also, while working with mud brick for this is obviously an option also, this is a pretty bad time of year for that - you will probably want to wait for summer... unless you have a lot of fire magic handy...?)

Anyhow, I’ll figure out costs (in materials and money as well as time) and get back to you on that

Oliver: D'orc has plenty of fire

mm

Oliver: Probably start laying a mud brick foundation

⁂

Anyhow, as far as building and running an inn, the way it works is as follows...

So, the PHB lists three qualities of accommodation: poor, common, and good:

"Poor accommodations at an inn amount to a place on the floor near the hearth. Common accommodations consist of a place on a raised, heated floor, the use of a blanket and a pillow. Good accommodations consist of a small, private room with one bed, some amenities, and a covered chamber pot in the corner."

(These cost 2 sp/day, 5 sp/day, and 2 gp/day respectively)

So:

Building 1 person’s worth of poor accommodation costs nothing in Dusthill (since you’re doing your own labor), but counts as 25 gp for calculating maintenance costs (see below)

1 person’s worth of common accommodations costs 100 gp to build

Good, 500 gp

For which you can then charge the aforementioned prices

Maintenance costs are 2% of the build price, per month; this includes the cost of hiring someone (or multiple someones) to clean the place, etc.

That’s it.

Other stuff is additional. Want to have a stables; serve meals; have guards; that’s all extra.

But that’s the basics. Easy

2026-02-22 (add. five: Omri’s date with Kat)

Click to expand/collapse 
Meanwhile, that day, one of Omri’s hangers-on^W followers stops by the house to drop off a note that he was asked to give to Omri. The note, written in elaborate script on a fancy-looking piece of parchment informs Omri that the Lady Katherine would welcome the pleasure of his company for dinner tomorrow evening, in the private dining room at Johnny’s Entertainments.

Johnny’s has several private rooms now, actually (added when Johnny bought the place from Randall), of which, as it turns, this Lady Katherine has booked the biggest one

This is a dining room with a sturdy table big enough to seat a dozen, with a set of quite nice carved wooden chairs that Johnny managed to get his hands on somehow... there’s a back door, a couple of high windows on the wall, cast-iron sconces holding torches, and a brass candelabra with a handful of lit candles on the table. There’s even a picture on the wall, in a nice frame that almost looks gilded in the flickering light.

All in all, it’s quite cozy... of course, it’s nothing compared to, say, the Coral House in Caledas, to say nothing of the fancier sorts of dining establishments back in Stavronne, but for a one-horse town like Dusthill, this really is surprisingly classy.

Sitting at the far end of the table is a strikingly beautiful woman.

She looks up when you enter and smiles, a genuinely delighted smile; "Oh, you came! I’m so glad!" she says. "Come and sit. I’ve already ordered; I hope you don’t mind?"

You get a good look at her as you approach. Hard to say where she’s from, though you’d tentatively guess one of Donaille’s north-eastern provinces, by her looks and her slight accent. She’s slim of build, with long, dark hair, and an open, friendly face. She wears a very practical outfit, leather and cotton and wool in a simple style, the sort of clothes that easily serve for traveling or fighting or leisure - an adventurer’s outfit. But by the way the clothing fits, by the way it subtly shows off her figure, while seeming to detract from comfort not at all, it’s clear that it’s wholly custom-made, and made by a skilled artisan, too.

Oliver: >  ...made by a skilled artisan, too.
Oliver: How'd you get your hands on an Ankremis original?

The woman - Katherine, presumably - is, momentarily, at a loss; but she quickly recovers, giving you a mysterious smile; "A girl doesn’t tell all her secrets...", she says. "But I should introduce myself. I’m Kat." She gets up and gives you a small curtsy as she says this, then gestures to the chair next to her. "Shall we? There’s so much I’d like to talk about!"

Oliver: Omri takes her lead

Alright. Well, the food arrives soon after that. Irg (the half-orc girl who used to be a serving girl but was promoted to head cook when Johnny bought the place) brings your meal personally; she and Kat exchange a few words, bantering in a familiar fashion; it seems they’re quite friendly. Kat tips Irg a gold piece and asks her to make sure you two aren’t disturbed.

The meal is those “demon chickens” again (which seem to be the staple meat dish at Johnny’s now), though prepared in a new (and, you must admit, delicious) way.

The wine is cheap but drinkable. (It’s probably Johnny’s best, but that’s saying very little.)

Kat makes small talk as you eat. She’s very interested in hearing about your adventures; she’s heard a lot about you and your companions, and finds your exploits fascinating.

Give me a Diplomacy check, Sense Motive check, and Knowledge (nobility) check, please.

Oliver: !try 15;dipl 14;sense 11;nobility
* Robomot_ rolls attempts for Oliver: 
* Robomot_ (dipl) 1d20 < 13 = 13 > + 15 = 28
* Robomot_ (sense) 1d20 < 14 = 14 > + 14 = 28
* Robomot_ (nobility) 1d20 < 9 = 9 > + 11 = 20

Alright

Well, it’s clear enough to you that Kat comes from nobility; her mannerisms, eating habits, way of speaking, posture... everything, really. But it’s also clear that she’s not just a noblewoman... she’s entirely too comfortable in these “rustic” surroundings; entirely too free and unpretentious in, for example, the way that she spoke to Irg - and even the way that she talks to you...

As I said, she seems to be very interested in your adventures. Kat lets slip that she’s also an adventurer, here in Dusthill with several of her friends (as she says). It’s not immediately clear what her angle is, though; her demeanor seems to shift frequently, and she doesn’t stay long on any one subject... one moment she’s giving you smoldering looks over a goblet of wine, and a moment later all sign of flirtation is gone and she’s quizzing you on your knowledge of gemstones.

It doesn’t take you long to get the picture, though; you realize that Kat is feeling you out, trying to figure out what *your* aspirations are: are you interested in wealth? power? fame? sex? knowledge? excitement? Something else...?

Oliver: Omri does his best to avoid revealing anything too detailed, but definitely plays up stories of the party's adventures

Alright

Oliver: fame, fortune, and liberating all the fuzzy wuzzies

Very good

Oliver: Omri might go so far as to cast an ominous "the master" as the villain of the day

Painting yourself as a selfless crusader for justice and freedom, eh? (Mostly?)

Oliver: that sounds pretentious
Oliver: (i.e., perfect)

Alright

Let’s get a Bluff check, please

Oliver: !try 9;bluff
* Robomot_ rolls attempt for Oliver: (bluff) 1d20 < 2 = 2 > + 9 = 11

Alright

Well, it doesn’t take long for Kat to realize that you’ve caught on to her aim in this conversation; likewise, she doesn’t buy your line for a minute... but, oddly enough, far from being annoyed at this, she seems to appreciate your response. In any case, after you wrap up the latest in a series of your tales of derring-do, Kat says...

"You know, you’ve only been in this town for a few months, and everyone knows your name now. You’ve shown that you can make things happen... you’ve made the town safer, brought money flowing into this place... you’re bringing civilization out here, Omri. And you’ve set yourself up as a power in Dusthill." She leans forward and, her tone inviting, says "I find that very attractive..."

Then, just as quickly, her demeanor shifts again, and when she continues, her tone is entirely businesslike.

"But," Kat says, "you’re not the only power in this town. And Dusthill isn’t big enough for both of you."

(She watches your reaction as she says this, clearly curious to see how you’ll take it.)

Oliver: small chuckle.  raised eyebrow.

"I know that you know what I’m talking about," says Kat. "There’s going to be a reckoning, sooner or later. Even if you tolerate his presence, he won’t tolerate yours."

"I certainly wouldn’t, in his place", she adds, as an afterthought.

Oliver: I sense a proposal coming.

"I’ve got a choice to make, Omri. Everyone’s going to have to choose, sooner or later, you know. But those who see it coming can choose before things come to a head. There are many advantages to being on the right side before anyone else can see that there are sides to be on."

"To tell you the truth," Kat says, looking you in the eye, "I like you more than I like him. But..." 

"My father always told me that you don’t bet on the horse that you like best. You bet on the one that’s going to win."

"Are you going to win?"

Oliver: That is a matter for st... a higher power than us.  But perhaps you could tell me why it matters to you?
Oliver: Certainly one could simply wait out this... coming storm without taking sides.
***: PhelanArcetus (discord238@68.133.9.29) has joined the channel
PhelanArcetus: (assuming that one is not already part of it)
Oliver: (or looking to trigger it in the first place)

Kat shrugs. "One could. But I’m not that kind of girl. There’s no reward without risk, I know you know that. And only a fool can’t tell that there’s reward to be had out here. I want it. And I get what I want."

Oliver: And what might you be willing to risk?

"The usual," Kat says, lightly; "my life, and anything else I’ve got..." Then she seems to think of something, and says, "You know, I’ve just had a wonderful idea. There’s this place, out in the wastes, not too far from here. My friends and I found it - it’s an old cemetary. It’s crawling with undead, and there’s treasure there... we’ve been there twice now, and twice we’ve come back richer than when we set out. But..."

"... there’s some things in there we can’t quite handle on our own. Why don’t you and your friends come with us on our next outing? We’ll take out those creatures, and split whatever we find. And we can get better acquainted. There’s nothing like facing danger together to really get to know someone, don’t you think?"

PhelanArcetus: (Well Iraklis is always up for smashing undead... of course wondering if this is a trap but still)
Oliver: I'm assuming Sandy is rolling my sense motives here

(Of course, but mostly I’m using that first result, which covers the whole conversation unless something special happens)

Oliver: Fair
Oliver: My point is just that I am going to assume that, if I have reason to suspect that someone is lying to me, I will be informed.

(And how can it be a trap, Kat is obviously a very nice young lady, of good breeding and excellent manners. She would never do anything impolite like ambushing you and sacrificing you all to demons)

(yes, that is a good assumption)

Oliver: Hmm...
Oliver: (offhandedly) getting to know someone... mmm... yes... shan yu...
Oliver: My colleagues and I will consult, and I shall let you know.  In the meantime, please enjoy this signed statuette.
PhelanArcetus: did you ever pick up enter image?
Oliver: not yet... but by the time I do... images of omri will be everywhere
PhelanArcetus: i would have laughed if you did have it already
PhelanArcetus: my opinion... sure, let's give this a go
Oliver: Oh yes... I do so enjoy going places where Irakles can jump out from behind a door and go "boo"

Kat seems slightly disappointed by your response (you get the clear sense that she’d have preferred to see more unilateral decision-making on your part), but gracefully masks her reaction. The conversation drifts back to small talk, and the dinner concludes without much else of any significance.

She lets you know that you can leave messages for her here at Johnny’s, whenever you decide, or if you want to get in touch with her for any reason.

Oliver: I suppose I should make a craft check for the statuette

I guess you should

Oliver: This one is tasteful, but distinctive in some way.
Oliver: !try 9;craft
* Robomot_ rolls attempt for Oliver: (craft) 1d20 < 12 = 12 > + 9 = 21
Oliver: not horrible
Oliver: (I assume carpentry covers whittling)
Oliver: (and other forms of woodworking)

Certainly close enough for something like this, yes

(You can always specialize, but, yes)

Anyhow, I guess you guys have to decide if you want to go on this little side outing with these people

Oliver: Not like we have anything better...
Oliver: and the suggestion was that we do find some additional backup

(Though I imagine it will be waiting until Nika’s done training the basilisks in at least one trick, even if you decide to go for it)

Oliver: Of course

(which is two weeks)

Oliver: at some point after she wanders off, Omri casts find object on the statuette
Oliver: *locate object
Oliver: sees if he can figure out where she's staying

Alright

Oliver: assuming that doesn't raise any surprises... He'll drop by there later that evening and deliver the party's response to her offer in person.

Well, it’s not anywhere in the town center (not very surprising, there isn’t really a whole lot of "housing" of any sort)... do you want to follow Kat? Looks like she’s heading south, which tells you nothing by itself

If you do, roll a Stealth check

(Uh, assuming you do want to be stealthy about it)

Oliver: South out of town, eh?
Oliver: well... he doesn't need to be particularly close to find her
Oliver: but yeah... ok
Oliver: !try 16;stealth
* Robomot_ rolls attempt for Oliver: (stealth) 1d20 < 3 = 3 > + 16 = 19
Oliver: and a gallant inspiration on that
Oliver: !roll 2d4
* Robomot_ rolls dice for Oliver: 2d4 < 4 1 = 5 > = 5
Oliver: 24

Well, as you know, Dusthill basically consists of a small cluster of buildings in the town center (basically all the locations listed on the town’s wiki page), surrounded by a several-mile-radius fringe of farms and homesteads

(Plus the big hill just west of town - hence the name - and, now, on the other side of said hill, Ambrose’s walled compound for his workers)

Anyhow, you trail Kat easily enough; looks like she’s staying with one of the locals

Oliver: Fair enough.  I hang around for a few, but then head back

2026-02-22 (add. six: Ezra)

Click to expand/collapse 
... there is a tentative knock on the door of your house.

Hmm... Nika is training her basilisks... Omri is hard at work on his construction efforts, with Dorc’s help... 

So I guess it’s Iraklis that opens the door...

And sees, standing before him, a nervous-looking man in a hooded cloak.

He’s human; of indeterminate age (perhaps late 20s... is your initial estimate; but his thin, slightly stooped build, and his sallow complexion, make him look older than perhaps he is, so maybe a bit younger, in truth); and he glances around, as if making sure nobody’s nearby, then cranes his head to peer around you into the house...

Then, hesitating a bit, he says "Is this the house of... that is... I am looking for l... Nika. I was told that she can be found here?"


PhelanArcetus: With regards to this dudes I guess a quick vibes check and then either ask his business and find him a place to wait, or turn him away based on it


As for your visitor... well, he doesn’t *seem* hostile; nervous, certainly; and also... hopeful? Excited? Like he’s doing something terrifying but also a thing he has his heart set on? That sort of thing

When you ask his business, he - looking more nervous by the second, but nonetheless bravely committed - tells you that he’s here to see Nika, so if you could please tell him whether he is in fact in the right place (he also seems increasingly unsure about that, as he keeps peering past you into the house, and frowning at what he sees), and then either take him to her, or else please excuse the bother and he’ll go


PhelanArcetus: As far as this kid… who is older than I am…


PhelanArcetus: I feel like Iraklis knows Nika well

PhelanArcetus: Enough to make a decent answer but this is definitely not a thing we have talked about with her

PhelanArcetus: So debating whether to invite the guy in and have Nika come out, or arrange a different time

Well, no rush, we can see what Erin says about this

PhelanArcetus: Yeah that’s probably best.

PhelanArcetus: I feel like she’d be happier not in a public space.

PhelanArcetus: Armesan

Armesan: Yeah Nika will meet him, just not at the house or anywhere secretive.

Armesan: Iraklis will know enough to give that answer if he wants.

Armesan: Nika's wary, but curious so she'd be willing to see what's up with this guy.

PhelanArcetus: Sounds good. He’ll say “yes, Nika lives here, she’s busy “ and suggest I dunno, a table at Johnny’s at next mealtime?”

Armesan: Sure, or whenever Nika usually breaks for food from training the basilisks.


Alright

The guy looks like he wants to protest, but then it seems that his courage fails him, and he says "Yes. Thank you. I will be there. You’ll tell her? Yes, I’m sure that you will..." Glancing around again, he pulls up the hood of his cloak and walks off.

Later that day, at Johnny’s...

When you come in, you don’t see the fellow that Iraklis described anywhere, on a casual glance around the common room. One of the serving girls notices you, and tells you that a man has rented one of the smaller private dining rooms, and is waiting for you there.

PhelanArcetus: (Iraklis, at least, is willing to come along for moral support / etc.)


Armesan: Yeah she'll take Iraklis along since Mouse is too big to walk into places right now

Armesan: also because he know what this guy looks like

Alright. You go to the indicated room - a smaller space, somewhat cramped, fit to serve maybe a half-dozen people around a circular table - and indeed the thin young man is sitting there, nursing an ale and ignoring a chunk of bread. He springs up when the two of you enter; he glances at Iraklis (looking somewhat dismayed to see him), but only briefly; his attention is reserved almost entirely for Nika.

Armesan: (we're about the head out so this may have to wait for any proper back and forth)

It’s not clear what he might’ve expected to see, but the reality seems to surprise him a bit. He says "You are... Nika?"


Armesan: Nika will just kind of raise an eyebrow at him.  "Yes.  And you are?"

Armesan: She's not trying to sound mean or dismissive, but she is wary and not trying to hide that.

The man nods; then he glances at Iraklis again, leans forward toward you and whispers, "Do you trust this man? What I mean to say is not for the public’s ears..."

Armesan: "Yes.  And.  You.  Are?"

PhelanArcetus: Assuming I hear the whisper which I probably do given decent perception and how much of a doofus this guy is being I suspect Iraklis rolls his eyes at that comment

He nods again, visibly gathering his resolve. Then he takes a step back... gives a start, as he bumps into a chair... carefully moves it aside...

Then he drops to his knees; and prostrates himself before you.

After several moments, he straightens his back (but does not rise from his knees), and, looking up at you with glittering eyes, says "My lady, I am called Ezra. I have come because I wish to serve you; and to... learn from you, if I can."

"Do not turn me away, my lady. Allow a chance to prove myself useful to you. You will find me worthy of your service, I swear it!"


Armesan: Nika looks absolutely flabbergasted at this guy and after a minute of the immediate shock wearing off, she rolls her eyes at him.  "Oh for fuck's sake get off the floor, you're embarrassing yourself.  What the hell are you talking about?  Serve me?  I'm just an arcane caster.  Is this some kind of joke?"

PhelanArcetus: The person in the party least likely to want any sort of follower now has one

Ezra obeys at once, getting up as quickly as he can. "I assure you, my lady," he says, earnestly and emphastically, "I am as sincere as I have ever been in my life! I heard rumors of your powers, and recognized them for what they truly are. I, too, have devoted my life to the study of the powers of the Abyss! But I’ve made little real progress... I’ve had to hunt down scraps of knowledge, overlooked by the priests... to, to associate with repellent people... but in your service, I would learn of true power!"

"I’ll perform whatever tasks you set me to," he continues. "Errands... things that you don’t want to sully your hands with... I do have some small arcane skill myself," he adds; "I can perhaps aid you in your own studies, in my small way..."

Oliver: (Just a thought... suggesting that he go to hell might be misinterpreted)

PhelanArcetus: Oh he probably misunderstood what Nika being a summoner means. Or so we hope.


Armesan: (Forgive my memory, but is there a place on the wiki I can look that will refresh me on what exactly NIKA knows about summoners?  I was under the assumption that she all she knew was that her powers had something to do with the arcane and a specific connection of said powers to other planes i.e. hell or what not.  Does she know what The Abyss is or this just the stereotype summoners have, that they're Abyssal casters?)

(You recall/assume correctly. There’s no stereotype, to Nika’s knowledge; indeed, as we’ve established, she’s never even met anyone else like her, and has never met anyone who knew anything about people like her.)

("What is the Abyss" is reasonably common knowledge among anyone who studies lore related to fiendish creatures and dealings with them - it’s supposed to be the realm where demons come from, or at least that’s what the stories say; as we’ve discussed before, many scholars don’t believe that such places really "exist" as real places, etc.)

Armesan: (gotcha)

(Nika indeed is fairly sure that her powers come from some connection with the Lower Planes, generally... whether that is the Abyss, or Hell, or something else, has never been clear. Mouse seems to have some intuitive knowledge about such places, but he doesn’t really know for sure either.)

Armesan: (Okay just wanted to make sure I knew what kind of 'Abyss' I should reference)

Armesan: "Whoa, whoa, back up there.  First of all, 'my lady'?  What the hell kind of rumors have you been hearing about me that makes you think I'm some sort of high and mighty dignitary?"  It is very clear that Nika has absolutely no idea how to deal with people liking or positively reacting to her...well, anything about her and is floundering a bit at this.

Armesan: (Iraklis can feel free to help or just sit back and enjoy Nika's flailing through praise and overly enthusastic fanboying)

Armesan: s/enthusastic/enthusiastic/

Armesan: (obviously when adam can actually comment)

Ezra says, hurriedly, "I mean no offense, my l... er, that is... how shall I address you, then...?"

Armesan: "Just Nika is fine."


"As you say, then. Will you... " he looks at you hopefully, choosing his words carefully. "Am I to consider myself... accepted into your service?"

Armesan: "No...what....I mean...what service?  I'm just an adventurer.  I live in a bunkhouse with six...or...seven I guess...roommates.  Why would you even want to..."  Nika stammers like this for a bit until she finally just sighs and looks at this guy.  "Let's try this again.  Ezra, was it?  What have you heard about me to make you think that I can even help you?" I guess sense motive but I'm gonna guess even Nika's crappy modifier would be able to tell he's just an overexcited prospective assistant?

(Nika’s Sense Motive is... -1. Hmmm alright)

Yes, as far as you can tell, Ezra is indeed what he appears to be, i.e. he seems to honestly believe what he said...

Anyway, to the question, Ezra hesitates, then glances toward the door of the little private dining room that the three of you are in (a door which still stands just a bit ajar where one of the serving girls half-shut it behind you when you came in). "I... I will answer all your questions, m... Nika... but... perhaps... not here? If you please... such conversations are better had in... this is why I came to your house directly, you see; I only wanted to avoid curious eyes and ears..."
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Armesan: Nika thinks about this for a minute or two and sighs.  "Fine, not here.  I train my basilisks most days out at the edge of town.  It's far enough out that you should be...safe...I guess.  Meet us there tomorrow.  And then we'll see about....all of this."  She gestures to everything about Ezra at this.

Armesan: (And if I haven't been training the basilisks on the edge of town, I am now.)

Alright

Ezra agrees readily

Armesan: I'm going to ask Iraklis what his impression/sense motive got off this guy when Adam's back.

Cool

Iraklis’s Sense Motive bonus is...

+8, cool

Armesan: Needless to say, Mouse is with me, and if I have the impression the basilisks will obey me enough, I actually will have the basilisks out there and be training them.  Complete the impression that this is exactly what we're doing on the edge of town far from prying eyes.

Armesan: * Needless to say, Mouse will be with me, and if I have the impression the basilisks will obey me enough, I actually will have the basilisks out there and be training them.  Complete the impression that this is exactly what we're doing on the edge of town far from prying eyes.

Sure they’ll obey you

Armesan: Honestly I imagine Mouse plays with the basilisks that aren't currently being trained/focused on while training is happening

Makes sense

Armesan: Okay then Nika, Mouse, Nibbles, Kibbles, and Bits, and if Iraklis wants to come.  Nika suggests Omri NOT come because this guy is already way too excited.

Armesan: she suspects that putting Ezra and Omri in the same vicinity may cause a rift in time and space.

(lol but not wrong)

Well, as far as what Iraklis’s impression was...

Either this guy is a pretty good actor, or he’s as sincere as he professes himself to be. He did seem slightly surprised when he first actually met Nika; it seemed like he was maybe expecting something a bit different, though hard to say what exactly. Still, he seems convinced that Nika is powerful and impressive. It seems like he’s looking for something, and believes that he has found that in Nika.

Now, is there anything in particular you want to do in preparation for this meeting the next day, other than what’s already been noted?

Armesan: If Omri or Iraklis have ideas for prep that I haven't thought of feel free to chime in when you can.

Armesan: I can't think of too much else Nika can/would do because what I've already said.

Armesan: but she will ask for the others' opinions.

PhelanArcetus: I don’t think we need any particular prep for this guy. At most thinking of what we need to ask. My core vibe is that he heard of Nika the adventurer who has a big demon cat man thing pet and this fits what he wants to be

PhelanArcetus: I mean I’ll have my weapons if you want the backup around otherwise I can be alchemy ing

Armesan: mostly more sense motive

Armesan: yes mouse will be there but the extra roll isn't a bad idea

PhelanArcetus: But honestly I think we have a wannabe minion. Whether he still wants it as much once he gets to know Nika and the rest, or perhaps understands how little Nika knows , etc

Alright

And will Mouse be in disguise, or sans disguise?

Armesan: Hmmm disguise for now. However well that goes given he’s large now

Armesan: And I don’t have the ranks of disguise yet

PhelanArcetus: I assume Iraklis will be hanging around, near enough to listen and be useful but not quite enough to be obtrusive (probably actually too close for that but you know, not looming right over the guy's shoulder unless that becomes needed)

Alright

The next day, Ezra shows up, looking like he hasn’t slept very well. His eyes go wide when he sees the basilisks; you get the impression that even though you plainly told him there’d be basilisks, he didn’t really hear you, or was too focused on other things to have paid attention... he approaches cautiously, though once he sees that they’re tame, he watches the creatures, with evident curiosity.

Ezra glances curiously at Mouse, then does a double take and looks again; seemingly has some sort of realization, and, somewhat tentatively, gives Mouse a respectful bow, before approaching Nika.

Then, haltingly, but (apparently) honestly and without evasions, he tells you his story...

He was interested in magic from a young age; though he had no prospect of finding a mentor to teach him, lacking either funds or connections. Essentially by chance he managed to gain the acquaintance of some people who (he later learned) were cultists, demon worshippers; through these, he was able to get hold of a lore-book that told him how to perform a very simple calling ritual, and Ezra conjured a minor demon, which agreed to teach him magic.

While learning the rudiments of spellcasting, and studying what scraps of lore he could get his hands on, Ezra became increasingly convinced that harnessing the might of the Lower Planes was the key to real power and understanding (the Abyss, in particular, held great attraction to him, for philosophical reasons which he’s happy to expound at length, if you like, but which aren’t directly relevant to much of anything)...

At the same time, he became disillusioned with his demon-worshipping “friends”, and set out in search of his destiny. His travels brought him to Caledas, where he heard stories about adventurers who had begun to go out into that great wasteland to the west and apparently coming back with treasure and magic items... and, also, heard stories about you guys

The parts about Nika and her pet weird bear / cat / whatever the heck immediately caught Ezra’s attention; putting together the various bits and pieces of rumor and description, he quickly came to the obvious conclusion: that Nika is a skilled demonologist, who has perhaps made a pact with some great power, or maybe bound some powerful demon to her service, and gained a demonic cohort/companion in the bargain

Realizing at once that here was someone from whom he could learn and in whose service he could acquire the knowledge and power he craved, Ezra set out at once for Dusthill, and... you know the rest

Ezra once again emphasizes that he can be useful to you, for, you know, whatever. He’s not picky. (Though he doesn’t strike you as being a "physical labor" kind of guy, it’s also obvious that Ezra doesn’t come from wealth or nobility, and has no illusions about what "real life" is like; and you don’t get the sense that he’d balk at any task you choose to set him to.)

(He’s a wizard, in case that wasn’t clear, and can cast 1st level spells.)

Having recounted all this, Ezra seems like he’s about to kneel in supplication again, but thinks better of it, and simply clasps his hands together and waits for you to decide what to do with him.


Armesan: So Nika immediately scowls at the 'demonologist' reference and stops him there.  She explains, in no uncertain terms, that she is NOT a demonologist, she's made no pacts, no deals, she has not sold her soul, all that jazz.  This is not a bargain of servitude, all she knows is that Mouse is her friend and they are linked, not unlike a wizard and their familiar.  Just that no one can tell her what or why Mouse and her magic are the way they are.  She

Armesan: also asks why he craves power.  Is he seeking knowledge?  Riches?  Power?  Domination?

Armesan: (Power as in just power for the sake of being powerful or does he intend to use it for something?)

By the time you’re done with your explanation, Ezra’s mouth is hanging open in sheer baffled amazement. It’s clear that he had psyched himself up for any number of possible responses, but not this one. After a few moments of shocked silence, he collects himself, then peers at you, as if trying to figure out whether you’re serious, or if this is some kind of test, or... but finding nothing but apparent sincerity in your face, it seems, he shakes his head, still somewhat dazed, and struggles to find words for a reply...

"I... I don’t quite know what to say... I was so sure... but, but how is this possible? I’ve never heard of anything like this! Are you sure that... no, what am I saying; certainly you’d know if..."

He looks again at Mouse, deep in thought for a moment...

Then he seems to decide something; and, with more certainty in his voice, looks again at you and says "This changes nothing. My offer stands. I... was mistaken, I see that now; I suppose I... saw what I wanted to see. But I can still help you. Or... maybe I should say that we can help each other. We’re both looking for something, and... well..." He trails off, seeming to lose his train of thought; after thinking for a few moments, he starts again.

"You asked why I want power... I hadn’t... I mean, it’s a good question, isn’t it? I hadn’t really asked myself that, not in plain words. But... haven’t you ever looked at our society? Our world? You can’t look at it and say that things are... well, fair, or right, or... as they should be. Maybe that sounds foolish... but I know that things could be different. I could change things. That’s what I really want, why I want power - not for myself, but because I know that... I can change things, if I have the chance. I don’t know how, exactly... I... rather expected to think about that after I had the power to do it, I guess."

"Look, if you really have no use for me, I’ll... I’ll go."

Ezra seems somewhat deflated, by the end of his response; his conviction and excitement are largely gone... but you can see that he still has hope that you won’t send him away.


Armesan: Nika will sigh, and while she doesn't look thrilled, she doesn't look as angry as he admits he was wrong about her.  After a minute she says, "Look.  I'm not some grand wise old wizard with some great cosmic power, but...maybe...I guess...two head can be better than one if we're looking for answers.  And I suppoooooose trying to change things for the better isn't the worst goal in the world.  But you're not staying here...or...at our place.  And if

Armesan: you're going to work with me, you are going to be sworn to some pretty severe promises of secrecy which if you break, Nibbles here will be the least of your worries.  If that's all acceptable then...I guess you can stay."

Ezra looks first surprised (it seems like, after everything, he was expecting you to send him away after all), then relieved. "Secrecy...?" he says, "Yes, of course; you can count on it, Nika! I’ll say nothing... not that there’s much I can say... it seems like I really know very little, doesn’t it?" he says, with a small laugh. "But, yes, of course, I understand. You have my word."

He’s at your disposal, he says, for however you think his talents are best put to use.

"That is," Ezra adds, "after I find lodgings... I, er... I didn’t give much thought to that, either..."

But he assures you that he’ll manage something.

If there’s nothing else, he’ll leave to find himself a place to stay; and then he’ll be all yours.

Armesan: I mean, I fully expect Omri to do his customary snooping to check this guy out at some point, but no that's pretty much all Nika has at this point.

Armesan: She does remember being that curious wide-eyed "maybe there's something out there for me" kid before the world and society beat it out of her.

Armesan: and having had no luck finding answers on her own or with the snooty wizards she's found so far, she's willing to see what this guy can do to help.

Armesan: the secrecy is also mostly "don't go blabbing to people about our abilities or how we work or what our plans are."  things like that.

PhelanArcetus: And hey as a wizard he can make scrolls. May not be able to make any worthwhile scrolls yet but it’s a thing

It’s true, he can make scrolls, that’s a thing wizards do

2026-03-08

Category: Adventuring Parties