Session 46 - Desert Folklore

25/06/5-10

Continuing they journey north, Valeyo asked Obrand why he was with theI.C.M. He explained that after the announcement of the train, his boss complained about the cut off of trade to the west coast. His boss was soon found dead and Obrand decided that if he was going to do something about it, he would do it  in another way. When asked about Otusta, he said it was a busy trading town. It would take him a few days to arrange for a ship and recommended staying in the Copper Puppy. Other points of interest were the Mill, a temple to Erathis, the Sea's Gate, the Platinum Chapel. Valeyo asked about the Platinum Chapel surprised that there is a temple to Bahamut in Dragomir and the man said that the Conclave of Arcanists had pulled some strings to keep it open. Their academy was based in town, as well, but he wouldn't advise visiting. There was also, Hadaad Batal - a blacksmiths, famous in these parts for being able to smith magical items. Finally, there was the Refilling Cup - a tavern housed on a skyship. A magic door takes you to where the ship is at present.

A while later they reached the fort in the road, splitting to Yamitae and continued west.

28/06/5-10

As they approached Otusta, the guard presence increased, the roads much more commonly patrolled. The could see the mouth of the river Baven, as they got ever closer to the city. At one point, Cassini went up to Valeyo to talk about his experience while dead. He told him of reaching a plane of water and hearing a voice, he thought he had a religious experience related to Arvandor. He mentioned how the being wished to be free and about their potentially being more telescopes. He found the first in the mountains near Grum and proposed other temples might be in the mountains. Cassini recalled finding the first one, while travelling with his professor. One night his professor found the temple and they started exploring it together. He let it slip that they were attacked in the temple and his professor died. Cassini passed out after the encounter and the group wondered how he was alive in that case. Cassini saw his professor fall before passing out, so he assumed he was killed.

Soon after the could see the city. On the river were a few small islands, one of which housed a large keep. A number of ships were at the docks. The town stood in stark contrast to Stendolin, lacking walls or any other fortifications and instead being an urban sprawl. As they entered from the east, they went past a large number of warehouses, a while later Obrand asked them to stop before a two story building near a park. He got off and said it was the Town Hall, where he worked. He did also have an office at the docks and would send word to them after arranging their transportation. They decided to get to the Copper Puppy first, which was down the road. As the travelled they approached a large park, where a Mill was. To the right was a building which had a 8ft tall statues of a Puppy. It was an oxidized copper green.

Going inside the tavern, the found a middle-aged female gnome behind the bar, stood on a rolling chair. The tavern was bustling and most of the patrons seemed to be from all over, few locals. She introduced herself as Ama  Malin-Wallen and asked how she could help. She told them they could store the cart inside the Copper Puppy Statue and it will be safe, until the call for it. As for rooms, Tanya in the other building could help them. Valeyo asked for directions to the Platinum Chapel and she gave them. He asked for other recommendations  while they were in town. She mentioned the Sea's Gate, a temple to the sea god - Melora. The grouped thanked her and headed to the other building. On the way out they noticed that each table had a small copper puppy on it. The other building was an odd-shaped 4 story building. Inside a small reception area was a human woman in her 30s, who introduced herself as Tanya. She sorted their rooms out and handed them 9 keys. They then went to push their cart into the Puppy. As it approached, the cart began shrinking, until it became small enough for the puppy to swallow.

Following that, they crossed the road to the market. Sellers of all varieties filled the square, ranging from foods to garments. The group quickly spotted Hadaad Batal, the largest building in the square. On approached, they saw its logo was a golden anvil with a symbol similar to the Coat of arms of Almanat. Shiek pointed it out and told the group that the vision made sense now. Inside, it became clear that the shop focused on armaments. Many impressive swords, spears hammers and more were on display. Encased in a box on the wall was a black speak with a sharp point on one end and a flared out cone on the other. In another case, Otto noticed a warhammer, clearly made of Solar Steel. Running this place was an man in his 60s hammering away on his anvil. He turned to the group and Shiek felt himself lose control, he dropped his mask, lifted his arms and said "Uncle!". Shiek regained control and the party saw the man's face fill with anger before shouting "You dog!" and throwing the hammer at Shiek, hitting him in the head. The man then shouted again, saying "You shit, you should not have come here." before grabbing a sword. The party went to defend Shiek and Valeyo asked the man to calm down, the man said that this is not Shiek, but "Omar Sharif, gold thief and scourge of their kind.". A young woman came into the room, before being sent away by the smith, who said there is trouble. Shiek asked him who he is and the man became angry and confused. Valeyo tried to deescalate, by asking the man's name who introduced himself as Saeed Sharif. Shiek told him he is not who he thinks and began explaining. He said that his name is not Omar Sharif, though he looks like him and hopes Omar is dead. Shiek asked Saeed if Omar was his nephew and how much he knew of the dagger Omar was looking for. Once he noticed it, Saeed said that Shiek needed to be killed, asking him not to say that he had Shadows fight with him. Saeed asked Shiek to explain, but he refused, only saying that he stabbed Omar. Saeed then asked him to see the dagger, Shiek undid his clothing and revealed the blade. Saeed inspected it, sighed and then grabbed a cloth, which he threw at Shiek, telling him that his body is that of a bastard. Shiek said that he was aware and he got what he deserved.

Valeyo interjected, asking if Shiek killed Omar and ended up in his body. Shiek explained that Omar did things to his family so he joined a group working against him. There was a sandstorm and the other gave up, but Shiek entered Omar's tent and stabbed him. He then passed out and awoke in Omar's body. Valeyo aked if Omar went into his body, but Shiek said he didn't want to think about it, as he had to leave his body there. Saeed called out, saying that Omar is very gone, pointing at the dagger and saying it was a cursed weapon connected to his family for a long time. Shiek said his books said that the dagger was used my a man to keep ruling forever, swapping bodies with others.  In the desert was a magical water source, where people build a city, Almasuan. It was older than Almanat, but eventually a surge of magic from the water. Omar found that dagger and intended to swap with the ruler of Almanat.

Shiek asked about the details of how  the ruler of Almasuan stole bodies to continue his rule. Saeed said that the rulers back then would choose successors. The family stories about the dagger, were that the dagger served to move to another body, when you do so, it consumes the soul of the one killed. They hid it for a long time, but Omar stole it and ruined the family name in doing so. Saeed knew someone who might know more, the brother of the Refilling Cup's owner was a friend who might help. He then went to get some tea.

The group started looking around the shop and Otto pointed out the hammer, asking if it is Solar Steel. Saeed confirmed, saying he made it himself up north. Its name was Lightburst and it is unconventional. He handed it to Otto, who felt it was extremely light. Saeed explained it would make the user light as well, making them jump further, fall slower, but they would be easy to push around. Saeed said he had been invited up north to forge something at the Solar forge, due to his renown. If they prefer dwarven make, the spear, Afterburn, would be of interest. It could absorb fire, which empowers it and it can be thrown harder. Valeyo asked if he only make weapons and Saeed confirmed, he did go and grab a catalogue, saying this was for the Auction house up north, built into the cliff. The woman from the other room said it is in Skalenvru - the same as the one where Diane bought her scales.

Sapphira asked about arrowheads and Saeed told her of exploding ones and magic ones. Valeyo asked how the exploding ones work and he said they used black powder, from Velinde. He also had some made from Solar steel, which set the target alight when hitting it. Sapphira bough a bunch of the arrows. Shiek also purchased some magical armaments. Milivoj went to buy a flail and Saeed told him that if he wanted to wait, he was working on a special flail, that is much more magical. Sapphira also asked about arrows of Undead Slaying and Fiend Slaying, but Saeed said that undead are not a problem and the fiend ones he has been asked not to produce.

They left the blacksmith and Valeyo asked Shiek what his goal was- removing the dagger, or getting back his body. Shiek said he think it is too late for his body now, but he felt weird for killing a person whose soul had lived for so long. They decided to get to the Refilling Cup and began walking down the street. They saw a gatehouse by the market and on the way Valeyo told them of the rivalry between the Bladesinging Academy and his College. Past the gatehouse was a gated community with private guards outside. They were there to keep the riffraff out of the affluent street. Next was a domed tower and south down the street, the could see the Platinum Chapel. Finally the saw in a street off the main road, the Refilling Cup.

From the outside it looked like a tavern, but looking through the windows were illusions, making it look busy. The banner of the tavern was a Skyship overflowing with ale into a cup below. They opened the front door to the tavern and saw a shimmering portal. As they went through, the first thing that became apparent was the change in temperature. The air was warm and humid, while also feeling slightly thinner. They found themselves on the deck of a large skyship. Seats were all around and people were drinking, behind the bar was a Goliath. Looking out to the side was endless ocean. Valeyo went to the edge and saw they were way high up and nets were setup to catch people. No land was anywhere in sight.

The group approached the bar and the goliath asked how he could help. Valeyo told him, that they were after the owner and Cassini asked where the nearest land was. The Goliath said it would be Ikoval, 1000 miles north of here, as they were heading to Almanat. He then asked why they were after the owner and they send they were after his brother, having been sent by Saeed. He told them to wait while he fetched his brother. Valeyo asked him about the doors and he said they were in multiple cities, but you can only leave by the one you entered. Valeyo introduced himself and the goliath said his name was Varaman. Shiek asked how fast the ship was moving, but Varaman said it was quite slow, not having been made for speed.

Soon after a goliath woman walked past and went to the bar, Varaman said "Magi, welcome, have a seat!". Valeyo jumped up, scared at having to deal with mages, but calmed seeing that it was not the person they were meeting. Afterwards a goliath man in his 50s approached and sat at their table. He introduced himself as Ghoti. Valeyo recognized his name and asked if he was with the Conclave. He said not much anymore, as he was much more independent, the Conclave not being fans of the tavern. He them remarked that they still come to the tavern, looking at the Goliath woman sitting at the bar. He then asked how he could help and Shiek asked his relationship with Saeed. Ghoti said that he was a collector so he often trade with Saeed. Shiek asked if they could speak in private and they were lead below deck.

Once there he asked them what they had got. Shiek explained his encounter with Saeed, before revealing the dagger. Ghoti remarked that this didn't look healthy and asked what was their goal - information, removal or something else. Shiek asked for information and Ghoti offered to Identify and Legen Lore it. Shiek asked why he would do it for free and Ghoti said that it was interesting enough to be worth it. He began and asked if Shiek had a name from the weapon, he gave <> , but Ghoti said its full name is <>. He explained how the rarities of magic items work and said that this is of the highest level, having only seen 5-10 in his entire life. The goliath then warned him of the being inside the dagger and said the item was not at its full potential. While he worked on Legend Lore, Valeyo filled the others in on what he knew of Ghoti, his role in the Summit of Flottyem. Shiek said that the man didn't seem fond of the Conclave, which was good and Valeyo agreed. Soon after Ghoti came to and said it was a shit weapon. He told them what they already knew of Malkagata's coup, imprisonment and the dagger falling through reality into Almanat. The hole it cut, caused the big lake to form and that was where Almasuan was founded. A nameless man found the dagger, ruled the kingdom and swapped bodies for generations. Ghoti said that he recognized someone, towards the man's life, one of his mages - Abi-Dalzim, specialized in water magic, mainly removing it from people. Shiek recognized him as the writer of the book on Almanati history he got from the Conclave. Though the ages, the water coming through the fey, began drying up. It seemed that the Queen of Air and Darkness realized that Malakagata was consuming souls to regain her strength, so she plugged the hole so the water slowed. Sometime later, she unplugged it allowing the built up water to come at once, flooding and killing the entire city. Following that, the dagger was lost for years until being found by the Sharif family, who guarded it for a long time, before Omar took it.

Shiek wondered if the Sharif's were related to the ruler of Almasuan , since his name was Imar Al Sharif. On hearing his name, Ghoti took another look at Shiek and asked if he was a wanted man. Shiek explained the details around his body swap. Ghoti posited that the family might have chosen to guard the dagger out of obligation. He also warned him, that having people come after you for a bounty was one thing, but those coming after you for an artifact would be a different beast. Shiek wondered if he should be thankful for being alive, or angry for being used. Valeyo said, that Malakagata would likely use him, to gather more souls. Ghoti commented on the ritual for swapping a body, saying it usually requires an attendant to extract the knife shortly after the ritual. Shiek, having had it in there for a while, is a complete anomaly. To solve it, he would need an immensely powerful cleric or divine help. He had heard rumor of an angel in Skalenvru. It is supposedly one of Ioun's highest ranked angels, though it seemed unlikely to be true.

Ghoti said he is willing to buy it from them if they get it out, but Shiek said he is compelled not to give it to anyone else. Shiek told him that he doesn't trust mages and only just met him. He also wondered for more information about the fey. Ghoti said he didn't have anyone they would like, only knowing the Winter's Song, who both him and Valeyo agreed sucks. Shiek asked Ghoti what he does as an Arcanist, but Ghoti corrected him saying he was no longer an Arcanist. He used  to be in charge of the magical arsenal, but after Velinde fell out with the Conclave, he became independent, though he still maintains relationships with both sides.

Before leaving, Otto asked if there was a way of finding someone who doesn't know where they are - Professor Berkinsail. Ghoti suggested spells Scrying, but admitted that it would require you to recognize the place you see. Valeyo prompted Otto to ask about the helmet. After casting identify on it Ghoti said it was also complicated. He asked their names, since they have very curious items, pointing out that the helmet was in metamorphosis of becoming an artifact. Cassini also remarked that he had a telescope, much to the others' chagrin. Ghoti told him to pull it out now and had a look at it. After a quick inspection he looked back at them and said this is another complicated one and would require the use of Legend Lore.