Chapter 1: Woodland camping

[TheWordSlinger]

1d20+7=16

[PhaedrusXY]

Will save: 1d20+10=25

[Solo]

1d20+6=20

[Risada]

Will save: 1d20+3=22

[Generic_PC]

1d20+7=25

[Alastar]

Unas

1d20+5 ? [8,5] = (13)

[Alastar]

The wait is long, and you dare only communicate in hushed whispers, in case the boat is moving right along without your notice, but this doesn't bother you much.  In your minds are pathways of arcane powers and nexus of energies, and making yourself familiar with those all the time is a second nature to all of you.  There is a saying that goes ''A keysackran is never alone, for he has his mind as a companion''  and although somehow innacurate, it has a kind of poetic sense to it that is quie compelling.

Suddenly, a faint shimmer in the air catches the eye of some of you, who quickly alert the others, and you focus your attention, piercing the faint veil surrounding a flat riverboat slowly going along the current, poled by a tall elf in wayfarer dark greens. At the same time you notice the shimmer, he seems to notice yours, and his eyes widen briefly, before he makes a quick hand gesture, a flat open palm towards you, obviously he means he will not betray you if you spare him.  Fear can be seen in his eyes, no one wants to mess with a Keysackran raid party.

On the boat with him are 5 men, one is drapped in long white robes, although they are humid and stick to his wiry frame.  One of these primitive peoples god's symbol can be seen on the robes*, he is obviously the emissary.  With him are 4 men, 2 of those are tall muscular men, holding guisarmes in their hands, they stand vigilant.  The other 2 are somewhat skinnier, but look faster, they each have a pair of kukri's out, and scan the surrounding area, one of them noticing the log and cursing. Each of them has a symbol representing nine points forming a ring pinned to their dark orange cloaks**, and wears light armor, as befit a jungle traveller.

The trap is closing, what do you do?

*Knowledge Religion DC 15

The symbol of Quenti the good, god of light and peace

**Knowledge Local DC 10

This is the heraldics of the graduates of the temple of nine, the place where they train martial adepts

[TheWordSlinger]

Zion lets passion roll over him and begins shaping an astral construct, this one able to strike from the water.

Wild Surge +2, 1 Enervates
1d10=10
Making level 4 Contruct with the Swim and Improved Slam Attack Menu A abilities.
Know: Religion 1d20=19
Know: Local 1d20=17
Fantastic, there go all my good rolls for the encounter...

[Generic_PC]

Can I use Bardic Knowledge for the local check? If so...

Religion:1d20+10=22
Bardic Knowledge: 1d20+7=27

Goddamnit.

[Alastar]

Indeed you can

[PhaedrusXY]

Wow... we really should be using a Message spell...

(using Cloistered Cleric Lore for both checks)
1d20+5=12, 1d20+5=14

edit: and I'm guessing I should just go ahead and roll initiative. 1d20+2=15

[Solo]

Sam casts Glitterdust on the boat, aiming to catch the armed men in the AoE. DC 16 will save vs blinding.

[Alastar]

The lieutenant's office is decorated with several magical crystals giving off a soft bluish light in the room, very pleasant, very relaxing.  Permanent images of the lieutenant with 3 children and a lovely wife by his side hang on one of the walls, and he sits behind his office, scented candles in one corner, he looks like he is in deep meditation.  Not opening his eyes, he motions to the sofa's and chairs in front of him, inviting you to sit.

After a couple more minutes, he opens his eyes and looks at you, more especially, at the holes in your clothing where the acid burned through, and the cuts and bruises, as well as some of the recent burns in the last battle.


So, he says, I take it it did not go THAT well?  But at least you're all back, and you brought the emissary with you.

Zion, would you please mindlink me and give me a visual debriefing?

After your leader executes the order, the lieutenant looks at all of you.

Well, it seems you did as well as could be expected, given the circumstances.

Any comments?

[PhaedrusXY]

"I hope this emissary is worth the trouble. Will be informed if he provides any useful information?

And I thought most of our enemies didn't use magic. These bodyguards of his were certainly using something... though it didn't look very traditional..."

[Alastar]

You will be informed on a need to know basis, yes.

Yes, they were adepts.  Through an intense physical training and meditation techniques, these people are able to channel ki, a sort of current that flows through our body, something like magic but entirely different... I think...  we don't have much info.  The funny thing is this:  they hate us for our use of magic, but they use something that is REALLY similar!!  Rune Damned hypocrites....

We didn't realise there would be adepts, I apologise for this lack of info.

However it does underline the importance of this particular emissary that he travelled in such highly qualified company does it not?

By the way, your uniforms are done being commissioned, as well as your flame blades.  You are expected to wear them on parade days, although if you want to wear them during missions or not is your call.

Keysackran Military Robe

This red and gold military uniform is the standard for every foot soldier in the army.  It is enchanted to protect from arrows, spears, swords and axes.  It's still vulnerable to club blows however.  It is also enchanted for fire protection, since the goblins and the adepts both use a lot of fire.

Stats:
Damage reduction 2/bludgeoning.
Fire Resistance 10 fire
Vest slot on body.

Flame blade

This simple metal 2 foot long stick is the standard weapon in the military army.  Since spellcasters are specially vulnerable when without spells, the crafters though it would be nice to have a means of inflicting damage on a continual basis in cases of siege.  Since most of the military are spellcasters, they don't see much use, but they are still useful.

Any keysackran military is considered proficient with this.

Attack action: Ranged touch attack, 1d6 fire damage.
Attack action: Melee touch attack, 1d6 fire damage.

50ft. range increment.

[Solo]

"Interesting - it seems that they just have a problem with the source of our magic? I wonder why..."

[Alastar]

Having had one trapped in a forcecage for several hours once, I was able to learn a couple of things.  They say, and I quote, that magic is ''cheating'' that it deprives us of our ''will to survive, of a rough life that prepares us for the harshness of the world''.

I think that's rubish and idiotic, but heck... whatever makes them sleep at night.

[PhaedrusXY]

"They're superstitious fools who think vague concepts like good and evil are more important than concrete things like power and order."

As Cecil says the words "good" and "evil" he sneers comically.

"They follow the teachings of some so-called "gods" that tell them what they can and can't do, instead of thinking for themselves. The fools have shackled themselves for nothing!

And my "Will to survive" is just fine, thank you. I have more ambition in my little pinky than those deluded fools we fought on the boat!

And now... if I may have leave, I'm going to go try on my new uniform. Chicks dig guys in uniform!"

[Alastar]

You have your leave, it seems your will to procreate is also doing fine, the lieutenant adds with a grin.
Everyone else, I still have some time for you if you have some questions, if not, you,re free to go, 1 weeks leave, then I need you all for something else, we're just working on getting the details right now.


END OF CHAPTER, I'll allow some more talk if you guys feel like asking the lieutenant some questions

You receive a two months pay, as well as a bonus for the last mission, amounting to 300 scrolls (scroll = 10 gp) each.

Update your sheets, also, any feedback so far, please give in the OOC section

[Alastar]

If everyone could do a description of what their character is doing during the down time, that would be great

Assume an extremely magical city: illusion shows, teleportation circles, flying buses, magically altered people and so on.

Post it here, then I'll start next chapter, it's called: Chapter 2: Down town shopping!