Malta Session 7 09/27/2017: Blue Fessaj, Fungus Rock, and the GemCutter?

We begin this week’s session around noon on the 7th day at Garamaldi’s with mid-day lunch in the company of our said employer and the Indians siblings Omas and Pjazza who expressed curiosity as to our immediate plans and how soon we anticipate our return to Malta. While keeping the specifics of our next mission to ourselves our characters did express not being gone more than two weeks.

Garamaldi offers, if we divulge our destination, that he may compensate our troubles for the delivery of a message or two. Jabari brings up Fungus rock (NW of Gozo) and asks Garamaldi what he knows of the island; while his knowledge seemed on the generality side, he suggests seeking an alchemist who may pay handsomely for the return of an exotic component or two (cinder moss).

Talk wanes to Comminoto; his opinion is that the rock is a blight that attracts weak-willed, godless, filthy races tolerated only because they haven’t intruded on the civilized folk. He warns that seldomly those who return from Comminoto come back with what they intended. Garamaldi doesn’t care for the inhabitants of Fungus Rock and that they are mayhap spreaders of disease.  

Comminoto (Kemmunett): The small island is known for three things, the gems that can be found on its beaches, the flammable Cindermoss coveted by alchemists, and finally the goblin/hobgoblin, bugbear, and ogre forces that serve the islands ruler.  For the last several years the island has been under the control of the Ogre-Magi Karok. The civilized islands haven't moved against Karok, due to his followers propensity for attacking pirate ships and other small islands. 

Carlo warns of the Black Druid to the trio over breakfast; this does not come as a surprise to Garamaldi who does expresses concern, but says the ‘Black Druid’ harkens back to a time before modern Malta. He refers us to the Bard College which piques Evagara’s interest.

Jabari brings up the Iris Continental and what Garamaldi’s knows of the establishment which he says there are a chain of; with at least two others in Malta and others ranging from Carthage to Luxor in Egypt. Carlo asks if there is an official Eye connection; perhaps some Garamaldi believes, but it is not an Eye official location. Evagara’s insight was that there was a convention of sorts of dangerous business and that we were ‘uninvited’ guests but was inclusive during our brief stay.

Omas has some connections in Hagar Qim and offers to garner information on the Iris Continental for us; Jabari offers the man silver but the coin is refused and instead given an all-weather satchel of messages to deliver in return for whatever Omas can find out for our characters.

At the end of the lunch Evagara excuses herself to prepare for our leave the next morning.

After breakfast Jabari expresses the desire to volunteer Nogamon’s garden, as does Carlo while the rest of us look for the alchemist “Blue” a Fessaj catfolk who operates in the student’s quarter, that Garamaldi refers us to; whose primary customers are bard understudys.

Lete, Lex, and Marco head to the alchemist and the student quarter and Carlo and Jabari decide to visit Nogamon’s grove where they spend their first four hours tending to sick children.

The rest of us head to the Bard’s College looking for Blue Fessaj where we find a busy Paola where several large stone wheels are being moved into the city causing a lot of uproar in the citizenry. Getting closer to the college the three characters begin to hear music and singing; eventually we find a long and wide merchant hall where, at the corner is found the scorched alchemist shop.

Blue Fessage

We enter, fighting off the sickness of the smell, and find the partially hairless Blue Fessaj. Marco leads the conversation mentioning Garamaldi and our impending travel to Fungus Rock offering him a spot on the ship in return for alchemical aid. While Blue Fessaj cannot go he expressed interest in our characters bringing back sensitive flora. He speaks of a gnarled vine that moves and is carnivorous though he is unsure of its senses; he says that the leaves and vines are useful to his creations against cold and fire.

Lete purchases Vermin Repellant and Marco buys four acid vials, eventually Blue Fessaj produces an old student’s botany manual with drawings of exotic plants to take and when our characters return Blue Fessaj plans to have some alchemist fires for purchase. We quickly turn to the Cinder Moss pages and identify four types of the moss and become familiar with them; the fourth moss being different with purple veins and not the typical orange/red including identifying parts of the plant. Blue Fessaj explains what makes harvesting cinder moss so hard is that their vegetation cycle is quarterly and hard to determine when its save to do so. Blue Fessaj offers to invest in our job (400gp) and we would insure to refund the gold with hopes to profit upon our return and grants us a potion of water breathing.

When we leave we notice that several individuals notice that we had visited the alchemist (by the lingering stench) and it is revealed the vast majority of the merchants here are Eye merchants as we look for new generic Kilts and Sandals. Our visit to a clothier is short and amicable; while there the clothier gifts Marco ‘Duelist’ costume jacket to accent his fine puffy shirt and is paid to outfit his lady Evagara.

Meanwhile at the Nogamon’s grove Jabari and Carlo learns that word of the Black Druid has reached the centaur’s pointy ears and asks for their firsthand account of what Jabari and Carlo knowls. Nogamon states that if the story is true then we are all in great danger. Nogamon asks probing questions asking whether they serve ‘the you’ or ‘the us’ and reveals he is an ancient one which gives the characters much to think on. Jabari and Carlo are invited to come back after our adventures and Nogamon hopes to  have further answers.

 

Loshe

Reunited we walk to the Seven Churches and Jabari gets stuck in the head by Loshe trying to get his attention. The rest of our characters retreat to the barracks as she and Jabari take a night walk to the Greek Church (where the shovin’ happens). There, she has him remove a tome from a satchel and to read the cover, but he is only able to read part of the title. She says Jabari requires the aid of a teacher and her organization, an organization thatis partially responsible for Malta; protectors of mortal life originating from the ashes of a destroyed civilization to keep integrity of earthly magics and artifacts. She recognizes Jabari’s bloodline, though she doesn’t know which. She offers to teach him. Loshe states the organization’s current job is to track and categorize magical items and their creators; she is especially interested in Jabari’s item and who has worn it before. Jabari accepts her arcane mark on his palm as her apprentice. Her intention is to travel to Zebbug properties there where she can be found. As far as Jabari’s friends are concerned Loshe prefers they know their relationship as intimate.

The next morning (day 8), Jabari discovers the tome reveals each previous owner and dates on the inside cover when he prepares his magic; he then adds his own name with a date. Evagara returns to Marco this morning where we learn she had also performed some shopping. Together again we are prepared to leave for the open seas.

Valcrum Nuvere

At the well-organized Paola docks we are directed to some of the smaller piers where the White Lightning is docked where three individuals arguing with a man who does not look like a sailor insisting he is the captain of the White Lightning: Valcrum Nuvere. We reveal our destination is one of the Northern Rocks and Valcurm bids us on board. To some of us it looks like this is the first time Valcrum has seen the White Lightning but nevertheless he quickly invites two other ‘red shirts’ aboard. Our characters quickly ascertain they are running from something. We inquire; they admit there was a disagreement with a third party and they hope to eventually make amends. By a party vote three for and two against the three are stowed below and we shove off.

On the open waters of the Mediterranean we see much sea traffic and easy travel along the shore. North of Malta Marco and Lete notice humanoid creatures in the waters along the rocks between Gozo and Malta, Lete sees four that are moving with a smaller craft to be Locathah.

Four hours later we begin to see Fungus Rock where anchored in several places are various boats around the Rock and it is also where our characters begin to hear the sounds of the dire animals from the island. Jabari is tested in his sailing skills, avoiding whirlpools, sea moss, and hidden rocks. Along the way we also see Locathah swimming among the hazards as well. We embark on a smaller ships to get to where we believe is the grounded Gleeful Skipper we are looking for. We disembark on a smaller craft to get closer when Lete sees that the Gleeful Skipper is newly painted over but before we get closer still our small row boat is knocked by a large scaled crocodile shape and after a few tense moments an octopus is summoned by Evagara and we are able to eventually escape.  

On the Gleeful Skipper we see signs of battle and that it has been cleaned and without sails; Lete and Marco notice a curious streak of light under water as Lex descends the ladder to the hold and finds blood and gore on the ladder; the first thing he sees that the sails are unfolded in a curde attempt to make repairs as well as a row of six locked chests secured with thick chains that are locked as well; several barrels of gunpowder for the dozen cannons that secured in the hold, also being transported on the Gleeful Skipper. Jabari ascertains that a tug boat would be needed to free the stuck ‘Skipper; it seems like the best solution is to head to shore and look for tools to help free the ‘Skipper.

Meanwhile a small craft with 6 individuals are seen approaching us on a similar small row boad. We hail and they reply back ‘Hay o- I am Lemont’ as they get closer with the aid of something in the water we notice their style indicates Egyptian. When they board each appear human; three are branded with Egyptian marks sans Lamont and two of the others, they are armed and ask our interest in the ship. We answer somewhat truthfully as agents of the proprietor and who aim to free the ship and take it to Malta. They are also here to do so and believe we are simply on the wrong ship and points out the new paint job. See, they are here for the GemCutter- they ship they claim we stand upon and again points out the new paint and the confusion. We ask who Lemont works for and his answer was Prince Ffahra Ffahra.

 We do not come to an amicable agreement in our conversation and we will begin with combat next game session. 

Karok's Test

Karok

“The Italian?” asked an incredulous Karok, “the little smiler is a gladiator?”  The Ogre-Magi, large and obese rested on several pillows inside his Iris Continental suite demanding answers from his first officer Malice.   

                                                  

Malice

“When I was imprisoned and sold to the Vaspian Merchant, he used several of us as “monsters” for his arena battles.  We all feared the bard caller announcing Lete Cordasco entering the arena.   He was unshakable in his confidence, smiling and laughing as he PRACTICED on you, pinning you into the mud and shit!” The bugbear Malice half yelled his explanation, “He was difficult to strike, nimble, and always ahead of us.”

Karok stirred, the rolls of fat on his large frame rippling in waves as he leaned forward, “Let’s find out if he is as good as you say, send Eyesore, Farker, and Shine after him.  If he can kill those troublemakers then we’ll consider snatching him up.”

Malice smiled, nodding in agreement, “Of course, right away!”  Walking away Malice thought back to his embarrassment in the gladiator arena and thought to himself that Eyesore, Farker, and Shine should have some help.   Time to give the Ogre they called Cannibal a chance at redemption.  

Cannibal

The Keepers

Loshe

Loshe was both angry and impressed, her evening passed without Jabari returning to her room.  She hoped that by appealing to his vanity she could speak to the agile caster in the privacy of her room.  When Jabari didn’t return Loshe considered all that she had seen the beautiful young man do. The young Greek was such a perfect candidate for The Keepers  that the next morning she declared the young sorcerer her protégé to the consigliore.  Declaring a protégé in absentee was the most humiliating experience, occurring in front of the other keepers whose protégés appeared alongside them and would be partaking in several events at the Continental.  Loshe would not be present for the yearly ceremonies.  Keeper Loshe gathered her gear, along with a dowry, leaving  Hagar Qim to chase after Jabari and convince him of his destiny. 

The Dowry:

Tome of the Transmuter (Level 8 Transmuter)

This simple book is bound in white leather with a silver clasp. Careful notes on economic theory in a crisp and precise hand occupy the last few written pages, after which there is a page stained with a dark reddish-brown smear. The rest of the pages are blank.

Protection Good lock (DC 30), explosive runes (Reflex DC 16)

Opposition schools Illusion, necromancy

Value 1,835 gp (2,635 gp with the preparation ritual)

Spells

4th—beast shape II S, calcific touch S [APG], confusion, dimension door, stone shapeS

3rd—arcane sight, dispel magic, explosive runes, lightning bolt, greater magic weapon S, slow S

2nd—alter self S, flaming sphere, knock S, pyrotechnics S, resist energy, see invisibility, whispering wind S

1st—animate rope S, charm person, color spray OP, erase S, floating disk, hush [UM] (missing), mage armor, magic missile, protection from chaos, unseen servant

0—standard plus drench [UM], spark [APG], Conjurer's Tool Belt [1001 Spells}, Quicken Stride [1001 Spells], Shock Shield [UC]

Preparation Ritual

Defensive Transmutation (Su) When taking another shape, you can increase your defenses. Spend this boon’s effect as a free action when you cast a transmutation spell with a range of personal. As long as you are affected by that spell, you gain a +2 natural armor bonus for the duration of the spell.

Malta Session 6: 09/20/2017 Blue Bath Waters, The Brown-Shoe and A Job Well Done

Iris Continental

We begin this week’s session in Hagar Qim, as Lete looks to exercise his hedonistic traits he happens upon a casino. He is eventually greeted by a gentlemen who directs Lete to a bar where the brawler observes nearly everyone seems to be well armed but enjoying themselves, even the house employees seem armed and armored. As Lete watches he overhears a bit of conversation: “those prices are unacceptable for that kind of work.” However Lete is approached ‘Complements of Kala’ and eventually are led to a private party and is kept ‘busy’ until after breakfast.

Meanwhile Marco Andrezi is making slow and steady progress with Evagara.

The next morning (6^th day) there’s a knock at the room where the rest of the characters are staying where an Iris Continental room service offers morning bath services as well as breakfast and that’s where the party reunites (along with about 30 other guests.) The bathhouse is separate from the Iris Continental and sectioned off where it appears some individuals are meeting here as well; a place were there are not weapons and everyone is naked.  

At breakfast we keep to ourselves trying to disassociate ourselves at the onset of a new day.

A Unique Coin

Jabari makes tentative contact with a man named Sakar who makes some assumptions on the nature of Jabari’s presence in Hagar Qim and offers a task by sliding over a unique coin; Sakar asks if Jabari is alone. The truthful answer is no, but it is at Jabari’s discretion- Jabari is not looking for any job but is in fact here with a purpose and mentions the ‘journal’ we are looking for. The brief meeting is a non-starter and Sakar unceremoniously leaves thanking Jabari for his time.

Lex, sitting across from an attractive woman, eventually leads to a conversation; Loshe by name appears to be an exotic human, Lex introduces himself as Atemis. They make small talk, she assumes he is here for ‘events’ and asks his reason for being here. His answer comes as shopping, to which she answers she is a fine shopper. She takes a measure of pity upon his revelation on his association with the seven churches and offers to help him as best as she can. She warns him to be careful at the Continental, and that he needs to accept her help.

Lex as Atemis states he is looking for a dwarf named Malox; interestingly she knows the area where he frequents and the Brown-Shoe, a quaint and diminutive pub where he visits, but it will cost Atemis dinner at Loafers. The conversation is pleasant but short with the promise of dinner later.

The rest of us experience feelings of being watched during at breakfast, the feeling makes Carlo very uncomfortable.

After breakfast and while in the city we notice a difference between the city guard and the Egyptian security teams present when our characters entered the city. While in Hagar Qim our characters observe a busy city where everyone, more or less, keeps to their own business, seemingly in fear as Lete points out. Our first order of business is to have Evagara lead us to Malox and coincidentally the Brown-Shoe Pub nearish to the dock area. Eventually Lex mentions Loshe to the rest of the characters and his plan to disguise himself disassociating himself from the group.

Lete comes to smallish Brown-Shoe Pub to offer his skills ahead of the group, but without any luck (sans a disguised Lex/Atemis and Evagara who would later arrive to the Pub)- we obviously are newcomers to the regulars at the Brown-Shoe. Carlo and Lete do not stay however leaving Marco and Jabari to blend in. Eventually a dwarf ‘regular’ enters the Brown-Shoe and finds his normal stool where the owner quickly makes friendly contact.

Eventually Lex/Atemis in full disguise arrive at Loafers to get the lay of the restaurant.

(Atemis) Eva Las Vegas!

Jabari, whilst at the Brown-Shoe makes quick conversation with the dwarf who identifies himself as Malox where soon talk wanes to business. Jabari mentions Osso, (recruits Evagara into the conversation to learn the password is Garamaldi) and that we are here for what he had stored with the fine dwarf who politely asks for mere moments.

Meanwhile Carlo and Lete head to the docks where Lete hopes to make some cursory observations about the nefarious docks and the business that occurs there, while Carlo hopes to get training for his next character level from Lete. Here the two find busy wharfs and the buying and selling of lots being off loaded from ships. We happen across a barred wagon with obvious slave boys. This gives Carlo pause and opens a dialog with a likely slaver.

Nearby a half-orc 'not paying attention' to Carlo and this slaver; Lete approaches the dullard and asks if there is a place out of the way to spar with Carlo, However the request is misinterpreted and a fight breaks out.

Meanwhile back at the Brown-Shoe Jabari retrieves the gem needed to gain the journal from Lex who carred the gem and is enjoying eats and fresh bread across the street at Loafers. A Man in Black enters about ten minutes before Malox returns with an ornate box. Jabari offers the gem for the box which Jabari can see now is covered in dwarven runes along with the codeword to open the box. Eventually the box is opened and the journal is revealed including 6 Egyptian 100 gp gold bars and a silver or mithril ring with a wolf’s head, one completed masterwork badge and 3 sample badges. Marco identifies the wolf head as a unit (gang) ring and magical. Marco observes Evagara seemed surprised at the bars and the ring.

The woman Loshe walks in and looks around asking for Atemis (early) giving a description of Lex. She identifies Malox and admits to looking for the dwarf. The Man in Black gets up and leaves when Loshe begins speaking with the group. Jabari finds a reason to walk outside and sees the Man in Black reattach the business end to the plolearm he had; he reaches into his vest and quietness pervades the area and the man throws the coin into the bar and a fight breaks out the Man in Black seems to wish to attack Evagara.

When the battle comes to a close the Man in Black is killed as the wolf’s head ring that begins to admit an acidic mist destroying his body, soon we see the ring and the coat he wears vanish. Recovered: Masterwork halberd, masterwork composite longbow (Str +3) 20 arrows (Lete), masterwork short sword (Lex) also with a wolf-head on the pomel and zero funds and small 20gp ruby gold earring (Marco).

Loche looks to us and asks who we are: no one to be trifled with was the answer she received; to that she says our goals align. She asks how long we are staying at the Continental. Jabari expresses we do not intend to stay; Loche offers Jabari a promise of future business.

Malox laments that the Man in Black was one of Davos’ men and he will not react kindly to a death of one of his ‘wolves’. Reasons abound between us as to why Davos would be interested in Evagara but we agree that leaving town immediately is our next course of action.

We encounter no difficulties returning with Evagara to the Seven Churches and Garamaldi’s half-tower abode around 6 in the evening (still the 6^th day).

Garmaldi seems glad to see us and invites us into his half-tower where we present him with the journal and the badges whereby he rewards us with a second level potion of our choice. We advise Garamaldi of Davos’ interest in the journal. He says we are welcome to stay and to advise his servants of Garamaldi’s middle name, should he be gone if there is anything we may require. We ask to cash the gold bars (eight total) and he does so for free into Carthaginian coin. We agree to stay in the half-tower.

We tithe and received healing.

Garamaldi asks what our next course of action will be, we intend to head north (Fungus Rock) and plan on returning soon.

We rest until day (7^th day), Lete begins to train Carlo in the fighting style; Marco stars to work on his martial disciplines (writing shit down); Jabari and Lex travels to Wassier’s ranch house to accept his offer. A woman (his woman) approaches the characters to facilitate the job offer with information; if we return the ship to a specific dock we can keep what’s in the hold. A boat we need to get there (the White Lightening) is at the dock next to the dock where The Gleeful Skipper is to be docked.

We end around noon at Garamaldi’s half-tower. 

The Waterhawk Gains Two

Carlysle

Carlysle stood on the deck of the Waterhawk, unable to go to his quarters below until he was sure they were free of Stormhaven’s waters, still frothing with The Jailer’s anger.  Alternating his gaze from the waters behind the ship to those ahead, Carlysle’s hopes grew stronger as the ship pulled free of the sea’s tumult.  The cartographer tried not to look directly down, the bodies in the water too horrifying to gaze upon, however a strange glint near two floating forms caught his eye.

Two bodies afloat, face up in the water, were entangled by a large tentacle covered in suckers.  Across the two bodies, one of which was clearly a bald human, lay a golden amulet, which was the glint that had caught Carlysle’s eye.  It appeared the amulet was on a fine mithral chain although it could be a lesser metal.  To Carlysle’s amazement, the bodies began moving slightly and he realized the two men were alive.  Thinking quickly, Carlysle rushed across the deck soon finding a sailor much too close to the ship’s edge, he pushed the sailor overboard. 

The cartographer then cried out, “Man overboard!” until rescue protocols began.  With their ship slowing Carlyle then sought out the Captain to rescue the two tentacle wrapped victims, certain they or the amulet held some importance.

One hour later

A small row boat was lowered down the side of the Waterhawk, Captain Varbold’s best oarsmen making their way to the two bodies the “artist” said were alive.  As they skillfully guided their craft alongside the men, the sailors were surprised to see that Carlysle was correct.  One of the sailors reached down into the water grabbing a bald man, unconscious and wrapped in a severed tentacle.  Octopus? Squid? No matter, as the sailor cut away the tentacle he too noticed the amulet lying across the two men, the second of which was still entangled.  In the horizon’s setting sunlight, no glint of gold shined to entice the sailor.  Therefore thinking nothing of it, the sailor simply placed the amulet over the bald man’s head, laying the thick metal chain across his shoulders and pulling the waterlogged man aboard the boat.  The other crewmen worked to save the second man who turned out to be much older and wounded.

With both men cut free of the thick tentacles and pulled out of the water, the rescuers returned to the Waterhawk.   By the time they had maneuvered their craft alongside the ship the bald man had opened his eyes and choked out a request for water.  Taking several drinks he then simply said, “Hello I’m Carlo.”

Carlo

Malta Session 5: 09/13/2017: Stand-up Philosopher and Arriving at Hagar Qim

We begin this weeks session as our characters return to the busy Paola docks where we observe that out of the 200 folks who arrived to Malta, only 80 are newcomers who assume our characters have been here all along and not having just arrived four days ago. Of the 80 individuals most of them are human, one could be an assimar (because of his over-sized bulging eyes); this individual has difficulty communicating but ended up at the Finnish church (which did not receive its expected high priest).

 

Omas sees what you did there. 

Looking out for Eye threats and symbols, we observe that many of the cloaks worn were traded via eye brokerages and thus display Eye symbolage, one individual stands out because of a third Eye tattoo on his forehead- Omas by name, a possible human or half-elf and dressed middle-eastern attire looking for Garamaldi. This man eventually meets with our employer and after he meets with Garamaldi he forgoes the usual intake customs and leaves with Garamaldi heading to the half-tower our characters are familiar with. It looked like Garamaldi was expecting Omas who arrived on a galleon named The Dolphin which last stop was Madagascar and was nowhere near full capacity.

A brief conversation with Garamaldi Lete mentions Osso and the progress made in our task whereby Garamaldi invites our characters to breakfast with him in the morning (5^th day). The rest of the evening we stay in the afore enjoyed barracks from our first night in Malta.

Marco, spending quality time with Evagara and getting to know her, asks what her spell selection is like; she claims to know a couple of minor summonings, feather fall, endure elements, and most of the tricks known by many magicians.

On the morning of the 5^th day we find Garamaldi with Omas enjoying a morning smoke with a third individual, a woman Pjazza of middle-eastern descent (Omas’ sister); however dressed more the Mediterranean fashion. She was artful and with stained fingers- like Garamaldi’s; alongside them was Omas wearing proudly an Eye symbol.

We ask to talk business with Garamaldi and eventually he leads us in and upstairs of the half-tower. Our characters inform him we brought back Osso to the church of Otherwhere, by which Garamaldi asks if we met Zalas there but politely listens to our comments of the church of Otherwhere being a church of questionable followers. During our meeting our characters learn that Garamaldi could eventually get an opportunity to speak against Osso as long as a ransom trade is not arranged with some of the ‘rocks.’

We explain what we learned to Garamaldi in detail which upsets Garamaldi. He asks if we plan to see this through? And admits this is more dangerous than anticipated and considers our pact upheld and would like to propose a new agreement.

Garamaldi proposes a second agreement with a speech that leads to the benefits of Eye and offers membership into the first rank of the Eye and the ability to purchase the second rank at a discount through him as a network sponsor. When we don’t immediately bite on his offer he asks about our healing resources and offers a CLW wand (25 charges) for the task at hand as well as an antitoxin, tanglefoot bag and potion of first or second level (handbook) potion at cost and as a bonus a wand of light (50 charges), and 4 scrolls of CMW. (first level Eye membership benefits.) All this in return for retrieving the journal. (A healer’s kit is supplied to Evagara from Garamaldi.)

Eventually Garamaldi  presents three rendering replacements for Lex, Jabari and Carlo; and has our badges ready- short of our enhancement choice, which will take a day each to complete: four of our characters chose Natural Armor, Carlo selects a resistance bonus to his saving throws. Carlo asks Garamaldi what he knows of the dwarf Maylox; his response was that they are ‘soulless’ slaves and tenaciously single minded.

After the morning business he invites Omas and Pjazza into the half-tower for steak breakfast. The breakfast is friendly and we are treated to some entertaining cantrips by Omas. We learn Pjazza (a teacher at the college) referred Omas, her brother, to the bard college as a ‘standup philosopher’. Jabari asks of their origin and they reply Panaji, which is out of reach of the dragons and a city-state of India.

Soon after our characters leave with a strong feeling that we impressed Garamaldi, and believe him to be a bard, and we departed as friends; it also becomes apparent to us that he trains certain skill focus feats. Carlo takes Garamaldi aside and intimidates him requesting the resistance bonus only, no tracking magic and wishes his business with Garamaldi and identification confidential. Garamaldi states the ID purpose is what it is but he understands his wishes for discretion.

Eventually we depart Paola with Evagara, who could lead us to the former slave dwarf, and head to Hagar Qim. She travels, not as our prisoner, but as a temporary companion before she ultimately leaves for Italy. By our estimation we should arrive to Hagar Qim shortly after nightfall. Evagara states there are trade roads, but that goes out of our way, so some of our travel will be over land; each has its own potential danger.

I've got him right where I want him!

A little over an hour into our travel our characters come upon a creek and an ogre drinking of the waters as well as a second ogre within twenty feet. Our characters set upon the ogres, kill them and retrieve two javelins, a satchel contain two ‘Egyptian’ gold bars worth 100 gp each as well a rough road map of Malta; two vials of CLW (drank by Lete immediately) as well as another identified by Evagara as a potion of darkvision.

After five hours we take a short break at ‘Tobacco Pond’ before we meet up with the trade road where some of us spot an ambush; soon the ambushers spring up and move up in a semicircle and begin to ask us questions. “Where are they? We want our people back.” We claim innocence and have not killed any people today.

Soon the situation calms down when a man (30ish) claims slavers have taken family and are suspicious of us. Evagara calls him out ‘Alex’ you know me and we are not what they suspect. Calmer heads prevail when Alex claims six of their most skilled men have recently gone missing: a carpenter, stonemason, cobbler, cooper, tailor, and their horticulturist. They believe visitors had scouted their group out and left during the night and in the morning this group of would be ambusers discovered their kin were missing.

Living as close to Hagar Qim Alex mentions an individual they do business with: Trix Savant; but would, if able, look for their missing folk with dock leaders. We learn of the names of the individuals missing much to these folk surprised pleasure; but they don’t end up troubling us and direct us to the ‘Tobacco’ Trade Road.

Most of the road is stone and littered with animal droppings; but eventually we will approach Hagar Qim and what was once a large stone temple complex that is being converted to the Egyptian god of knowledge. Here we see six ogres working with the stone; Lex, Marco and Carlo notice metallic torcs and headbands but Marco sees their Egyptian overseers manipulating the ogres.

 

Welcome to Hagar Qim

Guards are black leathered with gnoll faced masks armed with spears that search everyone enter Hagar Qim. We wait for about five hours to access the city and by the time we arrive many alchemical and magical lights have been set. However at the four hour mark our characters witness a wagon impounded and six human smugglers arrested; we are able to learn of contraband (black powder); Lex sees a leader casting a spell holding the smugglers in place.

When it’s our turn we are greeted and searched, it is obvious or characters offer no threat to the city’s governor. “We come from the seven churches to retrieve an item being stored here.” Our badges are looked and questioned by Inquisitor Derahedra Kala who respects and notes our honesty. 

We are granted entrance and warned away from the docks at night; we pass through the government district and head to the multilevel Iris Continental where we decide stay at mid-level for 5 gold. 

City of Hagar Qim-Malta

CN Large City Corruption +5; Crime +7; Economy +3; Law -2; Lore +1; Society -1 Danger +10

Qualities:  Colony, Trading Post, Limestone Quarry, 3 Vein Mine, Professionally maintained docks

Primary Religion:  Egyptian formerly the Earth Mother (Green)  Population: 14,778 (8,000 Human, 1,000 Halfling, 1,000 Elves, 1,000 Dwarves, 3,478 Other)

Temple Complex

Marketplace Base Value 10,000 gp; Purchase Limit 50,000 gp  Spellcasting: 6th

Government: Colonial  Currently ruled by Governor Pashard Kala

Gov Pashard Kala

Persons and Places of Note:

The Iris Continental

The Iris Continental: A Multi-story Inn located in the center of Hagar Qim, three blocks from and in clear view of the Governor’s Palace. 

Yverissy Kala High Priestess of Ptah, wife of Governor Pashard Kala, overseeing the conversion of the great limestone temple

Yverissy Kala 

Macahor humanoid, race debated, gladiator? Assassin? Underground resistance?

Unger  Troll Blooded half ogre owner of the western half of the docks

Unger

Davos half orc half drow owner of the eastern half of the docks

Davos

                                                                                     

Briar Renatta  Halfling female merchant and Geography expert*

*Briar Renatta teaches the feat skill focus knowledge Geography via downtime rules.  This can be the one additional learned feat mentioned in home rules.

Everyone has a deal to make in Hagar Qim since the fall of the temple to the Egyptians.  One of the few cities that values coin, everything is for sale in a city suddenly bereft of morality.   Within the last two years besides the work on the temple, there has been several buildings constructed including a library dedicated to Ptah.

Italian City State of Perugia Agrippa Birthplace of Marco Andrezi

NG Large City Corruption +1; Crime +2; Economy +4; Law +3; Lore +1; Society -1 Danger +10

Qualities: Academic, Artists Colony, Legendary Market Place, Royal Accommodations, Trading Post

Primary Religion:  Roman    Population: 18,000 (15,000 Human, 1000 Halfling, 1000 Elves, 500 Dwarves, 500 Other)

Marketplace Base Value 16,000 gp; Purchase Limit 200,000 gp  Spellcasting: 8th
Minor Items: All, Medium Items: 4d4+10% Price, Major Items: 3d4 +10% Price

Government: Dynasty  Currently ruled by Prince Reynaldo Andrezi

Prince Reynaldo Andrezi

Persons of Note:

General Jiranda Hollis-Greymane Elf Castellan

General Jiranda Hollis-Greymane

High Priest Fallor Hollis Human Cleric of Mercury

High Priest Fallor Hollis

High Magister Dante Costellano

Guildmaster Guiseppi Renatta  Halfling Expert

The City State of Perugia Agrippa's claim to fame throughout the Mediterranean is its Fencing schools and disciplines, it is also the birthplace of a unique buckler.  The buckler listed below is also referred to as a Perugian shield.

Fencing Buckler   5Gp/ +1 Shield Bonus/ -1 Skill Check/ 5lbs

Unlike the standard buckler, the Fencing Buckler is held in the off hand and can be used for two weapon fighting and shield bash. It does 1d4 damage.
This Buckler is especially popular with the students of the Rapier and Buckler school of fencing.

A Visit to Selmunett Island

Wassier

Wassier debarked from his private seacab, a small seacraft guided by a well paid Koalinth, working his way along the docks staring at the long stone walkway rising from his seaside perch.   Several other sea vessels were arriving this morning making movement through the docks  a crowded slow moving experience.  Wassier looked at the other arrivals and realized many would attempt to complete all of their business here before sundown.  Wassier’s business would keep him occupied all night.  Finally escaping the docks Wassier makes his through the archways into the city, the noise of life finally hitting him now that he had pierced the cities walls.  Daytime in this city was a strange festival of sights and sounds punctuated by yells of advertisement from guides and mercantile barkers.   Wassier was recognized as a local and therefore wasn’t pursued as vigorously as those deemed new arrivals. 

Hunter

Wassier needed to find The Hunter, he was certain that some of the recent arrivals would interest the Dwarf.  Dealing with that soulless devil always disturbed him but if he was right The Hunter would pay him his gold bar bounty.  To find the dwarf he would need to patronize Apep’s  Gloom in the Egyptian quarter, which meant that he first need to invest in certain protections, primarily an anti-toxin.  Pausing near a fish hut, Wassier got his bearings and thought about where he could find some of Captain Mokeif’s men.  They should have plenty of anti-toxin and might provide it at cost if he can convince them it’s connected to their job.   Deciding his course of action, Wassier ate some fish then let his sense of smell guide him to various opium suppliers, certain he would find the members of The Plague there. 

Malta Session 4: 09/07/2017: The Thing in the Crypts, the Black Druid’s Wolves, and Return to Paola

Lete Cordasco

We begin this week’s session with Marco, Carlo and Lete moving out to bring the unconscious tiefling, Voximore’s body inside the farmhouse when Marco sees something amiss. Investigating he sees a bear trap had been set but no further evidence of passage in the rough terrain. Lete restrains the tiefling- hands, mouth and eyes while Lex descends to the lower level to investigate the ice room as a possible cell. Our characters bring in the bear trap so no one accidentally injures themselves setting it up along the crooked passage below to cover our backs.

Recovered are two master work daggers, a light cross bow and fifteen bolts-10 regular and 5 masterwork; master work thieves tools (Lex), a tanglefoot bag, a alchemist bag and a vial of acid; a potion of CLW (imbibed by Lex later after falling to wolves) and a pass without a trace potion; leather armor (Lete) and wand of sleep CL4 (15 charges); a platinum piece and two silver (later returned to Voximore); and eventually (when we leave for Paola ) we find a wand of unseen servant (49 charges).

Meanwhile, in the ice room  two coldstones radiate faint coolness and after checking for secret doors its decided the room looks near perfect for a impromptu cell. Lex does notice inconsistencies in the layout of the farmhouse basement eventually focusing his attention on the crypts where he believes a secret room might be found behind the caskets. Eventually Lex finds a casket worked into the wall and concealed with rough masonry.  

Above, Lete begins lookout watching through the slats of boarded up windows and the attic watching for besiegers, Jabari has the prisoners on lock down with his 'magical' crossbow and provides rations as well as a pot to piss in.

Marco Andrezi

Marco has questions for the tiefling Voximore, separating Osso and Evagara. Voximore states there was no deal yet and seems perturbed at his current situation; however, he is willing to overlook the recent events if he were to be set free. Voximore had word of a workbook (journal) of a magical process that was at stake. When asked about Zabbar Voximore states he’s the pirate king. Marco assures Voximore  we will let him go in due time and when we meet again it will be for the ‘first’ time. While Voximore says the deal seems fair, he was not alone and doesn’t want anything to happen to these other sailors that may try to rescue him.  

In the next room Jabari asks Voximore which church Osso would answer for his crimes- Voximore answered he didn't know but assumed it would be the seventh church.

Eventually Marco runs the same questions by Osso and wants information on the tiefling Voximore. Starting with the teiflings name and who he works for; Osso’s answers align with Voximore’s statements and testifies Zabbar is capable of granting ships and rules Sala rock.

**Sala Rock (Zabbar):  Locals call it Sala Rock but not in the presence of the Tiefling pirate king Zabbar. Sala Rock has a watchtower, dock, house and barn since it was claimed by the Pirate King.  He has re-christened the island with his own moniker, Zabbar Island.  The Pirate King has anywhere from ten to two dozen ships at his disposal and is famous among pirates due to the two Thri-Kreen guardians that serve him.  Zabbar himself refers to the two Thri-Kreen as "The Roman and The Greek" and frequently chuckles after saying it. 

Osso was attempting to trade the journal for a ship and admits his plans to show the masterwork badge to others should current deals fall through. Under pressure Osso says he paid a debt with Unger and Davos and hopes to buy back the funds to hire a crew. Jabari asks him where he would take this ship? Eventually the scoundrel Osso says ‘north’ where he has heard of countries not under the direct control of dragons. He has heard of the city Gibraltar where gemstones hold their value and he could hopefully own land. He had hoped to escape in the night to negotiate with Voximore at a neutral sight. When pressed as to how many people he told of the deal: Fessaj, the pirate king Zabbar, and finally Unger and Davos who have uneasy working relationships.

Meanwhile Russ finds strange markings on a casket that he believes are claw marks, the grooves appearing as if someone were trying to get out of the casket. Muffled sounds, monstrous screams, and scratching escapes from the embedded casket spooking Lex.  Retreating upstairs to inquire with Evagara how she left her estate before her studies abroad, the young woman indicates the house was boarded up when she left and she improved the security when she returned.  She also identifies the casket in question as her aunt's casket that was entombed 25 years ago.

After a brief meeting our characters agree to free Voximore.  We leave with Osso and Evagara for Paola post haste leaving the unknown dangers behind. Before he leaves Voximore says to mention him for a ‘pirates chance’ should the need arise.  We leave in the quiet of the night overhearing Voximore calling out a humorous warning to ‘Laz’ and his bear traps. Lex marks the house door as unsafe. We hope to eventually pass the potential danger to the druid centaur Nogamon when the should the opportunity arise.

By the light of the quarter moon

We head off into the evening leaving Zebbug, passing isolated travelers along the way. Osso and Evagara are unsettled about the unknown danger in the basement, Evagara expresses the desire to be looked at by the Finnish church unsure if her close proximity to such a creature had infected her somehow, which was an answer that surprised Osso. When Osso is asked about his temple of choice he replies Otherwhere.  When Lex and Jabari press him further, he smirks and replies that he left his offering at the golden idol. 

It is dark, partly cloudy with a quarter moon and our travel through the night is swift as Marco talks about his past to ease Evagara’s mind.  His conversation reveals that she eventually wants to go to Italy. Their conversation is interrupted when we come to a small thorp, the horrific sounds of a crying horse and a surprise attack from wolves with red ringed eyes. Something seems amiss with these creatures as elsewhere wolves are attacking other things in the night.

Defeating the wolves we notice a brand on each, likening it to a barren tree. We retreat to a recently abandoned hovel which looks to have been inhabited by animals at one time or another. Wolves can be heard further into the thorp; Jabari and Lete sees a faint light at a neighboring hovel; Lex is certain the wolves are gathered around the thorp’s central well. Lete and Marco check out the light and hear sounds from inside. Moving closer Lete hears “it’s a trick’ as well as‘it’s the black one’.  Eventually we identify six Halflings (two women Misha & Navara) a couple of human women (Yesha & Gorsha) and a solitary gnome Idicorus hiding inside. Marco pleads with them to open the door but when they do four additional wolves attack.

When the combat ends everyone moves to the main hovel where the halfling woman Navara offers to tend to Lete who fell to a wolf. We make introductions asking about the wolves and it is indicated as the work of the Black Druid.

The Black Druid seems to have arrived eight months ago when the inhabitants of the thorp started seeing barren tree symbol burned in to the hovels and livestock.  Soon the crops began to wither and to their horror their dead livestock was used against them. We are also told of a half-elf who came here recently killing a Halfling Bawabi in the garden during day light hours.  Further questioning reveals most believe it was a random occurrence however the halfling women believe Bawabi was killed by the half-elf because he was in the garden. The two human women don’t seem to have an opinion. The Gnome Idicorus says there had to have been some reason Bawabi was killed three weeks ago.  

Barren Tree Brand

The group claims that normally after a night of attacks there is a few days of down time; hearing this we decide to stay and rest through the night. We invite them to join us back to town, and it is clear they wish to talk among themselves.

During the night Tony asks Evagara what she went abroad to study: she indicates that she is a novice wizard. She had a very good teacher Naxxar who she served for several years in repayment for her training.  She is now free to pursue her own path  and expresses a distaste for Egyptians. Why? She explains Naxxar’s favorite targets are Egyptian ships and she fears retaliation due to her association with Naxxar.

The human women Yersha and Gorsha agree to accompany us in the morning. Tony pays the Halfling healer a gold piece and gravely indicates she has saved our lives before we leave.

We arrive early in the morning at the Seven churches where Evagara believes she sees signs of ships being in dock, much relief to Osso. Our characters intuit Garamaldi will be busy today.

Arriving to Ukko’s church, we see the Greeks are manning the church. We watch Gorsha enter the Norse temple while Yersha waits outside and by time we are finished at Ukko’s they are gone. We find an adept who expects a new high priest as well as a merchant who will come to claim a new carriage where we temporarily place Osso after assurances from Marco that Evagara will be well taken care of.  The adept Horgh claims a Greek education and reveals he has agreed to be the new assistant to the new Finnish High Priest.

We tithe at our temple and arrange healing as well as CLW for 40 gold each. Meanwhile some of us agree to work for the church while Carlo waits to speak to Garamaldi. We inquire about messenger services to warn the druid about the plague house in Zebbug as well as the thorp suffering the dark druid.

Lex keeps Osso company while Jabari and Lete work for the church easing the minds of the new arrivals, Lete identifying potential threats such as evidence of the EYE, as well as offering our skills with languages should it be needed with the new High Priest. Jabari's knowledge of King's Tongue appears to be the most coveted language.  Meanwhile Lex guards Osso, keeping him company, trying to get him to confide in him. Osso warns him to be careful with Unger and Davos who he identifies as crime lords operating in Hagar Qim.  Osso claims they control sections of the docks and often come into conflict with each other.

Marco and Carlo travel to Paola, taking Evagara, to go armor shopping and encounter the first wave of new comers.  They encounter ancient archways at the entrance to the city which the locals considered good luck to pass through.  The threesome pass through the archways into the overpopulated Paola. Tall apartment buildings are common and eventually the two find a working forge where Rob acquires a chain shirt. After their armor purchase they meander about, to window shop and eventually find a tall glass sculpture of a beautiful woman in a park where artists (bard college students) have gathered to render the statue. The bard college (the Candle) is famous for their glass works and sculptures. In their wanderings the three come across two walled estates and a bank.