Harvest Festival: Final Preperations

[swrider]

The squire departs the room instructing the group to wait for a few minutes and departs shorly before Gage's comment.

"Gage we are inside the capital and headed to the wizards guild. Located just inside the inner city gate next to this temple. Our journey will be a few hundred feet. You worry too much."


As he finishes speaking the squire returns. "The master will see you in the court yard. He can only spare a few moments time."

[swrider]

You exit from the lavish building to a chaotic scene. The gates to the temple have been closed and the miners you arrived with are gathered together with the master and a few knights. The other residents of the temple can be seen assisting various members of the public with leaving the facility. The squire with you approaches the temple master who turns and sees you. Speaking a few brief words to the miners and approaches your group.

"Sir Shor-tay, you have my apologies but this omen can not be ignored. We are unable to let any wealth leave the temple at this time." The knight looks to be in a hurry but gives a moment for the group to respond.

[DeepSpacer]

Gage steps forward. "What can we do to help, Sir Codicia? It seems out destinies are intertwined in the calamity. It is to our mutual interest to see this resolved."
Total: 14
Bonus: 5
Character: Gage
Campaign: Dark Patron
Description: Charm

[swrider]

"From our conversation, I assume this money is being transferred to another. If they are willing to come here to the temple we can transfer the funds into their name. Then when things have settled down they can withdraw the funds.

Shor-tay hearing this offer interjects before the others can respond. "Thank you Sir Codicia, this is acceptable.

He turns back towards the group and informs they they are headed to the wizards collage. You pass out of the temple and through the gates to the inner city. A thrid wall taller than the other two rings the center most part of the city. This this are are various houses, guild halls, and low level government buildings, such as a barracks, grain storage and other events. This area is better gaurded ruign a seige and holds a smaller but more prestigious grouping of buildings. Directly to the side is a small inconspicous building. Its exterior is much like that of a cottage and almost seems inappropriate next to the other buildings. Beside the doorway are two iron statues of humans wearing armor. You have seen simliar statues places in alcoves around the interior and exterior of the city walls, but they are typically made out of clay. Passing through the door, reveals a large surprise. The loby is a large structure made of ornate materials. Multiple hallways and stairs can be seen, but the loby itself is larger than what the exterior of the building appeared to be. An individual approaches as you enter. "Master Shor-tay we have been expecting you. The Archmage will be down shortly, please feel free to look around the lobby or ask any questions while you wait.

A few minutes do pass as you examine the numerous tiny magical components. A broom sweeping up the dirt you tracked in seemingly guided by an invisible servant, glowing orbs of light swirling about and providing light to where individuals direct. Large scripts of arcane text scrolled across the walls and numerous small things fill the lobby with a sense of wonder and aww.
The Archmage descends down an ornate stair well and approaches Shor-Tay who quickly introduces the group. "Archmage (Keoheth) Bethut, there have been some interesting developments at the Temple of commerce this morning and they will not allow the funds for our purchase to leave the temple. They are willing to transfer the funds to the school, but require a representative to make the transfer." The mage smiles in response. "I have classes here shortly and will be indisposed most of the day. I can accompany you later, but for now lets show you your purchase and make sure you approve."

[ThreeBFour]

Oomaq quietly starts poking around the lobby of the Wizards' College, just to see what he can find of interest. At one point tapping Thew'Ruk on the shoulder, "How do you think that broom works? Do you think it's anything like that thing that threw you down the stairs last week?"

[swrider]

The lobby continues to unveil many fascinating things, most of which are being completely ignored by the wizards. The archmage sensing some hesitancy in the group inquires what the matter is and if they wished to postpone examining the product.

[kanila]

”Archmage Bethut, we are on a bit of a time limit. We need to make haste to deliver the item in time for the Harvest Festival. You are a busy man so we do not want to take you away from your task. Would it be possible to have one of your apprentices go with us to transfer the payment?” Rurik says with every effort made not to insult the Archmage while stressing the importance of speed.

[swrider]

"Of course. One of our teachers will accompany you to make the exchange. Once they confirm that the gold has been transferred we will load your purchase into your wagon. Master Shor-tay Please let us know if you encounter any issues." As he finishes speaking he waves a wizard over to the group and explains the situation. The wizard introduces himself quckly as Apara Cion a teach of conjuration magic. Those who wish accompany him back to the temple of the commerace where the Master is still in discussions with the miners. At first the kights refuse you entrance, but the master waves you through when he notices you at the gate.

He addresses the group. "Thank you for returing so quickly and thank you for your understanding Master Cion. My knights have drawn up the transfer paperwork we simply need to add the schools information to the documents."

Master Cion interjects before the temple master can leave. "May I inquire what the rucus here is about."

"Waukeen has sent us a bad omen. These travelers have uncovered a mine of fools gold and are attempting to sell the mine and their wagon of product to us."
"I see and do you have any interest in the product?"
"Fools gold is of little value, the amount we would offer is not suitable to these gentleman and I am about to dismiss them"
A ha, may I speak with them then?
The master gratefully consents and you join the miners now visibly upset by what is happening. The mage speaks with them for a few minutes and inquires if he may test a small sample of the ore. Confused the minors agree and the mage begins casting a spell. A large ring of fire surrounds the courtyard momentarily its heat focused in towards the group. The wall is far enough away that it does not harm any of the residents but the mage is quickly scolded by Master Codicia. Smiling he apologizes and offers 500 gold pieces for the wagon and an additional 1,000 gold for the rights to the mine and the land it is on. The miners quickly agree and the mage tells them to stop by the school to deliver the ore and collect payment.
As the conversation concludes two sets of paperwork are returned. One for Shor-tay and the other for the mage.

[kanila]

Meddaar watched the conversation and following spell with interest. Who knew that fool’s gold could be used like that. But they had spent enough time delaying and needed to hurry with their arrangements.

[swrider]

The wizards actions seek to get the fools gold out of the Temple of commerce. The knights and squires seem to relax a little at the development and the air of tension subsides slightly. By the time you return to the wizard's school Shor-tay and the others have already completed their inspection of the device and determined it was acceptable.

Sir Shor-tay suggests you make you way to the Temple of Sol deep within the city to see Lady sol with your final task. You make your way into the very hear to the city being stopped only briefly at the doors to the most interior wall. The inner most area contains the most valuable structures in the city. The castle for the king and his family. An armory and supplies for a siege, the Temple of Sol and a few other buildings. Worshipers to the temple are allowed to pass on worship days, but this day is not one and the guards are hesitant at first to allow your passage. Sir Shor-tay introduces himself and flashes the emblems of his position and order to which they guards allow your passage. The temple within this city is quite grand, though maybe not as grand as that under construction in Klaverjassen. Shor-tay tells you the temple here and the capital were originally built before the kingdom was stabilized and were meant to protect the population of a siege. Such relics of the past are now unnecessary, but are difficult to remove once built.
The inside of the temple is mostly vacant except for a few members of the order. An acolyte sees you enter and fetches the Lady sol. A few minutes pass before a tall radiant woman enters the room. She is clothed in exquisite yellow silk which seems to emanate a faint glow all around her. Shor-tay delivers the Lady with a scroll indicating Lord Larimore's request.

"Sir Shor-tay, Lord Larimore is a dear friend to the temple and the order, but it is not our tradition to allow move such dangerous artifacts."

"My lady, is it not traditional for Temples to Pelor to contain artifacts of power? Lord Larimore only wishes to continue this tradition and establish the importance of the new Temple as a place of worship for Pelor, and for the order to thrive. It is our understanding that the requested artifact has not yet been ascribed to a temple or palace and we wish Klaverjassen to be its residence."

"Very well Sir Shor-tay, I will create a map to the Blood Stone and have one of the Acolytes provide it to you. Keep it well guarded and do not speak of its transfer with anyone else until you arrive in Klaverjassen. Your temple shall be its protector and Shall enjoy the blessing of Pelor to ensure its safety." The lady goes quite for a minute. "I have been told that the new temple shall contain a teleportation circle is this correct?"

" Yes ma' lady. We transport the circle there now recently purchased form the wizarding collage. That is our excuse for being here. These with me have proven faithful and capable in their skil. Their assistance has been invaluable to Lord Larimore over the last few weeks."

"Please provide us with the Glyphs and inform lord Larimore and Cleric Feden Ristan that I will be attending the dedication ceremony."

With that the lady excuses herself and leaves to make the map for the group.

[kanila]

Rurik walks over to Shor-tay once they are alone again.

"Sir Shor-tay, do you know what this artifact is that we have been sent to retrieve? Should we expect trouble to find us once we retrieve it?"

[Boutrose Saba-Norr]

Thew'Ruk

Thew'Ruk folds his arms and snorts, "Trouble always seems to find us Rurik, regardless of what we are doing, might as well let it be something interesting."

[swrider]

"The artifact is of ancient date. It has long been guarded by the Order of Sol, so little knowledge of it remains. It does hold some great power, but the Order has kept it hidden away as they tend to do with powerful objects. It is custom for important buildings and temples to hold these artifacts as a way of bringing in Pelor's blessing to help protect the building and bless those within. Few know of the artifacts existence and in moments we will be some of the few in the world who know its location. I do not anticipate any trouble as long as we all keep its existence and our mission to retrieve it a secret."

[Boutrose Saba-Norr]

Thew'Ruk

"Even stil my friend, I've learned that it is better to expect trouble even when it is not necessary, rather than to not expect it when it is"

[swrider]

Minutes pass pay before an acolyte returns with a scroll and presents it to Shor-tay who takes a few minutes to review it.

"According to this scroll out destination can be found on this side of the mountain off the mountain pass. The artifact is being guarded to an ancient Tree Ent by the name of Okenstalk. She should get going on the road. The festival is in only a few days. "

[kanila]

"Well there is no time like the present! Let us make haste so that we don’t risk missing the festival."

[swrider]

With little more fanfare the group makes their way back tot he street. Navigating through the great city into the surrounding fields. Some of which as early as this morning when you entered this city were still full of grain. Numerous works bustle about cutting down grain and bailing it together. Several of the fields are now bare as the harvest is brought in. You journey for several hours reaching the edge of the woods just as the sun begins to fall over the horizon, it will be dark soon and the decision to camp for the night or enter the woods must be made.
Minutes pass pay before an acolyte returns with a scroll and presents it to Shor-tay who takes a few minutes to review it.

"Okenstalk lives in a grove near the base of the mountain. It is several more hours journey into the woods before we will leave the trail. Shall we continue or camp for the night? "

[ThreeBFour]

Oomaq looks at the forest before them, thinking. "I'm not sure that camping in the woods or outside them will make things any safer for our camp, but I'll go with camping here before entering the woods. As it's easier to keep to the trail during daylight."

[swrider]

With little further discussion the group beds down in the field. The night seems to be filled with the sounds of insects and birds chirping, but little signs of activity are viewed. As the sun rises in the morning the grounds around your camp are moist wit the morning dew. The forest seems bright and inviting at this time of day, though it part of the same forest where the darkness originated it teems with life and a joy seems to enter into your souls.

And so your journey continues as you make your way deep into the forest large evergreen trees line both sides of the road intermixed with many other variants of trees and shrubs. As you near the location you are to veer off the road towards the great Tree Ent's grove a loud sound of chirping insects fills the air.

Spoiler:

Please roll a perception check.

[Boutrose Saba-Norr]

Thew'Ruk

Thew'Ruk leads The Storm along by his reighns as they approach the clearing and says, "So does this Ent we are going to meet know that we are coming" Spoiler: Total: 15 Bonus: 4 Character: Thew'Ruk Campaign: Temple Description: perception

[kanila]

Total: 16
Bonus: 2
Character: Meddaar
Campaign: Dark Patron of the Temple of Light
Description: Perception


Total: 18
Bonus: 1
Character: Rurik
Campaign: Dark Patron of the Temple of light
Description: Perception

[swrider]

Thew-Ruk sees little out of the ordinary but his keen ears detect that the sound of the buzzing insects seems to originate from a central location several to the north and east of the road. The direction which you are supposed to head.

[swrider]

Ruriik looking the direction indicated by Meddar and Thew-ruk believes for a moment that the leaves on several of the trees in that direction are moving against the flow of the wind.

[ThreeBFour]

Oomaq looks around as they enter the clearing, "So what is this Tree Ent thing you are speaking of? Some creature that lives here?" Spoiler: Total: 15 Bonus: 1 Character: Oomaq Campaign: Temple of Light Description: Perception check

[kanila]

"You all seeing this? Isn’t the winding blowing the opposite direction of those leaves? Perhaps we should go check this out."