Week 6: April 28th - 3th May

"Great, let's try to hurry."

And we return to the Veil with the map and study it to find out where the ships went. Hopefully we have information or clues that will help us other than the map. It is, after all, just a map, and can't show us where to find what we're looking for unless it's been marked down. A map's main function is navigational.

The two pour over the maps and do some calculations for some time, and then realize fairly quickly that all it can tell them is likely routes they would take towards a given destination. If they assume the destination is to the south in the Sho, like they were told, then those ships would already be there.

Well considering that is all we wanted to know success! So, what is your guy's plan?

"We can use the Hub. We know where they are, right? Our first lead is this 'Thrush', or the farming magnate in this letter. My people can't be lost, at least not yet. The Vyeotians have people, but a fleet doesn't fit with their previous methods. However, they are puppeteers with their strings on factions. They might not control the factions' minds, but they can direct them to do whatever they need with rumors, interception, and infiltration."

"We need to go visit this farm and do some snooping, make trouble. Get their agents to find us, then get them to confess question by question, corpse by corpse. I wish I had more."

We're going to teleport to Sho with every useful item, find out where the humans are. Then we go on a dungeon crawl. Everything and everyone that stands in my way will die.

After that, we'll commandeer their own ships to take the humans straight to Osteth - or we pay off the Blackbrine to help us out in a jam. Don't worry, we can pawn off all the loot. Realistically, might not be able to afford them again for something like this.

Roll Wisdom with NC AP. And Knowledge(Creatures). I don't expect it to have much utility beyond Rory wracking his logic and memory for anything he can use.

Javan and K, would really like it if you helped. Heck, you can all help me brainstorm the following day.

Higaide was joining you soon as he left Javan, so he should be with you by now.

He hands Javan's note to Kolson.

Quick response regarding the painting, while we were in the attic: "Sorry, just remembering. Al-Erat, Al-Ferin, the cave, that one town with the Desolate child...our beginning together was such a mess. Being painted as traitors and disturbers of the peace wasn't a good way to jumpstart our adventuring careers. Never liked the desert. My eyes are burning just looking at this picture."

Javan finally joins the others some times after his note reaches Kolson, and after listening the details, he gives his two bronze about this, tapping one of his arms as usual while doing so... except it sounds a lot like tapping glass due to a new crystal growth, "Right. So I feel like we are jumping into conclusions here, but also I agree that we should look into this as soon as possible in case your gut feeling is right, Rory."

"That said, if you are right we'll be playing the 'away game' and that worries me the most, so I'd rather avoid causing trouble over there. I mean, the sheer number of humans should allow for you and Higs to stay under the radar if the two of you act like you belong. If it looks like a legit place from the outside, I would have you two infiltrate until we have the dirty and a weak point that we can abuse from inside, while me and the scarves attempt to do the same under the guise of local mercenary group working... Hm... something about hunting a certain raging creature that has been recently appearing in region... *coughThogcough* Ah damnit, now I need to find out more about the mercenaries of that region! Argh... where are my notes of that wind-forsaken region?! ... Uh, anyways, how that sounds?"

"I'm a bit worried they're trying to experiment with mind-control over there. I heard us puny weak-minded humans are good for that."

There noticeable disgust in his voice as he says that last sentence.

"I like it," Rory cuts in, rather definitively. "Thog will help. I really hope he does, he's our only ace. And when I find out where my people are, I'm going to carve a path through everything and everyone who gets in my way. We'll gear up and move out tomorrow morning."

I keep forgetting to mention this but you all leveled.

...Huh?

WE LEVELED UP!? Here I come, green mage level.

*rushes to the character sheet*

Hey Arch, can I put skill points in Profession?

I guess mine would be "Crime Lord". It would basically help with managing everything related to the Exchange.

I'm thinking of taking Profession: General, to cover all the campaigning I've been doing lately. Would that work? I'm open to any suggestions.

Will level soon, feat pending. I thought I was going to take the Leadership feat, Javan. I mean unless you have your own reasons for wanting to, but since you're coming with us, I'll defer the role of personal recruitment to you, as it was more for me to grab player npcs to fill roles we otherwise would be doomed without.

Also, nevermind, lvl 8 is not a Feat level. Not for barbarians.

Barbarian lvl 5
Changes: Increased Acrobatics and Concentration skill.
BAB +1
Feat: Improved Uncanny Dodge
Ability Score: +1 Wisdom for a Modifier of +3

The Wisdom gain was a roleplay choice that, as an appealing side benefit(odd to even), increased my Survival and Awareness both by 1.

Yes to Zeiss and Kolson's ideas both. Though to make it more clear maybe Profession: Commander or something... just because my first thought was another definition of 'general' heh.

OOC:

Morning come, the whole party has gathered near the Hub for one last reunion. Zeiss talks to Biggs and the spies to conclude some last minute business. Once he is finished, he walks back to the group with a tired expression on his face.

"Everything is in order. I've interviewed each of these agents extensively before selecting them, so they shouldn't cause any problem. If any of them decides to run off, I'll just petition the Mites to revoke their right to the Hub."

Zeiss yawns, obviously still sleepy considering the short night he just had.

"...So this is it I guess."

Zeiss has the sudden, odd feeling he'll never see his comrades again.

OOC:

Javan turns to Zeiss and raises an eyebrow, his face showing confusion for just enough for him to believe he knows what's going on, "What? ... Oh! You think that because we are going to another place without you, we are not coming back! Oh, that's so cute!"

The dragoon then advances in Zeiss' direction, arms open and ready to give Zeiss a big hug if no dodge attempt happens.

Zeiss is caught off-guard by the hug, but he doesn't resist it, which appears to surprise Advoc of all people. However, the young elf still looks embarrassed since he is clearly not used to such a display of affection.

"Well, to be fair, you guys know how to get into trouble..."

Once Zeiss is free from the hug, he takes a moment to regain his composure.

"Also, remember that Materia I let you borrow? Well, you can keep it. I feel you're going to need it more than me."

OOC:

Spoiler tags don't seem to work properly in post anymore.

Rory can't come up with any roleplay, but he's eager to get going. He does not look all right. He does ask you to appraise all of the junk you collected from after the battle though, or have it examined by someone who can tell you if it has any magical properties.

The silver-plated steel longsword looked especially impressive to him, though he's not sure if it would be worth trading his stone sword for. He says he will return through the hub to see what's on offer the next day, if he can make it.

He's taking the special liquor. Not for drinking. (Dyoagepaj)