Jammers Summary: Chapter 3, Turn 4
----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere... *********** = Later...
(10:30 pm, the 11th) Holland comes stumbling out of the secret room and finds everyone gathered around a coal brazier on deck. Obviously fatigued, he smiles. "I have good news and I have some mildly bad news. Which do you want first?"
Holland pauses only for a split-second before continuing, "Well, I guess it doesn't really matter... The statue is activated by casting upon it a spell that produces electricity. That is the good news. The bad news is that I don't have any electricity producing spell in my repertory," Holland thinks for a few seconds and says, "Except perhaps some cantrips, but I doubt that a cantrip would have the magical power to activate the statue," looking at the other Mages Holland asks, "Do any of you have a spell of electricity?"
Deigatt and Talus shake their heads negatively.
Leera shakes her head, "No, that sort of magic really isn't my strength.
Raken thinks hard for a moment. "No...I lack the standing with Celestian to call upon the force of lightning. I must gain a higher place in his trust before he will grant me such power."
Holland says, "I will go tomorrow to the Guild library and see if I can learn anything further. We should probably drape the statue in cloth and then if possible carry it over to the STAR."
Shaking his head slightly to ward off sleepiness, Holland asks those who departed, "So what news?"
"Well.. ah.. the guards at the manor gate said to bring the Chalice itself tomorrow morning," Kain shrugs. "Seems they've, well, had a couple of attempts made at passing a forgery on to the Prince. So maybe a few of our... uh... more well armed companions might want to take the Chalice, for.. ah.. protection's sake," Kain says. "I'll visit the harbormaster's office in the morning to pay our docking fees for the STAR and the GHOST. I'll... ah... stay over here on the GHOST tonight, help guard the Chalice," Kain adds. "I'd like to spend some more time making sketches of both that and the statue also."
Holland chuckles, "Well, if the level of magic is any indicator, I think that we have the real Chalice."
Leera nods as Kain recounts the day's events. As he finishes, she adds "As well as protecting the chalice on the way to Aric's, we'll have to worry about protecting the reward on the way back." She pauses and then continues (addressing Ferric), "That's a lot of gold to keep on the STAR. Do you think Lady Moune would hold it for us?"
"I'm certain House Moune would be willing to hold the coins, but there would be a small fee and they would not be readily accessible." Ferric replies. "Best to wait until the galleon is sold then decide such issues."
Holland nods, looks around the group and says, "Who would like to go return the Chalice and claim our reward? I was thinking perhaps Leera, Kain, Grigree, Nilaroo and Ferric. What do you all think?"
Grigree grunts and gives a small nod.
"Hoom, I will certainly go." Nilaroo answers.
"Me too," Kain nods. "I'll.. ah.. see to the docking fees after we return the Chalice then."
Leera nods, "Of course. I'll go."
Turning to Ferric, Holland asks, "What did you find out about prospective buyers?"
Ferric replies, "House Moune is not in the market for a galleon so our best recourse will be to post our prize on the board at the customs house. I can take care of this tomorrow after we finish with the chalice business. Speaking of which since we have revealed ourselves to be carrying such a thing I believe a triple watch would be in order tonight."
Holland agrees concerning the custom's house, "Yes, please do."
"Aye," Raken agrees. "Best get the chalice business over with and then deal with the galleon. Besides, with the games going on, most people on this rock will be unavailable; they'll be in attendance. Now, which shift do you want me on?"
Ferric says, "I would suggest: myself, Seguld, and Billy on the first; Grigree, Italapate and Raken on the second; Nilaroo, Talus, and Kain for the third; which leaves Deigatt, Leera, and Holland for the last watch. That way we have a good balance strength throughout the night and the last watch can study spellbooks if they need to. Someone should probably stay with the chalice at all times while the other two keep an eye out topside. Anyone else have any suggestions?"
Kain works late into the night, spending most of his time working on drawings for the Chalice. He finally packs his things away around what would be three in the morning, curling up in his blanket and falling asleep quickly.
The night passes peacefully.
**************** The next morning:
As Holland is heading for the library the following morning, Deigatt asks if he can borrow Holland's spellbook to study while Holland is off-ship.
Holland nods his head and gets both his and the Company spellbook and entrusts them to Deigatt's care.
Holland then asks Talus aside from the others, "Could you please see what additional information you can dredge up concerning the port Barre Sinister? The pirate cove on Shipwrecker may be the Barre Sinister, but I would like to get some more collaborating information before I go to the Bral authorities."
Talus nods, "I shall ask. Though we may have trouble separating rumour from fact. I am sure there will be stories about what has gone on at Shipwrecker."
Holland says, "Just be careful.."
Talus just gives Holland a grin as he walks away.
Holland then says, "I have a quick errand to run.", gathers himself together and then heads off into the city.
Kain rises early in the morning, only eating a light breakfast due to his nervous excitement. Wearing his shortsword and daggers, Kain waits for the word to leave.
The next morning Seguld announces to the others. "I'llbesellingofftheropeintown. Later!" Seguld hobbles off with an extremely large wrap of coiled rope wrapped around his upper torso.
Shortly thereafter Leera, Kain, Grigree, Nilaroo and Ferric head towards Aric's manor. Leera carries the Chalice as the warriors look alert.
Raken, 'Pate, Billy, and Deigatt remain behind to guard the vessels.
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Holland slips into the city, his new longsword belted at his waist, and heads to the Greek Pantheon. Upon reaching it, he enters and signs up for the event on the 13th, "combat" spellcasting. He pays his admission fee and then asks the priest, "Where and when do I need to be and what are the rules?"
"The competition begins at the start of the ninth hour. Memorize whatever spells you deem needed to deal with a wide assortment of potential foes. Be sure to be at the competitors gate of the arena of Frun at dawn." the bored acolyte repeats by rote. A small line of competitors stand behind Holland signing up for various events.
Holland nods and asks the flunky, "Since we are set against illusionary foes, and not each other, how is the scoring for each participant accomplished?"
The acolyte actually looks at Holland for a moment, "Each set of challenges is designed to weed out a few contestants. If you're illusionary opponents "kill" you then you're out. Eventually only one contestant should be left."
Holland asks, "Are there a set number of challenges, or just until there is one contestant left?"
The acolyte asks Holland to quit holding up the line and move along, so Holland thanks the bored-looking flunky and heads away.
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After Holland leaves the ships, Deigatt spends most of the day in his room studying the spell book.
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Seguld heads directly to the greater market and seeks out a buyer. Once the transaction is completed, Seguld starts searching out a new cargo.
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Leera, Kain, Grigree, Nilaroo and Ferric soon reach the manor, and our escorted inside by two of the gruff dwarven guards. They are led to a building off to the side and away from the main house. It appears to be a stables, a very rare luxury on Bral! A small side door is opened and the quintet are followed into an austere guardroom by the pair of dwarves.
Inside, sitting behind a table, is an older man with white hair wearing the black and silver robes of a priest of Ptah. Two acolytes of the same faith stand respectively a few feet behind him.
He motions to Leera to place the Chalice on the table, his eyes widening as she does so. He and the acolytes each cast divination spells of some sort (each appears different from the others). After a few moments, the older priest smiles and turns to the wall behind him. "It is authentic, Your Highness!"
The wall devolves, revealing the austere guard chamber as an austere guard chamber twice its original size. Another pair of dwarves, and two humans in dark robes are present, but its clear the third human, a tall, graceful man with close cropped hair and kind blue eyes is the prince.
"Excellent!" he says, walking forward. "To whom do I owe the rewards?"
Date/time: 10:00 am 12th day of the 5th Month, 5049 OC
