Recap, cause the last time we played Sephira was in January 2024:
Sephira is still on a quest to locate (and possibly free) a lammasu reputedly of great power, who she hopes will help her and the Grand Duke of Geoff, invade and capture the lands currently occupied by the army of giants. Having finally cleared out the yuan-ti temple, Sephira and her band have returned to the port town of Mina Batri, on the coast of the Sea of 1000 Islands and the southeast side of the Great Sulphur Desert.
The former prisoners who were not from the little fishing village are still in town, and plan to leave in a couple of days. For reference:
Selirra, an elven nobelwoman from the elven kingdom
Daverov, a dwarven diplomat from the Geoff region. Sephira is sending him along with a letter.
Thoburk, male orc fighter (or barbarian or ranger or whatever) 1 who would really like to accompany you all but you’re not interested, so he’ll at least head through the Goblin Kingdom and go with Daverov to Geoff. Sephira said she would write him a letter of recommendation to Duke Owen.
Illria, female halfling rogue 2, who would also like to accompany you, but will head out with Thoburk instead. I guess. Also wants a letter from Sephira.
Maneri and Kaleb- Hiasport locals who just want to go home.
While Sephira does such things the rest of the party is on the standard post-adventure shopping spree. As it happens, adventurers emerging from the desert with stuff plundered from ruins is unusually common around here, and so there’s an unusually wide variety of stuff available.
And so, the whole party happens to find themselves standing in front of their waterfront inn in the middle of wandering around town buying stuff and noting that the port of Mina Batri has an unusually wide variety of rare and magical goods for sale.
Kara is standing still, slightly behind and to Sephira’s right, apparently meditating, and completely unmoved by the shiny treasures..
Sephira - “Well, looks like this is a good place to resupply and upgrade our gear. Anyone need anything? Maybe I should look into a magical shelter, the horses will get us across the desert without trouble but we’ll still need to camp.” She rifles through her bag. “Oh wait, I already have a personal oasis that will fit all of us. Never mind.”
Blank, “at this point I think I would like to get a wand of lion’s charge. It could help with as often as I am stuck running from one point of fight to another…and a way to have the wand attached to my swords so I can use it without dropping my swords.”
Herzog- “I’ve already bought everything I want to.”
Syl stands there entranced by the sight and sound of the ocean. Must be an elf thing.
Some more wandering around by Blank reveals that, yes, there’s a guy who knows a guy who will make him a good deal cause they’re friends on both a wand of lion’s charge and modify one of his swords to add a wand chamber. He has to see what he has in the back of his tent, though.
Merchant Man- “My friend, I have this wand with 15 charges left in it, which I can give away to you, cutting my own throat, for 1750 pieces of gold. For a small consideration I can also point you to a man who can add a wand chamber to one of your swords.”
Blank, “and what would you consider a small consideration?”
CMOT Deblyah- “just a few pieces of gold”
Blank “I think that can be worked out. Will give you five gold for the directions. Let me see if my financier has the funds for that.”
CMOT Deblyah- “Of course my friend!”
Blank approaches Sephira to see if 1750 is doable for the wand he is looking at getting.
Sephira - “Yep, we have plenty for that, here you go.”
Blank, “thank you. Need to get a weapon adjusted to put the wand in it. Not sure the cost of that, if it is also doable. I will be back.” Then goes back to pay Deblyah.
CMOT Deblyah- “Ah! Thank you!” He hands over the wand that, indeed, seems to have 15 charges of lion’s charge still in it. “And for you, speak to that large ogre looking fellow over there, he is the best smith in our wonderful port.”
Blank, “thank you.” Then heads over to talk with the Ogre looking fellow, explaining what he needs.
Too Tall turns out to only be a half-ogre, and is professorial in demeanor. “Good afternoon. Hmm yes, do you want wand chambers in just one weapon, or several of them?” He looks at you over his half moon spectacles
Blank, “What is the charge for doing one and charge to do two?”
Too Tall- “Hmmm, yes, 110 pieces of gold per weapon, unfortunately there’s no discount for bulk orders, it’s all custom work, hmm.”
Blank, “how long to do one verse doing two?”
Too Tall- “Hmm yes, about a day per weapon.”
Blank nods slowly, then hands over 220 gold, “I will have my two swords done please.”
Too Tall- “Hmm yes, delightful. Please come back this time tomorrow to check that the work on the first one is satisfactory.”
Blank, “Will do. Thank you.”
Too Tall- “Oh, before you go, there was someone asking about you, I think one of the group you brought with you was looking for you. A skinny man, bright green eyes, kind of a leathery look? Sound familiar?”
This does not sound like one of the rescue-ees to Blank….but it does sound kind of like the guy who had been watching the party from the other village and disappeared when you got back.
Blank, “I recognize that description. Did he say anything about what he wanted or is looking to meet up?”
Too Tall- “Hmm, yes, no, he was just asking about where you planned to go, if you had spoken to me or the other merchants about it.”
Blank, “Did he talk to anyone else that you know of?”
Too Tall- “Hmmm, yes, no.”
Blank, “thank you. If you learn anything about him I would be interested in it. Though not if you have to ask him questions. Not sure what he is up to. Thank you.” Then Blank heads out.
Syl looks around, but decides to hold onto his money. “I am good for now. I am gonna wait till the next town.”
Kara has been standing by serenely, as she needs nothing.
Sephira heads over to a cloak shop to find a cloak of resistance.
This merchant doesn’t look like a repainted sprite of CMOT Deblyah. He has more of a leathery goblin look. He’s basically dressed the same, though. He smiles as if he’s been told what smiles look like but he just doesn’t have the hang of it.
Bhuka merchant- “Yes?”
Sephira - “I’m looking for a strong (+3) cloak of protection, do you have any in stock? For myself, so a short cloak.”
The Bhuka merchant says nothing but rummages around the apparently random stacks of clothes. “No, I have a moderately strong one (+2).”
Sephira, charmingly, “Oh, that’s too bad. I could still take it, though, if you might know someone who could improve its enchantment?”
The Bhuka merchant, looking like his smile is straining terribly- “Why yes, I do. There is a wizard who specializes in such things across town.” He describes the building, which is pretty obvious, even from here.
Sephira - “Lovely, how much will it be?”
Bhuka merchant- “3600 gold coins, or equivalent value in gems”
Sephira smiles. “Here you are, thank you for your help!” She hands over the money. To the wizard!
The wizard is a tall, frowny, severe man with a graying, curled beard. He’s dressed in long red robes and has a red parrot as his familiar.
Wizard- “Yeeeeeess?”
Sephira smiles. “What a lovely familiar you have! The color of his plumage is spectacular.”
Parrot- “THANK YOU”
Sephira - “I was hoping you could improve the enchantment one level on this cloak?” She pulls out the new cloak. Kedri, who was apparently nearby, flies up to the bird and sloooooooooowly reaches out a paw to touch it.
The wizard examines it for a few moments. “Yesss, I could.” He looks back, apparently waiting for your first offer for payment.
Sephira - “Would 4500 gold suffice?”
The wizard smirks and starts to close his door, without saying anything.
Sephira - “Fine, how about 5000?” She tells Kedri sternly to leave the bird alone telepathically. Kedri freezes, paw outstretched.
Kara steps forward and gently sets Kedri on her shoulder, scratching her under the chin to distract her.
He stops. “Payment up front please, and come back in three days time.”
Sephira sighs. “Here you are.” She leaves the cloak and the payment. “Thank you.”
Wizard- “Delightful. Are you headed into the desert? Most foreigners who pass through here are….there are many ruins to be explored, treasures to be found….”
Sephira - “Yes, we’ll be heading out once we’ve resupplied. Any recommendations of a good direction to start out in?”
Wizard- “There but one path out of town that most explorers follow, after two days it opens to the wide desert and from there your path is as open as a ship in the ocean.”
Sephira - “Ah, good to know. I suppose the desert doesn’t have a lot of landmarks.”
Wizard- “Not very many, no.”
Sephira - “Well, thank you for your time, I will see you in 3 days.” She walks away, and thanks Kara for wrangling Kedri. Kedri whines “But I wanted to touch it!”
Kara admonishes Kedri “A creature as curious as you, having a much sharper face, must be treated carefully.” She stops holding Kedri to her shoulder and follows after Sephira, bodyguardingly.
Sephira - “I do remember hearing about a map that my distant ancestors used, that would redraw itself to show you everything nearby. I wonder if it would cover enough area to be useful.”
Sephira, after finding and consulting with a cartographer, learns that the desert is about 420 miles north to south, and 330 miles east to west, and is kind of an oval shape canted slightly from SE to NW. You are nearly at the southernmost point in the middle.
In the early evening every rallies once again in front of the inn. The group of rescue-ees is also nearby, some of them looking hopeful that you’ll hire them so that they can be cool and heroic by association.
Blank finds a corner table and sits with his feet up looking half asleep with a drink in his hand while looking around for a certain shady fellow.
Syl grabs a drink and joins Blank as well, scanning the room for a shady fellow, but not as ambitious as Blank. “Evening Blank.”
Blank looks up to Syl, “Evening, do any shopping today?”
Syl takes a small swig of his ale, “No, as I think the next town might have something I am looking for. Yourself?”
Blank, “a few things to improve my weapons. Have to pick them up in a few days.”
Syl swirls his drink with a little smirk, “They didn’t have it ready today? What has this economy and labor of the middle class come to these days?”
Blank gives Syl a blank look before going back to his half-lidded search of the room and drinking.
Blank doesn’t see anyone matching the description of your stalker, but he also hasn’t made a spot check, either. He does notice Illria, the halfling rogue, looking like she is hoping you’ll give her a job offer.
The guy isn’t in here, Blank determines, after a careful and detailed examination.
Sephira is at a table looking at their map, talking to Kara and Kedri (aka thinking aloud) about distances and maps and location spells. Kedri flops in the middle of the map and Sephira pushes her back 6 inches or so, but doesn’t bother to try to get her off the map.
Herzog- “What did your books say about the location of this temple?”
Sephira - “The books mostly talk about it being in the desert in a remote place without many other markings. I do have the approximate spot marked on the map.”
Syl turns to Sephira, “If we got to the temple, we aren’t gonna get shot in the ear with an arrow are we? Cause that would hurt.”
Sephira - “Probably not one, no. We should expect traps, so maybe you can get shot with a whole wall of arrows.”
Syl takes a swig of his ale, “As long as it’s not in the ear, knee, or arse. Can’t tell you the amount of times I have heard someone say ‘I used to be like you until I took an arrow to the knee.’ speech.”
Blank, “you will probably get shot in a different body part with an arrow.”
Despite Kedri walking all over her book and map trying to get attention, between the five of them the party is able to find references to the temple’s location relative to where they are. There’s a town about 70 miles west and 20 miles to the north of Mina Batri, called Ruatha, where previous expeditions to this place traditionally use as their base. The temple is in an area around 40 miles north and 65 miles west of Ruatha.
Sephira also sees a note scribbled in a margin about how to actually find the temple once you’re in the correct location: you have to find a platform on a hill in what used to be the city the temple was in, stand at the correct place, and assemble the two pieces of the ankh with the stone summoning earth elementals, and then cast a conjuration (summoning) spell. Adophus says the temple then rises from the ground for a time determined by how powerful a spell you cast, although he doesn’t know exactly how long.
“A look from higher ground widens one’s perspective.” Kara remarks.
Sephira - “I was thinking I’d be able to find it by trying to locate cut stone, so that at least seems like it will work. The question is how deep the sand is, so will it still be a hill we can spot from a few miles away. My location spell has a 1000 foot range.”
Blank approaches the bar tender, “do you have servers or people that work for the inn that try to enter rooms in the evening?”
Sedriq- “That’s an odd question, but no, why?”
Blank, “I am an odd person. However, I just want to make sure no one is going to try and enter my room in the evening that works here.”
Sedriq- “No, our views here are that if a person breaks into another person’s house, the breaker-in is fair game for the aggrieved person.”
Blank, “awesome, thank you. Also another drink please.” Blank offers a gold piece for his confusing questions.
Sedriq hands him another drink. “Delighed. Oh, there was someone asking about where you and your group planned to go later. He’s not from around here, and I didn’t think he was from the group of prisoners you brought with you. Skinny guy, odd-looking eyes? Do you know him?”
Blank, “I have seen him. I don’t know him. I am looking to find out more about him. Thank you.” Blank offers the bartender one more gold piece before heading back to his table.
Sedriq nods appreciatively and the gold piece disappears somewhere on his person.
Blank wanders up to the rooms and looks at the doors, attempting to determine if any of the doors are the same size as a certain door he acquired.
Sephira - “I wonder if there’s a halfling guide for hire around here who can use a map of unseen lands. I’m afraid I’m probably not dedicated enough to Yondalla to use one.”
Blank is, the DM is sure, disappointed to find that the doors aren’t quite the same size.
Blank sighs and heads back to the main room and joins the group at their table. “Sephira, I need a few immovable rods if we can find our way to them at some point.”
Kara raises an eyebrow at him.
Blank nods to Kara, “it is something good. Also I think we should share a single room tonight. I am good for sleeping on the floor.”
Herzog- “Why, what’s going on?”
Blank, “I will say more later.” He looks around the room again to make sure he doesn’t see the person that has been described to him.
The stalker isn’t anywhere Blank can see.
Kara nods “The order and purpose of a city can deceive one into believing it is less hostile than the wilderness.”
Sephira - “I don’t believe they’re that expensive, if you can find a couple we can purchase them.”
Blank, “I will check tomorrow. Do you have any illusion spells?”
Sephira - “No, but I’m going to spend the next couple days developing my repertoire. What kind of illusion do you mean?”
Blank, “Are we good to head up to a room? Let's choose the best defendable one.”
Sephira raises an eyebrow. “If they have a big one, I can always set up the oasis. We’ll be able to see out without anyone seeing in.”
Blank, “That works for me.”
You are, in fact, able to find a room that is big enough to set up the portable oasis in, bizarrely.
Blank searches the room once they get to it, checking to make sure there is nothing to worry about.
Sephira eats some of the dates once the oasis is set up. She watches the others move the cots inside; sadly she is too small to help. Kedri does her best to trip everyone.
Herzog lounges around a bit once the work is done. “So what’s the plan, boss?”
Sephira - “Blank? Why so cautious?
Blank finds nothing unusual about the room.
Blank, “The man I caught trying to watch us in Huma Bikhandak, he has been asking around here about us. The bartender and the blacksmith I talked to today both told me about him. I wish these doors were a little smaller. I want to set up the lightning trapped door in place of this door. That way if he tries to get in here, zap.”
Herzog- “So we’ve been followed.”
Blank, “yes, and not sure why. I am going to head out the window in a bit and see if I can find him. Someone needs to keep watch for about two hours. If I cannot find him in that time I will come back.
Herzog- “If we’re not going anywhere tomorrow, I can, otherwise I need to sleep to be able to pray for spells in the morning.”
Kara “I will watch.”
Sephira- “He was following us before we cleared out the temple, wasn’t he? So he’s probably not the yuanti priest that escaped in disguise.”
Blank, “more than likely no. Unless he was the yuan-ti priest in disguise then also.”
Sephira- “ I suppose they could have had him scout the town, but that doesn’t seem likely. Who else would have an interest in us, though?”
Herzog- “Or he’s just some minion. And yeah, good question.”
Blank, “no idea. But can try to find out.”
Sephira - “Now I’m suddenly wondering if there’s an entire cottage industry of people who lurk around listening for what adventurers are doing so they can follow them and, I don’t know, pick up any treasure they leave behind.”
Blank, “anyone have a bag of holding, I am not sure I can put someone in my haversack.”
Sephira stares at Blank. “You know they’ll suffocate, right?”
Blank, “not if I get them back here before the air runs out.”
Sephira just blinks and shakes her head. “Only a haversack here.”
Herzog- “Yeah, just a haversack for me, too.”
Blank, “will see what I can do if I find him. I will be back in a little. Lets get all the lights out and then I will open the window.” Getting the lights put out, he then attempts to sneak out of the building through the window.
By this time the streets are basically deserted. There are a couple of torches on the city walls, but this town seems pretty secure in being very, very remote.
Blank starts searching around their inn. Looking for anyone that is doing pretty much what he is doing. While staying out of the light and hiding.
The only remotely interesting things Blank finds are a few snakes curled up near things like baker’s ovens, although he does note that one of them is clearly an illusionary snake, for some reason.
Blank heads back after noting that and goes in through the window as quietly as he can.
Herzog- “Anything?”
Blank, “I found an illusionary snake by the baker’s oven. Something we might need to check out tomorrow and find what else it might be. It was with a group of real snakes. Screams yuan-ti to me, but I don’t have the ability to tell much about what it all does magically.”
Herzog- “Yeah, I dunno.”
Once Blank returns, they set up a watch rotation that doesn't involve the spellcasters, and the jingle for sleeping in an inn plays.
Day 204
So having not been brutally murdered in your sleep (yay!), it’s now the morning. You have another two days to wait until Sephira’s cloak is done.
Sephira - “I’m going to start working on my new spells. Blank, let me know if you locate any immovable rods. Kara, can you find out if there is a halfling quarter here?”
Blank, “the halfling thief we rescued was in the inn with us, and she was pretty interested in joining us.”
Sephira - “Hm, she’s probably not strong enough to use one of the maps, but I can always check with her.” Sephira heads downstairs to find… what’s-her-name.
Blanks goes in search of immovable rods…and watching for the stalker while he shops.
Illria, the halfling rogue, is having breakfast with Thoburk, the orc…probably fighter? Maybe barbarian?
Illria gives a friendly wave.
Sephira comes over to their table- “Illria! I have a question for you. Do you know anything about a map of unseen lands?”
Illria- “Ooooh! Yes! I have heard of them, but I’ve never seen one. Why?”
Sephira - “We’re about to head into the desert to find some ruins. We know where they are but it’s, you know, a desert and it’s probably been eaten by the sands. So I was thinking it would be much easier to find if I had one, and someone who could use it of course. I’m not sure I’m quite devoted to Yondalla enough myself.” She blushes, a bit embarrassed.
Illria blows a raspberry. “I don’t have one, and I am definitely not strong enough to use it properly.”
Sephira - “Ah, well, I thought I’d check in case I’m able to find one in town, since it sure seems like they get all types here. I sent one of my party to find a halfling quarter, if there is one.”
Illria shrugs. “I haven’t seen another halfling here at all, and several people thought I was a half-elf child. Ummm…” she looks a bit bashful. “Have you had a chance to write those letters of recommendation for us?”
Sephira - “Oh! Of course! I forgot i hadn’t given them to you yet.” She riffles through her pack, and pulls them out, handing them to both of them. “Here you go!”
Both Illria and Thoburk look delighted, and pocket their letters.
Thoburk- “Er, miss, are you, uh, heading out into the desert? Only we are wondering if you need help with your quest.”
Sephira sits down, looking serious. “Let me fill you in on the situation first, and then you can decide. I’m open to more companions. But I fully expect this to be a dangerous mission. We’re traveling deep into the desert, which itself won’t be that rough because I can summon us mounts that can get us to our destination in a day or two and magical shelter. But we will be far away from any help. I’m in charge of this expedition, and the deal for my companions is: all loot is owned, so to speak, by me until I hand it out to others. Expedition funds pay for any room, board, or other traveling expenses, and I am happy to spend it on equipment for you. I try to keep everyone well supplied, but I may have to make prioritization decisions. You can keep anything I’ve allocated to you permanently. After the mission, we are heading back to Geoff to support the war effort. You can leave the group anytime, no obligation. But of course, no pay, other than in equipment and room and board.”
They look at each other.
Thoburk- “I’m in.”
Illria- “You saved us from being sacrificed and eaten by the yuan-ti, so we owe you at least through the next part of your journey. I don’t know about going al lthe way to Geoff, but I’ll stay along at least through this desert portion.”
Sephira looks a little surprised they’re going for it, but she smiles. “Welcome to the team, then! I only have a few thousand gold left to help outfit you, but let me know what you would like. I expect to be leaving the day after tomorrow.”
Thoburk- “We’ll be ready!”
—--------------------
Blank starts asking around and is, in fact, able to find a couple of rods of immovability (CMOT Deblyah claims to have exactly two).
Blank attempts to bluff him into believing that the purchase of the rods is for the war efforts and a slight discount would help in ending this war with the giants.
CMOT Deblyah- “What war against what giants?”
Blank, “To the northeast of here. It is likely to spill over the mountains into this country if the efforts to stop them are not supported. The giants are taking over most of two countries and working on a third. We are on a mission that will help to end the war. These rods will help ensure our success and keep the war from ever getting here.”
CMOT Deblyah looks at you blankly. “Never heard of it.”
Blanks looks back at him blankly, “you are sheltered. How much for the rods?”
CMOT Deblyah- “5000 gold coins each, or equivalent gems, and that’s cutting my own throat, my friend.”
Blank, “let me get with my financier. Give me an hour and I will be back.” Then heads off to talk with Saphira.
CMOT Deblyah- “For you, my friend, I will save them.”
—------------------
Kara isn’t able to learn much beyond that no one here has ever actually seen halflings before, and several people thought they were mythical.
—-------------------
The party huddles up football team style!
Kara: “Those who live here believe your people are a myth.”
Blank, “10k gold and we can get two immovable rods.”
Sephira - “Here’s the money. I can’t even with what Kara just said.”
Blank laughs and goes off to buy the rods.
