Session 28 2014-01-13

600XP each making 80278XP Total for each Party Member - Level 10 (next level 105,000)

Hylophobia

On arriving at Sever's office they find the wooden chest left for them by Sever and hesitate to open it at first, given their previous experiences with containers that ended up containing Shadowy Assailants or Brown Mold. Eventually Landra steps up to open the box, and finds a letter on top of the other contents.

I hope your time in Diamondgate is less exciting than the time you have spent in Madrill, 
however I fear that this will not be the case. As such I have gathered some odds and ends 
I have been holding on to, and hope that they might help safeguard you in the future. 
Of course I have my ideas as to who might find what useful, but I will leave it to you to 
decide how you divide these few gifts. I've provided a few notes below.

Firstly, a package from a man identifying himself as Gren Tasalt. He's compiled a folio 
representing the work his wife was doing when she died. He said that you would understand 
their significance.

Regarding the other items.

Eye patch.
Useful for getting out of trouble in a hurry, even if one has to swim.

Campfire Bead
The flames this creates won't cause any unintentional fires, very useful when one needs 
warmth in  dry grasslands or in a ship's cabin.

Bottled Yeti Fur
Don't open this until you plan to use it. The thick wiry hair of the yeti provides 
protection from  cold as well as injury, and could even help keep you hidden in 
colder climes.

Gut-stone
It's not as big as it looks, you'll be able to swallow it easily enough, and once inside 
it will do  its best to protect your organs from injury. If it comes to that, you can 
even try to damage an incoming weapon... When sufficiently damaged it will break apart 
and pass harmlessly out of the body.

Dust of Emulation
When attempting to use a magical device usually limited to other races or professions, 
coat yourself in this dust and it will help you to fake it. Again, don't use it without 
already having something in mind.

Bookmark
It will conceal the true nature of a tome, creating a glamour which causes it to appear 
to be another book entirely.

 Blood Reservoir 
It comes with a cost but once filled with your blood and attached to a weapon it will 
gain charges which can  be spent to regain strength or ease your shaking hands, or even 
to boost your abilities beyond the norm.

Candle of Truth
I believe you are familiar all with the Zone of Truth. This will provide it for 1 hour 
in a 5 foot space, though it must be used all at once.

Stone of Alarm
Affix it to an object with the command word "Safeguard" and if anyone does not speak 
the command word before touching it, you'll be able to hear it screeching up to 1/4 
of a mile away.

Martyr's Tear
Once per day you can will some of your life-force into this gem, and transfer it to 
another later on.

Hourglass of Last Chances
The sand only flows one way, and there is only 30 seconds worth of magic stored within, 
but when used you may  suspend a variety of effects from an ally within 30 feet, also 
allowing them freedom of movement.

Construct Channel Brick
With this, Kali's Hand might not waste so much of the clergys time.

Glowing Glove
Leaves a glowing handprint of whatever colour you wish for a day.

Cap of Light
Simple really, it will light your way and keep your hands free.

Lastly, something to smooth your transition into Diamondgate. These are difficult to 
come by and so unfortunately  I could not get more, but these documents will identify you 
as working on my behalf and allow 4 of you to teleport  directly into the city proper. 
Unfortunately you will have to choose who goes through the Diamond Gate itself.

All the best

- S

More detailed descriptions of these items and their mechanical effects will be noted in the Severance Package article.

Magni writes a note simply stating "Thanks" and he and Landra sign it, then the group go looking for Tharin. They discover him accompanied by an ecstatic Munt who excitedly informs them that Tharin has bought Munt a copy of Pretty Pretty Princess Dress-Up Board Game, brandishing the item at them and baring his teeth in what they gather is a smile.

Beam Me Over, Scotty

The Hunted discuss their pending teleportation to Diamondgate. The Hand of Kali asks if Tharin and Munt will count as one person if they stand on each others shoulders and this is not particularly well-received by Tharin. It is decided that Kul'theras and Munt will teleport to Diamondgate as "normal" with the rest of the group using the special documentation provided by Sever to avoid passing through the The Diamond Gate.

They go to the temple of Abadar and show their documentation, money changes hands and we begin following the actions of Tharin, Landra, The Hand of Kali and Magni. They appear within an circle engraved with arcane markings and surrounded by both armed guards and powerful magic users who look over the documentation provided by Sever. When it is confirmed that all of this is in order each of them is sent through to have their "Visa" applied by Markus, a customised Arcane Mark that fades after 1 month.

Exploring Diamondgate

They consider moving back into the City of Rest but realize they will likely encounter opposition to that as the purpose of that area is to protect its occupants from being taken advantage of. Tharin is told about the gifts that Sever gave them, which Magni is carrying in their Bag of Holding.

Tharin suggests that making a scene might not be a bad thing, and that if they are attacked in Diamondgate that powerful people would likely protect them. Magni points out that talking openly about their situation might be HARMFUL to the party. Tharin blanches white and shuts up.

The group brainstorm about their ideas of what might constitute The Serpent, possibilities considered are: Taverns, Boats, Rivers, Religions which involve serpents in some way.

Looking around at lodgings they immediately spot The Comet Arms, The Bat and Stirge & The Trapper Inn, and after some indecision The Hand of Kali moves to head into The Comet Arms. Tharin orders Bluewater, Magni learns that it is sea-water and rum and chooses to go with ale. Landra has Whisky and The Hand of Kali asks for half a watermelon with some flesh scooped out and filled with the most potent liquor they have available. This costs 10GP and comes with strict instructions not to smoke near it.

When questioned, the barkeep of The Comet Arms mentions the Addled Asp and the Bitter Snake Tavern but isn't aware of an Inn called "The Serpent".

Snake Hunt

Magni goes to the temple of Thor, also hunting around other temples asking about "The Serpent" but has no luck. Tharin goes asking questions around the docks and gains new friends as well as an introduction to several songs involving women with a proclivity for performing risque acts with snakes but not much else. As he is making his way along a jetty running along the Doonic River he notices a large sewer grate set into a stone wall beneath a drinking house named The Cowardly Eel and decides it is worth investigating so returns to fetch the others.

Covered In Rats

When Tharin, Landra and The Hand of Kali investigate the sewer, they don't find any serpents but do find several Rat Swarms, almost all of which meet their death by fire.