Raven grabs Digger as quick as she can, and tries to get him back in his pocket. She whispers to the little guy Digger, calm down. What do you think is in here anyway? The comb looks nice though. Louder Raven asks Umm how much for the box? Crap how much money did they bring? She only brought a few pennies if she's remembering the worth right. At her old covenant they had grogs who could be brought along to shop. "Aristocles how much money do we have anyway?"
[tab][/tab]-[tab][/tab] Town Group 4
[tab][/tab] The merchant puts away his writing equipment and move towards Raven, his boots echoing in the still air. Digger is not happy being put in the pocket, as evident by him nipping at Raven's fingers several times and its low growl. Fivos approaches with one brow raised, curious as to the commotion and noise, but instead of asking, he peruses the tray and starts cataloguing the merchandise and explaining what each item is and where it came from. These are expensive nick-nacks indeed! The total asking price for the tray is at five pounds, a considerable amount of money for around twenty small items. ''...and this is a metal and bone hair comb ornament that I recently procured from a site near the Thessaly coastline. I went there just this summer, rumored to be the site of the old capital of Iolkos, at the foot of mount Pilio. I have not restored it yet, but this item is very very old, older than most of my other merchandise in fact. It will need to be carefully restored by an expert so as not to be ruined...''
[tab][/tab]-[tab][/tab] Tomb Group 5
[tab][/tab] Despite the warning of the villagers to avoid the waterfalls, Pavo urges his group of grogs to pack up and leave for Balta di Stringa, following a small path going south east and down. This looks like a well traveled way towards the river, but soon branches: the left more traveled path going down to the ravine, the right going over the hill to the south. It is this smaller path that takes you to the site, a glorious affair of pools and waterfalls made by a small unnamed stream. The area is heavily wooded, right up to the edge of the pools, the early morning sun filtered through leaves bathing the waters green. While you can hear the waters from quite a distance away, when you finally reach the site, a kind of silence falls over the usual forest sounds, as if you have entered a different world (clear sign that you have crossed a regio). There is no sign of life, not even bird calls or bugs flying, the place seems deserted. The pools though look inviting in their emerald green depths, showing no bottom after their shallows. Your workers carrying your heavy packs look at the waters with some longing, probably wanting a sip....
[OOC Fairy aura 3 for starters]
Unhh... Maia stumbles for a moment and darts glances at everything with a concerned air. Did...do you see that? at Pavo.
[/quote]
Raven grabs Digger as quick as she can, and tries to get him back in his pocket. She whispers to the little guy Digger, calm down. What do you think is in here anyway? The comb looks nice though. Louder Raven asks Umm how much for the box? Crap how much money did they bring? She only brought a few pennies if she's remembering the worth right. At her old covenant they had grogs who could be brought along to shop. "Aristocles how much money do we have anyway?"
[/quote]
I have this pouch of coin. Let's see how much it contains
Pavo stops to listen for a moment, and then replies "How did that happen? Usually there's some sort of obvious boundary, but somehow we've entered somewhere strange without noticing until now."
Pavo realises he is the wrong magus for this job, but decides to try anyway, loudly voicing classical Greek words and waving his arms boldly. He attempts a spontaneous version of "Sense of Magical Power"
(In 0 + Vi 0 + Sta 1 + 1 for the aura + die roll _: 1D10 = [6] +1 loud voice + 1 bold gestures for total 10 divided by 2 for total effect level 5.)
"This is not magical, and I'm not feeling the negative effects of the divine. This is too peaceful for the devil's work....I suspect we are in an area under faerie influence. Be on your guard, and look for a way out. Don't drink the water until we're sure there are no inhabitants that will harm you for drinking their water or eating their food."
Pavo looks around to see if there are any obvious exits to the regio. He asks the grogs to put down their packs for a moment, and will sit down to rest for two minutes to recover from the exertion of his spell.
He will then head down to the pools, and experimentally dip a finger in.
Pavo, wait! Don't you see it, in the edges of your sight? It's winter, and the water is icy!
How did the children die? They had no wounds, eh? Maybe they died of exposure...
Maia starts looking, hard, at the edges of the faerie regio, if that's what they are inside of.
"Maia, it's only autumn in the normal world, how cold can I get from putting a finger in icy water? Someone needs to test the water, and it's best that the one with some protection against magic does this."
Pavo dips a finger into the water to see how cold it is, and if his touch disturbs any supernatural inhabitants.
[tab][/tab]-[tab][/tab] Town Group 4
[OOC: Aristocles has as much money as you want him to have taken with him, up to and including said 5 pounds of Mythic silver (in gold coins of the local currency)]
[tab][/tab] Rummaging through the new leather coin pouch, Aristocles remembers prudently asking Anastaj about money... who once more pointed him to Dimitris. He on the other hand did make a ledger mark on the withdrawal then counted the money from a small coffer at the back of the Council room. Aristocles could see that there were not too many coins in there, and Dimitris seeing his interest added that these were the monthly funds, Anastaj keeps the Covenant treasury somewhere else, safe.
[OOC buy away!]
[tab][/tab]-[tab][/tab] Tomb Group 6
[tab][/tab] Contrary to what Pavo is fearing and saying, the group did not enter a regio of any kind. This is a natural, albeit beautifully scenic place with falling waterfalls and pools. Pavo senses no magical aura, but correctly surmises that other Realms are in play here. A search for an 'exit' is equally brief; you can move in and out using the path or going off it, away from the pools, nothing is stopping you. Pavo takes the group a bit off to the side and asks them to put down their packs while he recuperates. He does see though that a couple of his people still look at the waters wistfully.
[tab][/tab] After a brief respite the young magus goes down to the pool and puts a finger inside....cold[tab][/tab]
[OOC: Hmmm, I did not see Maia sharing anything, so this exchange seemed a little strange. On a more serious note, I need Pavo to make a Per+Awa diff 12. To speed things up also make a Pre+Charm and a Str+Athletics or Brawl...just for fun >< . Maia, a Per+Awa diff 14 OR a Per+SS diff 8 with specialization bonus. I am of course assuming Pavo went alone >< ]
Pavo is so intently focussed on the water, he is oblivious to what is happening.
(Per 0 + Awareness 3 including specialisation + _: 1D10 = [2] = 2 for a total of 5, fails by a long way)
His charm is as legendary as ever, doing even better than he did with the villagers.
(Pre 5 + charm 2, does first impressions count? + roll _: 1D10 = [1] = 1, then roll again _: 1D10 = [10] = 10 for 20 on the roll, so 27 - gift penalty of 3 is a legendary 24!!)
and finally his athletic prowess is adequate
(Str 0 + 2 (does athletics specialisation of running or his brawl specialisation of dodging help) + _: 1D10 = [5] = 5 makes 7, 8 with specialisation)
Maia:
Per 1+SS 2 + 1 spec. + _: 1D10 = [9] = 9 = 13 vs diff 8, successful.
Maia got close to Pavo to warn him about the pool, but she stayed back when he dismissed her fears and warned about looking for an exit to the purported regio.
Raven grabs Digger as quick as she can, and tries to get him back in his pocket. She whispers to the little guy Digger, calm down. What do you think is in here anyway? The comb looks nice though. Louder Raven asks Umm how much for the box? Crap how much money did they bring? She only brought a few pennies if she's remembering the worth right. At her old covenant they had grogs who could be brought along to shop. "Aristocles how much money do we have anyway?"
[/quote]
I have this pouch of coin. Let's see how much it contains
[/quote]
I have the funds but is this a good price? answers Aristocles
I... I think so? Maybe? Digger basically never acts like this. I'd have to guess its vis at a minimum and that's worth a lot more than five pounds. As long as it includes the comb... Raven says. She was pretty sure her old covenant gave a noble something like 20 pounds a year for rights to harvest a vis source while it only produced one pawn. But vis was rarer there, and she was pretty sure they were materially rich, and there might have been political concerns too...
Raven looks back to the merchant. "The five pounds includes the comb and everything in the box? We'd want it in as close to its current condition as possible. Its a scholar thing." The last bit wasn't 100% forthright, but the Order of Hermes was pretty scholarly so it wasn't a lie.
Worst case scenario her husband would probably like it.
[tab][/tab]-[tab][/tab] Town Group 5
[tab][/tab] Fivos keeps a respectful distance while his customers 'chat it over', then calmly answers that yes the comb is included. If they would prefer the comb alone that would be at around 1 pound, due to its old age and rarity. He awaits their response, whether they would prefer the whole tray or just the comb, then he will meticulously remove the item/items they wish to buy (or the whole tray) and pack them up at his counter. At the same time he will offer friendly chat, about the city, his wares and his projected future endeavors, while also discreetly trying to find any information about his curious new customers (Raven can answer or evade or just ignore his entreats). A consummate merchant he is un-fazed by the quirks of his clientele. All in all, you are now less richer and the proud owners of ancient 'stuff'...
[Please advise on what your purchases are and what you want to do next. Incidentally this part of the adventure is done 
]
[tab][/tab]-[tab][/tab] Tomb Group 7
[<.< that would be a 28, yes first impressions spec counts. Ignore the athletics/brawl roll]
[tab][/tab] Pavo is testing the waters when he spots a glimmering inside the pond. Trying to see better he stops agitating the surface and squints to look closely. He is just as surprised as the lovely face that appears in the depths! The head of a young woman, carried on naked white shoulders and a swan-like neck appears deep in the murky gloom. In surprise she stops swimming and peers at Pavo entranced just like he is. Long blond hair the color of golden wheat float in a cloud around her, strands of green watercress in blood mixed in them. The tine white flowers compliment her deep blue eyes. In an flash, the naked(?) woman swims deeper and vanishes. Pavo has heard about fae and nymphs that live in ponds and streams, but this watery vision was a young human...
"Maia, I saw a woman swimming in the pool!", says Pavo," I think I'll try and swim down to see where she came from. I'm a reasonably strong swimmer, so hopefully I won't get into trouble. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious, and make sure the grogs rest."
Pavo begins to take his clothes off in preparation for a swim...
Are you touched in the head?! because it's beautiful Pavo she immediately becomes apologetic Look, sorry, I am getting riled up! choosing her words carefully, and speaking in a low voice, getting close. This is a place of power for others, yes? Whom we do not know. But it ain't yours, right? This place is layered in seeming, your eyes and senses are being shown what someone else wants you to see. I done told you that I see a place wrapped in deepest winter, you'll freeze in moments, but I guess with a foolish smile in your face! Incredulous Woman, you say? That's fu%#%% generous. And worrisome! I saw... a specter, a skeleton wrapped in rags, moss, filth! she puts her hands on her hips, as if confronting a petulant child and stares at Pavo, hard. Really wanna drown for that? Me blood is from the mountain folk, the Δράκος, they also have their little scattered places of power..point is I can see beyond these...these glamers. very impassioned and agitated Yeah, you have yer mystical journey and all that, but don't be stepping off the cliff on the first step! Please listen to me! she finishes lamely
Pavo considers Maia's words, and whether his lack of knowledge of faeries, illusion magic and Vim magic should stop him. He then remembers he is too proud to possibly back out now, and he will have to at least make a modest attempt to find out what the faerie is doing.
"Maia, I understand your concern and appreciate that your special Sight gives you an edge in dealing with this hazard, but I am a magus who is well-defended against their curses. I shall just have a quick dive down and see what they are trying to lure me into. Get a rope from the grogs and tie it to my ankle so you can drag me back if I stop moving."
Maia stares at Pavo angrily, and without looking at the grogs, raises her voice: Well, didn't you hear! The Ma..., the scholar, requires rope!
To whoever is still gawking/standing around doing nothing. Listen, prepare a fire nearby, but do not wander out of sight at all, in fact, best stay together. These places can be disorienting, things aren't what they seem. Ain't a place to take a swim, mind you! Should also put on some heavier clothes.
Raven votes they just get the comb for 1 pound. That seems the most reasonable choice all in all. They can test it back at the covenant.
OOC: I thought I had posted for some reason. Bleh.
Arisocles agrees 1 pound for comb.
[tab][/tab]-[tab][/tab] Town Group 5
[How is Raven responding to the merchant's chatting?]
[tab][/tab] Fivos presents the magi a small, carefully wrapped package and Raven has Aristocles pay the agreed amount of one pound. Pretty expensive comb, you hope its worth it, though you have no idea what 'it' is. With some haste you leave the shop and head for the town center, pondering whether you should harry towards the covenant and a midnight trek or stay in Ioannina and leave tomorrow.
[tab][/tab] Back at the covenant you study your prize at your leisure. Applying Intellego magics reveals...[Please post whatever spells you use and their rolls]... Perhaps someone who is more sensitive to strange magics could tell you more. Likewise the actual item itself is in bad condition, you will need to find someone with the knowledge and skill to restore it. Magic could also be used on the item, but you have no idea what the results might be. Or perhaps you can find someone just to do a thorough cleaning without destroying it...
[tab][/tab]-[tab][/tab] Tomb Group 7
[tab][/tab] Under Maia's tirade, some grogs find a rope and use it to tie one end to Pavo's waist (one of them apologetically informed the young man it would be a bad idea to tie his leg, especially if they have to drag him out). The other people in the group huddle up to make a fire as per the mountain woman's orders. They now look scared of the place, rattled by Maia's talk of winter and skeletal wraiths haunting the pool. They are whispering among themselves and morale is low.
[tab][/tab] Maia watches as Pavo enters the pool. The waters are icy cold, but still tolerable for a quick dip. Pavo reflects that it would be difficult to see in water, never mind casting any spells. It looks quite deep...
[I'll need a Per+Awa 9 from Pavo, and two rolls from Maia, Per+SS 9 with spec and Pre+Led 12]