Bardagi Up North- Journal 16

Session 16 - 10/06/2024
***the story so far***
 
Staring at the blobs in front of us, the *real* R/G/O, exhausted, tell us to meet up with them again in the city of Heilagur. As we approach the city, there's a large pillar of ice in the center of the city. We see Octavious again, who remarks "THIS is the bastion of the Vomethndan empire, held together by strong, cold magic mages, and a fortress made out of one of teh strongest materials known to man, Everice, which doesn't melt no matter how hard you try." R/G/O head off into the city, leaving us standing at the gates of Heilagur, waiting to head on in.
 
In front of us, large glacier-like buildings impose themselves onto us. There's a bustling section in front of us, people entering in and out. Willow pulls out her Fairy Pipes to play as we enter - the sound is a sound of all time. Roger joins in with his bagpipes, and the sound is NOTICEABLY better. Willow feeling defeated puts away her Fairy Pipes. The townsfolk are in awe of Roger's performance (Willow is rightfully pissed). They work out a financial deal where Willow will get 60% of the profits Roger makes, netting Willow 5 silver coins and Roger 4 silver coins.
 
We enter a very standard Vomethndan street, apartment buildings on the left and right of us, completely made of ice, completely liveable. A stone walkway lines the path. I continue following the stone path. Willow manages to find a sauna in the midst of the glacier town, with steam rising from amongst the ice. Willow heads on in to spend her newly earned silver (spending it all?).
 
We continue on, not really worried that Willow is having a steam bath.
As we continue on, we're greeted by typical structures of timber and stone, the glacier apartments gone. We enter into a busy market, with people selling their usefulness as enchanters, notably machinists specializing in Mystek and Runic Arts. I wander around the market, and happen to find myself in between streetcarts and a building doing *any* kind of enchanting business. I wander into the enchanting business.
We seem to find ourselves in a district known as "Enchanter's Row".
This is very clearly an old building, at least over 100 years old. It's not too busy, a couple guys looking around at the old-style Runes, swords, rocks, you name it, its got a Rune carving.
There's two people of interest: a tall man, nearing 7ft, talking to a guy behind a counter. The tall man is pale, and the guy behind the counter is short and stout. Somehow, I can't discern more than this -_-.
Diaga wanders in to the building as well, and strikes up a conversation with the shopkeep. The tall man seems unbothered by this interruption? Somehow, the topic of Laer comes up, the Runesmith we met randomly in the middle of the woods (Session 6). Turns out, Laer is the shopkeep's nephew!! [definitely major plot twist]. Diaga shows off his morningstar and the enchants that Laer put on it. The shopkeep declares his name as "Skep Envis", and shakes Diaga's hand. Skip informs us we're standing in Heilagan Runes, a shop dedicated to all things Runic and magic.
<<< Outside, Roger draws attention by declaring there's a sale at Heilagan Runes, and Roger overhears a conversation involving pirates in the River Freida, taking some cargo and lives with it.>>>
<<< Willow is informed that their time in the spa is up. Before leaving, Willow leaves a note with the spa-keep, and asks for notice if Nessa ever arrives. Willow leaves the spa, and looks around to see if she can spot where her friends went. Thinking that we wouldn't be shopping, Willow heads off, but gets a feeling they're being followed. Casually looking around, Willow doesn't really spot anyone, but the feeling remains. >>>
The tall man approaches me, and remarks about my interest in Runes. The tall man is happy about my interest in Runes. The tall man declares himself second to Skep, and that his name is Ondska Stjärnman. I inquire about Ondska's ability to take the properties of the Amidrakh Dagger and apply it to the Short Sword. Ondska remarks that this is Geomancy, but that he is intrigued. Ondska asks if I'm interested in a job regarding research into Runes. He seems to be interested in science, and furthering magic in any means, Runic Arts, Geomancy, Mystek, etc. I tell Ondska I'm interested in helping him with research. We have about 20 days until the Battle of the Bands, and I tell Ondska that I'm willing to help in research for 17 days IN EXCHANGE for paying for my train ticket. Ondska accepts, and also hints at joining him again in Kavios after the Battle of the Bands (briefly mentioning that he's in the business of Fantasma crystals).
<<< Roger feels a beckoning, but waits until we're done with our shop things. >>>
<<< Willow finds themselves near the outskirts of town, locating an icy observatory. Willow approaches, but gets stopped by a hooded figure. The hooded figure inquires as to who Willow is. The conversation is weird. The hooded figure mentions that the observatory is used for the calendar, tracking time, etc. Willow wants to see some stars, but the Hooded Figure is distant and refuses. Willow bats her eye - the Hooded Figure relents and is willing to give a short tour, but that Willow must remain close. The Hooded Figure gestures Willow along as they both approach. The Observatory is made of ice, but the exterior is a bit more crude. Its very dark, but lights outside make it glow like the night sky. As Willow exits, the "entrance" freezes over, seemingly never existing in the first place. The feeling of being watched remains. Willow looks out for a historical area. >>>
Ondska leaves the shop, and waves to Skep as he leaves. Before Ondska leaves, I ask about the research opportunity. Ondska tells me to meet him back here at Heilgan Runes, in Skep's upstairs office, to learn more about the opportunity. I then put away my weapons. Skep Envis then starts to work on Diaga's enchantment request.
As Diaga and I leave the building, Diaga remembers he didn't haggle the price and is annoyed. We find Roger directing people into the store.
We leave Enchanter's Row and head to the center of town. We find ourselves in a very Gothic area, stone structures, lots of temples and cathedrals, lots of statues to every Major Religion Gods.
There's also a very militaristic structure, with guards sparring, located across from the Temple of Viscu.
We make our way to Risi Square. The entire area resembles a commons gardens, where large gatherings are expected. Frosted pine trees rise amongst the delicate flowers that adorn the gardens. We find ourselves real close to the Hrosan Ministry, home to multiple deities in one temple. The temple represents the three major Religions over time (this can shift over time).
Roger suggests we go enter Bardagi's temple. As we decide as a group to enter Bardagi's temple, a wild Willow appears from the south. The four of us enter the temple, and immediately see three grand halls, extending North, East, and West. East Hall being Kuv, North Hall being Bardagi, and West Hall being Eilifur.
We wander down the North Hall into Bardagi's sanctum, as the entire room fills with a big thick smoke, and the workings of armorer tailors. There's clanging of sparring in the back. <<< Roger hears something in his head. >>> Roger says thank you, and I'm caught off guard and am confused. Roger remarks that someone is talking in his head. <<< ??????????? >>>
Visibility is poor with all the armorer tailors. Roger continues down the hall, seeing tapestrys to Bardagi. The room shifts from armorers, to murals of War. There's two people sparring eachother, one with a warpick, one with a warhammer, both clad in metal armor. Roger declares next.
The two figures stop immediately, and turn to look at Roger. They're miffed, seemingly determined to test Roger's strength and will. They chuck a Fireball at Roger.

<<< I HAVE TO GO TO BED NOW SO REMEMBER TO CATCH UP WITH AUSTIN / THE PARTY >>>