7th Session- The Jord Escape

General Summary

21st of Melora's Gift, 1436

The Plot Thickens

As a new day dawned, within Admiral's tower the party began to stir. Euphoria was the first to wake and checked with everyone as they all woke in turn. She was eager to speak with Sasimay in particular because of an idea that had been forming in her head to potentially get some answers about their current situation. Sasimay, after being drunk and falling asleep on the roof of the tower with her sister, was especially unwilling to deal with what she considered Euphoria's antics so early. With the Genasi brushing her off, Euphoria retreated back down to find her brother in his human guise as the guards passed on their way to the roof for their watch. The guards, in turn, spoke up to the sisters about their master seemingly being "interested" in the Tabaxi guest, given the well tossed sheets on the bed.
Admiral was already at his desk and Euphoria joined him. The questions asked the previous night to whatever power was behind the tower had apparently brought forth an answer. He offered his sister a mysterious note that had manifested for him to find in his desk drawer. The contents of the note asked Admiral to consider his choice carefully considering he had benefited from his living arrangement and the trading caravans he maneuvered around Jord. While there was not an outright threat leveled against him, Admiral felt a little shaken. Down in the lounge, Euphoria checked with Phuc Her about how his watch at the base of the tower had gone. He relayed that while he had been down, scrubbing away on the rusted breastplate, that he had seen nothing amiss. Nothing magical had happened and no new supplies had appeared. Euphoria was frustrated at the lack of clues. Having seen the Genasi sisters pass by while she was in her conversation, Euphoria excused herself to press her theory. Euphoria was eager to finally speak with Sasimay, pulling her into the larder just off the lounge for a semblance of privacy.

Conversation with the Devil

Inside the larder, Euphoria asked Sasimay if perhaps she could call on Derzeth to give them more information about the mysterious things going on. In particular, whether Derzeth could tell them who was behind the tower and the manipulation of her brother. Within Sasimay's head, the devil relayed that he had no reason or obligation to answer "the cat's" requests. Euphoria became frustrated when the Genasi gave the devil's answer and asked to speak with him directly. Having been geas'd by Derzeth in the night, suddenly Sasimay's face contorted and her eyes glazed over as he actively assumed control of her body. Mortal and devil voice merged as the possessed woman glared at Euphoria. The Tabaxi pushed past her shock and asked her questions again. Derzeth answered that he could give no information about events and people of which he had no personal knowledge as he was not omniscient. Without direct connection to the mortal plane he had to rely on sources bound to him in one way or another so any answers he might give in regards to the tower would only be heresay, and so pointless. As he prepared to leave, he also relayed that Oberth had managed to work his way out of the Nine Hells, though he was unaware how. After delivering a few final insults and threats to Euphoria for good measure, Derzeth receded back into Sasimay.

The Apothecary

Despite the ominous implication of the note Admiral had received, once everyone gathered in the lounge the plan was still to find a replacement to take the Tabaxi's position running this mysterious organization. Thinking of all the people the party had encountered in the past day, one person had seemed the most likely to not take advantage of the potential power the tower and its endless stream of replenishing supplies, the chemist Phuc Her had aided. The man had appeared genuinely concerned with trying to create better potions and help people. The decision was unanimous, so now the only question was whether the man would accept the position.
Euphoria announced that the best way to entreat him into the position would be to play up the mystery that already existed amongst the traders outside. No one knew who was in control and their party had been the first time someone had ever entered. However, since the reality of it all was a bit underwhelming, why not make him think he was joining a hidden elite ruling Inner Jord? This was a really intriguing idea that everyone thought might hook the man. At the very least he would hopefully be curious. Thinking back to the pile of jewels Oberth Nesher had prominently displayed near his throne, Euphoria said that the party should use them as a status symbol and also present one as a gift to show favor.
The Swaysons and Phuc Her stepped out of the tower, immediately drawing the eye of everyone in the improvised square. Attempting to be as casual as possible, they approached the tent of the apothecary. The was checking his plants, but eagerly greeted the three when he noticed them at the mouth of his tent. Phuc Her asked how the sprouts he had produced were faring and the man ecstatically thanked them and relayed that they were doing well. Their magical bolstering seemingly made them much more resistant to the climate and he assured them that soon enough he'd be able to produce potions of a high quality. Overcoming his sense of gratitude, he also finally took the time to introduce himself as Bosem Pyrefall. The three congratulated him and then ducked in closer and told him that they had a proposition. Offering Bosem the chance at a position that would remove him from the common merchants lining the row around him. He was intrigued and accepted an opportunity to enter the tower and hear the full offering. To cement the thought of him entering an upper echelon of a secret society, Sasimay tried to covertly present pass him a small emerald gem. The pass fumbled and caught the attention of everyone nearby. Worried that all the attention might cause a disruption, the Swaysons and Phuc Her quickly confirmed the details of the meeting and excused themselves, retreating quickly back to the tower.

Joining "The Mercantile"

Now that the kind apothecary, Bosem Pyrefall, had been maneuvered into joining the party for a rendezvous in the tower, everyone prepared over the next few hours for the show they would have to pull off. In Admiral's office-bedroom, the party took positions around the room. Euphoria claimed a lounging position on the bed with Udoud posing as her guard nearby. Niks took an armchair, flanked by Sasimay. Wisp, who had entered the tower in his disguise, decided to keep his natural form and took a nice doublet from Admiral's wardrobe to look more fitting as person of power. He took position at the small dining mearing the doublet with grease and splitting the seams for nuance to his assumed character. Admiral sat commandingly in his desk chair in his human guise. Knowing Scarlet lacked the ability to deceive or maintain the pretence necessary for the ploy, she was excused to the roof to wait out the scenario.
As the late afternoon approached, Pyrefall was ushered into the tower by Phuc Her. The Half-Elf escorted him up the stairs while the man marveled at the comforts of the interior. Reaching the top floor, Admiral welcomed him and instructed him to take a seat in one of the chairs that had been moved to the center of the room. Bosem Pyrefall nervously looked around at the new and familiar faces all around him, each with a gem symbolically placed before them. Speaking officiously, Admiral reaffirmed the information the others had told Bosem and further explained that he was needed elsewhere and was thusly in the position of finding a direct replacement to take his place in the tower. Euphoria claimed to have nominated him and asked his answer to the proposition of joining "The Mercantile" organization.
Bosem was taken aback and unsure of what response to give to the monumental situation. Admiral walked back the conversation and asked the man to describe the crime had landed him in Jord before he could give his final answer. Euphoria glared at Admiral for making such a demand, but her brother held firm and waited for a response. After a while, Bosem finally told the group that he had been a simple man that had grown up learning the mysteries of curative plants and potions from his mother. Though he lacked the magical abilities she'd had, he still took her teachings to heart and, nearly a dozen years ago, had started his own small potion shop in the dodgy part of his home town. He knew that people in a place like that would always be in need of healing and had built up a large stock to be prepared on his opening day. However, in order to make the quantity of potions he would need, he had used ingredients of a cheaper quality. In the end, much of his stock had turned foul, and the deaths of nearly 50 people had been attributed to him within a week.
After a moment of letting the story settle, Admiral asked if it was true; whether the man hadn't just conspired to poison the masses. Bosem denied the charge heartily. Admiral nodded and asked if he would continue to do good work and improve his potions even if he were to gain the responsibilities of the tower, to which Pyrefall eagerly agreed that the tower would certainly make his endeavors easier. He was unafraid of hard work and genuinely wished to do good and make amends for the worst mistake of his past. All that was left was for the "officers" to make the final approval. Bosem watched nervously as the Human, Tabaxi, Genasi, and Kobold all nodded in turn. When directed, Bosem produced the emerald he had been given and Euphoria formally greeted him as a full member of The Mercantile, with the precious stone to serve as his symbol of position. The "secret meeting" was adjourned and everyone began to filter out except for Admiral and Bosem as the two lingered behind to explain how they would covertly make their switch.

Fixing the Needy Not-Even Ex

After nightfall, as the others began work on gathering the basic materials that would become their airship, Euphoria left the tower with the good intention of making up for her earlier treatment of Pal O'zel. It didn't take her long to find the man. He had huddled up in his cart for warmth. The men he had traveled with had apparently left him his space and his campfire had no casual banter around it like the others nearby. But once the man caught sight of Euphoria he was taken with excitement, eagerly greeting the Tabaxi and helping her into the wagon. After short pleasantries she explained that she did plan to make good on her part of their deal the previous day to treat him to her lady-favors. Needless to say, Pal was eager.
He pressed himself to Euphoria, moving to entangle their bodies in the warm pelts and blankets lining his cart. He fumbled with their clothes trying to make flesh meet. For some reason Euphoria couldn't help but think of how full of himself he had been the previous day when they met and how easily he had nearly cracked when she presented an obstacle to deny him. But most importantly, for lack of better way to describe it, she just found him undeserving of experiencing her. Under the pretense of helping him to open his trousers, she offered a hand and simultaneously used a command spell to make him hit his peak prematurely. Pal was immediately embarrassed and tried to excuse himself. Euphoria playfully acted understanding only to lean in and magically compel the man to fall asleep half indecent in the cold. Giggling at her own antics, Euphoria jumped out of the wagon and rushed back into the tower to settle with the others for the night.

Rewards Granted

Euphoria: N/A
Phuc Her: N/A
Scarlet Swayson: N/A
Sasimay Swayson: N/A

Missions/Quests Completed

Days survived on Inner Jord: 4
The party began construction of an improvised airship modeled after Niks' designs.

Character(s) interacted with

Admiral- Unofficially joined in with the party's plan to leave Jord and aided in on a plot to find a replacement for himself that "E" would approve.
Bosem Pyrefall- The human apothecary and potential replacement for Admiral.
"E"- Mysterious benefactor to Admiral and apparent mastermind of the wandering trade organization. Makes their wishes known by a complex network of magical and traditional messages relayed to others. Motives and purposes unknown.
Niks- Provided a revised airship design to the party and took part in "The Mercantile" ploy by pretending to be a boss during the interview of Bosem Pyrefall.
Wisp- Maintained his Genasi form to masquerade as a boss for his part of "The Mercantile" ploy.

Related Reports

6th Session- The Jord Escape
8th Session- The Jord Escape

Report Date

16 Aug 2020

Primary Location

Jord