Brian Skies

You are not racing turtles for this one. You are herding them from one location to another.

Statblock Female Chaotic Neutral Titan // Warlock Level 3, Init 1, HP 32/36, DR 1/Lawful, 1/Cold Iron, Speed 40ft AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 1, Will 4, Base Attack Bonus 3 Comet +9 (2d6 + 9, x3) Hideous Blow +9 (2d6 + 2d6 + 9, x3) Slam +9 (1d4 + 6, x2) Eldritch Blast +4 (2d6, x2) Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex, +3 Natural) Abilities Str 22, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 8, Cha 18 Condition None "Taking some much needed precautions around survivors seems a fantastic idea, Finn." Deianara is in full agreement with the other warlock before the nurse speaks up about their group seeming to have gone to hell and back. "Still, it couldn't hurt to be cautious around future rescues." As Strunthal goes to investigate the bottom of the stairs, Deianara follows not too far behind. The mysterious circumstance seemed sketchy, and she wanted to make sure Strunthal didn't end up in a compromising predicament on his lonesome.

Festivalgoers are clustered around a paddock full of young horizonback tortoises that are shuffling around inside the enclosure. The fifteen-foot-tall tortoises are being tended by young herders, who are fitting them with makeshift bridles. These individuals are overseen by a tall, attractive orc who makes sure the bridles are attached correctly. The orc is a horizonback trainer named Adan. He supervises the transfer of the young tortoises from the paddock to the open fields on the west side of the Jumble, where the tortoises will begin training to become mounts and mobile buildings for the tribes of Jigow. The orc waves at you and says, "Have you come to join the horizonback migration? There's a tortoise for each of you, and a medal to be won if you make it to the end in one piece. Las year we had to rebuild three houses after the festival!" Ayo can be seen relaxing here, watching the tortoises.

Inside the mansion, Lady Amina's personal chefs prepare a small feast. For appetizers, there is chickpea salad and naan bread with goat cheese and hummus. Towards the center of the table, there is grilled chicken and vegetables, slow-cooked lamb with tomatoes and aubergines, shrimp and beef kebabs, and skollickSkollicks are arthropods native to the Rhat'matanis region near the Argent River. Skollicks look like large gray lobsters. tails with aioli. For dessert, sliced fruits and baklava have been prepared.

You do not need to worry about Electrum. I do not keep track of currency conversions. As long as you maintain the appropriate amount of currency, you will be fine.

I'm fine with escorting the passengers back to the ship. We should probably check to see how much space is left aboard. Future survivors may need to be left in safe hiding places while the ship completes its rescue.

The human's hand is seemingly swallowed by Wandile's giant mitt. Still, the human continues to smile. "The name is Irvan. I'm not from here. I just came here to experience the festival's contests. What about you? Are you from here, or another visitor like me?"

The other contestants do not fare as well as the adventurers. The human makes it to the second pie before calling it quits. The drow almost finishes his second pie before tapping out as well. The halfling, who Wandile had been keeping a keen eye on, struggles mightily on her third pie. Her overconfidence quickly evaporates when see sees just how much her competition can put away. When all is said and done, three contestants stand on the raised platform: Namira, Wandile, and Farah. Agathe speaks over the cheering crowd. "Jigow! With five pies each, your champions!" Agathe hands each of her winners a tin medal shaped like a meat pie. Medal of the Meat Pie Wondrous Item, Common You gain 2d4 + 2 temporary hit points when you use an action to press this medal to your mouth. Once this property has been used, it can't be used again, and the medal becomes nonmagical. While magical, this medal is slightly warm to the touch (as if it's fresh from the oven) and smells faintly of baked pie crust. As Agathe returns to her oven to cook more meat pies for the crowd, the human, who had been sitting next to the adventurers, approaches. He has a scruffy and adolescent appearance. "Congratulations," he says, smiling towards the winners of the competition. He also makes sure to greet Piper as well. "Competitions like these are always enjoyable, wouldn't you say? Nothing but some delicious pies between contestants."

Statblock Female Chaotic Neutral Titan // Warlock Level 3, Init 1, HP 32/36, DR 1/Lawful, 1/Cold Iron, Speed 40ft AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 1, Will 4, Base Attack Bonus 3 Comet +9 (2d6 + 9, x3) Hideous Blow +9 (2d6 + 2d6 + 9, x3) Slam +9 (1d4 + 6, x2) Eldritch Blast +4 (2d6, x2) Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex, +3 Natural) Abilities Str 22, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 8, Cha 18 Condition None "Another group that desperately needs saving," says Deianara. "We wouldn't be able to call back our ship for them, now would we?" Deinara isn't carrying food or water, but looks around for any nearby towels or clean rags.

That was to finish her second pie, which she failed to do. Now you need to make a DC 15 Constitution Saving Throw to save from overeating. Failure means she is poisoned for 1 hour and feels queasy.

Lady Amina looks puzzled as she ponders for a few moments. "I don't know about how it differs from Venza, but Mar'Qedir is different from other cities in Rhat'matanis for a few reasons. First, it is an adventurer's city. Mar'Qedir is a wealthy city, and there are may opportunities and activities that attract adventurers and refugees." "Secondly, there is little need for a standing army here. The relatively large population of adventurers helps keep the nearby monster population at bay. But don't get carried away by the lack of guards. Many adventurers enjoy a lot of the frivolities and pleasures of Mar'Qedir, and they tend to make sure things in the city don't get out of hand that would draw the ire of the officials. Some adventurers go as far as policing the others in the stead of an actual guardsman. With little need to oversee or protect the city, bureaucratic officials grant plenty of autonomy to this city and its citizens, and many citizens and adventurers want to keep it that way."

I have added an updated image with the fire tokens. Moricarn can take her turn.

With all of its passengers aboard, the ship sets sail. For one week, the ship sails along the western coast of the continent until it reaches Port Hadr. There is occasional rain, but conditions remain fair for most of the voyage. Lady Amina has food and drink prepared for herself and the adventurers, so no one has to eat with the crew unless they want to. At night, the crew sometimes play dice or card games. One night, they played drinking games, however they had a limit to how much they could drink. Built along the rocky coast, the small port of Port Hadr welcomes the ship into its docks. It is a steep climb from the docks to the city. Most of the buildings seem to be built with some sort of sandstone. There are many larger buildings, although the smaller ones are separated by narrow streets. Travelling through the streets, the adventurers come across multiple shops looking to sell what appear to be large gray lobsters as cuisine. Lady Amina spends about a day in the port. The next day she hires a few experienced guides for the trek to Mar'Qedir. It is a long journey, but the experienced guides are able to cut the trip down to two weeks. There are sightings of massive sand worms and sand sharks, but with guides are able to guide the party safely around the creatures to make their destination. Every couple of days, the party stops at an oasis to rest and get out of the blistering sun. And before too long, Lady Amina and the adventurers arrive at Mar'Qedir. The large walled city provides refuge from the Living Sands. Buildings of various sizes fill the city, with several distinct districts. Lady Amina leads the group through the gates and into one of the wealthier districts. She welcomes everyone into her mansion, stating they are welcome to rest and eat the food here until the request ends.

Just waiting on DragonZaid. I'll give him another day or two. Piper also needs to roll her saving throw for the pie.

Unfortunately, I just don't have it in me to continue running this game. So I'm going to end it here. Thank you for playing. If I end up running a game you're interested in playing in the future, just let me know and I'll reserve you a spot.