The Incredible Case of the Missing Artefacts (PT)

(OOC: Alright, how exactly do you want me to proceed from this point on? Just grab the orb and teleport, or shall I go for something more complex? The way this is done has some relevance to the later pursuit, so...)

(OOC: If you try to just grab it, they aren't exactly going to stand around and let you do it. There's going to be some violence and that's bound to attract a passing guard.)

(OOC: I figured something like that would happen, yeah. Maybe I'll have the mage fire a few sleep spells at them, then kill a few of them, grab the orb and teleport, only to find out that they missed someone?)

(OOC: Sure, why not.)

Lorias nods, and replies, "It has been a long journey for us, and we thank you for your welcome." He then advances forward with the others, and once they get close enough Sato suddenly mutters some arcane words and the priests fall asleep. Joza closes in and quickly kills the now sleeping priests, while Lorias dashes forward to grab the Orb. Then, Sato mutters a few more arcane words and teleports all three of them away, one by one.

However, they didn't quite manage to kill all the witnesses as hoped...

Indeed, a passing pilgrim had entered just as Sato began teleporting himself away and immediately alerted the guards. From the description, it was quickly concluded that they were Konarians. The theft is reported to the Konarian government.

The news soon began to reach Konosis and it worked its way up into the Konarian leadership. Both furious at the possible relationship hit the thieves' actions could result in and pleased at a chance to possibly catch Konarian criminals who were fugitives overseas, she sent a letter to the Ermarians suggesting that they form a team consisting of people from both nations to catch the thieves.

The Empress agrees to this course of action, as it did strain things a bit with Avernum. They offer to send a group of investigators trained by the Surface Explorers themselves.

(OOC: No ultra-wanked characters in my party, though the leader is an Empire Dervish.)

(OOC: I think I'll keep using Dalor, Daedas, and Credic, although I think I might reset them to a more "pristine" state.)

With that agreed upon, Deea alerts the Ermarians that the Konarian party will set out immediately and will arrive in Gale as soon as possible.

A band of four Ermarians, lead by the Dervish Gaius Magnus, greet them when they arrive. "Ave. I am Gaius Magnus. Welcome to Gale. This is my wizard, Sybille Stentor; my priest, Colette Marence; and my archer, Sergius Turrias."

Dalor replies, "Salutations, and my thanks for the warm welcome. I am Dalor Tardin of the Imperial Garde of Konosis, and accompanying me are Daedas Junias of the Ranger's Guild of Konosis and Credic Alimin, a specialist in Conjurations and Ice Magic."

(OOC: I just made their last names up, with the old forum now gone )

(OOC: After spending a long time trying to think up names, I just grabbed some from New Vegas and Skyrim and called it a day.)

"A good choice of people to bring. Come. Our horses are ready to take us to Lorelei."

As they head for the horses, he says, "Our people have sealed off the Temple for our arrival save for a wizard who's divining the location of the thieves. Hopefully, we can arrive by the time he's done. We'd have gotten it finished sooner but we had to fetch Anama officials from the Isle of Bigail to properly unseal the magical defenses, temporarily."

Dalor nods, and says, "Has any headway been made on the location of the thieves?"

"We're still divining but it appears they remained on the same continent, with indication that they've moved southward, so that's something."

They mount the horses and head for Lorelei. It's around a day and a half trip. Conversation can continue on the way, though.

Dalor and Daedas remain mostly quiet, but Credic strikes up a conversation with Sybille and asks him/her about the kind of spells at his/her disposal.

(OOC: For reference, I'm planning to have Credic have the following spellbooks, and this is fairly different from last time and is considerably more coherent. Although the wiki is normally a terrible reference for this game, it's good enough to give you some ideas of what the spells do.

Book of Conjurations
Book of Frost
Book of Ice.)

She goes over a list of various spells such as firestorm, ice bolts, ice walls, and barrier dispelling. Primarily destruction skills though she is learning to enchant items as well.

(OOC: She goes up to around fifth level of mage spells and two levels of priest. Collette is reversed. Going to throw in some Elder Scrolls stuff in there, too.)

(OOC: Pass.)

Several days later, they arrive at Lorelei. At the Temple of the Anama, the wizard divining their location walks out.

"They have fled towards the South and appear to be fleeing for one of the ports there. They have just passed through Sharimik, capital of Karnold Province."

"Sharimik? That's only a day's ride ahead. Hurry!"

Map of Valorim

Spoiler:

Dalor says, "Very well, let us set off immediately," saddles himself, and sets off, with Daedas and Credic following close behind him.

After riding down the road to Sharimik, they pause there to ask where strangers of the thieves' description went. One of those they met mentioned they stole some horses and rode off into the direction of Angel's Rest.

And they of course change direction.

Midway to Angel's Rest, they see a set of hoof prints diverge off the road. Magnus calls for a halt.

They do so, and Daedas inspects the hoof prints.

Sergius Turrias gets off his horse to inspect as well. Carefully stepping around, he determines they are indeed the tracks of the thieves. He suddenly halts to look in the direction those tracks went.

Sergius suddenly looks dazed and confused.

"Damn, they're here!" Gaius unsheathes his sword. Sybille makes ready to cast a firestorm but she is teleported away.