Xander Prometheus, master of the Shaded City Guild, noticed the talents of three individuals and promoted them to Guild Protectorates. Their job was to protect the guild from any offense, be it external or from within.
24 hours later, and the guild was destroyed....
An explosion blares throughout the guild hall. Most members were aware of a possible attack, but this devastation is far bolder than anyone expected. Zeeto, Lanor, and Arya, our three recently promoted heroes, immediately rise to see the true horror of this offense. These warriors grab their respective weapons and move to investigate; Lanor, his bow and quiver with a dozen arrows; Arya and her double bladed halberd; and Zeeto his khopesh blade.
The explosion emanated from the barracks down the hall from the Protectorates. Had this been just one day prior, our heroes would have been at the heart of the attack and burnt to crisp guildies.
The roof, stressing the strength of pillars holding it up, won't last long. Zeeto, Lanor, and Arya run outside to the streets immediately before the entire structure collapses on itself.
They are confronted by 3 drooling goblins armed with rusty blades that look as if they'd break at a slight breeze. They stand precisely across from each of our Protectorates.
How will our heroes react?
Roll for initiative
Zeeto
Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10
Lanor
Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20
Arya
Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1
*Here's where I break DM character a bit. Depending on these rolls, players should answer (in order of highest score first). In future battles I'll add in enemy initiative, but here, we learn how to play this on a forum board. Respond pretty much however you'd like, and as your DM, I roll a die to see how successful you are.
An example might be (assuming Lanor gets highest initiative)...
Lanor readies his bow, grabs an arrow, aims, and fires at the goblin directly across from him.
The first thing to roll is a 20 sided die, or d20, to see if you'd even hit the enemy. Use the forum dice roller to roll a d20 (PM me if you don't know how it works)
If you roll above an 8 (because these goblins aren't really super tough despite their ability to blow up a building), you'd hit your target. I'll let you know how much damage you inflict, and the next highest initiative would respond.
You're not limited to attacking. You could, in theory, choose to attempt to cartwheel in front of the goblins as a distraction. Or maybe you want to grab a two by four engulfed in flames and wave it about as if the goblins are tyrannosaurs. Who knows....it might distract them...?
****I've re-edited this post and now the forums have claimed a dice warning. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO CHEATERS...and moderators trying to exemplify rules.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Dammit i forgot to say what I wanted to do, is this how it works?
Lanor attempts to move off to the side so as to get a better position to attack the goblins with his bow
Lanor paces to his left, forcing the closest goblin to focus solely on the gnome ranger, readies his bow, and fires
You didn't specify if you'd like to attack. You may move a short distance and then strike, which is what I assumed you're trying to do.
Lanor scores a 7 but his dexterity modifier turns his score to a 9
HIT!
Lanor's arrow effortlessly glides into the goblin's chest, who immediately drops to the ground
It is now Zeeto's turn.
Zeeto dashes forward, his blade raised high, and strikes at the goblin nearest him.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
Zeeto swings his blade at his target, but the goblin dodges the strike. However, Zeeto focuses the goblins' attention on himself instead of Arya and Lanor.
It is now Arya's turn.
(https://claytonia.net/forums/Themes/Teknomaxi/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8
Arya sends her wolf (I'll come up with a name later) to the last goblin to distract him. When his back is turned, Arya lunges in to stab his back.
(Btw trying to tamper with this roll here to see what it does (https://claytonia.net/forums/Themes/Teknomaxi/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d6 : 2, total 2
er... oops. I didn't think it would do that The text up top is the original roll. Wait it says it's been tampered with even if I just modify the text. I think we should keep the dice roll to a different post so we can still modify the text without making that angry red text come up)
Arya's Wolf emits a bright and distracting light, and play-bows to the goblins. This successfully averts the attention of both enemies, who've now turned their backs to Arya.
Arya swings her double bladed staff at the third goblin.
HIT
The creature has no time to react and drops lifelessly to the ground
The last goblin is now surrounded by Zeeto, Arya, and the incandescent canine. He moves to strike Zeeto with his rusted short sword
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
MISS
The goblin's attack is easily avoided by Zeeto
Note: The reason why he missed is because the AC roll in the post above is less than 13, Zeeto's AC score.
It is now Lanor's turn.
Lanor takes aim at the third Goblin but attempts to disarm rather than kill the creature so as to interrogate
Not sure if this is allowed but yeah haha
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
Its totally allowed and I like it. Its a tough shot, so you'd need an 18 or higher. Thanks to your dexterity modifier you get a 20 (but not a critical. you'd have to roll an unmodified 20)
Lanor carefully aims at the goblin's armed hand, and lets his arrow fly.
HIT
The arrow flies true. It not only penetrates the goblin's hand, but also the wine barrel conveniently next to him, holding the creature at bay for the moment
It is now Zeeto's turn.
(So, Toki says I should have rope, so I'll try to use it XD)
Zeeto attempts to grab the goblin's hand and tie it behind its back.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
The goblin tries to free itself from the implanted arrow, but before he can, Zeeto easily subdues and restrains this monster. It continues to struggle in attempt to free itself.
The Protectorates survey their surroundings and see the rest of the town is untouched. The guild seems to be the only target of this attack.
Arya, you're up.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
Arya brings up the halberd to the goblin's grossly wart-filled neck to crush all it's ideas of escaping. Staring into it's frightened eyes, she demanded, "Why did you blow this place up? Who sent you here?"
Although most humanoids in this realm do indeed understand at least a few words in goblin, this dialect is far different than anyone in the party has ever heard.
All members of the party preform wisdom checks. Checks, unlike AC rolls (which you must score higher than to hit), must be within the range of the particular affected ability, + or - your ability modifier.
Lanor: 2 (3 including mod)
Zito: 3 (5 including mod)
Arya: 7 (7 including mod)
All member successfully preform wisdom checks, and recognize just a few words of goblin.
Starting...revenge...lesson...
A dart flies, from beyond the burning wreckage that once was the Shaded City Guild, to pierce the forehead of the goblin. The victim of this interrogation is dead before another question can be asked.
The party turns towards the new assailant, but to no avail. This mystery attacker escapes through the smoke and cinder.
The ruckus of the attack wakes several town officials, including the sheriff of Shaded City. He's an older human, who's served the city for, at least, decades. Most of the town has the utmost respect of the man, although our Protectorates question this conclusion.
The sheriff, who looks as if he can barely lift his sword, questions, "What goes on here?"
The entire party may either PM one another on how to answer, or may answer separately.
Zeeto replies "Officer, we have been attacked by a band of Goblins. We fought them off, and even captured one. Unfortunately, before he could say much, an unknown assailant silenced him."
(Not sure if I'm supposed to roll here, but I will anyways.)
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
Zeeto suavely explains the situation.
The Sheriff responds, "Quite a story, tall elf man. I'll have my men look at your guild."
The sheriff eyes the unarmored Protectorates. "I reckon all your armor, money, and supplies were in that there burning building. Talk to the armorer and the general store owners. That 'splosion woke 'em for sure. They might be able to help you out."
The sheriff sends over several officers to contain the fire, and assess the damage. Thankfully, the explosion and ensuing fire was precisely limited to the guild. The general store is on the east side of the guild, and an armorer just to the west. A small residential district lies further west. The road out of town, and most likely from where the goblins approached, is further east. Unlike most towns, Shaded City has banned the distribution and consumption of alcohol, so there's no pub.
The sheriff grabs the goblin and question the Protectorates, "You all done with this?", and drags the carcass behind him as he saunters off to the west.
I've added 100 exp to your characters. Congratulations on finishing your first combat!
Now, you've got choices. You can visit the stores, follow the sheriff, go off on adventure, or something else entirely unexpected. You may answer in any order, as this is out of combat. Keep several things in mind. Your charisma and comeliness modifiers take effect in conversations. It's sometimes wise to have one member speak for the group. However, you don't need to stick together whilst in town. I'd suggest leaving town as a group though. The world outside town is full of bandits, creatures, and any manner of dangerous beasts and animals. PM one another if you wish (its probably going to help out a lot).
You don't need to roll d20 for super basic things, such as... Player attempts to walk into store . Do roll before any conversation, be it bartering or flirting. If you try to steal something, you'd roll. Want to follow someone stealthily? Roll d20. Want to just follow, without care of his notice, no roll needed. If you don't think you need to roll, PM me first just to be sure.
Ayra makes her way off to the shops, leaving the other two to do as they please. She passes the wreckage of her old guild with a somber, dragging walk; she was looking forward to protecting this place and the first time she was put to it, she failed. Not that there was anything she could have done. It was a surprise attack and she did the best she could. Arya consoled herself with these facts and walked on with her head down. Because her head was down, she spotted a purple flower shining through fallen beams of the guild by the light of her luminous wolf. A mandrake! She realized at once that this was the guild's rare herb garden and this one root had been saved from destruction. She greedily dug up the root and pocketed the herb. Perhaps, she thought, the root could fetch a pretty price with the shop keepers. Otherwise, she could keep it for personal use, as a sleeping aid, or in larger amounts, a deadly poison. Feeling happy about her find, she walked into the town shop, leaving her wolf just outside so as not to scare the shopkeeper.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 11, total 11[/blockquote]
Zeeto attempts to follow the sheriff, keeping just out of sight.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
Lanor decides to go over to the Armourers to procure some weapons, he arrives to find the shop open for business and begins to talk to the owner about weapons, after bartering Lanor turns attention to quests and asks if their are any favours that the owner needs doing, Lanor also notices the owners short responses.
(https://claytonia.net/forums/Themes/Teknomaxi/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14
had to tamper as i kept writing Woodsy instead of Lanor original roll hasn't changed
Its totally cool. This is an evolving game and I appreciate all your patience to help it continue.
Arya successfully identifies mandrake root
A bell rings as Arya enters the general store, with the illumination from Arya's wolf fading as the door shuts. Its a fairly standard general store. Lanterns, oil, tents, food, and other basic survival supplies line the walls. There's surely more valuable supplies hidden behind the counter.
The human shop owner is clearly happy to see the potential customer is a fellow human.
"Welcome to the Shaded City general store!", he declares. "Is there something I can help you with? The sheriff's men explained the situation. Our town guild has helped out my store several times over, and I'd be happy to offer basic supplies on whatever journey lies before you."
The store keep shows Arya a backpack with basic explorer supplies: waterskin, 10 ft rope, flint & steel, sleeping pad, hatchet, bush knife, and a slightly used torch.
The shopkeep adds, "I'll throw in some field rations for you too. Here's 3 days worth. Be sure to check out the armorer. He might pay good money for an exotic weapon like the one you've got."
Sidebar:
Way to go Millarz on trying to identify a plant! This is the sort of back and forth I like between players and the DM. Keep it up!
Also note that I did, although secretly, roll against Arya's identification attempt. Because of her herbalism feat, she successfully identified the plant by just 1. If I rolled a little higher, she would have misidentified the plant.
Zeeto follows the sheriff in stealth
The Sheriff, perhaps due to his indiscernible age, and questionable hearing, has absolutely no idea he's being followed. Zeeto easily tracks the sheriff through the residential district and into his home.
Zeeto peeks over the edge of a window to witness something unexpected by the elven Pretectorate: the Sheriff skewered the goblin with the intent of cooking and eating it!
Zeeto knows goblins are technically edible. Its not unlike eating spoiled fish that's been living in a sewer drain for a bit, but yes...its technically food. Zeeto grimaces in severe displeasure as this elected official sinks his teeth into his grotesque meal.
It seems Zeeto, although quite surreptitiously, has quite completely wasted his time following the sheriff.
Arya is pleasantly surprised. She wasn't expecting so much kindness from the general store owner. "Thank you very much, kind sir" she replies, "and would you happen to have supplies for my two friends as well? And possibly... some other useful rarities? My party will be traveling far to find whoever attacked our guild. All the help we can get would be appreciated." She looks up at the man with an innocent, little girl smile. Yes, she is a girl, however perhaps not so innocent as she looks. That being said, there is no hint of malicious intent in her gaze. She truly only wishes to see his rarities. She continued, "I have a rare herb to trade for something useful. It was only found in the Shaded City Guild Gardens and all but one was destroyed. It will fetch a pretty price to a paying customer."
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 11, total 11[/blockquote]
(Lol yuck I'd never think to eat a goblin unless I was desperate :p And how does rolling against me work anyways? You have to roll lower than I do +- modifications from my feat and stuff? And phew for identifying it correctly!)
Zeeto turns away from the gruesome scene before him, disgusted by the sheriff's actions. He decides to join Lanor in the armory, to see what he can find. On his way there, he thinks he spots the assailant in a side alley, and rushes after him. Unfortunately, it turned out to be just a sewer rat running from a nearby stall with his prize. Zeeto stops him, and asks him to quietly hand it over, and the boy obliges. Zeeto then continues his short trek to the Armory, after returning the stolen goods.
You've got it, Millarz! Its called a check roll, and is similar to armor class (or AC rolls). Your d20 roll (with any modifiers) must be higher than my check roll. This is why modifiers are so useful. They can completely save any action attempts (as it did with the plant identification). Keep in mind, rolling a 20 or 1 would be an extreme success or failure, respectively. No matter the modifier, you will succeed or fail. Additional unexpected actions tend to follow. No spoilers, so you'll have to find out what happens when someone rolls one.
The armorer is noticeably displeased the moment Lanor enters the store, but attempts to help Gnomish customer nonetheless.
"We've got weapons", speaks the storekeep as he points to his right. "and armor". He gestures to the left. The shelves are sparsely filled with equipment. There are a few uninspired steel swords in dire need of sharpening, an odd spear that's been halved and connected with a length of rope, several hide quivers with a sign above it marked "errowz?", and a barrel with staves of different woods. The armor side is slightly more impressive. There are several sets of padded leather armor, chain mail shirts, and one remarkable brigandine coat. Further inspection of the armor shows it once beared the mark of the imperial guard, but has been scratched away. This is not an uncommon practice even inside the Capitol and its towering pillared walls.
The distant Capitol, once this realm's pride, fell into disarray nearly three decades ago. Countless intentionally confusing and poorly worded bureaucratic laws, and a poorly instituted, mandated, standardized educational system destroyed the most powerful City from the inside-out. Its been long been abandoned by anyone with money or means to escape. The remaining Imperial Guards usurped control through brute force and utter fear, pillaging and raiding the homes of the citizens they were once elected to protect.
Its no wonder at the store-owner's attempt to hide this armor's origin.
As Lanor navigates the stock, Zeeto enters the store.
The owner is clearly unhappy to see an Elf, and speaks to him as if here were an infant.
"Ohhhhhhhh. Heeeellllloooooo.", greets the owner. Each word is more drawn out and simply spoken than the last. "Theeese are caaaalllled weapons. Yooou caaan make a nice wooden figurine with a smaaaallller kniiife."
The general store-owner's eye's light up as soon as he recognizes the root.
"That IS something!", declares the owner. "I'm afraid I don't have much to offer for such a rarity." He ponders in consideration for a moment.
"There's a man, just out of town. Claims to be some sort of alchemist. He'll pay good money for something like that. I'll give your allies packs and supplies if you three deliver a small parcel to the man. Deal?"
Lanor asks the armourer if he can exchange the spear on the rope for something he also greets Zito asking about what the guild master has to say, he then suggests we should go and meet up with Arya, hopefully she has had more luck than I with the shopkeepers of this awful capitol
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
Back at the armory
"Do you even know how to use it?", questions the agitated armorer. "This is an ancient weapon from lands no one has even heard of. Don't touch it, or look at it, or try to breath near it. Its meant for proud human hands, not clumsy Gnome flesh mitts, or dainty fists of an Elf"
The storekeep down at the weapon, then pans between Lanor and Zeeto, back to the weapon, and smiles. "Tell you what....if you do me a little favor, its yours. There's a lake outside of town just a few days walk from here. At the bottom of the lake lies a very special weapon. Its a sword unlike any you've seen. If you bring it to me, you may have anything in this shop."
Sidebar:
I roll a charisma check for the storekeep against Lanor's and Zeeto's wisdom. He rolls a 4 which is well within the boundaries of their wisdom, and therefore doesn't fool anyone. Had he rolled higher than your wisdom, he story would have been more believable.
Lanor and Zeeto aren't fooled for a moment. This man is clearly lying, and instead sending the two on, at best, a wild goose chase.
"Thank you very much!" says Arya. "I shall go deliver the parcel just as soon as I hop to the armory! Good day to you, sir." She walks out of the shop and to the armory with her wolf right behind her. Leaving her wolf outside once again, she enters the armory and is surprised to be greeted by both Zeeto and Lanor, as well as a shopkeeper who looks as if he could use some intelligence-boosting potions.
After greeting her two party members, she walks up to the counter and says, "Hello, sir. I would like to trade this halberd for a weapon more suitable to a ranger. Perhaps a bow and some arrows, as well as some sort of blade and armor to go with it. Would you be so kind as to show me what there is in store?" Arya glances around the shop and spies some valuable gear hidden among garden-variety armor. "Your shop is lovely," she adds. "Surely you have top notch equipment. I must travel with these two here gentlemen to find the criminal who blew the guild up. All the help I could get to bring those criminals to justice would be appreciated. It's for the protection of you and the city. What if those criminals come back?"
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
The shopkeep couldn't be happier to see a human walk through his door. He immediately ignores Zeeto and Lanor to bring his focus onto Arya. He greets her, "hello fellow human, its excellent to see you this evening. This is all my armor, and the brigandine is the finest protection we offer. For that rare exotic weapon, I'll offer the brigandine coat for you along with a wooden hunting bow and a quiver of arrows. "
SUCCESS *
He eyeballs Arya's allies. "For them...they can take the padded leather. But you want my advice." This is clearly rhetorical as he doesn't pause for response. "Ditch these jesters, and get a real man on your force." The owner stands attempts to stand tall and sucks in his gut in a pitiful attempt to impress Arya.
*Successful due to several elements, most importantly because this armorer is more than slightly bias towards humans. She also had a high roll which I used for a charisma check.
Upon a different circumstance, Arya would have given the shopkeeper a verbal licking for his utter blind racism. For now, she held her tongue, as the shopkeeper had control over the equipment she would obtain. Arya made a slight bow to the shopkeeper. "Thank you for your offers. I'd be honored to don this brigadine coat and the hunting bow shall work perfectly. And these "jesters" are finer party members than they look. Besides, he can fit through smaller holes," Arya said, motioning to Lanor, "and he can reach things off of higher shelves that shortie me can't reach," she said with a little smirk. Perhaps humor would make this shopkeeper less disagreeable? "All three of us are rangers, so I would need a melee weapon to protect myself just in case something jumps on me and I can't draw my bow. A dagger would do. Would you happen to have a suitable dagger available?"
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
The shop-keep, although disappointed the ease of her rejection, leans down to grab a small box from behind the display counter.
"I've got this", speaks the owner as he unhinges the lock and opens up the small case revealing a brilliant, perfectly sharpened steel stiletto with a deep red hardened leather handle. "I hate to part with this weapon, but this tiny box isn't a proper home for such a beautiful blade. Its yours for a favor".
Surely, something vulgar is about to come out of this miscreants mouth, but surprisingly, his offer is legitimate. "I mentioned a lake in jest. Well this lake actually exists, although it IS slightly infested with flesh eating fish. Probably don't swim in it. There is nearby cave where this brigandine and stiletto were found. A locked chest, too heavy to carry, lies in this cave. Split the contents of this chest with me and we're square."
The grotesque store owner slides the case to Arya. The blade is now hers, regardless of whatever follow through she might plan.
Zeeto doesn't like the armorer's attitude, and decides to have some fun. "So, you want us to go on a quest for you?" He says slyly as he slowly saunter's closer to the armorer. "Why not sweeten the deal? You gave our friend here that fine blade, why not give us something just as nice?" Zeeto is now close enough to the shopkeep to see the pores on his face. "My Gnomish friend here is an excellent shot with a bow, and we want something as well." On the word "we" three more Zeetos appear and surround the vendor.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Arya was hoping the shopkeeper would be kind enough to offer all three of them daggers, but the one he gave her was perfect for its job. She inwardly winces at at Zeeto's lack of tact. Apparently diplomatic butt-kissing wasn't his way of dealing with things. Then again, that tactic probably wouldn't work comping from an elf with this shopkeeper. Having gotten what she wanted, Arya let Zeeto have his fun and hoped he would get something out of it for himself and for Lanor.
Lanor waits caring little for the armourer, however this quest he mentions to Arya sounds interesting, If the shopkeeper has seen this chest their may be something rather rare in their, especially his weariness of telling two of other race, this leads me to believe their is something important in there. Out of the corner of Lanor's eye he sees multiple Zeetos, having seen this trick before Lanor began to laugh. Realising that they had spent far too much time in this town Lanor wanders over to the Sign marked "Errowz" and begins correcting the shabby spelling.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
*kerpflunk* The racist, decrepit shop-keep hit the floor like a sack of potatoes after the sight of multiple Zeetos. Closer inspection reveals the fainted man will, not only be out for hours, but will wake up to nothing but a pair of soiled pants, and an error free arrow sign.
Arya feels bad for leaving the man like this after he presented her with a gift, but she supposes he does in a way deserve it. She takes another quiver of arrows just in case and puts it in the backpack she got from the general store. To herself, she thinks that if the three rangers do find the chest and manage to open it, she'll secretly drop some of its contents off at the shop unbeknownst to her party members and the shopkeeper. Certainly not much of the chest and nothing too valuable. But she couldn't leave someone helpless like this no matter how rotten he or she was.
To the others, she says, "What do you say, boys? Shall we go investigate that chest he's talked about? Personally, I'm up for it. But first, we should go visit this alchemist the general store keeper told me about. I have to deliver something to him so the general store keeper will give you guys a backpack full of essentials. This alchemist will probably give us helpful items for when we go exploring. I could go myself, but it's just outside of the city and there's safety in numbers. You guys coming with or am I soloing this?"
Zeeto stops his illusion. "Yeah. Let's go." As he says this, he grabs the hunting bow and hands it to Lanor. He then grabs the Brigandine Coat and puts it on. Zeeto walks out the door, and waits for his companions.
Zeeto thinks a bit once he is outside, and steps back in to the store for some unfinished business. Zeeto sees a room in the back of the store, and decides to investigate.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
The storage room is mostly empty, although brightly lit due to several oil lanterns. A bare small table with a lone chair occupies the nearest corner of the room. There are several crates, without anything of much value, although Zeeto notes a box of fine bowstrings. The rest seem like more shoddy equipment: insecure steel swords that would have trouble slicing butter, tattered cloth armor, and...another, smaller, box marked "lidel errowz". Clearly, the author meant crossbow bolts.
Zeeto grabs the bowstrings, figuring he can use them or sell them at some point. He then looks around a bit more hoping to find something more worthwhile.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
"Jeez thanks for stealing my stuff," Arya says to Zeeto. The thick-headed elf walked out the door instead of replying, so Arya just rolled her eyes and snooped around for another brigadine coat. She found one, less shiny than the other but still just as good otherwise and browsed the bows in stock and picked up the one that felt it fit her best. She still had the dagger, now sheathed with an ornate sheath she picked up behind the man's counter. She knew his store would be looted by robbers before he woke up. Might as well take some things for her personal use rather than to be sold to some shady street-dwellers. Zeeto did not seem to want to accompany her to the alchemist and Lanor was not paying attention, so she set off the the old man herself.
Out of the city and nearly at the alchemist's house, Arya spotted a small wild boar. Having not had breakfast because of the goblin hullabaloo, her stomach rumbled thinking about the hog's delicious bacon underside. The boar hadn't spotted her yet, so she drew up her bow and arrow and took a shot at its eye. Perhaps this piggy could be lunch?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
(I am actually really hungry right now and now I want bacon. Darn it.)
A further investigation of the room reveals the walls are made of cobblestone, and the floor, of some sort of wood. Perhaps mahogany....
Undaunted by his lack of finding anything so far, Zeeto takes an even closer look at the room. This time, he hopes to find something.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
Nope....its Oak. Meanwhile, the store owner stirs a moment, but recedes back into his induced slumber.
Zeeto sighs heavily. "Well, I guess there's nothing here after all." Zeeto leaves the room, and subsequently, the shop. He kicks the shopkeep a bit on the way out. Zeeto heads in the direction of the alchemist, hoping to meet up with Arya.
Arya's Now Solo Journey:
MISS
The arrow's trajectory starts true, but is altered by the foliage. The wild pig, now aware of Arya, sprints away from the old man's house and towards the town.
"Drat," Arya says as she scuffs her feet on the ground. She walks to go retrieve her arrow. Upon finding it, she looks up to see a much bigger, tusk less hog a few feet in front of her. Dang, that little porker must have been her baby. Too bad. Arya was hungry for bacon and the hog was standing there looking at her in a defensive position. Arya threaded the retrieved arrow and fired it straight at the mother's eye. She seriously wanted bacon.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
MISS
Arya aims at the beasts eye, but is startled as she releases.
*SNAP!* ....
*wheeeeeeeee!*
The mother boar is gone before Arya can grab another arrow. What was that sound?
The young wild boar's journey was cut short by an animal trap. Zeeto, heard the squeal as well and meets up with Arya at its origin.
At first Zeeto and Arya are quite amused by act, but, like old goat's milk, this amusement quickly turns sour.
*crunch* *crunch*
The sneaking dark figure fools Arya, but not Zeeto's acute Elven ears. The two Protectorates quickly turn around to witness a talk dark, hooded humanoid bearing the symbol of the rival Mallows Edge Guild, and a much smaller.....cat?
Calculated Initiative rolls:
Arya: 17
Zeeto: 19
S'kavara: 9
Aiden: 10
This will be the first PVP (so no one will perma die). Simply attempt to do any action (spell, strike, dance, etc.) and use the imbedded dice roller. I'll calculate the registered hits (and therefore any checks) and let you know how successful you are. Good luck players!
Zeeto quickly realizes what this is. It's an ambush. "Arya, it's Mallow's Edge!" he yells. Zeeto hops back a few feet, and attempts to summon three phantasms of himself superimposed on him.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
Aiden's wisdom check FAILS
S'kavara wisdom check SUCCEEDS
Aiden is confused by the sudden new combatants, and his attention diverted from Zeeto and Arya. S'kavara isn't fooled by the phantasms; his gaze remains fixated on the tall Elf.
Arya, you're up.
Lanor also heads out of the town hoping to meet up with his two companions after seeing the battle he jumps into combat mode equipping the bow handed to him by Zeeto, then hops into a better position where the enemies cannot see him. From here, Lanor waits for an opportunity to attack.
Initiative Roll For Lanor: 14
Sorry I deleted your last post. After thinking about how to bring you into this combat, I've decided (after some inner turmoil, and a few re-edits) for you to just to wait until your initiative comes up. So you go after Arya.
Arya is very happy that she finally could have pig for lunch (though she didn't get it by the way she meant to get it). Of course, two bad-guy wannabes had to ruin her fantasizing about bacon. Well, some hooded guy and his kitty cat. How annoying. Arya takes the opportunity of Zeeto's distraction to aim and shoot at the kitty's eye. Hopefully, she thought, that this time she would actually hit her target instead of scare it into the enemy's trap.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Arya's arrow glides perfectly through the air at the seemingly unbeknownst feline.
MISS
At the very latest possible moment, Aiden jumps above the projectile, and lands on it as it protrudes from an oak behind him. There's something entirely singular about this animal....
Meanwhile, Lanor sees an opportunity to attack from his hide.
Lanor, you're up.
Lanor assesses the situation and spots the hive of bees hanging above the heads of the opposition seizing this opportunity he fires an arrow high up towards the branch in hope to knock the hive loose, upon doing this he jumps out and shouts, "Hey Bozo's, Look up"
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
SUCCESS
Lanor's arrow slices through the branch, dropping the entire hive towards the ground. Aiden and S'kavara dive opposite of one another, narrowly avoiding the hive. The bees swarm, attempting to attack anything that moves. They manage to sting both Zeeto and Aiden before dissipating into the wilderness.
Zeeto and Aiden are undamaged but slightly woozy due to the multiple stings. They will experience a -1 modifier to dex rolls (ranged attack OR defensive checks) for the rest of this battle.
Aiden did witness the bees fly straight through Zeeto's phantasms and is no longer fooled by them.
Aiden is up next.
Sidebar:
Just to let everyone know that I didn't just pull these actions out of nowhere, id like to share my DM actions. Firstly, Lanor's shot wasn't super difficult as a branch isn't a moving target, and the AC of a still branch (unarmored) isn't very high. Next, I calculated dexterity check for both aiden and S'kavara (in order of initiative), who both passed, and therefore dodged the falling object. After this I needed to figure out some way for the bees to attack people that wasn't unfair for all. I rolled luck checks for all, only Zeeto and Aiden failed those. Everyone here is tough, so the stings wouldn't damage, rather its like a weak debuffing poison.
I also rolled another wisdom check for Aiden, so he was no longer fooled by Zeeto's spell.
Aiden glares intensely at Lanor, his eyes seemingly igniting with the fire of his hatred. "You want to go, gnome boy?" The cat growled, a bright flame growing around his body. He pushes himself up onto his back legs, forms a large ball of fire between his paws, and hurls it at the Protectorate.
Fire Bolt [blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
HIT
Lanor, realizing he cannot dodge this attack, instinctively attempts to block the burning projectile with his arm. The ensuing blast knocks back Lanor and does 2 damage.
S'kavara is up.
He turns his head and watches as his four legged friend deals a blow to the midgit. He looks back towards the Elf and the Female Human. "Two strangers walk up, and this is how you react. What if I was here to help you, or maybe I was just passing by and over heard the pigs and wanted to see what was going on." A long black furred tail unfurls from under his shirt. "Some people know to much hostility, so when strangers appear, they attack them for no reason." The tail reaches up and slides the bow from its rest. "I stand before you showing a small cat, and your best thought is to kill it?" his arms became unfolded from his chest and now lays at his sides. "It is just a cat!" His tail places the bow into his left hand, as he draws two arrows and places them on the strings for a ready shot. "I guess this is one of the many reasons that I hate you." He draws the bow and points between the elf and human. "I also geuss that hating you will make this so much easier." Without another word he fires the shot of two arrows, one arrow flys towards Arya and the other towards Zeeto. He lowers the bow to his side and his tail slightly wags behind him.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
FAILURE
The intended shots veer off course. One flies a few feet past Zeeto. The other shot did, in fact, hit a live target. Everyone turns their heads at the trapped wild boar, now with an arrow in its rump and an even more uneasy look on its face. This is not his day....
Zeeto, it is your turn.
Zeeto chuckles a bit at the enemy's attempt to shoot two targets at once. "Is that really what you're trying?". Zeeto thinks a bit and decides to have some more fun. He attempts to summon three more mirror images of himself, all the while rushing at the Half-Panther with his Khopesh blade.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
FAILURE
Aiden and S'kavara aren't fooled the same multiple phantasms, and keep their attention on the only dangerous incomer. As Zeeto swings his blade, summoning all the force he can muster, some thing distracts him. Aiden has scurried up the Protectorate's leg, clawing his way to Zeeto's arms! Any attempts to swing at the small beast are met in frustration. Zeeto backs off after Aiden flawlessly land on the sword, mid-swing, and flips backwards towards S'kavara.
What will Arya do next?
(I've decided to name my spirit wolf Mayar. It means moon glow in Turkish).
Jeez, shooting arrows is not Arya's thing today. Screw her bow. While the two kitty cats were distracted by Zeeto's clown act, she slung her bow over her shoulder and reached her hand down in one fluid, practiced motion. "Hey kitty cats! Meet Mayar the dog!" she screams at them as her wolf leaps to her hand.
Instantly, the world is still and every living thing turns to a ghostly glowing image, just like Mayar. Ah, the spirit world. Arya loved coming here, even just to walk around. Everything is a quiet, glowing reflection of the overworld. It is like Arya is looking at the reflection on the surface of a pool, but from within the reflection itself. She looks at her own hands. They glow too, but unlike anything else in this world, there's something solid underneath the glow. As Mayar does not fit in the overworld, Arya does not completely fit into the spirit world.
Theoretically, she could stay in this place for quite a while. No matter how long she stayed here, she would appear back at the overworld nearly an instant after she left it. Time didn't really correlate between the two worlds. However the longer she stayed, the longer it took to recover from transporting her physical body to the spirit world. If she stayed in here too long, her spirit would peel away from her body and effectively, she'd be dead. Permanently. Technically, she was dead whenever she went into the spirit world anyways. If her fingers started to tingle and the glow started moving away from her solid fingers, she knew she'd not have much longer until she had to return to the overworld. But that feeling wouldn't start until minutes later. Still, for battle purposes, she couldn't stay in the spirit world long. Any longer than 10 seconds and she'd be in a considerably weak state for battle and would practically be asking the enemy to send her back to the spirit world without her solid body.
Arya looks around at her spirit surroundings. She sees the two cats in front of her. Their souls are blackened far past the point a lesser intelligent creature could only hope to obtain. You needed to be intelligent to purposefully cause evil, after all. "Just a kitty" my butt. Off to the side, she sees the pig she tried shooting before. It was squealing in pain, trapped in an animal trap. Arya couldn't just leave the pig hurt, so she quickly coaxed the pig's spirit out of its body. The pig's spirit and body both relax almost instantly. "Sorry! I promise to not waste your body when I'm done dealing with these kitty-brains!" she calls to the pig as she runs behind the little cat's spirit. She steps on the bigger cat spirit's tail just for good measure. It wouldn't do anything to the cat in the overworld other than possibly make it twitch, but she got some pleasure from the action nonetheless.
Luckily, she knows a trick she learned while hunting; a quick and rather painless death, yet very effective. There's a place at the base of the neck where, if stabbed, severs the spinal cord and effectively makes the animal brain dead. A small, intelligent, armor-less cat was still an animal, right? After she struck, to avoid the bigger cat, she plans on teleporting back to the overworld to go hide behind a tree so he couldn't shoot her. Coward move? Perhaps. She preferred being a smart live coward than a dead bonehead. Arya reaches out her hand and simultaneously positions her other hand to her hip, right around where here dagger's sheath is. Right before Mayar brings her back to the overworld, Arya thinks to herself, "Lanor, if I fail this, you better save my butt." She then teleports to the overworld, draws her dagger, and goes in for the kill.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote] To hit Aiden.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote] To get the heck away from them.
Arya appears out of nothingness behind both attackers, and in a single motion, attempts to thrust her blade into Aiden as she grabs him. Although successful in scruffing the small animal, Arya drops her blade during the scuffle. This beast requires two hands to restrain.
Arya finds herself unarmed, hands fully occupied by a potential flaming feline, and standing next to a six foot tall panther. She does have possibility of post battle bacon...
Lanor's up.
Lanor sees the dire situation that his companions are in and decides its time to stop this, he takes action and picks up Arya's weapon, he uses the weapon to run and pole vault up to behind his enemy and whilst in the air pulls out his bow ready to fire when he lands, as he lands he pulls two arrows from his quiver firing one straight at the attackers.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Lanor's attempt to vault high above all is somewhat thwarted by the diminutive size of the blade. Most stilettos are no longer than eight inches from sharpened tip to the bottom of the scabbard. He does manage some air time, although most of the force required didn't come from the dagger.
Nonetheless, Lanor's agility, and unorthodox method of using a knife, surprises all combatants. His arrows fly somewhat awkwardly, as Lanor doesn't possess the double shot ability, but his luck prevails and the projectiles steady themselves midair; one destined for S'kavara, and the other for Aiden. Lanor, most likely, immediately realizes the flaw in his plan as Aiden is still being held by his ally, Arya!
HIT 3 damage inflicted to S'kavara
S'kavara is as perplexed as anyone to see an arrow in his shoulder, glaring at it as if saying, "I think you've been misplaced"
MISS
Arya, seeing only one way to escape, tosses the captured cat at the incoming missile, and rolls back to her allies. Aiden, quite defiant of several laws of physics, flips midair to kick the arrow to the ground with his back paws, with enough force to land on the shoulders of his now arrow inflicted ally.
Aiden's turn.
Aiden laughs maniacally, fire welling up around him and his ally. Because of his close proximity to S'kavara, the flames do not touch the humanoid panther. Instead, a huge, spiralling wall of flames burst out in all directions, everyone within 10' of the duo are hit by the inferno.
Fire Burst [blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
MISS
The cyclone of flame consumes anything within its radius. The Protectorates manage to throw themselves backwards to avoid the engulfing fire. The wall recedes, hairs are singed, but no one is damaged. The wild pig, now smoked to perfection, looks delicious. Its the perfect centerpiece, and trophy, for these battling champions.
S'kavara, your turn.
Appearing unaffected by the arrow, S'kavara steps forward as he places the bow on the end of his tail. The tail warps around the bow and holds it behind him. "Twice now an elf has shown me a poorly constructed, and horribly executed spell. I wonder how they would react to it." S'kavara mimics the mirror image ability and tries to create two of himself. The now two panter like beings dash forward towards the dwarf splitting apart feet from him. They now close in on him from both sides as they try to deliver a powerful kick on the midget. "I believe the arrow in my shoulder belongs to you, would you like it back?"
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
Just as the protectorates stumble at the sudden appearance of more enemies...
*pThunk*
HIT 2 damage inflicted to Lanor
Punted by S'kavara, the distracted "dwarf" soars through the air. By the time his allies help Lanor to his feet, the two miscreants, and the cooked pig, are gone. No victory bacon today....
Further inspection of the "phantasms" show they are nothing more than painted pictures on wooden boards lowered by rope from the trees. But who controlled this device during the battle? One cat was fighting Lanor. The other clearly lacks proper thumbs. There must have been someone else!
The Protectorates investigate the battleground and find several sets of paw prints and a third pair of what appear to be humanoid feet. Average size. Most likely human, but don't rule out Elf, or some other possibility. All sets lead back to the road.
Congratulations players on completing this PVP tutorial. I will add experience to your sheets for being good sports.
Lanor clearly pissed that his two companions left him behind almost getting themselves and him killed!!!, brushes himself off and checks over his wounds, he suggests "I think its time we stick together and continue on our quest, and you guys had better hope to god he has some way to heal my wounds as I am now left at only 3 health..." picking up his bow and retrieving the arrows he could find he waits for his two companions to lead the way so that he can follow, but not before picking up the now empty beehive and collecting some sweet sweet honey.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
"I know I'll never make the mistake of leaving you behind again Lanor," Zeeto said "Without you, those kittens might have actually killed us. Thank you, friend."
CRITICAL SUCCESS
Lanor gathers up enough honey to fill his entire waterskin, and packs several large hunks of delicious honeycomb into his backpack. He also collects enough dead bees to concoct a concentrated version of the venom, although no one in the party has the skill to create such a poison. When the hive is exhausted of all resources, something else catches his attention. A coinpurse! Some unlucky traveler must have dropped it while foraging. Lanor is now five gold pieces richer.
Zeeto no longer feels the effects of the bee stings.
DM sidebar:
How to handle healing? Rules in regular D&D say you need to sleep it off. I think this is a bit silly. How do you sleep off giant gashes, burns, or a case of arrow-chest??? I think you should have to find the necessary components for healing that particular injury, or something similarly creative. Lanor could sleep off the kicking, but the burns would require something more soothing...or a few days of letting it heal on its own.
Today was NOT Arya's day. "THOSE ROTTEN KITTY CATS STOLE MY BACON!" Arya screams into the woods. She briefly considers slipping into the spirit world to locate the robbers but decided against it, figuring going to attack the two cats over bacon would be stupid and suicidal. She looks at Lanor picking up some of the honey comb and breaks off a small piece and pops it in her mouth. The girl was too annoyed at the loss of her lunch to care if he protested her taking some of the sweet. Its soothing sweetness calms her temper slightly, and she's back to her normal self.
"Thank you, Lanor, for coming to help us and for saving my butt. I owe you." She glances at his wounds: a nasty burn on his shoulder from the little kitty's bolt and a bruise from the taller one. Jeez, Lanor took a beating. Arya purses her lips with a thoughtful glance to his canteen. "You know," she starts, " honey has healing properties. It's anti-inflammatory as well as an anti-bacterial. Let me help you spread some on your wounds." She wipes her hands on part of her cloth clothes to clear away some of the dirt on her finger and pours a dab of honey onto her finger to smother onto Lanor's shoulder.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
"So, where to next?" Zeeto asked.
Arya turns to reply to Zeeto. "I still have to get to the alchemist, and with that attack, I think you guys ought to accompany me. After that, we can stop by the general store and pick up some survival gear the shop keeper promised me for you guys and then we can go hunt down that treasure. What do you say, boys?"
"Sounds good." Lanor picks up his gear and begins walking in the direction of the alchemists hut
SUCCESS
Lanor feels the soothing effect of the honey poultice almost immediately. Every step he takes seems to get easier and easier.
Lanor healed by 2 hp
Our Protectorates walk for an hour, and are nearly at the hut when Zeeto's Elven hearing picks up something. The group halts and silences at Zeeto's request. The bushes, just up ahead rustle with movement. The foliage is far too small to be hiding anything large, such as a deer, or human. Another young boar perhaps? If it is game, any approach other than a soft one will scare it.
Lanor stops and he and his companions take a knee, he moves off to the side and trains his arrow straight at where the bushes seemed to rustle and softly speaks, loud enough to be heard but soft enough not to startle anyone, "Friend or Foe" and awaits an answer.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
There's no answer, but also no animal jumps out. The bush continues to rustle
DM sidebar:
Since it takes almost no effort to call out a name, Lanor may use another action.
Lanor keeping his bow trained at the bush begins to approach where he sees the rustling, when close enough he aims down into the bush so as to only hit the foot of whatever is in this bush and fires off one arrow
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
HIT
"YEeeeeeOW", bellows out of the shrub. This tends to be an odd noise for any flora to make, but questions are answered when a small creature emerges from the plants. Standing before the Protectorates is a half-ling with an arrow in its foot. A satchel hangs over his shoulders; various branches and plant material sticking out of the top. This diminutive humanoid must have been foraging in that shrub. But why didn't he hear the approach?
"Who are you?" Zeeto asks the injured half-ling. "Why are you following us?"
The half-ling, displeased with the arrow situation, but seeing how he's surrounded by three armed warriors, is complacent.
"What do you mean, following?!", screams the little creature in a very high pitched voice, not unlike a tea kettle. "I was foraging, not following! I work nearby out of my cottage with a few associates". He calms down and speaks, "I can show you". His gaze moves to Lanor, "provided you don't shoot them too."
"Ok, lead the way" Zeeto says to the little creature.
Arya turns bug eyed at Lanor. "Why. would. you. shoot. BLINDLY. into a bush? You could have killed him!" Arya scolds as she backhands his uninjured shoulder. It's an insult more than anything, since the hit is light enough for Lanor to barely feel it. "What if it was a little kid instead? Honestly. Use your head more," scolds Arya. "I'm so sorry about that," she says to the little hafling. "We can try to heal you a bit if you'd like. And sure, we'll follow you. You don't happen to work for the alchemist, would you?"
Lanor shrugs off the criticisms and insists that the halfling should have shown himself when called out, foolish decisions on the halflings part caused him to be shot, however he says "My deepest apologies, its been a bad day for us all and we are tired, we look for a place to rest and your rustling startled me, may I ask what you were foraging?
Arya feels a little bad about snapping at Lanor. Then again he does deserve it. Kind of. At the mention of shelter to sleep in, Arya adds without thinking, "And perhaps do you have any bacon?"
"There's time for questions later. Mind if we deal with this arrow-foot situation?", responds the half-ling, attempting to mask the excruciating pain with jest. "My cottage is just a few minutes from here."
After introducing himself as Grot, the hobbling half-ling shows the Protectorates to his abode. Several gardens lay in front of the cottage, with another larger one behind. Arya identifies countless rare roots and herbs scattered in the plots.
Grot invites everyone inside, where two half-ling meet the bare standard for acknowledgement; they look up, and quickly dive back into their work. "Pleasantries aside, Colfar, I need you to look at this wound. We'll be back in a moment." The two half-lings enter an adjoining room, presumably a kitchen.
The gang looks around. They are surrounded by drying plants and herbs. Sets of beakers, tubes, and jars clutter a table to the left. Shelves on the right hold numerous tinctures and solutions. Everyone comes to the same conclusion; this is the alchemist's hut!
The third half-ling remains at her task trimming various plants, most likely to be cured and dried. Her desk, curiously, is charred black. It looks as if someone burned it.
"Nice job, Lanor. You shot the alchemist, or at least one of his friends" Arya says lightly. She looks around at all the dried herbs and takes in their pleasant aromas. The air smells fresh and crisp with a hint of herbal bitterness to it. It wasn't an unpleasant sort of bitterness. It had an earthy, natural tone to it that seemed to cradle the amateur herbalist girl in plant-based possibilities. She glances around at some drying herbs. Hm, perhaps she could have some practice identifying plants. Let's see. There was a yellow flower with 6 short and stout petals off to the side. Aconite, Arya thinks, better known as monkshood: a powerful poison and a uh... well... it has properties that helped one urinate. Next to it was a root, though not like the mandrake in her pocket. It was thinner and drier. Arya thinks it's arka, a good anesthesia. She passes by some more herbs, some sweet-smelling, some sour, one just utterly foul, until she happened upon a rather common herb. "Thyme," she says, part to her party, part to herself. "Works wonders on pork." The reminder of her empty stomach turns her mood sour again. "I sure hope these halflings have lunch. Correction. I hope these halflings are willing to give us lunch," Arya says, throwing a pointed look at Lanor.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote] For the monkshood
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote] For the arka
Rolled a 20 for the thyme. Lol I'm not mistaking thyme.
SUCCESS
Arya easily identifies the herbs, pointing them out and describing them to Lanor and Zeeto with the length, gravitas, and elaboration of a premier professor.
The female half-ling continues to ignore her new guests, preferring the solace of working in a corner. Grot and Colfar are still in the presumed kitchen.
Arya, just noticing the hafling in the corner, walks over to the petite creature and takes a peek at what the woman is doing. In her tiny, child-like hands, the herbalist hafling is grinding up monkshood in a miniature mortar and pestle. To Arya, it looks like something out of a child's starter herbal play set. In fact, it looks exactly like the one she got as a little girl herself. It is the color of golem-skin grey with nothing seemingly visually appealing to it besides a sad attempt at a design on the handle of the pestle, presumably to make herbalism more appealing to younglings. Arya nearly mentions that she had this kit once too, but then realizes comparing the respectable woman to a child would be insulting.
Instead, Arya comments on what the hafling appears to be making. Laid out are various powders diluted in water to varying degrees. Arya can't tell what any of them are in their solution form. "Is that a poison you're making, ma'am?" she asks curiously, drawing from the fact that monkshood is toxic. Poison reminds her of the bees Lanor collected. "Would you be able to make poison for arrow tips out of bee stingers?"
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
The childlike half-ling, turns around and introduces herself as Elle. "Yes, Grot's got me on mortar and pestle duty. I'd prefer to be outside, but as you can see", Elle motions to the corner opposite her. "We've got our work cut out." Broken glass, burnt plants, and ashes fill the nook. After further examination, the gang realizes the entire section of the cottage was victim of some sort of explosion. "I wish I could help you with a poison, but its really not my expertise. Grot should be able to come up with something."
Elle continues to grind the herbs to a paste, as Grot and Colfar return. The Protectorates are amazed to see it has completely healed! No scar or mark of any kind. Grot speaks, "Welcome to my shop, travelers! How may I help you?"
Arya smiles. So Grot really is the man who claims to be an alchemist. She didn't expect him to be a halfling. Arya reckons that no one in her party did. "Thank you kind sir," she says as she looks down upon the little man. "I have a package for you from the man who owns the general store in town. He asked me to deliver it to you." She pulls out the package and hands it to Grot. It is a little warped from being in her pocket during the kitty incident, but other than that, it is perfectly fine. "The general store owner directed me to you after I showed him a rare herb for sale. I was hoping to trade something for this mandrake root here." Arya more clumsily takes out the mandrake root. Its odd shape made it harder to get out of her pocket. "I was hoping I could still keep a small piece of it if we traded it. The three of us will be traveling far to figure out who blew up our guild and the mandrake could come in handy. Also, I was wondering if you could extract some poison from bees Lanor has collected." A whiff of something cooking in the oven passes Arya's nose, or at least she thinks there is. She could very well be hallucinating the scent. Her stomach growls loud enough for Grot to hear. Arya looks at Grot with a sheepish, rosy tinted smile and apologizes for her rumbling tummy.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
SUCCESS
Grot graciously accepts the parcel, thanking Arya and the other two travelers. He tears the package open and pours its contents, a dozen or so seeds and soil, in a nearby jar. "These are the seeds of Capitol City lilacs, you know. Very rare. They won't grow outside the Capitol, and I want to know why. Concentrated enough into a liquid solution and they'll cure just about anything. Before its fall, they were the Capitol's number one export. Saved a lot of lives. Bring this handbill back to the general store owner, and he'll know you've complete your task."
Grot eyes the root. "And for that mandrake root, well most of it...I'll come up with a concoction for you out of those bees. Use it to coat arrow-heads or knives. It'll be strong enough to take out a horse." Grot hears Arya's rumbling stomach. "Seems like you've had quite the day. Perhaps you three would like to join us for supper? Venison stew with vegetables from my own garden. If you don't mind, in exchange, I'd like to hear about this explosion."
Grot directs the travelers, as well as his employees, to the already cramped kitchen. There aren't enough chairs for all, but seeing how they're meant for half-lings anyway, would probably collapse under Zeeto or Arya. There's plenty of food for all. Lanor feels the satisfying effects immediately.
Lanor healed by 1 hp
"Now please", Grot begins in between bites. "Tell me what happened?"
"Well, we were recently selected to protect the guild. Not a day later, and it explodes. We fought off a band of goblins, and even captured one. Unfortunately, before we could get much out of it, a dart felled it. We then were venturing here, and were attacked by a couple of assassins. We managed to fend them off, and then found you in the bushes." Zeeto explained. "Now I have a question for you. What happened to your store there?" He gestured to the scorched area.
"Deal gone bad", explains Grot as he breaks a piece of bread in two manageable sizes. "A man came to me a week ago, asking if I could make precision demolition explosives. Hundreds of small, easily placed explosives that could be ignited with a fuse or spark. He said he had a mining operation south of Netherton. Said he'd pay me three hundred gold coin, plus future deals if his op went well. Seemed reasonable enough at the time. Who'd refuse that much coin. I told him to return in three days time, and he'd have his incendiaries. He returned, paid up, and packed the explosives into his wagon. I went about my business inside, figured he left. I heard my door open, and turned around. The man had several explosives in his hands and a smirk on his face. The next thing I know, I'm on my back and deafened from the blast."
Grot quickly glaces at Lanor and says, "I still can't quite hear right." His gaze shifts back to his meal. "Half my shop was destroyed and my coin gone."
"We could try to hunt him down for you." Zeeto suggests.
"Tell me something. Explosives like this are rare", Grot says as he stands up, walks over to a cabinet and carefully pulls out a small, shiny, metal ball. Only a small hole upsets the smooth design. Its probably for a fuse. "Only a handful of alchemists are capable of making something like this. I'm the only one within hundreds of miles. The next closest is an alchemist who used to work out of the Capitol. And I don't know if she made it out in time." Grot pauses for a moment, clearly a little lost for thoughts, "Do you think they're related, the attacks I mean?"
Grot places the explosive in the drawer and nearly closes it, before reopening it. "Maybe you should keep it." Grot offers the bomb to Zeeto and company. "Who knows, might come handy."
Zeeto accepts the bomb with the an air of cautiousness. "How volatile is this thing, anyways?" Zeeto asks Grot.
"Perfectly stable", starts Grot. "Until you activate it using flame or a spark. That little hole on top? Use fabric as a wick, light it, and toss it." Grot adds, "be sure to stand back too."
"Thank you" Zeeto says as he pockets the stable explosive. "So, I've been meaning to ask you. How did you heal your foot so quickly? I've never seen magic like that before."
Grot smirks. "You noticed that, huh?", Grot questions, jokingly. "Colfar here is a very talented half-ling. With enough concentration, he can manipulate the molecules around him at an atomic level." Grot's getting carried away with the technical babble, and starts again. "His magic allows him to create objects out of nothing, and heal wounds that might be deemed untreatable. "
"Is that so Colfar?" Zeeto begins. "You know, we could use someone with your talents. Would you like to join us on our journey?"
Lanor escapes the chatter of the others and looks around, he soon finds himself in the corner of the room that Elle is in and asks he if she could quickly show him how to make the bees into poison, this would surely help the tips of his arrows be more dangerous.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
Elle looks up at the Gnome, "Wish I could help, but I lack the skills for potion brewing. Grot said he will come up with something for you. I was hired to garden.", speaks the half-ling who's just about done with her work. "Grot!", Elle yells. "Explain it, so I don't have to!"
Grot, interrupted by the screaming half-ling, stops eating and responds to the inquiry. "I'll extract the venom, concentrate it, and brew until its viscous enough to stick to a blade or arrow-tip." Grot refuses to reveal more information. Its a family recipe after all.
Colfar, meanwhile, needs to sleep on the decision of possibly leaving. He could do a lot of good, for a lot of people outside of this little alchemist hut.
Grot suggests everyone stay the night, although sleeping arrangements are limited inside. Outside, there is plenty of space for the Protectorates' rest.
Zeeto thanks Grot for the offer, and graciously take him up on it. He then walks outside and lays out his things for the night. Soon after he is out like a light.
Lanor too walks out of the hut and sets up a place to sleep, he clears the ground and lays his bow next to him on the ground, his quiver next to it, he then draws his dagger and lays it close to his right hand in case of an ambush, he tells his companions that he will keep first watch and hopes that one of them will take his place when woken.
He then digs in and prepares for the night ahead of him.
Was it dinner time already? Arya could swear it wasn't half past noon. That battle with the kitties must have been much longer than the ranger girl thought. This venison is freaking delicious, thinks Arya. One would think the gamy meat to be tough and rather tasteless, but this venison melts in the human's mouth like savory butter. She wonders if perhaps it was just the hunger making this soup taste like it was right out of the spirit world, pure and perfect. Then again, Grot is an alchemist and alchemists do have to work well with ingredients. Arya is so wrapped up in her dinner that she is all but deaf to Grot's inquisition at the explosion of the guild. Thankfully Zeeto answers Grot instead.
Arya's attention perked up when she heard the mention of a bomb. So a man came to Grot to buy explosives. From the wreckage outside, the girl deduced that the type of bombs were one in the same with the explosion that wreaked Grot's shop as well as the guild. In the wake of both explosion, there were signature pockets in the rubble: the epicenters of the explosion where the devastation from the bombs blew the structure into so many pieces the rubble would be unidentifiable if it weren't for the destruction surrounding it. The pockets had the same radius for both events.
The discussion between Zeeto and Grot starts the cogs turning in Arya's brain. How strange. A man buys bombs and attempts to kill the maker, perhaps to hush up the alchemist from tattling, Arya reasons in her head. But this explosion is proof enough that someone was here with bombs. It's not a very clean kill, if the perpetrator succeeded (and thank goodness he didn't). Half an exploded shop is quite apparent, even if it's outside of town. Whatever could this man be hoping to gain? Is he working with someone?
But something unsettles the spirit walker even more than the correlation between the two explosions. He knew. He knew the three of us would be on guard that day and it was only our first day. I'd bet my dagger he did. Wait... my dagger! Arya scrambles to check her sheath where her gifted stiletto should have been. Empty. She had forgotten to pick it up after the kitties ran away. Dumb butt. She chuckles nervously, embarrassed and annoyed at herself for forgetting such a useful weapon. Not wanting to alert anyone to her folly, she slowly reaches her hand down to Mayar, who is silently sitting on the ground by Arya's feet.
She is gone only a moment to the people in the room, and no one notices. Not like it would matter much if they did notice. To Arya, though, she has walked about a half a mile to and from the cottage in the spirit world and temporarily feels a bit drowsy. Her soul had started to peel off her fingers as she was making her way back to the cottage and it appeared as if a white glow was poorly superimposed onto her numbing fingers. It would be a few minutes until her soul completely bonded back into her body. She recalls Mayar into the necklaces she wears to speed up the process. The necklace is no gem; it is a tooth from Mayar's body before his soul melded with Arya's. Half her soul was now closer to her heart. The girl's eyes, normally a dark brown, turn almost white with the closer presence of Mayar.
After a moment of rest, Arya calls Mayar back out so to not alarm Grot about her eye color change. She wishes to talk to him more about the man and walks through the tiny darkening halls of the hut (who knew a hut had halls?) searching for the alchemist hafling. She passes by a few doors, one Zeeto has claimed and is now sleeping in, what appears to be a miniature bathroom, and a door marked "DANGER! DO NOT ENTER!" The door next to it is ajar and Arya can see Grot in it pouring over the bees with a magnifying glass and tweezers. She taps on the door almost as if she is tapping Grot on the shoulder and asks, "Grot? I hope I'm not disturbing you. May I talk to you?"
Grot's new-found deafness limits his hearing, but Arya's reflection in his magnifying glass is impossible to miss. Positive she said something, Grot makes a request. "You've got to speak a little louder than that, Arya." He turns around to face her. "Having trouble sleeping? I could brew up a fast-acting sleeping potion."
Arya had forgotten the explosion had deafened his ears. She makes a note to herself to speak up despite her concern for waking up the two other halfling residents. "Oh it's not that sir," she begins, "or rather, not directly that. I've been thinking over the explosion ever since dinner." She tells Grot about her concerns over the similarities of the two explosions and the "coincidence" the explosion happened on their first day on the job guarding. "I just don't get what this person, or these people, are aiming at. I mean, why would they explode your house rather than something a little more practical?" Arya suddenly realizes she's talking about ways to kill her acquaintance and jumps to clarify herself. "Oh no! I didn't mean it that way, she says, waving her hands back and forth frantically. "I'm very happy you survived and that they were impractical. I'm simply attempting to think from their point of view on why they did. I was wondering if yo had any thoughts on the strangeness of the incidents as well. Also, if you don't mind me asking, could you describe the man who bought the bombs from you?"
(Do I have to roll for this? I'm not really attempting to do anything other than have a decent conversation.)
Nope. Not unless you're trying to flirt, negotiate/barter, or lie.
"I don't think his intention was to destroy the house", Grot replies. "In one shot, he could test out the incendiary, and get rid of me. Maybe it was just fun. Colfar, and his magic, is the only reason I'm alive. Brought me back from...", Grot trails off. Grot goes on to describe the man. He's indistinct in every way but one. "His eyes. They aren't the eyes of a human. No life in them. Just darkness."
*Emerging from his dark room*
"Eh excuse me did I interrupt anything? I am not the one to converse very well but I put some more thought in going with you on your 'adventure'..."
Grot, noticeably disappointing with Colfar's decision, is understanding. Grot owes Colfar his life after all.
Lanor stands from his position and decides to go and search around the hut, he searches bushes, trees and the ground to find what ever he can find, hopefully something will be useful.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Zeeto wakes from his slumber four hours after falling asleep. He decides to find Lanor and take over watch for the rest of the night.
Arya, although not fully convinced the man was "just having fun," decides to leave Colfar and Grot to discuss things. She is glad another member is being added to her party, especially one so skilled at healing and molecular magic. She still cannot sleep though; the events of the day and her discoveries still weigh heavily in her mind. She is also more down about her lack of accuracy at shooting that day than she indicated to the others. Temporarily recalling Mayar to stop his illuminating glow, Arya slips out into the forest for a bit of secret target practice. She doesn't wish to wake her party members (who are actually awake as well unbeknownst to her). If she gets into a bit of trouble, surely she could spirit walk back?
After walking very slowly a bit of a ways into the forest, she brings Mayar back out so the likelihood of her tripping over a rogue root or being ambushed reduces. She draws her bow and shoots at a tree a few feet in front of her. The moment she does, she hears the tentative crunch of a footstep behind her. Instantly, she whips around and draws another arrow. Her squinting into the darkness is met by a pair of low yellow eyes reflecting Mayar's light. Arya nearly shoots, but then she realizes she's seen these eyes before. They're Mayar's eyes, or they were before his body died. Arya strains her eyes as Mayar moves closer to the creature. His light barely reveals a small wolf with deep grey fur the color of smudged charcoal.
Arya and Mayar haven't seen a wolf like Mayar since Mayar "died." The shock of seeing a wolf such as the one she was staring at makes her unconsciously lower her bow more. Arya wants to see if Mayar can communicate with this wolf. But Mayar cannot speak. Perhaps... perhaps Mayar could talk to this wolf's spirit? For the first time in her life, Arya lets Mayar go to the spirit world without her. She sees Mayar seem to dive into a point in the ground, getting sucked up into it in only half a second. He reappears almost instantly, but Arya doesn't see him reappear. As soon as Mayar leaves this world, Arya only had half a soul for a moment. For that moment, her heart stopped beating, her breath froze, and her eyes saw nothing. She collapses on the ground, weak from partially dying. She is at the mercy of Mayar's diplomacy. She hopes very much that Mayar has captured the good side of this wolf, or if that's even possible to do from the spirit world.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Lanor:
SUCCESS
During Lanor's perimeter search he finds something near a broken window, most likely destroyed due to the explosion. Bread crumbs? Some animal must have snuck in and foraged while everyone else was sleeping!
Lanor follows the trail to a nearby tree where he finds, not some simple beast, but instead a human! She's fast asleep, no doubt due to a satisfied stomach.
Zeeto:
Zeeto wakes to no guard watching over his slumber. Where on earth did Lanor go? A quick survey of his surroundings leads Zeeto to Lanor, who's just found a sleeping bandit!
Arya:
SUCCESS
The beast simply stares at Arya, and she stares back. Mayar, through some other-worldliness, managed to coax this canine into a somber submission. Perhaps he's a distant relative?
Arya may walk away from wolf without fear of attack.
DM sidebar:
I rolled a sound check for Aila who scored a 20.
Back to Lanor and Zeeto:
Aila stirs and awakens to the sounds of approaching footsteps of Zeeto.
*Events in Colfar's room*
"I cannot decide on this! I am going mad!" *He kicks a small glass jar of substance that spilled on the floor*
"Ah maybe my Think Candle will help me out!"
*He walks over to a candle and lights the wick*
"Now in a few moments my mind will be as clear as a whistle!"
*Few moments later*
"Hmm well I think I-"
*He looks over to the candle he lit named AWARENESS*
"Oh dear"
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
It was the loud explosion that caught her attention, three people charged out of the afflicted building and were faced with a challenge. Three goblins stood in their path... and they were defeated with ease, much to Aila's hopes. These three were exactly what she liked. Abnormal.
Shortly after the fight, the town sheriff walked over and began talking to them, she hid of course. One to many run-ins with that man. After the talk the three split up, the mage began following the sheriff and the other two took off towards the shops. She knew what the sheriff was going to with the goblin, and although she would like to see the mages reaction to the sheriff, she figured the other two would be more eventful to follow. She watched as the Gnome and Human split directions, the gnome heading towards to racist equipment shop. This ought to be good.
She sat near the door of the shop, looking as mindful as she possibly could, a complete bystander. It paid off when the human girl and eleven mage walked right past her. She listened in as the babbling of shop and trade commenced, the human girl using her charm and the other two using their... force? In the end a loud thud caught her attention as she assumed someone had hit the floor. A few seconds later the three walked out of the shop, their pockets a little heavier.
Aila proceeded into the shop, it smelled horrid. Looking over the counter, she could see why. The shop keeper had passed out, and had more than soiled his pants. That would explain the small. Looking around the shop, not much was missing, but the sign above the arrows was fixed and there was a box big enough to hold a dagger open on the table. It was a nice looking box, perhaps whatever was in it was just as nice... She proceeded to have a little fun in the shop, moving equipment around, moving the arrow sign over the swords, drawing some things on the owners face (She's never really liked him anyway), and various other little pranks before deciding to continue after her new found observation subjects. She thought back to the fight with the goblins and took a second look back into the shop. Taking some leather armour off of the wall, she donned what would fit her. These people were interesting, but dangerous. Protection wouldn't hurt. She left the shop and proceeded after them.
It upset her sorely, she had missed something. A fight it seemed. The gnome was hurt and they were eating honey to sooth their pride. It seemed a draw, and they were on the losing side. The three stood up and continued on their way. Aila was close behind, but far enough away to stay hidden, passing the battlefield. It sucked that she missed the fight, but at least she wasn't dragged into it by accident.
She caught up to them as an arrow was being loosed from the Gnomes bow, the resounded "Yeeeow!" that came from the bush almost made her giggle, blowing her cover. She stifled it though and watched the girl hit the gnome on the shoulder accusingly because of the shot. She knew the Halfling was from the alchemical house nearby, she'd been around this town for the past couple of months and had explored the various things from the couple of speak-easies to the alchemical house outside of the town. Shortly afterwards she found them all walking into the house.
Naturally, she was uninvited. She walked around the edge of the house, looking through the various holes in the wall from some sort of explosion. To describe the house in her words, it would be cluttered, messy, and smelled like sulfur. Amidst the sulfur though, there was pleasant smells. She moved towards the kitchen looking into the window, seeing two Halflings, one sitting on the table, the other toying with the table sitters foot. There was a faint light, and the one sitting on the tables foot suddenly ceased to have a hole in their foot. Albeit, the one who caused the light to emanate seemed to be fatigued from the effort. "what a curious power..." she thought to herself, eyes trained on the Halflings hands. The Halflings hopped to their feet and left the room. Her attention turned towards the original reason for being near the kitchen. It was on the stove, and it smelled brilliantly. Easily enough, while everyone was in the main room, Aila snuck into the kitchen and grabbed herself a bowl and some bread, sneaking away to enjoy her take from the kitchen.
With darkness falling, Aila began to feel the fatigue of her days events. Judging from the looks of things, her targets weren't going to be going anywhere anytime soon. It was probably safe to take a quick nap, not within easy eye range though. Aila proceeded to walk a ways from the building and pulled out her blanket and sleeping pad, leaning the pad against a tree root for a pillow and sandwiching herself between the blanket and pad. It was only a few seconds before she fell into a deep slumber.
Her eyes fluttered open, the sound of some approaching footsteps in the distance had awoken her. Jumping quickly, she scurried to pack up and stuff her equipment into her bag until she froze- she felt another presence, almost right beside her. How she missed it, she wasn't sure, but turning her head slightly she could see the gnome standing there. Looking at her, bread crumbs from the kitchen in his hand. "Uh- Hi there." she stammered slightly. "I'm on a journey to Netherton and I figured staying near a house full of people would keep the wild animals and people away. It's dangerous for someone like to me make a trip that far south...". She was lying through her teeth, but hopefully she could convince this gnome of that before his friend with the loud footsteps showed up. She had a lot of faith in her charm.
(https://claytonia.net/forums/Themes/Teknomaxi/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9
+2 to diplomacy checks (Half-Elf)
Arya lays on the ground, dazed and dizzy. She doesn't know how long she'd been there, though she knew it was less than ten minutes. What had just happened again? The girl props herself up on her elbows and jumps when she sees the yellow eyes again. Oh that's right. She sent Mayar to the spirit world without her. Arya mentally added "sending Mayar to the spirit world without her" on her list of stupid things to never try again, right up there with the time she stole one of her past or present party member's clothes out of the changing room while he was showering (and she'll not say which one). Not to worry. She didn't see anything she wasn't supposed to see. Unless you count seeing stars when she got punched in the face. That was not one of Arya's shining moments to say the least.
And neither is this one. The ranger girl is sprawled out on the forest floor with dead leaves so tangled into her hair one would think those leaves were hanging on for dear life. She had taken her hair out of a pony tail for the night, which is also not an intelligent thing to do when walking into a forest in the dark. My, my, Arya has been quite a bright one today.
Arya sits up, having recovered from sudden death. The wolf stares at her. Perhaps Mayar can talk to wolf spirits after all! She considers reaching her hand out to touch the wolf, but then decides against it. Mayar may be a wolf, but wolves aren't always friendly to wolves. She'd better not risk it. Although Arya wants to get to know this wolf better, she knows she should probably go get some sleep, so instead, the ruffled up human trips her way back to the hut, looking for a moving target to practice on (and possibly lunch on) as she walked.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
Aila:
SUCCESS
Lanor takes a better look at the girl. She's no human! She's a half-elf. Perhaps this puts the Gnome at ease. Zeeto, a little embarassed he alerted the sleeping 'bandit' so easily, approaches the two.
FAILURE
Arya searches about for possible game, but no animals scurry. That wolf must have scared any game off. Then, at the corner of her eye, BUTTERFLY ...wait that makes no sense. NIGHT BUTTERFLY ...I mean MOTH . This small insect dances in the moonlight, distracting Arya from the sights and sounds that surround her.
Colfar:
SUCCESS
Colfar feels the effects of the awareness candle. He's not sleeping tonight, but will experience a +3 to dexterity related rolls for the next few hours.
Zeeto, slightly suspicious of the half-elf's story, inquires further. "Where did you come from?" He asks. "What is your name?"
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
"My name is Aila, I'm coming from a remote village in the north, travelling to the trading town of Netherton. I need to pick up supplies for the town. I pass by here often, I'm sure the Halflings would recognize me if they saw me. Like I said, safer to sleep here than in the midst of the woods where who knows what could come out and get me..." Aila responded, her head slightly cocked in an attempt to make herself seem a tad bit more innocent. "Where are you guys headed? Perhaps I could travel with you as far south as you're going? Stopping at Netherton of course, I'd need to go no further. As stated before, it's dangerous to travel alone, much less me being a girl...". She switched sides, posing questions to keep them off guard and ponder more on the thought of another companion as opposed to where she had come from originally. Hopefully this elf can be as easily swayed as the gnome. Of course, she'd never be completely "free" of the lie, constantly having to back it up with something, but at very least, it'll lower suspicion enough that she wouldn't have to admit the stalking.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 11, total 11[/blockquote]
FAILURE
Aila does her best to explain, but Zeeto isn't fully content with her story.
Zeeto may not believe Aila's story, but he's no dummy. She could be useful. He must discuss this possible party member with the Protectorates.
Although its only a few hours until light, most of the gang are ready to depart. Zeeto, Arya, and Aila got plenty of rest. Lanor, on the other hand, chose to stand guard for several shifts. He's so exhausted that he passes out! What to do with a sleeping Gnome? Elle makes a suggestion that is quickly rejoiced, especially by Grot. Just drag him. He'll wake up eventually, right?
Colfar, still feeling the exhilarating effects of the awareness candle, has been ready, for what must seem like, days. Grot and Elle are saddened by the departure of their companion, but knowing all he'll accomplish with these heroes, say their goodbyes as the Protectorates chart their next destination and decide if Aila can join them.
After discussing they're possible new companion with the other protectorates (and Colfar); Zeeto gives Aila the verdict. "You seem competent enough. You may accompany us."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila was slightly lost. It went from questioning her about her lie, to them suddenly wanting her to join them. She wasn't quite sure if this was a goal, or if it was going to be a hassle; travelling with them had just been something cooked up to get herself out of the hot water. In the end, she was out of trouble and her true intentions were hidden. If things went south, she could vanish. Not the first time she would have had to flee from something. "Very well. I'd like to know more about yourselves as well, you seem like some pretty interesting people". She motioned towards the insignia on Zeetos' clothing. "Is that a guild insignia? What guild are you from? I hear the one close to here was recently destroyed in an explosion. Know anything?". Aila packed her gear and loaded her backpack onto her back. "It's almost daylight, grab your gnome and let's hit the road? We can talk while we walk". Aila gave her best con smile. Hopefully she could solidify the lie before they really question more about her origins.
Just as the Protectorates and their allies are about to leave, Arya collapses! Grot and Elle come to her aid, pull her inside, and tend to her. Grot calls Colfar for further assistance. They send everyone else out of the hut, and confer for a few minutes.
The two half-lings return to the Protectorates with a somber look on their faces.
"it looks like severe bacon deficiency", Grot explains. "Its the worst I've ever seen. Only time and bacon can save her now."
The Protectorates must travel without their human companion for just a bit, and depart without her.
"So, where to?" Zeeto asks his companions.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila looked at the elf with a complete dumbfounded expression on her face. Not only is he asking the recent additions to his party where his final destination is going, he makes no comment on the condition on the female member of his party. It was obvious he wasn't the real leader of the gang of three, and he made for a really crappy substitute. "You're just going to leave your companion? I know continuing on your way must be important, but surely you have some idea of where you're going... if you take of randomly, how will she catch up? If you're that eager to make headway, there is a town nearby I'm sure you can stay in. Shaded City if I recall... perhaps you can stay there and look for better information towards your goal? Whatever that is? I've already explained my destination...". Aila sighed as she began losing interest in this elf. She had at least figured that if he could cast spells, he would have knowledge to back it up...
"At the very least let the Halflings know where you're going so they can let her know, and if one member of your crew is here, why not let the Gnome sleep in peace as opposed on to on the road?". She wasn't looking forward to traveling with this elf, even if it was only to Netherton to work her lie. Hopefully Colfar, the Halfling, the would provide better conversation. "Honestly... he didn't even answer my questions..." she muttered to herself.
Name: Lanor Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 7/7 Dex: +2 Int: +1
Gold: 5 Wis: +1 Cha: +0
Armour Class: 13 Com: -1 Luk: 11
"I suggest we go and procure the equipment from the general store that we were promised and then try to follow the trail to the south, or maybe even go after the treasure the armourer mentioned."
Lanor pronounces loudly to his group, and bids farewell to the halflings, thanking them for the poisons made from the bees and for all of the information they provided.
"Lanor, as Arya is suffering from SBD currently, I suggest you stay here and look after her until she is able to travel. Aila, you're right. I do not know what was wrong with me earlier. We need to head back to Shaded City and procure our promised equipment from the general store. Aila, to answer your earlier question, we are, or were, the protectorates of the Shaded City Guild. After we obtain our equipment, we need to investigate the bombings further. We must find this man with the black eyes." Done with his speech, and confident in his ability as a leader, Zeeto calmly walks away from the group and sits under a nearby oak.
Name: Lanor Frangel Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 7/7 Dex: +2 Int: +1
Gold: 5 Wis: +1 Cha: +0
Silver: 0
Armour Class: 13 Com: -1 Luk: 11
[hr]
Lanor is completely torn on the decision however decides to leave with Zeeto as soon as he can, he grabs Aryas backpack fully intending on returning it upon her awakening and follows Zeeto to tell him what's going on, on the way he spots A moving figure off to the right but thinks nothing of it, at second glance it just appears to be the trees moving...
When arriving at the Oak tree Lanor explains to Zeeto the situation and when finished begins to throw rocks up at the branches hoping to loosen some acorns, they make great material for armor padding if you have enough and with 4 and a piece of leather it is very easy to make a pair of knuckle dusters.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila watched the two companions take walk off towards the oak distance. She could tell they were talking about the plans of travel though. As they were walking away, she noticed the Gnome, Lanor as she was introduced, glace of towards some trees. Looking the same direction, she took a closer look, walking towards it a bit to get a better glimpse. All the while listening to the dull thuds of rocks hitting the tree branches above the two under the tree.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
CRITICAL SUCCESS
Lanor tosses a few rocks, missing completely, before nailing the intended branch. An assortment of acorns fall, followed by a birds nest with several small eggs! These will make a good lunch. Before anyone goes forward, Colfar attempts to heal any lingering damage Lanor might have.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Aila:
SUCCESS
Beyond the sound of sedimentary projectiles, Aila spots something 20 m away. Its crouched, hiding in the brush. Aila can't quite make out the image, but she's sure something is there. The bush is large enough to hide a horse.
Colfar:
SUCCESS
Colfar closes his eyes, and concentrates on Lanor's health. Within moments, the wound closes.
Lanor healed by 1 hp
Spell causes 3 strain on Colfar
Name: Lanor Stats: STR [12] (+1) DEX [16] (+2)
Health Points: 7/7 CON [14] (+1) INT [14] (+1)
Gold Pieces: 5 WIS [14] (+1) CHA [11] (0)
Silver Pieces: 0 COM [8] (-1) LUCK [11]
Armor Class: 13
Lanor picks up an assortment of acorns cracking open a few of them, together she collects 18 acorns and manages to crack the tops of 6 of them, with the tops of the cracked ones he makes three egg holders with these and some little twigs he manages to find, he also makes a note of the design hes just created for future reference and puts the three eggs in their holders and puts them with the rest of the acorns into the back pack
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
It could have been anything, a bush that size, but something was there for certain. Aila crouched into a somewhat ready position and reached down to pick up a pebble, acorn, or anything to toss at the bush. She lightly tossed the object towards the bush, hopefully it'd be enough to just startle and make whatever it was reveal itself, not hurt and make it angry. She spied a tree nearby that she would run and get behind in the event something flew back at her or, god forbid, charge her. Her eyes lit up in anticipation for whatever it could be. She recalled a saying as the object flew towards the bush. "You don't have to be faster than the bear, just the people you're running with".
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
Oh boy did Arya feel woozy. She had never heard of SBD and never wanted it again. She feels like a sack of meat on a tilt-a-whirl, whatever that is. "Does this mean I finally get my bacon?" she asks Grot weakly. Everyone had already went on without her and all they left were her weapons. How nice. At least she could go get two more backpacks from the shopkeeper now that she's given the package to Grot, but the human really didn't look forward to lugging two backpacks while catching up to her party. What an awful predicament over stolen pork. She just hoped that Grot had some bacon around his house.
CRITICAL FAILURE
Aila tosses a few random items at the bush. She waits a moment...no response. Just when she thinks it could have been her imagination and drops her guard, a silver blur jumps from the foliage, knocking Aila on her back. She looks up to see a giant wolf with illuminated yellow eyes staring down at her. There's no running for Aila now.
The beast doesn't escape the attention of the others. Seeing their ground-stricken ally, the Protectorates leap into action. Lanor attempts to tackle the wolf away from Aila, but runs into an unforeseen branch and is knocked unconscious.
Init Rolls:
Zeeto 13
Colfar 11
Wolf 8
Aila critically last
Lanor 12 (but unconscious for now)
Zeeto is up first.
Grot explains the situation to Arya, and points her in the right direction with an entire satchel of crisp wild boar bacon. Its for medicinal use only!
Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. BACON. Glorious bacon. "Thank you thank you thank you!" Arya squeals as she run to the glorious greasy goodness the second the scent hit her nose and tore into one like a wild wolf. Stupid SBD making her act all funny for bacon. Perhaps that's why she's been obsessed over bacon the past day. Hah! Medical excuse.
The perfectly salted pork rejuvenates Arya like a splash of cold water and she is off like a race horse running to the general store to pick up the backpacks. She doesn't forget to grab her stiletto with her bow and arrows this time and may have also slipped her hand into the "medical bacon" for a few extra dosages for the walk. Hey! Medical condition here. She needs to have bacon.
She was prancing her way back, bacon at hand, when she hears the familiar act of throwing something into a bush blindly. The human girl looks in the direction of the noise to see none other than the party who deserted her. Aila had thrown a rock into a bush. At least it wasn't an arrow.
Something peeked out of the bush. It's fur a familiar dark grey. It couldn't be...
The creature, apparently displeased at having a rock thrown at it (who knew things get agitated at rocks thrown at them?), lunges out at Aila. One look at the beast and Arya knows. It IS what she thought.
"Stop! Don't hurt the wolf!" Arya screams at her party. She instantly rushed into the spirit wolf to try to cajole the wolf into calming down. Arya could only hope her party wouldn't attack the wolf if she succeeded.
/i]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
Arya arrives at the potential battle scene begging Zeeto for the snarling wolf's life.
Zeeto, you choose to strike this beast, or to listen to Arya's plea. If a battle ensues, Arya's init is 11 and will go after Zeeto.
Seeing his new companion about to get her face mauled by this new foe, Zeeto tries to distract it. Hopefully he can create a sound to get it away from Aila long enough for her to get to safety.
Zeeto attempts to create a sound off nehind the wolf of other wolves growling and barking.
Ghost Sound[/b]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
FAILURE
Zeeto attempt to concentrate cause only gastrointestinal issues and intense loss of mental endurance. The wolf remains focused on Aila.
Spell causes 6 strain on Zeeto
It is Arya's turn.
Name: Arya/ Mayar Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +3 Int: +1
Gold: 0 Wis: +0 Cha: +0
Armour Class: 16 Com: +0 Luk: 19 ^-^
Arya attempts to go into the spirit world to communicate with the wolf.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
SUCCESS
Arya transports herself into the spirit world.
Skill causes 3 strain on Arya
Colfar materializes a single dart and sends it soaring at the beast.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
MISS
The dart just glances the wolf, who barely registers the attack.
Spell causes 3 strain on Colfar
As the wolf looses his sights on the woman he focuses his gaze on zeeto and attempts to strike with his claws
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
MISS
The giant beast throws himself at Zeeto, giving Aila a chance to right herself. Zeeto, sometimes quite the acrobat, runs at the incoming wolf! He slides underneath the airborne creature, and ends standing next to Aila.
DM sidebar:
Zeeto's check was a 20.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila watched as the, who she deemed useless earlier, elf failed to create a distraction and create a rather interesting smell within the area. "Next time I'll plan better on my escape..." she thought to herself. To her surprise though, possibly from the putrid smell, the wolf turn to Zeeto and charged. Her eyes opened wide as she proceeded to watch the elf slide under the beast and suddenly show up next to her. Re-thinking her thoughts, this had to be on purpose. No one has that much luck. Perhaps the elf deserved a point back from his comment earlier.
She didn't feel to bad for starting this encounter though, it seemed as though it was going to attack at some point anyway. At least this way the party was slightly aware, despite her blunder. Aila retreated to the tree she had picked earlier and stared at the wolf, it being in the open rather than a bush, it was easy to view every inch of it. That is to say, seeing something abnormal on a giant wolf wouldn't be easy. Maybe there would be a way to end this fight without killing it... The female member of the party seemed averse to hurting it as she charged out of the alchemist house into the fray.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
CRITICAL SUCCESS
Aila, due to the smelly elf's odor distracting the Wolf's sensitive nose, escapes with absolute stealth. The wolf, nor the party, is aware she's hidden behind a nearby Oak.
Zeeto's up.
Zeeto, now behind the beast, attempts to confuse the creature with another illusion.
Zeeto attempts to overload the creature's mind and knock it unconscious.
Color Spray
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
MISS
Zeeto's spell has no effect on this powerful beast.
Spell causes 3 strain on Zeeto
Back in the spirit world once more. My goodness. Arya had never used the spirit world for practical purposes so much in one day. Now let's see. Where is this-
HOLY MOTHER OF ARACH WHAT IS THAT THING?
Arya, turning to where the beast was in the overworld, is met with the terrible vision of a soul darker than the void of space itself. Smoke and tendrils whip and lash out of- of whatever it is like snakes writhing on hot coals. Whatever it is, it looks nothing like Mayar. It is twice as large with grotesque spikes protruding out of its back like sharp ribs that have stabbed their way out of the creature's insides. Its head shape gives the hint of reptilian origins and, though the smoke and tendrils obscure the surface, Arya thinks she can make out the faint impression of scales. At the ends of its feet are talons twisted and distorted in ways that would make walking painful in the overworld.
What IS that thing? Arya has never seen anything like it before neither in the world of the living nor dead. She has never seen a soul not match with its overworld counterpart or a spirit blacker than her own hair. This soul emanated fear in pulsating waves. It was the manifestation of fear itself and the longer she stares at it, the more the feeling seeps into her. Mayar has his ears flattened and is sticking close to Arya. The spirit notices the pair. A coldness starts in her feet and crawls up her ankles as tendrils start reaching towards her. Arya hears a piercing scream horrified enough to shred paper with its sound, and she realizes with a start that she is hearing herself as she is sprinting away from the beast.
She calls Mayar to her and tumbles back into the overworld. "GET AWAY FROM THAT THING!" she screams with a hoarse voice in pure raw terror. "That's not a wolf!" Focused by her fear, she strings an arrow and shoots at the "wolf" in record time.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
SUCCESS
In an instant, Arya teleports to the overworld and lets an arrow loose. It impacts the beast's shoulder, who turns his head at her.
5 Damage inflicted upon Wolf
Colfar prepares two darts and sends them at the wolf.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
CRITICAL SUCCESS
The darts pierce the wolf left and right of Arya's arrow.
10 damage inflicted upon wolf
Spell causes 6 strain on Colfar
The wolf ignores the assaults and keeps focus on the elf and sends himself lounging towards him.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
MISS
Zeeto easily dodges the Wolf's attack
Aila! Do stuff!
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila was safe behind the tree, from the wolf, and the smell. The grace at which she tactically retreated behind the tree more than made up for her blunder earlier. She could feel confident in her abilities as a rogue again. Unfortunately during her graceful movements, she never really got a good look at the wolf. Peeking out from her hiding spot behind the tree, Aila eyed the wolf up and down in absolute scrutiny. Something was odd, and from the way the female started shooting and exclaiming that it wasn't a wolf, there was clearly something different about the beast.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
After looking up and down the beast, she turned her attention back towards the bush. It was nearly flattened from the beasts emergence. Perhaps something there caused the beast to grow? Or even turn this violent? She thought back to what she had thrown, honestly she didn't toss it hard enough to hurt it. The original plan was to see some sort of squirrel running out of the bush, steal an acorn and take off. Who really expects a giant wolf to bound out and try to eat you? She stared at the bush hard before returning back behind her tree.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
She took to one knee as she thought through what she saw, pulling out her bow in the mean time. She could figured out what was weird, but it'll probably still have to be taken down. Of the few things she was sure of, being near the wolf was not one of the things she wanted to be. She'd seen enough of it's teeth today.
Aila's first spot check:
FAILURE
Aila scans the large wolf and notices nothing new about the beast.
Aila's second spot check:
Aila's glance at the plant is more successful. The ground below the bush looks almost scorched...no...not scorched...dead? Every blade of grass is dead; every flower, dead; even the bush itself is beginning to wilt! Why would this canine have such an effect?
Next up...Zeeeeeto!
Name: Lanor Stats: STR [12] (+1) DEX [16] (+2)
Health Points: 7/7 CON [14] (+1) INT [14] (+1)
Gold Pieces: 5 WIS [14] (+1) CHA [11] (0)
Silver Pieces: 0 COM [8] (-1) LUCK [11]
Armor Class: 13
Lanor notices the trouble his companions are in and jumps up ready to attack, Lanor having not been noticed by the wolf yet sneaks off to the side and fires one arrow straight into the wolf.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
HIT
The wolf has been ignoring the sleeping Gnome, focused instead on the conscious, armed warriors. Lanor, surreptitiously slides to a better angle and releases an arrow. It glides through the air and into the Wolf's hip.
4 damage inflicted on Wolf
Battle order:Lanor, Zeeto, Colfar, Wolf, Aila
DM sidebar:
DM right to slightly change the battle order, with the the addition of the Lanor. He woke up, saw the fray, and opened fire. No need to wait for Zeeto in this case. Lanor will now go after Aila (or before Zeeto depending how you look at it.
also...another combatant is entering and will slightly alter order. Zito, I hope I didn't ruin a post by doing this.
Although the Protectorates are feeling proud about a few decent strikes, they know this fight is far from over. This being is like nothing they've encountered before.
Then, from the camouflage of the forest, steps a .... small child? The Protectorates' eyes don't decieve. A young boy has entered the fight.
New battle order
Lanor, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar, Wolf, Aila
Kirito picks up medium sized rock with his kineticist powers and chunks it with the snap of two finger's directly at the wolfs knee.
as if trying to break it's leg.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
MISS
Kirito sends the project soaring at the wolf. Strained by the size of the stone, he misses and falls short a feet.
Spell causes 3 strain on Kirito
Battle Order:
Lanor, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar, Wolf, Aila
Zeeto attempts to create an illusion of walls around the wolf to make it think it is enclosed.
Minor Image
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
(Just so everyone knows, you can shoot arrows and such through the fake walls. Assuming the spell succeeds of course.)
SUCCESS
Walls appear around the beast, enclosing him with the illusion. He's flabbergasted of the sudden barriers and frozen with confusion.
The advanced spell causes 6 strain on Zeeto
Battle Order:
Lanor, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar, Wolf, Aila
DM sidebar:
Rolled a 1 for the Wolf's initial wisdom check. He's pretty clueless at this moment.
Magic related note: I've added to the magic user post. New rule for wizards you may only use the spells for which you've trained. Zeeto has illusion 1, so he may cast 0th level and 1st level illusion spells. When he levels up, he may decide to improve his illusion spells. He'd have illusion 2 and can cast 2nd level, as well as lower level spells.
Colfar isn't used performing so many spells in so little time. "I want to help defeat this creature, but if I try to materialize a dart, I won't be able to heal your wounds", he declares to his party. Colfar has no other weapons, so he tries to improvise a spear out of a nearby tree-branch.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
CRITICAL FAILURE
This branch is tougher than it looks. After several failed attempts at snapping it free, Colfar grabs the branch and pulls backwards with all his might.
*SNAP*
Colfar did it!
....
...but where's his spear?
Colfar loses his grip, and the weapon flies through the air, through the feigned box, and hits the wolf square on his head.
The caged beast now understands this box is simply an illusion, and steps forward to strike his next target.
Battle Order:
Lanor, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar, Arya,Wolf, Aila
The instant Arya let loose her arrow, a skittering chill run up her spine. The wave of terror emanating from the Thing must have caught up to her in the spirit realm. Her spirit was still there after all and she seemed to have picked up its curiosities being of flesh outside of the overworld. Fear seeps through her mental stability like poison in her veins, shutting down the use of her shoulders, then arms and legs, all the way to her hands and feet. She is paralyzed and suffocating in her own horror ridden mind. Fear seizes her lungs and Arya falls backwards.
She feels like she is falling much farther than the ground, going through it and is now floating through darkness down a rabbit hole. A ghostly figure comes out of the darkness, seeming to be human but definitely not a live one. His skin has the faint tint of sea-sick green and his entire body appears as if he were made of vapors. An armature at fantastical beast would call it a vampire. Experts would know otherwise that this undead sucked not blood but spirits out of the living.
Unconsciously, Arya notices the area around her has shifted to a shadowy forest with twisted, knotted trees. She doesn't notice she's standing up and that her feet can feel ground. All she can feel is a muted searing in her chest as if her insides had turned to lava frothing inside of her, but she had lost the ability to feel. The figure is in front of her- a nachzehrer if she remembered her grandfather's stories correctly, and a white glow seems to be tearing itself from her chest and flowing into the mouth of the sharp-toothed demon spawn. Whatever she tries, the human's body will not listen to her. She remains frozen with her arms outstretched and her chest exposed to the monster.
Movement catches Arya's eye. It is a wolf, not unlike the one her party is facing in... wherever this place was not. This sight sets off a spark in her mind. She's seen this before. At this realization, the pain stops completely, and while the visualization does not falter, Arya begins to take control of her fear. This scene is one from her memory, one she tried very hard to forget. Or not to forget. Never to forget. Only to stop thinking about it, which is essentially the same thing.
If Arya's memory served her right, the wolf should pounce the monster and be caught in the crossfire of Arya's soul being ripped out of her body. The wolf's soul will begin to be sucked out as well and the two souls will meet for the first time. Arya, in current time, sees this being played out. The leap of the wolf knocks Arya flat on her back and away from the monster. The human gazes at the leaves of the twisted trees, dazed on her back. When she gets up, all she sees is the dead body of Mayar in an empty clearing of the forest. In mental exhaustion, she falls back on her back...
...and wakes up in the overworld with a sore on her butt from falling on the ground. It appear the girl never left the overworld at all. Was this Thing playing mind tricks on her or was the memory she herself pulled up in the memory of fear? Blinking rapidly to re accustom herself to true vision, she sees the wolf at a stand off with her party. Though still shaken, she knows she has to help them, especially since this Thing has such a grip over Arya's (and presumably all other creature's) fear.
Mayar sprints to the Thing and attempts to jump into its eyes and blind it with his light. As he does so, Arya reaches into her quiver with quivering hands and draws an arrow. She steels her mind and her movement, steadying herself and aiming carefully before firing once again at the beast.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
MISS
Arya pulls the bowstring to her ear, ready to fire....
*SNAP*
Arya's bowstring! It broke right in two, although Arya managed to save the arrow from blindly flying away. She must restring this bow before using it as intended.
Battle Order:
Lanor, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar, Arya,Wolf, Aila
Thanks to the inability for the mage to cast a simple spell... He ignores the incompetent mage and continues the fight with zeeto
(https://claytonia.net/forums/Themes/Teknomaxi/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8
FAILURE
The wolf pounces at Zeeto! The beast stands on his hind legs to strike, but at every swipe, Zeeto responds with a block of his Khopesh sword. The Wolf backs off until coming up with a better plan.
Battle Order:
Lanor, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar, Arya,Wolf, Aila
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila peaked around the tree again and watched as Zeeto blocked swing after swing of the large canine. She had definitely underestimated this elf, something she'll note for future reference. Even if he was doing successful now though, eventually the wolf would get lucky and things would turn for the south. The wolf had a tough hide, a simple arrow fired at it wouldn't do much. She watched the barrage of blocked blows from the wolf end and as it began to back off, Aila took aim. She was aiming for the face, although the wolf didn't noticed her, she had a clear view of it's face. From the nose, to the eyes, or even down the mouth, it'd hurt. She let the arrow fly. The though suddenly hit her as she released her fingers, to late to stop the arrow. "Well, on the bright side, at least I'll hit something. From bouncing off the wolf to hurting the wolf... or possibly an elf, at least my accuracy rating will be perfect..." she mumbled to herself.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
HIT
Aila's arrow plants itself deep into the neck of this powerful beast. It still stands, displaying the fortitude of a creature controlled by something other-worldly.
6 damage inflicted on Wolf
Battle Order:
Lanor, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar, Arya,Wolf, Aila
Lanor calls out "this fight seems to be much up to you Arya, You needs to destroy whatever is on the other side!" and in an attempt to slow the wolf down he uses some of the poison from earlier on the tip of his arrow and fires straight at the wolf.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
HIT
Lanor's arrow impacts the wolf, spreading the concentrated venom throughout the beasts veins. A large welt begins forming immediately around the impact site. It seems poison's intended effect works, as the beast is having trouble keeping his balance and moves quite a bit slower.
3 damage inflicted on Wolf
Wolf: dex related rolls have a -4 modifier for the remainder of this battle.
Battle Order:
Lanor, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar, Arya, Wolf, Aila
Kirito try's to charm the beast with his mental ability's
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
FAILURE
This wolf has a strangely powerful will. Kirito's attempt to charm was met only with continued snarling.
Spell causes 6 strain on Kirito
Battle Order:
Lanor, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar, Arya, Wolf, Aila
Zeeto attempts to crate an illusion of a large boulder falling from the sky above the wolf. His intention is to throw of the wolf's guard so his companions may hit it more easily.
Minor Image
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
SUCESS
A moment of uneasiness overtakes the group, as Zeeto strains to complete the advanced spell. The moment passes when a huge illusion appears over the wolf. It doesn't question the logic of the event and jumps to safety, ready to dodge falling the boulder.
Zeeto is exhausted from all this spell-casting. He'll need to rest his mind before performing anymore.
Spell causes 6 strain on Zeeto
Battle Order:
Lanor, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar, Arya, Wolf, Aila
Colfar, embarrassed for ruining Zeeto's last spell, doesn't try to break another branch. Instead, he runs towards the already broken branch on the ground, with the intention of a quick follow-up spearing of the distracted beast
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
CRITICAL SUCCESS
Determined to make up for his mistake, Colfar zigs. Colfar zags, and in just a blink of a moment, has his makeshift spear already piercing the now dying beast.
Colfar inflicts 4 damage on wolf
As he proudly stands next to his skewered victim, Colfar notices confusion pass over his allies' faces. He turns to see why...
A wisp of dark energy escapes the orifices of the wolf, and dissipates into the sky. A quick examination of the wolf shows its been...deflated. Back down to a normal size, but perhaps due to this foreign energy, the skin has been literally stretched beyond its limits. It sags over broken bones and crushed organs. What could have done this?
All combatants gain 300 experience. 150 for the beast. 150 for being awesome. Congratulations!
Arya runs to the deflated wolf, confident the dangers have passed. That black smoke must have been possessing it. The fact that it was still around despite its body being destroyed makes her shiver. That poor wolf though. It was so kind to her, letting her pass. Still, she was glad to not have to go back to the spirit world and face that Thing. She didn't know if she could. Mayar too was saddened at the destruction of the innocent wolf. He walks to its body and makes the motion of nudging it with its nose despite the fact that his whole glowing body would just pass through anything in this world. He then lies down next to the pile of skin and organs in a form of wolf mourning.
The human gets up and turns to the two unfamiliar faces that seem to have joined her party. "Now that the battle is over, may I have the pleasure of meeting you two?" She looks between the elfish girl and the little boy and says, "I'm Arya the ranger. The glowing wolf over there is Mayar. Who might you two be?"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 7/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Zeeto, exhausted from all of the spell casting he has been doing, wanders over to his Oak tree. He sits down and leans up against the rough bark, and relaxes for a bit.
"I am Kirito the magnificent psychic i was with the giant panther and cat"
Arya picks up her bow when waiting for the two to reply and attempts to restring it. She's done it before, but she certainly couldn't make a living off of her bow crafting skills.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
"Giant panther and cat?" Arya says the instant she hears Kirito in her head. Instantly, she is on her guard. There is no mistaking they were the kitty cats from before for obvious reasons. "What were you doing with them? Wait... how did you end up around here then? Are they trying to kill us?" Arya prepared herself to grab her stiletto in case any uninvited attacks came her way from either this kid or the pig-snatching cats.
SUCCESS
Arya's skill is certainly enough to restring her bow using the fine bowstring nabbed from the racist armorer.
Name: Lanor Stats: STR [12] (+1) DEX [16] (+2)
Health Points: 7/7 CON [14] (+1) INT [14] (+1)
Gold Pieces: 5 WIS [14] (+1) CHA [11] (0)
Silver Pieces: 0 COM [8] (-1) LUCK [11]
Armor Class: 13 Level: 1 EXP: 500
Lanor, weary of what Kirito had just said Aims his Bow straight at him loading an arrow into the knock at the same time.
What do you mean you were with those two, Do you know what they did? You better start answering some questions boy! as he says this he starts to pull back the string of his bow tighter and the arrow starts to glow a dim blue color. He is just as surprised as anyone.
Side Note: I was hoping this could perhaps be something to do with a new feat? Blind Fire, Hopefully this could be able to temporarily blind a target as the bright blue light would be concentrated at the enemy? Tell me what you think furry.
Also i haven't rolled because i am not doing an action so much as just progressing the story by asking Kirito what it is he wants if he has come from the devil cats
S'kavara picks up the small cat, and places him on his shoulder. Leaving what little remains of the roasted pig, where it sits. "Yet again, you naturally assume we are here to attack." He begins to walk towards the large group of people
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Not leaving her mental preparedness to whip out her weapon, Arya demands, "State your purpose quickly, panther. My party members are quick to strike." She means it too. After witnessing things being chucked into moving bushes, a rogue shot at the sight of these two is quite possible. If these kitties aren't looking for a fight, what are they looking for? While she didn't trust these furballs, she does recognize they don't have to kill each other. Perhaps in speaking they could let some information slip.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 7/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Hearing all of the commotion, Zeeto rises from his comfortable spot beneath the Oak. "If you aren't here for a fight, why have you come here?" Zeeto asks the Manther.
Now in a few feet from the group, he stops and lays on of the sacks on the ground. After rummaging through it, he pulls an arrow out. He turns to Lanor andd shows the arrow.."I asked you before if you wanted it back, but never got an answer, so I brought it to you."
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 7/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"You can't be serious" Zeeto says in disbelief. "You followed us all this way to give Lanor his arrow back? An arrow he shot you with?" Zeeto's hand gestures got progressively more wild during the course of his short speech.
Colfar doesn't recognize the two felines, and does his best to ignore them for now. "I may be able to heal one of you", Colfar suggests to his allies. "Lanor, your injuries seem the most severe." Colfar, without consulting the gnome, begins concentrating on the wounds.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
SUCCESS
Before Lanor can even push the half-ling away, he feels remarkably better.
Lanor healed by 3 hp
Spell causes 3 strain on Colfar
"whoa whoa whoa whatever happened between you two i don't want to be caught in the middle of ill answer any questions needed to be answered."
Arya puts her head in her palm. "Zeeto..." She wasn't even going to finish that sentence. Obviously the arrow was just a petty excuse to disarm their caution. And sadly, it seemed to be working. "Cute, kitty. Now what is your true purpose? Could you tell us something, Kirito?" she says with her arms crossed, still mentally eyeing her dagger.
"I found these guys fighting hunters decided to help them and asked if i could get help to the next town but then this happened."
Kirito also quietly said to arya "These guys are starting to become scary. They're kind of mean."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
She watched as the wolf deflated, it was the most unique thing she had ever seen. She could take her eyes from it as the dark vapours ventilated from the giant wolf's mouth. It was so mesmerizing to her that she didn't even hear Arya ask who she was as she walked closer to the wolf, desperate for a better look. Then the atmosphere took a tense turn. The young boy who had miraculously made a rock move with what seemed like his mind said something that set of three of the original members of the group back into attack mode. Aila watched as the young boy, Kirito she heard, was suddenly at arrow point by two of the three members. She really did love to watch these people.
Just as she was about to start listening to the conversation going on, she was completely flabbergasted and distracted all over again. Emerging from the bushes in the distance, presumably where Kirito had come from, came a huge, bipedal panther man-like creature... and an adorable little kitten. The stars were in her eyes again. She began listening to the conversation between to two groups. Her mouth opened slightly as the man-panther creature began to talk. Arrow? It clicked in her head. The hostility and the arrow. These were the two that the party had fought before in the clearing! She had questions, and she wanted them answered... time for a little charm. She slowly walked towards the two, ready to back off if the large panther began swinging at her for some odd reason. She tried to look at cute as possible, looking up into the eyes of the large panther to hopefully sway it slightly. "You two are certainly interesting... and arrow? Were you the ones fighting these three in the clearing earlier? Could you tell me your names?". She gave her biggest smile, an honest attempt to charm him. But then again, he was a giant panther. His definition of cute could be completely different.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
FAILURE
The intended coyness of the question comes off as contrived.
"you can stop pointing your weapons at me I'm only 13 what can i do to you please your making me nervous me being nervous is bad and dangerous things will start flying that i can't control."
The dirt beneath the psion suddenly begins to stir. Is this purposeful, or out of anxiety? The Protectorates must handle themselves carefully with this young human.
"Woah now, kid. There's no need for any more rock throwing" Zeeto says to the boy, trying to calm him down. "Panther, what is the real reason you followed us here?" Zeeto directs another question at the Man-Panther. "If you aren't looking for a fight, neither are we" Zeeto motions for his allies to lower their weapons, sincerely hoping the two felines really are just there to talk.
He studies the young girl that fails to be cute. No longer interested in the conversation as it is turning into yet another fight, he places the arrow and the ground and turns away from the group before walking away. After a few steps he turns back and speaks. "Oh, I almost forggt to tell you. I know what happened to your guild."After speaking he returns to walking away. A few steps later he stops and speaks again. "Sorry, my words did not explain enough. I know of the destruction of your guild, but what I meant was I know who did it."He continues to walking away.
"Kirito imidietly falls to the ground after the ground stops stirring imidietly grabs his head "AHHHHH it Hurts."
Colfar suggests someone should probably help the boy, and proceeds to take a nap.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
SUCCESS
Colfar couldn't care less on a sleeping spot, and just lies down mid-conversation.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 7/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Zeeto yells after the Manther "You never answered my question. I just want to talk. There is no reason for this hostility. We were quick to attack in our last encounter. We will not make that mistake again. Just talk to us, and maybe we can figure all this out. Now, you said you know who destroyed our guild. Who?"
He stops and turns back towards the elf."It is your job to figure it out, isn't it? For me to just tell you, you wouldn't really have done your job."
"Is that really how you're going to play this Manther?" Zeeto asks. "You really are that cold hearted that you would rather the people who died in that explosion wait longer for justice?"
"Not interested." Returns to walking away from the clearing.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 7/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"You coward. You are too much of a scared cat to face what might happen of you tell is. That is assuming you actually do know. You could just be yanking our proverbial chains."
He stops and looks up at the sky, as he answers."What would you do if I did tell you? There is only one thing that may ever scare me, and you would never be able to do such a thing. Before you allow your anger to cause you to speak so stupidly, why don't you try getting to know me?"
"How can I get to know you I'd you just walk away whenever I attempt to speak with you?" Zeeto counters.
He turns back to the elf. "I will tell you what. If you will catch some fish and cook it for my cat and I, I will sit and enjoy it, while answering any questions you may have. Now I must tell you, if that is the only question that you try to ask I will just walk away. How does that sound?"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 7/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"Fine. We will get you some fish. Are you sure you want it cooked?" Zeeto turns to ask Colfar where the nearest creek is, bit it seems the Cleric has fallen asleep.
He begins to walk back towards the group." Yes, I would like it to be cooked."
"Ok then. Anyone know of any good fishing spots around here?" Zeeto asks the group in general.
Lanor lowers his bow and approaches the boy, some honey will soothe his distaste.
Sweet things for children always make them, happy.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Colfar stirs at the sounds of Zeeto's question. "Fish?", Colfar questions the question. "There's only lake around here, and its home to the Fexiwe. Its a very dangerous fish. It'll strip all the flesh off bone within minutes. Its a few days walk, but I could guide you there." Colfar eyes his improvised spear, deep in the saggy wolf skin-flop. "I could use a proper weapon though. If I'm too exhausted to spellcast, at least I could be useful armed."
Arya was distracted by the little boy's pains. Her maternal instincts made her want to protect this child more than she would another stranger. "Shh. Shh. It's ok Kirito. No one is pointing weapons at you. You're safe here." She opens her arms to hold the boy in a protective hug. As she helps Kirito, Arya tunes into Zeeto's and Big Kitty's... conversation.
"Hey! Zeeto. You ought to be acquainted with a little something called diplomacy," she says in a pointed yet hushed tone since Kirito was by her. "He has information we want. Screaming at him to give it won't do anything productive." She turns to the giant panther. Arya doesn't doubt that he was quite entertained by her reprimanding the elf. Fine. Perhaps it would soften the kitty up.
"So, fish. That lake is quite far. The panthers would have to accompany us there. Does that suite you?" Arya asks the cats.
Lanor:
SUCCESS
Lanor offers honey
He looks at the mother like figure."If it aids in the collection of fish, I guess I must."
"Fish collecting?", asks Colfar. "Is that really a thing?"
"Of course it is. Fish taste very good. Especially to our feline friends here." Zeeto explains. "We'll, it's settled then. Colfar, lead the way to this lake.
Arya looks at Colfar as if his skin suddenly turned blue. "How do you not know people "collect" fish? Did you not grow up in a city?" she asks, entirely perplexed. The human girl had grown up by a port, so someone not knowing about fishing was like not knowing you needed wood for a bonfire to her. "Personally, I love fish myself," she adds. "Maybe we can catch enough for all of us. Oh wait! But shouldn't we get supplies from the general store owner first?"
"oh! Fish-ing!", Colfar exclaims. "From the sound of it, I thought you were going to collect the fish and leave them in a room." Colfar looks at the group, and then Zeeto specifically. "Can you honestly say you weren't thinking the same thing?"
"Ooooh you meant collecting fish like for displaying." Alright. Maybe Colfar wasn't so far out there after all. "Actually, people do that too. My great uncle was a fish taxonomist. People would bring in the biggest fish they could catch and he would preserve them for shelving or hanging them on a wall. Now shall we go get those supplies?" Arya asks again.
Colfar concurs, and waits by a nearby tree. "Let me know when you're set to leave."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila's "cute" face immediately turned sour upon realizing she couldn't sway the cats with her looks. She stood and watched the bickering between the characters, slightly un-amused. This panther wasn't very interesting, personality-wise. He seemed uncaring and acted like he had no interest in the party. Aila wasn't convinced though. From the sounds of the conversation, this panther had travelled all the way out to this remote location 'just to give an arrow back' and say he knew something about the explosion. There had to be something else, he wanted something, and if Zeeto played his cards right, it could probably be revealed.
About a minute later she had her answer. Fish. Really? How stereotypical. Still, it was something. She proceeded to listen to the rest of the conversation. The lake Colfar described, it was on the other side of Shaded City, she had seen it from her times of being in the area... but she never really explored much about it. Man eating fish aren't generally something you'd want to play with. Of course, the conversation was coming to an end, and if Aila didn't do something, she was going to be left behind. Of the group here, Lanor and Zeeto were the only two who knew of her lie. Although the Elf wasn't as bought as the Gnome was, her reason for being in the area was still there. She recalled Arya asking who she was, and believed it was time to introduce herself. She approached the Woman hold the child, Kirito. "Hi, sorry for ignoring you earlier... it's not everyday you get to see the events that I've seen here... I was a little over whelmed... My name is Aila, it's nice to meet you. As well as you, Kirito." She gave a genuine smile for once since her discovery, she really was happy to meet the psionic boy. "Zeeto and Lanor have decided to help me reach my destination of Netherton, but from the looks of things, a fishing trip seems to be brewing. Would you mind my accompaniment on that part as well? There are few lakes were I come from and fishing would be an interesting thing to try."
She wasn't lying, where she came from before Shaded City really did have few lakes, and fishing was never something she was entitled to do in her youth. She then turned to Kirito. "So you're headed to the next town? Shaded City would be the closest town to this spot, and it looks like the group plans on stopping in for a supply pick-up. Perhaps you'll ask to join them? Things seemed to have calmed down from before, I'm not sure what the misunderstanding was, but it looks like it was between the Cat group and these three. Surely they would have no reason to turn you down." She wasn't sure if she could join the group or not, but at the very least she could probably get them all into one group for the time being. Even if it was just to the town or lake. In the worst case scenario, she would be turned away and would have to end up following them again. She was alright with that though. It seems being in contact with the group causes misfortune to meet someone. After all, how often does a giant wolf leap out of a bush? Surely the presence of these people was a factor.
Arya reflected Aila's smile back at the half-elf. She didn't seem like a bad ally to have and her looks could disarm potential threats. "Welcome to the party," the human says. "It will be nice to have another intelligent female on the team. It's a nice break from these bozo's here," she jests with a smirk. "Although, pretty please no more throwing rocks blindly into bushes. I've had enough possessed wolves for one day."
With that, Arya stands up and starts walking back to her city, hoping the others would follow her. Enough lollygagging by that scrap pile of wolf flesh. It reminded her too much of Mayar.
Zeeto, already ready to leave before the wolf incident, walks over to Colfar. "I believe we are ready. I think we should stop by the general store though of we pass through shaded city first."
Now that the groups attention was no longer on him, he looks back to the flesh of dead wolf. He knew something was wrong with the whole thing. He begins to look around the area to see if he could notice anything.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila smiled, she liked Arya already. She grabbed her belongings and watched the people around her do the same. Everybody seemed to be gathering their stuff and hoisting it on their back, expect for the Panther, he was looking around the area, from the wolf to the bushes she had looked at earlier herself. She was behind a tree last time she looked at it, and it certainly looked different now... Aila walked over to the mound of flesh that used to be the wolf. Walking around it she attempted to see if there was anything odd. Wolves don't get to be this big from rabbits. She also examined the quality of the fur, perhaps it would fetch a fair price if someone where to work with it a bit. Surely whole wolf pelts this large are a rarity.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Arya is tempted to just run ahead and get the supplies, but then she remembers the spirit that possessed the wolf is still out there. She can't take it down by herself. Speaking of the spirit, she hadn't told her party what had happened in the spirit world either. Because of this, she walks back, calls the attention of the party, and begins to describe the awful events that ensued out of this world.
(Eh too lazy to write something grand at the moment. You can go back and find my original posts on the spirit world :p)
S'kavara's spot check:
FAILURE
S'kavara learns nothing new of the wolf skin-flop, but does notice the smell. Its as if the flesh had been rotting for days, not minutes.
Aila's spot check:
SUCCESS
Aila, carefully examines the wolf's remnants. She appraises at the fur, but already covered oozing pus and bile, the pelt is useless. But no flesh should decay this fast...
The group is nearly ready to depart when Kirito, entirely exhausted from the events that transpired, faints! He can't even hold Arya's hand as he collapses to the ground.
Colfar questions, "Are we going to try and drag him too?"
In seeing nothing he decides to take a better look at the wolf immediate surroundings
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
Looking back at the panther, who seemed to be inspecting the area with a fine tooth comb, Arya calls back, "You know, sometimes there isn't anything significant on the ground." She glares at Colfar at the suggestion of dragging the boy, especially one whose mental powers were slightly uncontrolled. "No," she huffs,"I'll find some way to bring him." She'd never tried summoning an animal before, but she's heard that many rangers are able to. With this in mind, Arya tries calling a wolf over to her so she may charm it into carrying Kirito for her.
Arya uses Summon Nature's Ally I
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
Both Spot check and spell:
FAILURE
Out of the bushes jumps a fairly average sized, three legged squirrel. The tiny creature lands on S'kavara's face, and vaults off to plant itself in front of its summoner, to simply stare at Arya with the eyes of a wax statue.
Spell causes 7 strain on Arya
After many hours of failed, sometimes gassy spells, the gang creates a rudimentary gurney for Kirito. They leave the area, and head towards Shaded City, taking shifts carrying the unconscious psion. Everyone shares useful medical knowledge along the way. By the time they've arrived, its already dark. A quick glace shows the general store, along with the old, incontinent, racist armorer's shop, is still open.
Everyone completely healed hp
All strain regenerated from the long journey
As they enter the city, S'kavara only speaks a few words."What a drag."He then heads off towards the general store.
The rest of the gang hurries to follow the 'always up-beat' S'kavara into the general store. A bell rings, and the same friendly silver-haired shop-keep greets his the Protectorates, although is weary of the Anthro Panther. "Come back for more tables, did ya?", he jokes. "Stay here. I'll get you some milk.", he says before leaving his post.
The store-keep quickly returns with a saucer of milk for S'kavara. He thanks them for their hard work and gives Arya ten gold coins to be split how she chooses.
The store itself isn't much different from the last time The Protectorates were here, although the counter has been replaced by two oak wine barrels. They are the only customers in the shop at the moment.
His ears droop as he takes the saucer, and once again, he drinks the milk as to not seem rude.
He once again places the saucer on the floor. Deciding that he has no need to be here, he walks out the door. He looks around the area for something to do.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila followed S'kavara into the general store, it was pretty normal, she wasn't even sure if he would have what she needed. She kept quiet as the shop keep passed a saucer of milk towards the six-foot tall panther who, to her surprise, drank the milk quickly and set the saucer on the ground. It was almost enough to make her laugh... almost. She contained her laughter and watched the panther leave the store. "A little upset at his gesture?" she thought to herself. Aila approached the shop-keep at the counter, away from the others who were near the entrance still deciding on how to split their reward, and motioned for him to come close.
When the silver haired man approached her she said in a low enough voice so that the other members of the party couldn't hear, "I need a kit, specific to a certain kind of... job. It involves opening locks that have lost their keys. I locked my favourite choker in a box so that it couldn't be stolen... but now I'm afraid I can't remember where I put the key to it... It's kinda of embarrassing, so if you could, could you not mention it to my friends at the door? To put it bluntly... I screwed up and need a lock picking kit." It was a lie, but she didn't want people to know her true intentions. It wasn't exactly coherent with her story of being a traveler if she was buying a lock picking kit. She'd thought about buying one before, but she passed it off because there generally weren't locked things for her to look beyond or in. Her experiences with this party; however, made her re-think that thought. Better to have one as opposed to not have one in certain situations.
Aila's Lie:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
S'kavara's Spot Check
SUCESS
A wall lies just 10 paces opposite the shops. Its the southern perimeter that eventually wraps around the entire town. S'kavara's eyes follow the wall, eventually spotting some sort of poster just 40 paces down the road to the west.
Aila's Lie:
SUCESS
"Lockpick set?", starts the green eyed shopkeep. "I might have something for you." He walks to the same room where he retrieved the milk, and returns with a small brown leather case. "This should have everything you need." It's got everything Aila needs! "It's rare, so I gotta charge ya. Ten gold."
[/b]
Finding nothing interesting, he returns to the shop. He over hears the shop keep hand the girl a lock pick set, but for ten gold. He pulls some gold coins from his pocket and hands it to the shop owner. He then looks at the girl, as if saying "I will keep your secret."
Lake.. Lake... Didn't she hear something about a lake around here? Oh right! The racist shopkeeper had mentioned one before. The setting of the city had sparked her memory of it. "See to, Lanor, do you remember the armor shopkeeper mentioning a lake? It must be the closest one. We should ask the shopkeeper of it is." Then remembering what Zeeto had done to said shopkeeper, she amends, "Or one of you two should, motioning to Ailia and the unconscious Kirito. "I vouch for the conscious one. Charm him up best you can and ask about the closest lake, would you please?"
Arya sees... Skarva... Sakava... Soraka... Whatever Big Kitty's name was down a platter of milk without hesitation. Arya was impressed at the cat's act of humbleness. Surely offering a platter of milk was demeaning even if t wasn't intentionally supposed to be so. She couldn't believe the cat would actually accept it graciously. Surprisingly enoguh This kitty was was starting to win Arya's respect.
Having witnessed the kitty surprise, Arya turns to the general store owner and accepts the payment. "Thank you, kind sir," she says with a genuine warm smile. This shopkeeper has been nothing but nice to her. "Would you happen to know where I could get fishing equipment?" She asks.
Please excuse any typos. I'm on my phone and I'll fix them later.
S'kavara loses 10 gold
The clandestine deal goes on without notice. Meanwhile, Colfar is still disgruntled that nobody offered him a weapon back at the wolf rag. It was he that killed the beast! He storms out of the store and begins to trek, eastward, out of town.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila looks at the panther gingerly, her eyes narrowed slightly as she was trying to figure out this animals game. Acting cold and then suddenly coughing up ten gold coins for her? Nothing makes sense with this group. From this Panther, to the elf. None-the-less, it saved her from having to cough up another lie or even 'borrow' the kit. Aila gave a smile and bowed her head slightly to show some gratitude to the shop-keeper. "Thank you again, sir. Please don't tell the others...". She proceeded to turn around, stuffing the kit out of sight from the others, and muttered low enough for only the Panther to hear, "Quite generous for one who doesn't give his name. I'm watching you, Panther." and advanced out the shop into the streets, and headed towards the armourer. She had nothing better to do, why not go ask about that lake?
Despite being such a nice gesture from the Panther, the act put her in a sour mood.
After watching the girl leave, only more upset with him which he didn't understand, he realized that he had noticed something on the wall outside. He once again walks outside and walks up to the poster. In seconds he realized what it was. He tears it down and walks back into the general store, where he holds up the wanted poster, of the elf, next to the elf's head. The poster facing the shop keep.
"Fishing equipment...?" starts the old man. "Some sort of fish collector are ya? Ya we've got two decent, barely used birch rods, complete with plenty of fine fishing twine" The shop-keep gathers the equipment for Arya. "Bring me back something I can sell, and you can keep these." He hands off the two rods and returns behind his counter.
Just then, he notices S'kavara holding up a large sheet of paper, aggressively waving it at the tall Elf. He walks up the the potentially brewing fight to analyze the paper further. A mountain of laughter ensues. In his hurry to grab it, S'kavara misread the entire page. Its a help wanted poster for a local strip agency. Elves are hit right now. Apparently...they're wanted.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila knew about the lake, she had no reason to really visit the armourer, but it kind of piqued her curiosity as to how her pranks had come across, and whether or not the shop would still be in disarray. She was headed in that direction, until she walked by the burnt down building. Now that she thought about it, this was where her involvement with the group started. The goblins were killed in pretty much the same spot she was standing. Looking out over the wreckage, she couldn't even remember if the others had looked through it to hopefully find a clue. It had been a day or so since it burnt down, Aila was almost positive that if she dug deep enough into the ashes she'd find red hot coals still. She walked through the black arch that used to be the door and surveyed the area.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
The next thought occurred to her as she viewed the area. What of the things that don't burn? Were they pillaged? Moved to a different location by surviving members? Didn't matter to her, she had no use for various objects. She had the tools and equipment she needed most, she wasn't looking for any. She thought back to the party... "Didn't someone want something?" she mumbled idly to herself.
Realizing his stupidity, he walks out of the shop, and heads towards the armorer. He comes across the guild sign, and notices the young girl going through its remains."What do you hope to find?"
SUCCESS
Aila finds nothing new on the plot that once was the Shaded City Guild, although it's much cleaner than when Aila visited. The town officials must have cleaned it all up and stored everything for an investigation.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila turned towards the Panther and looked him up and down. "Nothing at this point, looters would have taken anything left, not to mention fires tend to leave nothing in their wake. My question is what do you hope to find?" she said the last part of the sentence in an interrogative tone. "Not only do you show up out of the blue, you don't fall for my charm, but proceed to cough up the gold required for my kit? I don't understand you, and it puts me on edge. Something seems fishy, and it's not your coy answer to obtain fish in exchange for information." Aila didn't bother lacing her tone with her normal sweet-ness. You could tell she wasn't exactly playing around by asking these questions. "At the very least, you could do me the favour of tell me your name, Panther."
He looks at her and a look of concern seems to pass over his face, but only for an instant."My name is S'kavara, of the Pansa clan."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
It's a start. She still didn't like him. "Next question, the other three got into a fight in a clearing on the edge of town. If I had to take a guess from the hostility that has been shown between your two groups, you were the other combatants. I don't know who shot first, but fights have a reason. Your kind, Pansas or whatever, aren't from around here. What's your real purpose?". Blunt seemed to work on this cat. At the very least she got a name from him.
"I am not of the Pansa kind. Our kind is known as Anthros, with the genes of Panthers. As for the Pansa bit, I guess here you would think of it as a last name."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
She noted his avoidance of her question with a correction of something she said. "Anthros, huh... fine, Anthros, what is your connection with my observational subjects. Please, entertain me with your answer." Her eyes narrowed, she'd like to see him weasel out of answering this question without blatantly refusing her.
"They seem to want to know, what I know."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
"Wouldn't you if it related to something important to you was taken away? I'm sure they liked this guild. Keep your secrets for now, Anthros, but I'll be watching." She walked past S'kavara and cleared her throat. Looking over her shoulder she said, the honey returning to her voice, "We've been gone long enough, let's get back to the group with that information." She proceeded to walk back towards the general store, her hair swishing back in forth as she lead the way. Not particularly caring if S'kavara followed or not.
She walked into the general store and found Arya. "The man at the store said to follow an unmarked trial leading out the east-south-east of the town and we should arrive at the lake in about a day." a smile appearing on her lips, showing that she was proud of her "information gathering". "Did you manage to get fishing rods? It'll be awfully difficult to fish without them."
He follows her back into the store. As she spoke he knew she wasn't telling the truth. She never entered the store. He decides to keep the secret."What a drag."
as Kirito wakes up from his unconsciousness he is surprised in the location he is in his immediate question is "where are we"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Looking over at the boy, Zeeto speaks up, "We're in Shaded City again, kid. We're going to a lake not too far from here. Next time, try not to sleep through the whole journey, ok?" Zeeto looks around at the group "Where's Colfar at?" He asks.
Name: Lanor Stats: STR [12] (+1) DEX [16] (+2)
Health Points: 7/7 CON [14] (+1) INT [14] (+1)
Gold Pieces: 5 WIS [14] (+1) CHA [11] (0)
Silver Pieces: 0 COM [8] (-1) LUCK [11]
Armor Class: 13
Lanor who has been following the party of people since they set off feels weary at being back in the shaded city, they didn't like him the first time he was here and he has no real disposition to them either way, as he enters he sees for the first time the true beauty of the city, It truly was a magnificent sight, in the middle was the beautiful Willow that rose high into the sky shading the city from the Burning sun, on the right were rows of houses that had various shops among them and on the left a small park.
It seems no one was aware that Colfar had disappeared until just now; its the plight of the half-ling. When was the last time anyone saw him?
I'll perform wisdom checks for all (even Kirito! a 20 for him might mean he saw Colfar leave in a dream), to see if someone might have noticed Colfar leaving the party
Aiden FAILURE
Aila FAILURE
Arya FAILURE
Kirito FAILURE
Lanor FAILURE
S'kavara SUCCEEDS
Zeeto SUCCEEDS
After thinking about it, Zeeto does recall Colar in a bit of a mood. Didn't the half-ling want something? After discussing it with S'kavara, they agree that the half-ling probably left the city going East.
Lanor approaches the gargantuan Willow, every weeping branch swaying rhythmically to the slight breeze.
"Psst", echos a disembodied voice from behind the magnificent Willow. "Gnome! You looking to find a little fun in a very dry town?" The man, walks around the tree to give Lanor a better look. His medium length auburn hair nearly reaches the spectacles aiding his brown eyes. He's wearing worn, but not quite tattered, clothes. It looks as if he doesn't have another outfit, but rather prefers constant repairs on this one. "Follow me, little guy", the man suggests. "I'm Mac." Mac begins walking further into the residential district, hoping Lanor will follow.
"Yes, sir. I shall look around for anything you might be able to sell," the human girl tells the shopkeeper. Arya notices the Big Cat waving a poster maniacally at Zeeto behind her. A wanted poster for elves, yes. A help wanted, that was. She's liking this silly cat more and more. She covers a snicker. This rivalry between Zeeto and Star- Sark- Skarvar guy is actually becoming quite entertaining to watch without the whole deadly-I'm-going-to-kill-you aspect to it. She briefly wonders about how the Big Cat came by the Little One and decides to ask him about it.
"Hey, panther. I've been wondering. How did you come by this little guy?" she says, motioning to the cat on his shoulder. "He has quite a fiery spark to him, doesn't he, and I'm sure he's smarter than he lets on. May I pet you?" The last question was pointed at the cat positioned on the panther's shoulder.
Kirito stands up and walks to zeeto "i know how he knows about your clan thing there was an unarmored man running down the path we where on and bumped into us dropped a letter and kept running i think it was a letter on your clan"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"Why didn't you stop him?" Zeeto asks Kirito.
"i asked the panther if we should and he told me to hold on at the time i was kind of scared of him i felt i needed to do what he told me"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"Understandable. The Manther can be a bit intimidating at times, especially to a 13 year old boy." Zeeto starts to head out of the East gate, hoping to find Colfar in that direction.
Kirito follows zeeto with a smile on his face ready to learn some things about whats going on.
Name: Lanor Stats: STR [12] (+1) DEX [16] (+2)
Health Points: 7/7 CON [14] (+1) INT [14] (+1)
Gold Pieces: 5 WIS [14] (+1) CHA [11] (0)
Silver Pieces: 0 COM [8] (-1) LUCK [11]
Armor Class: 13
Lanor follows Mac ready to pull up his bow if he is attacked.
Zeeto & Kirito:
Zeeto and Kirito exit Shaded City, and towards where Zeeto thinks Colfar's headed. They intend to follow the half-lings tracks along the beaten dirt road. The two allies travel south-west for just a few minutes before losing the trail at a fork in the road. A sign marked 'Netherton' goes west, but the other is indiscernible; scratched away by ruffians. It looks to be heading south-east, but Zeeto and Kirito need to look around to be sure. Its already dark, so navigating by sun is out of the picture.
Lanor:
Mac hears Lanor closely behind. "So glad you decided to join in", he adds. "You look like you'd enjoy a good drink."
The two walk further into the residential district. Its incredible at night! Lanterns hang off of posts every six or seven paces illuminating the entire street. Various fruit trees including apple, orange, grapefruit, peach, almost anything you can spot, grow in front of nearly every house along the way.
The route is befuddling. Lanor swears they circled the same Loquat tree several times, although Mac swears by his path. After a few confusing twists and turns, they've finally arrived at an unsuspecting green door. Mac knocks several times, pauses, and knocks several times more. A small plank of wood slides open, revealing a pair of brown eyes and a hoarse voice. "Password!", exclaimes the voice. "Hidden Shrew", Mac replies.
The door swings opens inside and the two, hopefully thirsty, enter.
Now this is the place to be. Patrons of all races are here. Elves, Gnomes, Half-lings, Humans, and and the barkeep! He's a half-orc, over seven feet tall, green skin, and with shoulder length jet black hair. There are several open seats at the far end of the bar. "What do ya say, Gnome?", Mac asks. "First round's on me. I've got an opportunity for ya."
Mac motions the barkeep, and two pints arrive via half-orc within seconds.
"It's getting dark do think we should head back to the others"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"Of course not. They are safe enough together. We need to find Colfar before something happens to him." Zeeto replies to the scared child.
Growing bored with everything that is happeneing, he leaves the shop, and starts down the road towards Netherton.
S'kavara, a few minutes into his trip to Netherton, overhears Zeeto and Kirito with his acute Manther hearing. They are discussing Colfar, that half-ling mage who caused the destruction of the beast-wolf.
Over hearing them speak, he decides to meet up with them, and heads in the direction their voices came from.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Zeeto motions for Kirito to stop. He puts a finger up to his mouth in a shushing gesture. "I think I heard something" Zeeto whispers to the psion. Zeeto listens closely and inspects the surrounding area, looking for whatever made the sound.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
FAILURE
Zeeto puts his hand to his pointed ear in an attempt to amplify his already keen hearing, and listens in on the night. He hears nothing but the sounds of rustling trees, swaying in the wind. He has no idea that S'kavara watches on.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"I guess it was nothing" Zeeto says. "Let's keep moving, Colfar has a good head start on us."
Watches from the shadows under a nearby tree.
Zeeto and Kirito forge forward, unknowingly being watched by the Antro Panther. They travel for just fifteen minutes, when they hear something...
*crack* *snap*
To the right, only twenty meters away, and into the brush. They are both positive the sounds came from there, but...its tough to see at night.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Zeeto picks up a thick branch, and attempts to create a torch with his power.
Light
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
SUCCESS
Zeeto twirls his hand around the branch until it begins to glow. The light fades from its origin as it travels up from the Sorcerers hand, and to the branch's apex where a bulb of pure incandescence illuminates ten paces around the two warriors.
"Watch out!", a voice yells from behind Zeeto and Kirito. They recognize the voice. Its Colfar! Then what's in the bush???
At that moment, a rumble emanates from the shrub. Zeeto shines his torch to see a fantastic beast; a grizzly bear! Colfar runs to join Zeeto and Kirito face off against this creature.
Spell causes 3 strain on Zeeto
Init Rolls:
Colfar 7
Kirito 12
Zeeto 8
Bear 13
Battle Order:
Bear, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar
The bear had been tracking Colfar from the moment he left town. This particular bear is well acclimated to half-ling flesh, and sees the opportunity for dinner. He charges and swings with his mighty bear-claws.
Claw Strike
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
CRITICAL HIT
In an attempt to save his allies, Colfar runs in front of the bear. Pretty stupid, little half-ling. The bear swings its mighty paw and throws the tiny half man at least 15 paces backwards.
5 damage inflicted on Colfar
Colfar has been knocked unconscious.
Bear, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar
Seeing as the bear was distracted with his now stricken pray, S'kavara attempts to sneak up and do a sneak attack.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
SUCCESS
S'kavara watches on as the bear easily punts the tiny half-ling. S'kavara circles the creature until....a moment to strike!
He plunges his shortsword deep in the animal's flesh.
9 damage inflicted on bear
Battle Order
Bear, S'kavara, Kirito, Zeeto, Colfar
Kirito attempts to lock down the bear something his father had thought him though he could never master he tries it anyways
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
Name: Lanor Stats: STR [12] (+1) DEX [16] (+2)
Health Points: 7/7 CON [14] (+1) INT [14] (+1)
Gold Pieces: 5 WIS [14] (+1) CHA [11] (0)
Silver Pieces: 0 COM [8] (-1) LUCK [11]
Armor Class: 13
Lanor interested in this opportunity enquires on the details. all the time aware of his surroundings, he notices 3 doors and a hatch, he also notices the mass array of tables and what looked like a Dwarves drinking game happening in one of the corners, promising he thought to himself.
Kirito closes his eyes and concentrates on the grizzly. "Calm, great beast of the forrest. Calm"
Mindlink
SUCCESSFUL
Spell causes 7 strain on Kirito
The bear, once snarling wildly, has stopped in its tracks. Kirito lifts his arm, and the powerful animal lifts his own. A smirk crawls over the young psion's face, and and soon in front of the warriors, is a wobbly bear attempting to balance on one leg whist touching is nose with his paw. Quite a sight.
Just when enjoyment washes them, Kirito unleashes a gut-wrenching scream and collapses to his knees. As the psion squeezing and hugs his own head as if trying to keep thoughts inside, Kirito motions to the bear.
It was dead; an arrow right through its eye. The sudden break in the mindlink has startled Kirito, but thankfully, didn't damage him.
"Thanks, kid", sounds a voice from behind above. Three human hunters, all men, drop down. "Couldn't have done it without you." As Kirito lifts gaze towards the three, he stops, fixated on one of them. He recognizes this hunter. He attacked S'kavara and Aiden!
"Be you friend or foe?" Zeeto asks the new arrivals. "If you are friend, welcome, if you are foe, I advise you to change your mind. Quickly."
Meanwhile, back at the Speakeasy:
"Would ya look at this place!", exclaims Mac. "Have you ever seen so many races brought together? I'll tell ya why!" Mac lifts his glass and points to it with his index finger. "Beer! Everyone here can forget about differences and just enjoy a good drink." Mac takes a long sip of his pint and places it back on the dark oak tabletop. "Now, imagine. An entire town, every race, actually united behind something. It starts with this delicious drink, but it ends with unity." Mac starts his proposition, "Before we can begin this Amber Revolution, we need hops. Lots of hops. Netherton is the best place, but Shaded City has rules. You'd need to find way to sneak in a few barrels of it, and we'll pay ya. Real well too. Whaddayasay?"
Ok, this man is clearly inebriated, but the offer seems legitimate.
Woodsy, we're trying to expand the game to include something called player controlled checks. These include spot check, lie check, and sound check (for now at least). A spot check would be rolled if you want to look about the room to discover something new, have a better description of the room, or focus on particular aspects of the room. A lie check would be to attempt to see through a lie. A sound check would be to listen to any sounds around you, for maybe something that sounds out of place. Check out posts on this page if you need some inspiration. http://claytonia.net/forums/index.php?topic=2333.0 (http://claytonia.net/forums/index.php?topic=2333.0)
And returning to the three hunters:
"Foe?" he balks at Zeeto. "Not to these magestic kitty cats. Look, I thought about what you told me, kid", he says to Kirito. S'kavara and Aiden look confused, but realize this conversation must have been within Kirito's and the hunter's minds. "And you were right. Hunting fire kittens and manthers is fundamentally wrong. Bears on the other hand. They've got it coming!" This man has clearly learned nothing of the errors of his ways. He's simply replaced his love of hunting felines with another vice. The three muster up enough strength to begin slowly dragging the creature past everyone and towards Shaded City.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 17/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"Well, now that that's over," Zeeto begins to his companions, "We should continue to the lake. Who wants Colfar dragging duty?"
Just after Zeeto begins conferring with his allies...
"Sarsaparilla!", yells the half-ling, violenty bringing his tiny torso to a seated position. It seems Colfar has regained consciousness. Seeing no bear, Colfar comes to the conclusion that he's the one responsible for the animal's demise. He must have willed the creature out of existence! He proudly stands up, and attempts to treat his wounds.
Cure Light Wounds
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
SUCCESS
Colfar must put extra effort into treating his wounds, but manages to heal himself slightly.
Colfar healed by 1 hp
Spell causes 10 strain on Colfar
With his wounds barely treated, Colfar speaks to Zeeto, "I know my abilities must frighten you quite a bit, but I assure you, that wolf felt no pain as I discombobulated its cells out of existence." Clearly, Colfar is clueless. "I must ask a favor", speaks Colfar in a clear, but stern half-ling tone, "I need something beyond my terrific magic abilities. I won't show you the way to the lake until one of you, or your allies in town, acquires a weapon for myself."
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 17/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"For now, take my blade. I can fight with magic." Zeeto hands the Half-ling his Khopesh blade. "I would like that back once we find you a weapon."
The half-ling eyes the blade that's nearly as big as him, and eagerly takes it from Zeeto. Colfar makes a single attempt to swing the impressive blade, but topples under its relatively massive weight! He lies helplessly as the Khopesh crushes the little humanoid's chest. "New sword! new sword!", he yells waiting for someone to lift it off him.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 17/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Zeeto lifts his blade off of the Halfling's chest. "Maybe you should start with something a bit more your size. Anyone have a dagger?"
Looks through the sacks he has, looking for a small blade or some sort of weapon.It might be a little big and hard to draw, but I have a re-curve bow and some arrows."
Believing the Anthro Panther to be joking, Colfar responds, "That works, as long as you carry, arm, aim, and fire it for me. Be serious, panther-boy. I'm like three feet tall."
Seeing no options for weapons, and then considering he's got no basic supplies, or even any food, Colfar decides that a quick trip back to town might be within reason.
"The Magnificent Colfar shall return to Shaded City!", Colfar declares walking back towards town.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 17/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"Well, since he is our guide, I believe we need to follow him..." Zeeto reluctantly says to the remaining party members.
"What a drag."He follows the group back to town.
man those hunters need to pay attention they killed the bear it felt like i was just shot in the head with a arrow aswell i wish people where smart
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 17/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"Unfortunately, most people aren't. That's just something you have to deal with in this world." Zeeto replies to Kirito as they walk toward the city.
Everyone saunters back into town just minutes later, although realizing, now their Gnomish companion is gone!
"Well if you're gonna be useless in the weapon department, I'm gonna handle it myself." Colfar sees the armorer's shop upon entering Shaded City, but after trying to enter, discovers the store has closed for the day. It is nighttime after all, but the gang is relatively well rested. They've plenty of time before needing proper sleep. What else does Shaded City have to offer?
Zeeto looks around the general area for something to do.
Spot check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
Jeez, how nice. Arya attempts to be friendly with the panther and he just ignores her and walks away. How nice. A quick check around the shop reveals that every one of her party members has deserted her. Double the niceness. Oh well. Mayar is still with her. He would never leave Arya, the human consoled herself with. She ignored the fact that if he did leave her, both of them would die. Small matter. Small matter.
Still, Arya had to find something to trade for the fishing poles if her party was to get anywhere with the rude Big Cat. She and Mayar start walking back to the ruins of the guild to scavenge when she realizes that someone has probably already done so and she didn't know where her party was either. Instead, she started to walk back to the general store to ask the shopkeeper for paper for a note when she spies her party in front of the weapons store.
"Oh hey guys," she says with light, false cheeriness. "Where have you been? Did you have fun?" Reverting back to her normal speaking, she says, "We still have to find something to trade the fishing poles for. And where's Lanor?" Lanor was missing? This is very concerning. He is one of the protectorates after all! What if the people who blew up the guild had gotten to him? Arya had to find him! Using her ranger skills she had picked up through her years of skipping through forests as a child, the human attempted to pick up the little gnome's tracks from the general store to wherever he went.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
i had the worst time i was mindlinked with a bear and a hunter shot it killed it and it made me feel like i was being brutally beat to death
Arya's Spot Check:
FAILURE
Arya drops down to the grounds, close enough to smell the dirt and taste the earth! She brings her ear to the road, and after a beat, lifts it back up. According to Arya's results, Lanor isn't next to her.
And dirt still tastes like dirt.
Zeeto's Spot Check:
SUCCESS
As Zeeto searches around the general store for a hoop and a stick...or maybe even string on a rope to torment the felines, he notices something near the general store entrance: Two hardly used fishing rods...and a note?
"I gave these to your female human party member, but she seems to have forgotten our deal. She may have these rods now, and bring me back some inventory. Fish collecting is becoming a huge hobby!"
~general store-owner
"Well, looks like we have some fishing gear now at least. I think we should bed down for the night. We can get a weapon for Colfar in the morning, then he can lead us to the lake."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila held her smile until Arya left the store, her face turning sour at being ignored. She figured Arya would at least reply to her when Aila told her the way to the lake. Instead she took a quick look around the store and took off, not even seeing Aila... despite being the only one in the store with her. Aila let out a huge sigh, "Ah well, she probably still not used to having another female in her party... I'll just speak louder next time I see her to make sure I'm not ignored." She looked to the general store owner. "I'm sure one of us will be back... if you could leave the fishing poles at an accessible location, we would be grateful. I would love to take them now, but I haven't the slightest clue on how to break them down... I'm worried I'd ruin them." She gave a small head tilt to show some gratitude and left the shop before the owner could say anything.
Walking outside the shop, she looked around for somewhere to sit. Not really eyeing anything, she decided to lay down on some grass at the base of the southern wall. Looking up at the sky, she felt sudden drowsiness. Thinking back to the previous night, her sleep had been interrupted by an elf with some rather loud feet. "Maybe just a few minutes..." she said to herself, her eyes closing slowly.
Her eyes snapped open as the sat up quickly. How long had she been out? It was the darker part of dusk, amplified even more by the shade of the wall. She shivered as a small gale pulled away what little warmth she had. Looking out towards the plaza around the stores, Aila spied the fishing rods against the door... and her companions standing near the armourers. She chuckled at Arya's dirt snack. "Serves you right for ignoring me." She muttered, pushing her hair behind her as she stood. By the time she had walked over to the group, they had picked up the fishing rods and Zeeto had brought up the wonderful idea of getting more shut-eye. Hopefully the location of the sleeping area would be a lot warmer than her previous one.
"Do you have anywhere you would suggest? I think most of the Inns are at the edge of the residential area." Aila directed the last comment at the Elf. "We have quite a large group... it could be a tad expensive to stay anywhere to fancy."
Pleuch. Real dirt tastes nothing like the dirt pudding her mother used to make. Crumbled chocolate cookies on vanilla pudding mm mm good. The good ole dark dust o' the road trampled by donkeys and orcs and who knows what pooped on this ground? Not so tasty. The human spies Aila obviously amused with the human's dirtied mouth. In reply to the half elf's mutter, she says, "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't see you in there. I was busy talking to the keeper and then the cats and then they just left. I sort of left in a hurry thinking you'd gone with them. I must have missed you on my once over in the shop. As for an inn, I believe there is one to the right of this shop. Why don't you go ahead and organize the stay while I reply to this note?"
Arya reads the note and vows to come back to give this nice man a good catch if she can get one. This little human girl sure knows how to fish. She did live by a sea port growing up after all. Maybe that grumpy old armor guy can get a pity pike. She turns around the note and takes out the slightly used torch she nearly forgot she had from her backpack. Carefully, Arya removed a bit of the burnt part of the torch to use as a writing utensil.
On the back of the note, she writes: "Thank you, kind sir, for the advancement of the fishing equipment. I shall be sure to come back with a nice catch for you. ~Arya, the human ranger." With that, she slips the note under the door and hopes the man will see it when he comes to the shop the next day. For now, Arya goes off to find a nice place to sleep in the inn.
(I haven't had as much time to write more descriptive posts. My posts might be shorter generally from now on. I'll still write some more detailed ones occasionally)
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila was impressed, to hear her mutter something from that distance was a feat all on it's own. She was also impressed she took the comment the way she did, normally one would feel more offended, Arya was truly a good person to the core. The next comment worried her though, Arya wanted her to procure the rooms, and proceeded to walk into the closest inn. She wasn't sure exactly how much a room would cost, but she only had 3 gold to her name, and that gold was precious to a girl like her. At the very least, she could only get two rooms and that would lower the overall cost. The male room would be cramped but, with Aila and Arya being the only two females, it would be a lot better for the girls.
She walked into the Inn, giving it a quick look over before heading to the counter she believed one arranged rooms at. "Ah... how much for your rooms?" Her voice was filled with hesitancy. She really disliked the thought of losing her gold...
Intent that there is no reason for him to be here, he follows the girl into the inn.
The gang looks around the lobby. A party of rowdy humans circles a table to the right. It's tough to zero in on any specific words, but it sounds like it involves collecting something. A snobby and out of place aristocratic enjoys his dinner at another table, as far away from the loud party of humans. Only a bell and meal menu occupy the counter in front of a rather bubbly inn-keeper. Standing at five and a half feet, and wearing a burgundy dress with very modest cut revealing only her collarbone, is a round-faced and friendly in-keep.
"Welcome to the Shaded City Inn", speaks the lady in-keep, blonde hair bouncing with every word. "Do you have a reservation?"
He looks at the women."No, we do not have reservations. How much is the rooms?"
"Oooooooooooh", she starts. "A kitty cat!" She immediate attempts to pet S'kavara.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Pet Attempt
FAILED
REJECTED! S'kavara steps back to avoid the handsy inn-keeper with the counter blocking her path. Feeling slightly off-put, and noticeably less bubbly, she says, "oh. Well we've only got one room left. Those humans over there have reserved the rest." The gang looks back at the miscreants; all squabbling and yelling over one another. "Its our best room though. Two chamber pots! Only 3 gold for the night", cites the inn-keep.
He takes three gold pieces from his pocket, and hands it to the woman. He then turns towards the door, and walks out.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila was about to answer when the cat, who seemed to follow behind her an awful lot, answered in her wake. A low chuckled escaped from her as the lady attempted to pet him. Why she didn't attempt it when they first walked in, she didn't know. It was kind of hard to miss a six and a half foot tall Anthros walking into your establishment. Aila was perplexed as the cat proceeded to pay for the rooms and leave the inn. What was the point in paying for the room if you don't even look at it? Aila tilted her head the same way she did to the general store owner out of respect and proceeded to pick up the menu in front of her. She'd have no qualms about spending her own money on food for her. She sat at a table next to the loud party goers, looking over the menu while vaguely trying to listen in on the rather loud humans.
Listen Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
He paid the gold because, the look on the girls face meant, either A She didn't have enough gold, or be she did not wish to pay what gold she had. To him he didn't care if they fought over male or female taking it, or all cramming in there. He had his camping supplies, so he knew he was set. That in mind he began walking into the woods near the town. He intended to find a small clearing and set up camp for the night. After walking a few minutes into the woods he searches the surroundings for a place to set up.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Aila's Listen Check:
FAILED
Every human talks over the next in an indiscernible amalgam of babble.
The menu reads:
Breakfast - Eggs, Melon, Mush 5 sp
Lunch - Frog Legs, Potatoes, Strawberries 1 gp
Supper - Duck, Carrots, Black beans 1 gp
Snack - Goose Eggs, Steamed Corn 5 sp
S'kavara's Spot Check:
FAILED
After circling the same set of trees, many, many times over, S'kavara finds himself back at the Shaded City gate.
A little annoyed with himself, he turns back and looks once again.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
S'kavara's Spot Check:
SUCCESSFUL
S'kavara spots a much better spot just minutes out of town. Its a perfectly flat clearing, almost begging for a campground.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila looks at the prices of the food, and realizes that the cheapest item is 1/6th of her total gold count. Hungrily, she looks at the loud and obnoxious table next to her, seeing if there are any plates near enough that she could take without their notice.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Content with the new spot, he begins walking towards it. Upon reaching it, he tosses the three sacks to the side, and begins digging through the one with his tent inside. He pulls it out and begins setting it up. Once finished, he decides it best to set up a camp fire. he walks into the trees and underbrush and attempts to find a few sticks to start a fire.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
Kirito walks out of the inn sits and leans on the side of the biulding as though looking at the stars with a smile and a tear runs down his face
Zeeto walks into the inn, as it seems that is where they are going to be for the night, and proceeds to look for Aila, the only member of his party he has seen stay in the inn.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
(I have returned! lol sorry, been a very busy week.)
The small cat looks at his ally and smirks to himself. "I don't know about you..." He says as he flicks a small flame onto a pile of sticks just beside the two. "But I'm rather tired of sleeping outside. You do what you'd like, but I'm going to the inn."
Aiden leaps off of S'kavara's shoulder and begins walking back into town. He began to think to himself, "I'm still rather uneasy about this new alliance... but, if I stick close to them, maybe I can learn things for when it all goes sour. Keep your friends close..." His smirk grew devilish. As he entered the city, he spots Arya entering the inn. "She seemed to have been the friendliest of the trio... Perhaps I'll hang around her a bit," he thinks to himself, and runs towards the inn.
Arya is delighted to see the little cat walk up to her. She loves animals, and whether or not this is because she is a ranger or just because of a predisposition to love them, she doesn't care to figure out. "Oh hey, there, little cat," she says as she bends down. She holds out her hand to pet the cat. Arya speaks without the speaking-to-child squeak she'd normally use on such a creature. She figured it might be demeaning to him. Even so, a good pet on the head is pleasing to all, or so Arya figures. "I don't think I caught your name," she continues. "Could you tell it to me? Same for your friend. I tire of calling him 'big cat' in my head." The ranger chuckled to herself a little bit at the thought of perpetually calling the panther "Big Cat." A strange wonder briefly took to her mind on whether or not Big Cat would look good in a tall, cylindrical hat. Not knowing where this thought came from, she shakes it out of her mind.
Reigning her thoughts back to the present, she wonders why the Little Cat has separated himself from the bigger. She's asked enough questions as it is, though, and doesn't wish to overload the cat with too many. The bigger one is probably used to sleeping outside anyways. Arya thinks she saw him with camping equipment as he walked out the door. Arya is of course, aware that the cat could fry her to a crisp if he wished to. Her goal is to get him to not wish too. It isn't as subversive as it sounds. Arya genuinely wishes to make friends with the two cats. They don't seem like awful creatures. Still, she is still wary to a degree. To what degree, even Arya doesn't know. And still, even if friendship fails... Apparently Arya and the Little Cat unknowingly have the same thing in mind already when it came to that. To the Little Cat, she offers, "Would you like me to carry you to our room so you don't get stepped on? You can ride on my shoulders if you want or I could hold you in my arms. Whatever works for you."
(I am trying to make friends with Aiden but I'm not doing anything other than being genuine. This does not require a roll, right?)
(I'd say the success of it would be up to us XD)
The cat gapes for a second, sincerely surprised at this humans kindness. People usually love him, try to pet him, act astonishingly happy around him, but not when they know that he's a fire slinging, talking cat-demon. He smiles, looking up at her and says, in a smooth voice, "Aiden, my name is Aiden. And my camping fanatic ally back there is S'kavara. You know, I must say. Not many people, let alone humans, are as calm as you are around me after they find out what I am. Especially if they've survived tasting my fire..." Accepting her invitation, the nimble feline climbs onto her shoulders.
Aila's Spot Check:
FAILED
Aila's attempts to eyeball some possibly procurable food go poorly. Her line of sight is constantly blocked by the constant rambunctiousness of the six obnoxious men. Every time she can almost see past them, someone shoves someone else in a never ending cycle. She does overhear them yelling, each man claiming to be a better collector than the next. A collector of something.....
S'kavara's firestart attempt:
CRITICAL FAILURE
S'kavara readies his flint and steel above the setup of kindling, appropriately erected to allow plenty of oxygen, over bits of gather tinder. He strikes the firecraft tools....nothing. The Antro Panther tries again....and nothing. Becoming frustrated S'kavara, with all his strength, crushes the two parts together, sending the survival tools flying through the dark night. Stupid warped tools....
Aiden, snickering to himself about even using tools to create fire, simple snaps his tail, sending a lone spark gliding towards the tinder. Before Aiden even walks three paces, its become a glorious fire, as tall as a half-ling.
Spell causes 2 strain on Aiden
Aiden takes the walk back to the inn. He sees Aila attempting to look around the group of large, loud and vulgar humans before finding a very friendly Arya. It seems the female ranger is quite taken with the fiery little feline and the two head to their room after receiving a key from the inn-keeper.
"Its just past those gentlemen and a left upstairs", speaks the inn-keep, rolling her eyes when she says 'gentlemen'. "Second door on your right. Enjoy the two chamber pots!"
Once up stairs, Aiden and Arya see why the rooms are sold out. There's only four rooms! Two on each side. The hallway ends with a window allowing the moonlight to seep inside. Upon entering the room, they immediately find the two aforementioned chamber pots in between two one person beds. To the immediate right of the door is an open chest, presumable for storage. Opposite the chest is a houseplant...looks to be some sort of fern. The walls are bare, except for a lone, fixed placed window.
Zeeto's Spot Check
SUCCESS
Zeeto spot checks Aila out. She's pretty smokin'.....for a half-elf.
Zeeto walks over and sits at the table that Aila is at. He notices here eyeing the food at the nearest table hungrily. He also notices that the people at the table are talking about something. Curious, he attempts to listen more closely to their conversation.
Listen Check:
(https://claytonia.net/forums/Themes/Teknomaxi/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15
"Aiden. What a wonderful name," Arya replies. She pauses to rack through her brain and her eyes lit up at what she finds. "Huh. Your name means 'little fire.' How perfectly suiting for you." The human is glad Aiden accepted her invitation onto her shoulder and tries to position her body so he is most comfortable without compromising too much of her own posture. As she walks to their room, she tells Aiden, "I don't see why I should be so hostile to someone if I have no reason to be. If I treat someone as if I don't want to touch him with a bean pole and act hostile to them, that person is probably going to be inclined to do the same to me just because I did it to him or her. I find it better to just be friendly with people. Or cats. It's much more agreeable and easier than blind hostility." She had seen good in the two cats and had wanted to bring this goodness out, no matter the guild. Even if Aiden is plotting some trickery now, Arya can be friends now and stabbed in the back later (figuratively, she hopes). It is a gamble, she knows. But trust is a gamble.
Arriving at one of the beds in the room, Arya let down the feline perched on her shoulder onto one of the beds. Two beds. Hm. There's Aila, Zeeto, herself, Aiden, Kirito, Colfar if he is around (Arya is having trouble keeping track of who's coming and leaving), aaand... she thinks that's everyone? 5 people and one cat for two beds. Colfar is small enough to share a bed with one of the boys, Arya reasons. That is, if he didn't go AWOL.
"As there are more creatures than beds among us, would you like to share a bed with me?" she asks Aiden. If she had to share a bed with anyone, it might as well be the smallest party member. "I shall recall Mayar into my necklaces so he doesn't keep us awake from his light. Or you can go downstairs and get food. I'm much too tired to go down now and I had some bacon before we left, so I'm good." And with that, she promptly fell asleep.
Zeeto's Listen Check:
SUCCESS
Its extremely tough to discern, but Zeeto deciphers one man's nonsense. "No. No. No. There's no way a normal net would work. You need something stronger!"
Interested, Zeeto listens a bit more to see if he can discern anything else from the seemingly drunken group.
Listen Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
After watching his only companion walk away, he feels a bit upset, but the thought that the little cat would only do something like that for a good reason, eased the pain. Content that there was nothing left to do today, he climbs into the tent."Good night ca..... Oh ya..... Never mind."It wasn't long before the massive panther purred himself asleep.
Zeeto's Listen Check:
SUCCESS
The men begin arguing even louder, but Zeeto catches a few words...
"Whaddayamean?! We're gonna need a bigger boat!"
Zeeto, now extremely curious about what is going on, walks over and asks one of the humans about it. "Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Might I ask what you need a larger boat for?"
The gang of obnoxious men don't hear the Elf and continue to squabble until one of the crushes his palms against the tabletop. The stern human hasn't spoken a single word until now."Enough!" he declares as he stands up and walks to Zeeto.
Daniel Looks the elf over and says "The boat is for the fish as they are big and you normally don't wish to be on a small boat with something that wants to take a bite out of you."
Kirito walks back into the inn with a wet face from tears & went to the room and lies down upon the bed and stairs at the roof but doesn't fall asleep.
while he thinks about his family
"Where would you be fishing for these large fish?" Zeeto asks the large Human.
Daniel raises an eyebrow and says "The lake... fish tend to be in water you know."
"Do you mean the lake south of here?" Zeeto replies to the rather imposing Human.
"You are asking many questions elf, why do you need to know about the fish anyway?" Daniel replies warily staring at the elf.
"Well," Zeeto starts "I am actually part of a party heading to this lake. We are going there to catch some fish for our Anthro friend." As Zeeto says this, his face gains an odd smirk, for some reason.
As the two begin to converse, Colfar has been standing next to a painting in the lobby in an attempt to communicate with it. That bear must have hit him harder than it looked; and a bear punting a half-ling doesn't seem like a promising venture to begin with. Not for Colfar anyway. He fails to notice the tear soaked Psion pass the human and elf, then head straight to the room.
Daniel glares and raises a hand toward his greataxe as he says " So your trying to edge in on business are you."
"No need to get hostile." Zeeto says in a calming voice. Not intimidated by the large human, he keeps the smirk. "We aren't trying to muscle in on business, we are just trying to get some fish for our friend. There is no need to threaten us with an ax. I would not recommend starting a fight with any of us, as there are quite a few of us around. Think a little bit before you act."
"Then wipe that smirk off your face before I do it for you" Daniel replies in a low growl " and why do you think i would just let some elf who doesn't even know his manners go fishing for flesh eating fish."
"Well, for starters, I can do this" As he says this Zeeto attempts to make himself look exactly like the large man in front of him. Axe, clothing, and all.
Disguise Self
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
Colfar attempts to ask if the painting if it is married, since Colfar is single, to another but the inanimate object fails to provide a response. Colfar attempts to identify the painting itself.
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Daniel stares at the elf and says " Nice trick, won't help you so have a nice afterlife."
Now what was the psion on about he wonders as he walks off after the psion
Zeeto Disguise Attempt:
FAILURE
It seems that the spell didn't have Zeeto's intended effect. Daniel simply walks off to follow the psion, who has already entered his room and closed the door behind him.
Spell causes 7 strain on Zeeto
Colfar's Spot Check:
SUCCESS
The painting is of a blue duck. I guess, someone really wanted to see a blue duck.
Oh the doors closed... i guess i will just knock. Daniel draws his axe and proceeds to attack the door,
Attack versus Door
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
Zeeto, feeling slightly defeated, and tired, walks up the hall toward the room Aila rented.
Daniel's Door Check:
FAILURE
Daniel's draws his mighty axe, and swings at the oak door! Unfortunately, the door seems to be a feistier opponent than imagined. Daniel's axe misses its target completely!
Meanwhile, Zeeto heads up to his room to find Daniel...attempting to break down his party's room's door!
Growling at the nerve of the door Daniel swings again!
attack versus door
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
Zeeto watches on as Daniel takes another swing at the door.
HIT
Daniel's powerful axe slams into the wooden door, sending splinters all around!
6 damage inflicted on door
The unwelcomed sound of axe on oak wakes the entire room
"WOW"screams kirito jumps to his feet rips the door open with the hole it now has in it "what was that and who are you"
Daniel says " Oh i am Daniel and i was wondering why you were crying but the door was closed..."
"you could have knocked"
Daniel looks at the hole then back at the psion " I did..."
"ok well i was crying because i was looking at the stars and that's something me and my family used to do and there not exactly around anymore"
Daniel nods " oh, i see"
Then he walks off to his room and goes to bed.
"ok zeeto are u gonna go to bed to i don't exactly now what to do about the door"
The horrendous 'knock' on the door the big drunken human planted on the door wakes Arya with a jolt. Without a pause, she rolls out of the bed, grabs her stiletto from its resting place on the floor, and ends up in fighting stance all in one motion. She witnesses Kirito shoo the oaf of a man away. Seriously. Who knocks on a wooden door with an axe? Arya hoped for his sake that the man was just very very drunk to have made that call.
In the dim light, she sees a glint drop down Kirito's face. The girl brings forth Mayar to dust the room in his white glow so she may see the little boy better. She calls him 'little' on the account that he was much younger than he. Height-wise, he towers over her, making it slightly more awkward for Arya to comfort the child.( ;) Toki ) Still, she tries her best. Mayar's glow reveals Kirito's red, streaming eyes and sniffly red nose.
"Oh, Kirito," Arya says at the sight of the boy. "It there something you wish to talk about? Sometimes things feel better if you talk it out with someone." She walks over to the boy and guides him to sit on the bed, her arm wrapped around his in a supportive hug.
After tossing in bed Daniel realized he was still angry at the rude elf and decides to look for something else to break.
spot check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
Daniel's Spot Check:
SUCESS
The room is dark, as Daniel didn't feel the need for unnatural lighting. Fumbling his way through the darkness, he finally finds something. Its made of wood and its breakable. Perfect!
With a loud roar Daniel swings his axe with both hands toward the object
attack versus ... thing
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
He awakes, and stops purring. The moon still very high, he decides to exit the tent. Of knowing nothing to do, he walks into the dense woods, and searches for something.
Spot Ckeck
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
HIT
Daniel's greataxe absolutely crushes its target. What was it? Well its saw dust now....
16 damage inflicted on unknown wooden target
Arya hears the crash from the other room and is immediately on alert. She turns to Kirito with apologetic eyes. "You can tell me anything you need to, alright? Right now I have to go check out that crash to make sure no body died. You can come with me if you want." Unwrapping her arms from the boy, she grabbed her stiletto once more and wrapped the sheath around her waist. Prepared to protect herself, she and Mayar sprint out the room and knock on the door she heard the crash from.
Daniel opens the door and looks at the one who knocked
"Yes?"
With light now bearing inside the room, we see the true victim of Daniel's attack...
His bedpost.
Arya eyes the man who opened the door up and down. It's the same man who intruded on their room, and she makes a point to voice that. "What's going on in here?" Arya asks. "And you're going to pay for the damage on that door. We're not responsible for that."
Daniel just looks at her and looks at the door "No."
And he leaves his room to go outside the inn.
Arya considers tattling on the man, but then she realizes that would probably make her seem like a weak little kid. She already looked like one with her short stature and young-looking face. She didn't need to be treated like one. She considers going after the man, but he's left his room so unattended. It would be a shame if something were to walk out of the room all by itself. Just enough to pay for the damages, mind you. And... perhaps a lil bit more. Just to pay for his rudeness. She goes to open the door. She doesn't think he locked it.
Daniel heads downstairs. The bubbly inn-keeper heard none of Daniel's tomfoolery because his associates still argue and yell over one another. Something about a fake shark this time...
Arya, meanwhile, inside the 'axe questions first' guy's room, finds it very difficult to see....isn't there a lantern here somewhere?
On his way out Daniel stops and realizing that he forgot to lock the door to the room he goes to his friends table and says " Hey i'm going out for a long walk and i think i forgot to lock the room door can you go take care off that for me?"
Arya closes the door and locks it behind her just in case the man came back. At least the shuffling of the keys could alert her to his presence. Who needs a lantern when you have a glowing wolf by your side? For good measure, though, Arya finds a lantern on the table- or whats left of a table that is. There are matches next to it. How handy. She loves inns. They always provide you the necessities. She strikes the match and lights the lantern's wick. She then scans the room for something that might pay off an axed door.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
Still full of energy, Daniel heads out of town, where he spots.....a six foot tall panther??
go to S'kavara, a panther apart... for more action! http://claytonia.net/forums/index.php?topic=2346.0 (http://claytonia.net/forums/index.php?topic=2346.0)
Arya's Spot Check:
CRITICAL SUCCESS
Arya, although bordering on chaotic behavior, is feeling a sense of adventure when riffling through someone else's room. Its not unlike the room she rented....wait....its exactly like the room she rented. It even has two chamber pots? That lying inn-keep! Arya spots a key on one of the beds. Its a spare key! Now Arya can enter and exit this room anytime.
Daniel's sudden departure preempted nothing from his shouting allies. They didn't even acknoledge his request of locking the door! The latest predominant yell is, "barbed, metal net!"
Pocketing the key, Arya gets up and leaves the room, locking it behind her while feeling nervous about what she's done. It's not like her to do this sort of thing. Still, that oaf deserves it and none of them can afford a door with enough money to get by. She figures she'll snoop around for some money in the morning. She's completely exhausted now and feeling a bit guilty. Maybe she'll give the key to Aila instead... Arya figures she'll do this when Aila comes up. For now, Arya goes to sleep. For real this time. She tries casting a ward at the door but doesn't check to see if it worked before she has fallen into dream world.
Cast Alarm
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
Zeeto, watches in horror as the Large, Angry, Human swings his axe at the door to his party's room... And misses. Zeeto almost laughs at this, then thinks better of it, as the man is holding a large axe. THe man takes another swing, and smashes through the door! Why was that necessary? Zeeto does not know. Seconds later, Kirito swings the door open and asks the man who he is. The man tells Kirito his name, which is apparently Daniel. Daniel and Kirito exchange a few more words before Daniel walks across the hall to his room. Zeeto assumes he's sleeping now. A few seconds later there is a loud crash from Daniel's room. Arya comes rushing out of her room and knocks on Daniel's door, the proper way. Daniel answers, they exchange a ffew words, and Daniel walks past Arya, and down the hall. He apparently doesn't notice Zeeto, who still looks exactly like him, as he walks down the hall. Arya walks into Daniel's room, which seems very unlike her, and comes out a few minutes later holding a key. Zeeto, uninterested in the events upstairs anymore, walks back downstairs and sits at the table with Daniel's buddies.
SUCCESS
Arya concentrates enough to leave an alarm cast on the doorway. Anyone who enters here anytime during the next two hours, and Arya will know about it.
spell causes 6 strain on Arya
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila sat and watched as the elf, quickly losing points in her books by the second, confronted the huge, great axe wielding man. Thankfully, he took off upstairs away from her 'companion'. She winced as a crash echoed from above her, surely that wasn't her room. Thinking back to it though, it was the cat who talked and paid for the room. Hopefully she could lie about it and get the bill pushed onto the cat.
She winced again as a second, louder crash made it's way down the stairs. Looking at the inn lady, she didn't seem to notice as she stared intently at the men, seeming only to be annoyed by their loud voices. Aila's stomach growled, she took another long glance at the menu and then stole a second side glance at the table next to her. Although the men were obstructing her view, it didn't stop her from dreaming on what food they could possibly have on the table. This only made her stomach growl louder, and her mouth water a bit more.
She watched as denial left, and then denial came downstairs and sat at the table-- wait, what? She didn't entirely make sense of it till she remembered Zeeto's look-a-like spell. Didn't matter to her. Soon after she was startled as one of the men screamed "Barded, metal net". What could they be fishing for that would require that? Something interesting hopefully. Who knows, if she could sweet talk them enough, they might even share their food with her.
Aila approached the table, trying to look as small and as delicate as possible. Giving her best innocent eyes, she asks the group in a loud enough voice that would be, hopefully, heard over their loud yelling. "Barded wire net? Whatever could you strong men be fishing for that would require such an extreme item?" her voice laced with honey.
Roll for Good Measure:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Zeeto, appearing as Daniel, plants himself in Daniel's former seat without saying a word.
"Well heya buddy!" one of them speak. "where've ya been?". He's grotesque. I mean they're all pretty ugly, but this one takes the ugly cake. His long protruding nose doesn't offset his sever under-bite. It evokes it. Stains stain his already prevalent stained clothes.
As Zeeto ponders his response, Aila interrupts the conversation. The same severely hideous man turns to her and responds, "All the better to catch my prey!". Was he flirting, or bragging?
...threatening?
The uggo turns back to Zeeto for a response. "Well? Are you gonna answer?"
Daniel enters the door to the inn with half a goblin corpse on his shoulder.
Daniel's party, eagerly waiting on Zeeto's return, realize that actual Daniel has just entered the inn. Not knowing which is which, the five stand in exasperation. "Wait!", ugly starts. "Just hold on one minute" he pauses in between phrases. "You've got a twin brother!"
Ugh....idiots.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila felt her eye brow twitch as the man failed to answer her question entirely. There were so many stupid people in this world, and she seemed to find an awful lot of them following this odd group. She wanted an answer, and at the very least, their food. Looking over the ugly companion of danial, he seemed to be the easiest. She wouldn't like it, but a girl could get what she wanted easily enough from people like him. "Prey? Oh my, you must have such wonderful adventures to tell... mind if I sit down and listen for a bit?" She got a bit closer to him, and opened her eyes a little wider, something she though made her seem cuter, and a little but more 'interested looking'. Her amber eyes shone bright from her minds eye.
Opening her eyes wide to catch this man's attention, she used the moment to re-check the table for the various things on it. Not only was she closer, she was hopefully creating a gap in the commotion that previously obstructed her view. Her stomach growled loudly as she gazed over the table.
Spot Check on the Table:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
Zeeto, realizing just how stupid these people are, just nods his head and goes with it. Just as Real Daniel walks in, Aila moves over to the table and flirts with uggo. Zeeto decides to look around the table a bit, to see what's there.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Aila:
SUCCESS
...well sort of
The ridiculously hideous man, swooned by Aila's amber eyes, offers her his lap.
Probably not what she was hoping for.
Zeeto:
SUCCESS
All Zeeto sees, foodwise, is a single group serving platter of cheeses. This night can only get worse.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila looked at Uggo's lap, the stains were stained with stains. She feared the worst things possible if she even thought about sitting there. In quick response, she reached back to her table and grabbed a chair, setting it next to Uggo, and proceeded to sit in it. A smile crossed her face as she looked at him. "I'm heavier than I look... also, it's rather heard to pay full attention when you're so close to such a... manly chest." she said, slightly hesitating at the last comment. "So tell me, what is it you're hunting for that requires such advanced equipment? Surely you're not hunting sea monsters!" A look of complete enthrallment crossed her face as she said the last sentence.
Kirito after the door incident to confused to really do anything wallk's out to where all the men are and see's 2 Daniel's & Aila
confused Kirito asks Aila "what is going on here why is there two daniels"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila froze at Kirito's comment. Great, another distraction for Uggo. She half turned to Kirito, looking only in his geneal direction and not at him. "It's a family reunion, they just found out they're twins. That said, shouldn't you be sleeping, little boy?" After that she turned back to Uggo, staring him in the eyes with her own. If he didn't answer her questions quick, she was going to lose interest. Sleep didn't sound so bad at this point, even if she was hungry enough to eat a dragon.
When Kirito reopened the door, he unknowingly set off an alarm that blares only in Arya's mind. She's wide awake....again.
Zeeto's Spot Check of the table:
SUCCESS
From his angle, Daniel-Zeeto is able to see the entire table. Not much is left, besides a few morsels of bread. Daneeto pockets what he can, without drawing attention.
Uggo, having completely forgetting asking fake Daniel a question, answers Aila. "Just you wait, little darlin'. Tomorrow, all of Shaded City will see our prize!". With that note, Uggo stands up, crumbs dropping from his grossly stained tunic to the floor. "Fellas, we should retire, and tomorrow....we become heroes!". Uggo bids goodnight to his allies, including Zeeto in his Daniel disguise, and and heads off to his room.
A few moments later Aila and Zeeto hear Uggo's voice, "What the hell happened to my bedpost?!"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila pondered what Uggo had said, heroes? Sounded a bit dangerous, perhaps she'd skip out on that adventure. Besides, she had other people to follow. Snagging a couple of the morsels from the table, she headed upstairs. She stopped in her tracks upon seeing her door with a gaping hole in it. Promptly, she turned around, walked down the stairs, and left the Inn. Returning to her spot under the wall, she pulled out her camping gear and wrapped herself up in it. Laying down she gazed up at the stars. "If I didn't use the room, I'm not paying for the damages."
Soon after, Aila was in the dream world.
Colfar, feeling rejected after the lack of response from the blue duck painting, leads Kirito back to the room. Upon entering, they witness Arya shoot up into a seated position, violently motioning her arms so her allies would close the door. Upon closing, she immediate burrows her head deep into her pillow, with the hope of drowning any sounds Colfar and Kirito might create.
Kirito collapses on the unoccupied bed, and Colfar to the corner with the fern.
The burly orchestra of obnoxious men stand almost in unison, although Zeeto still sits, careful not to speak because surely these men would recognize their ally's voice. He remains at the table, concentrating on keeping his veiled appearance until the men are out of sight. He finally reverts to his proper form when the inn-keep isn't looking. Exhausted from the spell, he places his head on the table, and drifts into dream world with the other Protectorates.
Hours later, light creeps through the room's window, and everyone begins to stir awake.
Colfar gains 3 hp
Colfar gains 10 sp
Zeeto gains 10 sp
Arya sure had a restful sleep. And by restful, she meant being woken up thrice, once by a man who could easily take first prize for smallest human brain and twice for her own stupid alarm. Honestly, who's idea was it to make warding alarms sound like howling banshees being pulled over a cheese grater? At least there was some good news about the ward spell. It worked. Exhausted, Arya pulled the pillows over her head and once again tried to sleep.
It was morning now. The human girl doesn't know how long she had slept for, but she has to find Aila to let her at Daniel's room before they leave. She walks to the entrance of the inn and attempts to find Aila's tracks using her "finely tuned" ranger skills.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Kirito wakes up and see's Arya walking out the bedroom and follows her when they end up outside of the inn Kirito nicely says to Arya "good morning"
Arya sees Kirito following her. She turns around to the boy and replies, "Oh, hello there Kirito. How are you feeling? Would you happen to know where Aila went?"
i saw i Aila walk up to the room then go down to the door and leave don't know where she went maybe decided to camp out
"Alright," Arya replies. "Would you like to help me find her?" she asks. She turns back around to try following Aila's trail if she can find it.
"i would love to join you"
Arya nods and smiles at him and continues her search.
"where do you think she might have gone?"
He awakes as the sun's rays begin to lick the forest's roof. After packing his tent, he sits by the fire pit and attempts to light another fire.
Fire lighting
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Arya's Spot Check
SUCCESS
Arya spots the Aila's footprints leading towards her impromptu wallside campsite. She's still asleep despite the morning light. Kirito and Arya simply watch on as Aila rests.
Creepy.
Meanwhile S'kavara attempts to light a fire in the morning.
SUCCESS
Despite throwing his flint and steel away, S'kavara's firecraft remains undeterred. He grabs two stones meant as a retaining wall to the campfire, and smacks them together.
...nothing. He strikes them again...
...nothing. He strikes a third time, and a fantastic spark skips to and fro through the air and lands on the tinder perfectly. This will be a grand fire with the proper fueling and attention.
Daniel leaves leaves the inn towards his hideaway, half a goblin still in hand from the night before.
Content with his fire, S'kavara removes some of the venison from one of his bags. Tearing it apart into strips, he lays them on a stone in the fire and cooks the semi homemade venison bacon.
The inn-keeper finds a trail of....what is this...bile? She follows it to the source: one of the obnoxious humans from last night with a goblin on his shoulder, barely out of the inn on his way. "Hey you!", she shouts at Daniel. "You've gotta pay for this!" The inn-keeper can't stop the large brute and returns inside with the intention of letting the authorities know about him.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Ah, the smell of dew on the grass in the morning smelled so great. It was such a shame that it caused her hair to end up in such odd positions. She sat up and ruffled through her bag looking for a simple comb, which she used on her hair promptly. She finished it by putting it into a single ponytail, trailing off of the back-right of her head. She pulled back the blankets and straitened her clothes, they were entirely disheveled and she was sure if you were standing right next to her at the right angle, she would have been totally revealed. She really needed to stop tossing and turning in her sleep.
Finishing her pack-up, she stood up and hoisted her bag and gear onto her back and headed towards the inn. She stopped after her second step as she noticed Arya and Kirito watching her. God this party gave her the creeps, what was with the constant following?
"hey Aila morning" Kirito says with a a smile on his face
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
"Perverts, the whole party. Every time I turn around, one of you is there. From the cat, and now you two." No honey was present. She simply stated the first thing that came to her mind, it was much to early to act friendly to this group. "So? What brings you two to my sacred sleeping quarters? Not even announcing your presence." Aila motioned towards her camping site at the first question, her voice accusatory at the second statement.
Sneezes
"so where are we going today arya"
btw this is my last post till sunday going to dads
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Zeeto wakes to the sound of the innkeep yelling out the door at someone. He looks down at his hands, and notices that they are, in fact, his. The spell must have been broken when he passed out. Remembering the night before, he thinks about the last words Uggo said. Heroes... Hm... Zeeto figures this is worth investigating. He gets up from the table, and walks outside to look for the remaining members of the party. Seeing Arya, Kirito, and Aila (Who does not look happy at all) over near the wall, he walks over there. "Did anyone else notice the last words from one of the brutes last night? He said they would be heroes today. I think we should follow them. Any objections?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 3 Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
"And now the elf shows his face. The people from last night? Do you even know where they went? Besides, if they're going to be heroes, they're probably going to be doing something dangerous. Do you really want to get involved? Pretty sure you have better things to do." Aila motioned towards the burnt down guild hall. Her stomach growled audibly enough for the people next to her to hear. The morsels she borrowed last night didn't seem to be enough to keep her going till lunch. "I'm going to eat breakfast. When you remember what you need me for, come find me at the table."
Aila sat down at the table and picked up the menu, which was surprisingly still at the same table. Looking over the menu, Aila decided on the breakfast menu. It was breakfast after all. Aila motioned for the inn lady and pointed at the first option. "I need one of these."
The inn-keeper is not her usually bubbly self. She's had to clean up three separate messes, all she believes to be perpetrated by the same man: That greataxe wielding brute. What was his name, she thought to herself?
...can't quite remember.
The inn-keep sees Aila motioning to her. After receiving the order, she returns in a few minutes with Aila's breakfast. Aila eyes the three part meal with hesitation. Its served in on a single small wooden plate. The eggs look promising, but the so called mush, less so much. Its supposed to be crushed, or mushed, grains cooked in boiled water, but this? This looks like gruel before it becomes gruel. Is this pre-gruel? The melon, sliced into bright orange cubes, juices already flowing into the mush and eggs, looks amazing!
"That'll be five silver for the meal". She'll need all the financial help she can get after that door destroying, goblin dragging miscreant stayed here.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Food. It was food... except for that. Whatever that was. Aila separated the edible stuff from the- whatever it was, and slid the bowl to the opposite end of the table. She handed the inn keep one gold coin, in which she promptly returned with five silver pieces to compensate the difference. The lady then sighed and returned to her cleaning of the goblin... stuff. Aila looked at the bowl and at the mess the lady was cleaning. It probably wasn't goblin leftovers, but she couldn't take a chance. She wasn't eating what was in the bowl.
It was a quick 5 minutes before the food was devoured, Aila's sunny disposition returned for the most part. Satisfied, Aila mulled over the recent happenings. "I suppose we'll still have to go fishing with or without the cat, Arya seems to have taken on some sort of debt to the general store keeper...". Aila sighed as she set her head against the table, and closed her eyes thinking back to the previous nights events. She opened her eyes soon after when she remembered exactly what Uggo looked like. Thankfully, the mental image disappeared upon opening her eye and seeing the window positioned across from her view. The words still remained though. It seemed as though the men who were here last night were headed to the lake they were. Another shiver rippled it's way up her back at the thought of Uggo possibly being at their destination.
It's not like she wasn't excited about fishing for the first time, it was the man eating fish that bothered her. Who would fill a lake full of man eating fish? From her memory, it was a lake that was land-locked. This meant that the water going in and out of the lake did so through the water cycle. Were the fish natural she wondered? The thought piqued her interest. Perhaps she'll have to do some exploration at the lake as opposed to being near the water. And the fish. And possibly Uggo.
Satisfied with his breakfast, he begins to pack his gear. Shortly after words, he decides to head back into town."I wonder if those idiots are still asleep..."His words trailed off, as he reached the outskirts of the city.
After feeding the half of the goblin to his "mount" Albert, Daniel climbed on his back
I guess i should find the girl that knocked on the door yesterday Daniel thought Wasn't that rude elf talking about the fish in the lake? Well i guess i will start there then. Daniel turned Albert around and began to ride to the lake.
Daniel, believing himself to be very surreptitious, didn't notice several officials spot him on his way out. The trail of putrid goblin blood is extremely easy to follow, and soon guards, armed with long swords, and decked in plated armor, confront Daniel on his mount.
"You there!", one of them yells. "You've violated several laws of Shaded City! You need to speak with us inside. Leave your beast here." All three guards unsheathe their blades and wait for his response. "I warn you, any resistance will be met with severe measures".
Daniel Dismounts the 10 foot tall Owlbear known as Albert, Albert lets out a low growl and claws the ground with his 1 foot long razor sharp claws before Daniel calms him with a pat on the beak before saying " It is ok I will go peacefully to see what these charges are."
Daniel then follows the guards inside.
Arya, who had fallen asleep after reaching Aila's sleeping grounds, wakes up once again as she heard Aila stirring. "Sorry," Arya says with sleep still apparent in her voice. "I just needed to find you quickly and you were asleep." Arya walks back with Aila and sits down at the table with her. Shifting her head left and right, she sees that Daniel is no where to be found. Perfect. "Listen," Arya whispers to the half-elf, "I was looking for you to give you this." She reveals a dull, scratched key from her pocket. ""It's the key to the meat-head's room. You know, the one who broke our door? You seem to be the sneaky observant type. I was thinking you could... collect payment for the door from him while he was away. And if some other things of his walk out of his room, well, I wouldn't be the one to protest. What do you say?" She hands Aila the key, hoping she'd accept.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
"You realize you're asking me to steal, right?" Aila said as she motioned for Arya to help herself to the bowl across the table from herself. "And I don't know if I should feel offended by your comment or not... either way, I doubt there would be anything in the room at this point." Aila stuck her thumb towards the rather upset inn keeper. "You honestly think that the lady over there would just let his stuff lay there after the damages he'd done to his and your rooms?". She neglected to mention that it was also her room as well, but she didn't feel like being roped into a bill should the keeper feel like charging them. "I can go take a look if you want, but don't expect much. You wanna come? It was your idea." At the last statement, she stood up and picked up the key and waited for Arya's response.
The interrogation room is cold and damp. Daniel can hear something rhythmically dripping every few seconds, but can't quite pinpoint the source. A lantern hangs from the ceiling by a chain, dangling just a few feet off a tabletop. Daniel is sitting at the lone wooden table in the middle of the room opposite two officials. Both apparently named Andrew, or variations on it. These men could be twins! Both of their round faces are masked by thick mustaches and short brown hair on top. Similar height and build; tall and burly. They wear matching grey pants and blue tunic uniforms, that, while probably not gained genetically, doesn't disclaim 'the same parentage theory' either. The space is silent. After one minute. Nothing. Five minutes? Nope. Ten? Nada. Finally, after half an hour, one of the interrogators says something.
"Listen", he starts. "I know you didn't mean to do it. I just want to know why? Why'd ya do it?"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Apparently Aila didn't want an answer, as she just walked away and back in to the inn. Knowing her, she probably wanted food. Seconds later, Arya followed. "Well, we might as well follow them" Zeeto says to Kirito. Zeeto walks over to the inn and enters. He sees Aila and Arya. "So, you don't think we should follow the brutes?" Zeeto says to Aila. "You know, even if we don't go there to follow them, we still need to go Fish Collecting at the lake. I also heard there is a cave near there with a chest full of valuable armor and weapons."
Arya tilts her head forward at Aila and gives her a dry look. "Well thanks for spelling it out for me and the rest of the world as well." She dips into Aila's bowl of food, not really seeing what she was eating. "It was a compliment. In this world at least. Being sneaky and observant is the best thing a rogue like you can be. I wish I could do that. I'll stick to tracking and calling animals though." Arya shifts uncomfortably in her seat at the last question. "Uh... sure I'll come, but I'm not much the ransacking type. I'll try my best."
Daniel raises an eyebrow and replies confused " Do what?"
Andrew Two slams his palms on the tabletop, and yells, "Is that how you're going to play this?" He adds, "Did you, or did you not kill a goblin inside, or near, Shaded City?"
Daniel replies still confused "yes I did, I was with a panther anthro that I saw stalking them, he got into a fight and I helped him out."
Back in Interrogation:
Both Andrews barrel out in laughter. "I don't care who helped you slay these ugly, vile creatures. That's not an issue. My question is this", pause for dramatic effect. "Why didn't you report it?"
"Yeaaah", Andrew One adds. "Where's the report?!"
"Andrew....", exhales with deep disappointment in his partner. "We talked about this. If you want to add to conversation, add something that expands the dialogue, not repeats it!". Andrew two takes a beat to calm down. "And worst of all, you didn't share. The sheriff loves goblin. We love goblin. And yet you go around town, not sharing goblin. That's three separate charges of not sharing goblin! What do you have to say for yourself?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
"Well, I didn't mean it like that. No one likes being called a thief. It's not like we're stealing anyway. We're uhhh.... collecting. On a debt. His debt. To us." Aila walked up stairs and motioned for Arya to follow. "Like I said, we'll just take a quick look. the Inn lady probably took everything anyway."."
Upon reaching the room, Aila opened the door using the key. Opening the door, she took a good look around the room. Thankfully, it was during the day so there was plenty of light in the room.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
"You see anything of use, Arya?"
"Well, that is why I 'borrowed' his extra key in the first place," Arya replies. "He has a debt that must be paid. A debt for the door and for being an obnoxious meat-head. The second offense's payment is just a little bit more liberal is all. I'm sorry for offending you." Arya, noticing Aila not looking in some possible gold mine hiding places, searches around for gold or valuables as well.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
-Meanwhile, at the inn-
Aila's Spot Check
FAILURE
Arya's Spot Check
SUCCESS
Aila spots nothing new in the room, and is almost on her way out when Arya notes something underneath the broken bed. She finds an underwhelming butter knife!
Meanwhile, Colfar stirs awake after an extravagant rest next to the polite potted plant. He sees Arya and Aila and their recently found treasure. "You found a weapon for me?!", he asks, voice jumping with excitement.
"Yeah... You take it Colfar. Here you go," Arya hands the 'knife' to Colfar. "I'm going to go check again."
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila wasn't really trying, if something was going to happen to them it would have happened already. Upon finding the butter knife, Aila was pretty sure that there wasn't much else. "One more quick check and we'll get out of here. It's about a day to the lake. I'd like to get there when it's not to terribly dark."
Quick Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Arya's and Aila's second spot check
SUCCESS
Arya and Aila find nothing new in the room. It has been mostly cleaned out by the inn-keeper, who could return at any moment to finish the job.
Daniel Replies "That's not a crime and if you want goblin talk to the panther, he's the one with goblin to spare I had the goblin for my mount. So can I go now?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila turned to Arya. "Not much, at least Colfar is happy. It's probably best not to stay here, the inn keeper could be following the bile trail up the stairs as we speak." Aila put the spare key into her pocket and walked out the door and turned down the hallway. "The elf is probably waiting for us. We should be going. Make sure you got everything from your room. Including that cat. I'll be at the table in the meantime, just let me know when we're leaving." By cat Aila meant Aiden.
She sat at the table once again, pulled out her shoddy comb and began running it through her hair waiting for the sign of departure.
"Are we still waiting for everyone else?" Zeeto asked Aila when she sat down at the table again.
At the thought of carrying the cat, Arya's still groggy mind wakes up a little more and she bounces to the room. Aiden is still cat napping at the foot of her bed. Boy, that cat could sleep. She collects her things and announces to the room that they were leaving for the lake now. She scoops up the still sleeping cat in her arms and runs her fingers down his back as she walks out of the room to Aila. Arya sure hopes Aiden doesn't wake up and end up not liking being pet.
Interrogation Room:
"How dare you question the laws of Shaded City!", both Andrews shout simultaneously. The Andys step back from the table to confer using whispers. Just then, a knock sounds from the other side of the door. A man enters wearing black leather shirt and pants, and holstering a tremendous great sword. He stands slightly below average, probably due to his intense age. Its quite a feat that he can even carry his sword on his person. Dull grey eyes penetrate above his elongated and pointy nose.
"hello there", asks the man. "I'm sheriff of this city. See son...we've got rules here. You can't just go slicing up goblins, AND not sharing them all willy nilly. I assure you, this is a very real crime. You're looking at possible jailtime...that is, unless you want to make some sort of deal".
At the inn:
The Protectorates and followers are all set, and leave as the inn-keeper scrubs goblin muck out of the floorboards. Colfar leads his teammates out of the gate, and as promised, points in the proper direction using his underwhelming butter knife. They spot S'kavara on their way out, who also sees them. Colfar insists that everyone follow the butter knife, or it might get angry. Under strict utensil orders, the gang heads on their way.
Everyone makes great time and by midday, and according to Colfar's 'blade', they're more than halfway to the lake! Colfar puts the knife to his ear as if listening to it. "Knifey says its time for lunch", Colfar declares, knife still up to his ear. "Anybody have some food? He's starving"
Daniel replies " Fine as long as I can go, I have a place to be."
Interrogation:
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, there city slicker. Things don't move quite so fast 'round here. You've gotta slow things down somtimes", the sheriff spoke, putting extra emphasis in elongating the words slow and down. "Since your owlthing ate my goblin, I should be able to eat your owlthing. Fair is fair". Is this ugly old Sheriff serious??
"Fair is fair", the Andys add, quite unnecessarily.
The moment is quickly over and the three bust out in laughter. Clearly they aren't going to eat the creature.
"No no no. A creature like that might be too...fowl!", a tear of joy runs down the sheriff's gaunt cheeks. He begins again in earnest. "It took quite some time, but my men managed to wrangle your beast. No one in town has seen anything quite like it", the Sheriff says. "Very impressive. Where did you find such a mount?"
Daniel narrows his eyes and says "I found him in a cave far south west and im rather attached to him so I would appreciate if you release him and me, and tell me what task you need of me..."
"I have some food rations," Arya volunteers. "I'm afraid they won't taste very good though. I'll try hunting to spice our meal up with meat. Maybe I'll find some veggies too." She wanders off with Mayar in this strange land. There weren't as many trees as she was used to, but still trees were present. She searched the grounds for burrows and the trees for birds. There's a familiar sort of plant sticking up out of the ground near her feet. More than at her feet. These little gems were sticking up in a multitude of places. It had long green stalks with a bushy top. "Ah ha!" Arya says to herself as she pulls up the plant, revealing a thick root with an orange tinge. Carrots! Carrots everywhere! Or so she thought. She was pretty sure they were carrots. Arya won't dare tell her party that "pretty" part of sure though. After collecting some pretty-sure carrots, she scanned the grass and the trees for some meat to go with the lovely roots.
Carrots!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
Arya want MEAT
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
"Whoa there, fella", the sheriffs talks. "Its YOU who broke the law here. I've got every right to keep you here for further questioning for as long as I want! So you just found an owlbear...and thought, lets be friends?"
Daniel smiles a smile that would make bandits have second thoughts and said "You could say that, But I will give you all of the goblins I kill from here on out if you want, and feed the owlbear something else, Deal?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila stopped and watched Colfar, maybe giving him that knife wasn't a good idea... Either way, with the guide stopping for lunch, they really couldn't advance. She watched as the party just kind of stood around as Arya took off to look for game and plants. "We're just gathering plants, what's the worst the could happen." Aila began to pick up various plants, berries, and mushrooms while travelling in the opposite direction as Arya to avoid trying to take the same finds.
Aila returned to the camp before Arya, no doubt Arya had found something more and was taking her time. She set the armful of various things on a stump nearby. It happened then, her stomach growled. Aila knew she should wait for Arya, but maybe just a couple berries... Aila grabbed a handful and popped them into her mouth. What was the worst that could happen?
Roll for and event:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
Bonus points for those who can see what's wrong in my post!
Interrogation:
"Apparently you haven't been on this side of the law. You broke it. You're gonna buy it!", demands the Sheriff, not realizing the inapplicability of the term in this situation. "Now here's the deal. I'm a friend of the town's armorer. He's had a little trouble with a certain elf. This elf knocked him out, and stole his inventory. Now that's worse than not sharing goblin in my eyes. The store-keep wants his inventory back", the Sheriff pauses. "And the Elf needs to learn his lesson. We're gonna hang onto your owlbear friend until you complete you return with the stolen inventory. Assume anything he has on his person, to be acquired illegally". The sheriff slides a drawing of the assailant to Daniel. He recognizes the culprit immediate as the Elf from the inn! "My sources say he's headed to a nearby lake. You might know of it, being the only lake nearby?"
The Sheriff sends Daniel, escorted by four powerfully armed guards, to the gate of Shaded City. They wish him luck and head back into town. Its already past midday, it'll be tough to make finish journey before dark.
Lunchtime for Protectorates:
Arya's Carrot Check
SUCCESS
Arya gathers a dozen wild carrots. A perfect veggie for vitamin A and vitamin awesome.
Arya's Meat Check
CRITICAL SUCCES
Arya spots something in the trees above. Two somethings! Two squirrels are battling out over an acorn. Everyone watches the event until one squirrel body slams the other off the tree and into Arya's carrot filled arms. Its knocked unconscious by the rough landing carrots offer, and falls into a vegetative state.
After blindly devouring several unknown berries, Aila's stomach seems content.....for now.
Colfar attempts to feed crushed acorns to Knifey. "Eat up! Boss is almost full!"
...boss?
Daniel, now in a horrible mood, Goes to the lake in search of the elf, and he had a feeling that the elf in question was the miserable little creature he talked to the night before.
It isn't every day a meal just leaps into your arms. Arya quickly crushes the squirrel's skull with a nearby rock so it wouldn't have any second thoughts on escaping. The squirrel probably didn't have any thoughts after jumping and hitting its neck like that anyways. Hm. This squirrel won't feed more than one or two people. With an executive decision, Arya decides that this squirrel is her squirrel (she has a medical condition requiring her to have meat after all *wink wink*!) and the rest of them can have the majority of the carrots she had gathered.
"Lookie what I have here!" Arya announces as she walks back to her party. "Mm, carrots to go with food rations." She puts down her gathered items and takes the food rations out of her backpack. She peels one carrot with the knife she had gotten from the general store and takes a bite. The carrot crunches loudly under her teeth. Delicious. Fearing people were eyeing her squirrel, she looks at each of them in the eye and states, "No. This squirrel is mine. I need bacon-like substances for my SBD. Go find your own meat. I'll make a fire in the meantime."
After gathering some wood as she finished her carrot, with squirrel hanging from her sheath belt, she attempts to make a fire. She thinks she has some flint and steel in her backpack somewhere... As she tries to light a spark, she sees the "food" that Aila has gathered. Lots of inedible mushrooms, a twig, some grass (mmm. In Aila's defense, those stalks of grass with seeds DO look like wheat), some berries (those look interesting. Arya will check those out some more, a carrot (hey that's useful!), and a rock that looked very much like a mushroom. Interesting. Arya looks at the berries a little closer. What were they?
FIYAH!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 11, total 11[/blockquote]
Identifying the mysterious berries
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
Seeing that we wont be moving for a bit, he looks around at the group that seems to have formed around him. Only three of them wish to know what he knows, but the rest sort of just melded into the ransack group. Growing bored with the idea of it, S'kavara turns and walks away from the group. He was no longer interested in continuing with such idiots.
Before going to the lake Daniel remembers that he forgot his rations at his campsite and goes back to retrieve them.
Looking up from the fire, Arya sees S'kavara leaving. "Hey! Where are you going?" Arya calls out as she runs to him. "You can't leave now. We're getting fish for you."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila was content with the berries, but still took the carrot she had found. She sat down in the shade of a tree with everybody in view in front of her. Munching on it in a bugs bunny like fashion, she began to watch the Colfar and Knifey Broadway show. It was a rather peculiar sight... Aila had taken the Halfling for someone smart, why was he talking to a knife? Wasn't he the one who managed to fix the foot of his Halfling friend back at the alchemists hut?
One of these days she'd have to ask the others what exactly was wrong with him. It was just creepy the way that knife had such lordship over him.
He stops at the woman's voice, and turns back to face her."It seems that you all are more worried about stuffing your own faces."While saying this he looks around the group.
Arya raises and eyebrow. "We've been walking all day, S'kavara." She internally smiles at the fact that she remembered and used the panther's name for once. "A living creature cannot realistically walk for an entire day without a single break for food and water. If we did do that, we'd be in no condition to fight if anything unfriendly came about. Are you not hungry yourself? You may have some squirrel if you'd like. No more than half though. I'd rather not faint again."
Back at Daniel's Camp:
Daniel arrives back at his camp to see the remnants of a struggle. These guards must have had to completely manhandle his majestic owlbear. Fur and feathers everywhere! The guards did leave Daniel's basic adventure supplies and a days worth of rations. He'll be able to survive the journey to the lake now.
Almost Past Protectorates Lunchtime
Colfar asks Knifey to dance. They waltz accordingly.
"Yes, I am hungry, but instead of stopping for my own personal reasons, I would rather continue moving as to not lose what day light we may have."
Daniel gathers his things and begins his walk to the lake,
Arya looks at the cat with an analytical eye. She just can't figure out this panther. He seems quite distant, yet still can be kind. He always stays calm and cool and acts as if nothing affects him. The panther is definitely hiding something. What he was hiding, Arya just can't figure out at the moment. Instead, she replies, "Eating is a basic necessity, not a personal reason. Please, come join us. We'd like you to stay."
Seeing that his chances of leaving would be quickly cut short, by this woman, he begins walking back towards the group."What a drag."
Seeing she had convinced S'kavara to stay for the moment, Arya smiles to herself. "You were about to leave Aiden too, by the way," she points out, now that the danger of him leaving was minimal. The human girl glanced at the still sleeping cat by the tree. She really didn't want to lose either of them before they got the the lake. She ripped off a bit of the squirrel cooked to perfection and offered it to the panther. Her mouth watering, she takes a juicy bite out of a squirrel leg and her eyes flutter in pleasure. This was exactly what she needed. A few more bites in, and she notices Colfar petting his blade as if it is his kitten. What the heck did that knife do to him? Is it enchanted? But she had held the knife herself and she was fine... right? Perhaps prolonged exposure to an enchantment was driving him bonkers. Or he was bonkers to begin with and Arya is only noticing it now. To her credit, Arya dismisses a lot of strange acts, letting people do whatever. She had been amused at Colfar's happiness when he got the knife, but now his actions were turning creepy. It's as if he is now the blade and Colfar himself only the legs to carry the blade. Arya walks over to Colfar and takes a long look at the blade to see if it is actually enchanted.
Cursed blade check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
After eating half of her squirrel, a bit of the rations, and another carrot, Arya is satisfied and ready to move on toward the lake. "Who's ready to go?
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"I am" Zeeto immediately speaks up. He grabs a carrot for the road, and starts munching on it a bit. "Well, Colfar, are you and Knifey ready to go?"
Just Past Lunchtime with the Protectorates:
Arya analyzes the underwhelming butter knife.
SUCCESS
Arya struggles to understand what Colfar sees in this kitchen utensil. Its made of steel, and has tiny tiny lacerations on the cutting side of the blade, presumabley so it glides through butter better.
Colfar and Knifey resume dancing, this time a tango. Colfar hums the theme as they dance to the rhythm. Knifey's got the moves.
After a few minutes of watching this entertainments, Colfar suddenly stops. He brings the knife to his ear again, cupping his hands so he can 'hear' better. "Enough screwing around", Colfar yells. "Time to go!"
The Protectorates, well 2/3 of them, S'kavara, Aiden, Kirito, and Aila pack up their belongings and head out. Colfar points his butter knife directly ahead of him, spins 360 degrees, coming to the same direction which he originally pointed. "Knifey says this way!".
The group departs, following a tiny half man who takes directions from....Knifey.
Meanwhile, Daniel's Trip:
Daniel's been traveling for some time, and its nearly dark. He knows the way to the lake, although trying to find it in the dark would be no easy task. Making great time, Daniel stops at a campsite along the way. The fire hasn't fully died down. There are footprints surrounding the site, but they're tough to decipher without a closer examination.
Daniel Inspects the tracks for clues to where the previous people had gone.
Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
While walking with Aiden in her arms, Arya observes Colfar from a distance. This "knifey" thing is getting to the point of being unhealthy. Actually, it was far past that. She wondered what would happen if Colfar ever lost this thing. The ranger suddenly remembers the hunting knife that had come with the backpack. Briefly setting her backpack and Aiden down on the ground, she pulls out the hunting knife and offers it to Colfar. "Here, halfling. I think this blade would be a better weapon if we happen upon any trouble. Would you like to swap blades?" The instant she says this, the thought occurs to her that it might not be best to give a delusional halfling a sharp blade. Too late to take the offer back though.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"Well, I'll take that as a yes." Zeeto says. He them begins to follow the group as Knifey leads the way. Wow. What has this come to? He was following an inanimate object. Oh well, at least they were moving now. Zeeto continues to munch on his carrot, then asks the group in general "Anyone else wonder what happened to Lanor? I'm starting to miss the little guy. He was an amazing shot with that bow of his. I've never seen anyone better."
Still waiting on the reply from Colfar, Arya shoots Zeeto a nasty look as her bow slides down her arm from Arya's twisting to look behind her. Then again, she did miss a pig, its mother, and Aiden with her bow. But hey, she did hit that demon wolf.
Walking a few feet from the majority of the group, but in the same direction as them."It would seem that I am not the only one that lost interest in following this group."His face showed no sign of a jest, not even annoyance. It's almost as if he decided they should just know.
Daniel's Tracking:
SUCESS
Daniel crouches down to study the tracks more intently. Its tough to tell exactly how many there were. Its almost as if one of the track-setters was moving in oscillating circles? Why on earth would he or she do that....?
Although slightly confused by the track's creators, Daniel is positive they lead east, and towards the lake.
The sun is just touching over the horizon. Darkness will ensue within minutes, but the lake is still a few hours away. Although Daniel knows this territory fairly well, he also knows that there are many dangerous beasts about. Just because he's tracking someone, doesn't mean that a predator isn't tracking him.
Protectorates and Friends:
Colfar balks at the mere suggestion to let Knifey go. "Knifey has chosen me. Not the other way around", he states, probably to the befuddlement of all listeners. On that note, he lifts Knifey up to air and like a dowsing rod to water, attempts to lead everyone towards the lake.
Dusk settles by the time the group arrives at the edge of the lake. Colfar picks a spot just out of view from the trail. Its just 30 paces from the lake and surrounded by a grove of enormous redwood trees. Colfar tries to explain a story of how redwoods' roots entangle with one another, which actually causes all the separate trees become one gigantic living system. "Knifey has taught me the ways of the forest", Colfar says prophetically.
Knifey Science aside, its a wonderful scene. Fireflies glide through the natural avenue of trees that opens up into the lake. The air is crisp. The sounds of insects are almost too loud, especially at night. Except for the moonlight bouncing off its surface, the lake seems like a never ending black void. It must take nearly a day to walk around the whole thing!
Daniel follows the tracks toward the lake.
Daniel's Journey:
Daniel's journey is cut short by a beast in the night. It pounces at him from the foliage. Just the one can't quite topple the large human, but then several others join in. It takes a total of four beasts to take down Daniel. Closer observation reveals they are wolverines!
Battle Order:
Wolverine 3, Daniel, Wolverine 2, Wolverine 1, , Wolverine 4
Using its natural weapons, Wolverine 1 lunges at Daniel
Claw Strike
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Claw Strike
HIT
Wolverine 3*, attacks Daniel with ferocious strikes and gives him a powerful strike to his face.
5 damage inflicted on Daniel
Battle Order:
Wolverine 3, Daniel, Wolverine 2, Wolverine 1, , Wolverine 4
*DM typo for the prior post. It's indeed 3 who attacks Daniel, which means he's up next.
Daniel draws his axe and swing it in an attempt to get the wolverines off of him
attack versus wolverines as group.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila stood up and followed the group, eyeing Colfar all the while. He was a strange one. Stranger even when he refused Arya's knife to keep it. Perhaps maybe Colfar really was hearing a voice from the knife? Or perhaps it was some sort of unconsciousness of Colfar's that acted as Knifey's voice? Aila's thought were drawn away at the comments by the other two.
Lanor was that gnome, right? He was a shoot first ask questions later kind of person... perhaps they were slightly better of without him, but Zeeto did have a point when he said he was a good shot. I'm sure she'll miss the gnome during a battle, but perhaps not so much outside of it. She really didn't know him anyway. Then there was S'kavara's comment what could he have meant? She didn't see him looking around or listening for stuff... what could he have noticed that the rest of us hadn't? The Anthros was probably just trying for some attention. Poor cat, perhaps she'd pet him on the head later... would that be insulting?
They arrived at the lake, it was beautiful how the moon reflected off of the calm water, occasionally losing it's form as something caused a ripple in the surface. Colfar had pointed out a grove off of the main road that seemed like a nice, sheltered area to sleep. When they got there, Aila pulled out her sleeping pad and laid it on the ground at the base of one of the trees. She vaguely listened to Colfar's interpretation of Knifey's knowledge. She wasn't sure if it was correct, or even where the knowledge was coming from, but a second thought came to Aila's mind. What would 'Knifey' know about the lake?
"Colfar, what does knifey know about this lake? From the waters, the fish, to the surroundings? Is there a history to this lake? Folk lore? Surely one of you must know something..."
Ah the lake. Arya enjoys the soft breeze gliding across the water's surface. It ripples though her hair and causes the water to stir ever so slightly. This ranger loves wind. She had grown up by an ocean after all; one gets used to the oceanic breezes that come with living in such a location. While the water is not salty here, the sight of the lake still brings up pleasant childhood memories. With a smile on her face warmed by the sun in the west, she sets down all she is holding and brings out a fishing pole. With relative ease, she wires up the string and ties up the lure, hook, and bobber. She does the same for the second pole and places this one on the ground for whoever to use. Holding the pole like a staff on the ground, she puts her other hand on her hip and announces, "I'm ready to fish! Who's with me? Be prepared if I catch anything. Apparently these fish are man-eaters. How exciting!"
Not waiting for a reply, the human girl eagerly finds a decent place where land jutted out to meet the water. Here, she cast out the fishing line to the middle of the lake and waits. She sits down in a comfortable position and begins humming a tune her father used to sing when they went fishing when she was a wee little girl, before she even met Mayar.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Daniel's Dilemma:
Daniel swings his mighty axe!
MISS
Every wolverine avoids the strike, but three of them scanter off into the darkness. Daniel only sees one target now.
Daniel, Wolverine 4
This wolverine is less timid than most. It lunges itself at Danielle's face.
Bite
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 11, total 11[/blockquote]
Back at the lake:
Colfar begins, "its a tale as old as tales! This lake used to be a..."
Something seems to have distracted Colfar. Its Arya! She's fishing at night!
Colfar runs to Arya, and pulls her rod out of the lake before its too late. "It was almost too late!", he declares, everyone already realizing it. "This is NOT the time to fish. Something far worse lurks these waters after dark!".
Daniel's Dilemma:
Wolverine's attack
MISS
The wolverine jumps at the warrior's face, but completely misses. Any embarrassment a wolverine can receive is felt at its entirety.
Battle Order:
Daniel, Wolverine 4
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila was upset, Arya interrupted Colfar's story by fishing. It was night, and the lake was full of man-eating fish. What was she thinking? And here she gave Aila trouble over a pebble and a bush. Aila approached the two at just the right time to hear Colfar exclaim something about something lurking in the waters after dark. A nocturnal fish? Aila heard tales of fish deep down in the waters where the sun didn't shine, it was said they provided their own light by glowing. Perhaps these thing Colfar described glowed as well? It would definitely be worth seeing... but death tends to be a side effect of seeing some really interesting things. She'd sit this one out... but maybe Colfar could describe it?
"Something far worse? What could be worse than a swarm of man eating fish? Has anyone ever seen it before, Colfar?"
Daniel rises and with a mighty roar swings his axe at the wolverine.
Attack versus Wolverine
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Daniel vs. The Wolverine
HIT
The Wolverine, stopped in it's tracks by Daniel's mighty roar, feels the full force of the large great-axe.
18 damage inflicted on Wolverine
The animal still stands
...minus a hind leg.
Battle Order:
Daniel, Wolverine 4
The beast lets out a massive bark, and proceeds an attempt to bite Daniel's ankles.
Ankle Bite
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Fellowship of the Butter Knife
"Nooooo", Colfar screams. Its too late. Arya's already cast her lure into the ominously dark lake.
...something bites
....
...again
Just as Arya is ready to reel, her intended target snaps her entire rod into the water! The sudden jolt stumbles Arya, who drops three berries she had hoped to identify earlier. She recognizes one of them now! Its a belladonna berry! Shes unsure if this is the one Aila ate, but is sure there's one in three chance Aila's night will get...interesting.
"Knifey says, weapons ready", declares Colfar.
Just then, something emerges out of the water. It climbs from the depths, one scaly claw at a time. Everyone can see the creature now. Its covered in green scales and the torso ends in a fish's tail. The face is different though; snarling snout is more reminiscent of a feline than a fish. A jet black mane stretches from its head all the way to its tail.
"Its a sea lion", Colfar explains. "and it wants to eat you".
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara
I've done several previews for this post, testing out a possible dice rolling bug. Danny, if I get a reroll error, that'd be why
Daniel v Tripod, the Wolverine
Tripod's Bite
MISS
Tripod stumbles on his way to Daniel and needs to rethink its approach.
Battle Order:
Daniel, Wolverine 4
A land sea lion?
The large beast, weighing in at least eight hundred pounds, swipes at the fallen Arya.
Claw Strike
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Attack on Arya
MISS
Arya rolls to dodge the strike, pocketing the berries along the way.
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara
Ah yes. Arya caught something! Well, at least it was half a fish. The tail end of it sure looked tasty. Maybe they could have sea-lion sushi for breakfast. Of course, there was the matter of taking the beast down, but the 5 of them who were actually awake could achieve that, couldn't they? Hah the silly creature just tried to take a swipe at her! Granted that thing was huge. Arya sure didn't want to actually get hit by that thing. Her mind switched (sort of) to battle mode, Arya prepares to attack her giant breakfast.
Daniel Roars again and swings his axe at tripod
attack versus tripod the wolverine
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
Tripod's Demise
Daniel's attack
HIT
15 damage inflicted upon Tripod
Daniel strikes, slicing Tripod in half, vertically...right down the middle. Tripod is no more.
Daniel wounds aren't so deep that they won't heal on their own. They will not become infected.
Daniel gains 100 experience for taking down Tripod
I've added a little something here. Its a check against Daniel's constitution modifier to see if the wound would become infected due to Tripod's dirty claws. He scored a successful roll, so there's no risk.
Daniel decides that it would be a good idea to make camp so he lights a fire
firestarting
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
Daniel's Journey
Daniel's Firestart
SUCCESS
Daniel strikes his flint and steel together just once, and in just a few minutes has the comforting warmth a campfire.
Daniel makes sure the fire won't spread before resting for the night.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila looked up at the large creature before her. It was a lot more.... adorable of a creature than she anticipated. She'd heard stories of large water serpents that attack vessels out in the sea, this one somewhat resembled Aiden. Aila drew her blades, a dagger in her left one while her short sword resided in her other. She took a step back to view the creature over to see if there was anything peculiar about it, well, as peculiar as a giant sea lion emerging from a fresh water gets.
Spot Check on the Sea Lion:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Aila's Spot Check:
SUCCESS
Aila doesn't note any particular weakness in the large creature, although has some good news. She sees the fishing lure caught on its tail! The line is still connected to the rod, and drags behind the beast.
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara
simply looking at the enemy doesn't take up a full action, although it must be done before an attack. Otherwise, the attack will take up your full turn
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila thrusts her short sword and dagger forward towards the 'paw' of the sea lion. Damage wasn't the intent, she was trying to catch it's attention from the others. "Everyone move back! Let's try to get that fishing rod caught on something! A sitting fish is a lot easier to hit than one that can move freely." She motioned with her head towards the trees behind them in the forest.
Attack:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
Aila's Strike:
CRITICAL HIT
14 damage inflicted on Sea Lion
Aila's blades successfully stakes the sea lion to the ground. The creature is immobilized...for now.
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara
Colfar holds Knifey in his right hand, lets out as terrifying scream a half-ling can, and attacks the sea lion.
Knifey Strikey
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Knifey Strikey
HIT
Knifey sinks deep into the blubbery flesh of the sea lion. Colfar leaves the small cutlery in creature's torso.
1 damage inflicted on Sea Lion
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara
Sounds of battle wake Kirito. He rushes to the battleground to find the group battling a blubberous sea lion!
Kirito gained 4 sp from resting
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara, Kirito
Hm. Arya supposes the group doesn't have a net big enough to trap this beast. She scans the area for something that might be able to tangle the beast up so it couldn't escape. She looked at the long grass and reeds bending under the sea-lion's underbelly. Maybe, just maybe, the grass could be used to trap him? Arya stares at the vegetation surrounding the floppy, ungraceful sea beast and concentrates all her energy into making the greenery and cattails grow and weave around the beast so her breakfast was a little more secured.
[glow=green]Entangle[/glow]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Entangle Attempt:
SUCCESS
Vines, cattails, branches, and even massive roots surround the sea lion. Just in time too! The creature jolts its clawed flipper from the two blades staking it to the ground. The weapons fly behind the beast, and out of Aila's reach.
spell causes 6 strain on Arya
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara, Kirito
I made a hint in the DM response to Aila's hit, that the beast would be held...for now. I intended to roll a check against the creature's strength after every player turn, and was successful second time around. Entanglement will be treated similarly, only slightly tougher to break out of initially
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Seeing the creature immobilized, Zeeto attempts to cloak his Khopesh in electricity, and runs at the Sea Lion, blade raised. His intent is to stab the beast through the head.
Shocking Grasp
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Electric Sword Strike
HIT
The sea lion does its best to defend, but hindered by Arya's entanglement spell, can maneuver only enough to avoid blocking the blade with its face.
Zeeto's Khopesh cuts through layers of flesh, electrifying and cauterizing along the way.
13 damage inflicted upon Sea Lion
Spell causes 7 strain on Zeeto
The beached Sea Lion struggles to break free of its restraints, and is still trapped.
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara, Kirito
"What a drag." While the beast was busy trying to get free, S'kavara draws his sword. Running behind the Sea Lion, S'kavara lungs his sword forward into the creatures back, as he attempts to do a sneak attack.
Short Sword Sneak Attack
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
S'kavara's Attack
MISS
S'kavara easily sneaks around the entangled animal, but striking it is another issue. S'kavara stumbles midswing when the sea lion, jolting left and right, trying to break free of its bindings, surprises the Anthro Panther. He can't get enough force in the swing to even break skin.
He still stands behind the beast when it manages to finally muscle free, sending an especially large root soaring at Kirito. The psion is knocked unconscious.
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara, Kirito
The Sea Lion turns his vision to Zito, and tries to maul the sorcerer.
Bite
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
Bite
MISS
The sea lion is thwarted with defensive strikes from Zeeto's khopesh.
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara, Kirito
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila watched in disbelief as her blade were sent flying. It wasn't easy acquiring those...
With the sea lion broken free from the bindings holding it to the ground, it wasn't safe for her to skirt around it to grab them, doing so would probably leave her open to an attack. Dismayed she stepped back, pulling out her bow which hung on her back. She pulled an arrow from her quiver and took aim at the beasts neck and fired a shot.
Attack with Short Bow
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Afer firing her shot, she yelled at S'kavara. "Anthros, keep an eye on my weapons! Grab them if you can, I'll want them back if I'm to attack properly!" Hinting the idea that S'kavara should grab her weapons for her in the event they're close enough to exchange hands.
Aila's Short Bow Attack:
HIT
The arrow shoots through the air and effortlessly pierces the creatures flesh right in the chest.
3 damage inflicted on Sea Lion
Colfar sees his opportunity to strike and materializes two darts that fly through the air towards the animal.
Dart Strike x2
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
Dart Strike
MISS
Colfar's darts don't hit a vulnerable part of the Sea Lion, and harmlessly bounce off its tough skin.
Spell causes 12 strain on Colfar
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara, Kirito
Arya considers using the poison from the bees to take down the magnificent creature, but then she realizes her stupidity in the thought. She couldn't eat poisoned fish, silly. That left one option. Well, two. Stick em or shoot em. Now where was her bow? Right, with her bag. Arya jogs the short distance to get her bow and arrows and comes back, too far away for the beast to hit her but close enough for a good shot. Arya waits for a lull in its wild raging and when she thinks she has a clear shot, she shoots for its eye.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
Arya's Shot
HIT
Arya's arrow flies sharply, and although it misses the creature's eye, the missile still impacts near the billowy neckline.
8 damage inflicted on Sea Lion
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara, Kirito
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Zeeto attempts to strike the Sea Lion with a Magic Missile immediately after Arya's arrow strikes
Magic Missile
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Magic Missile
HIT
Zeeto nearly effortlessly sends the projectile at the beast.
3 damage inflicted on Sea Lion
Spell causes 3 strain on Zeeto
Battle Order
Sea Lion, Aila, Colfar, Arya, Zeeto, S'kavara, Kirito
Annoyed at himself, for that pathetic attempt. With the best still preoccupied on the others, he tries for the sneak attack once again.
Short Sword Sneak Attack
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Sneak Attack
HIT
S'kavara, already behind the sea lion, sneaks within striking distance of the distracted animal. With extreme stealth, the Anthro Panther ends the beast with his short blade.
8 damage inflicted on Sea Lion
Colfar retrieves Knifey from the still warm carcass. "Knifey tried to warn you", he explains. "Fish at dark, and YOU'RE the bait".
All participants receive 200 experience
Using his shirt, he wipes the blood from his sword. After sheathing it, he walks over the the forest edge and leans against a tree. Despite the fact that he has no want to protect these people, that is one big fish. He didn't know if the creature was edible, but he was willing to try.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 8/8 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila gave a deep sigh of relief and walked around the beast, eyeing it carefully all the while, and retrieved her weapons. She also walked up to the spot where she had shot it and pulled out the arrow she had shot. Putting away her gear she turned to Colfar and said "So how about that, Colfar? We slayed the beast. Not so scary, was it?". She smiled a smug smile, as she proceeded to unhook the rod from the large seals tail. "Ha, fishing during the day is going to be fun. Man eating fish shouldn't be a problem if that's all the lake will throw at us.". She began walking back to her bed to rest for the night. although the fight was quick an no one was hurt, it was still tiring. They had also been walking all day.
Zeeto, slightly exhausted from the spell casting, follows Aila's lead. He walks over to a nearby grove of trees and lays down. Soon, he Trances out.
Colfar turns to Aila and simply states, "Like Arya is bait for Sea Lion, Sea Lion is bait for something far more devastating".
"Mm we're having fish tail for breakfast! How about that, S'Kavara?" Arya cheers as the last strike fells the horrid beast. Colfar's comment to Aila catches her ear and she stops her celebration in her tracks. "Something else? We'd better move part of this carcass then and get the heck out of here. Everyone take a slice, get your stuff, and run!" Arya pulls out the hunting knife from her backpack and starts cutting off slabs of sea-lion tail and hands it to whoever's closest. After cutting a fillet for everyone, the human girl starts running away from the lake and to a forest close by. As she runs, she mutters, "And I was not fish bait. Even if I was, heck, it worked," under her breath.
Roll for good measure.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila watched as Arya seemed to be hysterical over the large fish-thing. She must really love her meat. Then Aila wondered why she was taking off to the closest forest when their campsite was over here, not entirely to far off but still sheltered from the lake. She laid down on her bedroll, pulling the blankets over her. Warmth seemed slow to gain. Colfar's words rang in her head. This was a dangerous place to be, at this lake, and she wasn't as happy to be here as she thought that statement. Closing her eyes, Aila pulled her sword and dagger close for comfort. Soon after, she had drifted off into the realm of dreams.
As Arya starts running toward the forest, she realizes that no one is following her. She turns around and walks far enough back to not have to shout at Aila when she speaks. "What are you doing? It's not wise to stay by the lake with that huge carcass just calling worse things out of the lake." She perceives Aila eyeing her funny and huffs. "You'll thank me in the morning when we have fish to eat and not a few bland food rations to split between all of us. Not to mention fish for S'kavara. You know, the one with information about the guild blowing up?" Arya internally shakes her head internally and recalls Mayar to her necklace so his glow doesn't attract any trouble. She begins to walk to the forest with her stuff. Turning back to the party, she asks, "You coming?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila opened her eyes only half-wide. Why did we pick this spot next to the lake if it wasn't safe? Still, Arya had a point about the large carcass. Aila had just assumed whatever was in the dark would probably go after the free meal over the many sleeping heroes, plus, wandering around to find another good campsite in the dark wasn't the best idea. Who knows what they aroused from slumber during the fight. they weren't exactly quiet. Aila figured she'd humor Arya though. She packed up her gear and hung her weapons in their normal locations. With a huge yawn Aila said: "Fair's fair. You seem to be the lead in the party. Lead on."
Arya is taken aback at Aila's words, though on the outside she only barely opens her eyes wider. In the darkness, the small sign of her shock is unnoticeable. Leader? Arya had never been the leader of anything. As a child, she stuck to to forests and had a small group of friends in school. She lead no one but herself. Of course, since leaving her home city, things have definitely changed for her. From the moment she had gotten into the Shaded City Guild, things were different. There, she was among people with similar interests as her yet with vastly different backgrounds and all had a lot to learn from each other. Here too, in this party, she thought. It deeply saddened her when her relatively new guild was exploded. Some of her guild friends were in there when it went down and she has no idea what happened to them. She had gone from being a little girl prancing in the woods to a girl with a purpose. Maybe even a woman. Still, she looks at herself more as a girl than a woman. She has more maturing to do before then.
All this realization over being called "leader." She supposed she was. Arya tried getting people moving towards their objectives, helped them when they could, gave people advice (though definitely not in the best or most tactile way. She does feel guilty for making verbal jabs at her party members), and tried to come up with solutions to some of their problems. Still, Arya wasn't so sure she wanted to be called leader. That put on a lot of responsibilities on her, and with that, pressure as well. Enough for now. Arya has to focus her mind on the task at hand, navigating the land in the dark.
Being farther away from the lake, the ranger finds it safer to take out Mayar so no one trips on anything. She walks a little ways into the forest so the lake would still be in view in the daylight if they strained to look for it and stops. "How's right here?" Arya asks. "It's just close enough to the lake for reasonable morning fishing yet far enough so anything sniffing around the carcass won't find us."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila didn't particularly care where they settled down. If something was looking for them, the smell of dead fish would lead them right to the party. Aila followed nonchalantly behind Arya, watching the surroundings all the while. The rest of the party may have slight difficulties seeing in the dark, but Aila was half-elf. She could see quite well in the moonlight and she used that fact quite regularly. Upon stopping at their destination, Aila undid her gear the same way as before. Laying down on her bedroll, her weapons where in the same positions. Nuzzling the blanket that still had faint traces of her previous warmth she fell asleep.
Arya decides to ward the surrounding area with alarms so nothing unwanted could sneak up on them. This time at least her party is all here and won't trip the alarm. She wards in front of them between the lake and themselves as well as one behind them leading into the forest. Or at least she tries to.
Ward 1
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
Ward 2
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
Still aware of his surroundings, even while tranced out, Zeeto noticed the conversation nearby. He figured it would be safer to go with the two girls, even If their little trek was pointless. Safety in numbers is what they always say. Zeeto gets up and follows the two to their new campsite. He then finds a nice Cottonwood tree nearby, sits under it, and trances out once more.
Arya's attempt to score a 9
CRITCAL SUCCESS
Colfar and the others follow Arya until she finds a decent campground. Immediately upon finding one, Colfar lays out a small bed of leaves for Knifey, and tears a small piece of cloth from his cloth robe. He places the torn fabric over the butter knife, as if a miniscule blanket. Colfar proceeds to spin in a few circles, and coils into a comfortable position...if he were a canine.
Lake Ward Attempt
SUCCESS
With a wave of her hand, Arya's spell is set. She moves on to the second point of weakness, the path leading to the forest.
Forest Wart Attempt
CRITICAL FAILURE
Arya motions her hands to set another ward spell.
...
Nothing.
She tries again, and again. Nothing. Arya puts all her concentration into one last attempt, and the ward appears in front of her. She steps back to admire a job well done and immediately activates a blaring alarm in her mind. After a few minutes, the ringing recedes. She takes another step forward and activates a second alarm! The alarm finally ends, but Arya is wide awake, and has quite the headache. Apparently she did cast the first two wards....just missed her target by 100%
spells cause 14 strain on Arya
Apparently Arya absolutely stinks with wards. The near migraine in her head can attest to that. Oi vey. She recalls Mayar and curls up into a ball using Aiden as a mutual blanket to keep the both of them warm. She'd curl up with the others if it weren't for the fact that it would be insanely awkward to do so. Making those wards exhausted her and she was dead to the world in a heartbeat the minute her eyes closed to sleep.
Kirito runs over to arya "are you ok" "is she ok".
Arya is completely exhausted, and won't awaken easily. It'll probably be best if the young psion gets some rest as well.
Soon everyone is enjoying a restful slumber.
all party members regain full sp
Arya awakens, just as sunlight creeps over the lake, to the familiar internal blaring of one of her alarm wards!
Arya is quite awake from the alarms. It seems she's going to have to get used to being woken up by them if she's going to set them up every night. She eyes her surroundings to check what has set off the alarm.
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Daniel's Morning
"Hey!", a voice speaks "Daniel! Is that you?"
Its two of the humans from his party last night. "What are you doing out here?"
Arya's Spot Check
SUCCESS
Arya glaces towards the lake, but sees no reason for disturbance. It must be her alarm in the forest! Before she takes another step, she spots a figure heading right at her! He's running awkwardly, pushing himself off every tree in an attempt to run faster. He stumbles and collapses unconscious in front of Arya.
It takes just a moment, but Arya recognizes him. He's one of the obnoxious humans from the inn! His clothes are completely tattered and soaked with blood. He's covered in large lacerations, but they're not from any blade she's ever seen. Each gash is wide; far too wide to be made by a sword. It looks more like a claw strike, but judging by the distance between wounds, these claws are twice the size of the Sea Lion's!
Daniel gets up before saying, "I was just heading to the lake and decided to spend the night here."
Then he starts heading to the lake.
Well rested from his night of trance, Zeeto gets up from his spot under the cottonwood. He looks around, and notices Arya, with a bloody man at her feet! Zeeto rushes over, and realizes it is one of Daniel's buddies from the night before! Zeeto attempts to check the man's pulse, before asking Arya "Did you see what did this to him?"
Pulse Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Her clothes weren't as disheveled as they were when she slept below the wall back in shaded city, between the walk and the fight yesterday she was probably to tired to roll around in her sleep. Her hair was still entirely displaced though. With her toothy comb she neatened her hair and packed up and holstered her gear. At that point she had turned around and saw what looked to be a bloody pile of clothes. Arya and Zeeto were already on the case.
When she walked over to the pile of clothes, she realized there was someone still in them. He was gravely hurt though. Looking him over, she recognized him to be one of the men from the Inn back in Shaded City. From looks of his wounds, it seemed to be something dangerous. Aila felt the cold ripples of a shiver climb up her spine as she realized it couldn't be to far off. This man could barely walk. Aila looked in the direction he had come, her vision helping her in the morning light. She hoped whatever did this to the man wasn't within their view.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
Arya goes wide eyed at this bloody intrusion. Is some monster chasing this man? Whatever it is, it sure could do a number on a person. Red flags go off in the ranger's mind. They needed to find a place that was safe, else this thing could jump out at them. Something that large could swipe one of them in one hit.
"Guys. Everyone up! There's danger around," she hisses at her party. She tries being as quiet as possible in case the monster was close enough to listen in. "Colfar, can you heal this man's wounds? Aila, can you see anything? Everyone, hold on to me. I'll try making us undetectable until we know what we're dealing with," Arya says in the most level-headed tone she can muster, which, for a relatively inexperienced quester, is quite level-headed after all. True to her word, she attempts to cast "hide from animals." The ranger girl only hopes that this monster counts as an "animal." Well, and that the spell works of course.
Hide from Animals
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Protectorates and Friends
Zeeto, holding the bloody man's wrist, attempts to check his pulse.
SUCCESS
Zeeto finds a weak, but definite, pulse. This man is still alive!
Aila's Spot Check
CRITICAL SUCCESS
Aila focuses her eyes on the path taken by the bloody man. From her angle, they go on for quite some time. She takes a closer inspection at the man's shoes. They're so worn down that it looks as if they'd fall apart at mere sight! This man has been running for hours. Before Aila can tell anyone, Arya is already attempting to mask her party from any nearby animals.
SUCCESS
Arya is minimally successful. She manages only to mask part of her own appearance. Any simple-minded animal looking upon the ranger will see her torso, seemingly floating above the ground.
Spell causes 7 strain on Arya
Colfar, Knifey in hand offers his help. He places his half-ling hands over unconscious man's bloody chest.
Cure Light Wounds
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
Colfar's Heal
FAILURE
Colfar tries to heal the man, but his wounds are too deep, and soon dies from his injuries. "Noooooo", he yells to the sky and at no one particular. "Damn you! Quickly now Knifey! Perform Knife to mouth!"
Spell causes 6 strain on Coflar
Someone should probably stop Colfar now....
Kirito immediately tries to lock down Colfar before he goes any further Kirito screams "NOOOOOOOOO".
Mind Lock
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
Mind Lock Attempt
SUCCESS
The young psion uses his powerful telepathic abilities and stops Colfar from taking any mental action. The half-ling, seemingly lifeless, plops to the ground, with Knifey twirling randomly along the way. Luckily, it avoids hitting the vulnerable Half-ling.
Phew. That spell took its toll on Arya even though it didn't work very well. That and it was pointless. Oh well. It's better safe than sorry in Arya's eyes. Perhaps it was a little bit paranoid, she admits to herself. She turns her attention to the new human arrival. He was bleeding profusely. The blood flow must be staunched. The girl took out the rope from her backpack and tied it around the mans wounds on his arms so blood would be hard pressed to leak from it without restricting blood flow too much. She did this too with his torso, although the wrapping was awkward with the rope. It was better than nothing. If Arya could sew his wounds shut with a hook and fishing wire, she would, but she didn't want to risk only hurting the man more. This man needs food and water to replenish his blood. Arya goes to the lake and fills her water skin and returns. She helps the man drink the water and then goes to set a fire to cook the fish. She takes Knifey while Colfar is incapacitated just in case he comes to and starts having the sudden urge to stab someone. She wouldn't put it past him to do that with the mental state he's currently in.
Fiyah!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
(Gnome? What gnome furry?)
Arya has trouble forcing the corpse to drink. She ties the rope around it just fine though.
(Oh lol missed the "soon dies" part)
Arya feels foolish for trying to save a dead guy. She blushes after realizing the human is as dead as a door nail. Hey, she didn't realize he was dead! He could have just fainted... Still, she should cook breakfast so S'kavara might tell the party who blew up the guild. Could this death be related to the guild? That possibility seemed far-fetched. Still, it was something to keep in mind. "What could have done this?" she asks the party. After a moment, she also voices, "This couldn't be related to the guild explosion, could it?" Arya quickly glances at S'kavara to see if the filleting fish is loosening his tongue.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Nothing was charging them, and it looks like the man had been running for a while. The beast couldn't have been close. "It seems as though these men trying to be heroes ended up dinner for something. Judging from the wear in his shoes, he been running for a while, but I doubt he could've run all night with injuries like those... perhaps whatever it was that got him was nocturnal? Either way, whatever it was shouldn't be too close.". Aila watched as the man died before them, unable to give them a hint as to what the beast was. "Hopefully his companions took it the other direction..." she thought to herself.
Aila sat down next to Arya's fire and watched her begin to cook the 'fish' they had gotten as a reward for their fight the other night. Curious, Aila got up a few seconds after she had sat and headed towards the lake to where the fight had taken place. She wanted to see if the corpse was still there or not.
I don't think I'll need a spot check to see if an inanimate corpse is still where it died or not... I'll throw a roll just in case you want it still, Furry.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
After watching the group freak out over a man, that was already signing his death, he followed Arya to the fire where he would wait patiently.
As Arya awaits a possible answer from S'kavara, Aila passes the still incapacitated and drooling Half-ling, and heads over to the beached Sea Lion. It still lies, fillets cut out, drying in the morning sun. It smells....fishy, but untouched by anything other than flies.
Daniel's Plight
Daniel rudely ditches his only allies and heads to the lake. A few hours later, he realizes he left all his gear, weapons, and rations at his campsite.
Oops.
He'll have to go back and retrieve his supplies now.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila pinches her nose at the sight of the large sea lion. "At least it's here..." Quickly, Aila turns around and heads back to the group, where the fish quickly replaced the smell in her nostrils. Sitting cross legged at the fire, she looked S'kavara in the eyes. "Well, you can see your fish in front of you, I'm sure your 'keen senses' can smell it if your eyes are failing you. Are you at least going to tell these two what you know of their guild? That was your promise, was it not?"
With an un-impressed look on her face, Aila watched the cat as she awaited him to either tell the two what they wanted to know or at least reply to her.
He looks up at the young girl. While part of the promise is that with fish, I would answer their questions, but she seems to forget all of that promise."My promise was that if you would catch me fish, I would answer any questions you may have, but if that is the only question you can think to ask, I will leave. That being said, thus far you are the only person to ask me a question, and you asked that. Should I take that as a time to leave, or would you like to try being polite?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila sneered, "For all I care, you can leave. Politeness is a privilege to those who see me after I eat my morning rations. It's just a bit later into the day that I eat now because I have the opportunity to upgrade my meal. I do look forward to fishing though. We are going fishing still, right, Arya?" The last part of the sentence was directed towards the 'chef' of the group. Aila grabbed a fish fillet from the fire. "Or are we not doing that on account of wild beasts and hidden chests in the area? By the way, that sea lion we nabbed yesterday night is still there. I wouldn't trust it though... it seems a little... fishy."
"What a drag."The attention seemed to veer from him and back to the cook. He had no want to be here. While he does enjoy fish, he didn't enjoy the fact that he was here with so many idiots. He knew if he tried to leave now, it would only end in a fight. Aiden seemed to comfortable with the cook, and if S'kavara ended up in a fight with them, it would only cause more issues. The only way out of this one, is to answer their questions, something else he had no interest in doing.
Colfar's brain atrophies and begins to wither away under the wicked psion's spell.
Kirito release's the spell and slowly steps away from him
Seeing everyone sitting by the fire, and smelling the 'fish' cooking, Zeeto walks over and sits by the fire. "So, our friend over there was obviously attacked by something much more fierce than our friend on the fire here. Does anyone recognize the wounds?" Zeeto asks the last question in the hopes that someone will have some form of answer to what they could be dealing with. "Judging by the blood trail, this man has been running for hours. I've heard it takes about a day to walk around this lake. If the creature is aquatic, we are still in danger." Zeeto grabs a hunk of Seal from the fire, using a willow branch he found laying around as a fork. "Our next move should be to decide whether we want the challenge of fighting this creature, or do we just want to forget about it and leave." Now directing his questions at S'kavara, Zeeto continues. "Anthros, you have your fish. What do you know of the guild's destruction?" After his last question, Zeeto begins to gnaw on his hunk of seal. It's surprisingly tasty.
Colfar slowly stands after being under influence of Kirito's spell. It takes a moment, but he soon realizes what happened. After the Half-ling attempted to save the bloody man's life, his allies attacked him, stole his blade, and tortured his mind. "This is what I get for trying to revive a stranger? Tortured by a psion, and the rest of you just allow it?!", says Colfar, taking time to individually glare at every member of the party. "You obviously don't want, or need me. Go heal your own wounds!" Colfar surveys the area, looking for something. "I'll take Knifey, and be on my way. Who has my blade?"
"Aila! Yelling at S'kavara will get us no where," Arya hisses at the other girl under her breath. How are they supposed to get answers if the foolish half-elf just shoos all their answers away? It dawns on Arya that Aila was not a part of the guild and is not as invested as the ranger is in getting these answers. Arya needs these answers. She has to know why her guild was targeted, why the three protectorates and all their guild friends had their steadfast guild crumble before them. The time with her whole party has thus far been short, but still Arya mistakenly felt like they were striving for one unified goal. She supposes it's her own idealism that make her think so. "And yes," she adds, "we're going fishing later. I still need to get something for the shopkeeper."
The ranger is thrown off guard by Colfar's raging. She hadn't expected to hear him. "Torture? I don't believe that was his intention. You were about to mutilate a body with Knifey. I don't think Knifey would fancy being stuck down someone's throat, now would you? I took Knifey so you wouldn't hurt him by sticking him somewhere he shouldn't be. If you'd calm down, I'll give you Knifey back, but please don't leave. Not yet at least. A guide home would be much appreciated. Would you at least let Knifey stay so he may guide us home? I think Knifey would like being in charge like that." No, Arya was not going crazy like Colfar, but she sees Colfar is too far gone to be reconciled. He sees Knifey as a thing that can talk and has feelings. So be it. Arya will use that to convince Colfar to stay.
Still, she needs answers for herself and for Zeeto. There may be more danger ahead if the bomb-planters had other plans besides just blowing up the building. Arya turns to S'kavara with apologizing eyes. She says, "I apologize for that outburst on Aila's behalf. We do not want you to leave. You are welcome here." If S'kavara leaves because of Aila's sneer, then the party will have made an enemy that Arya would much rather have as an ally. "As for your promise, we do have fish now. Could you please tell us your knowledge of the guild bombing? Who bombed us?"
"So you take hostages now?", Colfar questions Arya. "I thought you were supposed to be the good guys. I highly doubt Knifey will show you anything as your prisoner, especially after the way you let that nasty psion perform wicked spells on me. Now, Knifey is coming with me...or else". The tiny half-ling does his best to appear larger so as to intimidate Arya.
He's like three feet tall, and only becomes more adorable with anger....
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
"Yelling? Who was yelling? I was simply being stark. If you're not straight forward with this cat, he'd rather just lay under a tree and dream about mice or something." Aila said in a matter of fact tone, all the while thinking back to her discussion with S'kavara at the burnt down guild hall. Aila took a chomp out of her fillet.
Chewing her food, she turned towards Zeeto. "I don't think we should go after the beast. I mean, it's apart of this area, right? It's not like it'll bother the town. If it was going to do that, it probably would have done so already. We'll probably just end up getting ourselves hurt over 'being heroes'." She wasn't sure if Zeeto could understand her with her mouth full, but surely he got the gist.
After that, while chewing still, she listened to the exchange between Colfar and Arya. "By the way Colfar, since when did you start being so eccentric? I know back at the alchemists house you were pretty level headed... None of us had extra weapons at the time to share, let alone those for your size. When we got to town, the closest thing we found to a weapon was the butter knife. We don't seem to be a rich group, but I'm sure there will be some sort of reward for doing whatever it is we're out here doing. Perhaps we can get you a proper weapon when we get back to shaded city? I'm sure you could keep both weapons if you really wanted to." Finished that, she directed her next question towards the group in general. "So how many do you think we'll have to catch in order to appease the shop keeper? Do man eating fish even sell for a good enough price?"
After listening intently to Aila's munch-infested speech, Zeeto hoped he got the idea of what she was trying to say. "I think if we do go after the beast, at least one of is will end up dead, or at the very least, severely wounded. It would definitely be more wise to just go fish collecting during the day, and leave before nightfall. I don't fancy being here another night with all the strange goings-on around here. The only reason I can see to stay is to look for this chest the racist armorer mentioned. If it is real, it could have some very valuable items in it. If we can't use them, at the very least we could sell them." Once again, Zeeto took a few more bites of his hunk of Seal. After chewing thoughtfully for a couple minutes, he directed another question at the apparently oblivious Anthros. "Well, do you have answers for us or not? What do you know of our guild's destruction?" Still waiting for an answer, Zeeto turned to Colfar. "You know, Aila has a point. What happened to you out here? You used to be such a smart Half-ling. Now you think your only allies out here have turned on you?"
"I vouch for not going after the beast either," Arya adds. She doesn't know where the idea to go after the beast even came from. No matter. They weren't going to go through with the idea anyways. As she awaited S'kavara's response, she turned part of her attention to Colfar. She was quite interested in what he had to say, and it had much to do on whether or not Colfar would be reunited with "Knifey" now or once they were back in the city.
Colfar is in a quandary. His only friend is held hostage by a group that allows a psionic child, with trouble controlling his powers during times of duress, attack a fellow teammate. Have any of them ever been mind locked? Its excruciating to suddenly become a prisoner locked in a useless body! On top of that, the Elf insulted the intelligence of the only party member capable of spontaneous healing.
Despite all this, it seems one of them has Knifey, and isn't willing to give him up. Colfar will have to play along with these rapscallions....for now. "I'll have you know, Knifey could have saved that man", the cleric starts. "The wounded flesh wasn't right. Knifey said it was crooked and tangled. If it could be unraveled, I could have brought him back. That man is lost forever now".
Colfar turns to Zeeto and speaks. "What else am I supposed to think when all you've done is allow an unstable psionic boy to perform mind melting magic on me, take my friend and weapon, and insult my intelligence? What reason do I have to trust any of you?"
"i would rather save the man's throught so he doesn't take anymore pain to his death toll let him die in peace i say OK THAT'S NOT WHAT MY PARENTS WENT THROUGH IF YOU JUST DIDN'T GO TO STAB HIM IN THE THROUGHT WOULD HAVE STOPED YOU"
Arya doesn't know whether or not what Colfar said was true. Still, she gives him the benefit of the doubt, at least verbally. "We didn't know that's what you were doing, Colfar. It looked like you were about to stab him. And I had no idea that mind locks hurt." Arya considers an option that she really would rather not resort to. The party cannot lose Colfar yet though. With a sigh, she says, "If I allow Kirito to put me in a mind lock, will you trust us more?" If she is actually mind locked, she dearly hopes someone will make sure Colfar doesn't stab her in her moment of vulnerability.
Colfar considers his options. On one hand, no; this one gesture won't make up for any the party's acts of rudeness and torture. On the other hand, it'd be hilarious.
"Go ahead. Knock yourself out!", he declares to Arya.
no i can't do that Arya i'm not going to
Admittedly Arya is getting curious about what being mind locked feels like. "No, it's alright, Kirito. Please do it," she says.
Daniel returns to his campsite and retrieves his weapons and gear that he didn't remember putting down and starts toward the lake, again...
"Colfar, as Arya said, it seemed as if you were going to stab the man in the mouth with Knifey. I believe your words were 'knife to mouth'? Does that really sound healthy? You tried a spell on him and it didn't work. You tell us that you were going to try something else, when there was no indication of that. Colfar, we are all very worried about you. You are a valuable member of this team. We just want the old you back. The one from before that bear kicked you a little too hard." After yet another little schpiel, Zeeto finished off his hunk of Seal, and turned to the Manther. Again. "Well, we're waiting. We want answers. Now." Zeeto said very impatiently.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila looked at Colfar. "When were you kicked by a bear? That doesn't sound entirely healthy... Have you at least been checked out by a physician?" The honey had entered her voice again, she was happy with her morning meal. "And what do you mean by flesh being crooked and tangled? They were large gashes. Flesh was missing..." Aila took a side glance a at the man. "What the hell happened to him..." she thought. She stood up and walked over to the man to look at his wounds. "Can you show me, Colfar?"
It wasn't like she was trying to draw his attention from the parties arguments about knifey, she was just curious at that point. "Also, once S'kavara spills his guts, are we going fishing first? Or maybe a morning treasure hunt?"
Colfar laughs. Kicked by a bear? What is this nonsense.... Aila's other question has pertinence. Colfar jumps up in excitement. Finally, one of these humanoids isn't acting completely cringe-worthily idiotic.
Colfar and Aila walk around the deceased bloody man to investigate further.
"They can't watch!", Colfar yells, referring to everyone who isn't Aila. "These wounds. They leave something in the body. He would only stand a chance if the infected flesh was removed in time". Indeed, the gashes are already putrid with disease. This is too soon for decomposition. This is almost reminiscent of the wolf Colfar defeated! The half-ling whispers to Aila, "There's something truly vile in these woods. Like I said; crooked. I can stop it, but I need Knifey. It's obvious these ugly, lying, numbskulls don't believe me. You do, right?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila looked closely at the flesh, well what wasn't missing from the body. This was very reminiscent of the wolf Aila has closely examined. She almost wanted to touch the flesh, but thought otherwise. Who knew if it was contagious or not. Aila whispered back to Colfar. "The man was dead before you even tried to operate, and I doubt you'd be able to bring him back now. Whether or not you cut the flesh doesn't matter at this point. Whether or not you get knifey back isn't my problem. I could speak out, but all it would do is lower my standing with these people. Sorry, but you'll have to figure out the knife problem on your own. I do suggest you get friendlier with Arya though." Aila stood up and headed to the fire. It was hard to believe that they missed the diseased flesh when the man had first shown up. Returning to her seat she awaited her answer on the days plans, but it didn't seem like they were going to get anywhere unless the cat spoke up.
"What a drag." Annoyed that he had remained there for nothing, he stands and grabs Aiden away from Ayra. After Placing the cat on his shoulder he looks about the group. It would seem that all of them had forgotten the promise, even after he had just clearly stated it. After grabbing a chuck of fish that was cooked, he turn his back on them."It would appear that all of you have a tendency to forget what is said. I have no reason to tell you something that you will only forget."After these words being spoken, he begins walking off, back towards Shaded City.
"So now you're just going to walk away?" Zeeto asks after the Anthros. "We held up our end of the bargain, now you must hold to yours. We want answers." Suddenly, Zeeto remembered the other half of S'kavara's promise. "So, if you don't want to answer our question about the guild just yet, how about another. Where did you come from?"
"So you'll attack a three foot half-man with his back turned", Colfar balks at Kirito. "But you won't strike down someone who asks for it as a science experiment?" Colfar stands in pensive silence for a moment, then turns to Arya. "I've obviously calmed down since near eternal internal imprisonment by that wicked little psionic brat. Now would you, kindly, tell me where I can find Knifey? He'll save everyone of us!"
All eyes are off the corpse.
It's right pinky begins lightly twitching, before its entire arm begins flailing uncontrollably.
Its quite noticeable now.
Slightly distracted from S'kavara's idiocy, Zeeto turns toward the flailing-armed dead man. "Well, that's something you don't see every day. We shoud probably do something about that." Zeeto attempts to burn the body to prevent whatever is happening currently.
Burning Hands
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Burning Hands
SUCCESS
It takes slightly more concentration than he'd like, but Zeeto's hand glow ready as he briskly places his hands on the animated flailing man. The sorcerer lights the left arm on fire so as to avoid any brushes with the corpse's active arm.
Spell causes 8 strain on Zeeto
Zeeto, looks proudly on his torched creation, but the moment quickly passes. The entire body spasms wildly sending flames in all directions. The flying embers avoid everyone except Kirito who feels the effect of the unexpected attack.
1 damage inflicted on Kirito
Rolled luck rolls for all, and Kirito was the only one who failed...sorry bud :(
The corpse, fire still spreading over its body, begins to stand on its own. It glares at Zeeto for only a moment before running at him with brutal intent.
Fire Zombie Melee Attack
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
Zombie Attack!
MISS
The burning animated corpse quickly stumbles due to its still cooked flesh and misses the Sorcerer. It stands, engulfed in flames, as a centerpiece to the group before collapsing due to its lack of usable, flame-free, limbs.
"Believe me now?", Colfar states to the group. "The flesh was crooked, and needed to be exiled".
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila's mouth went slightly agape as the corpses arm began to move. Was it a result of the flesh Colfar had shown her earlier? That was the only reason for it to move like that she thought to herself. Aila watched as Zeeto attempted to 'take care' of the body, and her mouth went slightly more agape as the body stood up. It was a pretty formidable sight, the flames on it's arm licking the rest of it's body. Patches here and there would spring into flame as any of the flesh it touched charred almost immediately. It managed to make one swing at Zeeto before it dropped to the ground, burning away at their feet.
"You never said it was gonna get up again, Colfar. That was so... cool!" Aila's eyes sparkled in amazement at the scene she had just seen. "I say we give him knifey back if things like that will keep happening." Aila directed her next comment at Arya. "Sure, he may not be in the rightest of all states, but it's clear now he knew what he was doing... even if he didn't specify."
"Colfar has definitely proved himself. Give him Knifey back Arya." Zeeto is in a slightly dazed state after the spell, and the fact that the flaming zombie attacked him.
'So Arya has Knifey!', Colfar thinks to himself. But wait....what if the Sorcerer is lying??
Lie Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
Lie Check
FAILURE
Colfar analyzes Zeeto's face and body language. He's absolutely certain that he's 100% unsure if the Sorcerer is lying.
Name: Arya/ Mayar Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +1
Gold: 5 Wis: +0 Cha: +0
Armour Class: 16 Com: +0 Luk: 19 ^-^
SP: 7/14
"Um... yeah you've proven yourself. Here, take Knifey," Arya gulps. "Take this too." She offers the hunting knife once again. "It's sharper. S'kavara, we shall discuss some more once this danger has been dealt with. I suggest you help us too, else our dead, cursed bodies will surely go attack you." Sure? No, she wasn't sure. But if she did get cursed and die while he went AWOL, she knew she was going to sure try hunting him down, undead or not.
It's that spirit thing she saw before. It must be. Does she really have to go into the spirit world to kill that Thing? Her face pales at the thought. That Thing is the only spirit to ever affect her. Its very being screams unnatural evil. And to face it alone? Arya resolves to face it in the overworld first. If its vessel is weakened, perhaps the cursed spirit will be too. Then, the spirit girl can determine whether or not a voyage to the spirit world is required. She wishes she wasn't so hasty trying to ward everyone. Arya is still tired from that attempt. For now, she readies her mind bow and waits to attack.
"ow my arm" Kirito turns from his arm to Colfar "so you think i like putting people into that state you think i'm a brat!"
Colfar is grateful that Knifey is back where he belongs. He accepts Arya's other blade as partial compensation, but really, the half-ling should be using some sort of ranged weapon. A sling would be perfect...
Colfar brings Knifey to his ear in order to better 'hear' the cutlery once again. "Knifey says he can lead us to safety, and even knows of this cave you speak. There are conditions", Colfar pauses for dramatic effect. "You need to apologize to Knifey. And you have you mean it!"
A slightly devious smirk creeps over the half-ling's face. "And I get to try out a new spell on Kirito!", Colfar bargains. "Deal?"
Before anyone says anything Colfar throws the gifted second blade high in the air above Kirito! The cleric runs to the psion, and lifts his tiny hands as high as he can...
Materialize Small Shield
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
Colfar's Spell
SUCCESS
Just a moment before the blade hits the psion, the air solidifies above him. The shield blocks the incoming projectile which falls harmlessly to Colfar's feet.
Spell causes 8 strain on Colfar
"Gather your gear", he says after picking up the blade. "We travel eastward, around the lake".
Arya's heart jumps into her throat. Bad idea bad idea VERY BAD IDEA why oh why did she give the lunatic a sharp knife Kirito is gonna dieeeee! Oh. Shield. Still, he could have failed that shield! With a loud exhale of breath, Arya pulls herself together and says, "I sincerely apologize to Knifey. I hope we can still be friends." Her eyes shift to the reanimating body. "Now can we go to that cave? I don't want anyone else to get hurt by that thing."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila stood up, it was about time she got an answer. Even if they didn't actually say it. Treasure hunting it was. Making sure she had all of her equipment, Aila watched the party ready to follow on their leave.
Kirito heart pumping walks over to Arya "i'm going to stay by you for now"
Zeeto begins to follow the seemingly-completely-out-of-his-mind-yet-somehow-competent half-ling in an easterly direction. "So, Colfar" He asks the half-ling "What did you do before you were helping out the Alchemist?"
"Yeah that's a good idea," Arya says as she eyes the halfling. She puts an arm around Kirito and unconsciously puts herself between the two as she walks. "So how much farther is it to the cave?" she asks curiously.
As the group travels, Colfar answers all the questions he can. "Owl Exterminator", he answers Zeeto. "Very profitable during sudden owl infestations, but as you probably noticed, its been a little bit of a fowl drought as of late". Knifey continues to 'lead' Colfar as he explains the journey, "If we make good time, we'll make it to the cave before nightfall".
They travel for a few hours, surprisingly without incident. The once ominous lake doesn't seem quite so dangerous during light. Birds fly above. All manner of tree dwellers scurry from branch to branch. If it weren't for the flaming spasmatic corpse earlier, the journey would might be called perfect. At Knifey's request, they stop at a clearing that allows perfect access to the lake. "Knifey overheard you need fish. That's a perfect spot".
Zeeto and Colfar recover 4 strain
Seeing that someone does remember, he turns around, but as he goes to speak he notices the knew undead creature flailing around. A look of surprise was shown even on his face. After what seemed more then a few seconds, he watched as the crispy corpse fell to the ground. He didn't think it would be able to return to a stand position. After then watching the group fall into the hands of the crazy half ling once again, they begin walking towards what should be the caves. While they walk he waits for them to stop talking before he adds his own words."I am from Pansa Shima."
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 16/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"Pansa Shima? I've never heard of it. Is it across the sea?" Zeeto replies to S'kavara. Looking back at Colfar, Zeeto asks "Owl Exterminator, eh? Seems like a fun job. Maybe I could join you once business picks up again. Another question, where did you learn your magic?"
Pleasantly surprised that the panther spoke voluntarily and of nothing pertinent to the current conversation, Arya turns around to look at the cat. "Oh? That's a cool name. Where is that place?" she asks.
"Yes, Elf, it is some way off the coast of this land. I believe that answers your question as well, Woman."
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 13/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Now slightly intrigued, Zeeto asks the Anthros "How did you end up in Shaded City?"
"I walked there."S'kavara knew what the elf was really asking, but he didn't really want to answer that question.
Arya knew the panther had purposefully avoided the question, but she decides not to press for questions at the moment. He is still a flight risk and has tried to leave the group twice already. The ranger really doesn't want to drive him away with pestering on personal matters. Instead, she gets out the fishing pole her party had recovered from the flailing sea-lion tail, prepped the line, and casts it at this perfect place. "We can catch an actual fish for you now, S'kavara. For the shop keeper too!" she says with a content smile. Fishing reminds her of her childhood where she had no cares at all. Ah, the good ole days.
Fishy wanna bite?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila took the second rod, a huge smile adorning her face. It was one of the few genuine smiles, carefree and full of life typical one of her age should normally show. She was excited to attempt this endeavor. Mimicking Arya, Aila baited her rod and threw it out into the water, sadly it didn't go very far. It took her a couple tries before she could get the line out to a decent enough distance that something bigger than a minnow would take notice of it. Sitting, she awaited a response from the rod hoping to catch the first fish in her life.
Fishy wanna bite?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
Aila AND Arya's Cast
SUCCESS
After seeing Arya prep and cast her lure, Aila does her best to mimic the ranger. It worked! Within moments both have prey at the grasp of their fish collecting tools. They display their prizes to the group.
The fish are a normal human males arms-length, although Arya's is slightly larger. The creature is unique. Its dentition is something all on its own, with triangular teeth packed tightly so as to interlock flesh; no doubt it makes for rapid puncturing and tearing. Each one weighs at least enough to be a meal for two.
Colfar does his best to explain his magic. "Whoa whoa whoa...buy a half-ling a drink first. Its only been a few hours since you allowed that villainous psion access to my brain! "
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila was ecstatic. Not only was it her first time fishing ever, she had actually succeeded in catching one. Looking at Arya, Aila asked the question: "So how many do we have to catch? and uhh... who has to carry them?" Aila pulled the hook out of the sharp toothed fish's mouth, strung a rope through the fish's gills, and hung the fish from a tree. Turning back to the water, after baiting of course, Aila tossed her lure into the water.
Another fishy gonna bite?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
Aila's Latest Cast
CRITICAL SUCCESS
It doesn't take long for Aila's second catch. She reels it in and has her prize just dangling above the water when...
*snap*
Another fish attempted to grab the hooked one, and became caught itself! Before Aila can bring that one ashore....an even larger one does the same!!!!
Aila caught 3 fish with one bait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila's eyes were huge. Never in her dreams did she believe that she'd catch 3 fish, at once! Like before, Aila strung the fish up and re-baited her hook. She was determined to top her last catch. With fire in her eyes, she casted her lure out as far as she could, visions of more fish fresh in her mind. She could do without the smell though.
Can Aila top her last catch?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 16/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
"Ok, another time then." Zeeto replies to Colfar. "S'kavara, you walked across the water from Pansa Shima to get to Shaded City? That's impressive." Zeeto said with a slightly sarcastic tone. "Nice fish collecting there Aila!" Zeeto cheers as Aila catches an amazing three fish... With one cast! How she managed it with just one bait her first ever time fish collecting, he'll never know. All Zeeto knew was that it was impressive.
Aila's Fish Collecting Attempt
SUCCESS
Aila's lure pierces through the air and lands some 100 paces away. Only minutes later she feels the familiar pull on her line. She reels in another flesh eating fish, nearly identical in size to her very first catch. This is easy!!
Colfar feels no need for fish collecting or questioning the Anthro Panther. He proceeds to sit under a nearby oak, and nap until his allies are ready.
Still waiting for an answer from the Manther, Zeeto stares out at the lake, and thinks about their journey so far. Wow. They've come a long way since those first Goblins. Goblins, Sea Lions, Man Eating Fish, an insane large human, among other things. Yet, they still haven't figured out who destroyed the guild. Or why for that matter. This Manther has the answers. He is not going to leave without telling them to the group, Zeeto thinks. He'll make sure of it or die trying. They've come too far for the answers to literally just walk out of camp.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila strung her last fish up with the rest. Five fish total, she was happy. Laying the rod on the ground near the water Aila exclaimed: "Ah, well I've had enough fishing. You cans have a stab at it, it's not as hard as some people seem to make it sound." With that statement, Aila sat down under the same oak tree as Colfar. Pulling out her comb, she began to re-straighten her hair waiting patiently for the group to move on. Or at least something else to distract her for the next few minutes.
standing next to Arya for a while know he ask's her "how did you start your adventure"
Arya is quite pleased at her first catch of the day. She goes bug eyed at Aila's second one though, and admittedly a twinge of jealously tickles the back of her brain. Beginner's luck. Arya is not going to even pretend she could beat three fish with one lure. "Wow," she says. "We'd be set fishing with just that catch. Though I do want to fish a little longer." Turning to Kirito, she answers, "I began adventuring because I was bored of my home city. I mean, Port Unity is big and all, but there's not much action going on around it. It's pretty safe. I like exploring and action and I already explored the port up the wazoo." She is about to ask the same question to him when she realizes it would probably be a touchy subject to who she presumed to be an orphan.
Fishy wanna bite?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
"how are your parents do you know?" Kirito asks Arya
Fishy Want a Bite
FAILURE
Arya waits a few minutes, but feels no activity on her line. She reels it in, but finds the bait is gone! Some clever fish must have stolen it without getting caught....
The lack of bait on her line frustrates her. Years of fishing and she gets shown up by a newbie. Sigh. She was happy for Aila. She really was. But still, Arya wanted a catch of her own. The ranger baits the line once more and casts once again. She had to catch at least one more decent fish before she was willing to stop.
Kirito's question catches Arya off guard. Her parents? She hadn't thought of them-of just them- in a long while. The ranger thinks back to the last time her family had crossed her mind. Four years ago, perhaps, when she tasted a delicious fish soup that reminded her of her mother's cooking. That day and the last, when she was fishing for the first time in years, are the only times she gave her parents a thought. They weren't bad, by any means. They loved her and cared for Arya. The only thing wrong with them, according to Arya, was that they were too completely normal and mundane.
"They're fine, I expect. I don't know. I haven't seen them since I left home five years ago," Arya finally replies. "They have my sister to take care of them, anyways. She was a pretty good sorcerer from what I remember."
Fishy wanna bite pleeeaase?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
Fishey Biteey
SUCCESS
Arya casts out again, but this time she's feels nibbling on her line. Showing off her expert fish collecting skills, Arya allows the fish to tire itself out draging the lure back and forth. After a few minutes, she, nearly effortlessly, reels it ashore.
Ah much better. Arya held up both fish in front of her and decided the first fish was the more impressive one. Holding up the first fish, Arya asks, "Hey, Zeeto, could you use a ray of frost on this? I want to preserve it for the shop keeper who let us take the fishing rods." The second one she offers to S'kavara and says, "We promised you fish. Here is a nice one." (If she does say so herself) "Now will you please tell us what you know of the guild explosion? Who blew it up?"
"i wish i new where my brother was and my parents are dead" Kirito tears dripping down his face as he thinks of his parents
Happy to have his powers recognized, Zeeto replies to Arya "Sure, I could do that. You probably should set it on a rock or something first though. I don't want to freeze your hand."
Arya sets the first fish down on a rock for Zito. Still offering the second fish to S'kavara, she says, "Oh, Kiri! Would you like to talk about it?"
"yes i need someone to talk to i don't want everyone to know though"
Arya is conflicted. Should she wait for S'kavara's answers, or help this boy? In the end, she says, "S'kavara, I'm still waiting on answers. Come to us when you're going to tell us what you know." Then, she led Kirito away from the group and sat down with him. "What is it? You can tell me anything. I won't tell the others."
"2 years ago my father was a psion like me he tought me his ways and 1 day hunters came by the house thought me and my father where abomination's they killed my mother told me and my father where to die my dad told me through are heads that i need to link with my brother who was with us and turn into a freak basically what happened was i did what happened when i met you but more dangerous me and my brother lived my father was killed in the process i couldn't control it my brother left me after i passed out" Kirito imdiatly burst into tears dripping down his face blaming that moment 2 years ago on himself.
Zeeto attempts to freeze the fish, to preserve it. Afterwords, he says to S'kavara "Apparently, you don't want to talk. When you do, I'll be over there" Zeeto gestures to a nearby oak tree, and proceeds to go and sit under it.
Ray of Frost
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
Ray of Frost
SUCCESS
Zeeto perfectly freezes the seafood for a future meal.
Spell causes 3 strain on Zeeto
Arya breaths in so fast her head briefly swims. "Kirito, that's a terrible thing to happen to your family. But you have to know that wasn't your fault. You do know that, right?"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
After resting for a few minutes, Zeeto walks over to Aila. "Would you like me to freeze your catches as well? They'll go bad otherwise. Then this would be a wasted day of Fish Collecting."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila looked up at Zeeto from her sitting position, the comb halting in her hair mid stroke. "You guys can have the fish, you need them for the General Store right? Besides, even if we were to use them for rations, waiting for night to dinner to come around will only have them spoil. Freezing them sounds like the best bet, whether they go to the store or our stomachs. There are five of them though, could be a tough freeze though." Aila began running the comb again, looking towards the fish as if waiting for Zeeto to try freezing them.
"Well, if it works, it works. If it doesn't, it doesn't." Zeeto grabs the fish from the stringer, and takes them over to the rock where he froze the last fish. He sets them down, all side by side, as close as possible. He then attempts to freeze them from left to right.
Ray of Frost
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
"yes it is the reason my family was banished from shaded city its why we lived in the woods they found out what my father was and banished us i was just a baby though"
"But that's not your fault, Kiri. It's the fault of the people who banished you guys and hunted you down. You can't help what you are and there's nothing wrong with being a psion," Arya replies in a soothing hum of a voice.
"i just miss family we where such a good family"
Arya brings the boy closer to her and hugs him. "I know, Kiri, I know. It's hard. But you have us now, at least. You're not alone. And who knows, maybe- just maybe- your brother may turn up somewhere."
"thank you for everything Arya its nice to know that there's someone i can talk to your like my mom thank you"Kirito thinks of Arya as family
At the boy saying Arya was like his mother, her head snaps towards him. She looks at him wide eyed for a brief second. Then her face melts into a shining grin and a warm bubbliness rises in her chest and she embraces him once more. "I'm here for you, Kiri," she finally says. Her? A mother? She never really thought about it before. Arya sees adventure in her future, a young free spirit, not a mother taking care of a child. But maybe... Maybe being a mother isn't such a bad idea. Perhaps not now, but in the future, it's something she would highly consider. In a low voice, Arya says, "Do you think we can rejoin the group now or do you want to wait here a bit longer?"
"let's go ahead and see what they are doing"
"Sounds good," she replies. She walks back to the group with blade. "Alright guys, why don't we find that treasure now?" Arya asks the party. "S'kavara, I'm still waiting on answers!" she adds.
Freeze Fish!
SUCCESS
Zeeto's second trial at self freezing fish is a little tougher, but he manages to freeze every one of them.
Spell causes 6 strain on Zeeto
"SWEET CORNED BEEF!", yells Colfar as he suddenly and spastically wakes and jumps to his feet. He sees everyone is set to continue the journey, and brings Knifey to the now familiar horizontal position to lead the group. "Onward!"
The group departs, following Colfar, lead by Knifey.
Feel free to expand story along the way
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 5/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
"So, Colfar" Zeeto asks the half-ling "About how long is the journey to this cave?"
"What's the hurry, fella'?", Colfar asks. "Have you a fair maiden waiting on you, tall Elf?"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 5/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
"No, no maiden. I would like to find out if therre is really treasure in this cave though." Zeeto replies
"Theres treasure all around ya fella'"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
"Like what?" Zeeto picks up a nearby rock. "This?"
Rock check (You never know, it might be gold)
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Rock Check
SUCCESS
"That?", Colfar questions. "That's just a lemon shaped rock". The half-ling looks at the ground near where Zeeto found the lemon shaped rock. "There was a lemon behind that lemon shaped rock!"
That's an odd thing to be lying on the ground considering there isn't a lemon tree nearby.
Zeeto gains 1 lemon
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
"Well... it isn't quite treasure, I guess. It's still something though. So, anyways, what did you mean by the treasure comment?"
"Catch scurvy!", Colfar declares. "and then tell me that lemon isn't treasure!"
Meanwhile Daniel has arrived at the lake, but unsure where his intended victim has gone. He's found tracks heading east and west around the lake.
Daniel follows the tracks that look like they where made by the people he saw with the elf.
After watching them for some time, he began to realize that they were becoming more and more annoying about that question. Finally he decided to just give them an answer. His words came slow, and drawn out, trying to let them know that they were only letters."C.....C....G...."He had given them their answer, and now he was ready to collect the cooked fish, and be on his way."There is your answer, now give me the promised cooked fish."
The gang stops at S'kavara's answer. C...C...G..?
Did consonants destroy the guild, or is this feline just bad at the alphabet?
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
Zeeto, fed up with this ridiculous Manther's games, answers angrily "CCG? Three letters? What are we supposed to get out of that?! You made us come all the way out to this lake, almost get killed by a sea lion, and all you give us is three letters?! There had better be more, or this day will not end well for you, Manther."
Arya sees the lemon that Zeeto found and quips, "Hey, lemon is awesome on fish! Nice find." She turns to the panther at his brief answer. Even she is starting to get annoyed at the panther and the ranger reckons she's the most tolerant party member of them all. "Yes," she agrees with Zeeto, "Can you explain that more?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila was just idly walking with the group, her mind picturing the various treasures that could possibly await them at the cave. Thoughts of gold, artifacts, and interesting little things filled her head. She nearly tripped when the Anthros had said the three consonants. Thankfully though, she had caught herself and it merely looked like a root had caught her shoe. Surely those words meant something else, what would they be doing way out here? With a nervous laugh, Aila directed her statement at the Anthros: "Collectable Card Game? I hear it's a popular thing on the western half of the world... but what could that possibly have to do with burning a guild down? Haha..." She picked up her walking, speeding up to the point of being next to Colfar. She wanted to be away from that group, but she was still listening intently to the conversation.
He had hoped at least one of them would have the intelligence to understand, but since they did not, he pulls the folded parchment from his pocket. He then holds it up so that they could see the CCG symbol. "This is the symbol of the Capital City Guild." In hopes that someone would wise up, he continues to hold it up.
Colfar is surprised at the Anthro Panter's gall. Didn't he say he knew of their guild destruction? All he's got is a little piece of paper with another guild's sybol. This means nothing! He could have written it himself! The half-ling speaks to Aila quietly, "What do you think? How long are they going to put up with a free-loading, dishonest manther? Three gold says they'll try to kill him before the cave"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila wasn't sure exactly what Colfar was insinuating, but she would do anything to take her mind off of what she just heard, even a gamble. Whispering to Colfar, she said "Hah, this group? I doubt they could kill anyone they've shared a meal with. Arya wouldn't stand for it, and I don't think Kirito would allow it to happen either. Only one who'd try if it came down to it would be Zeeto. Even then, I think the Panther would win." Aila didn't have the three gold, but she was confident she could give some excuse if Colfar happened to win. "If they're smart, they'll probably pester him into telling them why he thought what he though."
Aila gulped, she didn't like where this conversation about the paper was going.
Colfar is severely eager to gamble on almost anything. Maybe killing is a little extreme. "Well I bet if this Anthro Panther doesn't give the info, fists will fly". What about this treasure cave?"I win, you give me part of your stash. You win, I'll give you some of mine"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila thought about the various things in the cave. She'd lived without them before, it's not like she'll need what ever it was in the cave to live on. "Alright, Fine. Only a portion though. Only if a fist flies. We'll see what side of this party is reasonable or not." Aila stuck out her hand to shake the Halflings. Hopefully this was enough of a distraction. She began to listen in to the conversation and watch out of the corner of her eye.
"You know the guild was blown up by the CCG over a scrap of paper?" Arya says, agitated. "You better have proof to back that up or I'm going to have an incredulous stance on the matter." She folds her arms and looks at the manther as if to say, "I'm waiting."
He returns the parchment to his pocket, then looks at the woman."I am not interested in whether or not you believe me. You wanted an answer, and that was it. Attack me if that is what you want, but that answer will not change. On this "simple paper" is a message that is encrypted, and I know what it says. Now, why would something like a guild reopening, be hidden by a secret carrier, and an encrypted message? Why would that information not be public? Before you and this ragtag group of idiots, do something else stupid, think about those questions. That is your answer. I have fulfilled my end of our "promise", now you must fulfill yours."The look on his face showed that he did not care how they proceeded, all he cared about now was the fish. No matter what they did, his answer would not change. He would either die like this, kill them like this, or walk away. Either way, he was done.
The group now halts marching at Colfar's request. He wants to see how this debate will play out.
Materialize Popcorn for himself and Aila
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Popcorn!
SUCCESS
Colfar and Aila munch on butter-free popcorn while Zeeto, Arya, and S'kavara continue their heated debate.
Wait- encrypted message? Secret carrier? "Well, what does that encrypted message say, then? And how did you happen upon it by this 'secret messenger'?" Arya asks. She stands unwavering with her arms still folded, yet her face is pensive with the new information to chew on.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
"Answer her question, or no fish for you Manther." Zeeto speaks up. He does not believe that the Manther is telling them everything, and is ready to fight at a moment's notice.
"Aila!", yells a voice from Colfar's direction.
"While on our way to return the arrow to the midget, a man ran past us, he was carrying the parchment until it fell from his pocket. Before we could stop him, he was already gone."
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Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
"What did the man look like? Was he wearing any armor? Was he wounded?" Zeeto begins interrogating S'kavara with fervor.
"I don't know, I didn't get a good look at'em. He was only running to something, as if he was running from something. That is besides the point. Why was he running so hard? Why an encoded message? All in all, why is something like a guild reopening, need to be so secret?"
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Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
"That's what I would like to know. We need to investigate this further. There is obviously more to this than a couple Goblins. Also, what about the assailant that killed our goblin at the beginning of all this? Could this messenger have been the assailant?"
"That is something that I have no knowledge of, and there for can not help. If you are done interrogating me, may I have my fish now?"Annoyance growing ever more evident on his face. He was done with this group and wished to leave, but not without his fish.
Colfar is slightly disappointed. It seems that this squabbling probably won't lead to a fight, and the half-ling is out of popcorn.
"If you're done flirting, we should probably get going", quips Colfar to the group. "Give the kitty cat a frozen fish stick. Clearly he wants nothing to do with treasure, or us, and believes he can forge the forest on his own. I say, give him a shot. What's the worse than can happen..."
Colfar waits for a response whilst pondering the possibility of Zombie Manthers.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
"Manther, since you seem so intent on leaving the group, I'll let you in on something. We accidentally left the fish at our last stop. So, if you want them, they're there. Go get them. Safe travels. Have fun."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila bent over and whispered to Colfar. "Why did you call my name earlier? Were you trying to distract me from the little argument? It's obvious they're not gonna fight. That Cat is just gonna turn tail and head for his fish. I'd be surprised if he even followed us. Just give it up, your share is mostly mine." The honey dripped from her voice as she said it. She was confident in her views on the group.
"Your name...?", Colfar asks, befuddlement covering his face. "You know, not everything is about you"
Colfar surveys the situation, plotting a scheme to keep his treasure and to amuse himself.
"Perhaps you're right...but I wonder how upset the Manther will be at this latest bit of knowledge? Essentially, Arya and Zeeto were lying to him the entire time!", Colfar comments to Aila. "Hey S'kavara!", the cleric yells at the Anthro Panther. "These two were pulling your leg earlier. They never meant to give you any fish!"
"You were saying...?", Colfar states without a tone of doubt.
After turning to walk away when the elf spoke about leaving the fish, S'kavara stops at the call of the new midget. He turns back to the group, anger evident in his eyes."What was that?"
Arya turns angrily to Zito and Colfar. "I don't know what you two buffoons are talking about, but I have my fish with me right here," she shoots. She would not forget the fish she so skillfully collected. "I, for one, keep my word and so have you, S'kavara." She shoots a glare at Zito and takes the second fish she had caught out of her bag.
"You heard me, Stretchy McManther!", Colfar quips again. Clearly, the half-ling is up to something. "You're lucky Arya here saved the day. Zeeto would have torn you into a rug..." Colfar pauses for dramatic effect. "With one hand behind his back!"
While the cleric attempts to incite what he believes would be the fight of the century, the woods have suddenly gone mute. Its not long past midday, and the forest should be teeming with sound. Colfar is oblivious to this and continues his tirade. "Or...do you need me to materialize some milk first?"
Arya is not as oblivious as Colfar, having spent most of her life in forests and having been a ranger for a while as well. "Shh. Something's wrong," she says. She narrows her eyes and looks around for anything peculiar.
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Colfar hadn't called her name? What had Aila heard then? Aila looked past Colfar, tuning the rest of the area out. They were out in the middle of no where, what could have said her name? Thinking back, she knew she hadn't given it to Uggo. So what was her name doing, floating on the wind?
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
Now on high alert, Zeeto didn't really care about the Manther anymore. His Elven ears were very in tune with the surrounding area. As soon as it got quiet, he knew. Ready for anything, Zeeto looked around and listened closely to possibly get an idea of what they were up against.
Listen Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 11, total 11[/blockquote]
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
"I think your over estimating the elvish moron, midget. Though, I think it would be entertaining to see him try." His attention becomes fixed on the elf as he turns towards him, thus becoming oblivious to the sudden change to the surroundings. He was itching for a fight, not something he would normally be interested in doing, but something had him fired up.
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Aila and Arya focus on the woods, looking for anything out of place. Nothing seems abnormal...
Zeeto acute ears pick up the deadening silence. Nothing should be this quiet....
Just then, the sorcerer notices movement in an oak tree just yards ahead. His keen eyes focus on the foliage. He makes out what looks to be eight appendages leading to something that resembles a huge dark purple spider with the four frontmost legs ending in cleaver-like claws. The creature doesn't realize its been spotted despite its twin pairs of eyes and remains well hidden until Zeeto divulges information.
Meanwhile, Colfar is still oblivious to the possible dire situation and continues to antagonize the Anthro Panther. "Bring it, Kitten!"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila leapt backwards, her hand covering her mouth in astonishment. Not only had she failed to spot whatever called her name, there was a huge spider hiding in a bush! How did she miss that? She wasn't sure, but she was almost positive that the spider didn't call her name. She got into a battle stance, both hands on her weapons ready to draw them at a moments notice. The spider hadn't attacked yet, but who knows how long it was until it did.
Daniel's Journey
Daniel finds himself stumbling over the same tracks and hitting his head on every tree branch along the way. By the time he's got his bearings, Daniel has managed to return to the same exact spot at the lake where he started. His allies managed to catch up as well.
"We need to stick together", he starts. "We got separated from the rest of the party. Some sort of giant spider took Uggo!" The once seemingly intimidating warrior is scared out of his wits. There is something truly terrifying in these woods.
in order to keep proper direction, perform spot checks to help yourself out.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
When Zeeto spots the spider, he notices it hasn't spotted any of them yet. He also notices Aila staring down a nearby bush with her hands on her weapons. What did that bush do to her? Zeeto yells, just loud enough for the others to hear, yet not too loudly "QUIET!". Hopefully, the others are smart enough to at least listen to him. After his yell, Zeeto motions toward the Spider Oak, and puts a finger to his lips in a 'shushing' gesture. Zeeto motions for everyone to come closer, so they can make a plan. "Do we want to fight this thing, or try to get away?" he asks. "Also, Aila, that bush isn't really That threatening, is it?"
Aila stares intently at the multicolored spider, when it jumps from from its bush to land on its hind legs. The creature performs a little jig and saunters off into the woods. Zeeto attempts to get her attention onto the proper target.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila stared intently at the small spider. It's jig was miraculous. The absolutely mesmerized Aila begins to follow the spider until she is called to attention by Zeeto. Turning to him, she broke out into a laugh. Zeeto's ears were about 18 inches long, and his head was in an hourglass shape. The words he said came out in a high pitched squeak. What spell was this elf casting? It was hilarious!
Between the laughter, Aila asked Zeeto: "What spell are you casting? It absolutely hilarious! Try it out on Arya!" Clearly those berries were starting to kick into effect.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
"Aila, quiet! I'm not casting a spell! What's wrong with you?" Zeeto hisses at the delusional half-elf.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila looked at the elf, she didn't look impressed. Deformities to his face that he was currently suffering weren't natural. He had to be doing it, she was pretty sure you'd feel it if your face was altered in the way his face was. "Very funny, you can cut the spell. No worries by the way, the spider you're referring to has been scared off by yours truly! Aila had a smug look on her face. "It danced a jig and ran off that way." Her hand promptly point the direction that the multi-coloured spider had run off in.
Name: Zen Komanu Bonuses: Str: -2 Con: +2
Health Points: 7/9 Dex: +0 Int: +4
Strain Points: 17/18 Wis: +3 Cha: +0
Armour Class: 12 Luk: 16
"Aila. You must be hallucinating. The real spider is over there." Zeeto gestures at the Oak Spider. "We need to make our move soon, before it notices us. Are we fighting, or running?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Aila followed Zeeto's gesture. "Oh! That one's a big one as well!" Aila pointed at the large spider. "It's not as colourful as the one I scared away, but it certainly is purple. Think we can make it do a jig like the other one?" Aila was clearly under-estimating the system.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
Fed up with this messing around, and obviously not getting anywhere, Zeeto gets ready to fight the spider. Drawing his Khopesh, Zeeto says to his allies "I'm going to attack this thing, and kill it. Or die trying. If anyone wants to join me, let's go." Zeeto then attemtps to cloak his Khopesh in electricity, to damage the creature more if he hits. Then, Zeeto runs at the creature, blade raised, and attemtps to slice the creature's front left leg clean off.
Shocking Grasp
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
"I don't think that's a normal spider..." Arya trails off, but too late. Zeeto has already begun to attack it. If they are going to attack this spider thing, Arya needed all her party members sane. The ranger takes a glance at Colfar. Well, most of them at least. "Aila, look here," she says, diverting the maddened girl's attention to her. She then waves her hands in a mystical nonsensical way that she thinks is some sort of magic spell and tries to delay the poison in her veins.
Delay Poison
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
"giant spider huh?" Daniel said, then turning with a strange glint in his eye "Yes... That will do nicely"
He then focuses and watches the forest and the tracks and listens for any sound
Spot check - Sight
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
Spot check - Sound
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
Arya's Attempt to Delay Poison
SUCCESS
With a wave of Arya's hand, Aila feels the effects of the poison slowing down. The hallucinating half-elf might be useful just yet!
Spell causes 6 strain on Arya
Zeeto's Electric Boogaloo
HIT
Zeeto swings his scythe-like longblade at the creature's front legs, slicing both crustacean-esque claws clean from the torso!
9 damage inflicted on enemy
spell causes 5 strain on Zeeto
The creature whelps in pain as it tumbles from the tree. The gang see it easier now. It stands on its six remaining legs at least 5 feet tall. Its spiked back leads to a stinger the size of a fist. The eyes, two on each side of its head, are a perplexing and hypnotic black as space itself. It readies itsself and lets loose a wicked hiss.
"Oh...another trick, S'kavara?", Colfar remains unconcerned of the imminent danger. "What else do you have for me?"
Battle Order
Zeeto, Arya, Spider, Aila, S'kavara, Colfar
Daniel's Journey
Nothing seems particularly out of order around Daniel, but the sound is indistinguishable; or rather, the lack of sound. At this hour, all manner of creature should be scurrying about. "No!", the same hunter screams. "The spider! It does something to ya. Uggo....he...he came back!"
The second hunter, conveniently named blue and wearing blue, isn't so frightened. [/color]"I can show you! Fred here will run back to town for more help". As Red looks up, Fred has already began the journey back to Shaded City.
Daniel inspects the tracks to try and find the way they lead before saying "If this spider is as bad as you say then we don't have time, the strangers in the bar the other night went to the lake, now they are gone, I need to find them and if they run into this spider then they might need help, so if you want to wait for help then thats fine, but im going."
Spot check - tracks
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
After inspecting the tracks Daniel follows them.
Daniel's Spot Check
SUCCESS
Lets see....several sets of human sized prints, a child sized, and what looks to be the footprints of an upright mountain lion. This must be the correct way! Daniel, followed closely by Red, starts heading in the proper direction as he attempts to describe the beast.
"It was huge! At least four or five feet tall and giant lobster claws for its front legs. Four devastating eyes that burned Uggo's arm to an ugly crisp!", Red explains along the way. "The spider stung Uggo, when he was distracted by his scorched arm nub. Within minutes, he was dead....and then he wasn't. Do you understand? He came back to life!"
Red is too out of breath to continue to explain on the way as the two hurry along.
Claws and stinger? And only four eyes?
without taking his eyes off the trail Daniel says "Spiders don't have claws and a stinger, and they have eight eyes not four, Are you sure it wasn't some sort of scorpion? or another beast entirely?"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
After slicing the creature's legs off, Zeeto attempts to slice the spider's head. He raises his Khopesh, and swings.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
Daniel's Journey
"Not like any scorpion I've ever seen. It's body was separated into sections like a spider's ", Red attempts to say in between breaths.
The two run along the trail without hesitation for whatever beast this might be, until they hear a blood curdling scream behind them.
"That sounded like Fred!", Red exclaims. "Should we go back, or run faster?!"
Adventures in Arachnophobia
Zeeto's Strike
CRITICAL MISS
Zeeto swings his blade at the beast, but miscalculated the distance required. Instead of hitting the creature, the Khopesh misses entirely and hits the tree behind it. Zeeto struggles to retrieve the impacted weapon from the oak. After a few tries, Zeeto manages to pull it free, although he stumbles and lands on his back a few feet in front of the spider-like monster.
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Arya, Spider, Aila, S'kavara, Colfar
Well, that was graceful, Zeeto. Arya sees her party member is now in a tight spot. She has to distract the spider thing from Zeeto! The ranger walks around to the side of the enlarged arachnid and screams, "HEY BUTT FACE! OVER HERE!" It's not one of her most thought out insults. Hoping the spider will turn to her, she aims for its eye, pulls her bow back, and shoots.
Shoot
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
HIT
Arya's arrow flies through the air. Although it misses the intended spider's eye, it pierces the above what Arya assumes is a neckline.
8 damage inflicted on enemy
The spider still stands, arrow protruding from its exoskeleton, to turn its direction at the fallen sorcerer. It strikes with its devastating mandibles!
Bite
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
MISS
Zeeto, although prone on his back, barely avoids the strike by rolling underneath the beast's attack to the left side of the creature. He's back on his feet in one fluid motion.
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Arya, Spider, Aila, S'kavara, Colfar
"faster..." Daniel replies with a grimace "If he screamed then he is already dead..."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
Suddenly leaves were green and Zeeto's head returned to it's normal shape. Wait, leaves were green? Aila had just been assuming they were always purple... but with the effects of the berries diminished for now, Aila could see the adversary in front of them. It was a spider just like they had said, but it wasn't multi-coloured in the slightest. Aila drew out her weapons and quickly surveyed the situation. Zeeto was stuck on his back in front of the beast, luckily he'd managed to roll away from the over-sized mandibles. Counting the legs she could see, there were three on either side after Zeeto had managed to take off the two from claw like ones. Aila quickly sized her opponent up.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
And then took off after the three legs on the creatures left. With one strike for each leg, Aila hoped her flurry of blows would be enough to take them off.
Flurry of Blows?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
With Aila's feats, I believed we discussed getting a third hit with my main weapon? (Short sword in this case) If not, just do your DM thing in the background and make it work XD
Aila stares deep into the creature's four eyes, only to be distracting by another dancing spider! This one, technicolor like the other one, but it wearing a tiny top hat. It scurries over the battlefield to hop on Colfar's head. He doesn't seem to care.
A hiss from the much larger purple spider brings Aila back to the battle.
Aila's Flurry
MISS
Every one of Aila's strikes are met with blocks from the creature's powerful legs. She'll have to rethink her next attack, and stares off at the technicolor spider hopping from ally to ally. No one else seems to notice the vaulting arachnid.
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Arya, Spider, Aila, S'kavara, Colfar
Daniel's Journey
"Good point", claims Red, as they continue to hustle towards their target.
S'kavara thinks to him self as the battle progresses. "What is with these people? The elf lays on his back for the creature, the young girl seems to be more interested in the haircuts of the others, and the woman is trying to insult a creature that most likely can't even understand her. Why am I still here? That doesn't matter now. If I just step to the side and allow them to deal with the creature, it will most likely win, and once it is just it and I, I will lose as well. I guess I have no choice, but to aid in their battle." He draws his sword and charges the creature. His short sword aimed to plunge itself into the creature.
Sword Lung
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
HIT
S'kavara's blade plunges deep into the spider's exoskeleton.
4 damage inflicted on spider
The spider responds with rhythmic hisses and barks, loud enough to be heard miles away.
Colfar attempts to interrupt the spider-talk.
Knifey Strikey
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
Knifey Strikey
MISS
Colfar's strike is met with issues. Knifey isn't nearly powerful enough to break the creature's exoskeleton.
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Arya, Spider, Aila, S'kavara, Colfar
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
Zeeto gets up from his laid back position, dusts himself off, and attempts to strafe to the spider's left, and strike with his Khopesh from the side. His target is once again the head, but from the side this time.
Side Swipe
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
HIT
4 damage inflicted on enemy
Zeeto's blade cuts through the insect-like-shell and incapacitates the spider. It still breathes, but won't last more than a few minutes. As the group is ready to celebrate, two more of the creatures leap from separate trees to surround the group. The creature's hiss was more than a sign of aggression; it was communicating with more of its kind! Who knows how many are on their way?!
The creatures themselves are strikingly similar to the soon to be slain purple one. Same size, same eyes, and general build. The only difference is these two are striped black and bright green. They don't intend to make friends.
Battle Order:
Spider 2, Zeeto, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara, Colfar
The creature closest to Zeeto witnessed the sorcerer slay its spider-esque ally and focuses its next attack on him.
Stinger Attack
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
MISS
Zeeto easily blocks the strike with his Khopesh and manages to turn the beast's attention from the rest of the group.
Battle Order:
Spider 2, Zeeto, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara, Colfar
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 11/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
After blocking the strike, Zeeto attempts to slice the stinger clean off of the beast.
Slice!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
A Slice from Zeeto
HIT
Zeeto's strike cleanly slices the hard shell of the beast, causing the devastating looking stinger to tumble through the air and land onto the ground a few feet away.
9 damage inflicted on Spider 2
Battle Order:
Spider 2, Zeeto, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara, Colfar
If these spiders kept calling more and more to this area, the party would be overrun in minutes."Guys, the spiders are calling more to come to us!" Arya shouts. "I'm going to try to charm them. Don't attack until it's clear the charm didn't work." She throws up her arms and draws swirling patterns in the air. She wiggles her fingers as energy reaches her fingertips. This has to work. It has to, or they might all die.
Calm Animal
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
Arya's Charm
CRITICAL FAILURE
Arya must have made a misstep in her spell because it only angers the arachnids. Both spiders begin to howl and bark, just like the purple one before them.
Battle Order:
Spider 2, Zeeto, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara, Colfar
spell causes 8 strain on Arya
Daniel's Journey
Daniel and Red continue to run along the tracks until they hear the echoing what sounds a snarling dog howling and barking. "That sounds like one of them! I'm sure of it", declares Red. The two continue traveling towards the vicious sounds.
Trouble... Better get ready
Daniel takes his axe off his back before continuing on the trail.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
It was a shock seeing two more spider-like things jump out of nowhere, she had figured that one spider was bad enough. Now it multiplied. She watched as the some-what competent elf sliced off a stinger and a some-what less competent Arya fail to charm them. It was, again, Aila's turn to act. She didn't want to disappoint. She readied her weapons and charged the spider Zeeto had cut the tail off of. All of her strikes concentrated on one spot, it's head. Hopefully it'll die quickly. And then that damned, mocking, multi-coloured spider was next.
Flurry of Blows?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Aila's McFlurry
MISS
Aila's attack is met with resistance once again. The spider blocks any blows with its legs, although is now focused intently on Aila.
The technicolor Spider laughs accordingly.
The second spider has its stinger still attached, and seeks the moment to strike an opponent. Aila is the target, and the creature lunges ready to strike with its presumable toxic tail.
Sting
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
Sting
MISS
Aila avoids the strike easily, smirking at techni-spidey the whole time.
Battle Order:
Spider 2, Zeeto, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara, Colfar
He looks across the new battle field that was beginning to become cluttered. It was like a hydra, one goes down, two showed up. What a drag. The elf managed to distract one of them from the major part of the group, a choice that could only show whether it was a good one or not, in time. The woman seems to have finally lost her mind. She went from fighting to drawing shapes in the air. Then the shorter woman tried to attack the the elf charmed one. Without suprise she failed, and only managed to draw the attention of both spiders. She seemed interested in this group for some off reason, but I think it's more that she belongs in this group. All in all, he was surrounded by pointless idiots. His attention becomes fixed on the spider with its stinger still attached, if anything, the elf was smart for removing the other one's stinger. This was his chance to do the same. It was distracted by the short woman, a sneak attack would be the wiser move. He darts forward, in an attempt to sever the stinger in a single sneak attack.
Sneak attack to remove stinger
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
CRITICAL HIT
S'kavara successfully sneaks around the battlefield to slice the stinger off the third spider. After finding his moment, the Anthro Panther quickly pierces his blade into the beast, leaving the perfectly severed stinger on the ground.
14 damage inflicted on spider 3
The spider lets out a single drawn out scream. The blood curdling sound is unlike the prior rhythmic hissing from before. It even scares off the imaginary top hat wearing rainbow spider....
Battle Order:
Spider 2, Zeeto, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara, Colfar
Colfar sees Knifey's moment to shine and tosses the small blade at the recently wounded beast.
Knifey Throwy
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Note for sneak attacks: I'd like to try something a little different for a while involving sneak attacks. Spend a turn attempting to get into a stealthy position (which means roll d20), and then next turn you get to use the sneak attack move. The only situation where you'd get to sneak attack right away is if you catch an opponent already off guard (an example: you've been sneaking around a prison, and the guard hasn't noticed you. You take the opportunity to sneak attack him)
Knifey Throwy
MISS
Knifey twirls through the air exactly on target until the creature turns to swallow the weapon! A quick chew later and the weapon is destroyed and will soon be digested.
The same spider pounces on the half-ling and attacks with its powerful jaws.
Bite
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Bite
MISS
Colfar wriggles out of the monsters mouth reach and underneath its belly. He rolls out of the way to safety.
His moment of pride ends quickly. Colfar looks down at his chest to see a stinger protruding through his tiny torso. Something attacked him from behind! The half-ling is lifted off the ground and then thrown and soars over every other combatant lifelessly to the ground. A creature even larger than the others reveals itself, and enters combat. Its at least 9 feet tall, covered with a tough deep onyx colored exoskeleton. Its the grown version of these spiders.
Not a moment after that a yell comes from the east. "This is for Uggo, you ugly freak!!"
Its two of the men from the inn! The one that yelled, charges the beast only to be met with a beam of light, emanating from the creature's eyes, so intense it burned a hole clean through the man. Red...is dead
Battle Order:
Spider 2, Zeeto, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara, Colfar
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
Colfar... Dead... It was a shame, really. Zeeto was starting to like the little half-ling's antics with Knifey. Colfar was very good at the clerical magic too. He will be missed. No time to mourn now, however, as the new spider was obviously much more dangerous than the other two. However, if they were to focus just on the new one, the others would surely take them out. He needed to take out the little minions first. Seeing that the spider is now focused on Aila, Zeeto attempts to use the distraction to finish it once and for all. He rushes at the creature, attempts to jump on to its now stinger-less back, and attempts to stab the creature through the top of its head.
Finish Him!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
MISS
Zeeto's plan is a wise one, given that these smaller of the spiders are the size of rather large dogs. He vaults himself, using Aila as a prop, and lands on the spider's back. The sudden influx of weight collapses the spider, who struggles and wriggles so much Zeeto can't get a decent attack. After some deliberation, and a few spider scratches, Zeeto retreats to catch his breath.
Battle Order:
Spider 2, Zeeto, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara, Colfar
Damn it... That idiot Red got himself killed, Looks like i have a score to settle
Daniel lets loose a roar and charges the big spider that killed Red and leaps into the air before swinging down on the spiders head with his full strength behind the blow.
Attack versus Spider
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Daniel charges the beast, shoveling dirt to the air with his massive boots, and leaps into the air poised to attack.
Axe-Haymaker
MISS
Beams of sunlight reflect from the greataxe as it as it touches down against the massive spider. The beast counters by blocking and grabbing the axe with its own pincer-like claws. Daniel matches the creature's strength as the two end up in a tug-of-war over his weapon. The monster lets go of the axe to begin focusing its gaze on him. A ray of frost emanates from the spider's eyes aimed at Daniel!
Cold Ray
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
Cold Ray
MISS
Daniel throws is whole body out of the way, narrowly avoids the beam. The tree behind him was not so lucky. The trunk has been completely frozen through. It looks now as if even the slightest breeze could fell this tree.
Battle Order:
Spider 2, Zeeto, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara, Colfar
As Knifey fell into the belly of the beast, some small part of Arya was happy Colfar was finally forced to separate with his delusion-induced friend. The image she sees now makes her feel sick to her stomach over the guilt of being relieved to lose Knifey. No. NO! Colfar couldn't die! Not now. She may not have been the closest with him, but he was still her party member and a good living being. "Colfar," Arya croaks as she sees the little halfling crumple to the ground. The stinger protrudes from the poor halfling's belly. Stinger? Spiders don't have stingers. What are these creatures? Rage at the culprit beast sweeps her confusion aside as she takes aim at the spider that took Colfar's life and shoots.
Shoot
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
MISS
Arya's shot simply bounces off the creature's exoskeleton.
It is aila's turn now.
Posting from mobile phone makes my normal formatting slightly tougher. I'll have power back soon!
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 11/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
"Ugh! That Elf How dare he just using me as a vaulting stool! He didn't even give me a heads up!" Aila thought to herself, clearly disgruntled she had been used as a leap frog partner. The spider before at the very least was a little shaken up from having an elf land on it. Aila's anger only grew more as he failed to hit the creature, what was she used as a jumping prop for, then? Aila figured she'd vent her anger on the spider in front of her. Although her last couple attempts at slicing the beasts have failed, she was in no mood to give up.
Flurry of Blows on Spider 2
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Aila's Flurry
HIT
Aila, anger stewing through out her veins, swings her shortsword at the closest leg. Without hesitation, lifts her dagger at the next leg. To finish the motion, the half-elf spins 180 degrees to end with a downward strike of her sword against the last leg, leaving all three appendages grounded in her wake. The creature falls, unbalanced due to general lack of footing and soon perishes.
17 damage inflicted on enemy
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara,Colfar
Note: Once Aila's flurry is successful (and since she's got ambidextrous and two weapon fighting), she gets an extra hit with her main weapon in addition to no negation to hit with her off handed weapon. The damage scores were 7,3, and 7 due to her str bonus. The move finally paid off. Nice work!
Spider 3 sees its fallen comrade and attacks Aila with its jaws.
Bite Aila
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Bite Aila
HIT
The creature latches on to Aila's right leg and tears a piece of flesh from it.
6 damage inflicted on Aila
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara, Colfar
He was beginning to grow bored with the situation. He looked upon the massive spider creature. Due to its size, that one would be the greatest threat. He darts towards it. Upon reaching a striking distance from the creature, he twists his body and attempt to slice the creature with a spinning backhand swing.
Spinning backhand on the giant spider.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Spinning Backhand
MISS
S'kavara wisely attacks the largest threat on the battlefield. Unfortunately, the creature blocks the Antro Panther's blade with its own claws, just as it did with Daniel's strike. Despite concentrating on Aila, this creature seems to have clear vision in every direction!
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara, Colfar
'Good job Aila' Zeeto thinks, just before she gets a hunk of her leg ripped off. 'Well, that's going to leave a mark.' 'At least she managed to kill the second spider...' Seeing the next spider distracted with Aila's leg, Zeeto takes this moment to attempt a strike. He rushes at it, and swings his Khopesh in a deadly arc, straight for its stinger.
Deadly Arc
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
HIT
Zeeto's moment of brilliance is quelled when he realizes S'kavara had already sliced this stinger clean from the body. He nicks quite a bit of torso nonetheless.
5 damage inflicted on spider 3
The creature's balance wavers, but maintains, and it still stands.
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, Spider 3, S'kavara, Colfar
Hmm, Crafty bugger, strong enough to stop my axe but... not strong enough to keep me from getting it back, and why didn't it dodge me? if it had i would have been stuck there and open for attack... unless, it isn't fast enough... And it hit the tree... looks like it gave me a new weapon then huh
Daniel backs up until he was behind the now weak tree and hits the end facing the spider with his axe to make it fall on too the giant spider
Attack versus... tree
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
Tree Fell
SUCCESS
It takes only one chop from Daniel's mighty greataxe: The blade impacts frozen tree, shattering ice in every direction. He quickly moves out of the way, but how lucky will the rest of the group and the two enemies be???
Universal Luck Roll
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
All group members know what's coming the moment they hear the greataxe's strike. They intentionally wait until the last possibly moment and leap out of its path.
20 damage inflicted on all enemies
The smaller enemy is instantly squished into arachnid jelly. The giant spider, although quite damaged, isn't dead. It is quite stuck for only a moment before it breaks free of its arboreal prison. It focuses on Daniel after his brilliant felling technique and leaps at the oversized human.
Claw Strike
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Claw Strike
HIT
Daniel sees his attacker fly through the air and towards him. A smaller human might try to dodge....Daniel stands his ground. He blocks the first strike with ease, but the creature swivels its second claw for an unavoidable attack.
6 damage inflicted on Daniel
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, S'kavara, Colfar
Jeez louise would that thing die already? Arya aims her bow and shoots again at one of the spider's eye.
Shoot
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Arya's Shot
MISS
Arya's carefully aimed shot is rendered moot by a quick defensive claw swipe.
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, S'kavara, Colfar
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 5/11 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Com: +3 Luk: 15
The pain shot through her leg and straight into her head. It was mind-numbing, excruciatingly painful. She could feel the flesh tear away from her skin and the warm blood start to run down her leg. It hurt, but thankfully the pain wasn't enough to dull her senses to the point she'd be crushed by a tree. She leapt back just in time to avoid the large tree crashing down before her, squishing the bug that had ripped her flesh. "Deserved it" she though as it's exoskeleton crumbled beneath the large tree's weight. The larger spider somehow survived it.
A second passed before the creature was free and leapt at the over-sized human. Why he stood his ground, Aila didn't know, but his first deflection was marvelous. She could say some things about the claw that struck into his side though. Just after an arrow flew past Aila, but the beast was quick and blocked. That was her chance, in the moment the creature moved the claw to block. Aila struck, aiming for the joints that connected the claw to the beast. She wanted that claw gone.
Aila's Flurry on the Claw's Joints:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
Flurry
MISS
Aila's volley of swings breaks through the distracted beast's guard; however, the half-elf didn't put enough strength into her strike to crack through its tough exoskeleton. The creature is beginning to become overwhelmed with this sheer number of distractions, but stands its ground.
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, S'kavara, Colfar
If he could just find a blind spot to the creature, he would be able to land a much better blow. He looks around the battle field in hops to see one.
Blindspot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Spot Check
SUCCESS
S'kavara quickly surveys the beast and sees a particularly vulnerable spot where the tree sliced part of its exoskeleton open on the top of its back.
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, S'kavara, Colfar
Note it is still S'kavara's turn because all he did was quickly analyze any weaknesses. He may finish his turn with an action, or another check
Everybody, who has been anticipating S'kavara's next move, became somewhat disappointed when all the anthro panther does is spin three times, lie down, yawn, and take a quick nap.
Battle Order:
Zeeto, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, S'kavara, Colfar
S'kavara was faux-sleeping as a diversionary tactic!
Battle Order:
Zeeto, S'kavara, Daniel, Giant Spider, Arya, Aila, Colfar
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 10/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
Zeeto watches as S'kavara looks the creature up and down, and seems to notice something on the top of the creature's back. Looking more closely, Zeeto sees that it's a break in the creature's exoskeleton! Knowing that this thing will outlast them all if they drag this fight out much longer, Zeeto prepares for what might be his final attack. He is mentally exhausted from so much Spellcasting throughout the day, and this spell could take everything he has left right out of him. Zeeto attempts to run at the creature, and leap over its extremely menacing pincers. He goes on to attempt to stab his Khopesh directly in to the creature's fleshy inside, straight though the break in its armor. All the while, Zeeto is attempting to charge his weapon with extreme amounts of electricity using the Shocking Grasp spell. "Cover me Anthro!" Zeeto yells at the Anthro just before attacking.
A Shocking Experience
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Feeling a bit foolish from his faux-sleeping, he stands and studies the wound. His train of thought is quickly disrupted, when the elf began his onslaught of the creature. With several more years of training, the elf might have looked majestic as he jumped onto the creatures back, but instead looked more like a bull rider that forgot how to ride. The elf screamed out for S'kavara to cover him, but what the hell does he do. You just leaped onto a massive scorpospider! The creature caught his attention, as the stinger was rising up its back, readying for the kill of the being on its back. With out thinking he aims a sword strike the the stinger as an attempt to sever yet another from its host.
Severing the stinger with his short sword.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
Shocking Event
HIT
Zeeto awkwardly rides the creature until balanced enough to plunge his electrified blade into its back.
11 damage inflicted on enemy
Zeeto is exhausted from all the spellcasting, and instead damages himself!
Zeeto's spell causes 7 damage to himself
The attack is enough to destroy the beast, who collapses as S'kavara attempts to attack, causing him to miss his intended target.
Congratulations! Zeeto, Daniel, Arya, Aila, and S'kavara gain 650 experience.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 3/10 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Com: +1 Luk: 9
Gold: 0
"Well, that was fun" Zeeto says as he clumsily stumbles off of the dead creature's back. "I think I'm going to go over here for a bit" Zeeto says, and proceeds to wearily walk over to a nearby Oak, and trance out. He is completely drained from the fights, and if anything else were to attack now, he would be easy pickings for it. He is not in any shape for another battle.
Soon after Zeeto goes into his trance...
"Ret...", barely sounds from Coflar. The half-ling is still alive! "Ret...riev...". He's trying to say something, but its impossible to make out unless right next to him.
This is the best chance im going to get if i want to bend to the sheriff's will... To hell with him, i would rather give Orcus a sponge bath than do what that miserable pile of secrets tells me to.
Daniel looks at the spider, then at the elf who now is sleeping, before turning to the girl who he recognizes from the inn fiasco,
"I have been meaning to catch up to you and your group, first i must offer my apologies for my behavior at the inn, I was recovering from ingesting wolfsbane to cure a disease i had caught while travelling, and i was in a bad state, so i hope this will start to pay for my dishonor."
He reaches into his bag and pulls out 10 gold and hands it to the girl.
"Now, I have also come seeking help, the sheriff in town has taken my companion Albert and is holding him until i retrieve everything that the elf has on him, down to the clothes on his back. I want to enlist your aid in retrieving Albert and ending the corrupt law enforcement of this town. I don't have much i could offer as payment, but I would return the favor by aiding you in whatever task you are on."
As seeing none of his companions come to his aid, S'kavara walks to the wither almost dead body. He leans down and attempts to hear the words he is speaking.
Shhhh! I'm listening!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
SUCCESS
Colfar does his best to speak loudly, but only S'kavara, who is focusing his attention on the dying half-ling, can hear him.
"They're called retrievers", Colfar speaks, coughing in between words. "Someone, a mage probably....sent them out...someone knows...". Colfar speaks his last words, and drifts into an eternal slumber.
He listens the the beings heart slowly stop beating. S'kavara knew he would die, and there was nothing he could do. After using his fingers to close the half-lings eyes, he stands and looks down at the midget. He did not know the ritual the group would use to aid the midgets passing to the other realm, he whispers something in Pansa tongue. His actions and the sound of his voice, clearly showed that he was praying of sorts and wishing the half-ling to rest in peace. He turns back to the group and says in a some what loud and irritated voice,"What are we going to do now?"The words of the half-ling echoed through his mind, but he didn't know if he should tell the group or not. In telling them he may only spark fear into them, or worse, they would show more stupidity and act as if it ment the wind would blow tomorrow. The fact that this "mage" was able to conjure something like that, it meant they were far more powerful then probably all the group combined, but to not tell them would mean their death anyway. For the first time in a long time, he didn't know what to do next.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 21/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila watched the beast fall, it's exoskeleton steaming from the jolt Zeeto had delivered to what Aila would assume be its nervous system through the tail. A large sigh escaped her lips and she glimpsed down to her leg to see the wound that had been inflicted upon her. At her second glance, it didn't seem to be as bad as it had during the heat of battle. She sat down beneath the oak tree that had previously occupied her and Colfar earlier.
Speaking of the Halfling, he died during that last battle. Despite the fact that she had won the bet and didn't have to give up her things, she could claim his share of the loot.
She watched as Daniel approached Arya and begin to proposition her. Aila did her best to staunch her wound and listen in to the conversation.
Despite Arya's best efforts, her consciousness begins to waver mid-conversation. She collapses before Daniel receives a response!
...stupid bacon deficiency.
He'll have to ask another member of the party for information. Perhaps the half-elf will be more useful.
The disheveled battleground gives way to several depressing thoughts: the team's guide & healer is gone. The half-elf may begin to hallucinate soon. Everyone is exhausted. That frozen tree made retriever jelly. Is it marketable?
The gang knows vaguely understands the route to the cave but may not be in any sort of shape to travel further today.
Daniel turns to the half-elf and repeats his proposition.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 21/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila, still holding her wound, looked at the man who had turned to her from Arya. First she looked at the gold in his hand. "Where did you get that? Surely you would have paid the Inn lady back first if you had that kind of money to just give out in compensation. You did kind of break her door." After stating what she had said, she shifted slightly to look up into the tall man's face from her sitting postion. ""Also, if the sheriff has taken your companion, surely there was a reason. Sheriffs don't just take people for no good reason. Aila had a plain look on her face while she said this. She wasn't about to go against a sheriff in a town for no good reason, and a man who feels the need to smash doors down with his axe hasn't got the most pull in a conversation. "And as for the goal of this group, you're better off asking the elf or girl that just passed out. I'm a guest here, not a main member.
Hearing someone mention an Elf, Zeeto slowly gets up from his position under the Oak. He winces a bit as he has developed one heck of a headache on the last few minutes. "What was that about me?" Zeeto asks the two standing before him.
Groaning, Arya blinks open her eyes. Wait. Why was she on the ground? Wasn't she just fighting a hoard of spiders a few moments ago? What happened? The rumbling in Arya's stomach answered her. Stupid SBD. She saved one of those bacon strips from the other halfling, didn't she? Shuffling her hands around her pockets, she retrieved a slice of bacon wrapped up in a napkin she had grabbed from the inn. This strip certainly wasn't fresh... but it would have to do. Down the hatch it went. At least it still tasted like bacon.
Shifting her weight to get up, Arya's head starts pounding. She grimaces at the pain as she stands. "What have I missed?" she groans. The bacon, having made its way to her stomach, slowly revives her senses and her headache wanes. The ranger sees a new person present: the oaf from the inn. Oh lovely. "What are you doing here?" she asks a little more gruffly than she meant to.
Turning to the girl who felt the need to fall asleep
"I came here originally to apologize for my behavior at the inn, I was not myself" he said before sighing
"Now I know you all may not have to best impression of me, and I know that from what you have seen you might think me some sort of barbaric oaf, but I deeply regret my actions, I pay this compensation as I regret such a dishonor, but I need your help, the sheriff took Albert as a way to make sure I took everything form him," he gestures to the elf " As he said that the elf had robbed someone blind and left them with nothing left, and he threatened to kill my companion if I did not do this task. So, I beg of you, please help me retrieve Albert from the sheriff, if you aid me I will join you and help you in any way I can."
"We need to check out a nearby cave, but I see no reason we couldn't help you get your friend back afterwords. He is held captive in Shaded City, correct?" Zeeto replies to the big man.
Ayra was taken back at the... civility of the man. Is he pretending to be sorry or was he genuine? Then again, if he truly was the oaf Arya thought he was, that oaf wouldn't have the brains to pull off this pretending. Maybe he was being genuine. Still, Ayra will be wary of him until she is sure.
Replying to his proposition, Arya says, "While it is true some things were taken from the shop keeper, it was barely anything compared to the shop's contents as a whole. The sheriff was either lying or mistaken." Hmph. Sheriffs are hot-headed, power hungry slugs and barely any sheriff around these parts proved Arya's view of them wrong. She thought over this man's dilemma. He could have done a number on Zeeto, but he decided to offer help instead. Perhaps there was hope in the former oaf being helpful instead of destructive. "As to your predicament," she continues, "I believe we should help you on the condition that you help us in return. Are you aware of the attack on the guild a few days ago?"
The dead half-ling is already long forgotten as Daniel and the group amicably socialize. Within moments, Colfar's corpse begins to convulse and spasm. Despite the gaping whole in its chest, the tiny man stands itself and peers at the group. A few seconds after, he turns around and begins to walk along the lake. He travels in the same direction the group was headed before the retriever encounter.
"Yes he is in the shaded city, and I have heard of the guild attack, If you aid me in retrieving Albert I will help you in whatever quest you may be on." then suddenly Daniel stiffens
""No!", the same hunter screams. "The spider! It does something to ya. Uggo....he...he came back!""
What did he mean by came back anyway... unless.
Daniel spins around to were the impaled Halfling was.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 21/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila's head snapped in the direction of the movement. Did the dead body jus- her suspicions were confirmed when it got up on it's two feet. It kind of looked at the party and then began walking off in the direction they were headed. Obviously Colfar was going to come through on his end of the bet and lead her to the cave for her riches. Taking to her two feet, Aila followed Colfar, stealthily. You never know when a dead companion suddenly felt like chowing down on your brains.
Move Silently:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
All the while Aila was following Colfar, zipping from tree to tree in an attempt to mask her presence, she eyed him up and down carefully. What exactly was causing this miniature human to move when it was quite clear he was lifeless earlier?
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
"It seems our little chat will have to wait until later. Apparently, Colfar is on a mission." Zeeto says to the group. "I think we should follow him."
"Good idea" Daniel follows the undead Halfling.
Aila's Move Silent
SUCCESS
The gang follows the reanimated half-ling along the lake. Aila surreptitiously zips from tree to tree, hiding behind each one along the way. The rest of the group is more lackadaisical in their approach. Lackadaisical and loud. Colfar doesn't seem to mind.
Aila's Spot Check
SUCCESS
Aila notes Colfar's fatal wound. It is strikingly similar to the injuries of the battered man they met after battling the Sea-Lion. The flesh has already putrefied around the retriever damaged area. The once red blood has been replaced with oozing, thick, black tar like substance. It must have been the retriever that caused this!
Its nearly dark when they've arrive to the mouth of the cave an hour and a half later. Zombie-Colfar wastes no time and immediately enters the cavernous abyss. Everyone else waits a beat to survey the area.
The lake, now simultaneously reflecting both the setting sun, and the incoming moon, is to the south of the cave, but within vision. The cave itself loomed of impenetrable blackness. The only sound was of dripping water emanating somewhere through its natural halls. In between the lake and cave lies a clearing with no more than a 40 ft radius.
The gang gains 4 sp during the trip.
Zeeto, Aila, and Daniel regain 2 hp during the trip
Seeing the pitch-black cave ahead, Zeeto knows they will need some form of light inside. He knows he doesn't have much left, but attempts a spell anyways. He pulls out his Khopesh, and attempts to cast Continual Flame on the weapon, to use it as a light source.
Continual Flame
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Continual Flame
SUCCESS
Despite the battle, and then subsequent journey, Zeeto is determined to explore. His spell takes a toll on him, as he doesn't have enough concentration to perform the spell without harming himself.
Spell causes 8 strain on Zeeto
Spell inflicts 2 damage on Zeeto
A small flame spreads over the entire blade, harmless to the sorcerer, but quite damaging to anything the sword might touch. However, it will be extremely draining to keep the spell going on long.
Seeing Zeeto kill himself over light, Arya tries to run up and stop him before he tries. "No don't do that you dunce!" Arya shouts. "Mayar is plenty light enough." It is too late to stop him though. At least it makes his sword more powerful...
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila was just ahead of the group. Although Colfar wasn't exactly looking for her, she had keep her stealthy self close enough to be ahead of the pack when they arrived at the cave. Her first thought though was why Colfar, the undead halfling peaked her curiosity. She had to know, and getting to the treasure first is always a good thing to do. It may have been dusk, but for Aila the half-elf, there was more than enough light for her to see ahead of herself in the cave. She didn't need any fancy, self killing light swords to guide the way. Not yet anyway.
She wasted no time in following Colfar, listening to the group seemingly bicker of the wasted energy on a weapon of illumination. She didn't know what was in the cave though, and still had to be cautious. She bent low into her stealthy like movement pose and crept after Colfar into the cave doing her best not to make any noise.
Move Silently:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
While she was doing to her best to keep Colfar in her eyesight, she constantly looked around the cave expecting danger and possibly a locked chest that had been promised in the area.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"What if there are different branches in there? Mayar can't light them all." Zeeto replied to Arya. It didn't matter to him either way. As an Elf, he could see just fine inside the cave. He was worried about the others not being able to see. You never know when some creature might jump out at you in there. It tends to help fighting a bit when you can actually see what you're fighting. Zeeto watched as Aila sneakily snuck behind the creepy Colfar into the cave. He wasn't sure why she was trying to sneak up on a zombie. 'Ah well, everybody to there own I guess...' he thought "I don't know about the rest of you, but I think we need to get in there as soon as possible. We don't know what might be lurking out here. Whatever is lurking in there, at least there's treasure behind it." Zeeto then proceeds to enter the cave, following the half-dead half-ling.
Arya shook her head to herself. Sure, extra light is nice, but it isn't worth hurting himself over it. There happens to be a highly innovative invention called a torch for light. Oh well. She followed the elf and half-elf into the cave, stubbornly guiding Mayar to light her own pathway instead of just following Zeeto's light. As Mayar swept around the cave, Arya looked for a hint of treasure.
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
Aila's Move Silently & Spot Check
SUCCESS
Aila half-elven eyesight allows her to pick the perfect spot and easily maneuver throughout the cave. Even with the glowing sword and puppy combo, the cave is dark. If it weren't for them, anyone with normal vision could hardly see the hand in front on his face! The walls are separated by no more than eight feet of clearance at the most, with a height of ten feet. The beating sounds of dripping water seem to emanate from all around the group. The floor is uneven and sharp. Although Aila navigates the halls with ease, the others find it slightly more difficult to keep their balance.
Everyone walks deeper into the abyss, following the undead half-ling into the belly of this ongoing cavern. After nearly an hour of twists and turns, the half-ling stops at a hallway, with a curious oak door blocking its path. He stares at the barrier with the determined gaze of an unwavering wax statue.
Soon-after Zeeto feels a sudden surge, and then dissipation of energy move throughout his veins. His blade, although no longer ablaze, is still glowing harmlessly.
Arya's Spot Check
Arya spots no sign of treasure along the way. She does note the extreme lack of footprints. The only ones she notices come from Colfar.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila watched the Halfling stop at the door. Why did he stop? Do zombie Colfars not have the ability to open doors? Or maybe he couldn't. Aila was fast moving, and quite. She snuck up behind Colfar and pushed him into the door, he was dead... right? No hard feelings for pushing a reanimated corpse of their dear old Halfling friend. She was hoping for some reaction when he hit the door, maybe even a flashy light.
Push:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
Zombie Colfar Door Bash
CRITICAL SUCCESS
Aila brazenly charges Colfar into the oak door, smashing it into a thousand splinters! Not a subtle entrance. Inside, the group sees what the former barrier hid: a small seven ft by seven foot room with no other entrances and a lit lantern hanging from the ceiling. Right below it is some sort of chest!! It seems, even in death, Colfar has made due with his promise.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Well, she felt bad about pushing him that hard. It was only supposed to be a "playful" push into the door, turns out she's got more strength than expected. Aila eyed the room suspiciously and pulled a torch from her pack. Lighting the torch, Aila tossed it into the room to illuminate it a bit better. She then proceeded to eye the edges, floor, ceiling, and corners of the room. Last thing she wanted to do was walk into a booby-trapped room.
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Aila's Spot Check
SUCCESS
Aila unnecessarily throws her torch into the already lit room. Regardless, she doesn't spot anything remotely suspicious in the room. The chest itself is about two feet by four feet by one foot. Its base paneling is made of metal painted deep red, with additional metal lining the edges decoratively in gold paint. No wonder the armorer said it couldn't be moved. This entire chest is made of metal!
The fact that Colfar's corpse is animated despite his death urks Arya. What is controlling him? Is his soul still there, or is it something else? "I'm going to check on Colfar's soul," Arya says to her party. "This whole situation doesn't sit right with me." She had planned to go to the spirit world right after the battle with the spiders, but the former oaf had distracted her. Arya mentally scolded herself for forgetting her friend in his last moments. With Mayar's graceful leap into her hands, she dove into her personal entrance into the spirit world.
To the spirit world!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
Spirit Jump
SUCCESS
Arya transports herself into the parallel world of the spirits. She's immediate shocked when she looks at the half-ling. He's being held up and directed by strings as if a marionette puppet, except the strings look like jet black, oozing spider's web. The "webs" seems to ascend from above the ceiling. Suddenly, out of nothingness a shadow rushes in front of her and violently pushes her from the spirit world, back to the world of the living.
Spirit world travel causes 3 strain on Arya
Name: Arya Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 27/27 Dex: +3 Int: 0
Strain Points: 1/14 Wis: +1 Cha: 0
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 19
Arya falls to the ground with an oomph. Her body shakes from the sudden cold shock of sudden deportation from the spirit world. That is not supposed to happen. That is NOT supposed to happen. Something else shouldn't be able to connect to the living world from the spirit world as she can, especially something as purely evil as whatever that thing is. She gasps and wheezes out, "Guys.. Colfar.. The spirit... The spirit that controlled the demented wolf... it's puppeteer Colfar! I think this is a trap! That thing... booted me from the spirit world."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila looked back at Arya. "Of course it's a trap, there's treasure involved. As far as I can see, the room is safe. I think we should be cautious though..." Aila looked back into the room. It looked safe enough, but surely a room like this in a dark dreary cave with a nice looking chest on a pedestal doesn't come without risk. Aila pondered a bit more. She looked back at the Halfling, still prostrate from her "gentle push". A smirk came across Aila's face. No one had a problem with her little push earlier, she probably wouldn't get scolded. Besides, she's sure it was always the little Halflings dream to fly. Aila began to muster her strength and attempted to pick up Colfar's small body and hurl him at the chest.
Throw:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
Fly, Half-ling. Fly
SUCCESS
Once again, Colfar soars through the air by means other than his own. His tiny torso impacts the metal case with a deep and solid thud. A closer inspection of the chest reveals the air-born cleric did little to damage it. Aila notes two keyholes, opposite one another on the sides of the container.
1 damage inflicted upon chest
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Success! The Halfling flew! Aila was a bit more secure about stepping into the room. Although whatever trap could be in this room might not react to dead Colfars. Aila breathed a large sigh. She wanted to play with the chest, but it was over there. looking back at her group for only a moment, Aila stepped into the room cautiously. Listening intently to the various things a room could make upon her entrance. By the lords above, she was hoping it would stay silent, generally bad things are noisy.
Listen Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
Slowly recovering from her wheezing, Arya gathers herself up off the chilly, rocky cave floor. "You don't understand," she says. Her voice wavers slightly at the thought of this Thing that keeps following them. "The trap- It's IN Colfar. Whatever spirit that is controlling him is the foulest and most powerful spirit I have ever seen and you have just thrown one of its vessels into a door and a chest." Sensing that her warning would probably not be enough to deter her party from treasure, Arya added, "Just don't let Colfar leave your sight."
Her party would not understand her fears. She knew that. There was no way they could witness first hand what that monstrous Thing could do. Not in its true form that could suffocate someone in their own fear and manipulate spirits. No, they see a walking, silent Colfar. Maybe Arya is just being paranoid. Maybe everything will turn out alright and they will all become a little bit richer. Secretly, Arya wants to disregard her own instincts and see what is inside the chest as well. She also has the gut feeling that something is inevitably going to go very wrong.
I hate typing on my iPhone. 'Scuse me for any weird typos. I already accidentally deleted half the post while writing it on this thing.
Aila's Listen Check
SUCCESS
Aila's keen ears pick up no sounds from the room. She hears the same constant dripping bouncing throughout the cavern, but no footsteps, growling, or anything overly demonic. Colfar continues to flop around like a fish out of water. It seems he's either attempting to stand, or break dance. It could go either way at this point...
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Between Colfar's random movements and her own inspections, Aila had deemed this room to be safe enough. Confidently, she began to circle the chest, eyeing each inch of it. She knew there were two keyholes, but she couldn't pick them both if they had to be turned at the same time. She also didn't want the others to know that she had some questionable tools in her possession. They were more the goody-goody type.
Spot Check on the Chest:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Having looked over the chest, Aila began to size it up, going to the point of trying to even pick it up.
Alright. Ignore her warning, Aila. See where that gets you. Essentially recovered from her sudden ejection, Arya stands up straight. While fear still ravages her insides, outside, she tries to appear more calm and collected. The ranger studies Aila. The half-elf sure was acting strange lately, tip-toeing around the undead and playing with his body (how rude!). She resolves herself to to keeping an eye on Aila as well as Colfar for now. The ranger inspects the half-elf and the chest further, trying to find what Aila is so intently inspecting. Arya asks, "Do you know how to open it? You seem to be the best chance we have. I'm at a loss save beating the poop out of it. Then again, Danny boy here could probably help us out with that with his experience in the field." She gives a little chuckle, more to break the tension of her nerves than to laugh at her own joke. Her eyes dart over to Colfar briefly to make sure nothing like the demented wolf has happened to their once beloved friend.
Watching Aila's inspection and Colfar's thrashing
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
Aila's Spot Check
SUCCESS
Aila notes nothing new about the chest, but struggles in her attempt to lift the it. She tries again, putting more effort into her attempt. Again, the chest doesn't budge even a little. The tough metal container seems to be bolted to the cave ground.
Arya's Spot Check of Aila's Spot Check
CRITICAL SUCCESS
Arya intently studies Aila studying the chest. Colfar continues to flop on the ground, only slightly more violently. His motions are becoming more and more random as he flops on the cave floor. As Aila investigates the chest, Arya notes the lantern hanging above. Her eyes climb the chain from which it hangs. The top link is not the same color as the rest! It's quite a bit lighter. Why could this be?
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"What if the key is in this room somewhere?" Zeeto suggests. He then inspects the room closely to see if it might be in plain sight.
Key Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Okay, there is something seriously wrong with Colfar's body. Arya walks over to the body discreetly so as not to alert whatever is controlling the flopping halfling shell, draws the stiletto from the sheath facing away from Colfar, and in one swift movement, attempts to plunge the dagger into the body's heart. While Arya figures the key (figuratively or literally) to opening the chest lies in the hanging lantern, the chest could wait.
I feel stabby
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Zeeto's Key Check
FAILURE
Zeeto scans the entire small room for a hint of a key. He finds none.
Arya Feels a Little Stabby
HIT
Arya pierces her stiletto deep into the half-ling's chest. His flesh has already decayed too much, and the ranger plunges nearly half of her arm into him by accident. He continues to spasm, still determined even with his sudden acute case of ranger-arm-in-zombie-halfling-chest.
Dang that didn't work. This has to stop. Bracing herself from the incoming gore, she takes her bloodied arm out of the cadaver and sweeps her blade across Colfar's head, attempting to cut it off.
Now I feel slicey dicey?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
She Slices, She Dices
SUCCESS
Arya doesn't need the normal effort to decapitate this incapacitated zombie half-ling, who was already weak, even for a half-ling. She easily separates the former ally's head from their former ally's torso as the entire group looks onward. Losing his head seemed to finally calm Colfar into a proper eternal slumber. He is no longer flopping about.
Arya slouches as the tension is released from her shoulders. Responding to her release, Mayar shakes as if a sudden burst of frigid wind had cut by him and his posture slackens. It worked, or at least she hoped it did. The Thing could possess her former friend no more. The ranger closes her eyes, blinding herself from the deed she had just completed. She wishes to remember Colfar in all his quirks and liveliness, not just his separated head. "Farewell, Colfar," she whispers. She blows a small kiss to the air with her unbloodied left hand. Maybe the little spirit can see her small gesture in her spirit form. She hopes so.
The ranger could not dwell on the past now though. Her party counts on her. Not looking towards his head, she takes a clean part of Colfar's pants and uses it to wipe her arm as best she can. She rises from her position and walks back to the chest. Raising her head to study the lamp, Arya says, "I have an idea as to how to open this chest." She says nothing further until she studies the lamp more. Is the key in the lamp? Is the lamp the key itself? Does that lamp break the chest open? Or is it none of the above?
Arya is very interested in lamps at the moment.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Lamp Check
SUCCESS
Arya studies the lamp with the utmost precision. Its a seemingly standard oil/fat burning lantern with a square base no wider than 6 inches. The sides are made of glass with a bronze framing on the corners leading to a bronze top connected to the chain.
A closer inspection reveals several elements: There is no latch or opening to add fuel. Not only that, but that doesn't even seem to be anything keeping this flame ablaze! The lamp is sustained through other means. Arya's visual inspection does not reveal any sort of key on or inside the lantern.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Not seeing any obvious sign of a key, Zeeto studies the chain that the lamp is hanging from more intently.
Chain Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Puzzled by the lack of an apparent key, Arya shares her discoveries of the lamp and chain to her party. "It's just strange that the lamp would be kept alight with magic," she adds after pointing out the fire. "I mean, I see that the light would run out eventually and this place isn't really kept up, but why would they keep this place lit up in the first place? It's as if-" A realization dawns upon the ranger. "They want people to find this chest, whoever 'they' is, don't they?" Her feet slap against the rocky floor as she paces in thought. "But then why is that chain newer? They must have taken down the lamp and put it back up recently. Maybe I'm reading this wrong and it has something to do with the key. Any ideas, guys?" She leaves that question up in the air as she continues to study the walls of the room.
The thought had crossed her mind that since Colfar was the one leading them into this place, they did not know how to get out. Arya does not mention this though. Why worry the group now? Whether they worry about it now when this chest hasn't been resolved or after it has does not make much of a difference. She might as well not trouble them more at the moment.
Study the walls
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Zeeto's Chain Check
SUCCESS
Zeeto investigates the chain, one link at a time from the top of the lantern all the way up to the discolored one at the ceiling. After a few minutes, something dawns on him. The link up top isn't discolored at all. It looks 'off' because every link below it has been oxidized by the humid air. Why on earth would the top link be less affected by the elements?!
Arya's Wall Check
These walls seem to be made of some sort of stone.
Well... This is an... interesting... group that i have gotten involved with. Well, lets try something out.
Daniel walks over to the lamp the elf was looking at, and tugs on it.
Tugging on lamp
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"The top link on the chain seems not to be affected by the humidity in here. Why would that be?" Zeeto wonders out loud, hoping his allies will chime in. IN the meantime, he attempts to detach the chain from the ceiling and take the odd link out. After Daniel finishes his tugging of course.
Chain Take?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
Before Zeeto can break the top link, Daniel intervenes and pulls on the entire chain!
Chain Tug
SUCCESS
Daniel lets go of the lantern when he hears a click. The chain then snaps up and the top link recedes into the ceiling. After a few mechanical rumblings underneath, there's another resounding click from the chest itself. A tiny metal bar, no bigger in length than the first section of one's thumb, expands out of each keyhole.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila looked up at the sudden change on the chest, her attention was fully there and was utterly surprised when it moved almost of it's own accord. Aila's innate curiosity made her act before really thinking, extending her hands to touch the new protrusions from the chest. First, she tried pulling them. If that wasn't going to work, turning, twisting, lifting, pushing, etc.
Aila's fidgeting pays off almost immediately after she pushes both protrusions into the chest simultaneously. After another jarring click, the chest's lid opens on its own. The gang steps forward to see, not a bounty of treasure, but a ladder, leading underneath the very ground on which they stand! A quick peer into the abyss divulges information for those with the vision for it. Thanks to what light the lantern offers, Aila sees the ladder's base is around 20 ft beneath the chest. She can't tell of anything else in the lower room without descending there herself.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
The biggest, most genuine smile spread across Aila's lips. She was excited, beyond most people's comprehension. Spotting that there were no immediate dangers on the ladder and below that's to her mother's gift, Aila immediately took to the ladder and slid down, using the sides as her friction points to stop her from injuring herself on the floor. Landing at the bottom, Aila looked at her surroundings.
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
The excited Rogue dives into the depths without hesitation. A quick scan of her surroundings reveals an unoccupied room with a single doorway opposite the ladder. The room is 15 ft by 30 ft. Two tables, each with an unlit lantern, and several chairs surrounding them, lay about the room. Empty bookshelves line the entire walls. A few other items lie on the tables including writing utensils and a few pages of blank paper.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila looked things over. Thinking back, she had never grabbed her torch from the floor of the room above. Aila walked over to the tables and proceeded to light the lanterns. Then she began to look over the papers to see if anyone else had written stuff.
Roll for Good Measure
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 11, total 11[/blockquote]
Arya doesn't know whether to admire Aila's boldness of her blind leap into the hole or scold her for the rash stupidity of it. No one had any idea what was down there and leaping into it could have meant sudden death for all they knew. Being that Arya hasn't heard any screaming or unfriendly sounds yet, she climbs down the ladder part way and stops. Mayar leaps down with her, going through the ladder rungs and landing on the ground. He makes the motion of sniffing around the edges of the room, though his solid nose has been long gone for years. Arya observes the crevices of the room as her glowing wolf spirit illuminates the room's extremities.
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Aila lights a lantern while Arya joins the rogue. The two female party members scour the room for any clue of its use. From the amount of dust on...everything, the gang deduces no one has been here for quite some time. Aila investigates the papers to no avail. There is no clue on who might have last occupied this room, or why the armorer might have sent them here.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila pick up one of her lanterns. She approached the door, looking it up and down. A simple enough door, she hoped. She reached down and attempted the door handle.
The door opens inward, dust falling from its formerly motionless home, revealing...
...a bedroom? Well, more like a barracks. Six linen-less beds occupy the room, three adjacent to the right wall, and three to the left. The alley of beds leads to a large, open and empty chest. It seems whomever last occupied this area grabbed anything of any use.
Up-top, next to the faux chest, stands Daniel, S'kavara, Kirito, Zeeto, and Aiden awaiting some sort of signal from their allies.
"Why have you come here?", echos a deep, gnarling voice through the cavernous halls.
After hearing the voice speak, he hops down the hole, landing on his feet as nimble as a cat. He begins scanning the room with his feline eyes before asking back. "Better question would be, why are you here?"
Room scanning.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
This is getting good now...
Daniel goes down and turns to the direction the voice echoed from
"We come for reason of our own that shan't be spoken loudly to those who hide in shadow, Show yourself and speak, so we know you be not illusion nor enemy!" He calls loudly and without hesitation.
Satisfied that there was no imminent danger, Arya had climbed down the ladder. The hostile voice briefly makes her think otherwise, but then again, compared to the Thing, a normal monster should be a cake walk. Still, at the sound of the scratchy words, she moves her hand directly over her stiletto in preparation for a possible sudden attack. With Mayar, his luminous ghost fur bristling with anticipation by her side, she awaited the voice's answer.
After hearing the disembodied snarl, Kirito and Aiden wisely follow S'kavara and Daniel into the chest hole. The Anthro Panther doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary about the room. Just a moment, and several quips later, the group has a response. "How dare you question me?", yells the menacing voice, this time from above the group and somewhere near the chest. "Are you a deity?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila listened to the hostile voice, it words echoing behind her. At it's question, Aila thought about an answer. "Well, if I had to give you an answer... it would have to be that I'm here for fun. When you get stuck in the wrong areas of this world, things can get a little boring. Disembodied voices are rare though, my question is: what causes you?" Aila didn't yell her answer, but merely said it at room level. With that, Aila took a couple steps into the bedroom and scanned the area.
"Disembodied voices aren't that rare, Aila," Arya says. "It's a basic illusion skill any magic wielder could learn. My sister learned it when she was twelve. Boy, she sure fooled us when she first started using it..." Her voice trails off as she remembers the first day her sister had used that trick on her. She had made her voice all garbled and made it whisper into Arya's ear, and her parents' ears as well. The ranger had thought she had been haunted for days by the nahzehrer that killed Mayar.
Arya's mind back in the present, she shudders at the memory. Why was she suddenly remembering her family now? Perhaps the Thing is affecting her mind. Or maybe she is just homesick. It has been five years since she left after all.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Zeeto jumps down into the hole, using the ladder to slow his descent. When he gets the bottom, he asks "So what if we are deities?"
"Mortals die" booms the same voice from above the group. The voice gives way to deep and menacing laugh, echoing from every direction around them. The gang hears a click from both table lanterns and a thick smoke pours out of them. Once the smoke settles, it seems three figures have appeared around the heroes. Dressed in all black cloth, and masked, the three are armed with one katana apiece. "You need to leave now, or this room shall be the last one you see".
Name: Arya Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 27/27 Dex: +3 Int: 0
Strain Points: 1/14 Wis: +1 Cha: 0
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 19
Arya looks at the three figures and lets out a howling laugh. "You three? After what I've been through, you three boys playing ninja dress up don't scare me." Mayar leaps at the middle dress-up ninja, his body intending to go through the man's head. Hopefully the light from Mayar blinds him temporarily. It is darkish down here after all. Using that distraction, Arya whips her bow off her shoulders and threads a needle. She lets the arrow loose at point blank range, aimed straight for the middle man's heart.
Deer in the Mayar-lights
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Point Blank Shot
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Zeeto takes the opportunity of Mayar's distraction to run at the left side "Ninja", and attempt a slice straight through his head with his Khopesh.
Slice!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 11, total 11[/blockquote]
The "ninjas" are unaffected by the incandescent canine's sudden glare, nor are they affected by the arrow...or the blade? Both attacks go right through the warriors like they were nothing. The ninjas seem to be nothing more than illusions. Upon their realization, the warriors soon vanish. "Err....Seriously though. Leave the treasure alone!", shouts the voice, somewhat less menacing than before, but still from above near the chest.
S'kavara looks up towards the chest. After a second pause he quickly climbs the ladder to the room above.
What shall he find?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Illusions. Arya should have known. She'd been victim to illusion sisters being stuck in trees of having fun jumping off roofs. Boy, that girl could be nastily cruel when she wanted to be; those tricks near gave Arya heart attacks and the blasted girl knew it. Still, maybe the ranger ought to visit her after all these years. Arya would consider this later.
"So there's treasure here," she thinks out loud. "Well, it isn't going to find itself! I say we sweep the area together so being ambushed isn't really a problem with our numbers. What do ya say, boys and gal?"
"No", the voice continues pleading. "Stop climbing. I don't have any milk". It's no use, as S'kavara is already almost to the top when *smack* something blunt hits the top of his kitty cat head forcing him to the ladder's base!
The Anthro Panther's ears pick up another voice "What are you doing, moron!? We need them out of there!"
Daniel digs in his bag and pulls out an apple, which he then proceeds to throw at the spot above the chest where the voice is coming from
Apple Throw
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
A moment after he releases the apple, Daniel hears the result. "Ow", responds one of the voices. "Gerald, they're throwing stuff at us now. You never said, this was a possibility".
"Don't say my name out loud, Harold!", snarks the second voice. "Now you down there! Everyone turn around and face the wall". The voice pauses a beat, then continues. "Are you turned around yet?
These dress-up ninjas are the worst guards Arya has ever seen. Ayra backs into a shadowy part of the room by the ladder and takes out the rope from the pack the general store owner had given her. She ties it in a slip knot so it would act as a lasso and prepares to sling it over whoever came down first. "Yes, we're facing the wall. Please don't hurt us!" she pretends to whimper, all the while rolling her eyes.
I'm so scared
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Nab that ninja!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
"You stay here, Gerald. I'm going to take a look first".
Upon stepping down just one bar, Arya easily snares the appendage, and connecting body. His face smacks every ladder step along the way and is subsequently knocked unconscious. A quick glance and the group sees this man is no older than twenty and is armed with nothing more than a medium sized staff. "Harold! Did you slip? You forgot to wear gloves again, didn't you! You know ladders are hard! The rest of you, stay where you are....or else!"
Another leg appears from the chest-hole on its way down, but very curiously, stops on the first step. Nearly a minute passes, and there's not word one from the unmoving figure.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila was watching the two "ninjas" interact with the others. It was obvious they weren't a threat, so in response Aila turned towards the bedroom she had opened. Walking inside, she began to look around and examine the various objects in the room. "Why was a house in a cave?" she though to herself. "Why such an odd chest-door to get in?" Was the though afterwards.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Sorry, I thought I made this post earlier but I must have dreamed it up or something. I was waiting for a response on the spot check ^^;;;
Daniel glances at the leg on the first rung and slowly creeps toward it before leaping for it.
Grab attempt
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
Aila's Bedroom Spot Check
As the ladder bound appendages keep everyone in suspense, Aila takes a look at the bedroom. Everything seems normal in here until something catches her eye. Its subtle, but one of the mattresses looks off. It's oddly lumpier than the rest.
Meanwhile, Daniel and Arya investigate the oncoming descendant. He still hasn't moved when, upon their approach, blood begins flowing down his boots.
Daniel's Leg Grab
SUCCESS
Without much hesitation Daniel nabs the man by the left boot and pulls down. Down tumbles two legs, connected to the lower half of the man's torso. The rest of him follows just a moment later, landing on Harold. It seems the man was cleaved clean in half!! The gang heard no sound from either the assailant, nor his victim.
So much for looking away when Colfar's head lolled on the ground. Arya has a little baby barf come up after the half of the body comes crashing down. For a ranger, Arya's really queasy when it comes to dead human body parts. "Ugh, well I'm following Aila to get away from this bloody mess. You guys deal with..." At a loss for words, Arya gestures to the tied up man and the red-soaked torso and says, "...that." Trying not to look too much at the cleaved section of the second man, Arya goes and finds Aila to see what she is doing.
What the...
Daniel turns to the rest of the party before saying "Do any of you have any experience with traps? I don't think we should go up there if no one does..." He takes one look at the halves of the man and grimaces.
Harold comes to at the sight of half of Gerald. A scream that anyone would presume came from a seven year old girl blares out of Harold followed by the question, "What did you do to him!?"
The unfamiliar scream makes Arya whirl around in her spot and run back to the entrance. She hadn't expected the man to come to so quickly. "None of us did anything. He was on his way down when he stopped and just stood there and the next thing we knew, Danny here pulled down just his torso. Eugh," she shudders. "I only meant to question you and use force if necessary. You seem like reasonable folks enough. Do you know of any traps or anything that could have done this?"
"Traps?", balks the young man. "No traps. We were sent here to find out how to open that chest, nab whatever treasure might be inside, and maybe give you a good pant soiling scare". Harold trembles at the sight of his former friend and attempts to slide the pieces together. "If we sew him up well enough, do you think he'll pull through?"
S'kavara looks at the two pieces of the guy.I do believe, that such an action would be a failure."
Arya shakes her head and sighs. These people were stupidly innocent. Who would send these incompetent wizards or sorcerers out on such a task? "I'm terribly sorry for your loss in that case," she mutters to Gerald or Harold or whichever one wasn't dead. "Please, next time don't intimidate a large armed party trained in combat. None of killed your friend, but if you pulled anything somewhat suspicious, I was about to." She briefly considers asking him for more information on the chest, but decides against it. Any information from him is unreliable if he thinks sewing two halves of a person will save him. Instead, she asks, "Who sent you?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila didn't see what Arya turn around but she was happy she did. Aila eyes were fixed on the prize. She walked over to the bed and felt it, getting a good sense for how deep whatever it was in the mattress and pulled out her dagger, slicing the mattress open carefully to avoid hurting whatever was inside. At this point, she was entirely oblivious to the things around her with something completely unknown right in front of her.
Roll for Good Measure
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
"Some racist armorer. He told us to wait at the cave until an tall, unseamly stripper elf, a ranger, a gnome, and a milk seeking Manther arrive. He'd give us a share of the treasure. Believe it or not, we're some of the best thieves around. I cast my illusions, and Gerald enchanted these amazing shoes that leave almost no prints or sound".
Meanwhile Aila, slices open the mattress revealing for what she's been searching: treasure! Four coin purses, two gold goblets, and an intriguing, but empty, waterskin scatter the inside of the bedding. Inside each coin purse are ten gold pieces.
Zeeto and Arya feel strangely weak. They should have recovered some of their spell concentration by now, but for unknown reasons, have not.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila stuck two of the gold purses into her pocket, leaving the other two in plain sight and picked up the water skin. "Why would you stash a water skin with golden items?" She thought. Pointing the opening away from her, Aila opened it. Turning the skin back to her, she sniffed the opening, hoping to identify the previous contents.
No longer interested in the happenings of this room, S'kavara follows the young girl into the other room. After seeing her sniff the water skin he can't help but ask."What are you doing?"
A good sniff reveals the waterskin's last contents didn't have much of an odor. In fact, upon closer inspection, one finds it still contains water. Plenty of it too! Any circumstance dictates this water should have long evaporated. How could it still be here?
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 22, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila didn't even bother looking at the animal as he walked in. "Just stuff." She replied, obviously not interested in the cat's appearance. Thinking back to when she had first picked up the water skin, hasn't it been empty? It was suddenly full of water when she'd opened it. Aila set the golden cups on the bed upright, and then filled both with water. She emptied the rest of skin on the floor/bed and then closed the skin. It couldn't do what she thought it did, could it? Waiting a bit with the empty skin in her hands, she picked up the remaining two bags of gold. "Found some gold, wanna split it?" She said a smug look on her face.
While waiting for S'kavara's answer, she re-opened the flask.
S'kavara notices the smug look. He figured she had already pocketed some of it. After all, the girl was clearly a thief. Which lead him to thinking about how stupid the rest of her group could be. It was at that time that a flash back popped into his head. A burning house stood, though it wouldn't for long, behind a figure laying in the grass. It was an animal spread out and tangled. The creature was dead. He could feel the tears that ran down his face that day. A saddened look crossed his face, only for a second. He caught him self and removed such a look. He hoped that the girl didn't notice. Snapping back to what was happening he held out his hand towards her. "I think we should take it all, because those idiots wouldn't even know what to do with such gold." He tried to speak as he always had, but his mind was clouded with that flash back.
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Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 32, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
A fake gasp left Aila's lips. "All of it?! But that would be cruel to the rest of the group!" Aila said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. "As if we'd be able to get away with something like that." She finished, tossing a bag to S'kavara and pocketing the other. She was hoping that the golden cups and these chalices would be enough to suffice as a partial treasure. Who knows, the cups might be worth some good gold. She was thoroughly interested in this water skin though.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Zeeto was so exhausted he just sat there and stared for a long time. When he finally snapped out of it, he saw two halves of some stranger on the ground. Daniel was holding on to one half for some odd reason. He noticed S'kavara walking in to the other room, and Aila was missing. She must be in there too. Zeeto noticed there was another man as well. This one was live though, unlike his friend. "What happened to him?" Zeeto asked, gesturing at the top half of the cleaved man.
He pockets the bag. He would check it later. He looks back at the girl. She was focused on the water skin."What is so interesting about the skin?"
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Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 32, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
"Not sure, I'm trying to figure it out. It was in with the rest of the golden stuff, so surely it must do something. My current guess is that it re-fills itself. Magically of course." Aila stated, not taking her eyes off of the skin. "Who knows, it might not even do anything. Either way, I'm getting a water skin out of this."
"If you are rite, then that will be the most valuable object you've found.
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Aila reopens the flask to see it has refilled itself with more water! However, Aila successfully hides any effects from the Anthro Panther. She may reveal this information to S'kavara if she feels he is worthy.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 32, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila was right! Surely this flask refilled itself, oh how much this could be worth. Aila looked at her surroundings. "What was a skin so valuable doing in a place like this?" She thought. She closed the skin and put it into her bag, and began to search the room. There had to be a reason for it to be here.
Search!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
Seeing her begin searching the room, he decides to look as well.
S'kavara's search.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Aila takes another look around the bedroom until her eyes land on the empty, open chest at the end of the alley of beds. She approaches the absolutely normal chest and begins thoroughly investigating the object to the point of collapsing inside it! The lid manages to close and latch itself on top of the rogue, locking her inside, with her valuables and all.
S'kavara observes the entire affair. He ignores the locked rogue-in-a-box for now, and instead checks out every other mattress. Unfortunately each one appears normal, and upon pressing his paws on them, reveals they hide no treasure. S'kavara ends in front of the closed chest. Its not locked per say; rather, the latch just seems to have folded itself into a ready to be padlocked position. Regardless, Aila will not be able to get herself out.
Meanwhile, Harold, still attempting to bring his friend together, responds to the elf. "Something up there did this to Gerald".
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"Have you noticed anything suspicious around here lately?" Zeeto asks the man.
He leans down and knocks on the chest.
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Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 32, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila wasn't impressed. It was obvious she was in the trunk, and S'kavara was just playing around. Boy did she find this cat annoying. Rather than acknowledging the Cat with her voice, she simply knocked back.
Arya had spaced out for a moment, feeling a slight wave of dizziness signalling she should probably have more bacon soon. It would have to wait. She shakes the feeling off and reacquaints herself with the present. A quick visual scan tells her that two of her party members are missing, and it just so happens that the two happen to be the most suspicious of all of them: the Manther and Aila. It appears she was right to feel strangely about Aila's new attitude. This disappearance is unusual at best. The girl decides to go and look around for the two possible miscreants.
Where oh where have cat and elf gone? Oh where oh where could they be?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Yes, I know she's a half elf.
Arya hears the rhythmic back and forth tapping in the only adjoining room. That must be where those hooligans two went!
well....she finds one of them; S'kavara stands in front of the lone chest in the room, from inside which the knocking is emanating. She looks around to see 6 beds with linenless mattresses. The one to the far right, and next to S'kavara, has been sliced open, revealing a handful of gold and silver cups and chalices. The mattress is also quite damp.
Gross....
Meanwhile, Zeeto and Harold continue their conversation. "Suspicious?", asks Harold. "Suspicious how?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 32, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
What was that? Was that footsteps? Aila listened carefully to see if there was someone else in the room with S'kavara.
Listen Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"Have you seen anyone else around here? Anyone at all? Have there been any signs of recent activity? Last of all, did you actually find any treasure anywhere?" Zeeto asks the man. He's suspicious of the man still, and attempts to see through any lie the man tells.
Lie Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
Daniel follows Arya to the room, his eyes lock on the chest and he goes to open it.
Aila definitely hears someone else enter the room. They don't sound at all heavy; its probably not Daniel or Zeeto. A moment after that, she does hear the heavy footsteps of a large figure. A few seconds later the roof lifts off her small prison. Her savior? Daniel.
Harold thinks back. "There was a man who passed us at the cave's mouth yesterday. Gerald thought it was odd, but I didn't think much of it. He asked what we were doing there. I created my warrior illusion, you know, to scare him off. Only the illusion didn't work right. They were far too large, and then after the man smirked and left....they shrank to the size of coins. What does that mean?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila pouted, sitting up from her chest. "This was all his fault." Evil thoughts began to swarm in her head about the Cat. She'd get him back, and it'd be soon. Aila discretely dropped the 3 bags of gold into the chest from her sitting position. She may have to split the gold with the others, but he'll be discriminated against. "The Cat and I opened this chest to find four bags of gold. He took a bag and pushed me in!" Aila's face stilled remained in it's pouting state. She was serious about being upset at the Cat and the chest incident.
Can she lie?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Aila's Lie Attempt
SUCCESS
Aila is convincing in both her innocence, as well as the Anthro Panther's guilt. What is her game?!
All eyes point at S'kavara, but the group still has three coin purses to split amongst themselves.
"What was the point of putting someone in a chest and not locking it? especially if said person had people who would help them nearby." Daniel said frowning.
these people...
Arya puts her hand on her hip and draws her mouth into a line. "That wasn't very nice, S'kavara," she admonishes lightly. A small upward curve of her lip betrays the fact that she is secretly amused by the act. Not trusting the character of either of them, Arya asks, "So, this is all you found in the extended time you were missing in action? I'd expect more than that from you two. I thought you were highly observant seekers." So what if she was trying to bait the truth of of them? It wasn't illegal. The ranger didn't really care much for excessive gold, but she did want enough for good equipment and supplies.
Egg em on
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 11, total 11[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 32, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
"I'm just glad you guys got here quick... he was probably going to lock it. Whether or not he has a lock and key is a different question. I sliced open that bed over there because it looked lumpy, there wasn't much in it. Just a few cups and a water-skin. Probably someone's last drink or something." Aila stood up and showed the water skin she had picked up. "I'm a little lacking in the water carrying department, so I grabbed this to fill later." She put the water skin away. "So have we found out anything interesting about this 'cave'? It's a little odd for a bedroom to be in a deep dark cave with a trick chest as the doorway."
Arya narrows her eyes. "This place is deserted. How could there be water lying around? What did you do, pee on the bed?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 32, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
"I dumped the contents out to be safe. I didn't know what exactly was in the skin, but there are a serious of various poisons in the world. I'm sure there are odor and colourless ones as well. I was being safe." Aila finished. "So if this gold and the cups are all that is here, perhaps we should leave?" Aila walked into the room with the split body. Her mouth went agape at the sight. "I certainly... missed something when I was locked in the chest."
Out of curiosity, Arya goes to sniff the bed to see what the contents of the water skin might have been. She hopes it wasn't pee. Or poison. That would probably be worse.
Sniff
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
Still attempting to suture his friend, Harold yells at Aila, "I'm trying to save a man! Are you going to help, or not!?"
Meanwhile, Arya uses her self anointed super-sniffer status and tests her skills. The substance is indeed odorless. If she had to guess, it's water. Regular water.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Zeeto thinks for a minute. "Hm. I'm not sure what that could mean, He could have seen through your illusion and bent it to his own will. Only a very powerful Sorceror can do that. Do you think you could explain this to my allies here?" He answers the man.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 32, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila walked over to the ladder and peered up the hole, making sure to not be directly below it. For someone to be cleaved into pieces like that was certainly a sign of strength. Or magical power. She was still new to magic and didn't know it's limits.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
There's nothing above that gives Aila the impression of danger. Of course...it's tough to tell in a chest-hole.
Daniel walks over to one of the beds and attempts to rip a long beam off one of them
Taking bed beam
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
Bed Break
SUCCESS
Daniel easily breaks apart the first bed he sees.
If this water skin was just filled with water, then Aila's behavior is highly suspicious. She must have known it was water as well. Arya figures the half-elf is hiding something. She just doesn't know what or have enough want to find out. For now, the ranger is swept up in her party's attempt to figure out the trap, though she'll not forget Aila's shifty words. Seeing Daniel attempt to rip off the leg of a bed, she gets an idea. "Perhaps this trap is just based on visuals?" she hypothesizes. The girl sends Mayar leaping up out of the chest hole to see if any sort of danger is triggered.
Roll for good measure
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Daniel walks over and dangles one of the beams in the hole trying to activate whatever may be in there.
Both Mayar, and Daniel's dangling rod, have no luck in activating any trap. In fact, Mayar finds nothing remotely disturbing up top. He pokes his head back in the chest signaling the safe situation.
"Mayar says it's safe," Arya says. She begins climbing the ladder and stops at the top to peer out the side for a double check on Mayar's observation. She tentatively raises her left hand, ready to pull it back down just in case anything unwanted came flying at her.
Peer
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"Ok, I guess you suddenly went mute then." Zeeto says angrily to the useless man. He storms off into the other room soon after. Seeing the open chest sitting there, Zeeto walks over and looks inside. He sees the three bags of gold still in there, picks them up, and pockets them. Afterwords, he walks back in to the other room, and waits for Arya to get up the ladder before following suit. He completely ignores the man on the ground still trying to sew up his friend.
Daniel waits for them to get up into the hole before pulling and pushing on the top rung of the ladder, where the person put his foot
Fiddling with the rung
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
"Good god, lanky elf person!", Harold yells. "I'm trying to save a man! Either help, or leave me be. I've answered everything already. Do you expect me to help you chew your food too!?! Quick! Someone regurgitate food for this useless elf!".
Harold does his best to remain unwavered by Zeeto's backhanded remarks, and continues to sew his friend. The elf should be more understanding of a non-sanctioned "doctor" performing completely unnecessary and pointless surgery on a corpse in a secret underground chest-hole.
Arya sees no enemies up top. It looks exactly the same as when they descended, save a few sprays of Gerald's blood splashed about, and around, the faux chest.
Daniel waits for no ranger! He begins climbing before Arya manages to move to another rung. He grips the top rung and pulls with all his over-sized might! The bar quickly breaks free, sending Arya flying up through the chest, and Daniel barreling downwards. Stupid momentum.....
Daniel looks up to see no trap activated.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 32, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila watched the two. As far as she was concerned, they'd only made climbing out of the hole harder; albeit, Mayar was useful. With everyone currently disposed of, Aila walked back into the other room and picked up the three bags of gold. She then came back to the ladder. Climbing up, Aila hopped out of the chest hole and peered down the corridor. Thankfully, she was a half-elf.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Zeeto already got the gold, Toki
"Gee thanks Dan," Arya says, emphasizing every word with sarcasm. "Good news though. I'm not dead yet. It appears you all can come up now." After a moment if thought, the ranger asks, "Where were we going before this whole fiasco started today? My brain seems to be fuzzy from SBD and I can't remember at the moment. You said something about letters and things connected to the guild and whatnot, Manther?"
"I am an Anthro." He followed everyone back out into the main room.
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Aila looks around too see the area near the chest is very nearly unchanged. The lantern still hangs ablaze, lighting up the room. There are fewer footprints than there should be. Those two fools couldn't have flied in...
After a beat, she spots another set of tracks. They belong to a humanoid wearing thin shoes that leave bootlike prints. At first they lead to the chest-hole from outside, then thy appear to turn around, and head back out of the room. Aila's no expert tracker, but by no means, ignorant of these matters either. She surmises from the stride that the creator of these tracks isn't much taller than six feet.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Shortly after Arya gets to the top, Zeeto follows her up the ladder. Once out, he asks "See anything interesting?"
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila join Arya and Zeeto at the top of the chest, and watched S'kavara joined the three. "It appears what ever split our friend in two has taken its leave. It might be waiting outside the cave entrance, or somewhere along the way. Judging from it's prints, it doesn't seem entirely... human. It's got some human characteristics. It's wearing boots. I suggest we take care from here on out." Aila said her statement in a calm tone, she was of course nervous as whatever split the man in two coming at her, but freaking out wasn't any way to handle the situation.
I didn't see that Zeeto picked up the gold in an earlier post (must have missed it). I can't edit my previous post, so I'm acknowledging that I don't have the gold. Zeeto does.
Arya takes two steps and stumbles on air. She props herself against the cave wall and squints bleary eyed at her party before her. To her right, a foggy outline of a glowing white wolf stares at her, concerned. Its light seems to flicker in her eyes and then warp and swim around in her vision. "Lei... Aila, do you have any bacon? Don't... play any tricks on me... this time. No illusions. I think this is pretty serious." Arya leans her head against the wall. She closes her eyes to stop her vision from tricking her into thinking the world is twisting and flipping around her. "Please, Leila," she begs. "Do it this once at least."
Daniel looks at Arya "Are you alright?"
Arya snaps her head up at the voice. "Who said that?" she demands. She squints her eyes as her vision pops in and out of focus. She stares at the man for a few moments. The clogged cogs in her brain slowly turn and at last recognition sets in and she pulls out the man's name. "Oh, Danny boy. Oh I'm fine, I think. Just need... bacon." She drops her head again. The sudden movement of her head had intensified her dizziness.
Bacon? Why...
Daniel rummages through his rations and pulls out some meat that was salted for preservation.
"This is preserved bacon, but bacon all the same, Do you want it?"
Daniel holds it out.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
"Bacon? Didn't you have any left over? I thought you had some from the alchemists house. You reall need to start carrying a better supply." Aila had turned and answered Arya when she had said her name. She could have sworn Arya had said something else before her name, but changed it quickly. In the end, it was Arya's fault for not carrying more bacon. Hopefully whatever Daniel had would be enough to sate her rare and odd disease.
Arya weakly grabs for the bacon and nibbles on it. "Thank you," she says as she stands more upright. She felt better, but still off. That's strange. Usually it goes away right away after she eats bacon. "Alright then," she says with false energy. "Let's get going!"
Daniel frowns slightly before going to look around the immediate outside of the chest-hole.
Kirito comes running up to the group "oh god i couldn't you i don't like caves that is horrible"
sry just coming back into game from a long grounding
Aiden, tired of hanging out in this false chest-hole, jumps up the ladder and joins just about everyone else. Harold, meanwhile, grabs what he can of Gerald and does his best to drag him up too. It seems, although Harold has given up on saving his friend, he believes Gerald deserves a proper burial. He's obviously very anxious. Whatever halved his friend could be nearby.
This cave is quite expansive. Please go back a read description. You aren't outside of it at all.
Seeing that the group was going no where without some direction, Arya brings up the original reason they were out here in the first place. "So, with everything that's been going on around here, we're forgotten what we're even looking for. We still need to find out who blew up the guild and put a stop to them. What was it you said about that clue, S'kavara?"
Did she really just try to go back on their quest before helping me? How low...
Daniel whipped around with a scowl on his face "Are you trying to fool me or have you forgotten that the only reason I am here is that you said you would help me after this little distraction?" Daniel states accusingly.
Aiden, remarkable tacit for most of the trip, chuckles to himself. These fools will destroy one another before they discover what actually happened. The fire-mage couldn't care less though. The Shaded City guild is not his, nor S'kavara's guild. Do these guildies even know the two felines (well one feline and one anthro panther...but you get the picture) are from a rival guild? The two have hidden their guild's emblems, but Aiden naps...a lot. Who knows what S'kavara divulged. The mewling will have to find a moment to surreptitiously speak to him.
"Right. Sorry," Arya says, this time not faking more energy than she has. "With everything that's gone on, Colfar d- leaving us, and my brain still being a tad foggy, I'd forgotten. We shall go get your companion back now. I trust you know the way back if you got here by yourself? We had Colfar leading us and now he's unable to help us. I mean, we could get back on our own, but extra assurance as to the correct way to go is appreciated."
Hearing Aiden chuckle made him think about answering. Most likely Aiden chuckled about us being from a guild that was excited to see theirs gone. With that, he begins walking towards the cave entrance to leave. He no longer wished to be a part of this group.
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Arya sees S'Kavara start to leave the cave. She considers calling back to him, but then decides against it. She was not in a state to convince anyone to stay nor did she think it was best to do so if he truly did not want to be there. There is something fishy about him anyways, and it isn't the fish he ate. "So long, S'kavara," she calls out instead. "It was nice to party with you."
He turns back and looks at the woman. After a scowl, he turns and walks out the cave. He begins heading north-west.
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Harold does his best to drag his friend along the way. When the gang finally reaches the end of the cave, S'kavara's already on his way. Its dark out. Moonlight bounces off the nearby lake, but it's not nearly enough to light the way for those with normal vision. The clearing in front of the cave looks just as it did before, albeit quite a bit darker. It'll be another six hours until daylight breaks.
Daniel looks around before coming to a decision
"It would be foolish to travel at night, I tried and got attacked by wolverines. Lets sleep untill morning then go back."
"Seems wise enough", adds Aiden. "Hey S'kavara!" Aiden does his best to yell at the Anthro Panther. "Why don't we stay here the night, and take off in the morning".
The mewling surveys the land for the perfect campfire spot. Once satisfied, Aiden readies himself and pounces on the ideal location, attempting to create a massive fireball in his wake.
Firestarter
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
Aiden's fireblast expands far beyond his original target and nearly hits anyone with a few feet. Aiden, himself singes half of his fur in an attempt to retreat from his own pyrotechnic creation. He questions his own power as this has never happened before. How could this happen?
Spell causes 15 strain on Aiden
Daniel sits down eats some of his left over rations before settling down to sleep.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila watched the playful kitten jump around and create magnificent flames, until the flames seemed to explode. It was almost as if his power was magnified. Aila was certain the Fiery Kitten knew what it was doing and could control it's powers. Her eyebrows came together in thought. "Something is certainly weird about this area. Why don't you mages try out a spell or two? Surely something might come of it. Don't do something like mind reading, try something more physical like conjuration. I have a theory this area is more special than we thought..." Aila waited for a response from one of the two mages.
"Mages aren't the only ones with spells, you know," Arya points out. She faces towards the open area beyond the cave and puts her hand out, palm facing the ground. Concentrating her energy onto her hand, she closes her eyes. When she opens them again, she (hopes to) find a wolf in the flesh next to Mayar himself.
Summon Nature's Ally I
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Arya's attempt to summon an ally goes horribly and terribly wrong. Instead of a wolf in peace with its summmoner, three very upset wolverines appear opposite the group, backs to the lake. They mean harm. With just a few snarls, they manage to separate the group. One wolverine corners Kirito and Aiden, while the other two attempt to control the rest of the group.
Not only does her spell misbehave, but Arya is completely drained of mental stamina! It seems all the walking around in the cave didn't regenerate strain like it should have!
Spell causes 1 strain on Arya
Arya inflicts 7 damage on herself
Name: Arya Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 20/27 Dex: +3 Int: 0
Strain Points: 0/14 Wis: +1 Cha: 0
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 19
Battle Order Group 1
Daniel, Zeeto, Arya, Aila, Harold, Wolverine 1, Wolverine 2
Battle Order Group 2
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
This means both battles happen simultaneously. Battle Group 1 is independent of group 2. Kirito doesn't have to have for anyone other than aiden and wolverine 3 after his turn. The same applies for group 1. Doing the two separate battles going on here for several reasons. 1. I don't know how much time Kirito has online. 2) To see if simultaneous battles would even work.
Daniel growls out "I was trying to sleep you stupid beasts"
He leaps forward with a roar axe in hand to attack wolverine 1
Axe vs Wolverine
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Axe vs. Wolverine
HIT
Daniel swings his two handed axe, coupled with his beastly roar, and hits the creature!
7 damage inflicted on wolverine 1
Battle Order Group 1
Daniel, Zeeto, Arya, Aila, Harold, Wolverine 1, Wolverine 2
Battle Order Group 2
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
This is a rare combat correction. Daniel should be receiving a +6 to hit with melee weapons and therefore would have hit the monster.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Zeeto starts suddenly, and draws his Khopesh. He runs at the nearest Wolverine, and swings his Khopesh in a deadly arc; targeting the creature's neck.
Deadly Arc?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Deadly Arc against Wolverine 1
HIT
Zeeto swings his mighty curved blade, striking downward on the animal's neck.
7 damage inflicted on Wolverine 1
Battle Order Group 1
Daniel, Zeeto, Arya, Aila, Harold, Wolverine 1, Wolverine 2
Battle Order Group 2
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
Arya looks at the wolverines and laughs, partly to mask the pain the spell caused her. "Oh now the spell works, does it? Let's see how powerful these puppies are!" Once again, she attempts to shoot an animal in the eye. Hopefully it works this time. She hasn't gotten a bull's eye yet. Or... wolverine 1's eye in this case.
Shoot
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
Shoot
HIT
Arya's arrow just glances a branch causing it to veer off-course and miss the wolverine's eye; instead, it impacts just above the creature shoulder.
2 damage inflicted on Wolverine 1
Battle Order Group 1
Daniel, Zeeto, Arya, Aila, Harold, Wolverine 1, Wolverine 2
Battle Order Group 2
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
I had to double check, but Arya gets a +5 to hit with her shortbow. +3 due to dex, +1 for ranger class, +1 from point blank shot. Nice build, Millarz!
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Judging from the looks of things, Arya didn't mean to summon vicious wolves. There must a catalyst in, or around, the cave that is causing magic to go overboard. Surely something like that must be worth money. Lots of it. Aila examined her surroundings, looking more particularly towards the cave area.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
For now, it seemed as though Aila had a different goal. Dealing with some over-sized puppies brought upon the group by a "magic" user. Brandishing her blades, Aila used the good ol' "arrow in the shoulder" distraction and charged the wolf hoping to slice off it's legs, or one of them at least.
Flurry of Blows:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Aila sees absolutely nothing new about the cave area. Possibly even less than she knew before!!
Her attempts to slash at the beast are even more short-lived than her spot attempt. She stumbles on her way to attack only to, barely avoid stabbing herself during her own arrow routine, and then miss on every other strike.
Battle Order Group 1
Daniel, Zeeto, Arya, Aila, Harold, Wolverine 1, Wolverine 2
Battle Order Group 2
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
Harold, in all his wisdom, drops his former friend, and attempts to run...away.
(https://claytonia.net/forums/Themes/Teknomaxi/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13
Ridiculously busy day tomorrow. I'll do my best to finish this battle update...but it's a big one
Not long after he separated from his former "allies", S'kavara is stopped by two figures in green who tell him to remain put if he wants to live. They quickly leave the anthro panther and head to the cave.
Wolverine 1 easily pounces on the escaping illusionist. Rears its right paw, revealing a set of claws.
"Wait", booms a voice from the woods to the east. The Wolverine stops to turn around. It runs into the forest towards the voice, quickly followed by its brothers.
Out of the foliage approaches two men. The taller of the two wears a dark navy blue cloak shrouding any facial features. He carries a staff with some sort of faux serpent as the end. There looks to be a small green orb of some time in the decorative creature's mouth. The shorter of the two men is immediately recognizable. Its Uggo! Believe it, or not, he's looked better. His skin now contains hues of dark blue, with contrasting patches of green. A dark ooze drips from whatever orifices present themselves. Its clear Uggo faced the same fate as his undead allies. "We need them alive...for now", wizard speaks. "but make sure he doesn't go anywhere".
Uggo quickly runs at the prone subject and swings his scythe in a downward fashion, staking Harold to the ground.
"Now", he starts. "Where is the anthro panther?"
"He's not here. And you won't find him" shouts another voice, this time from the western foliage. Two figures approach. Both men wearing similar dark green tunics with emblems on the right chest. All members of the Shaded City believe the emblem to be from another guild, but its tough to say at this moment. The symbol on the emblem looks to be a some sort of tree...possibly an oak.
"Leave this place, Ashyk. There is good reason why Elron and I declined this mission. No gold is worth this", speaks one of the men. He's a six feet tall human, has medium length dark brown hair, and a slim, tall face. A single birthmark, no bigger than a nail's head, on his right jawline is his lone distinguishing feature. He holds some sort of sabre in his right hand.
The other figure remains tacit for now. He, like Ashyk chooses to keep his face hidden using a hooded cloak. His weapon of choice looks to be a simple wooden staff*.
"Always the hypocrite, master. Both you and your new favorite student. Besides Who says this is all about gold. A person needs to have fun. So have it your way." He signals Uggo, who with a quick stab of his scythe, incapacitates Harold.
Elron and his teammate jolt forward, but soon hesitate.
"ah ah ahh. You didn't say the magic word! You know spells won't work near me. Do you think you can possibly stop me this time?" Ashyk unleashes a laugh both cackling, and yet bellowing.
"I'm sorry to bring you lot in on this. I hoped to deal with him without endangering any of you, but now that seems impossible", states the sabre armed man. "My name is Xavier, and I'm here to help".
The wolverines pounce from their hide, separating them into groups.
Group 1
Aila, Zeeto, Wolverine 2
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Ashyk, Elron, Uggo, Xavier, Wolverine 1
Group 3
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
Sorry all about the entirely too long hiatus. This battle will be an excuse to try out the simultaneous battle scenario I tried to attempt before. You may only attack an enemy within your group. Once you dispatch all enemies in your group, you may choose another group to aid. I hope I explained well enough. Good luck
*Yes...its oak
Oh my freaking goodness I just wrote my response then x'd out of the window before submitting it.
What is going on here? Why did that man just kill Harold? Who are these people? Arya's brain sears in her skull. It's residual pain from summoning the wolves that is only made worse by the mental effort of figuring out what the heck is going on. The ranger makes an executive decision to deal with one problem at a time to reduce mental stress, so the girl turns from the group of strangers and back to the wolverine in front of her. Once again, she draws her bow, but she stops short of letting go. She summoned these wolverines, no? They should [/i]be her allies. Arya slings the bow back over her shoulder and crouches down so her face is level with the wolverine's. She stretches out her left hand threateningly to the closest beast and says, "Shh, shh. I'm sorry for hurting you, big guy. I won't hurt you again. Just stop fighting." She weaves a subtle hint of honey into her words and looks deep into its eyes. All the while, her right hand twitches as it hovers over her sheathed dagger as a precaution. Arya is willing to take a chance on these wolverines; that doesn't mean she is suicidal.
Roll for whatever happens
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
"Just walk away, Ashyk", requests Xavier. "These people are not your enemy"
"Of course not", retorts Ashyk. "But that doesn't mean this can't be fun". Its clear, Ashyk's only intention revolves around death, or something close to it.
The banter between these men causes far too much distraction as they fail to notice Arya creep next to the wolverine. Her investigation reveals only horror. The ranger is far more in-tune with nature, and all her children, than her allies. She immediately feels the pain of a creature imprisoned. While she may have called these beasts, its clear something else has a violent hold over them.
Group 1
Aila, Zeeto, Wolverine 2
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Ashyk, Elron, Uggo, Xavier, Wolverine 1
Group 3
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
I've counted Arya's action as a spot check, so its still her turn within Group 2. She may wait, or attack something.
Headache temporarily forgotten, Arya's eyes snap up at the realization the beasts are being controlled. "They're possessed," she half announces to the group and half confirms the fact to herself. It shouldn't be a surprise to her, really, with all the possessions going on recently. The ranger cannot not get over the fact that a spirit in a different world can affect a living creature in this world. An idea dawns upon her. If that Thing can affect the over world from the spirit world, could Mayar affect the Thing from the over world? It is worth a shot to test at any rate. At Arya's thought of this decision, Mayar leaps towards the wolverine without Arya moving a muscle. His glowing white shadows of teeth stretch out aimed to find their holds in the wolverine's neck. Hopefully it leaves the wolverine's own spirit in tact. If the attack affects anything at all, that is.
Mayar Attempt Attack
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Mayar bites. Mayar growls. Mayar gnaws.
...well probably anyway. Its tough to tell from beyond the spirit world. In the world of the living things seem to be slightly awkward looking. The creature squeals but it quickly incapacitated by a sudden, but seemingly invisibly, force upon its back. Only Arya truly knows what has occurred. Mayar has defeated whatever force that controls this poor beast...for now.
Group 1
Aila, Zeeto, Wolverine 2
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Ashyk, Elron, Uggo, Xavier, Wolverine 1
Group 3
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila clicked her tongue in slight frustration, not only had she missed her last attack entirely, she had been separated from the group. She was now stuck with the incompetent elf and a seemingly bloodthirsty wolf. Between being separated into different groups and the bantering of a couple of new strangers, Aila was unable to hear what Arya had half-announced. Unlike Arya, Aila wasn't as in tune to nature, much less the spirit world. Faced with her own four legged problem, Aila had no choice but to swing with all her might, lest she end up being bitten in hesitation.
Aila's Flurry of Constant Failure Recently:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
Constant Failure...I mean Flurry
MISS
Aila cannot catch a break. This beast, unlike Arya's target, is not calm. Aila greatest strike, an attack to its shoulder, is nothing more than a glancing blow to this creature.
Group 1
Aila, Zeeto, Wolverine 2
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Ashyk, Elron, Uggo, Xavier, Wolverine 1
Group 3
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
'The Half Elf seems to have lost her touch' Zeeto thinks to himself. Hopefully, his attack will have more effect. Zeeto knows that if he uses magic he will jsut hurt himself, since he's been using it so much lately. As a result, he does the only thing he can think of: he runs at the creature headlong, his Khopesh at the ready, and attempts to cleave it in half.
Change Wolverine 2 in to Wolverine 2 and 4?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Zeeto's Strike
MISS
This is one lucky wolverine...for now. Zeeto swings his blade only to completely miss his target (Aila swears she could hear the creature snicker at the sorcerer's ridiculous attempt).
The Wolverine readies its claws and attempts to swipe Zeeto.
Claw Strike
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
MISS
...barely
The Wolverine misses Zeeto by the monumentally smallest increment; its claws tearing through his clothes, and just scraping his skin. The sorcerer is very lucky.
Group 1
Aila, Zeeto, Wolverine 2
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Ashyk, Elron, Uggo, Xavier, Wolverine 1
Group 3
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
Necromancy... Time to put my friend back to his rest
Daniel grips his axe and swings it at Uggo
Attack versus Uggo
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
Axe Attack
CRITAL HIT
Daniel, with all his massive strength, swings his greataxe, and cleaves through Uggo, like a warm knife through goat's cheese. Daniel doesn't stop there, as his momentum continues through towards the incapacitated Wolverine who woke him! The fighter's axe impacts just below its shoulder, nearly taking off the entire appendage.
24 damage inflicted upon Wolverine 1
Daniel's attack has an unintended benefit. Whatever power that had the beast under its control seems to lose its grip after such a damaging strike, as the wolverine leaves the battleground into the western foliage.
Group 1
Aila, Zeeto, Wolverine 2
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Ashyk, Elron, Uggo, Xavier,
Group 3
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
"Nice shot", Ashyk states to Daniel. "Why are you wasting time with these jesters?"
Ashyk, without a single look of concern, turns towards Xavier.
"I've been waiting a long time for this", his face contorts to a cringing smile. "Master"
Ashyk spins his staff over his head, and then punctures its base into the ground.
Sunburst*
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
High level sun domain spell. blinds all with 10ft and does 6d6 damage
Sunburst
HIT(s)
A cyclone of fire and flames surrounds the kneeling man and expands at Arya, Daniel, Elron, and Xavier. It strikes Elron and Xavier, but Arya and Daniel manage to miss any fiery embers. All four are temporary blinded by the attack. Once they've regained sight, they are met with, not Ashyk, but a together again undead Uggo!
It seems Ashyk has reattached his formally halved ally and fled into the forest.
10 damage inflicted upon Elron and Xavier
Group 1
Aila, Zeeto, Wolverine 2
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Elron, Uggo, Xavier
Group 3
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
2,1,2,2,2,1 were the rolls....I kid you not.
Aila passes out.
Bacon deficiency is contagious or something...?
Toki is gone for the summer
Group 1
Zeeto, Wolverine 2
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Elron, Uggo, Xavier
Group 3
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Zeeto examines the creature, searching for some sort of weakness. Maybe he can exploit it if he finds something?
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
Zeeto doesnt notice any part of the wolverine...at least not physically damaged. Its eyes are impossible to miss though. Both the entire eyeballs are dark black, not unlike the ooze sludging from Uggos orifices.
It is still Zeetos turn.
on my phone...doing my best to format
Meanwhile, S'kavara actually listened to the two strangers right before they headed into battle....at least for a moment. Then....
*boom*
Some sort of fireball went off in the middle of the fight, blinding the combatants.
The anthro panther easily spots an escaping wizard....the same one who questioned where to find S'kavara. He has the opportunity to chase the man, run off in another direction, continue hiding, or enter one of the battle groups.
S'kavara sees the fleeing man, and decides that he must know why they are after him. With that thought in mind, S'kavara gets down on all fours and chases after the man.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Zeeto concludes from the eyes that this creature is definitely possessed. Unfortunately, there is nothing he can do about it, other than end its misery. He attempts to do just that; rushing headlong at the creature. His Khopesh raised, he sets his sights severing the head from the body.
Sever?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
Mid swing can be a long time for a swordsman like Zeeto. Mid-swing can be an eternity, which can sometimes be a good thing. Although the other group is 20 feet away, he noticed what happened when Daniel struck his target. This somehow knocked some sense into it.
Regardless, this might work too.
See; Mid-swing can be a long time.
CRITICAL HIT
14 damage inflicted upon Wolverine.
Zeeto's blade, although strikes true, doesn't completely sever this creature's head. The once dark eyes of the creature fade to normalcy and begin to bear their normal resemblance. Very injured, Wolverine 2 saunters back into the woods.
Zeeto may now join either battle group (PM me so the board stays relatively clean)
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Elron, Uggo, Xavier
Group 3
Kirito, Aiden, Wolverine 3
S'kavara wastes no time and bolts after the man. Running on all fours, he is at least twice as fast as his prey. Within minutes, he's perfectly tracked the fleeing man, and is within pouncing distance.
Elron peers at zombie Uggo with only one intent.
Sandwich!
Elron pulls a sandwich out of his pocket.
It looks like ham and cheese.
Uggo looks back to his attacker, Daniel, who sliced the ugly zombie clean in half. He rears his scythe and swings at the fighter.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
HIT
The ugly bastard's blade slices through Daniel's armor and into his lower torso.
5 damage inflicted on Daniel
In one fluid motion, Xavier throws a single knife at Uggo.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
MISS
Xavier's projectile misses by a very wide margin and instead hits a tree to the right of Uggo.
Aiden, Kirito, and the final Wolverine have stopped fighting entirely. Whatever spell cast upon the creature has worn off. The residual effects of Arya's spell has left the creature playful.
Aiden whispers something to Kirito, who quickly hops on the wolverine and the three head off into the northwest woods.
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Zeeto, Uggo, Xavier
Intent to find out what was going on, he quickly launches at the runner, but is mindful as to try and not harm him.
Harmless capture?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
SUCCESS
S'kavara leaps through the air like a lion to gazelle, only a smaller, frailer, and less delicious gazelle. The man grunts and inhales at the same time when hitting the ground hard, knocking any air from his lungs. Gasping for any semblance of oxygen does very little when one finds himself with a full grown Anthro Panther comfortably sitting on his back. The man isn't permanently injured and can maintain a conversation.
Taking off his shirt, S'kavara uses it as twine and ties the mans arms behind his back. He leans the man against a tree so that the man may return to breathing. S'kavara sits not far from the man, no more than two feet from the man. This was S'kavara's attempt the make the man understand that he was not going to get away if he tried. After just staring at the bound man for several minutes, S'kavara looks directly into his eyes and asks one question. "Do you know who I am?"
A jaded smirk creeps across the man's face.
"Of course", exclaims the man with a quick labored laugh afterward. "A better question might be, do you know who you are? How many years has it been since you were home, S'kavara"
The Battleground
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Zeeto, Uggo, Xavier
Pain seems to pass over S'kavara's face, as the thoughts of his beginning slash through his mind."I was three. The men raged through his farm. We only had but minutes before they got there. Some how my mother managed to collect some supplies and find a way to escape from there before they reached us. I watched them as they made him kneel before "HIM". I watched as "HIS" claw raised and lowered on the kneeling man. I watched as the man, I grew up from, become nothing more that a lifeless animal."The pain seemed to fade from his eyes, to only be replaced with pure hatred and anger. S'kavara's angered gaze stayed true into the mans eyes."How is it that you know of Pansa Shima? I have yet to meet anyone of this land that was familiar with it. At best, the few that even know of it, pretend it doesn't exist. Now here you are, acting as if you know of, not only of that place, but of me as well."
S'kavara takes a long look at the tied up man, and then lifts his cloak from his shrouded face.
His pale skin looks as if it's never seen day, and deep green eyes that don't just peer at S'kavara, but through him. His dark brown hair is shoulder length, but only because its so disheveled. It might otherwise appear longer, but for now it nearly randomly points in any direction like the coat of some feral creature. His creeping smile looms of both pain and vengeance, and eclipses his entire jawline.
His clothes don't belong to a hunter. They do look familiar, although S'kavara can't place it yet. Underneath his cloak is a simple dark black leather vest, with matching pants. The lone identifying feature of his garb is his belt buckle. Its some sort of emblem, although not a familiar one. Its an upside down bronze 'A' inside a ovular ring of red stained metal.
He carries no weapons other than the staff knocked from him via a well placed Anthro Panther pounce. Its made of wood and brilliantly carved to bear the resemblance of a three and a half foot brown and black serpent. A simple green orb is in the faux creature's mouth, held in place by its long decorative teeth.
"Hand me my staff, and maybe I'll show you", the man states straightforward. "What's the worst that can happen?".
The Battleground
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Zeeto, Uggo, Xavier
S'kavara reaches over and takes the staff into his hand. After looking at it for a second, he looks back at the man. S'kavara studies the man, then decides that it would be best not to do something like that."I would rather keep your hands bound, and the staff in mine. I have no wish to kill you as of yet, but I do not mind removing a few appendages, one at a time, until I get the answers I seek. Speaking of which, shall I prove my words to you now?"S'kavara's grip tightens around the staff, but even with such a clue as to what was to happen, S'kavara moves in blinding speed. The man didn't even see the staff, all he knew was that the earth was suddenly in his face, and a searing pain across his face. He could only guess that the Anthro Panther, had used his own weapon against him. It was but a second later that he began to feel a pain that was so overwhelming that he would never be able to describe it, that is if he survived this encounter. S'kavara wasted no time. The moment the man hit the ground face first, the Panther stood over him. S'kavara's forefinger claw was slowly digging into the man's pinkie just above the knuckle that connected it to his hand. The claw buried itself deeper and deeper till it began to grind against the bone. S'kavara was wiggling it around, as if carving something into the poor man's pinkie bone."That is once that you did not answer in a satisfactory way. Unless you want me to eventully move on to disabling you entire arm, or maybe leg, I suggest you keep it at only one. Now, what do you know of me, and what transpired on Pansa Shima?"
Normal conversation can't be heard from the rambunctious battle ground, but anyone within miles could hear his scream. Just a moment of forcing himself silent leads to another deep, yet cackling, laugh.
"But everyone in Pansa Shima knows the story of the bastard son of the King", he starts. "how he passed away tragically along with his treasonous spy mother. Only....the King began to hear of the exploits of an Anthro Panther within one of the guilds....He knows you're alive, S'kavara!".
"My mother was no treasonous spy..." With out delay from his words, using the rest of his claws, S'kavara rips the flesh of the man's pinkie from his bones. S'kavara lifts the man back up to his back side, and slams him into the tree. After taking a moment to show the man his own skin fillet, S'kavara continues his investigation. "Why is he still looking for me. Surely he has raped some poor farm girl, and found a new bastard the thrown by now? How is it you come by this information? As far as I know, no human has ever delved into the happenings of Pansa Shima, at least not willingly."
Having missed the events of the entrance of the four new people present, Arya is completely confused. Headaches and dizzy fits happen to pick the worst times to strike it seems. Not knowing whether or not to trust the wizard or the other men who had just seemed to materialize from no where, Arya picks attacking Uggo as the safest course of action. At least he should most undoubtedly be killed... again. "Mayar, try pouncing Uggo like you did that wolf," the ranger directs. Perhaps all undead work the same and Mayar can eject the Thing from its vessel. It doesn't hurt to test her guess either way.
Mayar pounce
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
CRITICAL MISS
Arya signals Mayar to leap on his target, but her bout of confusion causes her to use the wrong motion. Instead of jumping atop Uggo, Mayar phases back to the overworld and attempts to hop on Arya tongue first, and tail wagging.
He cocks his head right, then left, in confusion after going right through her, and whines appropriately.
Group 2
Arya, Daniel, Zeeto, Uggo, Xavier
The man spits what looks like mostly blood. "You really don't know. Do you?" Despite his excruciating pain, the man manages another guttural laugh. Its really more groan that laughter, but S'kavara gets the picture. "Well I guess all of you are in for a surprise."
The man yells an unfamiliar phrase, "Et Kahun Lahs Meh!". His staff, still in S'kavara's paw-hands, begins to burn the Anthro Panter, who is forced to drop the serpentine weapon. Sparks begin flying from the staff, emanating from the orb within the fake snake mouth. The once green spherical gemstone is now bright orange and shows no sign of cooling off.
Daniel looks at uggo before going in for another attack, this time aiming for Uggos neck.
Off with his head
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 13, total 13[/blockquote]
HIT
Daniel Swings his greataxe leaving a headless Uggo in its wake.
7 damage inflicted on Uggo
Arya, Daniel, and Zeeto receive 140 exp for slaying Uggo (twice), and scaring off Wolverine 2.
The battle is over, but a ruckus continues in the direction Ashyk went fleeing. Several screams first, followed by something vaguely firecracker-ee.
"Those screams sounded like Ashyk!", states Xavier. "He can't be far then!" Xavier doesn't await a response and immediately heads towards the noise.
Meanwhile, the staff continues behaving like a staff shouldn't. The orb lifts itself from the serpants mouth and begins to float above the ground. Spinning violently, it creates a ring of energy that orbits around it, and doesn't look to be slowing down.
Ashyk, looks onward, maniacally laughing without mercy to his own wounds, or whatever damage the Anthro Panther intends.
he looks at his hand, then back at the staff. His attention becomes decided as the orb begins it's dance, the sounds of the battle ending then someone running this way. The mans death would be an easy way out for the idiot, but S'kavara could not let his past come to light. In able to grasp the time to think, he does the first thing that comes to mind. Grabbing the mans jaw he forces it open, then he pulls the mans tounge from his mouth and violently rips it from its connection. "You know far to much of things that must not be spoken. I'm going to allow you to live, but with a curse of silence." S'kavara shows the man his tounge, then tosses it at the man's torso. He looks back towards the now quiet battle field just before grabbing his three sacks and darting off towards the west. "I'm sorry Aiden, but no one must know. If I wait for you, question would follow. Good-bye, my only friend." his words go unheard as his form melts into the shadows of the night, and he disappears.
Finally, undead get on my nerves,
Daniel looks toward where the man ran off and says "So, are we going to rest, or go into the forest at night chasing after a couple strange men (who are obviously in a fight with each other) heading towards a scream of another man?"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"I just need rest. I couldn't handle another fight in this state" Zeeto says wearily.
Not a second after S'kavara attempts his surreptitious escape the orb explodes in a brilliant and massive fireball, expanding around where it once hovered. Everything within 15 feet is vaporized, including the tongueless tied man. The explosion knocks S'kavara forward, sending him flying into a nearby shrubbery. He is hidden at the moment. Xavier is tossed backwards, but thankfully a tree blocks his journey before an overabundance of momentum takes hold. The force is enough to daze the stranger, but not knock him unconscious.
Everyone at the battlefield easily feels the sudden force of the explosion and can easily pinpoint its epicenter.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
All weariness momentarily vaporized by the sudden surprise explosion, Zeeto rushes off to investigate the scene. Once there, he looks around and takes in all that he sees.
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Daniel follows the elf to the explosion scene.
The first sight Zeeto sees is a still smoldering crater. The radius is at least 7ft long extending from the most charred point, which Zeeto deems to be the epicenter. There is nothing but dark carbon scorched dirt and stumps within the circle. Even trees outside of the explosion show signs of extreme wind and pressure; branches broken and hanging away from the explosion.
Zeeto and Daniel hear a groan to their right. Its Xavier. The blast must have knocked him into the nearest barrier; in this case, an oak. The stranger struggles to get himself on his feet, but manages to do so.
"Where is S'kavara?!", he yells...or rather attempts to. The explosion knocked all the air out of Xavier's lungs so it sounds more like, "Air is SKarah! Air is Skarah!"
That's it... I have had enough of sorcery and sorcerers and especially of fools who delay me.
Daniel walks over to Xavier and grabs him by the shirt and lifts him up
"Tell me exactly who you and your band of fools are and what did this, before i decide to throw you across this crater for your interruption of my quest!"
Intimidate
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
'Well, I guess that's one way of getting things done' Zeeto thinks to himself when Daniel assaults the much smaller man.
Xavier unleashes a high pitched scream, not unlike the sound of kettle whistle. It was awkward.
"Let me down! Let me down!", he pleads the massive fighter. "We're from a small guild to the south. I'm the lead cleric, and Ashyk was a former student of mine. Two men approached the guild nearly a fortnight ago, looking for something called an Anthro Panther. No one had any idea what they were talking about. We had no such guild-members".
"They promised gold and power in exchange for the one called S'kavara. Our leader refused to help track down anyone without a proper explanation...but Ashyk on the other hand. Well, Ashyk has always been easily tempted. He left before the next morning. Elron and I were dispatched to find the rouge guild member. Not a moment after we departed, a huge explosion destroyed our guild building. I have no doubt the two strangers caused the deaths of every guild member besides Elron and myself. Ashyk was our only lead...."
First i will get Albert back, then im going to track down that over-sized housecat and get some answers
Daniel drops the man roughly and turns toward Zeeto
"Looks like the walking carpet has something to hide, lets track him down after you help me retrieve Albert, i want to know what these men this one is talking about were after him for, agreed?"
The double whammy of Mayar's bright light going through Arya's head and the explosion leaves the ranger temporarily blinded and slightly deafened. This, combined with her previous dizzy fit, leaves the ranger and the Millarz that controls her quite confused as to what the heck is going on at the moment. With her ears still ringing, Arya calls out, "Hey, someone. Who was that man that was with Uggo and who is still here? I can't see very well at the moment." She blinks her eyes and attempts to open them in a squint, but it is painful and she can only see blotchy shapes, though they are starting to form clearer pictures. At least her headache is gone.
Im done waiting...
Daniel turns and replies "It was just some poor excuse of a necromancer and a couple of his nobody guildmate friends, i would suggest investigating this, after we retrieve Albert, as Albert will increase our chances of hunting these fools and the fleabag panther down, and getting some answers... So can we finally get to saving my friend? If not then i guess i will just have to take advantage of the elf being tired and take his items... So would you rather keep the elf with all his parts attached or will you help me because i am done with this prancing about while my friend is unjustly imprisioned, so choose!" Daniel draws his axe and gets a tight grip on it.
Coming out of her daze, Arya looks around. She sees Uggo, who's lost his head; a would be thief incapacitated, courtesy of Uggo; and an unconscious Aila on the ground. Aiden and Kirito are no where to be seen. She vaguely recalls them ride a wolverine into the woods. Mayar points his paw, leading her in the direction of the remaining party members.
She arrives just as Daniel finishes interrogating Xavier. He hits the ground with an exasperating grunt. "Please, I've answered your questions", Xavier starts. "I can help you find this Albert, if you'll let me. Where is he imprisoned?"
Daniel pauses before speaking to Xavier
"Albert is imprisoned in the city by the city guard, he is too big to fit inside so i would assume he is in a cage outside, he was imprisoned in an attempt to gain leverage over me to take everything the elf has, i would appreciate any help i can get. The guards of the city are corrupt." Daniel pauses before saying "I would not be surprised if they are connected to the men you were talking about."
"City...Do you mean the nearby Shaded City? They've a guild there. Maybe these men seeking the Anthro Panther will search there next...?" Xavier responds.
The cleric clearly knows nothing of the Shaded City's guild's demise. Who want to break the news to him?
Daniel speaks "Yes they might have visited the guild, that would explain the ruins anyway, but my priority is rescuing Albert."
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 0/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"Unfortunately, the Shaded City Guild is gone. It was demolished awhile back, and we" Zeeto gestures to himself and Arya, "Along with our ally Lanor, are all that's left of it. We are on a mission to find out who destroyed it, and why. I feel that the destruction of our guild and yours, are related. I also feel that the Manther knows more than he is letting on. We made a promise to help Daniel here get Albert back, but afterwords, I feel we need to find the Manther. Will you join us?"
With Arya's vision, hearing, and head finally clear, the spark in her eyes returns along with a witty smirk just waiting to come out should the situation demand one. (Thank you.) "Right, your steed," the ranger recalls. "My, my, we've had too many distractions. We've best get your Albert and find out what happened to our guild before the world ends or everyone dies. At least you're here, Zeeto. I can't say the same for Lanor. Or... pretty much everyone else. Arya's eyes fall at the thought of everyone gone. Her party is falling apart! To Xavier, she says, "You would be a much appreciated add on to our rag tag little team. We ought to work together to find out the source of all this mayhem. What do you say?"
"Destroyed?!", gasps Xavier. "Of course I'll join you. My apprentice shall head to other guilds, and warn them. I understand you must be exhausted. Ashyk's scepter has been destroyed; any magic users should feel their energy flowing again".
Indeed, Zeeto and Arya no longer supressed by Ashyk, already begin to feel stronger.
"Now lets see about your injuries", states the cleric, eying Arya, Zeeto, and Daniel head to toes. He closes his eyes, and then opens them to reveal they've suddenly clouded over.
Mass Heal
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Zeeto, Daniel, and Arya stare at their wounds, literally closing by themselves leaving no sign at all that any damage was ever done. Xavier's eyes return to their normal hue in just a few seconds.
Zeeto, Daniel, and Arya have been completely healed
"Now then, you should feel better", Xavier adds. "Lets gather up our supplies, and head to Shaded City. Please, tell me everything you know about your guild's destruction."
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 6/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"Really, we don't have many leads" Zeeto begins. "All that we have to go on is a mysterious figure we saw running away from the scene, after assassinating a goblin we had captured. It seemed that the goblin was about to tell us something, but its words, and life, were cut short. Other than that, we don't really know much. Until now that is. If your guild was destroyed much the same way, they must be linked. The link, at least to what we have to go off of at this time, seems to be S'kavara. We need to find him."
Assassinated...? How?!
phone entry....
"The culprit somehow shot a dart at the creature, killing it instantly." Zeeto replies
"A dart, you say? Intriguing...did you get a good look at the projectile?", asks Xavier. "Many assassins like to have a signature in their kills. This dart could be the key to uncovering who's behind this".
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 6/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"Unfortunately we didn't get a look at it. I would say that we could go back to the City and look at the body, but I'm pretty sure the Sheriff has already ea- er, disposed of it." Zeeto replies.
"Never mind the body. The Sheriff should have the dart as evidence", states Xavier, 100% sure of his statement's validity. "Daniel's mount seems to be detained by these crooked sherriffs. We'll also be in town for any other errands, if you've got them".
S'kavara remains concealed in a nearby bush with no one the wiser.
Arya taps her chin as she listens to the conversation between her new party member and her old one. "Good idea on the dart," she pipes in. "Also, S'Kavara had said something about a different guild or city or something being linked to the destruction of ours. It seems so long ago that he said it that I don't remember exactly what he said. Anyways, let's head back, shall we?" The new energy she felt from the staff's curse being lifted gives her a detectable bounce in her step as she makes her way back to Shaded City.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 6/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"I agree. We need to move on. Let's get going." Zeeto says, then follows Arya back to the City.
Daniel follows the group.
Our heroes open their group to the stranger called Xavier. Everyone seems ready to take off towards Shaded City abandoning the fallen prankster, Harold...
...or was it Gerald?
Moral improves as the group heads through the walls of redwoods. With each step they take, the group feels their energy return.
S'kavara waits in his hide until the Protectorates pass. Its much easier to track them now...
Our heroes continue along their way without incident. A few hours of traveling and the rows of trees have been replaced by cobblestone walls; the dirt path, replaced with a proper road. Xavier declares this clearing is as good to stop at as any. "It's lunch", he says. The team picks a quiet spot just off the road, next to a half-dead oak. The clearing is empty of any other foliage.
Arya and Zeeto regain 8 strain points
S'kavara tracked his former group to the clearing, although they've no idea he's been following.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 14/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Zeeto, still exhausted from their recent endeavors, decides to go rest next to the Half dead oak. He sits down, leans his back up against the oak, and soon Trances out.
So... now we finally save albert... But first some rest, but first... lets try not to be ambushed by wolverines
Daniel sits down and lays against a tree and looks around making sure that there aren't any animals that are going to interrupt his sleep for the third time
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Fully rejuvenated since the wolverine attack, Arya is too eager and alert to rest for long. After sitting down for a bit, she gets up again and travels away from the road her party had been traversing. The forest always calls to her; she cannot resist exploring it. "I'll be back in a bit," she calls back vaguely to her party members. Scanning the foliage for signs of movement, she notices the forest here has a different feel than the one she explored as a little girl back home. It had a different feel to it: different foliage, different lighting, different colors when Mayar's light is cast upon the ground, and different creatures she guessed as well, if only she could find any. The trees were sparser and let in just enough light to staunch the ominous feeling darker forests let off. The ranger waited for the familiar ocean breeze passing through the trees, giving them the impression they were animated and howling, but the breeze never came. What a perfectly new place to explore. Bow at the ready, Arya waltzes deeper into the forest until she can only just make out the resting boys though the trees in the distance. Here, she stops and looks around.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Daniel and Arya scan their environment. It couldn't contrast more with the lakeside redwoods. Open, with dried golden vegetation that goes on for miles atop rolling hills that melt into horizon. The only oddity is a patch of trees on the opposite side of the road. Not a soul can be seen on the actual road, nor has one been seen. This is something that goes through the minds of the whole party. This road should have more activity right now. Regardless, here, there is no danger to wake a sleeping giant. Daniel can finally get some shut-eye.
Arya is relaxed enough to venture into the sparse grove. These aren't the giant redwoods by the lake. These are much much smaller, and strangely uniform. They've an average height of five feet. The trunks are no thicker than her wrist, covered with reasonably tough, but thin brown bark. A closer investigation reveals the leaves are ovular with pointed ends. It takes but a moment, but Arya recognizes the trees as some sort of citrus although none bear fruit. Before the ranger even finishes her thought, "but why would a grove of trees be so uniform and well planted...", she realizes she's stumbled onto private land.
Satisfied with the area Daniel settles down to sleep
Oh... is this an orchard of sorts? How foolish of her to wander into such lands. Orchards are usually clearly orchards. You'd have to be blind to miss the uniform trees. Well, either be blind or be Arya. With an awkward, stifled walk, she makes her way back to the group hoping the owners don't find her our in their land and get angry at her for it. Back at the impromptu rest area, the ranger collects stray twigs from the trees on the edge of the orchard and starts a little fire to cook what little rations she cab find between her and her party members. While eating their food, Arya brings up the topic of the orchard, explaining what sort of land lay behind them. "So, any of you know who owns this orchard?" she asks.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 14/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Zeeto, still aware of his surroundings while tranced out, simply states "No." and goes back to trancing out.
Without opening his eyes Daniel speaks
"It might be owned by the city, or a resident within the city, unless you see a shack in the orchard, this is probably the case... but if you excuse me im going to sleep."
Danile then begins to drift off to sleep.
Xavier offers some insight on the orchard, but quietly enough to let Daniel get uninterrupted rest.
"Sometimes citizens and, you're quite correct, the city itself will hire Druids. They have the ability to grow orchards on the most barren ground in just days. As talented as they are, druids are also quite devious. They'll only grow the plants enough to nearly blossom. The con-artists will refuse further work unless they get more money out of the land owner. The sudden burst of vegetation will drain nutrients from the land, which will become useless. The land owner has little choice but to pay them off; sometimes for years".
"Crafty little devils!" Arya replies with a small smile in appreciation at an actually engaging answer. This sort of con-art seems an awful lot like what something her sister would amuse herself with. The ranger both chuckles and grimaces at this thought. "That's terrible for the land owners," she continues, "though I suppose they could just fertilize the land instead of play the druids. Bury some fish or release some chickens to do their business and sorts. Well, I suppose hiring the druids once they've already grown the trees would be easiest for that year. The owners could learn from their mistakes the next year at least... Don't you think?" Arya was growing to like this new edition. Finally, a member with some brains. Certainly he wouldn't throw rocks into moving bushes.
"Some of land is so barren, it'll take years of tilling, adding fertilizer and the like. Its the owners looking for some quick revenue, or the easy fix. The druids probably rationalize that the owners 'had it coming' for disrespecting the earth. You seem to be familiar farming. Did you spend some time working the land?"
Arya shakes her head at the man's question. "Nah, I didn't work on a farm. That's the last place you'd find me. It's the same boring old thing every day tending to the same plants in one old field. Where's the fun in that?" she says as she throws her hands towards the stoic fields and orchards. Their uyielding silence would give any adventurer a mind-numbing headache. She continues, "My father often took me on fishing trips and one day we caught so many that it lasted days and I was so sick of fish by the end of it. That's when he showed me the neat fish trick- How a buried fish could nourish a growing tree. My father dug a hole and we 'planted' some of our fish. I thought that was so funny. I asked my dad if we were planting fish trees that grew little fish on its branches. I still wish that was a thing!" she pouts. "He also put some droppings in the hole as well that he found lying around. 'Nature's fertilizer' he called it." Arya suddenly remembers the next part of the memory and begins to snort. Her noises develop into cackles as her shoulders shake at the memory. "He almost put his own droppings in to prove the point before my mother caught him. Boy he got a scolding for that! Teaching me to be like an animal and sorts. It was disgusting, but the both of us were laughing our heads off after my mother turned her back. We planted a sapling in the fertilized hole. To my knowledge, it's still there today..." The girl's eyes fog over for a moment, but quickly blink back to the present. "I figured chicken droppings would be a lot more explainable in this context," she adds quickly.
An outburst of laughter barrels out of Xavier.
...hehe
...fish oak
Arya and Xavier continue small talk for the better part of an hour. Its enough rest though, as Xavier wakes Daniel and Zeeto releases himself from his trance.
Zeeto regains 6 strain points.
The group gathers their supplies when Zeeto's keen ears pick up screaming from the road. It emanates from where the group ventured.
He picks up the words quickly: "Wait up!" After a few seconds, a figure appears over the road's horizon. Its Kirito! Last anyone saw of him, the young human and Aiden rode a very confused wolverine into the forest. The psion appears to be panicked, and the group soon finds out why. His former mount must have disliked the ride. The creature is running, nearly at Kirito's heels, but turns away once it sees the rest of the group just a hundred feet away. It scampers into the nearby orchard before meeting up with them again. Kirito, unaware that he's completely safe from the creature until he looks back, arrives just as the Protectorates and friends are prepped to depart.
Arya turns around and quickly lights up at the sight. "Kiri!" she exclaims. She opens her arms to embrace the child. "Where have you been?" she says, winded from the shock of the surprise of seeing him again.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"Well, look who decided to finally show up" Zeeto says. "What of the Fire Cat?" he asks soon after.
"i got lost you could say but know i'm back and that cat does not talk at all i swear hes mute or something"
"So the cat's got his own tongue?", Xavier jests. "Hopefully his skills won't be needed. Welcome, Kiri, is it? We very briefly met during the encounter with Ashyk. Perhaps you don't remember? It was right before you rode a wolverine into the wilderness. We're heading back into Shaded City, where it seems a corrupt sheriffs department is holding Daniel's mount hostage. Will you join us?".
"Yes I would love to and no in afraid I don't remember sorry" ( posted from my phone)
Despite the unanswered question, the group continues onward, leaving con-man-druid created orchard, which is now occupied by a wolverine. That farmer should have done it the old fashioned way like Arya and her father....
The journey back to Shaded City takes longer than it should. It turns out, while although Xavier is quite helpful in the healing department, he has a bladder the size of some sort of tree nut. The man needs to relieve himself nearly every hour.
The group finally arrives just outside town as dusk settles on the land. They remain hidden nearly 100 feet from the town's front gate. It looks much different when the group last saw it. Its now heavily guarded by armor clad warriors; four of them to be exact in full plated armor, each with his own powerful maul. Daniel recognizes them as the very same who forced him into interrogation.
The group's eyes follow the gate to the town barrier. The top is lined with barbed wire for as long as the group can see.
"Tell me", Xavier whispers. "Can any of you charm four guards?". The clerics smirks. "If the answer is no, maybe we should find another way in. Perhaps a quieter way?"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"It seems that the wall is lined with barbed wire all along. How do you suppose we get past that? I say we just walk right in the front door myself. I mean, half of us are supposed to be the ones protecting this town after all." Zeeto states.
"Daniel", starts Xavier. "Didn't you say these men sent you after Zeeto here?" Xavier clears his throat. "What were their intentions? Would it be safe for him?"
"I was supposed to get Zeeto and take everything he has on him, down to his clothing, and leave him out in the forest and return with his stuff. I don't think they wanted me to leave him alive either." Daniel says " I know them, they are the ones who forced me into interrogation, I think it would be best to... neutralize them."
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"Are you sure there's no other way?" Zeeto asks
"WAIT there may be another way i have an idea if i where to say control one of them i could get that one to take them off somewhere else we could easily slip paste the gate"
Arya thinks for a moment. "Good idea, but the person you control might know you're doing it and could give us away. How about I calls some wild animals to distract them while we slip inside?" she suggests. Realizing a fight might spark either here or in the future, the ranger turns to Xavier. "By the way, I didn't catch your fighting specialization. What are you best at in combat? It's good to know your teammate's strengths and weaknesses."
"I'm afraid my talents stop with healing", says Xavier to Arya. "I've got a few throwing knives and reasonably damaging baton, but I'm better off in the background, supporting everyone". Xavier's brow furls as he looks down at the ground in ponderous thought. "We need to get a look inside before disrupting these guards. We wouldn't want to alert the whole lot of them, would we?"
"A healer? Good. We need one. I believe the rest of us are lacking in that department," Arya states. Racking her brain for an answer to her party's present problem, she turns to Daniel and asks, "Did these people who interrogated you mention anyone that Zeeto was traveling with? If not, it's possible that Xavier and I could just walk right on past the guards to investigate the place and locate your steed. Kirito too. He could even communicate with his mind to you. We could meet up and take it from there after that."
Daniel thinks for a moment...
"No. I don't recall the sheriff saying anything about anyone but the elf."
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"That seems like the best course of action to me. We should have some way that you can communicate to us if something goes wrong in there though. Any thoughts?" Zeeto asks.
"Like I said," Arya responds, "Kirito could communicate through his sort of mind speak. Pardon my lack of knowledge on psion powers, but is that possible, Kiri?"
"yes but i would only be able to set one link from me to one of these two"
"That sounds fine," Arya says. "Would you also be able to communicate with Xavier or me since we'd be in close range, or will you have to mime whatever you want to say to us? I'm fine with either if you're comfortable with it. It seems like the best plan so far. What does everyone think?"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"That sounds like the best option at this point." Zeeto replies
"Its either that, or disguise him. We've no idea how many guards lie waiting inside the city walls", Xavier states. "I'm with you either way".
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"Either way I'm stuck outside the city until we figure out more about what's going on inside. As such, I am just going to go wait under that oak tree over there." Zeeto states, and goes to rest under a nearby oak.
Arya recaps her plan, "Alright, it looks like we're in agreement. Xavier, Kirito, and I will go in and scope out the place. Kirito will relay what we're going to do next based on what we see. Can you set the link up now, Kiri?"
"yes" ("Ok danny can you hear me well i guess hear im not shure if this is sound or what")
"I don't think hear is the right word but yes I am aware of what your thinking. Best of luck to you guys and just tell us if you get caught."
Daniel replies before sitting with the elf.
"ok let's go the link is in-set"
"Good. Now I think it's best we're as inconspicuous as possible, an Mayar's a dead givaway." Arya grabs a concealed necklace from under her shirt and reveals a wolf tooth. She kneels down holding the necklace in her palm. Mayar touches the tooth with the tip of his nose. The instant he does so, his body seems to be drawn up into the tooth like he is being sucked into a black hole. He disappears from sight, and Arya is left holding a glowing tooth. She tucks it under her shirt and shivers. "I hate doing that," she grumbles. "I feel like I'm missing a part of myself now." Indeed she did feel a bit paler and quite a bit queasy, but this is most likely all in her head. Mayar is still there after all. He just isn't readily physically accessible or visible. "Alright, let's go," she says, recovering from a grimace. She walks up to the guards, absentmindedly twiddling her necklace between her fingers. Upon reaching a close proximity to the gate, she drops her hands and looks as unassuming as she possibly can while she scans the area for anything noteworthy. All the while, the ranger never stops walking.
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
As they slowly walk up Kirito grabs arya's hand afraid hoping this plan does not fail.
Kirito, Arya, and Xavier approach the gate. Four guards in plate armor stand before them. "Halt right there!", shouts one of them. The massive guard steps forward. In his armor he's at least 6'5"and probably 300 lbs. Already grasping a maul, this man breathes intensity. He's got an emblem on the neckline of his helmet, where the others do not. Its a series of three ~ stacked on one another. Perhaps it signifies a higher ranking. "State your purpose in Shaded City, or prepare to be detained".
The three don't see much beyond the towering cobblestone gate pillars, or the four heavily armored guards that make for better doors than windows. The general store to the left is boarded up. The ruins that used to be the guild are still ruined. The armorer's shop is boarded up, just like the general store. Beyond that, everyone seems to be on high alert. Only a few civilians walk the streets. Everyone else is a guard or dastardly looking city official.
Meanwhile back at the oak...
Zeeto and Daniel rest in waiting with S'kavara (yep he's still here) close by; the sniper knows the proper time to reveal himself on his own terms. The others are nearly at the gate when...
*cRaCk*
*tHUnk*
...a rather odd thing falls out of the tree's foliage directly between Zeeto and Daniel, narrowly avoiding them. Its no human sized oak gall. Its a human sized human! The figure rights itself revealing a female with long strawberry blond hair and eyes with shades of both blue and grey. standing upright, she's 5'10" but looks like a sturdy adventurer who can hold her own in combat. Before Zeeto and Daniel can let a word out...
*cRacK*
...the branch on which she was balancing finally gave way and falls precisely on her head, knocking her back to earth.
While Arya is certainly put off by the threat of detainment in her own home city, she manages to not become incited by the utter rudeness of it. Then again, she is attepting to steal a steed from these people. "I am Arya, of the Shaded City Guild," she states. "I was out attempting to find the culprits of the explosion and wish to be let back in to my home city. This man here is helping me and this boy is under my care. May we please pass, sirs?"
Roll for good measure
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Its raining... Women?
Daniel stares at the woman and turns to Zeeto and says
"I... Am not even surprised anymore..., What do we do with her?"
"The guild!?", exclaims the guard. "alotta help you did us!" The team could sense the guard's terrible spelling even through spoken word. "We were attacked last night. A giant horde of goblins has the town in shambles. We haven't had time to clear them all out yet, so no one is allowed in. Its for your own good".
Meanwhile, back at the oak...
The human is still very conscious, despite the log sized tree branch intrusion. She stands to brush herself off once again. This time, no further falling objects stand in her introduction!
Arya goes on full alert at the guard's heavy, albeit poorly spelled words. "Goblins? They must be the same as the ones that attacked the first time! Do you know what direction they came from? Please sir, we must be let in. We could gather more clues about these goblins and put an end to them." And get that steed back of course, though the goblin attack is at the forefront of Arya's mind. To Kirito, she mutters under her breath, "Update them on this please?" She spoke in unspecific terms just in case she was a bit louder than she thought she was.
Roll for I don't know what
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
(danny the guards are saying that the city was attacked by a giant wave of goblins and no one is aloud into the city the armor shop and other biuldings are bourded up)
The disgruntled guard looks down on the ranger. She could feel his eyes from behind his face covering helmet. "Listen missy!", he raises his voice. Just as everyone readies themselves for a maul strike, the guard exhales an exasperated sigh. He clears his throat, then speaks. "I'm sure you mean well, but orders are orders. The only thing coming through this gate are supplies. And there's no way the sheriff will let anyone else help out on this investigation. He's adamant about controlling this case himself. None of us have seen him like this before".
courtesy of Arya's charm attempt
Arya is initially surprised by the guard's raised voice, as she didn't know what she said that would provoke any anger. She chalks the outburst up to the stress of the goblin attack weighing in his mind. The ranger weighs her options at the gate. The three of them could force their way in, but that would likely end up in all three of them being jailed. She could demand to see the sheriff, but that would be a crap shoot. Who knows if the guard would concede. It did seem like the guard had a soft spot. Perhaps she could convince him to let them in. If all else failed, she could try spirit walking in, but she'd be alone. And that Thing could be anywhere.
"Oh, I see, sir," she sighs, going with her third plan. Feigning talking to herself, she says, "Orders are orders. This is awful, being kept out of my own home. We're quite capable fighters. I fought off the last attack before this one If you ask me, the Sheriff's been a little off his rocker lately." She leans in closely to the guard as if she was saying something highly confidential. "The last time the goblins attacked, he ate one of their bodies instead of keeping it for evidence," she whispers. "I worry for his mental health. It's all on him to figure things out." She shakes her head and says quite loudly under her breath, "And he told us to investigate the last attack. We could help with this one, take some pressure off the sheriff. We have information to report to him, darn it." Again, the ranger looks up innocently at the guard and asks, "There's no way we could be let in to help? No way at all?"
Bring on the charm :3
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"I'd have to say we ask her why she was spying on us in this Oak tree." Zeeto replies to Daniel's question. Turning to the new arrival, Zeeto asks "So, why were you hanging out above us?"
"Stop!", yells a disembodied voice from the tree. "She owes me a life debt!" Down from the Tree falls a small black cat with glowing red eyes. Its Aiden! The last time anyone saw fire-inclined feline was at the same battleground on which Kirito mounted and rode a very befuddled wolverine. "And, with that debt, I choose to follow her around and watch the chaos. Bad luck seems to follow her to the depths. Its hilarious"
A closer inspection of the broken branch reveals several spots of singed bark. It seems the last bit of bad luck may have had some fiery help. All eyes shift to the fire-mage mewling. "Like I said...hilarious".
The guard, although soundly listens to Arya's offer of aid, balks at the notion that his sheriff has mental health issues. "How dare you! The sheriff is a good man and would never eat a goblin". Arya could sense the guard's eyes roll at the word, 'goblin'. "You have five seconds to leave, or be detained!" The guard may have a soft-spot for Arya, but is unwavering at this moment. These three will not get through shaded city's main gate while this guard is in charge.
Shaking her head in confusion, the female human looks warily about, gripping the haft of her unreadied weapon and fumbling for her shield (seeking not only signs of any threat, but some signs of where she is [/roll]1d20[/roll] )
<sigh...i will learn to roll dice...eventually... ;D>
so, rolling the dice take...erm, 5...hehe
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Daniel, upon seeing the woman fumble for her weapon, draws his axe.
"We mean you no harm, but if your intent is hostile I would suggest you rethink it as you would find us to be capable of defending ourselves"
He says also eyeing the kitten
Could this be like the other? Maybe it is a Rakshasa child... This group travels with too many demons
Kirito steps in front of arya and lets go of her hand and looks the guard straight in the eyes " is there a problem" and Kirito's eyes start to glow as if trying to take over the guards mind
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
(im trying to user that spell where it makes them like a companian to try to let us through)
Astrid regains her bearings scopes out her environment. She remembers hiding in the large oak at the urge of Aiden. The small mewling has been following her quite some time. He claims she owes him some sort of life debt; but in reality, it seems like he has nothing better to do than to follow the cleric around.
The are two others next to her. An elf; undisturbed by the falling debris and in some kind of trance. And a large human; at least six and a half feet tall in a leather breastplate, grasping at a rather intimidating greataxe.
Daniel feels a sudden surge of energy flow out of him. He is no longer connected to Kirito.
Meanwhile at the gate...
In Kirito's attempt to mind link with the guard caused a sudden drop from the link with Daniel. However, Kirito has successfully linked himself with the guard without the others notice...for now.
Mind Link causes 7 strain on Kirito
Name: Kirito Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 12 Dex: +1 Int: +3
Strain Points: 13/20 Wis: +2 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 11 Luk: 11
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"Daniel, I do not think the woman means any harm. Besides, she is traveling with our former fiery companion here, Aiden. It is good to see you again Aiden, how did the wolverine ride go?" Even though he just said he doesn't think they mean any harm, Zeeto is ready to cast a few spells at a moment's notice. He knows the Cat does not have much restraint when he feels the urge to burn something. Zeeto's only problem is, he's not sure that his magic is strong enough to fight the miniature fire mage. He's seen what the creature can do.
No, Kirito! Arya thinks in her head without moving her facial features. You should have done that if my persuasion didn't work. Now we're coming in by force. She outwardly sighs slightly and regains her focus on the outer world. "Thank you for letting us through, kind sir," she says with a small smile. "Make sure you keep hold of him until we're out of site," she whispers to Kiri. With the guard problem solved at least, she makes haste inside the gate and sets off to find the location of the sheriff, preferably before the sheriff finds her.
Sheriff Search
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Aastrid warily releases her grip on her spear and ceases fumbling for her shield. Slowly she raises her hands in a non-aggressive gesture. She thinks to herself "that cat, could it be a sending from the gods of ill fortune?" She turns her frosty blue eyes upon the elf and human, saying with a thick accent, "I mean no harm. Where am I?"
"the link broke with danny i had to do something im sorry" Kirito whispers to arya
Daniel returns his axe to its holster and relaxes slightly, still wary of the kitten,
"You are just outside the shaded city." Daniel says
Bowing slightly before Daniel, Aastrid wracks her memory. Has she heard of the Shady City before? Out loud she says "Thank you, I appear to be far from home. My name is Aastrid, priestess of (assuming use of Norse pantheon is appropriate here) Frigga, lady of the Valkyries, warrior, and governess of magic and wisdom."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Her eyes opened slowly, the vision slowly returning. Her brain felt fuzzy and deprived of essential nutrients. Was this how Arya felt every time she awoke from a bacon deficiency fit? It was a terrible feeling. Looking around, Aila examined the landscape. Clearly she was just recently apart of a fight, but couldn't remember the out come. Judging by the fact she was still in the area alive, her party must have won... but then where were her party members? Aila could only hope that they hadn't left ahead of her towards town, but there really weren't a lot of options. Sighing, she began the long arduous walk back towards town.
Walking by the crater formed from the explosion, she couldn't help but be curious. The ideas of what could have probably happened swam in her head. They didn't stay long though as the lack of nutrients from the BDS fit kept her head rather cloudy. Still with no choice but to head forward, Aila began the long walk towards town.
Go ahead and PM me Furry, I'm just trying to butt in somewhere. Even if it means I'll be late to the scene. Kind of upset Aila got left behind though... :P
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"I am Zeeto, of the Shaded City Guild. Or rather, I was. There isn't much left of the guild these days..." Zeeto says.
"Ease yourselves a bit. We mean you no harm", states Aiden. "Well...not intentionally anyway". Aiden looks about to notice a lack of several party members. "Where's the others...wait don't tell me. If you're here, then they're trying to sneak into town?". The small cat shakes his head in disapproval after the rhetorical question. "Why leave a Mewling's job to a group of hominids....", he brazenly mumbles as he scampers off to the gate and enters with ease.
Kirito, Arya, and Xavier cautiously pass the well guarded gate. The guards themselves are instantly suspicious that their superior would disobey direct orders. "Sir!", they overhear. "Sir! What is the matter with you? Are you listening?". The guards receive no response. Did those wandering strangers discreetly poison their commander?! Kirito, Arya, and Xavier are maybe twenty feet away when they hear "Halt where you stand!" from behind them. It appears their clever rouse might be over.
Aila doesn't have to wander far before a particularly peaceful wolverine confronts her. Without warning it grabs her in its jowls and flips her onto its back. Soon-after, she masters the illusive sport of wolverine wrangling and riding. It takes almost no time before she's arrived at the oak to confront her allies who were so quick to abandon an unconscious girl in the woods.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"Why hello there Aila. How good of you to finally join us." Zeeto says when she arrives, quick to place the blame on her rather than the party.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila's face was horrified by the time she got to the location, after being forced onto the steed-like wolverine, her inability to keep stomach solid while riding anything crept up on her. She couldn't get off of the beast until it stopped at the location because she was focusing on not throwing up. This just wasn't her day. Between BDS and riding something, not only was her brain funny, her stomach was in knots. Upon reaching the small section of her party at the location, she'd come to the realization that she'd been replaced! She wasn't happy. Soon after she realized that there was also another in the party she didn't fully recognize. Wasn't he at the fight on the enemy team?
Aila stepped back a bit, her legs quivering from the state her body was in. She'd have to rely on the elf to explain things, although he was the least competent in the party he was the one she knew without a doubt was on her side. she hoped. She was ditched in the forest after all. "Between ditching me in the woods and somehow losing a couple party members, and gaining a few, you have a lot of explaining to do elf." She wasn't happy with his innocence in greeting her. This elf will probably end up taking her full fury... secretly of course, she was a rogue after all.
Well... I was wondering when she would spring up
Daniel turns to Zeeto before saying
"I thought you said she was just resting?" Daniel then shakes his head and sits against the tree again
"Well anyway, I forgot to say this but the boy cut contact with me, so I would suggest you save your lovers spat until after we make a plan on how to deal with this."
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"I agree. We need to head to the city and find the rest of the party. We need to find out why the link was cut." Zeeto replies.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Link? Aila couldn't see a rope connected towards the city. All she knew was that they had been camped outside the town and there were now some guards around the gate. "So the others are in the city? Why is it being guarded anyway?" Aila wasn't fully aware of what was going on. Supposedly they needed to get into the city that was previously an open one. Judging from the view she could see the guards turned away from them confronting something just inside the gate. If they wanted to take a chance at getting in, now would be their chance. If that didn't work, they could smooth talk their way in. Surely they had something or someone the town wanted that they could barter their way through with. Would help even more if they were expecting that something or someone to show up.
Arya freezes as she is told to do. She inwardly curses at how sour things have turned in an instant. Oh, if Kirito had just let them come in without force. Sigh. She couldn't blame him though. She had thought of the idea as well and had nearly asked him to confuse the guard. Slowly, she pivots on her toes to face the guards while wielding a confused look, "What's wrong, sirs?" she asks as if she had just waltzed into her home and someone was trying to stop her. Which, essentially, is what is happening. She furrows her brows further and releases them with an "oh" in sudden (false) realization. "Is this about the whole lock down thing on the town? It's alright. We're part of the Shaded City Guild. Well, what's left of it." The last part she mutters under her breath in genuine bitter pain. The memories of some of her comrades who had died in the explosion briefly flash in the ranger's mind and she has to close her eyes to keep a few stray tears from spilling out. It is only a wave of emotion though, and as quickly as she can, she shakes herself out of her head. "Sorry about that," she apologizes as she wipes the rim of her eyes on her sleeve. "I lost some friends in that explosion. Anyways, we're here to help the sheriff sort out the goblin attack. I know he said he wanted to do it by himself, but this is a hard job and one person really can't take care of the entire city all by himself. He'll compromise the safety of the city trying to juggle this multi-man job by himself. We also have sensitive information on the previous explosion that we really must get to him urgently. So if you'll be so kind, sirs, we'll be off to find him." She starts walking immediately off in the direction she assumes the sheriff would be.
Suave Speaking
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
Kirito immediately stops in his tracks afraid something went wrong arya walking off slowly away infront of him but not following her stood there afraid fear in his eyes
S'kavara sits well out of earshot of the group, but with his feline ears he can easily hear most of their conversation. Normally while stalking someone he would really listen, but the events that have come to pass had his mind running wild. "Why is my past coming up now!? I left that life hidden away when my mother was killed, why is it rearing its head now?" His attention was returned to the group when a women seemed to fall from the tree, soon followed by a small black mass. Aidens voice was almost to easy to hear. "Aiden!?" He quickly slapt his hand over his mouth in hopes that no one had heard him.
S'kavara's verbal slip doesn't go unnoticed by all as Aiden heads into town unbeknownst to the guard patrol. Zeeto keen elven ears easily pick up the word. He turns around to see a pair of large cat ears poking out of a lone bush. He figured the Anthro Panther wouldn't be far behind. The group, now consisting of Zeeto, Astrid, Daniel, Aila, and now S'kavara heads towards the town gate.
Meanwhile, inside the gates...
"How about he comes to you?", questions a nearby voice. Kirito, Arya, and Xavier immediately turn towards it to see a gaunt grey haired man with a similar emblem to head guard, only the three '~' stacked on one another is encircled by a bold golden ring. Arya immediately recognizes him as the sheriff. "Well...well...well...look what the cat dragged in...its about time you lot showed up". The sheriff looks sincerely happy to see Arya and her companions. He signals his guards to head back to their post. "...speaking of cats...where is that manther friend of yours? I'll have my men prepare several saucers of milk". The sheriff enthusiastically shakes Kirito's and Xavier's hands. "I'm sheriff Reynolds, and its a pleasure to meet'cha. Where's the rest of your allies? Last I saw, there was an elf and a gnome accompanying you".
Barely a moment later the guards stop Aila, Zeeto, Daniel, Astrid, and S'kavara from entering the gate. "Ah, you seemed to beat them here", states Sheriff Reynolds. "Its alright, men. They're welcome in the Shaded City", he yells to the guards. The rest of the group reunites near the sheriff. Arya, Xavier, and Kirito are surprised to see several faces: Aila, now in front of them, was left unconscious in the forest during the last battle. Astrid is the other surprise. Are party members growing from trees now?!
"I'm glad to see y'all here. Last night, Shaded City fell victim to a goblin raid, but unlike any one I've seen before". Based on his age, Reynolds has seen quite a few. "I need to show you something that only a few have seen". Sheriff Reynolds guides the group into a nearby building. The door is well barred with several padlocks, and requires another lock for door handle itself. He rushes everyone inside and closes the door behind him. The room is dimly lit by a candle chandelier with at least half of the wicks extinguished. Directly below is a table occupied by a tarp covered object. "We lost a lot of men last night", says Reynolds with remorse. "But not every death was in vain. One of them managed to take out a goblin officer before losing his own life". The sheriff dramatically flings the tarp off of what at first seems like deceased goblin. "This isn't a goblin". The sheriff grabs what looks like a tuft of skin around the fallen creatures neck and peels it over its face revealing its true visage. Its an Anthro Panther like S'kavara, although he doesn't recognize this particular individual! "There is something else entirely going on here, and it involves more than delicious gobl...I mean dastardly goblins".
as they walk toward the city, Aastrid asks the group "What can I expect when we arrive at this city"
Zeeto, having heard the Manther's word, decides to let it go for now. He decides to just listen carefully, and keep an eye out for anything suspicious the Manther might be planning. Meanwhile, he answers Aastrid's question. "To be honest, I'm not sure. Last we saw of the city it was a free city with a demolished guild. Our job, when we left the city, was to find out who destroyed the guild. We really haven't found out anything yet, unfortunately. There was an Anthro Panther with us for quite some time, and he knows something about it. However, he is not willing to share his knowledge with the rest of us, as he is a greedy and conniving Manther. He just wants to do things to his own ends, without regard for anyone else's safety or concerns. He is pure evil in my humble opinion." He says the last line with a smirk barely noticable unless you have a very, very keen eye. He hopes the manther was watching and listening to the exchange, as Zeeto was trying to get him riled up. Maybe the Manther will make a slip and another member of the party will notice him.
After arriving in the city, Zeeto meets up with the rest of the party, who has apparently made it through alright. Although Zeeto is still wary of a trap, he goes along with the Sheriff when he leads them to the new location. Zeeto is very cautious the whle time, checking all around him for anything and anyone that may be waiting to ambush him. After all, the last he knew of his relationship with the Sheriff, Zeeto was a wanted Elf. He's not really sure why, but the Sheriff even hired a mercenary to go after him. Well, you couldn't exactly call Daniel a mercenary, albeit he definitely has the look of one about him. He was more blackmailed in to the job than hired. Come to think of it, the store owner they harassed a bit way back when could have been the reason he was wanted. Although Arya and Lanor did just as much to wrong the shopkeep as he himself did. Ah well, no sense dwelling on that now.
Soon after arriving at the new area, the Sheriff reveals the Anthro-Imposter. Zeeto isn't really sure what to think about this. He does know one thing though, it confirms his suspicions. The Manther, S'kavara, knows much more about this than he has let on. Zeeto is definitely going to have to make sure the Manther does not get away this time. "How did you find out this was not a Goblin?" Zeeto asks the Sheriff. "I figured you were an eat first ask questions later kind of guy myself."
Spot Check to keep an eye on the Manther (The living one):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Spot check to look out for an ambush:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
"So," says Aastrid once she takes in all that has happened. "I find myself in the company of an assortment of members of a guild that has been destroyed, who have returned from a mission to find intelligence on the perpetrators. We return to the city to discover that while away it was attacked by what appeared to be goblins, but in fact at least one of the officers turns out to be a Manther...same type of beast as this S'kavara that you, Zeeto, believe to be evil. Perhaps we should detain this other Manther, next time it appears, for questioning?"
Daniel shakes his head as he says
"Well, a goblin invasion is one thing but, a Rakshasa one? This is a little above our pay grade... Especially those of us who are still owed debts." on this last word he looks at the sheriff.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
"I agree with you both, we need to detain this Manther, and Daniel needs to be paid. Sheriff, I ask that you return Daniel's steed." Zeeto says.
S'kavara follows the team late into town. The guards give him little trouble and let him past by order of the nearby sheriff. Though by the time he's caught up, he barely notices the last of them head into an unmarked building, not far from the gate. He's close enough to clearly overhear the following conversation.
Meanwhile, inside the unmarked building...
"Eat first!", balks the sheriff. "That's exactly how I found him out!" The group's gaze glides down the creature's arm to see a sizable bite taken out of it. "It was a truly disappointing night...".
"Anyway, with you lot here, I'm gonna make an order to open up the city. All the stores will reopen...which brings me to the elf. The armorer says you used magic on him to pilfer supplies. He's already sent a couple of lads into the woods after you. They haven't been seen since. He's also paid my own men to take matters into their own hands. Suffice it to say, I've ended that nonsense. Daniel, your steed has been cared for by the very same men who led you into the wilderness. I made sure of it! I'll have him waiting outside the main gate when you're ready to leave town. Now the armorer himself is a racist old coot. His shoddy stock makes a mockery of this once great township. Plus, I've had reports that his inventory was illegally obtained, but no investigation has revealed concrete evidence. We've since dropped the case, but its not far from my mind. Zeeto, you don't have to worry about backlash from my men, but you might want to apologize to the armorer himself.
"And that brings me to the Manther....he's got some 'splainin to do". The Sheriff means explaining...probably. "He catwalks into town, and then a day later a group of fake goblin Manthers attacks? What kinda cat-man-coincidence is that? He may not have anything to do with the attack, but he's gotta have a story. Find him! The sake of the town, and possibly your fallen guild, could rely on it.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila looked over the 'goblin' laying on the table. "So these are anthro panthers..." she thought to herself, wondering whether or not S'kavara really had anything to do with this scenario or not. "This cat must've spent a lot of time in that costume to rise to a higher rank in the goblin world, that or there's interesting magic being used in this case. I doubt our Kitty could possibly pull off something this... extreme. He's far to laid back to care about attacking this town. He does happen to be the only manther we now though, questioning wouldn't hurt. Did you find anything discriminating on his corpse? Maybe a fancy weapon? An insignia of sorts? Once we find our Kitty, even if he doesn't know anything, he might recognize something." Aila had been out cold for the past day, she had no clue where or when S'kavara had vanished and really wasn't going to be much help in locating him. With that logic in mind, Aila decided to solve the problem that's been keeping her brain fuzzy. "So is the town free to roam in? We might find some more links on the battleground involving this case... and if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to purchase some food... meat products if you've got them... I'll stay away from goblin meat though."
The sheriff leads everyone out of the lone door and outside. Notice to open the city must have gone out because there's already a dozen citizens walking around. Arya notices the friendly general store shopkeeper removing the boards from his stop's windows. The Armorer is spotted just a few minutes later to do the same with his store.
"Don't tell anyone else of what you've seen", starts Reynolds as he locks and bolts the door behind him. "Look around. These good people don't need to feel any more tension. They need to feel safe, and any news of goblin officers in disguise...well it won't help this town". He takes a deep breath and sighs. "Of course, we also need to find out what this all means...just keep it on the down-low. If you find anything at all, let me know. I'll be at the inn".
The group gets a much better look at the town from their location. The general shop and armorer are nearly fifty feet to the right, with the guild ruins in between the two. Further ahead lies the inn as well as a towering oak, or whats left of it. The goblin raid left damages throughout town, and more than half of this grand flora has been burnt to embers. The residential district is just past it, and is equally worse for wear. Destroyed furniture is flung out of windows and into the street. Those are the lucky families. Some plots have nothing left but ashes on top of a cobblestone foundation.
A cloaked S'kavara, blending quite well into the now forming crowd, spots the team leave an unmarked building from his position.
"Psst!", sounds a familiar voice somewhere below S'kavara. "Down here". Its Aiden! The tiny mewling continues, "Last night's attack was more than a goblin strike". The clever fire-mage managed to overhear the sheriff speak with the group. "Anthro panthers have something to do with the attack. It sounds like the group doesn't believe you're involved, but they think you know something. It might be time to come clean. You can't run from your past forever".
S'kavara leans down, and holds out his right arm, in an offer for the cat to ride his shoulder again."While that may be true, what if my past only angers them? What if it angers her...."
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2, 5 SP Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila began walking towards the inn, it was the first place she could think of where she could buy food. She pulled out her coin purse and counted the miniscule amount of gold she had. Think back to it, they had never divided up the gold they had found done in the cave house thing. She figured she'd bring it up at a later time, right now she was thinking of her headache and growling stomach. Walking into the Inn, she eyed the area as she picked up the menu and sat at a table.
Eye Balling the Room:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
Looking over towards the stewardess, Ailla gestures that she wanted the meal with the most meat while holding up five silver pieces. Hopefully the drum in her head would stop soon after ingesting the poor animals.
Arya had been paying attention, nodding at the right times in the conversation, and taking in the heavy news of an anthro panther attack. She mulled over the new information quietly in her head as the rest of her party talked with the sheriff. How could an anthro panther be disguised as a goblin? More importantly, why? Do they wish to start a war? Are the goblins and manthers buddy-buddy or did the goblins really not know the general was a manther? Or are the goblins under control of the kitties? There are too many questions swimming around in the ranger's head now. She sighs and takes out her necklace. Mayar leaps out of it and his soft glow on her skin releases some of the tension from her body. Ah, there you are Mayar. I was missing you.
And of course, the was the matter of S'kavara. It's mighty suspicious that he just happened to leave the group right before a manther attacked her home city. The dead officer couldn't be S'kavara, right? Arya had been too busy thinking in her head much to get a good look at the dead cat. She hoped it wasn't S'kavara. Even if he could be an annoying, stubborn, somewhat evil hairball, she still did have a soft spot for her old party member. Aiden too. Speaking of Aiden, didn't she just see him walking into the city with the others? She looks around and sees not her adorable kitty companion but the general store owner whom she makes a mental note of visiting again and a new face she's never seen before. She walks over to the stranger, a woman much larger than she, and introduces herself, "Hello, I'm Arya. I see you've met half of my party. Who might you be?"
Aastrid looked about at the mess, thinking, what feline humanoids existed that may be able to take on the guise of a goblin leader, fooling the goblins? She wracked her brain as she considered her religous training.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
Arya, seeing that the woman had not realized she was walking to her, taps the woman again and asks, "Miss? Miss! What's your name? I'm Arya."
"Oh!" exclaims Aastrid. "I am Aastrid, priestess of Freya, and I must confess that I am somewhat bewildered at present. I suppose it would be wise to find some food and lodging. I really have not had much time to think since that strange cat brought me here. Can you suggest a place that does good simple fare and has a place to rest? Oh, I am pleased to meet you by the way." Aastrid finishes with a broad smile.
"Strange cat?" Arya asks, perking up at the mention of the furry little companion. "Aiden brought you here? He's the small talking cat. The bigger one is S'kavara. I haven't seen him around though. Have you? About lodging, follow me." She guides her presumed new party member to the old inn and wonders if they've fixed the door yet.
Kirito follows arya curios to meet the new person just to shy to start a conversation so he silently follows
The inn is full of patrons, though none are joyful. Its easy to see why. These aren't the drunkards from before. These are families devastated by the "goblin" strike. Children sit at the bar eating bread and stew as their mothers and fathers try to console one another. Men, most likely neighbors, sit at one of the tables yelling at each other. "Retaliation?!", Aila hears. "My house is torn to shreds. Gotta rebuild half of it! No way I'm going out there unless I'm safe in here!"
Aila gets a good look at the four. The one yelling is the oldest among them with long silver hair tied behind his head. He has long cheeks and a jawline that careens into a jagged point for a chin. The man to his right is much younger; maybe 20 years old. Perhaps the silver-haired man's son. His hair is much shorter than his hypothetical father's, and dark brown rather than silver. The other two are nearly indescribable from Aila's position; they've got backs of heads. Aila is sure of that.
The barkeep is hustling back and forth between all the patrons and finally arrives in front of Aila just in time for her to finish reading the menu.
Quail
Fish Cake
"Rabbit" Stew w/Bread 5 cp
"What can I get ya?", she asks Aila in a hurried voice.
The inn door swings open to distract the innkeep before Aila can answer. Its Arya, Kirito, and Astrid. Xavier isn't among them. Aila recalls he elected to look about the town in hopes for clues from last night's devastation.
"Before you do anything, you need to see the fallen Anthro Panther. I swiped the key while the sheriff wasn't looking". Using his tail, the mewling tosses the key up to S'kavara. "Maybe you'll recognize him".
Aastrid follows Arya and her silent companion to the inn, replying to Arya "Yes, the small cat sounds like the one, obsessed with burning things it seems."
Arya chuckles. "That's Aiden." The ranger feels a change in Mayar's mood and catches him ruffling his phantom fur. "Oh, don't be jealous, Mayar. Nothing could replace you," she consoles as she holds out her hand. Mayar's nose moves to hover right under it, and Arya's skin is bathed in white glowing light. She imagines a soft warmth emanating off his glow, though the heat exists only in her mind. Seeing Kirito following her, Arya introduces him to Aastrid, "And this is Kirito. He's a psion, so don't freak out if he speaks in your head. He's a great kid." She wraps her arms around the boy in a quick little embrace.
The ranger arrives at the inn and balks at the number of patrons. This many people's houses were destroyed? "Oh my gosh..." she gasps to herself, but loudly enough for the rest of them to hear her. "This needs to be fixed. This many people under one roof isn't sustainable. A fort... we should build a fort." Realizing she is talking out loud to herself while ignoring her group, she sweeps up a menu to share with Kiri and offers another to Aastrid. While glancing at the menu, she asks, "So you're a priestess? That's really cool. We-" Arya nearly started talking about their old healer but then realized the idea of a dead possessed former party member might scare Aastrid away. "Where did you come from?" she recovers. "What brings you here?"
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Having kept an eye on S'kavara this whole time, Zeeto attempts to stalk the Anthro Panther to see what he is up to.
Stalking:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2g Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila looked at the menu, hoping that the quotes around rabbit emphasized that the stew was made from rabbit. The place was crowded, most likely from that attacks. After her meal, Aila would probably work on the mystery of the goblins. She was happy she followed these people, it would have not been in Aila's favour if she was present for the attack. She was still curious as to how it happened though, you'd think a town would have seen a large scale goblin attack coming. Aila indicated the third menu item as what she would like to eat and then quickly shot off a couple questions to the land lady, her voice sweet. "I just got back into town with my companions, you wouldn't happen to know when and where the attack started, would you? Did they burst through a gate or just kind of show up?" After the question, Aila handed the lady the money needed for the food. Hopefully the honey in Aila's voice would be enough to get the proprietress to answer her questions if she knew. The landlady was fairly busy though, and probably had no time to Answer Aila.
Will she answer?
(https://claytonia.net/forums/Themes/Teknomaxi/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20 : 1, total 1
As soon as Sheriff Reynolds let him out of the dead "goblin" room, Zeeto quickly glances his surroundings. Although it was impossible to follow S'kavara during the lawman's reveal, Zeeto made sure to get a good look before they went inside. He spots S'kavara the instant after leaving the windowless room. Just as he glares right to the Anthro Panther; S'kavara responds in kind. The two are no more than fifty feet from one another and locked in a brutal staring contest. Neither Daniel standing beside Zeeto, nor any pedestrians between the two "combatants" have any semblance of effect on their concentration.
"Although that elf looks like he wants to buy you a drink", mocks Aiden. "Good luck with that..."
Meanwhile, at the inn...
The innkeeper quickly notes the order and responds. "I don't have time for story-telling right now. Ask one of the other patrons". After which, she quickly hustles past the bar, and back to the kitchen.
Astrid is deep in though from her prior mental quandary. She recalls her training. There was a story; a fairytale really. Its about jungle cats as big as humans. These creatures could run on two feet, or four for extra speed, and lived on a far away island. She thinks on the name and it dawns on her. The island of Pansa Shima lies far east of these lands, past a massive and treacherous ocean. Its inhabited by The Anthro Panthers.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2g Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila was a little upset at the barmaid's quick answer. She could sympathize with the workload that she was probably being put under. It would see as though Aila's food would take a while so it wasn't impossible for her to gather information in the time she would be waiting. She eyed the four at the other table. They seemed as thought they were involved in the attack, their conversation supported that fact. Listening in, she waited for a moment that she could interject. Quickly she started talking in-between the contestants in the conversation. "Excuse me, I'm Aila and I've been temporarily hired by the sheriff to collect information on the attack. They're rather short-handed since the attack. It seems as though you were attacked and lost some property from the sounds of the things I overheard. You wouldn't happen to know the time and origin of the attack, would you?" Aila smiled her usual smile hoping the grumpy table goers would answer her simple questions.
One beautiful smile:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
Also, I didn't tamper with my last roll! D:
Why on earth would I tamper it into a one?! D:!!!!
Kirito turns and looks at astrid "yes hi nice to meet you" with a small laugh and a smile and a wave.
After a few intense seconds of eye lock, S'kavara turns and walks away from the staring elf. "I will look into the fallen Anthro, but not while those idiots are everywhere. Let's wait until they are either asleep or out of the city." S'kavara tries to speak as quietly as possible, so that the elf would not hear him.
The silver-haired man turns towards Aila. "No offense, sweetheart", he responds rather offensively. "What good are you gonna do? Bake 'em a pie?!".
"Father!", the formerly tacit son breaks the silence. "We cannot turn down any offers now. We've almost nothing left!". The young man stands to a better view for Aila. He stands a bit over six feet tall with a chiseled chin and full bodied frame with obvious strength, although with an equally obvious love of bacon. "We've no haven except this inn. A stranger is handing us a line and we will take it. You know she'd have said the same". The silver-haired man looks away from his son just as his son looks back at Aila. "Yes, Aila did you say? I can tell you what you need to know". He pauses a moment as the other two men stand up to each offer their chairs for the rogue. "Please take a seat. We've much to discuss". She sits as the two find vacant seats at the bar.
He explains the attack occurred a few hours after midnight. He woke to a scream not far from his father's residence. "I looked outside. The attack didn't start from the gate. It started from within the city itself! I ran to my father's room. He already had his weapon strapped to his side. We ran outside where it was chaos. They had...explosives", he says in distraught. "They must have hid in one of the houses and gathered supplies for some time. Entire homes destroyed within moments....", he voice breaks, but the young man does his best to hide it. "The goblins have been satisfied with their own land for some time, Aila. Why would they attack us?", he questions, possibly to momentarily change the subject.
S'kavara manages to communicate to Aiden without the elf recognizing the words. Zeeto and Daniel easily see the two walking off.
Name: Zeeto Nailo Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 19/19 Dex: +3 Int: +3
Strain Points: 20/24 Wis: +2 Cha: +1
Armour Class: 16 Luk: 9
Zeeto decides to watch the Anthro at a distance, to make sure he isn't up to no good again.
Watch all sneaky-like and such
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2g Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila took the seat with grace, her full attention on the boy talking. Taking mental notes the entire time, the boy finished his story. Thinking over her thoughts, Aila came to the conclusion that the origin of the attack either had a tunnel or the insiders were extremely good at sneaking large quantities of live goblins into the town. The goblins were probably the most recent edition to the storage area, but whoever snuck the explosives in was probably the main insider.
"We have reason to believe that someone has been messing with the goblins. They're simple creatures, so it wouldn't be hard to convince them to attack the town. Whoever has been moving their forces is obviously smart, it takes quite the amount of work to move large quantities goblins. I believe it may be connected to the attack on the guild. It would make sense to attack the defenses before hitting the city. Do you know where the stash of explosives was? I'm sure the place was reduced to rubble, but I'd like to take a look at it. I'll be setting out for the area right after my food... it should be here any second." Aila looked towards the door the Proprietress would be walking out of at any second, and with that movement an audible growl erupted from her stomach. She looked a little ashamed, but she knew it wasn't going to change what had just happened.
Arya waves her hand in front of the priestess's face to see if she's paying attention. Maybe she's just had a long day? The ranger looks around for the waitress and orders the only thing on the menu while she waits for Aastrid to respond.
Shaking off her distant thoughts as she notices Arya's hand, she smiles. "I am truly sorry," she says. Smiling at Kirito, she acknowledges the boy. "Hello, a psion eh? well, I don't mind if you talk in my head, as long as you keep away from my deeper thoughts!" she says with a wink. Turning back to Arya, she says "I come from the fjords of the northern lands, a place cold and rugged. As to how I got here, I'm afraid I don't really recall. The last thing I clearly remember is falling from the tree." A thoughtful expression comes across her face "I had thought it to be the gods of fate playing their usual games with me, but it seems I have arrived at a time of need, perhaps it was Freya sending me where she thought I could be of help."
As he walks away, his mind becomes cluttered with thoughts, of his past, the people in his past, ans what would "She" think once their idiotic group becomes aware of all of it. "If what that guy said is true, about my .... father, then why is he sending his men to attack this town? The smart thing to do would be at least attack the city that I am apart of... or maybe its more of, he doesn't really know I am here? No, that could not be it, if that where true why would he be doing any of this? Why is he doing this? Aside from being here only days after their guild was destroyed, I haven't any connections to this place... There has to be something more, something I am not seeing clearly..." His thoughts suddenly become constricted into one "C....C....G.... It can't be! If that is true,.... No, it can't be. No Anthro would ever fall into a guild, much less the Overseer. Damn it! What the hell is going on!?" "Aiden? Can you tell if anyone is following us? I have an idea."
Stalker check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Arya nods her head. "Indeed it does look like you're much needed here. I suggest we drop by the general store and see what he has and then get to bed in a tent or something. Tomorrow we can consult more with the sheriff." She furrows her brows and thinks aloud, "Aiden too might know about things. He was always with a manther anyways. It doesn't hurt to ask. Well, unless he decides to flame us. Speaking of Aiden, how is he apart from S'Kavara? He's always with that manther... Well, what do you say? General store today and then sheriff and Aiden tomorrow?"
The inn-keeper returns to the table with several servings of "rabbit" stew; one for Aila sitting with her current conversationalists, and the rest at Arya, Kirito, and Astrid's table. A rather delicious looking loaf of bread if offered and place on their table as well. "I overhead you're trying to help us out, maybe find out who did this to our town", she speaks. "This is on me. If you discover the truth, you'll have free food here whenever you'd like". The tired proprietress quickly goes back to work.
The young man answers Aila. "A little further into the residential district was the most damaged. Maybe you should start there. I'll make a quick map for you". He jots down a simple set of directions on a piece of parchment. Aila will easily be able to follow it.
Aiden lifts up his nose to sniff the air, and both ears seem to twitch independently. "Our only shadow is that elf", says the Mewling prophetically. "And that tree sized fighter next to him".
Zeeto and Daniel watch as Aiden and S'kavara confer. He's got a decent eye on them until a group of civilians interrupts his concentration, several of whom have hooded cloaks similar to S'kavara's. Zeeto's head flips back and forth while he attempts to discern the correct figure.
Zeeto, please roll a 1d4. Roll the correct number, and you shall continue to track S'kavara
Aastrid stifles a yawn, brought on by the reminder of what a busy day it has been. "Sleep sounds welcome, although I do feel that first I should investigate the wounded and see if any are in dire need of my ministrations. I would feel quite foolish should anyone I could have saved pass to the next world in the night." She then eyes the food, with some suspicion...suspecting that "rabbit" is just fancy spelling for rat or, if the sheriff is anything to go by, perhaps even goblin... As she tears off a piece of bread she recalls the folk tales of her home, sharing with the group the tale of the manther island.
Arya had been scanning the room for her fellow party members, especially Aiden if he is there too. At the mention of Manther Island, Mayar's ears perk up (since Arya's ears can't move like that). "Manther island? You know of it? I confess I know very little of it. All I know is that S'Kavara is from there. What do you know of the island?" Arya inquires.
Spot Check for Party Members
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Arya sees Aila just across the room speaking with one of the younger townsfolk; a young man with short brown hair in his mid twenties. Astrid and Kirito sit next to her ready to indulge themselves with stew. She recalls Xavier said something about investigating the town to heal anybody in need, and learning anything he can along the way.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2g Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila nods her head accepting the map from the young man. Quickly scarfing her food, she deposited the map into her pocket and stood up facing the people. "Have no worries, we'll get our just revenge. I'm sorry for your loss." With that, she left the inn and headed towards the section of the city that had been mapped out for her. Upon arriving at the location, she looked for the building that seemed to be the most destroyed, explosives tended to do that to buildings.
Spot Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
Aila passes houses with shattered windows and broken doors on the way to her destination. Clearly, these homes were intruded upon by force. A quick glance inside shows furniture thrown about and rooms investigated. Silver platters, glass dishware, and other valuable items are scattered throughout the space. Its very odd that goblins, long known for raiding and stealing valuable items, or at least anything shiny, would go through the trouble of pillaging a town and not reap their rewards.
It doesn't take much longer to reach the waypoint on Aila's makeshift map. The devastation is immense. What should be a house in-between two others is nothing more than a smoldering patch of smoke and charred foundation. Board and beam shrapnel protrude from nearby buildings. These must of have been part of the house in question at one point.
Aila steps onto the ember blazed cobblestone floor and notices a patch of loose rubble. It is circular with a diameter measuring just over four feet. It takes a moment, but the rogue is sure this is where the goblins made their entrance; no doubt their escape as well. They must have collapsed the tunnel behind them to discourage any followers. It will take some time, but the path can be cleared and investigated.
Name: Aila Drakesberth Bonuses: Str: +1 Con: +1
Health Points: 23/26 Dex: +2 Int: +0
Gold: 2g Wis: +0 Cha: +2
Armour Class: 14 Luk: 15
Aila pondered her discovery, and wondered why the Sheriff of the city had failed to notice such a thing. She decided that she'd tell the group about it, and possibly investigate it before telling the Sheriff. Aila took a close look at the hole, wondering if she could possibly open a gap large enough for her petite figure to slip through and examine the other side. It'd be time consuming to find the others scattered around the town and get back here, it would also take more time to clear enough of the rubble for the whole group to fit through. Rubbing her hands together, she attempted to clear a hole. Hopefully the long nap she had taken earlier was enough to give her the strength needed to clear a small hole.
Strength, Ahoy!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 11, total 11[/blockquote]
Forcing herself to swallow a mouthful of stew, Aastrid recounts the story of the island of Manthers to the party. Upon concluding the tale, she eats some more stew, then asks "Do you know where the casualties from the attack are being cared for? I really must ensure the worst off are taken care of. Perhaps we can also get some information from some of them."
"I'm afraid I haven't got a clue where the injured are being tended to. You might want to ask a local around here in the inn," suggests Arya. She then excuses herself and makes her way to the general store owner. Perhaps he has some more knowledge on what happened around here. On the way to the general store, the ranger observes her surroundings in search of anything noteworthy that might help her figure out what exactly was going on with these attacks. She arrives at the store and knocks on the door.
Spot Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]