[PF] Golden Scales RED group IC

[Dread Angel]

The Town of Aurin
Welcome to Aurin, a medium-sized town of very nondescript description. Whatever your story may be, few ask questions here, and those who do, don't really expect an answer.

Outside the Town Hall is a large bulletin board, used mostly for those offering things for sale, looking to find lost property, needing a service done, et cetera. Each of you has noticed a rather small post there, which reads:

If you are brave and strong, cunning and willing to take risks, meet me in the Gilded Goatherd tavern in the evening, at the farthest table in the corner by the fire.

Following this curious request, you arrive at the Gilded Goatherd that evening, trickling in individually.

The Old Man

An old man in a rather fine cloak and clothes awaits you. As you all take your seats, he allows you a moment to take a look at the other adventurers who have likewise answered his summons, before explaining himself without preamble.

"For a long time, I have dedicated myself to recovering a family heirloom that belonged to my grandfather. Finally, I discovered its location - an old ruin a few days' travel from here. Unfortunately, my old bones are not what they once were, and I find myself unable to venture very far at all, so this is where you come in. I offer you a substantial reward if you will retrieve the sword of my grandfather for me."

At this, as if by sleight of hand or magic, he produces a handful of gems. After displaying them cautiously, he passes a ruby to each of you.

"This is but a taste of what I will give you, if you can bring me back the sword. You will know it by its decor - its blade is fine and wrought with golden runes, and its hilt resembles a dragon's body - the grip as the torso, crossguard forms the wings and the pommel its head. Of course you are also welcome to anything you may find in the ruin - I have no interest in plunder, only the sword."

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

A dwarf slowly trundles his way through the bar, taking care, not to accidentally strike anyone in his path with the small armoury he has lodged in his belt. His breastplate has a military sparkle, and seems to be engraved with runes and, embossed over the heart, a Hammer of Torag. His meticulously combed and braided beard extends only a few inches, but is still impressive when compared to those of the taller folk that make up the throng.

After wading through the patrons, he takes a seat at the table indicated by the advertisement that had caught his eye when he had entered the town - the only thing worth noticing, to his mind. He lays his travelling pack underneath his slightly dangling feet, and introduces himself before listening to what the elderly gentleman has to say.

"I am Guillerme, of the Hazthdar Gmir Defence Force. Your poster was seen by me, and I am pleased to meet you."

Fingering his ruby, once they had been distributed, Guillerme quizzically raises an eyebrow. In flawless Common, without a trace of a Dwarvish accent, he says,

"If this sword is so important an heirloom, how was it lost? How was the new resting place discovered by you?"

[Todash]

Sitting nonchalantly in the corner nearest the table, Fredrick looks suprised when the old man tosses a ruby to him. Getting over the shock of being spotted, he quickly appraises the ruby, and makes it disappear. Keeping silent for now, he listens to what the others have to say. But when the old man's eyes meet his, he gives a slight nod, interested in what he might find in these ruins.


Appraise the ruby:
[roll0]
Slight of hand to make it vanish:
[roll1]

[TherianTheorist]

Leofire

A man in a robe enters into the bar and slowly walks through the crowd trying not to bump into the patrons on his way to the table, once he is seated he introduces himself.

"I am Leofire Milner, the golden sorcerer, I have seen your post and wish to hear more of this quest you offer."

After being handed his ruby he stares through it like a lens before pocketing it and says,

"if I may ask who was your grandfather to have such a grand blade in his possession?"

[Dread Angel]

The old man's eyes met Leofire's, and he smiled, brilliant white in the firelight. "My grandfather was the champion of an order of dragon warriors, and comported himself with such valor that his patron gave him the sword as a reward." Fluidly, his gaze shifted and met Guillerme's. "The order came under attack, and in the battle, the sword was lost. I have dedicated an extreme amount of effort to tracing any sighting of this sword at all, and I traced it there only recently. I urge you all to move as quickly as possible."

Fredrick's quick glance at the ruby revealed little about the gem's value, but his fingers barely flickered and it vanished onto his person, secreted away for closer scrutiny at a later point.

[Todash]

Sliding away from the wall, Fred slides a chair out and sits down. Keeping his back to the wall, his eyes flick to each person at the table, and the exits of the inn. You mentioned anything else we might find was ours. What might be in these ruins? And what might be angry at losing such a nice sword?

OoC:Knowledge[history] roll about the ruins [roll0]

[Dread Angel]

"The ruins have a ... reputation of sorts, which may well draw raiders. You may expect to find others searching for treasure within - as for what lies within, well. The latest rumor has it that a dragon has begun using an inner sanctum within the ruins to store a portion of its horde, but itself is absent. That is a lure that many would find irresistable. Other than that, you can expect the various things you would expect to find in a long-abandoned underground area." The old man smiled again, his teeth glittering white once more. "Of course, if a dragon did leave part of its horde there, you can bet that it's not unprotected. And it's an equally good bet that the dragon's horde is where you'll find the sword. It's just the sort of thing a dragon would covet."

After a moment of reflection, Fredrick recalled a few stories about the ruin. It was the local equivalent of a haunted house - teenage boys would dare each other to get near, or go through the door. Some exceptionally brave souls would see how long they could stand to be in the ruins themselves before leaving. It was the place that mothers warned their children to avoid.

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

"How terrible for your family. This cause seems good to me - I will gladly find the sword for you. Anything for a fallen soldier."

He turns his head back to the bar, saying "Is the quality of the ale known by any of you? A drink would seal this deal well."

[Dread Angel]

Yet another glittering smile, and he raised his hand. Despite that the tavern had grown somewhat crowded, one of the harried-looking serving girls immediately came over. "I happen to know that there is a fine, aged bottle of Tamrien goldwine secured in the back office. Bring it to us, along with five glasses. Proper ones, mind you. This should cover it." He produced another pair of rubies, and handed them to the dumbfounded waitress, who hurried off.

Just a few moments later, she returned at speed with a platter. Distributing the glasses - fine crystal - she opened the wine and carefully poured a measure into each glass. The wine was a deep burgundy, laced through with golden-hued strands.

The old man raised his glass. "To a successful quest, my friends."

[Todash]

I think we can do business. To a succesful quest. Frederick sips the wine appreciatively. Well, looks like we might be working together on this venture, perhaps introductions are in order. Taking another sip, he clears his throat. Frederick is my name. I have a fairly large variety of skills that may come in handy. While taking another sip, his other hand flickers, and short sword appears as if by magic, before vanishing again.

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

"A successful quest!"

After taking one sip, the dwarf smiles appreciatively. "You know how to entertain your employees, Mister... What was it you said your name was?"

Responding to Frederick's introduction, he says,

"And I am " - a strange collection of syllables, that sound a bit like Guillerme Galagos, issue from his tongue - ", but my Common name is Guillerme. My only skill is my devotion to Torag."

[Dread Angel]

"Gorgol is my name, friend dwarf. And it is the least I can do for the ones who will finally put an end to my quest to recover my grandfather's blade." Gorgol sipped his wine delicately and sighed in appreciation. A small smile flickered over his lips, and then he proceeded to replicate Guillerme's full name perfectly.

"Your devotion is not to be underestimated, I imagine."

[Sophistemon]

Brother Guillory
-Status: Healthy

The quiet conversation is interrupted when the doors of the Gilded Goatherd burst open with a bang. The man who enters is tall and well-built, with a warrior's musculature. His scale mail armor is freshly polished and over it he wears a short-sleeved robe of sky blue trimmed in golden yellow, indicating some religious or monastic authority. His head is shaved bald, although he compensates with a groomed goatee, and a large, beautifully crafted morningstar hangs from his belt. He would strike an inspirational figure, if not an imposing one, were he not hunched over and gasping for breath. "I ran ... all the way ... from the Gilded Goblet!" he manages to wheeze. "Other side ... of town." After regaining a modicum of composure, he pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and wipes the sweat from his neck, face, and pate. He replaces the cloth and looks around the room. When he spots the group, he smiles widely and strides towards them. "Oh, good! You're still here. What did I miss?"

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

Guillerme starts back, shocked at Gorgol's fluency. Then, in Dwarvish, he says,"Have you spent time in dwarven lands, Mr Gogol? It would be an honour to work for you."

At the entrance of the tall, bald man, a smile comes to the dwarf's lips, though it is hidden by the combed and braided beard. "You just missed a toast to a successful mission, but I think we could stand to have another one after we fill you in. Mr Gogol here can explain it far better than I could."

With that, the dwarf drains his glass, and reaches for the bottle of goldwine. "I hope you don't mind, but we may all need to charge our glasses, Mr Gogol."

[Dread Angel]

Gorgol refilled everyone's glasses, and had another brought for Guillory. "In a nutshell, as they say, I will be paying you and the others very well to recover my grandfather's blade from a ruin near here." Once more he produced a ruby and held it out in his palm, offered to Guillory. "This is but a taste of the reward."

[Sophistemon]

Brother Guillory
-Status: Healthy

He accepts the gem and eyes the wine, as red as the ruby and flecked with threads of gold. He has never seen anything like it before in his life. As a servant of the Accidental God, most holy rites involve the drinking of beer, mead, or ale, and of those three beverages Jonathan counts himself something of a connoisseur. But wine, a much more traditionally noble beverage, is quite outside his purview. He takes a slow and thoughtful drink, finds that it soothes his aching throat, raw from his frantic run across town, and finds that he likes it. He sets the glass down, more than half empty, and nods to Gorgol. "Thank you," he says. "For the ruby and the wine. I appreciate both." He pockets the jewel and grins. "I'm sorry I was late; I actually arrived early to the Gilded Goblet, but when it didn't look like anyone else was coming I re-read your poster and ran all the way here." He shakes his head, lamenting the mistake. "I'm sure I've missed all of the introductions. My name's Jon - er, Jonathan Guillory. I'm a Brother in the Church of Cayden Cailean. You can call me Brother Guillory, or Jonathan, or Jon, or whatever. Outside of the Church I don't pay much mind to titles or hierarchy." He smiles broadly at the group of adventurers.

[Todash]

Bemused, Fredrick smirks at the out of breath man. Glad you made it, this group was looking a tad small for my liking. Smiling ruefully at the thought of teaming up with a guardsman, a sorcerer, and a member of the church, he takes a long sip of the wine.

Well, it seems we have an interesting group, and our noble employer has given us the information we require. Shall we head out while there is still daylight? Not that your company (and your wine) isn't pleasant Sir Gorgol, but I do rather like getting paid, and I'd imagine you are quite ready for your long search to be ended.

[TherianTheorist]

Unfazed by this turn of events leofire turns and says,
"We really should take full advantage of any sunlight we get before we end up in the dark ruins."
as he drinks his second glass of wine he seems lost in tought for a moment placeing is glass down he says,
"so are we off?"

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

"I agree - Torag has brought us together swiftly, so swiftly we should complete our task. Brother Jonathan Guillory, I am sorry I did not introduce myself. I am Guillerme. We can get better acquainted on the road, I am sure. My thanks to you, Mister Gorgol, and, Torag willing, we shall be back soon with your grandfather's sword. Thagkh anjerc hru."

With that final toast, he drains his goldwine once more (still impressed at the quality of the human beverage), and if no-one stops him he picks up his considerable rucksack, slinging it over his back as he stands.

"Uuh... Any of you know the way?"

Thagkh anjerc hru: To your ancestors (Dwarf)

[Dread Angel]

In the interest of moving things along, I shall ... move things along! :)

Gorgol bids you farewell, and very soon you are on your way. The first day's travel is highly uneventful, and gives you a chance to get to know each other better. The Council's Road is well-kept, and you pass two separate patrols just on the first day. Banditry is rare, and most monsters have learned to keep away from the roads. The night passes equally peacefully.

The next day, around noon, you find yourselves approaching a wagon. As you near, it becomes clear that the wagon's rear axle has broken. A man in traveler's clothes stands behind the wagon, rifling through its contents desperately. Four armed man lounge about, looking miffed. As you approach, they become slightly more alert, but only slightly. The man behind the wagon looks up, and when he sees you he waves.

"Excuse me, kind travelers! My wagon's axle has snapped, and I've not a replacement with me," he calls. "Would you be so kind as to assist me? My goods must not be delivered late!"

[Todash]

Keeping an eye on the surrounding forests, Fred shouts back to the merchant. Greetings friend merchant. I am sorry to see you in such a predicament. I would help if I could, but, while I am many things, a wagonwright is not one of them. Also, I seem to have forgotten my spare axle at home.

Perception check on the surrounding area;
[roll0]

[Sophistemon]

Brother Guillory
-Status: Healthy

As they travel, the Inquisitor is gifted with the opportunity to learn a bit more about his new compatriots and their mission for the most mysterious Mister Gorgol. Thus enlightened, the trek passes easily and is almost graciously uneventful. Should it continue similarly throughout, it will be some of the easiest money that Jonathan has ever made on his pilgrimage. On the second day of their journey the group comes across a crippled wagon attended by a merchant and his guards. Or, at least, by what appear to be a merchant and his guards. Inquisitors, regardless of the Church they serve, are defined by their inquisitive nature, the desire to seek out and find the Just, for protection, and the Unjust, for punishment, according to their respective Creed. Before he can commit himself to aiding the merchant, Brother Guillory must first determine that man's worthiness of such an action. To that end, Jonathan allows Fredrick to engage the merchant in conversation while he himself calls upon a divine power granted to him by Cayden Cailean, one that will reveal to him the nature of the merchant and his attendants.

Actions:
Standard: Brother Guillory will use his detect evil (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/d/detect-evil) ability, which functions as the spell. As with the spell, it will also register evil intent in addition or even in opposition to alignment. If the merchant is evil, or planning an evil act, the ability should let Jonathan know.

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

So far, the journey had been easy - enjoyable, even. It had reminded Guillerme of the first leg of his mission, before... but he should not dwell on that. Instead, he focuses his attention on the plight of the merchant. Of course, Torag knows that even in compassion should lie the seed of self-preservation, so Guillerme listens to the merchant with suspicious ears. After all, it wasn't the first time he'd been waylaid on the road.

"That's a great misfortune. What, if you don't mind my asking, is your cargo, that it cannot be late? I'd be glad to cut you a branch from one of these trees to use, but I'm afraid my skills do not extend to carpentry." Turning to his recently acquired allies, Guillerme says, "Have any of you got an idea of how to carve out an axel? My god has not seen fit to grant me that power today," smiling slightly in a way that is almost lost in his facial hair.

Rolling a Sense Motive against the merchant, just in case Sophistemon misses anything.

[roll0]

[TherianTheorist]

Leofire seemed almost bored on the journey, occasionally mumbling something to himself in protean, but now he pays his full attention to the merchant.
"I'm sorry but carpentry is beyond my powers as well, prehaps your friends could carry the load for you, if we were to escort you to town."
he gestures to the party.
"so what do you think?"

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

Turning to the human, Guillerme raises a bushy eyebrow.

"We could, though we are more than a day out of town and I doubt Mr Gorgol would appreciate it if we abandoned his grandfather's sword. We made an agreement, Mr Leofire, and I intend to stick by it. It's not right to abandon these blameless travellers, either, but they are armed and so far we have seen no dangers. Anyway, there should be a patrol any time now, and they'll be able to bring news of your plight to the town."

[TherianTheorist]

Leofire calms down and says.
"Sorry I got carried away and forgot how far we had traveled, but it seems theres nothing we can do."
he then returns to muttering in protean.

[Dread Angel]

Detect Evil registers no opposing alignment from the merchant or the guards, and Sense Motive gives no indication that he is anything but genuinely concerned.

"I somehow doubt that my guards would enjoy carrying these crates. They are filled with all sorts of spell components and alchemical components, and some of the guards seem to think they might explode at any moment. Ah, I appreciate the offer of assistance, my friends, and I understand that you have a prior commitment. The roads are safe enough, it's true, it's not that I'm worried about. Ah well, there's no help for it I suppose. Thank you anyway, good travelers." The merchant resigned himself to sitting at the back of the wagon.

[Todash]

Fred bows slightly at the waist to the merchant. Sir, where are you bound? Although, I must say, the thought of carrying your *ahem* "delicate" cargo does not delight. Is there any other way in which we may assist you?

OoC:How many days to the ruins? Perhaps 1.5 days back to town isn't a big deal. Also, maybe he's going our way.

[Sophistemon]

Brother Guillory
-AC: 16
-HP: 20

Jonathan's connection with Cayden Cailean, the Accidental God, allows him the briefest of glances into the souls of the merchant and his attendants. This nearly instantaneous survey reveals them to be, if not truly noble men, not truly ignoble, either, and therefore worthy of assistance. Brother Guillory raises an arm to silence the discussion. "Nonsense," he says, and his voice is that of authority, quite unlike the breathless gasping he exhibited in the tavern. "The sword has waited decades; it can wait a little longer. These men need our help now, and I see no reason to deny them. What is your name, merchant?"

[Dread Angel]

RED Group:
"My name is Jayms Tern, my friend. And thank you for your willingness." The merchant perked up again at Brother Guillory's words.

As he finishes, you notice a pair of travelers also approaching from the direction of Aurin. Once they draw near enough to make out detail, one is a fair-skinned elf wearing human-style clothing, and with a decidedly un-elf-like quality to his movements. Walking beside him is a man who by his attire can only be a monk.

BLUE group:
After finishing your conversation with Gorgol, you head out. The road is easy, kept clear of marauding monsters and malicious men with sticks and cash-flow problems by regular patrols. The midway through your second day, you find yourselves approaching a broken-down merchant's cart, surrounded by a handful of bored-looking guards and a merchant who is in conversation with an odd-looking group of travelers. You recall having seen the travelers around Aurin, though not in each others' company.

[pyrocide]

"Do those travelers look familiar to you?" Tim asked to Ramiel as they walked in the direction of the broken wagon. In one hand he held the rope connected to his pack donkey, and in the other he held what remained of the once full bottle of Tamrien Goldwine. Obviously by this time the bottle had been drained, but twice since the bottle went empty, Tim refilled the bottle with water.

"No sense in letting Gorgol's money go to waste," Tim would say as he refilled the expensive bottle with water.

"I think they were in Aurin. That would only make sense, since we're all moving the same way. I'd say we should go help the merchant that they're talking to, but they seem to have a good number of people helping already." Tim paused, then after thinking about it a short moment, "But I guess we're not on a real time crunch either. What do you think Ramiel? Should we go bug the merchants even more and make sure they don't need our help?"

[Road_Runner]

Pausing his stride, Ramiel furrows his brow and scans the group pensively with his gray eyes. "Yes, it appears a merchant has had a mishap occur to his cart. . They seem harmless enough. Why don't we approach them and gauge the situation, and then decide whether to help or not?"
Assuming Tim agrees to the this course, Ramiel approaches the group only slightly wary of the assorted members. Some fighter humans, a clergyman, a spellcaster, and a dwarf. Interesting.

[pyrocide]

"Sounds good to me." Tim said nonchalantly as he veered towards the wreck, giving a few tugs on his donkey's leash to pull him along.

"They look friendly enough. Just letting you know, I will trip you and run if they happen to be hostile. I would let them have the donkey, but he's got too much of my alchemy equipment on him, and that would take a good two, maybe three days to get all of it replaced." Tim jokingly said with a grin to Ramiel as they approached the scene. Once they were within talking distance, Tim moved the bottle into his hand with the rope, and held up is now free hand in greeting.

"Good day to you! Hit a bump too hard, did you?" Tim spoke out to the group standing closest to the wagon. Then, turning to the group that he was sure he saw in Aurin, "And good day to you all as well. Can my companion or I be of any assistance?"

[Todash]

Seeing the approaching men, Fred double checks the positions of his weapons, before talking to them.

Well, we were just in the middle of deciding how best to assist this worthy merchant. But our goal is a bit further along. You look familiar, where might you be bound my friends? I'm certain your help will be quite welcome.

[TherianTheorist]

When leofire first sees the travelers, he immediately to snap out of his near perpetual boredom and stares at the them, as if trying to appraise their worth, after a minute he says.
"Greetings travelers, I am leofire milner the golden, and who might you be, and where are you going?"
leofire keeps his gaze fixed of them and waits for an answer.

[Road_Runner]

Ramiel apprehends the shadowy figure, and wonders how many weapons he has concealed under his cloak before turning to the sorceror. "Hello, my name is Ramiel. We're traveling to some old ruins not far from here." He glances sideways at Tim, not sure how much information he wants to disclose.

[pyrocide]

"I am known as Tim, the traveling alchemist. I make alchemical items by trade," Tim said while turning towards the donkey he was pulling along, "And this is Windy-Drawers. He's a good kid, a bit stubborn at times though." Tim petted the donkey a few times, then returned the bottle back to his free hand and took a sip from it.

"However, despite my normal profession I occasionally take up different odd jobs to help out people in need. Right now, me and my friend are both contracted to go explore some ruins a good day or two out from here." Tim came close to the wagon and inspected it a bit before realizing there was absolutely nothing he could do about the state of the wagon's condition. He looked up at the merchant and shook his head.

"Yeah, you're gonna need a replacement, or a good wagonwright. Sadly I am neither of these. From the looks of the rest of our group gathered, I'd venture to say none of us are. Is there some other way we could assist you? I don't mean to speak for everyone, but Ramiel and myself are not on a very time sensitive mission, so its not an inconvenience." Tim takes another swig from his goldwine bottle as he looks around to see if the rest of the group agrees.

[Todash]

Spotting the fancy bottle in Tim's hand, Fredrick smiles. I see from your drinkware that you have met our patron. I believe we may have the same destination friend Tim, and if you are of a mind, why don't you join us?

Looking back at the silent merchant, Fredrick sighs.

It appears that the only way we may help is by carrying heavy things. I do so loath manual labor. Perhaps if we jury rig the remains of the wagon we can make some sort of barrow or sled?

Untrained craft check to Maguyver? [roll0]

Edit: Nat 20. I think I just made a Rocket Wagon. Awwww yeeaaaahhh.

[Dread Angel]

Buggery! I posted this two days ago...or I thought I did, but my internet's been glitchy as hell lately. Must not have taken. Sorry folks!

The merchant perked up at the idea of a sled. "That could work! But it would be a great strain on the horses, since it would drag on the ground. Unless there was a way to make them slippery, perhaps... hmm." Rummaging around the wagon, he came up with a few planks. "I have these. They might do." Crouching down, he grunted and heaved, and shifted the snapped axle. "I'm...not quite sure how we could do this though."

[Todash]

Fredrick uses his lovely craft roll of 20 to whip up an animatronic robot to carry the boxes back, using only planks, a paper clip, and some chewing gum. :smallwink:

But seriously, he whips up a very lovely travois, I'm pretty sure we all help him on his way to town.

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

Doing his best to keep out of Fredrick's way while he jury rigs up the travois, Guillerme approaches the two newcomers.

"Afternoon, gentlemen. I'm Guillerme - it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I take it that Mr Gorgol sent you, also? I don't suppose he said anything to you that he forgot to mention to us, did he?"

A thought suddenly strikes Guillerme, and he calls over his shoulder to Fredrick, "Don't throw out the axel - with luck, Torag will bless me tomorrow with the skill to mend it."

OOC-wise, that's stating intent to prepare mend tomorrow, which should make it easier on the horse.

[Dread Angel]

"I've seen enough in my travels not to discount the gods' blessings. Let us pass the night here together then, friends." The merchant's guards set about building a campfire in preparation for the evening, meanwhile the merchant himself dug through a trunk and came out with an armful. "Trail rations, I'm afraid, but they will do us." He began distributing the food.

[Sophistemon]

Brother Guillory
-AC: 16
-HP: 20

Jonathan greets the newcomers warmly, especially Tim the Alchemist. As a child, the Brother had been most enamored with the fireworks his parents would set off during the annual Harvest Festival, which had been created by Alchemists for that purpose. The newly-enlarged group sets about brainstorming methods of moving the Merchant's cart - Brother Guillory himself suggests that the lot of them simply hoist the cart onto their collective shoulders like a palanquin and transport it that way - before Guillerme suggests calling upon his god, Torag, for aid. "A brilliant idea," he exclaims. "Would that I had thought of it myself, so as to appear cleverer than I really am." As they eat the Merchant's offered rations, Jonathan turns his attentions back to his fellow holy man. "Is that 'Guillerme', with two 'Ls'?" he asks. "Imagine, two men of a theological bent, brought together by coincidental circumstances, who both have a name beginning with 'G'-'U'-'I'-'L'-'L'." He laughs and takes a drink. "What providence! I believe the gods have blessed our partnership."

[pyrocide]

Tim greets the rest of the group warmly, but a bit quickly as he has to go through the entire group. He gratefully takes the ration from the merchant, as it means one more trail ration saved for later on. Depending on the amount of time it takes to help the merchant out, Tim figures there is a decent chance he'll need to restock his ration supplies regardless. As a bit of a kindness, Tim pulls the saddle pack from Windy-Drawers and ties the donkey to a tree nearby surrounded by a large thicket of grass. Coming back to the saddle pack now on the ground just a ways far enough from the fire to be mildly safe, but still plenty bright enough to see everything with the campfire light, Tim began to open up his chest of alchemical items and tools.

"I was going to suggest an alchemical salve that works like soap but doesn't rub off easily, but I have a feeling that the ingenuity and devotion our group has will be more than enough to get the wagon moving come morning. So, since we have some down time, does anyone have any requests? I could make something simple tonight, maybe a sunrod or a tindertwig. I've got some spare catalyst vials if anyone would like to watch a firework or two." Tim's fingers move quickly, if not erratically, through his alchemical chest, grabbing random odds and ends, setting up the various equipment pieces and ingredients.

"Ah yes, mister Gorgol. Very nice fella, although a bit on the shady side. Talked about a sword in a cave a day or so away from here. Said it was rumored to be guarded by a dragon. He seemed to not think it was a problem, but I've been trying to work on a formulae in my head since we left to protect from fire. If it's a fire-breathing dragon. Could breathe ice.... Or poison..." Tim trailed off, lost in his own thoughts for a moment, before snapping back into his train of thought, "There's always poison." Tim srcibbles something down on a sheet of paper by his alchemy set. Realizing he was at some point talking to the rest of the group, he finally looks up from his work.

"At any rate I haven't a clue how to protect from fire as of yet," Tim said, smiling.

[Road_Runner]

"Well, my preferred method is dodging, but I suppose some kind alchemical protection would be welcome," says Ramiel in response to Tim. Ramiel returned all the warm greetings from the rest of the group, and hungrily eats the ration supplies.

After listening to Tim recount their conversation with Gorgol and discuss dragon possibilities, he adds in, "He did mention something about other raiders potentially being there, if I remember correctly. We should be prepared to handle them if they turn hostile. I believe with our combined forces, we will have to no problem," Ramiel says, looking around to the rest of the group.

[Todash]

After wiping the wood shavings from his hands, Fredrick happily take his share of the rations. Well, that was a bit of work, but the horses should have no trouble dragging it into town. So, you lot met Gorgol as well? He seemed an odd sort, but did have excellent taste in wine. And jewels of course. I am looking forward to this mission, although I doubt it is simply about his "Grandfather's sword". He mentioned the Dragon shouldn't be there, but I wouldn't mind a bit of it's hoard.

[Dread Angel]

As the day turned to evening, even the uptight guards loosened up once the drink flowed. It was a clear night, the stars shining brightly and the twin moons casting a gorgeous shimmering blanket over the trees.

The merchant leans back against his wagon and sighs, a flagon of ale in his hand. "I would guess you to have traveled and heard much. Have you heard the rumors that there is a new Lord of Dark Haven? The place has been without a lord for ten years, and the Council - so I heard it told - chose an ex-smuggler as the new Lord!"

Everyone knows of Dark Haven. It is the seat of the Blood Council, the council of the heads of the most powerful of vayash moru - vampire - families. The vampires govern themselves, and are bound by the Truce not to attack innocents. Lawbreakers are free game to them, however, and some of the small villages nearest Dark Haven leave their worst out for the vampires. The history of the vampires is dark - they ruled over mortals once, but mortals breed far faster than the vampires can create new fledges, and eventually the mortals turned on the undead, and the burnings began. Now, under the Truce, the vampires can live alongside mortals in peace.

Dark Haven itself is a village like many others, if one ignores the large population of vampires. The High Council is the governing body of Tamren, and it is within their power to appoint a Lord of Dark Haven, since it is actually a mortal town.

One of the guards snorted. "A mortal Lord of Dark Haven? Good luck to 'im, he'll be dead and drained within a year. The Blood Council will never let a mortal rule over them!"

Another guard raised his eyebrows. "How do you know anything about the Blood Council? No one even knows who's on it!"

The first guard grinned. "My grandfather was brought across a long time ago. He tells me things, sometimes."

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme


"Is that 'Guillerme', with two 'Ls'? Imagine, two men of a theological bent, brought together by coincidental circumstances, who both have a name beginning with 'G'-'U'-'I'-'L'-'L'. What providence! I believe the gods have blessed our partnership."

The dwarf starts as he accepts the rations from the grateful merchant. "Yes, you're right. Forgive my surprise, but not many of your kind take an interest in words, I've found. It is almost too strange to be true, though, isn't it? Which god do you worship?"

Taking a moment to pray over his rations and give thanks to Torag, Guillerme enjoys the rest of the meal in the company of his tallers (though not necessarily his betters). As the wine flows, he is once again stunned at how quickly it effects his human compatriots - even a child back home could hold their liquor better!

At the sound of the little man, the one with the donkey, perhaps Tim, gabbling on about protection or some such thing, Guillerme laughs quietly to himself, and then aloud when the other man (Samuel?) replied. "Unfortunately, not all of us are light enough on our feet to get out of the way of dragon fire - your help would be much appreciated. I'm glad to have such men as you all at my back, going down there."

When the talk turns to Dark Haven, the dwarf's brow creases. Too long had his people fought to keep the darkness at bay in the great citadel for him to easily accept the idea of creatures of the night walking free upon the land. Nevertheless, he holds his tongue - after all, tolerance is a virtue, and perhaps it is Torag's will that he be tested so by his travels.

[Todash]

The first guard grinned. "My grandfather was brought across a long time ago. He tells me things, sometimes."

At the guard's statement, Fredrick crooks an eyebrow. Brought across? You mean your Grandfather is a vampire? Interesting. I don't have a problem with them myself, they always honor their deals. But to elect a human over themselves? Why would they do such a thing?

[TherianTheorist]

While eating his rations, leofire picks up a fallen branch and begins scribbling strange notes in the dirt, upon hearing tim's idea on protection from fire leofire says in his his usual tone.
"A way to protect us from dragonfire would be a great thing, we cant just dodge or hope it doesn't hit us."
leofire stops for a moment to think, then returns to his notes, but upon hearing the guard leofire stops and says in an inquisitive tone .
"Fredrick does has a point, vampires are proud, why would they allow a human as their lord?"

[pyrocide]

Tim listens intently to the conversation while readying a catalyst vial, and preparing his alchemical items for the next day.

"I've never been one to get too involved mentally about the state of the Blood Council," remarked Tim, "Mainly due to the fact I can't see myself trusting anything that sees me primarily as a food source." Tim chuckled a bit as his own joke.

"I like to know those kinds of creatures well enough to know how to protect myself against them. Such as in the case with vampires, I know they can't stand fire..." and with that, Tim slipped a reactant into a catalyst vial he was holding, and tossed the vial high into the air. At the apex of the vial's flight, the vial exploded into a ball of fire, illuminating the campsite from above, if only for a moment.

"I've heard garlic works too." Tim said while trying to stifle a laugh.

[Sophistemon]

Brother Guillory
-AC: 16
-HP: 20

"That's an interesting story," states Jonathan, to Guillarme. "My family once ran a rather successful olive farm, but several seasons of bad luck resulted in near bankruptcy. My parents had three children, two of which they were unable to care for. My sister they sent to live with an elderly schoolmarm, so that she might become educated and, in time, take up the path of pedagogy. I was sent to an orphanage overseen by the Church of Cayden Cailean, the Accidental God and my divine patron. After some ... incidents I was placed under the direct observation of Brother Losk - a Dwarf, like yourself - who took to raising me. Losk became like a second father to me, and taught me to follow the example set forth by the Lucky Drunk: to do good for goodly folk, and to punish the wicked that prey on them. Through Losk I learned not only academia, but discipline, martial skill, a love of good drink and ... a humble understanding of the Dwarven tongue." He pauses a moment so as to sooth his throat with a drink. "When I came of age and completed my studies, I asked Losk if I might join the Church. He sponsored me, and I shortly thereafter became a Brother myself. But spending so much of one's life in one place becomes eventually tiresome, and I developed the urge to wander. It was Losk, again, who came to my aid. He suggested that I become an Inquisitor, which in the Church of Cayden Cailean means 'one who looks for trouble and puts it to right' so that I might travel the world and do good in the name of our god. It was done, and I donned the vestments you see me in now. I have been traveling ever since. I write Losk often, to keep him appraised of my whereabouts and goings on." He listens in for a moment on the other discussion, noting 'vampires' and some talk of avoiding dragonfire. "Better the dragon not be allowed to breathe flame at all," he says. "One should attack the dragon from a distance, initially, striking the throat with a barbed projectile with a broad head - the intent is to make as large a hole as possible, so that the dragon wounds itself more than its attacker when it uses its breath-weapon. As for vampires, they are adverse to holy signs, and you have two holy men among you. The undead would be wise to keep their distance from us." He takes a bite of bread and washes it down with another drink.

[Dread Angel]

The night passes with the merchant's guards standing watch, letting you all get a full night's rest. Dawn breaks, and once again the merchant supplies a meal. However, as he is distributing the food, his brows furrow. "Where is Donelan?" he inquires of one of the guards.

"I don't know..."
Another guard pipes up, "He woke me for my turn at watch, and went to sleep. Maybe he's just gone to relieve himself."

After an hour passes, however, it becomes apparent that this is not the case. Donelan has vanished, and nobody saw him leave.

[Dread Angel]

The night passes with the merchant's guards standing watch, letting you all get a full night's rest. Dawn breaks, and once again the merchant supplies a meal. However, as he is distributing the food, his brows furrow. "Where is Donelan?" he inquires of one of the guards.

"I don't know..."
Another guard pipes up, "He woke me for my turn at watch, and went to sleep. Maybe he's just gone to relieve himself."

After an hour passes, however, it becomes apparent that this is not the case. Donelan has vanished, and nobody saw him leave.

[Todash]

Frowning at the missing guardsmen, Fredrick walks the perimeter of the camp, looking for any trace of him.


Perception check: [roll0]
Survival check: [roll1]

[TherianTheorist]

Upon hearing of the disappearance of the guard, Leofire checks his backpack, moving his mirror to his belt as a protective charm before joining the search for the missing guardsman.

Perception check/ [roll0]
Survival check/ [roll1]
Edit/ nevermind just go with todash's rolls

[pyrocide]

"Mind if I help?" Tim asks as he walks up to Fredrick, to help in his search.


Both of these are aid another actions, so just add +2 to Todash's totals if I make the aid another roll.
Search: [roll0]
Survival: [roll1]

[Dread Angel]

After a very thorough search, Fredrick and Tim come up with the following clues:

- Donelan's bedroll does indeed appear slept in.
- There are branches and bushes off to one side of the road that appear broken, as though someone had stumbled through them. Upon closer inspection, this rather obvious trail continues off into the woods a decent distance.

[Road_Runner]

Ramiel furrows his brow after hearing these discoveries. "Gone in the middle of the night, leaving a trail of broken branches? This is troublesome news. It seems to me there are two possibilities. One, something caused Donelan to get up in the middle of the night and leave camp. Perhaps he went to go investigate something, but then was attacked and possibly incapacitated. However, this seems unlikely. According to the other guards he had already finished his watch at this time, and why leave without telling the other guards? Two, a much more ominous possibility is that something captured him and dragged him out into the night. Although this also seems improbable, it would be very difficult to sneak past the other guards, and what could possibly be a motive for such actions?"

Ramiel turns to the merchant. "How well do you happen to know this guard? Would he have any reason for deserting?"

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

The disappearance of the guard disturbed Guillerme as much as his companions. He took a moment while they searched for traces of this Donelan to beg Torag, the Smith of Smiths, for aid. Help us, my god, and guide us to the missing guard. Let me aid these humans, and be worthy of you once more

Once his prayers were finished, and he had received the blessings of his god, Guillerme approached the merchant.

"I hope it does not seem callous of me, but I think it would be for the best if I mended your cart now - if we find your guard injured, he'd probably appreciate a lift into town." The dwarf's eyes crinkled slightly, the only sign of the wan smile underneath his beard.

That said, he bent his stocky frame to where the shattered axle still lay underneath the cart, laid his hand on it, and began chanting under his breath in the ancient tongue of the dwarves.

Sorry about cancelling your epic craft roll, Todash - I had initially meant to do it the day afterwards, after a half-days walk with your travois. Oh, well.

Spell prepared: General Combat (Guillerme is feeling jumpy), but swapping out Stabilise for Mending.

Orisons: Guidance, Mending, Resistance

1st Level: Bless, Entropic Shield,
Domain: Magic Stone

I begin casting Mending (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/m/mending) on the axle, which takes 10 minutes and heals 1d4 hit points. As it's broken, it won't be fixed until I heal it back to at least half health, which may take multiple castings.

[roll0]

[Todash]

After watching the Dwarf begin repairing the cart, Fredrick turns to the others. I believe I shall attempt to scout out the path our missing friend took. It appears he wasn't exactly sneaking, so I should be able to follow it easily. I will use all due stealth, and return once I find something.

Checking that his weapons are in their proper positions, he makes his way to the forest, before slipping into the shadows of the trees, quickly vanishing from view.

No worries llama, I will always fondly remember my robot made from planks. :smallcool:

Following parallel to the trail, sneaking off through the forest.
Survival (if required, seems like an obvious track)
[roll0]
Stealth
[roll1]

[pyrocide]

Just for record's sake, the extracts I prepare today are: Expeditious Retreat, Shield, and one extract slot left open. It takes one minute to prepare an extract so that free slot will be for non-combat use.

Also my prepared mutagen is Dex based. The mutagen stays ready until I drink it, instead of the extracts that go inert after 24 hours.


"Whoa hey hold on!" Tim rushes to catch up with Fredrick before he leaves the group. Rummaging through his various pockets and pouches, Tim finally retrieves a small smooth pebble with a small lightning bolt engraved on one side.

"Here, take this," Tim says as he hands the stone over to Fredrick, "If you get into trouble just throw this on the ground. It'll be loud enough for us to hear, and we'll come running. If you happen to throw it close enough, it may even deafen whoever is giving you trouble." Tim smiled with a smile unique to someone who is smiling because they want to help and at the same time smiling because of his creations deliberately doing damage to whatever they are hurled at.

[Road_Runner]

After watching Fredrick vanish into the underbrush, Ramiel nonchalantly approaches Tim. "I was wondering if you could help me with this." He pulls out a small vial filled with a small amount of a deep violet liquid. "Though I traditionally fight in unarmed combat, I was thinking about experimenting with poison." He pulls out a small dagger. "However, I am unexperienced in using it, and afraid I might accidentally poison myself by accident. I can tell you are quite the expert at handling volatile liquids." He looks at Tim apprehensively. "Would you mind?" he said, offering the vial and dagger.


Yes, poison use is an awesome class feature :smalltongue:

[Dread Angel]

Fredrick:
You follow the rather blatantly obvious trail a ways, and it leads you to a clearing about ten minutes walk from the road. Standing in the edge, you see that it is not an overly large clearing - perhaps ten feet in diameter, roughly circular - of flat ground covered in grass, weeds, etc. Across the clearing from your position is a man in a guardsman's uniform, laying against a tree. His helmet has slipped down over his eyes, his hands folded on his stomach, head fallen forward - he appears to be sleeping.

[Todash]

Slowly Fredrick makes his way towards the guardsman, keeping an eye on the surrounding woods, wary of a trap. Upon getting closer he peers closely at him, trying to ascertain if anything is wrong. Given the conversation last night, he looks for any visible bite marks.


Perception roll: [roll0]

If nothing appears the matter, he will attempt to wake him by speaking loudly from a short distance off. Throwing rocks if he needs to.

[pyrocide]

"Well that is horribly unsportsmanlike of you," Tim grinned as he joked with Ramiel, "But I guess I could still help you out." Tim chuckled a bit and took the vial and the dagger, and after shuffling the two items around to one hand, Tim also took the scabbard.

"I'll be right back. Got to go get my good gloves." Tim quickly made his way over to his alchemy chest, and sat down to begin working. Tim took some water and a cloth and ran them both over the blade, cleaning it as best he could. Then he poured some water into the scabbard to check for leaks. After they were found and fixed (using a metal silver and a couple of regents that made a substance akin to puddy) he then very delicately poured the poisonous liquid into the sheath and slid the dagger in behind it. After checking to make sure the guard closed tightly around the scabbard entrance, he sprang up to a standing position again and moved back over to Ramiel.

"Here ya go! It should be ready to go. Just don't pull the dagger out unless you really intend on using that poison, as the air will probably nullify the poison after a few minutes of direct exposure." Tim smiled brightly as he was starting to see in his friend an agreement with his ideas on unfair fighting for righteous causes.

[Dread Angel]

Fredrick:
A cursory examination reveals that the guard is, indeed, dead. His skin is unnaturally pale, bloodless, and his neck sports a pair of very small puncture marks. Given last night's conversation, it would seem apparent that Donelan has been slain by a vampire.

The merchant's grin grows ever broader as Guillerme casts his spell. Upon its completion, he makes sure everything is back in its spot and secure, and tests the wagon. It rolls forward smoothly. "Haha! Incredible! Thank you so much, my friends! Here, take this for your troubles, you have saved me a good deal of headache." He hands Guillerme a pouch that feels to be filled with coin. "I appreciate it a great deal."

[Todash]

Fredrick tosses the thunderstone, to summon the others.

[Road_Runner]

Ramiel grinned back. "Thank you, my friend, I'm sure I'll be able to put this to good use." He slides the sheath into the spring-loaded wrist band he has attached to his arm. After it clicks into place, he slides the dark blue sleeve of his monk clothes over it. Hearing a crack of thunder in the distance, he jumps up. "That must be Fredrick! Quickly, let's go!" Ramiel swiftly helps Tim pack up his alchemical equipment, and then runs off in the direction of the sound.

[pyrocide]

Tim quickly throws everything he wouldn't immediately need into the alchemical chest and hurries off with Ramiel in the direction of the thunder clap. He looks back to make sure the rest of the group is coming as well, then heads off into the woods.

While sprinting through the underbrush, Tim manages to pull a catalyst vial out with one hand and an activating ingredient with the other, then moves both items to his right hand. He wanted to keep his left open in case a different tool was needed for whatever crisis had befallen his stealthy traveling companion.

"Fredrick! Fredrick where are you!?" Tim shouted as he continued to run deeper into the woods. Soon, he found Fredrick in a small clearing, opposite from what looked to be their missing guard.

"Fredrick what the hell man?" Tim said, short of breath. "I said 'Trouble' as in 'My face oh gods the pain' not 'Hey I found the sleeping guard.' Those stones are expensive..." Tim trailed off while looking at what he thought to be a guard sleeping.

Perception Check: [roll0]

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

"Not a problem, sir. It was the least I could do."

His hands had barely closed around the bag when the thunderclap, followed by a great deal of running and shouting from his companions, drove Guillerme to push the pouch back to the merchant, saying "Hold onto your gold for now - I think I'm needed elsewhere."

Taking only a moment to retrieve his sanctified Hammer of Torag, the dwarf sprints after the others down the increasingly obvious path. His short build made it impossible for Guillerme to catch up with the humans, so by the time he arrived in the glade the others were already arrayed around what looked like a man in uniform up against a tree.

Puffing and out of breath, he asked, "What... what's the mat... ter...?"

Yay, 20ft move speed!

Anyway, Perception check seems like a good idea at this juncture.

Perception Check: [roll0]

[TherianTheorist]

Watching as the merchants cart rolls off into the distance leofire , hearing a thunderclap in the distance he runs off in the direction of the sound, upon arrival in the clearing leofire looks around.
"I see you found our missing guard, you could have just told us instead of wasting the stone tim gave you."
leofire takes a better look at the guard and notes that he appears to be sleeping.
"Wait is something wrong with him, surely the noise should have woken him?"

Perception check/ [roll0]
edit/ have I been cursed by the dice gods?

[Todash]

Standing in the middle of the clearing, both crossbows in hand, Fredrick keeps his eyes on the treeline, as he hears his companions come crashing through the underbrush.

At their protestations he hisses, Quiet you fools, I would not call you without cause. As Leofire has ascertained, the guard is not asleep. He is dead, and drained by a vampire. I did not wish to leave him, nor did I wish to deal with those that did this alone. He looks sternly at the alchemist. I shall gladly pay you back for your materials sir, I used it for it's intended purpose, as determined by ME. Now, shall we deal with this man? I understand that the victims of a vampire rise again do they not?

[Dread Angel]

"They do indeed," a voice from the trees answers Fredrick's query. A pair of figures step from the trees. They wear the simple, rugged clothes of travelers, but the cut of them is oddly fashionable. The one who spoke is tall, with remarkably broad shoulders and a heavily muscled frame. His companion is a slightly smaller-than-average woman, also well-muscled but in a lean, whipcord fashion. For all that, she is not unattractive. They carry no visible weapons. What is most noteworthy, however, is their eyes - his are, a muted violet, while hers are a very bright, almost shining pink. The crest upon the breast of both of their shirts is unfamiliar.

"Before you draw weapons, let me introduce us. I am Yestin, and my companion is Eiria. We are hunting the ones who did this," he gestures to the dead guard. "No, we are not vampires, otherwise we wouldn't be standing in the daylight talking to you, obviously." He grins, and his canines, while not overly long, do look very sharp. "I am sorry for your friend, but it would be in your best interest to leave and not pursue this matter any further. Your lives would be as good as forfeit otherwise."

The crest:
http://i43.tinypic.com/1z15q4l.png

[Road_Runner]

Ramiel looks warily at the man's large frame and glowing eyes. Muttering under his breath to Tim next to him, "I'm not sure I believe him; it is kind of overcast..." He feels a sinking sensation of dread as the man displays a grinning mouth full of sharp teeth. "You wouldn't happen to have any holy water in that alchemy kit would you?" he asks hopefully.

[Todash]

Fredrick takes a close look at the two people, and lowers his crossbows. But he does not put them away. Where did you come from, to be so close to this very sudden murder, yet not catch the perpetrator? Also, if he will rise, what do you intend to do with him? We have our own business we must be about, but if the new Lords rule begins with random attacks, then I think that's a cause for Mortal concern don't you? Perhaps we could assist you in the hunt.

Skill Checks!
Sense Motive [roll0]
Diplomacy (to put them at ease) [roll1]
Knowledge[whichever appropriate as I have no ranks] [roll2]
To determine the significance of their crest
And perception [roll3]
to see if there is anything else funny about them

Edit:Wow, natural 20 sense motive? Thank you dice gods.

[Dread Angel]

Yestin's eyes narrow. "We have been pursuing this particular vampire at the behest of Lord Jonmarc Vahanian of Dark Haven. There are some of the vayash moru who believe the Truce should be nullified. They see themselves as gods meant to rule. They have forgotten what happened when they did rule, before. They have forgotten the burnings, the hunt, the constant fear."

Eiria speaks up for the first time, her voice lilting and gentle - a stark contrast to the ferocity in her eyes. "And when mortals turn on the vayash moru, our kind are caught in the middle of it. The mortals care nothing for our allegiances, our race - we are different, and that is enough to justify burning our children alive."

The male's hand lifts to her shoulder. "When a new vampire is fledged, they have a bond to their maker. A bond that will make them as good as a slave to their maker for a century. When he awakes, his thirst will be so great as to overcome all reason. He would drain his own mother dry with no second thoughts - at least, not until it was too late. We brought this," he said, producing a large flask. "It holds goat's blood. Enough to calm him. We will return with him to Dark Haven. It is Lord Vahanian's hope that a way will be found to use the bond between fledge and maker to find the rogue. Believe me, my friends, this is nothing - entire villages near Dark Haven have been slaughtered. Lord Vahanian is doing battle with the rogue vampires himself - no small feat. There is cause for mortal concern, yes - but not for mortal action. Lord Vahanian is one of... possible four mortals alive who is capable of one-on-one battle with a vampire and actually surviving."

As far as Fredrick can tell, there is absolutely nothing in their body language to suggest that they are deceiving in any way, nor are they aggressive - though they are ready to defend themselves. Something about the crest niggles at his memory, as does the name...and then he remembers. Jonmarc Vahanian is famous, after a fashion. He is known for being one of the most deadly fighters the world has ever seen. Captured by the Nargi - a vicious folk given to enslaving just about everyone they can lay hands on, religious, tyrannical - he was forced to fight in their blood games...and survived. The tales have it that he fought an entire company of Nargi elite in the games, barehanded, and survived. The crest seems to be a combination of the signet he adopted when he became a smuggler - smuggling silks and perfumes into Nargi, in fact - and something else, likely the crest of Dark Haven.

Pertaining to Yestin and Eiria, their odd eye color and sharp teeth rule out the possibility of their being mortal, as do their words. But by the way Eiria spoke, they are also not vampires.

[pyrocide]

Knowledge Nature for species: [roll0]

Tim stayed silent through Fredrick and the strange creature's conversation. He didn't want to make any rash action unless he knew the rest of the group was behind him. He wasn't afraid, but certainly wary of these two figures. Finally, after a moment of silent tension, Tim spoke with a shushed voice to Fredrick.

"C'mon. The guard isn't dead-dead, and they plan to help him. Had they wanted to kill us they would have used the guard as bait and attacked you before we could have got here. Let's let them be for now." Tim said without moving his body, his hand a mere twitch away from igniting a catalyst vial, just in case.

[Todash]

Fredrick bows deeply, finally stowing his weapons.

Thank you both, for explaining. I believe you. I know it must be hard being feared and judged for the unknown. I have experienced some of that myself. Are you sure there is nothing we can do to assist? Otherwise, we may need to be on our way. We still have some traveling ahead of us

[Sophistemon]

Brother Guillory
-AC: 16
-HP: 20

"Strange," murmurs the Inquisitor. "Very strange. But not unheard of." Jonathan looks at the two odd-eyed newcomers. "A mob is a thing with many heads but no brains. You are right to be concerned, if your people are similar enough to vampires to be caught in the crossfire. Your rogue is a fool, if he wishes to ignite a war between the living and the dead; there are more goodly gods of the living than there are gods of the dead, and they would intervene on our behalf." He stares at the downed guard, at his pale skin and the holes in his neck, and shakes his head. "A terrible waste," he mutters. "I say we let them take him; can anyone here claim to offer better treatment than they can?"

[TherianTheorist]

Leofire bows only slightly, as if to say he is nobility, and says.
"Yes, thank you for explaining, humans,elves,dwarves,all of them they all fear the strange and the unknown so much that I can barely belive they can stand eachother long enough to get to know oneanother, let alone agree on who and what else to fear."
leofire stops and takes a moment to think, as well as to let the others speak, after this he says.
"Brother guillory is right your rouge is a fool, a war of the living and the dead would most likely be interrupted by the gods."
leofire looks to the guard.
"As for our friend here, take him, i see that the others can do nothing for him, and neither can I."

[Road_Runner]

Ramiel nods his head in agreement. "It seems the best that the guard atleast help find the rogue that caused all this trouble; atleast in this way he can get some form of revenge for his death." Ramiel pauses, considering how easily it could have been him or another member of the party chosen to serve as the vampire's meal for the night. "But to snatch a human from the middle of a guarded campsite... clearly this vampire fears no one and does not care to be inconspicuous."

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

The dwarf leans over the body of the soldier, only listening to the unidentified creatures with half an ear. When they mention that the guardsman is on his way to a more parasitic and nocturnal existence, Guillerme looks up sharply.

"Should we move him out of the light, then? When will he rise?" he asks the two.

At Ramiel's words, he shakes his head. "Few vampires know the meaning of fear, especially after so many years of peace with humans. This one has forgotten the old days, I think, does not remember what it is to be hunted. I do not doubt that he will soon be reminded."

[Dread Angel]

Yestin nods slowly. "Oh, he will be reminded, have no doubt of that." Once again, his predatory grin comes to the fore. "He will not wake for hours yet, and by then we will have him long away from here. My friends, we must away, and quickly. Here," he draws from his belt a small token, which he tosses through the air towards Guillerme. "Take this, and keep it safe. If you ever happen to visit Dark Haven, this will make gaining an audience with Lord Vahanian a great deal easier."

With that, he turns and hefts Donelan's corpse effortlessly, and he and his companion vanish into the forest with it.

The token is circular, about three inches in diameter, with a few deep holes gouged out of it. It looks to be of simple stone.

[pyrocide]

Tim waits for a moment before finally relaxing his hands and putting the catalyst vial back in its belt loop.

"Well... I'm glad that's over. Let's head back to the merchant and tell him about the whole 'down one guard' situation." Tim was altogether not happy about leaving the guard to... whatever those things were, but he was more relaxed by the fact that he truly did believe they didn't mean to harm the guard or the rest of the group.

The one thing Tim worried about at that moment was whether or not having the entire group go running off into the woods at the same time and leaving the merchant only with a single bodyguard was a good idea, especially with a rogue vampire on the loose.

[Todash]

Me too. I much prefer it when the only thing skulking in the night is ME.

Fredrick grins, and brings out his crossbows again, checking the loaded bolts.

Well, I must say, thank you for appearing so quickly. It is good to have people I can count on at my side. Shall we return to our little lost merchant?

Ooc:unless there is further conversation...

Fredrick begins to head toward the forest. I shall scout slightly ahead, don't want any more suprises. Even if it is daytime.

Stealth check: [roll0]

[Road_Runner]

Ramiel also relaxes, breaking his tense stance. "Yes, I'm sure the merchant will be surprised to find out about the unfortunate demise of his guard."

He turns to follow Fredrick, still slightly wary from the encounter.

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

With a nod of thanks in the direction the pair ran off, Guillerme takes a closer look at the stone. He'd never been trained in the art of identifying stones - that was not the purpose of an army cleric, after all - so after a cursory glance he slips it into his belt pouch.

"I feel for the merchant - this journey has not been kind on him," he says, partially to Ramiel, but mostly to himself. He closes his eyes and says a quick prayer to Torag, asking the great artificer to watch over the soul of the guard even as it is corrupted by the vampires.

His brief moment of reflection over, Guillerme follows after the others, hurrying a little to keep pace.

[Dread Angel]

You all return to the wagon to find the merchant and guards anxiously awaiting news of their companion.

"What happened? Did you find him?"

[Todash]

We did, but I am afraid we were too late. Your friend was slain by some foul creature but we were unable to find it. He has gone. I think we should make all due haste, before whatever took him, decides it's not finished.

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

"I would be out of the area as soon as I could, if I was you. Your man has been taken care of. I will pray for your safe journey - I hope that it finishes better."

[Dread Angel]

The merchant pales at Fredrick's words. "Damn. He was a good guard and a good man. We will make haste for Aurin - thank you so much, my friends, for everything you've done for me."

The merchant and his remaining guards depart, and you are left to continue your journey. Being very cautious bordering on paranoid, you manage to avoid any encounters. Following Gorgol's directions, you find the ruin with minimal trouble. The door is large, and slightly ajar. The area beyond is dark.

[Road_Runner]

Ramiel produces a bullseye lantern from his pack, and using flint and a small flask of oil lights it. He turns the light toward the door so the light penetrates the inky blackness. "Shall we?" He says, gesturing toward the entrance.



Illumination is a 60 foot cone of bright light and 120 foot cone of dim light

[pyrocide]

Tim will attempt to craft an acid flask when the group makes camp the first night.

2 ranks + 3 for class skill + 4 Int attribute + 2 class bonus + 2 alchemy lab item bonus = 13.

Tim will prepare his single unprepared extract as a crafter's fortune extract (+5 to next craft check) and drink it.

so, 13 + 5 = 18.
The DC for an acid flask is 15. However, to have any chance of getting it made in one night, I will take the voluntary +10 to the DC to speed completion time up. Total DC = 25. Here goes nothing.

[roll0]
Roll results - 19 or 20, I lose the materials. 21-24, no progress made. 25-27, I have made some progress, but not enough to have a finished product. 28+, I successfully make an acid flask that evening.

(I will remember to take off the thunderstone, 4 gold worth of alchemy materials, and hopefully add an acid flask all when I get home tonight.)

Oh, also Tim prepares his extracts then same as yesterday: retreat, shield, and one unprepared one.


Tim nods to Ramiel, and pulls out of his backpack what appears to be a club with a heavy cloth wrapped around the top. As soon as Tim begins to pull the cloth off, it is obvious the club is actually a torch - and everburning torch to be exact.

"If this does in fact happen to be the lair to a dragon's horde, I would bet we're going to encounter some obstacles along the way. It may be best if Fredrick and myself walk in front, so as to hopefully spot any hidden dangers before it becomes a problem for us all." Tim turned and looked at Fredrick, smiling as he said, "Sound good?"

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

"Well, what are we waiting for? Lead the way! I'll bring up the rear in case anything tries to sneak up on us from behind."

[Todash]

Nodding at Tim's suggestion, Fredrick checks the entrance for any surprises, then draws his short swords, and steps inside. Letting the light from his companions brighten the tunnel.

Perception check to find traps: [roll0]

[Road_Runner]

Double checking to make sure to have a a good amount of shurikens in his pouch and a small length of silk rope attached to his belt, in addition to the wrist-sheath containing the dagger attached to his arm, Ramiel follows Todash and Tim into the tunnel.


Perception: [roll0]
Stealth: [roll1]

[TherianTheorist]

Leofire checks his supplies, then pulls the torch from his belt and begins chanting in the language of chaos, suddenly the torch begins to glow brightly, lacking any flames.

Spell/ I cast Light on the torch, causing it to shed light as if it was lit.
edit/ is spell failure rolled on a d20 or a d100?
it looks like a d100 but seen it done d20.

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme

Astounded as always at the propensity of humans to let everything under the earth know they are coming by holding bright lights, Guillerme follows the rest of the party into the utter darkness. How do they survive if they can't even see in the dark?

[Dread Angel]

Beyond the door is a stairway leading down into darkness. At the bottom of the stairs, the stone wall goes forward for a short distance before veering sharply off to the right. An open archway heralds the entrance to a large room. A faded and torn tapestry hangs from the north wall, behind a small podium. A few tables are scattered around the room, in various states of decay as are the chairs. The floor here is worked stone, cracked and broken in many places to reveal the dirt beneath.

Fredrick doesn't find any traps...obviously. Spell failure is done with a d100 usually, keeps it simple and easy.

[Sophistemon]

Brother Guillory
-AC: 16
-HP: 20

The Inquisitor situates himself somewhere in the middle of the group as it enters the ruin, so that he might be able to respond more quickly to a threat from any direction. He has pulled his morningstar free of the leather loop in his belt and hefts it confidently in his hand; the light of his companions' torches flicker drunkenly over its polished steel head. Almost as if reading Guillerme's mind, he glances back at the Dwarf and speaks: "I envy your peoples' ability to see in the dark," he says. "While I'm no fan of skulking, the element of surprise is a useful tool in combat, and I dislike giving it away so soon."

[Road_Runner]

Ramiel cautiously enters the room. He examines the decaying tables and tattered tapestry. "It appears this room has been abandoned for quite a while now."


OOC: Is there any other doors exiting the room?

[Todash]

Stepping quietly, Fredrick slinks into the room. After checking for obvious entrances, he examines the podium and tapestry closely.

Stealth to enter quietly: [roll0]
Perception to search the room [roll1]

[Dread Angel]

There is a wooden door on the eastern wall.

Nobody's searches reveal anything particularly interesting, but as soon as Ramiel approaches the tapestry, a soft grinding, rasping sound can be heard. It quickly gathers in volume until the earth between the cracked flagstones surges up around them at two places in the room - one a few feet behind Ramiel, and one just in front of the eastern door. The room is approximately 25 feet wide and 35 feet long, with the longer side along the north-south axis. The arch you entered through is in the southwest corner, and the eastern door is precisely in the middle of the wall.

The earth continues bubbling up very quickly, until it has formed a bulky, if squat, humanoid shape at each location. The shapes are maybe three, four feet high and almost as wide.

Initiatives!
Monsters: 3 (urk)
Tim: 21
Fredrick: 15
Leofire: 17
Guillory: 21
@Road: I couldn't find your char sheet. I rolled a 17 for your base initiative though.
@Llamamushroom: Also couldn't find yours. 15 roll for you.

....okay, go to town on them. XD I'll be lucky if they get to hit you at all. The only roll under 15 was for the monsters...eek.

[llamamushroom]

Guillerme
Initiative: 16 HP: 22 AC: 17

Guillerme is shocked by the sudden appearance of the... things. He strides forward, trying to place himself between the nearest monster and his more fragile companions as per his military training. Once in place, he tries to get a good look at the creature, and recalling his drill-sergeant's words - when you can see the whites of their eyes, dissolve them - casts his arm forwards. From the tips of his fingers, divine light seems to momentarily appear, coalescing into a brown dart that files towards the being in front of the eastern door.

Essentially, I walk 20 ft to place myself roughly between the monster and Leofire, try to identify the thing with one of my knowledges, and use my acid dart domain power.

Identifying Monster
Knowledge (History): [roll0]
Knowledge (Religion): [roll1]
Knowledge (The Planes): [roll2]

Acid Dart
Ranged Touch Attack: [roll3]
Damage (Acid): [roll4]

Edit: :smalleek: Unless it's roughly the size of a shed, I don't think that dart hit it. That leaves me with 5 uses left today.

[pyrocide]

Tim watches as the monsters form, while pulling a catalyst vial from his belt.

"I'm going to bet these are not friendly. I say let's blow them up before I have the chance to be wrong." Tim makes a few strides to get around to clearly see the monster near Ramiel, moving to a spot between Ramiel and the north door.

"Ramiel, don't worry about this... Theoretically I can make the blast shape itself how I want." Hopefully, Tim muttered under his breath.

"Either way, here goes!" Tim activated and flung the bomb at the monster near Ramiel, hoping his aim wasn't off.


This is all going off of llamamushroom's map, and the assumption (because I wasn't drawn in) that since we were searching the room at the same time, I would be beside Fredrick.

I move to a spot between Ramiel and the north door, and within 20 of the monster as my move action

As my standard I will use a bomb on the monster by Ramiel. I have precise bomb, so Ramiel will not take any splash damage. Also I have Point Blank Shot, so as long as I'm in 30 ft, my attack will be one higher than listed on my character sheet.

Bomb Attack:
[roll0]
Bomb Damage:
[roll1]

[TherianTheorist]

Leofire
AC/13 HP/16

As he watches the monsters form leofire snaps into a battle stance drawing his rapier with one hand as moves across the room, with the other hand he creates a mass of chaotic protoplasm, sending it flying towards the monster near the door.

using the map llamamushroom made.
I move within 15 feet of the monster by the door and attack it with my protoplasm.

Ranged Touch Attack/ [roll0]
Duration/ [roll1] rounds (round i guess)
my protoplasm acts as a tanglefoot bag and also deals 1 acid damage per round to any entangled creatures, I have 5 uses per day left now.

Identifying the Monsters/
Knowledge/the Planes/ [roll2]
Knowledge/Arcana/ [roll3] (pretty sure that failed)

[Todash]

Reacting swiftly and silently to the strange threat, Fredrick strikes at the strange creatures. Seeing the Alchemist bathing one in flame, he strikes at the other one before it can react.

Since Tim has the one well in hand, striking at the eastern beastie.
And since we get to act first.....Sneak Attack! :smallbiggrin:

Main hand: [roll0]
Dmg : [roll1]

Off hand: [roll2]
Dmg: [roll3]

[Todash]

Crit!
Confirm: [roll0]
Additional damage [roll1]


Edit:Wow, that is one serious round of damage.

[Road_Runner]

Oops, should probably my character sheet in my signature for convenience.

Startled by the sudden appearance of the monster, Ramiel immediately jumps back into a defensive crouch. While studying the strange creature and considering the best possible way to attack, he hears chanting and a strange whizzing sounds behind him. He turns just in time to see a flask and various magical projectiles of acid and chaos arc through the air before the vial ignites in a searing blast of flame that seems to incredibly shape itself around him. Meanwhile he notices Fredrick silently deal a crippling blow to the other monster. "Damn, that was fast." he mutters under his breath. Deciding a solid punch to the face will suffice, he finally assaults the singed creature with a quick battery of strikes.


Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Dread Angel]

Leofire:
They are - or, were - small Earth elementals.

Under the combined assault, the creatures literally crumble to dirt before so much as taking a step. They were barely able to fully form, sluggish after so long without taking physical form.

OOC:
Jebus.

[Todash]

Blades held high, Fredrick stands over the crumbled pieces of earth. Blinking the dust out of his eyes, he slowly relaxes. An interesting welcome. Looks like I have myself some fomidible companions. I hope the rest of this place is handled so.......efficiently.

After giving the room a more thourough looking over, Fredrick will scout a short way down the eastern hallway.

Perception: [roll0]
Then, as we continue, I'll go slightly ahead, Stealth: [roll1]

[pyrocide]

"Well, I feel a good deal safer seeing how deadly this group happens to be." Tim grinned as much from finding good allies as he did from seeing the destruction they caused in such a short amount of time.

"I would assume with magical monsters guarding the place, we should probably make sure to take our time searching the place. It's not like we have a strict time schedule either." Tim spoke while slowing going through the rest of the room, looking for anything the group may have missed at first.


Taking 20 on perception unless the group wants to move on. This will take some time. Taking 20 would get Tim a 30 altogether.

[Road_Runner]

Ramiel nods. "I guess it wouldn't hurt too much to search this place quickly before we go.". Ramiel hangs around, watching Tim search the room.


I could take 20 but there would be no point... my perception isn't that great :P

[Todash]

Just to clarify timing, I think Fredrick will be doing his sneaking, while Tim looks. Not going more than roughly 50 feet down the hall, just doing a little scouting. Using prior perception/stealth roll.

[Dread Angel]

A thorough search of every corner of the room turns up only dust and cobwebs. Anything of value that may once have been here has long gone.

Meanwhile, Fredrick approaches the door and finds it shut, and stuck. After a cursory examination, he determines that it isn't actually locked but merely ...stuck, not opening for some reason.

OOC:
Because I'm not a total tyrant, I'll let you keep that awesome nat 20 stealth roll for after you've dealt with the stuck door.

[Road_Runner]

Silently watching Fredrick try to open the door, Ramiel steps forward. "Here, perhaps I can help with that."


Strength Check: Taking 20 (24)

[pyrocide]

Tim looks around, finding nothing. He sees a few of the group gathering at the far door. It seemed they were having trouble getting the door to open. While giving a final glance through the room just making sure nothing was missed, he spoke, still looking at the ground.

"Yeah I'm not seeing a thing in here. Figured there'd be something. Let me know if you need any help with that door. I may have something that could help."

[TherianTheorist]

Leofire joins the crowd gathered around the door, watching as ramiel tries to pry the door open.

[Todash]

Fredrick lays a hand One moment, my burly friend, let me check something first.


Trap checking: [roll0]

If nothing is found:

Fredrick bows, All clear, after you sir.

If something IS found:

It's a trap! You may want to take some cover.

Rolling up his sleeves, and stowing his swords, Fredrick pulls out some odds and ends, and begins tinkering with the door.

Disable Device: [roll1]



Oh and thank you for the stealth save. :smallsmile: