The Horrors at Silver Lake IC.

[Hbgplayer]

You, where ever in the city you are, awake with a start. It is very dark outside, and you hear the rain pounding. As you try to blink the sleep out of your eyes, a blinding flash of light and the CRACK! (http://www.therecordist.com/assets/sound/mp3_09/Thunder_Large_Crack_SE.mp3) of lightning makes you jump, and suddenly unsure of what it is that woke you.
Then, over the rolls of the thunder, you hear it. You barely perceive the frantic bells of a temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAaCbZU6_KY) sounding the alarm.

Roll a DC 10 Knowledge (local) check to identify the bells as that of Temple Heironeous, one of the cities two main rallying points.

[TurtleKing]

Nina

Oh boy better go. Dizzy lets go. Nina heads out with Dizzy keeping an eyes open to the sound.

Listen and Spot if necessary or ignore if DM rolls. Listen: [roll0], Spot: [roll1]. Dizzy's Spot: [roll2], Listen: [roll3].

[King-Strawberry]

Nathan rolls over with a groan, wondering what woke him. [roll0] knowledge local He gets out of bed and leisurely straps on his armour. He then grabs his sword from the back of a nearby chair as well as an apple from the table. Nathan opens the door and heads out to find the source of the commotion. With a look to the sky he exclaims, "Rotten, just bloody rotten."

[Egneil]

Waking up with a start, Trevor groaned as he tried to use his sluggish senses to find out why. Hearing the bells in the distance he knew them to belong to the local Temple of Heironeous. His mind raced as he considered that his power might have been found out. However recalling that he only arrived yesterday, it was unlikely, but as a witch he could never take that chance.

Getting out of bed Trevor retrieved his backpack from the chair by his bed. Figuring that he still had time he pulled his Disguise kit from his pack and set about redoing his disguise. Making himself look five years older, adding about two inches taller, and hiding his own features while adding false ones that hint at elven blood.

---
Disguise Time: [roll0]
The disguise skill says that it's secret, so I'll let the DM roll it. The disguise modifier is +6.

[Seharvepernfan]

Eldaar murmers a prayer, opens his eyes, sits up, tries to think what the bells mean,(1d20)[11], Eldaar checks his map for the best routes to and from the church, deciding to opt for back roads/alleysthen ponderously dons his gear in silence, leaving his right hand empty, then sets out (through the back door?) into the rain, hood on, moving towards the bells at walking speed.

[#Raptor]

Jeremy

Having slept lightly as usual, Jeremy jumps out of bed at the sound of the first bell, drawing the dagger that was under his pillow in one fluid motion. The oh so familiar rush of adrenaline comes to his head, but theres none to defend against. Now he would be in prime condition to stab a intruder to death many times over. As the lightning lights up his room through the window, he realizes theres no intruder in his room and puts his dagger into its place again.

As the alarm sounds everything is clear. "Good. Now at least I know whats going on." he thinks as he puts on his armor, his equipment and his weapons and storms out the door, looking for a quick but stealthy route toward the source of the alarm.


Lots of rolls:
[roll0] To spot anything on the way
[roll1] To not get spotted on the way
[roll2] To not get heard on the way
Jeremy got a map of the Area since hes been there for a while, but if that doesn't help:
[roll3] to hear from where the bells are coming from. Can't roll for knowledge local because I've got no ranks in it.

[Terumitsu]

Blinking awake, Eins had a serious few moments of deliberation of weather or not he should just turn over, pull the sheets up, and go back to sleep. Whimsy, however, was rather adamant in it's case on why he should get up even though it used rather fallacious logic. Then again, while it was not yet wise in the ways of arguing but it's appeal to reason was just enough to end the fine balance of staying in bed and getting up in Eins' mind. With a groan, the man pushed himself out of bed and scratched leisurely at his now five day beard. He'd been meaning to buy a razor for some time now since his old one had disappeared somewhere but he simply had not found the time.

Getting dressed, Eins made sure to grab his crossbow and hung it at his side, opposite a quiver of bolts. Depending on the emergency, they might be useful. He pondered for a moment of if he should leave the star sapphire behind but Whimsy would have none of it. Pocketing the gem, Eins left his room and made his way to the church in his own meandering way, his wide-brimmed hat and traveling cloak protecting him from the rain.

[#Raptor]

*facepalms* Thanks go out to Seharvepernfan who just reminded me of this "An untrained Knowledge check is simply an Intelligence check. Without actual training, you know only common knowledge (DC 10 or lower)."

[roll0] If that one doesn't work out... plan B is finding out the direction of the church bells by listening, dunno what DC that would be tho.

[Eguzki]

Faol

It seemed to Faol like it had been only a moment since he had scrambled into bed a closed his eyes. It took him quite a while to shake the fog in his head, which was result of the generosity of the fat man that had bought him pint after pint the previous night. Once he oriented himself and realized that the bells were not some echo from his dream but in fact a vivid and alarm, he jumped to his feet and readied himself. He donned his armor and fastened all the equipment he would possibly need. He flipped his hood on as he walked out into the cold wet night. Keeping his eyes peeled and his ears perked, he fiddled the head of his axe tucked away on his belt. He walked directly to the church ready for what ever emergency the city might be suffering from.

Knowledge local: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]
Spot: [roll2]

[Hbgplayer]

As you step out into the weather, you are instantly drenched by the pouring rain. Were it not for the candle and torch lights lighting up the windows in the surrounding buildings, which seem to be lighting up at an exponential rate, you would not be able to see more than your hand in front of your face; as it is, you cannot see more than 15ft from the rain. All of you, with exception of Nathan, immediately recognize the bells as those of the Temple Heironeous, and where it is. Nathan, however, does not and tries to follow the sound of the alarm, but ends up in several dead-ended alleys.
All of you except Nathan meet at an intersection of the main road and a small secondary road; you can hear the bells of the temple frantically tolling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAaCbZU6_KY), seemingly just beyond the veil of rain, when a flash of lightning (http://www.therecordist.com/assets/sound/mp3_09/Thunder_Rumble_11532A.mp3) lights up the area, allowing you to glimpse a building about 50 ft wide, 25 ft away, with a mob of people gathering.
A group of 5 guards suddenly comes running up from behind you, and moves roughly past you. You hear one of them complaining:"Get out of the way, fools! Not like we have anything better to be doing, when its not even oh-five hundred hours than to be just standing around!"

[Egneil]

Trevor does his best to be inconspicuous despite the rain. He blends into the crowd along one of the sides, staying near to a side street yet keeping a few people between it and him. Silently repeating his mantra in his head, he tries to keep an ear open to any talk around him.

---
Listen check: [roll0]
Hide check- this is mostly for anyone trying to spot him in the crowd: [roll1]

[Seharvepernfan]

If any of the guards move directly past him slow enough to speak to, Eldaar asks them, if not, he turns to the nearest townsperson who isn't doing anything: What is happening?

[Terumitsu]

Eins was rather nonplussed by the actions of the guardsmen/women (guardspersons? Eins was not fond of being obsessively politically correct but that was a different topic altogether.) However, he was curious as to what it was exactly that this mob was up to. Making sure as to not be in the way should the guards need room to maneuver, he patiently stood and listened.

Best to gather information rather than to make any rash actions.

[Eguzki]

Foal

Foal pulls his cloak tighter to protect him from the rain, and quickly makes his way up to the crowd gathering around the church. Once he has reached them his he asks the a few of the other people "What's going on here? Why are they ringing the bells?". He keeps asking until he gets enough information that he can piece together exactly what's happening.

[TurtleKing]

Nina sticks to the back trying to hear just what everyone is saying. Hey Dizzy you hear what they saying?

Nina's Listen: [roll0]. Dizzy's Listen: [roll1].

[#Raptor]

Jeremy

He follows the guards closely, but not too closely, trying to stay unnoticed while he scans the area for anything that might give him a idea whats going on.


[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Hbgplayer]

Everyone else at the temple seems concerned about the bells tolling, and no one seems to know whats going on either. Finally, the bells stop ringing and an older man with white hair and a light grey mustache, wearing a chain shirt and armed with what appears to be a rapier steps out into the door way of the temple, and shouts to make him self heard above the storm, yet parts of his speech were still lost to the howling wind (http://www.therecordist.com/assets/sound/mp3_09/Windhowl_Storm.mp3) and thunder (http://www.therecordist.com/assets/sound/mp3_09/Thunder_Deep_Rolling_SE.mp3). "THERE IS A WAR... OF ....GOBLINS ......LAKE! ARM YOUR... YOUR NEIGHBORS!"
The crowd begins to disperse rapidly, when an older male child, probably 12 or 13, points down the street and screams, his voice cracking. Those around him look over confused, then scatter, yelling in panic.

Nina: You hear, just barely audible over the pounding rain and wind, what you can only describe as many dry branches rubbing and hitting against each other.

Jeremy: The guards keep running, pass the edge of the crowd, turn the corner, and enter a door on the side of the temple. As the last guard enters the door, he turns around, sees you, frowns, and slams the door. As you turn around, you see... one, no, two; four? white blurs moving rapidly towards the crowd, where the kid just screamed.

Egneil: You don't hear anything over the noise of the storm and the yelling of the panicking crowd.

[#Raptor]

Jeremy

Although he is uncertain about the nature of those white blurs, the people of Silver Lake seem to fear them.
Jeremy quickly tightens his backpack before he starts sprinting to a point between the blurs and the scared people, drawing his two-handed sword while he runs.
As he takes his position he shouts so the boy can hear him over the wind and thunder "WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS?" while he holds his greatsword in a defensive posture.

Readying a standard action to strike at the blurs once they get in reach, unless getting into position was a double move action. Then I shall wait for AOO's. :smallsmile:
I just now noticed that, as a ranger with a hatred for undead, perhaps I should at least have put one cross-class skill point into knowledge (undead) so I can actually get DC's above 10 and identify undead monsters...

[Egneil]

Hearing nothing related to him, Trevor mentally sighs in relief. Watching the crowd depart, he decides to find the highest-ranking town guard and see how open minded he is. Upon hearing the kid scream Trevor immediately slung off his crossbow and loaded it.

---
Standard action to wield the crossbow, and a move action to load it.

[TurtleKing]

Quick Dizzy go up a little to see what is making that dry branches sound. Dizzy then goes up before coming back down letting Nina know what it can say.

Have an empathetic link and can direct it to act as a free action. Dizzy flies up 30ft before coming right back down with the other move action. Dizzy's Spot: [roll0].

[Terumitsu]

Eins simply tried his best to pick out the words being said over the noise.

It wasn't the most glamorous type of action but it certainly fit firmly into the 'prudent' catagory.

And, usually, prudent kept one alive quite a lot better than glamor. Unless, of course, one was a Fey in which case glamor was the practical thing to practice.

Whimsy gave a small mental nudge for Eins to pay attention and not let his mind wander. This was probably not the best place to be wrapped up in one's own microcosm.

[Eguzki]

Foal

Goblin war? Faol thought to himself. So the goblins are behind all these attacks. I will not let others die by their hand if I can help it!

He readies his shield and draws his axe while walking calmly but firmly where the young boy's screams originated, while telling the frailer looking citizens to go home and find shelter.

Knowledge (local) check for goblin lake: [roll0]

[Hbgplayer]

The rain, which had been pouring buckets for the last hour, suddenly abated to a light mist, though the wind is still howling, and what the kid, and the townsfolk, panicked about, is suddenly revealed. At first, what seemed like four white blurs closing rapidly on the gathering quickly took shape. Into four canine-like skeletons, their bones rubbing together like dry branches in a windstorm, and nails clicking on the cobblestone of the main road.

Everyone:
Roll for initiative. A reminder: According to the DMG, storms make ranged attacks impossible, but I will allow a -10 penalty, because a skilled archer can compensate. :smallwink:

Nina:
Dizzy warns you that there are four skeleton's approaching an instant before the rain abates, allowing you react a little faster than anyone else. He also alerts you to a strange shape in an alley across the street.

Foal:
You remember nothing about any Goblin Lake.

Nathan:
You have spent the last several minutes trying to find your way through the maze of a city, attempting to follow the sound of the bells tolling. When you think you finally might be close, the bells stop, and you can hear someone shouting, but you cannot make anything out of what he says. You round the corner of an alley, and find your self in another 10ft wide alley, but this time you have company. 10ft in front of you stands a hobgoblin, seemingly unaware of your presence, watching the running crowd in the street from the shadows, five feet away from the entrance of the alley.

[TurtleKing]

Initiative: [roll0]. Does the storm affect spitting a glob of acid?

Skeletons and what across the street? Dizzy moves between Nina and what is across the street.

[King-Strawberry]

Nathan draws his sword, and runs at the hobgoblin, bringing the blade down in a mighty two handed swing.

[roll0] Attack (I remember a rule that you must move at least 20ft to charge, if that is incorrect I want to charge, so add 2 to this)
[roll1] Damage
[roll2] Sneak Attack

[Egneil]

Seeing the creatures through the fog Trevor tries to recall everything he can about them. Feeling the wind tear through him, he knew that his crossbow would be useless to him so he slung it back around his shoulder still loaded.

"Well it looks like it's time to drop the charade," Trevor muttered to himself as he brought forth his power. Letting the magic guide his movements and voice, he called forth a tower shield made out off nothing but pure force.

---
Move action to sheath the crossbow, and a standard action to cast Shield.
Knowledge (Religion)- about the undead creatures: [roll0]

[Seharvepernfan]

Eldaar turns towards the skeletons and takes in the scene, slow and torpid as usual.


(1d20-1)[7] initiative
(1d20+5)[24] knowledge: religion, to identify the undead and remember anything relevant

[Eguzki]

Foal

Foal positions himself between the monsters and the crowd. He stops about 15 ft in front of the disgusting beast and raises his shield ready for an attack.

Initiative: [roll0]

Full Defensive action

[Terumitsu]

Keeping to the side, Eins decided that it would be best to put something between himself and potential danger.

Putting two fingers to his temple, he focused his mind and willed an invisible barrier to surround his body, concentrating as best he could to keep any accidental psychic indications under wraps.


Manifest: Inertial Armor
Concentration check against DC 16 to hide all psionic displays: [roll0]

[#Raptor]

Jeremy

"Now that makes a lot more sense." He says, though its unlikely anyone not close to him will hear it. He stands there waiting for them to come at him, his muscles tense, his look determined and his sword ready to strike.

[roll0]
Still keeping my readied action to strike at any dog skeletons that comes close ready.

[TurtleKing]

Nina

Well Dizzy ready? Nina then rolls her Lucky Dice before drawing her morningstar and shield just in case. hate to spit into the wind only to have it spray back in your face.

Lucky Dice adds a +1 to either attacks&damage, ability&skill checks, or saving throws. If rolls a 7 then applies to all of them. Swift action to roll and lasts until end of next round. Can be rolled each round as no set limit/day. Applying it to ability and skill checks so Initiative and my skills go up by 1. [roll0].

[Hbgplayer]

Battle Map is really big, so go here (http://i.imgur.com/QZQNQ.jpg). I seemed to fail to add the lanterns that are hung on the corner of the two streets.

Nathan:You charge the hobgoblin in front of you, who seems unaware of your presence until it's too late. When you are but five feet away from him, he looks over his shoulder and yelps in surprise as you bring your sword down, and separate his head, neck, and everything attached to his right shoulder from the rest of his body. The body drops to its knees and falls forward even as the mouth is screaming silently, mouthing words you do not recognize. You look up and see two men about 20 feet away from you, one in a chain shirt, the other in banded mail, defend themselves as two wolf skeletons attack them, and you see two more run past them.

Jeremy/Foal:
You see skeletons break into pairs, the one in front and the one on its right break towards you two, the other two break off as if to run around you. When they are about 15 feet away from you, the second one breaks off and runs towards Foal while the first one keeps at Jeremy. Attack of importunity for you two.

Trevor:
As you conjure up the shield, you see the four skeletons split into two groups, two running at two men that seem ready to defend themselves, and another two dodge around the two men, running on the boardwalk next to the buildings on your side of the street. No one seems to pay any attention to the spell you just cast.

Nina:
You see the four skeletons split into two groups, two running at two men that seem ready to defend themselves, and another two dodge around the two men, running on the boardwalk next to the buildings on the other side of the street. You also see a flash of something come from the alley on the other side of the street, then a head and shoulder of a hobgoblin tumble into the entrance of the alley.

Eins:
No one seems to notice what you are doing, and you see the four skeletons split into two groups, two running at two men that seem ready to defend themselves, and another two dodge around the two men, running on the boardwalk next to the buildings on the side of the street.

Eldaar:
You recognize the skeletons as wolf skeletons, and you remeber that the best weapons to use against skeletons are bludgeoning weapons.

[Eguzki]

Faol

The smooth grain on Faol's axe handle presses into his hand as he tenses his muscles, readying himself for the charge. He watches the creature close in on him with steady eyes. Once it is near enough Faol slams his axe in the creature's fleshless body (maybe... if its a hit). After the hit Faol brings his shield back between himself and the creature, thanking the monotonus military drills from youth.

atk [roll0]
dmg [roll1]

[#Raptor]

Jeremy

Watching the creatures split off from each other, he realized that he would not be able to stop all of them alone... then, as he saw a axe in the corner of his eye, he became aware he was not the only one who had taken up arms.
As the skeleton charged at him, he swung his sword with fierce determination.


AOO:
[roll0]
[roll1]
Critical on 19-20 (Greatsword)
[roll2]
[roll3]

Readied action:
[roll4]
[roll5]
Critical on 19-20 (Greatsword)
[roll6]
[roll7]

[Egneil]

Moving forward to get into range Trevor focuses on his magic for another spell. This time casting something that should only work against the undead.

----
Moving 30ft in a straight line towards the closest skeleton, then casting Disrupt Undead at the closest one.
Ranged Touch Attack: [roll0] (+1 from dexterity and -10 from the storm)
Damage: [roll1]

[King-Strawberry]

Nathaniel charges the nearest skeleton.
[roll0]
[roll1]

[TurtleKing]

Nina and Dizzy hold back watching everything. Incase something attacks her Nina and Dizzy will attack.

Ready actions to counterattack anyone who attacks Nina and Dizzy. OOC: Didn't say she is brave in combat.

[Hbgplayer]

I apologize that it took me so long to get this up. It seems there was a misunderstanding and extraneous circumstances (see OOC) that prevented my posting.

Jeremy:
Your swing connects with a mighty *snap* as bones break under your greatsword. It falls to the ground on its side, all ribs broken off, and the front two legs fractured. It quickly gets up, but as you swing again it simply falls apart, landing in a pile of bones. To your right, another skeleton is attacking a man wielding a shield and a common wood-ax.

Foal:
Your swing if just too slow to hit the skeleton strong enough to deal damage, and just ricochets off the rib cage of the beast. It lunges at you, but you easily sidestep the attack.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]


Trevor:
A flash of lightning and crack of thunder surprise you as you finish uttering your spell, but enough to send your spell off course. One of the two skeletons rushing you stops short at the entrance of an alley, while the other curves off the sidewalk and charges the group of civilians trying to run away.

Nathan: You see two skeletons run past the entrance of the alley, 5 feet in front of you, (meaning no +2 to attack) and as you run at them, one of them slides to a stop, sitting down on its haunches with front legs locked, just around the corner.

Nina: You see the man closest to where the skeletons originated swing at one attacking him, which promptly falls apart into just a pile of bones. You then see the two skeletons that ran around the two men in the middle of the street run past the entrance of the alley, where one skids to a stop, and you see a man run out of the shadows of the alley, trying to attack the skeleton that stopped just around the corner. You belatedly notice that the fourth skeleton (#3) has angled somewhat towards you, but appears to be charging the panicked group of civilians near you.

[Seharvepernfan]

Eldaar runs towards the skeletons, angling to his left to get on the boardwalk after passing the large puddle. It should be easier to run on the boardwalk.

Eldaar can move 60ft. as a full round action, if I'm not mistaken, that should put him just behind Nina on the boardwalk. "Coming through!"

[TurtleKing]

Nina+Dizzy

Wait! Come back here. Nina and Dizzy takes off after the the one heading for the crowd. Rushing at it if need be and able with Dizzy right by her side with a swing and a blast at the skeleton.

Rolling Lucky Dice: [roll0] (Swift action) for attack and damage. If a "7" then also apply to ability&skill checks and saving throws. The bonus lasts till the end of Nina's next turn. Nina's Attack with Morningstar: [roll1], add +2 if charged. Damage: [roll2], Crit Confirm: [roll3] crit damage [roll4]. Dizzy's attack: [roll5], Crit confirm [roll6]. Damage: [roll7], crit damage: [roll8]. Dizzy has fast healing 2, Amorphous, DR 3/Evil, and Evasion.

[Eguzki]

Faol

Faol instinctively swings his axe the moment the creature misses its bite. He feels the weight of the axe head carry his blow to the creature's skull.

Atk [roll0]
dmg [roll1]

[#Raptor]

Jeremy

Jeremy watches the skeleton crumble with great pleasure. Then he notices the man next to him fighting the other skeleton and hacks away at it with his sword before he bodychecks the skeleton with his armor spikes.


[roll0] +2 bonus from flanking included, -2 for TWF
[roll1] Forgot to add my +2 damage from Favored enemy last round :smallannoyed:. Now it's included.
Critical on 19-20 (Greatsword)
[roll2]
[roll3]

[roll4] +2 bonus from flanking included, -2 for TWF
[roll5]
Critical on 20 (Armor Spikes)
[roll6]
[roll7]

[Hbgplayer]

A scanned map will be up ASAP, I can't figure out that mapping program. :smallmad:

Nina:
As you step off the boardwalk to attack the skeleton running past, it nips at you, while your various attacks miss.
Skeleton AOO: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Crit. Confirm: [roll2]

Eldaar:
The person infront of you (Nina) steps off the boardwalk as you are five feet away to attack the skeleton that is chasing the crowd of people.

Foal:
The skeleton brings its head up just in time to avoid your axe hitting its skull, but your axe connects with its breast bone, breaking it off.
Skeleton Attack: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]
Crit. Confirm: [roll5]

Jeremy:
The skeleton manages to avoid your attacks, despite being distracted by the man wielding the axe.

Nathan:
Your attack glances off the skeletons ribs, dealing no apparent damage.
Skeleton Attack: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]
Crit. Confirm: [roll8]
The skeleton makes a strange move, and ends up on the ground, prone. You have an Attack of Opportunity.

Eins:
The crowd of people running from the skeleton engulfs you. You are now surrounded by many people.

[Eguzki]

Faol

"One more hit and it will done for." He shouts over at the man that has taken down the first skeleton. Wiping the rain out of his eyes he brings his axe up for one final blow.

Atk [roll0]
dmg [roll1]

[Hbgplayer]

Roll to confirm critical.

[Hbgplayer]

New Map (http://imgur.com/BvBzU)

Foal/Jeremy:
The skeleton's ribcage has been destroyed, as with most of its toes, but somehow, the skeleton is still fighting.
Remember, skeletons have Damage reduction 5/bludgeoning.

[Egneil]

Seeing the warriors handle the skeletons with ease, Trevor decides to attack the skeleton that was after the townsfolk. Not trusting his rays in this storm he moves behind it 15ft away and casts one of his more powerful spells.

---
Moving 10ft north and casting burning hands.
Burning Hands- 15ft cone with the skeleton at it's edge: Damage [roll0]

[King-Strawberry]

AoO [roll0]
[roll1]

if the AoO doesn't drop the skeleton Nathan keeps swinging viciously
[roll2]
[roll3]

[#Raptor]

Jeremy watches the stranger deal a respectable blow to the skeleton.
"Good one! Lets finish this abomination!"
A slim smile forms on his weathered face as he prepares for another series of attacks.

Greatsword:
[roll0] +2 bonus from flanking included, -2 for TWF
[roll1] Favored enemy bonus against undead included.

Armor Spikes:
[roll2] +2 bonus from flanking included, -2 for TWF
[roll3] Favored enemy bonus against undead included.

[Seharvepernfan]

Eldaar draws his heavy mace while moving to the square opposite the skeleton from Nina. Fixing a glare on the skeleton the entire time, he swings his mace in a downward arc, aiming for its spine.

(1d20+2)[14] ...forgot the +2 flanking bonus (1d20+4) [16]
(1d8+1)[2]

[Eguzki]

Faol

Faol is amazed that the creature is still standing after the blow it just took. He thinks to himself, Perhaps I need to crush the bones instead of cutting them. He then spins his axe in his grip preparing to it the skeleton with the blunt end on the head.

atack[roll]1d20+4[roll] See OC
dmg[roll0]

[Hbgplayer]

Nathan:
The skeleton that you attacked survives your first hit, but all the bones fall completely apart with your second.

Foal/Jeremy:
The skeleton you are fighting is finally destroyed.

Trevor:
A cone of fire streaks from your hand towards the skeleton. As the flame subsides, the skeleton looks singed, but not as much as you had hoped.

Eldaar:
As you start to move towards the skeleton, you are dazzled by a burst of flames. You feel the heat, but you are unharmed. You swing, and connect with the skeleton, but it moves enough for you just to hit the edge of it's rib cage, breaking a few off at the ends. The skeleton attacks you:
AoO: [roll0]
damage: [roll1]

[TurtleKing]

Nina and Dizzy

Oh hot. Nina and Dizzy take another swing'n'blast to destroy the skeleton.

Rolling Lucky Dice: [roll0] (Swift action) for saving throws. If a "7" then also apply to ability&skill checks and attack and damage. The bonus lasts till the end of Nina's next turn. Nina's Attack with Morningstar: [roll1], Damage: [roll2], Crit Confirm: [roll3] crit damage [roll4]. Dizzy's attack: [roll5], Crit confirm [roll6]. Damage: [roll7], crit damage: [roll8]. Dizzy has fast healing 2, Amorphous, DR 3/Evil, and Evasion.

[Hbgplayer]

Nina:
Your attack catches the skeleton at the base of the skull and follows through to its breast bone. Bones snap at noticably chared spots, and the bones collapse to the ground and skid for a few feet.
*mostly everybody* You look around and don't see anymore skeletons. What you do see, however, are five other people who seemed to fight the skeletons in their own ways.

[Egneil]

Seeing the last skeleton fall Trevor looks to his still active spell and dismisses it. He then pulls out his crossbow and proceeds to unload it, all the while staying ready to recast the spell if he needs to.

[Seharvepernfan]

Eldaar catches the eyes of everyone who participated in this fight, nods solemnly, and walks towards the church to find and speak to the man in the chain shirt with the rapier.

[Eguzki]

Faol

Faol stores his axe on his belt and extends a hand towards the armed man who fought with him, "You are quite the warrior. My name is Faol Beardsley. I don't believe I have seen you around these parts before."

[#Raptor]

Jeremy

Jeremy looks around... seemed like all skeletons were done.
He sheats his sword. "You fought very well yourself. That hit would have killed any normal creature, but those skeletons are hardy. Cursed abominations." he shakes the other mans hand "The name is Jeremy Wildenbeer. Been here since a short time. Are you from around here or just staying for a while?"

[Hbgplayer]

The front doors of the temple burst open, and five City Guardsmen pour out with swords drawn and charge out into the street, passing Nina, only to skid to a stop, looking around, puzzled. The man who was leading the men, a sergeant, according to the insignia on his shoulder, turns to Nina and asks: "Hey, where did those skeleton's go?"
Remember, it has been less than a minute in Game Time
"Don't be a fool, Sergeant Wilkins! Can't you see these fine men and women defeated those abominations while you and your men were "getting organized" inside?" A deep, strong, gravely voice says from the open doorway of the temple. You recognize him as the man (with exception of Nathan, as he hasn't see him yet) who addressed the crowd before the onslaught of the skeletons. He looks directly at Trevor, "Though some people used questionable tactics, we are in their debt for destroying them before any civilians got hurt. Will you six please follow me inside, the City is in need of your assistance." he finishes as he turns and walks into the building.

[TurtleKing]

Nina&Dizzy

Alright coming. Dizzy lets go. Nina puts away her morningstar and goes into the temple.

[Egneil]

Trevor met the mans gaze silently, unsure of how to take it. Stowing his empty crossbow he follows, starting to fabricate a story to tell.

[King-Strawberry]

Nathan looks back and says, "give me a sec, there's something I need to check out first". He then proceeds to search the corpse of the hobgoblin. after he finishes he then returns to the others and ascends the steps.

[Hbgplayer]

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3,
testing, testing, 1, 2, 3.

[Eguzki]

Faol

It is great to meet you Jeremy Wildenbeer. Let us go and find out what this man has to tell us. He motions to the man at the church and starts walking in that directions.

[#Raptor]

Jeremy

"Mmhm. He probably wants to thank us for defeating the undead. They should hire professionals if you ask me, by the time the town guard was ready those civilians would have been slaughtered." he speaks as he walks towards the temple with Faol.

[Hbgplayer]

Nathan:
You find little of value on the Hobgoblin's body, just a longsword, studdedleather armor sized for a hobgoblin, a dagger, and 5 silver pieces. Add 350 XP for killing the hobgoblin and skeleton

Everyone else: Add 200 XP for defeating the skeletons.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

You walk into the Temple, which is 50 feet wide, and follow the man who called you in to a raised platform at the other side of the room, and through a door, 80 feet from the main entrance. You enter a 20' by 20' room dominated by a large table covered in a map of the surrounding area. On the map, next to Silver Lake, you see a red star drawn. The man begins to speak. "As Mayor of Silver Lake, I must thank you all for destroying those abomination before they could harm anyone. I saw your considerable combat skill, and the city could use your help. I don't know whether you heard, but I'll repeat myself to be safe. There is a very large war-band of Hobgoblins camped on the Eastern tip of the Lake. We are not sure of their numbers, but we know that they number in the hundreds. I would like to offer you all a temporary commission as officers in the Silver Lake Militia, as it will take several days for the Imperial Army to reach the city from their base near Goldhaven. This is completely voluntary, though for some, he looks at Thomas, "it is highly advisable."

[Seharvepernfan]

Eldaar stares at the map for a moment, brow furrowed in thought. "How do we know there aren't more hobgoblins or undead in the city right now?"
While speaking, he gets out his own map to compare, and adds in any details his own might be missing.
"We'll need to know more about the situation before we can agree to lend aid. Can you tell us about the towns' defenses, the local terrain, what you know of these hobgoblins and any history you have with them, and any possible allies we might be able to scrounge up? Are there any known necromancers in the area, or is this a usual tactic of these hobgoblins?"
He looks up from his map to meet the mans' eyes, his brows raised in question.

[Egneil]

Trevor returns the mayor's gaze for a few moments before looking at the map. When the other man finishes, he speaks up, with a plan half-formed in his head, "Very well, I accept your offer. However if these people are to be my companions," He said, waving his hand at those assembled, "Then they must be able to trust me. This means that they must know that I'm a natural born wizard, or a witch."

[TurtleKing]

Nina&Dizzy

As for me I work with spirits. Like Dizzy here he is my guardian angel. Nina hugs the small hovering purplish ball with tendrils covering the orb.

[#Raptor]

Jeremy

He slightly raises his eyebrow at the wizard before he speaks up himself. "I am just a swordsman and a scout." he says before he talks to the darkskinned blonde man in heavy armor. "I agree with him. If we are to help defend this town from the goblins then we need every last piece of information we can get. Although skilled, we are at a extreme disadvantage in numbers and need every other advantage we can get on our side." then he faces the major again.

[King-Strawberry]

"You may be interested to know that there was a hobgoblin in the alley, he seemed to be supervising the skeletons. Apparently my sword was more interesting...
The name's Nathan Frost, until very recently I served as squire to the late Sir Archebold the Just."

[Eguzki]

Faol

Faol listens intently as the man speaks of the threat of the city. He was about to speak Eldaar spoke up first. He was then stunned at the news that Trevor was a witch and Nina a spirit or spirit controller. It was only the other's lack of concern that kept Faol from pulling out is axe. None the less he fingered it softly as he spoke to the mayor, "I understand your need, good sir, and I would gladly offer my services, however I am a poor man and I own little more than what you see on me. I require payment. I am sure that you can find a few gold pieces to offer us. At least to outfit ourselves." While he spoke he kept close eye on the two abominations in the room.

[Egneil]

Turning to the humble man with the axe Trevor gives him a bemused look before speaking, "Yes, payment is a good thing to agree upon, although I think he already knows my price. However we should probably make sure the city is secure, to truly earn the mayor's trust," With that Trevor looks at the map of the city, "I do know a spell that will let me sense any undead, but it will take a good eight to nine hours to prepare. So unless we can find another to cast it, then we'll have to search the city the normal way."

Finally realizing that he has yet to introduce him self, Trevor idle rubs the back of his head, "And by the way I came to this town under the name Markus Flitcher," Letting his hand drop a smile came to his face as he continued, "My given name however is Trevor Stevenson."

[Jzadek]

The mayor eyed Trevor coldly.
"And why did you see fit to lie to us here? We don't appreciate deception, as a rule. Most deceivers here end up trying to kill us."

The mayor looked away, at a door to the side of the temple.
"And in way of payment..." he said, disappearing through it, before returning with six simple iron rings.
"These are quite special items," he said, "Each has a unique ability that is only to be used in times of dire need. Use them wisely, for we have only ten of them, four left now, and they are extremely precious. However, I think, given the gravity of your mission, they can be spared. In terms of more mundane payments, though, I shall give you fifty gold pieces each."
He smiled, and handed each person twenty five gold pieces.
"The rest is for when you return."

At that moment, the door burst open, with a flash of lightning. A cloaked figure walked forwards, dragging a rather bedraggled and weedy looking wolf-thing in by the scruff of it's neck.

"Ah, Caul," the Mayor greeted him, "You found one. People, this is Caul Sawrby, professional, ah, dog-catcher."

Caul Sawrby grinned.
"This one was hardly difficult to get. Practically walked into my open arms! Has a bark on him, though."
He kicked the creature.
"Do your trick, wretch. Tell the nice people what you told me."

The creature opened a mouth, drizzling its own blood from a battered pallet.
"Blackthorn has returned..." it managed.

[Egneil]

Trevor returned the mayor's gaze with a glare that was just as cold, yet it couldn't be sustained as he took the gold. When he the creature spoke Trevor's eyebrows lifted as he tried to place what it was.

Turning back to the mayor after the display Trevor said, "To answer your question, I lie because I'm a known witch in at least five different towns. I don't know how far it's spread so I assume the next town knows, it's the only thing that's kept me off of the stake."

---
Knowledge (Arcana)- to try and learn what creature it is: [roll0]

[Jzadek]

I can't take credit for the basic concept, this was from Jukebox Hero's fluff. Nevertheless, I'm going to adapt it for my own purposes.

Anyway, you got a natural one, so Trevor doesn't know this, despite it being common knowledge, he stills gets an automatic failure, sorry.



Trevor doesn't recognise the name, but the others recall the stories from their youth, the songs sung by children, the stories told at night. Blackthorn was a mythical figure, never documented in history, but still whispered when the scholars spoke his name. While the belief today remains that he is but a myth, the part of them that thinks back to those candlelit songs still makes them speak guardedly.


"Thunder rolls, flash of lightening,
See a figure, tall and frightening,
Don't try to run, don't try to hide,
The graveyard's full of those who tried.

Don't beg, don't pray,
The gods won't hear you anyway,
Where he walks, they turn their heads,
For that's where angels fear to tread.

Don't cry, don't shout,
Sit and watch the stars go out,
Over thunder, hear that humming,
Whisper, whisper, Blackthorn's coming..."


The Mayor went pale.
"Kord's beard..." he muttered, and then turned to the werewolf.
"Does your beast's tongue deceive us?" he demanded, looking for all the world like that would be ideal for him.
The creature shook its head, but Caul cracked it across the skull anyway.
"You there!" he yelled at the party, "You know if there's any truth to this whelp's claims?"

[Eguzki]

Faol

I am not one for fairy tales" said Faol, "But I can speak what I have seen. The week before I arrived to this town, I had a wife and a daughter. That gloomy afternoon I returned from the hunt to find them both dead with their corpses half eaten. I could barely recognize them." He chokes up the last few words. Shaking off the emotional termoil he continues, "No animal could have down that, I am sure. It must have been a creature of evil. Perhaps a creature similar to the ones we fought tonight or perhaps like that creature in front off us." He pauses for effect, "Wether Blackthorn has risen or not, I donnot know and I do not care. One thing is certain and that is strange things are happening and I don't think they are going to get better."

[King-Strawberry]

"I don't believe Blackthorn has returned. More likely one of them just adopted the name to gain rank among the lycans." Absentmindedly Nathan examines the ring,
"so what exactly do these do?"

[Jzadek]

At Faol's accusations, the werewolf turned its head towards him, narrowing its animalistic eyes.

"I don't kill children," it growled, before glancing at Caul, "But he does."

Caul rolled his eyes, and sent it sprawling with another blow to the head.

"You're probably right," he said to Nathan, "Seems like something one of those jackals would do, and something most of them would believe, too. Hell, this one probably just made the story up, a lie so it could cling to life longer."

He kicked the animal-like creature lying curled up on the floor. It whimpered pathetically, and he grinned.

"I know what I saw..." it growled, picking itself up, "That was not one of my kin."

The mayor coughed pointedly.
"My apologies, Mr... Frost was it?" he said, "You were asking about the rings. Well, each one will attune itself to its owner, working out an ability they'll really need. When the time comes that it is necessary, at your command they will show their new power, whatever it may be, and save them from what would otherwise be a dire situation. But they can only be used once, so be wise in your use of them."

[King-Strawberry]

"Describe for us what you saw, and where you saw it....
mayhaps you'll convince me."

[Egneil]

Trevor looks at the scene silently, "Maybe it would be best if I questioned this creature to learn what it saw. I have no knowledge about any Blackspike, or Blackbeard, or whatever you call him. Nor do I fear him as you do," Trevor said slowly as his mind turned with this information, "Give me some time with him and I'll get the truth about what he saw. Regardless of what it is. Or is not."

[Eguzki]

Faol

What do you plan on doing to this creature?" He asks Trevor. Then turning to the captor, "Mr. Frost what are the crimes it committed? We cannot torture this thing, soul-less or not, without reason."

[Egneil]

Trevor raises an eyebrow at the accusation and looks to the woodsman, "Regardless of what you may think I am no savage, unlike--" Again he cuts himself off before he could finish. Closing his hands he looks away before continuing, "--others. As for what I plan to do. Nothing physical, or otherwise harmful. This creature despite it's chains seems reasonable enough. We are both magical in nature so I am sure that I can come to some sort of agreement with it."

[Jzadek]

The werewolf picked itself up, checking quickly to make sure Caul wasn't about to knock it to the ground again.

"Well, no werewolf is ten-foot tall, to begin with," it explained, "There'd been rumours, of course, whispers, the name never spoken but always implied, though none of us really believed it, you know? Then, earlier this night, I was hunting down by the Silver Lake, and then the lightening started. It flashed, just for a second, illuminating a figure, ten foot tall, wrapped-"

It paused for a moment, in thought.

"Have you ever seen an animal caught in a barbed wire fence?" it asked, "And it just keeps struggling and struggling, drawing more blood, entangling itself further until it is dead, wrapped in razor wire? That's what he looked like. Skin like polished obsidian, entangled with something like black wiring, but not made of any metal I'd seen before, like flowing like quicksilver, but keeping its shape. It dug into him, and he was bleeding, but not in pain. His face was covered in a terrible featureless mask of the same stuff, and he even had a crown of the thorny threads. But the worst thing was his hands..."

The werewolf shuddered.

"He had none, just... stumps, with tendrils coming from them made of the same barbed wire, writhing like worms cut in half," it spoke, its barking voice becoming hysterical, "And then his face turned to me, and I heard this dreadful humming sound, and I could feel him looking at me through that mask, I thought I was going to die, so I ran. I know what the song says, but for some reason, he let me live. And then I bumped into this man, and now I am here."

The wolf shut its eyes.
"You call me a creature of evil," it murmured softly to Faol, "But you haven't seen Blackthorn yet..."

[King-Strawberry]

Adressing Faol,
"I don't know much, but I grew up hearing the song. The soup kitchen that took me in used it as a warning to behave."

"Thunder rolls, flash of lightening,
See a figure, tall and frightening,
Don't try to run, don't try to hide,
The graveyard's full of those who tried.

Don't beg, don't pray,
The gods won't hear you anyway,
Where he walks, they turn their heads,
For that's where angels fear to tread.

Don't cry, don't shout,
Sit and watch the stars go out,
Over thunder, hear that humming,
Whisper, whisper, Blackthorn's coming..."

[Eguzki]

Faol

"Hmm..." Faol strokes his beard as he thinks about the werewolf's story, "I have never heard of such thing before, but then again I have never seen walking biting wolf skeletons before. Whatever it is we can check it out on our way to the hobgoblin camp."

[Jzadek]

"Certainly," the Mayor said, "But don't let the hearsay of a savage dog distract you from your task. Whether this myth is true or not, you have a job to do, and those hobgoblins are certainly real."

He looked over at Caul.

"What do you plan to with the lycan?" he asked. Caul grinned, and took out a dagger, gleaming silver in the torchlight. He waved it at the mayor, and then at his prisoner, who shrunk back in fear from the blade, whimpering quietly.

"Come on," Caul taunted, "Lie still and it will be over soon. Don't make it slower than it needs to be."

[Eguzki]

Faol

In a loud commanding voice Faol directs his words both at the mayor and Caul, "What are the crimes this beast has committed other then offer us information regarding a posible crisis. Clearly it has seen more then it's share of abuse. Killing it seems a bit severe. Let it go free. It will remember the kindness we showed it." Turning towards the werewolf, "And it knows that if we find it causing any type of trouble it will not have the luxury of the quick death offered by Caul."

[Jzadek]

Sorry, I should clarify - Mr Frost is Nathan, King-Strawberry's character. The man you're talking about is Caul Sawrby. It's my fault, I used the two confusingly.

"Freedom?" Caul burst out in laughter, "You're being serious?"
He held the blade to the beast's throat. "It's a dog, and should be killed like one."

"Caul!" the mayor chastised him, "Don't you dare disrespect our guest! You will not kill the creature."
Caul stopped, irratated. The blade stayed at the werewolf's throat, hovering between mercy and death. Eventually, with a sigh of frustration, Caul drove the knife into the wolf's shoulder. It cried out in pain, but the wound was not fatal.

"Take the mutt," he sneered, throwing the handle of the chain that held the beast to Faol, "It's yours now. Do what you want with it."

[Eguzki]

Faol

He grabs the chain out of the air and yanks at it a bit. "Now, will you be so kind as to show us on this map where it is you saw this creature."

[Jzadek]

The werewolf shook it's head.
"I couldn't and wouldn't show you on a map-"

"See?" Caul crowed, "It's obviously lying! I can't believe you people are too thick to get that!"

The werewolf waited patiently until he had finished.
"BUT," it continued pointedly, "I would be able to lead you there myself. That way, I don't get killed for my troubles by the knife-happy psychopath over there, and you get to use the tracking skills of someone who is part wolf."

It gave a low sound between a sigh and a growl.

"But first, if I could turn human and get some clothes? I'm freezing in this wet fur, and the wolf is beginning to take control. Trust me, you don't want that."

The mayor nodded to Faol.
"Your pet, your call."

[Seharvepernfan]

Eldaar listens to the conversation while looking at the ring in his hands, taking it all in and thinking it over. When Caul is about to stab the werewolf, Eldaar handles his Mace and stares Caul down, visibly ready to charge, then slowly puts it back once Caul throws the werewolf down.

Eldaar looks at Faol, then over to the werewolf, "Go ahead.", then back to Faol while cracking a small grin, "I think our noses deserve it."
Eldaar walks over and kneels by the werewolf and quietly says "Don't move, this won't hurt.", and casts a spell. He then helps him to his feet.

Eldaar then looks over to Caul, "Fret not, Wolfer, there are six of us," he meets the werewolfs' eyes for a second, "and we wield silver." Looking back at Caul, "No one here gets judged for what they are, only what they do, whether wolf or witch." He glances and Nods at Trevor before meeting the eyes of the Mayor again. We can all decide if this Blackthorn sighting deserves an investigation or not, but we can certainly use a ...gifted...tracker, regardless. Now, why don't we forge a plan before any more blood is spilt in this town?"

Eldaar converts one of his light spells to a cure minor wounds, and casts that on the werewolf. He is also using sense motive to try to tell if the werewolf is lying and to get a hunch if he is trustworthy or not.
I'll go ahead and roll for those, but if the results are supposed to be a secret, I'll edit them out.
To detect a lie: (1d20+9)[15]
To get a hunch: (1d20+9)[19]

[#Raptor]

I need to make a few rolls before I'll post...
[roll0] Untrained check.
What does Jeremy know about were-wolves? (Never noticed that before, but KnowledgeLocal is the check for humanoid creatures... not KnowledgeNature as I assumed.)
[roll1]

[Egneil]

Trevor remained silent through out the whole ordeal. There was not much he could do, and he's already pressed his luck as far as he could. Seeing how the others dealt with the situation he smiled and moved on to other, more important tasks. Taking the ring in his hand he points it way from the others, as though he was merely examining it, before casting detect magic on the ring.

----
Trevor will cast detect magic on the ring pointing the cone away from any other sources of magic power.

[Jzadek]

Despite the suspicion of Eldaar and Jeremy, the Werewolf didn't seem to be lying, but it wasn't an easy job reading the wolf-like creature, as much of its body language was that of a wolf, rather than a human.
If you like can make a Wild Empathy/Handle Animal check to read the wolf better.

At Eldaar's permission, the mayor sent the werewolf into the vestry with one of his servants. Meanwhile, Trevor's spell revealed that the ring contained a quite potent magical aura, but he would need longer to ascertain the exact strength and school of magic it was from.
Next time you post, if you wish to continue your spell (you may make no other action without a concentration check) you can find out some more information.

After a time, the servant emerged, with a small and underfed-looking, weasellly man with an old priests robe on, which was far too big for him.
"Right," he said, "So do you want to get going then?"

"Not so fast," the mayor interjected, "There's the small matter of the hobgoblins marching on Goldhaven that we haven't yet finished discussion, I thought."

[Egneil]

Continuing his investigation of the ring Trevor carefully takes off his backpack and retrieves his spellbook. Noting the mayor's complaint Trevor speaks slowly with careful enunciation so he doesn't break his concentration, "The two objectives might not be as unrelated as you think. The place the wolf is talking about might be close to the hobgoblins, or at least in the same direction. I'd elaborate more but I need as much concentration as I can get for my spell."

---
Concentration- to retrieve his spellbook and speak without breaking the spell: [roll0]

[Jzadek]

Before he could fully disclose the secrets of the ring, Trevor found himself distracted. However, he was still able to discover that the aura was strong, and furthermore, that the school of magic used by the ring was necromancy.

[Eguzki]

Faol

Faol looks over at the mayor while keeping an eye on the werewolf, "Yes that right. Is there any more information you can give us regarding the hobgoblins?"

[#Raptor]

While Faol questions the Mayor, Jeremy walks over to the Werewolf.
"Very well, Wolf... I'm a quite skilled Tracker myself, but I'm sure your sense of smell" he grabs the werewolf by the snout for a moment before he lets go again "will be of some use. However, if it turns out you are lying, or try to break your leash, I will be on your tracks. But if you serve us well, you shall come to no harm. No human should be twisted into something... unnatural." he pauses for a moment, as he remembers the transformation his family underwent at the hands of a lich.

"Perhaps someday we can search for a way to excommunicate the wolf within you." he stares into the wolfs eyes.. "A deal is a deal, and you can be sure I'll keep my word."
[roll0]
Cha is my dumpstat and I've got no ranks in Handle Animal... so yeah.

[Jzadek]

The man who was a wolf growled.
"And perhaps someday we can find a way to excommunicate your identity, too. I am wolf, and I am happy that way. It's not something that needs a cure."
He tilted his head, in a manner very doglike, looking out of place given his human form.
"Nevertheless, it is comforting I won't be killed for sport, though I'm afraid that I am no real tracker, other than my nose."

I'm going to implement this as a mechanical feature. If you ask the werewolf about what he smells, you'll recieve a +4 circumstance bonus on your track checks.

Meanwhile, the mayor answered Faol's question.
"Far to little, I'm afraid. But the scouts report that they fear their commander very much. That doesn't bode well for use, it takes a lot to frighten a hobgoblin."

His expression grim, he rubbed his eyes. They had great bags beneath them, he had clearly not been getting enough sleep recently.

"They also spoke of a siege weapon, or at least, that was what they assumed. A strange contraption, they said, full of gears and pullies, tugged across the ground by great three-horned beasts. If you could find a way to take that out, you could save us all a lot of bother."

[Egneil]

Feeling his spell start to disintegrate Trevor throws open his book and looks through it's pages. After a few frantic moments he stops at a few pages feeling confident that he identified it's aura.

"It's Necromancy," Trevor comments as he closes his spellbook. Turning to the others he spoke, "I don't want to make people panic, but we should consider the possibility that this Blackbeard fellow is spurring this recent activity. I mean the hobgoblins probably fear him as much as you do, if not more, and from what you said he seems like the type to like chains and gears and such," With a shrug and a sigh he continues, "However the hobgoblins could have also tried to summon him as an attacker, provided of course that they didn't fear him."

[Eguzki]

Faol

Very well then. We have little time to waste if what you say is true. We have to take down that machine before they use it. The wolf will lead us to where he saw this creature. We will then make our way to the hobgoblin camp. Now if there is nothing else to discus, we must be on our way.

[Seharvepernfan]

Eldaar nods in agreement, then looks at the mayor. "Is there anyone in town who would know what those beasts are, any big game hunters, or anyone who knows about siege weaponry? Otherwise, we're heading out."

[Egneil]

"Wait," Trevor said as the others looked ready to leave, "I think it would be be best to prepare before we leave town. I don't know about anyone else, but I felt rather useless during our last fight and would prefer to have another weapon. And if we have to use the ring's I would like a minute or two to identify what I can about them."

[#Raptor]

I approve strongly of this concept, Jzadek. :smallwink:


"If you can find out anything, Witcher, I'm sure that would benefit us. We've got to make use of everyone's skills. And speaking of skills, perhaps I can find out which way the goblin entered the city. Might be a good opportunity to test the sense of smell of the werewolf too, so lets give him some clothes." Jeremys eyes stay fixated at the wolf for a few seconds, as he thinks about what they just heard. "Also, about that siege machine. I wonder for what they need it, a regular army would easily be enough to crush this village without outside help. If you ask me, it might not be our main threat."

[roll0] Three-horned beasts ring any bells for Jeremy?

[Jzadek]

At Eldaar's questioning, the mayor looked thoughtful.

"Well..." he said, "You could speak to Old Agnes about the siege engines. She lost her arm about forty years back when the hobgoblins attacked the mountains. And if anyone would know how to take down a siege engine, it's Agnes. I'm not sure about big game hunters, though. I guess Hal the Alchemist might have some idea about that kind of thing..."

He blanched, slightly queasy.

"I mean, he has to have some reason for the troll's head above his mantelpiece."

Since Jeremy spent most of his life in the north, he has heard only stories about great lumbering three-horned creatures from the south. However, reports were extensive enough that he can recognise the desciption "three-horned beasts" as probably being B'ront, massive reptiles resembling a cross between a tortoise and an oxen. They were described as docile creatures, used as beasts of burden by giants and goblins, but ones that you certainly do not want to get in the way of when they charge.

[Eguzki]

Faol

Perhaps it is cautious to inform ourselves before heading out. It would also be cautious to arm ourselves as well. When I was fighting those beasts out there, I realized my axe did little damage to them. I believe a blunt weapon would be more efficient. Mayor, would it be possible for us to borrow weapons from your stores until the end of our mission?

[Egneil]

"If your going to head off, might I ask for your rings to start my investigations," Trevor said, "It shouldn't take more then ten minutes for me to catch up to you. As for a melee weapon, a dagger or gauntlet will suffice."

---
When he gets the rings Trevor will cast detect magic on them.

[Seharvepernfan]

Eldaar unsheathes his silver dagger and hands it to Trevor. "I'll keep my ring for the moment, Trevor. We can analyze it later. At least one ring should be with us at all times." Eldaar marks the locations on his city map. "We'll go speak to Agnes first. I think you should be with us when we speak to Hal, why don't you meet us there?"

[Egneil]

"Thank you for the dagger, I'll put it to good use," Trevor said attaching the dagger to his belt, "Also I would like to analyze all the rings at once. However I see your point about having a ring just in case, so take this one. I've already learned that it's magic is necromancy."

[Seharvepernfan]

Eldaar nods, "Good thinking.", and exchanges rings with Trevor.

[Eguzki]

Faol

Faol eyes trevor suspiciously while holding his ring firmly in his hand, "How do I know I can trust you? How do I know you will not simply curse the ring? I wouldn't expecting anything more from your kind."

[Egneil]

Trevor let's out a laugh at Foal's thoughts. When he finished he just smiled and said, "I am sorry, but I just find these sentiments rather funny is all. The simple answer though is that you can't. I haven't done anything honest yet that you know of. However, for what it's worth, I promise as a follower of Fharlanghn that I will do only as I say, and that my intentions are pure."

[Eguzki]

Faol

"Hrmm. You best keep your promise boy. If it were not for our pressing situation and our need for bodies, I would have driven you away from this city already." He get closer to Trevor, "Your "art" is evil. It will take hold hold of you and corrupt you and those around you, if it hasn't already. Now watch your self boy." he hands the ring over to Trevor.

[Egneil]

Trevor takes the ring's and say's to Foal,"If my 'art' is evil then these ring's contain a far greater evil then me. If my power is evil then was I born evil? Am I unable to do good?"

"I could talk about philosophy all day, but we have a job to do. I'll be all Hal's when I'm finished," Trevor finishes before moving to a chair and opening his spellbook.

----
Trevor will cast detect magic at all of the rings.

[Eguzki]

Faol

"Now mayor, could we make use of your armory? I need a weapon the is better suited for the abominations."

[King-Strawberry]

Nathan passes his ring over to faol. Turning to the mayor "I would also like to have a look in the armory if that is at all possible"

[Jzadek]

"You certainly may," the mayor replied, "My armoury is yours to mine for whatever you wish. I even have an ancient dwarven axe-hammer hybrid, though it is quite valuable, and I will have to insist on charging for that. Anything else is fair game."

I've made any necessary roles for Trevor IRL, as I want to keep certain things secret. Also, sorry for the length before this update.

Trevor's efforts proved to be more conclusive than last time. The first ring, his own, showed the same as last time - a strong aura, with a necromancy effect, but also a transmutation one. However, rather than being an attack, this seemed to be a defensive property. The spells involved in its creation appeared to be Contingency, and another one that Trevor was not familiar with. As he explored it's power, Trevor began to feel strangely depressed, yet emotionless.

Faol's ring seemingly had dual auras - conjuration and necromancy. Again, these were strong, and this was definitely a summoning effect. This time, tapping into this filled Trevor with a great sense of rage. The only spell identifiable in this ring was Create Undead, but there was definitely a summoning spell in there too.

Annoyingly, Eldaar's ring was even more of an enigma. While it's aura was easily identifiable as conjuration, the spells involved were unintelligible, but appeared to be of a tier of spellcasting reserved only for the most powerful of mages. Tapping into it gave Trevor a strong sense of divine presence - something which seemed appropriate for the ring given to the priest.

Jeremy's ring has, again, an Aura of conjuration, as well as one of abjuration. The only identifiable spells that went into it's creation were Summon Nature's Ally and Gate. This time, Trevor awakened a totally alien feeling in himself, one of both fear and predation, something primal and old.

Finally, Nathan's ring's aura was undoubtedly evocation, and a powerful one too. The spells that had gone into it's creation were Hallow and Sunburst. This ring seemed to give Trevor a feeling of self-sacrifice, and the urge to protect.

There was one thing uniform about the rings - they each seemed to have an air about them of danger, of consequences. Using them was likely to be a bit of a gamble.

[Eguzki]

Faol

"A Dwarven hammer ax. I have only heard stories of those. What would be your price?" Also Faol looks around the armory to see what else he can find.

[Seharvepernfan]

Eldaar puts on Trevor's ring while walking over to the armory. He scans the room for a quality looking light steel shield while shrugging his own from his back. Switching the two and strapping it to his left forearm, he picks out a dagger to fill his empty sheathe. Sliding it it, he walks back to the others.

[King-Strawberry]

"Would there be any chance of there being some silversheen or anything similar in there?"

[Egneil]

"Well that's interesting," Trevor said aloud when he was finished. Preparing to head to the others to tell them what he learned, he stops when he saw the werewolf. Falling back into his chair and stares at the man for a moment before speaking, "Sometimes I forget that magic can take so little time. I doubt the others want you to leave my sight, so it looks like we have some time to talk. I would ask you to sit with me, but I'm still unsure of your intentions," With a shrug he takes out the dagger and places it on the table within his reach.

"That's not to say I won't keep my word to others. I just don't know much about your kind is all," Trevor said idly spinning the dagger, letting the light in the room catch on the silver blade. Stopping it he stretches in the chair letting out a yawn, "I am a rather curious man, so if you don't mine my asking: Is it true that energies like fire, cold, or acid, or magic in general simply bypass your kinds regenerative capabilities?"

---
Knowledge (Arcana)- to see if Trevor already knows the answer: [roll0]