[IC] A Very Fine Knife; gnormans e6

[boldfont]

The Thirteenth Hour

http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/ink-sketch-town-1.jpg

The monastary bell rings thirteen times. It is the signal each of you have been waiting for. Come to me when when the monastary bell rings on the thirteenth hour and I will give you purpose" Esther had said. She was cryptic as usual. Thirteen resounding chimes call our heroes to action.

Of course, there is no such thing as a thirteenth hour. It was merely a fictional concept that served as an emblem for the summons. The summons, Esther would say, is outside of normal time and the sight of watching eyes. It was her flamboyant way of saying that the meeting never happened. Their goings on were secret.

A fog bastes the air in mystery as the people of Castor set about the final tasks of the day in twilight. The Society which watched over the well being of Castor from the shadow, and protected them from monsters they weren't even aware of, always seemed to call at moments like this. "The Most Noble Cord of Three Strands, Enlightened Wardens of the Most Sacred Shrine of St. Victoria" it was called. It had a long and illustrious history, but no records.

Upon hearing the summons, our heroes leave the tasks currently engaged in and make their way toward the centre of Castor, Elk Island. The Tuttle River which flows through Castor briefly splits and rejoins in the centre of town to form Elf Island, the most developed and valuable land in Castor. On those cobbled streets is a school for the musical and performance arts, located next to Castor's Ampitheatre. In addition to housing a professional troupe, the school taught the children and spouses of wealthy merchants and noblemen who wanted to impart some culture on their loved ones. And in the basement of that school is a tenancy belonging to Esther Devrie. No one would assume it was anything more than a storage cellar, or a servant's quarters at best, but it was in fact the home of one of the most powerful human beings alive. This is your destination tonight.

Players should narrate their introduction not only by interacting with each other, but by describing what exactly they were doing before the summons. When all the players have posted at least once, or when Monday rolls around, I will move the action inside Esther's house and bait the hook.

For ease of reference, our OCC thread can be located here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272350).

[stack]

The chimes cause Thomas to sit up straighter. He carefully sets the quill down and caps the inkwell before blowing gently on the ledger in front of him, not wanting to smear the accounts written in his spidery hand. He takes a moment to stretch and rub his eyes. His apprentice had been dismissed hours before, retiring going to his quarters upstairs.

Thomas stands, then gathers his cloak and blade from the wall before blowing out the candle and heading out into the night. The day to day running of the old alchemist shop left him little enough time to practice his arts, though he wasn't certain if that was good or bad. Too much time could lead to corruption, madness, or inevitable accidents. Too little...just as dangerous.

He walks the short way from the merchant district to the bridge, just another shadow in the foggy night. Eventually he reaches the ampitheater, descending the familiar stair. He nods to his hostess, taking a chair.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Not gone quite yet :smallsmile:

Brandon Moore

A knife spun out of his fingers and landed softly in the creatures side. Blood blossomed from the wound almost immediately, but Brandon was already gliding towards the deer and even as it staggered away he raced up a slanted rock and lunged after the wounded animal.
He struck it still half in mid air, two daggers striking at the same time to swiftly end the fleeing doe, and it crumbled beneath him with a forlorn cry.
Brandon's landing was slightly off and he had to roll to one side to avoid a headlong collision with the creature's belly, coming up slightly muddier than he had planned. The night was thick and oppressive in these words but Korlon his trained eagle did not struggle with the poor light, and it had not been to much challenge to follow the deer's tracks by the thin moonlight.

He hefted the carcass and began his slow trudge back to Castor, pleased with his prize, and wondering how best to portray his feat. It would have been better if the creature was a stag; everyone would have thought that more impressive than his prize, but it would do.

He reached the outskirts and was heading to his favoured public house, the Golden Crown, when the slow tolling of a bell sounded.
Dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong... Thirteen.
He thought about being annoyed, but this summons was much too intriguing, and his eyes brightened with anticipation. He stopped by the pub all the same to deliver the carcass to the inn keep there who was more impressed by the feat because of Brandon's seeming distraction. Brandon hurried out of the pub with a small chorus of thank yous before he made his way to the monastery.

He slunk through the corridors, hoping to avoid his father, who might well also have come (though he hoped not) and hurried to the appointed meeting place.

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey
~

The brothers had gathered in the magnificent church-room after supper.
The light of the evening sun filtered through the high glass windows, casting the most wonderful patterns across the bare stone floor.
Geoffrey joined the choir, letting his voice soar in praise of the Goddess and Her light. He observed these patterns, as they slowly crawled across the floor. Soon, the light fell to a dim glow, though not the red light of sunset. A fog had fallen, obscuring the last rays of the sun.
As they stood, lamenting the passing of the day with their voices, and praising the coming of dawn, Geoffrey and the other brothers were soon illuminated only by lamplight.
The last notes of the hymn died out, hanging mournfully under the cieling.
The brothers started filtering out in utter silence. Speech was banned in the dark hours.
Suddenly the bell tolled, not six, but thirteen times.
Of course it would be a night like this. Evil is obscured doubly, from mortal sight and from Her grace. Geoffrey formed a prayer in his mind. He then cast a meaningful glance at Nicholas. As the brothers went off to their nightly duties, he stepped out onto the streets of Castor.


~

As he hurried along the obscured streets and pathways, he clutched the symbol on the chord around his neck, mouthed prayers, and tried to steel himself for the horrors he knew where sure to come.

[OMG PONIES]

Val

The setting sun waves its final goodbye through the window of Cantarritos & Sons Butcher's Shop. Valentita wipes the sweat from her brow with her forearm, as her hands are currently covered in gore from the meat she's preparing. As the bells chime too often to keep any semblance of time, a young voice from behind her laughs. "Heh, sound's like the ringer might be drunk again, eh madre?" Val wraps her finished cut in cloth, then wipes her hands and her knives (securing one of them in her waistband and another in her boot). "Maybe, mijo," she says absentmindedly, quietly counting the number of chimes. Twelve. Thirteen. "Maybe."

[roll0] to conceal the second knife [read: dagger].

As the two of them finish cleaning up, the woman triumphantly flips the sign in the storefront from "Open" to "Closed." For another day, ends had met. Once more, they had eked out enough of a living to do it again the next day. She sighs as her son locks the shop and her thoughts drift elsewhere for a moment, just long enough that she misses the beginning of his question, only hearing: "So can I, mama?" She looks at her boy with a sad smile and shakes her head. "Ramon, I need you to make dinner tonight for the younger ones." She hands him a cut of meat wrapped in cloth--the very one she had just finished carving. "I have an appointment." The boy sighed, knowing those words meant more money for the family, but at the cost of his mother being gone for long hours. Begrudgingly, he nods and heads home to feed his siblings.

Val makes her way effortlessly into the heart of Castor from the outskirt where she works, following the nooks and alleys she's grown used to from years in the city. As Valentita makes her way toward Elk Bay, some of the pedestrians' eyes follow her. Down by the docks, one gruff voice calls out: "Watch out, here comes the The Butcher of Elk Bay!" Though her weapons stay holstered, Val looks daggers at the man, a burly dockyard worker. "Whatcha gonna do," he calls, "chop me up like you did to him?"

She tries to ignore the worker's remarks, but Val's fuming by the time she gets to the Ampitheatre. She ducks in through the servant's entrance, making use of the complex web of back hallways and narrow corridors to travel unseen from the theater to the school. Once inside the school, she ducks behind a prop cart to avoid the gaze of a class of students rehearsing soliloquies onstage and takes the steps down to the basement; she is careful to avoid the fourth step and the noisy creak it always makes. She did her best to sneak in and catch Esther by surprise, but this had been a game the two of them had played for years. Esther always seemed to know when Val had arrived. "Evening," the butcher says as she weaves her hair into a simple braid--her way of wearing The Cord that symbolized her membership. "What's the job?"

[stack]

Thomas greets the others with calm formality as they enter. "Fair evening. I trust all are well?" For now, anyway.

[boldfont]

Esther's Sanctuary

Thomas was the first to arrive, followed by Valentita. Then came Geoffry and Nicholas. It was a long time until Brandon came in from the woods, dropped off his prize, and finally made his way to Esther's home.

She greeted each of the society members the same way; she kept the door locked until they repeated a password, then she cautiously opened the way, with one hand out to protect herself and the other holding a broken table leg in the air as if to strike. Valentita found that the backdoor she had remembered had been walled up. One could only enter from the basement landing outside.

Her home is a kind or war zone. She had cleared out most of the furniture. Only a table and a bookshelf, flowing over with brittle arcane texts, and a humble bed roll in the northeast corner, remained. Esther had drawn a series of giant circles, surrounding a pentagram, deep into the hardwood floods with a kitchen knife. Mystical arcana covers the spaces between rings, and larger, more pominent symbols sit at the peak of each end of the pentagram. Candles adorn this room. Yellow wax has pooled on the floor, the table, by the bed side, and over the piles of books. She currently has so many candles lit that the room is surrounded by a brilliant glow, and radiate heat as if from a fireside. Scrolls of prayer and protection hang from the ceiling on beaded strings. To enter the room each of the party had to wade through them.

She has canvassed a huge twenty foot area of the floor next to the western and painted an elaborate map of Castor and the surrounding area on it. Red yarn stretches from pin to pin on the map in burst pattern. Small slips of paper are attached to many of the pins.

A hearth in the southwest crackles and gives off yet more heat on a chilly night. The kettle boils rapidly, waiting for attention, and the fragrant smell of ginger root and elderberries wafts from an empty press.

I can't believe you came. Esther says with a stunned look to Thomas. What I mean is, of course you came, but I feel very very blessed that you have. She serves him tea and they sit in silence waiting for the others. Something about her deadly serious demeanor, her frightful appearance, and stillness of body made it clear that it would be inappropriate to carry on chatting casually.

When the last of you arrives she clears her throat and says, Thank you for coming. She says this with such sincerity and emotion that had you not known better you would have thought this was the first time you ever answered her summons, which was ridiculous. She dries a tear from her wrinkled cheek. Her hair has been cut recently, obviously here and by a knife and her own hand. Her nails have grown long. She looks like a hermit.

I need you to go the old Gollion estate, here, at the edge of town. Her disposition has changed now, to sunny optimism and excitement. She points it out on the map enthusiastically. It belongs to me now. Title transfered to my name this morning, so you are all legally entitled to break in, smash doors, or do whatever you feel is necessary to search the estate inside and out. All of it! I want you to bring everything here, beginning with anything that looks like it may have magical properties, until we find what we are looking for.

The obvious question "what are we looking for?" is asked.

A key. But it won't look like a key. In fact, I have no idea what it will look like. It will look mundane, whatever it is. It could be a rock or even a painting. I don't know. Assume nothing in that house. Or at all! From this point on you must pretend that you understand nothing of the world in which to live. Except that you are saving Castor from a terrible fate and that I am your friend.

This was even more ambiguous than usual.

Start with anything that looks magical. Keep a low profile. Even though you have every right to be on that property, don't disclose what you are doing or why to anyone - not even your children. Looking directly at Valentita now. Or your closest confidant in the monastary. Trust only me. Trust each other. No one else. There is a strange danger about... I need that key.

I know you questions she says sympathetically but right now I need your implicit trust.

Esther seems uncertain of herself in this request. Several of you think she may be holding something big back. She, in turn, eyes you up, as if questioning your intentions. She then asks something none of you has ever heard from her. Will you help me? This was not an order. At least, she did not appear to believe that she was in any position to insist.

[stack]

Thomas's face grows troubled. "My grandfather's estate? I was not aware...the family...of course." In MY family one can make no assumptions. Certainly not with Ricardus unaccounted for. Perhaps he is not the only one to turn against us, as if our peril is not great enough as it is.

spellcraft to identify purpose of the various symbols about the room [roll0]

He turns to the others. "We must be cautious. You know that my family have long been of the Three Cord Strand, but there is much more. I will not speak in detail, not at night, even here, but anything remaining at that house could prove perilous." His eyes go distant in remembered pain.

[boldfont]

The etchings in the floor, as well as the hanging scrolls, are spells of protection and prayers against evil and chaos. They include "Protection against evil", "Protection against Chaos", "Deathward" and an anti-scrying spell. They are all permenant and fixed to this location.

The prayers are pleas to the Goddess for protection and salvation.


Your Grandfather was a man of great secracy. Even his secrets have secrets. Esther says gently. Do not take the things you find in his estate to heart. You are a different man than he.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon nodded, used to taking orders from Esther; he had been brought up in this world, this was his birthright and his duty.

He waited for the others to ask any questions they might have, and stood against one wall lazily.

[OzzyKP]

The pentagram and other witchcraft in the room unnerved Nicholas, as it always did when visiting Esther's sanctuary. He felt that to tap into the demonic powers exposes you far too much to their evil. It was always, he felt, too big of a risk. He hoped that Thomas' dreadful experience would have shown him the error of his family's ways, but alas, he continues the risky family craft.

As much as he disapproved of Esther & Thomas' methods, he knew their hearts were in the right place. He hoped, as he always did, that that would be enough.

Nicholas was not sure why they were being sent on a scavenger hunt, but he knew Esther would not waste their time. And, to be frank, he was quite curious about her mysterious mission. While cautious by nature, Nicholas could always be drawn out from his cloister by a good mystery. He loved his books, but often there was much knowledge about the world that had never been put in ink.

He thinks back to all the rumors and stories he has heard about the old Gollion estate*, he is sure that much of this hidden knowledge can be found there. He was excited for a chance to finally explore the place.

Nicholas silently nodded his acceptance of Esther's request.


Rumors and stories about the old Gollion estate:
Knowledge (local): [roll0]

[OMG PONIES]

Start with anything that looks magical. Keep a low profile. Even though you have every right to be on that property, don't disclose what you are doing or why to anyone - not even your children. Looking directly at Valentita now. Or your closest confidant in the monastary. Trust only me. Trust each other. No one else. There is a strange danger about... I need that key.

I know you questions she says sympathetically but right now I need your implicit trust.

Esther seems uncertain of herself in this request. Several of you think she may be holding something big back. She, in turn, eyes you up, as if questioning your intentions. She then asks something none of you has ever heard from her. Will you help me? This was not an order. At least, she did not appear to believe that she was in any position to insist.

Valentita simply nods gruffly as Esther admonishes her against telling her children anything about the job. The main reason Val had even joined the Cord--"been woven in," as they called their initiation--was to protect her children from the dangers against which the organization fought...protecting those precious to her so well that they never knew there was a threat in the first place. All she had explained to Ramon was that she had taken up a part-time job in the evenings to make extra money since their father wasn't around any more. The pay, of course, was one of her secondary motivations for joining the organization. Any other motivations were hers alone.

"No questions, boss," she says matter-of-factly. "Simple smash and grabs used to be my specialty." She turns to the others and asks, "Are we ready?"

[roll0] for any info about the old estate.
[roll1] to gauge Esther's emotions.

[boldfont]

Rumor has it

Nicholas has heard so many rumors concerning Gollion estate, the real challenge is separating the kernels of truth from fantasy. He's heard that the house is haunted. That the living dead dwell there is droves. He's heard that the house is alive. He's heard that Gollion is dead and the house is falling apart. He's heard that Gollion was a hero, and he sacrificed himself for the good of the city, and that the house is his tomb. He's heard that the house is a gateway to the abyss. Someone once told Nicholas that Gollion murdered his wife with a dagger, burried her under the foundation, and then left the estate derelict to escape the law. He's heard that Gollion would order his servant to sow his field with the butchered flesh of children.

Most of all, he has heard that Gollion sold his soul to a demon. The details vary, but the popular consensus is that he turned his back on the Goddess and struck a deal. They say that his house is full of his evil devices and black magic. Of course, the major flaw in this version of events is that Gollion went missing. If he made a bargain for power, then why is he missing?

Valentina failed her sense motive check. It is obvious that Esther is agitated and probably hasn't slept for a long time.

[stack]

Thomas returns to the present. "Smashing should not be necessary. And I need to answer no one when dealing with what is, by rights, mine. But aside the rumors you have heard. Though it has been many years since I have set foot in my grandfather's house, I know better than most his business. But let us be off soon. We can discuss our findings at length here, in the day, under these wards."

any special notes that Thomas should know, other details?

[boldfont]

Thomas returns to the present. "Smashing should not be necessary. And I need to answer no one when dealing with what is, by rights, mine. But aside the rumors you have heard. Though it has been many years since I have set foot in my grandfather's house, I know better than most his business. But let us be off soon. We can discuss our findings at length here, in the day, under these wards."

These words were especially potent considering the state of Thomas' inheritance. His father, having been killed by a demon that he summoned with the intention of binding, was next in line to inherit the estate. Instead, his untimely death complicated the legal process. His grandfather's holograph (hand written) will read, "to my son in perpetuity" but then further down "In the event that my only son should should predecease me, then to my grandson Thomas in fee simple, to be held in trust by my executor, Esther, until the birth of Thomas' first born child." The validity of the will was questioned, but on the advice of his scholars, the Sheriff of Castor ruled that the intention of the will should be upheld. Should Thomas die without a son, then the estate will revert back to Sheriff, in right of the Crown. It was, therefore, more than a little vexing when Gollion disappeared. Not only had the will not taken effect, but even if it had the estate would be under Esther's control until Thomas got married and had a legitimate child. The land had remained abandoned since Gollion's disappearance 10 years ago. Until now. Esther has essentially indicated that the Sheriff has pronounced his grandfather dead. Ordinarily, it would take seventy years, as an operation of law, for the will to take effect after a disappearance. Perhaps inside Thomas would find a more recent will that named him the proper owner of the estate, which was, after all, quite valuable.

Esther picked up on Thomas' eagerness. Yes. Go now. Time is of the essense. Bring anything that appears to be of a magical nature first. Then books and records. Finally, bring me the mundane at your discretion. It has to be in there somewhere. And we need it! Fast! Remember, I'm looking for a key, that does not look like a key. It could appear as anything. Keep it quiet and quick like a blade in the night... you may not be the only one seeking this prize...

With that the group went staight to Gollion's Estate (http://averyfineknifepbp.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/gollion-estate/).

Gollion Estate

It was a small freehold estate, granted generations ago as a reward from a Baron for the loyalty of his family is some long forgotten battle. Before it was abandoned, Gollion kept a humble fiefdom of four fields and a pasture. About a hundred people used to live on this estate. Now it is home to wild animals and a family of squatters. It is shocking how quickly nature reclaimed the land.

Thomas has not been inside since he was fourteen.

The party arrives on the eastern boarder of the estate, next to the squatter's field. Smoke is pouring out of the squatter's house - Thomas' house actually. It may be a servant's cottage, but it belongs to Thomas, as everything else here does! The twilight has been prolonged, and the mist still lingers in the air. It gives the land an eerie feel, but as least they can see without the aid of a torch, which might give them away.

Should they split up? Where should they search first? If you were a crafty black mage, where would you hide a powerful magic key?

[stack]

Thomas pauses, peering into the night, having signaled to douse torches before growing too near. The moon show enough to make out the gnarled old oak standing watch over the overgrown field, it's near dead branches menacing as the dance in the cool wind.

He gives a long, hard glare at the cottage to their left. That will have to be attended to another time. For now, secrecy is paramount.

He points ahead. "The house lay this way. Stay on the path, beware the pond. It would be an ill night for a swim." And I'm to old to go catching frogs anyhow. The old raft is long rotted away as well, I'm sure. Happier days, living in the world, not understanding it. Knowledge is bought with the coin of innocence and joy.

"We can rekindle our light once we get closer, I doubt any near are awake at this hour. Let us make for the front door." he whispers lowly.

Nice map. What time of year is it, out of curiosity?

I figure we sweep the first floor, then up, then down. The manor seems the place to start; we can check outlying buildings if needed.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

"Seems as good a place as any," Brandon answers, striding forward heading for the front door, his cloak swirling at his feet. Korlon perched on his shoulder scrutinizing the landscape, ever vigilant.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita nods wordlessly at Thomas' instruction as they follow the path towards the manor. A key that does not look like a key. The woman turns the phrase over in her mind; she couldn't shake the sensation that it seemed like a riddle. Stealth is their main priority currently, so she resists the urge to ask Thomas if his grandfather owned a piano. There would be time to search the manor once they entered. For now, Val keeps to the edges of the path, preferring to tread quietly through the undergrowth.

[roll0]
[roll1]

Val's maternal instincts come to the fore with this group as they do with her own family--in fact, she has come to view the other members of The Cord as a second family during her time with them. Her ears perk up as she listens for any sounds not caused by the group, and she narrows her eyes to slits as she fights against the looming darkness and smoke to scan the horizon.

[roll2]
[roll3]

[OzzyKP]

Nicholas followed the others, clutching his walking stick and struggling to keep up with the pace of his younger associates - an experience he was well acquainted with.

[boldfont]

Gollion Manor

Vallentita scouts well ahead of her friends. She spies a field mouse in the starlight facing the opposite direction of her and grins. She knows she must be moving silently as the wind, because even the field mouse does not notice her passing.

The scenery is soft and out of focus in the mist. As they pass the pond to the north, the chirps and whirls of little night critters are the only thing to break the din. The fields, still fallow and now sprouting weeds, reflects light well. The dried shuck of a harvest ten years ago litters the underbrush. These would be fertile fields if they were ever worked.

They arrive at Gollion Manor. It is the small, but impressive, home of a minor lord. The “T” shaped manor is two stories high, with an attic and basement levels as well. The main double doors facing south led to a vestibule containing some of the most impressive artwork in the manor. It was therefore disheartening to see the large stain glass windows smashed inwards. The east wing entrance led to the dining area and serving quarters. The manor had a auxiliary kitchen and cold-room outside of the master's home in case a fire ever broke out. A small courtyard in the back once held an herb garden. The door there led inside to the master's parlour. The edge of west wing held the cellar landing. The doors were wide open and a foul stench bellowed out of the foreboding hole. The manor had undergone several alterations during Gollion's time to suit his unique progressive style, but Thomas had a good idea of the layout in his mind (http://averyfineknifepbp.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/gollion-manor/). You can see the spot in the west wing roofing where the master had the shingling removed to make room for his strange observatory. This orients Thomas instantly, as the obsession Gollion had with the stars in the year before he banished everyone from the manor and became obsessed with the stars is burnt well into Thomas' memory.

In the front of the house someone had pounded a post into the ground to serve as a crude grave marker. This was new. The name “Alistair” was carved in the wood. A single silver piece was nailed into the post above the name, perhaps as homage.

[stack]

Thomas ponders they strange grave for a moment before heading inside. Pointing to the right, "The chapel is down the hall, turn left, opposite the dining room. Perhaps the good brothers would like to see is anything is out of order there. There may be armaments left in the man-at-arms room before the turn as well. I suspect what we are looking for will be upstairs, though. I will go there presently."

upstairs, study first, then ritual room, then strange room, then library.

Mr Green in the conservatory with the candlestick.

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey
~

Geoffrey's pulse was already racing, although he tried to not let it show, attempting to find the trancelike, meditative place in his mind. He appeared slightly troubled. "Yes. I agree that might be a prudent course of action. What do you make of this, Nicholas?" He looked to the older man for guidance. "Whatever we do, we must keep our wits about us. This place may well be beset upon by demonic entities, Godess keep us."

[OzzyKP]

Hearing Geoffrey's question, Nicholas responded, "Yes, we must keep our wits about us. There are many terrible rumors about this place, whether they are true or not, we don't yet know, but we should absolutely be cautious. Until we have a better idea what we are dealing with, I recommend we stay together."

Nicholas stooped down to inspect the grave marker. He looked to see how old the post was, how weather worn the carving and the post, how much the grass had grown around it. He tried to recall the name "Alistair", Castor was not a very large city, surely his death or disappearance would have been noticed if he were from around here. Finally, he sought to recall the significance of the silver piece nailed to the post.



Knowledge (Local): [roll0]
Knowledge (History): [roll1]
Knowledge (Nobility): [roll2]
Knowledge (Nature): [roll3]
Knowledge (Arcane): [roll4]
Knowledge (Religion): Take 10 + 10 = 20

(Sorry if I'm overdoing it on the knowledge rolls, I never know which one does which. Would I recognize Alistar because he is nobility? Or from local? Would the symbolism of the silver piece be a religious thing, or have historical significance, or would it be historically relevant? I don't know! So I'll probably roll a whole bunch of different knowledge checks when I want to know something.

Oh, and I was totally going to make Clue reference if stack didn't beat me to it.)

Edit: heh, my rolls sucked. I think I'm just going to take 10 on everything from now on.

[boldfont]

A cheap grave

Nicholas is unable to recall any mention of an "Alistair" in the past. It is not a nobleman's name, certainly. The lack of title in the grave indicates that. He cannot fathom why someone would nail a silver piece to the grave marker either. What he is sure of is that this grave is relatively fresh. It was dug no more than a year or two ago at the most. It is also a cheap grave. Why not take the body into town for a proper burrial? Perhaps the gravekeeper had something to hide, or could not afford in terms of money or circumstance.

Nicholas is sure it is not a happy story.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita Cantarritos

As the brothers head off to investigate the chapel, Val moves to join Thomas. "I shall search with you," she says. As the two of them move up the stairs, Val works to place her footfalls in exactly the same spots as Thomas. If anyone knew how to sneak around a house, it was someone who had done it as a child. They knew every creaky floorboard that would rat our your presence to anyone listening in wait, every door that could be gently nudged even when locked.

Once the two of them are alone upstairs, she asks the executor of his grandfather's estate, "Did your grandfather own a piano, Thomas?" Reading his puzzled reaction, she explains, "Esther's quest for a key that doesn't look like a key..." With a shrug, she concludes, "Sounds like a riddle."

[boldfont]

The Vestibule

The party enters through the broken window, as the frame around the front doors are warped from water damage and they hold the doors tight. The crush of coloured glass underfoot makes stealth nearly impossible.

Inside the entryway, a chandelier hangs high above. There appears to be the stain of dried blood on the oak parquet floor. The party can see numerous painting on the walls past the stairwell, but ignoring them for now they make their way up.

Whatever knowledge Thomas had of this place has faded and become outdated. The very first step creaks loudly. And the second. Time and moisture and neglect have changed the character of this place. Thomas' 175 pound body breaks through the third step.

Reflex save [roll0] DC 15

[boldfont]

"Did your grandfather own a piano, Thomas?" Reading his puzzled reaction, she explains, "Esther's quest for a key that doesn't look like a key..." With a shrug, she concludes, "Sounds like a riddle."

...

This distraction is enough to cause him to twist his ankle and run wood spliters up his shin. He was unable to react to the crack of the breaking step in time.

[roll0] damage

Valentita reconsiders her initial trust in Thomas' ability to lead safely, and takes the lead.

It is in the pary's best interest to have your trap finder in front from here on. The broken step would likely have been detected by her.

No. Thomas' father did not own a piano.

[boldfont]

The Balustrade

At the top of the stairs the balustrade overlooks the entrance. The hall, Thomas recalls, surrounds the library. He instructs Valentito to take the left passage.

The Second Floor Halls

Murals catch the adventurers' eyes as they pass.

http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/wheel-of-fortune.jpg
http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/cabin-in-the-woods-painting-noscale.jpg


Near the study doorway hangs a portrait of Gollion.

http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/gollion.png

Vanentita opens the door to the study...

[boldfont]

The Study

The study is a paper storm. A multitude of pages, possibly from a manuscript or a number of different sources, are strewn about every possible surface in the room. They appear to be in Gollion's cursive. He always applied too much pressure to the page, leaving ink blotches and jagged twists in his writing.

His desk faces the door. The windows behind it have heavy felt curtains drawn tight. It becomes necessary to light some of the candles in the holders hanging from the walls.

A massive wooden totem of some kind sits adjacent to the west of the desk. It looks to be a devil, on a devil, on a man, on a woman, on a beast of burden. Only the devil on top looks happy. The others wear faces of misery and oppressive weight. It is very exotic looking.

An oddly shaped skull rests on the desk. A candle has melted on top of it down to a stub. The wax cascades down the ridges of the bone.

A black leather bound book rests open on the desk. One of its pages flickers and turns over, though there is no wind.

A portrait of a young woman hangs to the west of the door. The door is flanked by a second portrait of Thomas' father on the east side.

A ten foot high shelf rests against the east wall. The shelf stretches the entire length of the wall. A glass covered cabinet in the middle houses valuable treasures. Some of the more important looking pieces include: a golden goblet, a carafe, a snuff box, a pipe, a silver inkwell, a wax seal kit, and a elk's horn handled knife. Books and less valuable knick knacks line the rest of the shelves. A small wooden chest catches your eye immediately however.

A heavy mace hangs on the west wall next to a grass woven tribal shield, a necklace and what looks to be a scalp.

A brass censer hangs from a chain bolted to the ceiling. It is of the same kind used by the monastary.

The strangest thing in the room by far is an enormous fifteen foot long animal skull resting in the northeast corner. It has an elongated snout and pronounced sharp upper canines. Fragrant dried flowers are scattered about the giant skull, intermingled with wayward sheets of paper.

Details are given through requested knowledge checks and searchs. This is the preliminary search. The other rooms will have as much detail. You can always revisit rooms. I will move you on to the ritual room when over half the players have posted "done" in a spoiler. I have an assignment due on Thursday, so please explore this room until then.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon follows Valentita and Thomas into the study, and wrinkles his nose at the strange arcane objects that decorate it: "your grandfather sure liked the warm and cosy feel," he joked nervously.

Drawing a dagger he began to poke about the room.

Spot [roll0]
Search [roll1]

[boldfont]

Brandon follows Valentita and Thomas into the study, and wrinkles his nose at the strange arcane objects that decorate it: "your grandfather sure liked the warm and cosy feel," he joked nervously.

Drawing a dagger he began to poke about the room.

Spot [roll0]
Search [roll1]

This... is not exactly how it works. haha. You need to explore the specifics of the room. "Search the papers" for some clue. If you don't have any knowledge ranks, you can still explore the objects by picking them up, using them, examining them individually. Since this part of the quest is a bit of an easter egg hunt, just saying "I search" is kinda lazy.

I retract what I said earlier about staying in this room. But lets keep it to one room at a time (that's a lot of writing for me!)

Anyways, I'm going to assume Brandon searches the papers.

Brandon makes an effort to sift through the papers scattered about the floor, but he gets nowhere quickly. There are too many, and the content of each starts to blend in with the next. It becomes clear that the pages are mostly part of some kind of journal or log. Each one is dated and recounts the day's events. Most of them concern astrological phenomenon, history, arcane rituals intended to contact this or that. Some of the pages have sketches or diagrams that must aid the understanding of what was written that day. A consistent theme throughout the pages is Gollion's research, but it is unclear what Gollion was researching. To what end? If these papers were organized by date or subject matter they would probably be very informative when cross-referenced with books from the library.

Brandon is unable to find something of particular interest in his short search. It would take the whole party a full day to organize everything. Brandon could examine a page at random, but it would certainly help if he knew what he was looking for.

The page he's holding now is about the "hills of the dog men." It speaks of a king of the dog men, the disgusting feeding habits of these dog men, and how humans are constantly running from the insatiable hunger of the dog men. The king of the dog men is given a prize for safe keeping, but the master needs to watch the treacherous curr. As a singular page it is unremarkable from the next, which Brandon gathers is about a mountain range floating in the ether. Mad ravings all!

If you search the papers again I will create a page and post it, Search DC 0-10 A mild descriptor like the ones you just received. DC 11-15 Moderate interest. DC 16-20 A page of specific interest. DC 21 or better will net you a puzzle with a clue in it.

[OMG PONIES]

At first, Valentita is unconcerned with the papers. Instead, she searches the bric-a-brac that litters the room. She didn't know how to tell if something was magic, but she knew that the dark arts always sent a shiver up her spine...and between the totem, the scalp, and the skulls, her teeth were chattering in this room. In order to distract herself from it, she turns to the pages that have fallen like gigantic snowflakes on the floor, hoping to find anything of note.

[roll0]
[roll1] for anything in the pages that might relate to Castor.

As she searches, one page sticks out to her. The woman couldn't explain why, but follows her instinct and reads over the page. Something in what she reads inspires her to pay closer attention to the stack of papers, and she crouches down and begins rifling through them. As she searches, she crumples up and tosses any pages that aren't of interest, either unaware or uncaring of the fact that these pages were the last earthly connection Thomas might have to his grandfather. Finally, she stops on one page that she doesn't crumple. Instead, she studies it quizzically before standing up and showing the page to the others.

Taking 20 on Search for a result of 27.

[OzzyKP]

Disgusted by the evil relics and decorations of this house, Nicholas began praying to the Goddess under his breath. Asking for protection and guidance as they sift through the effects of this disturbed man.

Nicholas scans the various papers on the ground, oh how he would love to spend days organizing and cataloging them all. Perhaps once their immediate task is over he would get the chance. For now though he picks up a page that catches his eye and reads it over.

After looking at that page, he is drawn to the leather bound book on Gollion's desk. He reads through it looking for any information or sign of magic.



Search: [roll0]

For the book:
Knowledge (Arcane): Take 10+8 = 18
Decipher Script (if necessary): [roll1]

[stack]

Thomas curses softly as he pulls splinters from his leg before proceeding upward. The place has changed, the neglect criminal. But it is still my families house. I can smell the surviving herbs in the garden, wafting through the windows. Some must have persevered against the neglect and abandonment. We must persevere as well.

In the study, he catches Valentita's hand as she tosses aside papers. "We will need those. We may not have time tonight, but I have no doubt all that is written here will be of interest to the Three Cord Strand. Now, give me a moment, I will see if there is any lingering enchantment here."

cast detect magic
if nothing pings in this room, he will move to the next, leaving the others to the mundane searching. Concentrating for the full one minute, covering as many rooms as possible.

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey
~

Geoffrey is at first repelled by the obvious unhallow objects in the room. While he knew that the Faith, the Sword and the Tome were neccesary in their quest, it seemed deplorable to him that someone in their order would be so steeped in the dark arts. Their work was to protect the world from demons, not to consort with them. He decides that he might as well get this over with, and aproaches the glass cabinet, sifting through the items within. He pays special interests to anything that might carry holy or occult significance

Knowledge Religion: [roll0]
Knowledge Arcana: [roll1]
Spellcraft: [roll2] that'd be 23. I'm forgetting my ranks.

[boldfont]

The Cabinet

Geoffrey examines the objects on display. They are of a decidedly worldly quality. The snuff box, the fine silver inkwell, and the lavishness of having a crystal carafe - all of these things are the comforts of a material minded person. If he has religious items, like the censer, you get the impression that he owns them to satisfy his meglomania more than his spiritual pursuits.

Someone with experience appraising such objects might know better, but in Geoffrey's estimation the silver inkwell, the carafe and the knife are the most valuable objects.

Geoffrey is especially disgusted when he picks up the goblet, which is only painted gold and has ruddy brown stains in the creases and the bottom of the cup. The iron smell of blood is unmistakable.

The wax sealing set bares the family insignia. Geoffrey recognizes it from his correspondance with Thomas. There is some blank stationary as well. The silver inkwell is very ornate. The craftsmanship is wonderful! He cannot help himself but admire the little curls of each flower and leaf, and the relief of a young woman on one side.

The knife is also finely crafted, though in a different sense. The ivory colour elk handle was left rugged. It was a wise choice by the artist, giving the knife a huntsmen's feel, even if the blade was far too impressive to use for something as crass as hunting. It has a downward curved hawksbill blade made from folded damascus steel. As Geoffrey turns the knife over in his hand gently to examine it, he cuts himself.

no save 1 hp

Ahh he calls out in surprise. Blood drips from his hand to the floor. The blade is incredibly keen. So much so that turning it over in his palm was enough to cut him.

[boldfont]

The Black Book

Nicholas didn't have to flip a page. There, in front of him, conveniently and exactly, was a ritual for finding the particular object you had in mind. The only catch was that it was dark magic. The symbols and words of the page appeared to shake off the paper and push out at the reader. Nicholas hears the whispers of children faintly in the distance.


Listen [roll0]
Will [roll1]


He can just make out what the voices say.
...
you eat it first


it slithers on my tongue
i don't like it


stop

no

stop





YOU DESERVE THIS
http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/129/e/1/black_tears_by_AngelOfFallingStars.jpg

The scream in his head and sudden vision of an eye... that horrible eye.
Nicholas manages to shake the experience. He shuts the book quickly and the voices subside. But even so, he notices that he has unconciously placed his thumb in between the pages, marking the spot of the ritual. He remembers the power the ritual promised, and it asked for nothing "but one night's dream" in return...

[boldfont]

The Page

Valentita finds a page of interest on Castor. It leads to more questions than answers.

http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/castor-gollion-notes0001.jpg

[boldfont]

The Spell

Thomas waits for a moment to let the spell settle and the magic to come into focus. The book, the mace, the knife, and the censer come into a kind of pronounced reality. They are magic. Especially the book and the knife. Those to practically burn with magic.

Bit by bit, minute traces of magic reveal themselve in a helo of unreality. The totem. The skulls. The inkwell. and more
these were all used in magical rituals or else they were magic at one point

it is as if the magic clings to them lightly
they can't let go of the past



Thomas given his head a shake. This is silly, and beyond the ambit of the spell. The book, the knife, the mace and the censer. They are magical.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Ok and noted :smallsmile:

Thomas drops the piece of paper down disappointed by its ravings. "Dog men, what is this?" Brandon wonders aloud. He had noted that the dog men were given an item to guard; perhaps a clue to how to find this key they searched for?

Shaking his head he moved to the curtains and tried to open them, wondering what was behind.

Should that yield nothing he next moved to the portraits and then the book shelves, examining each in turn for secret catches or levers, wondering if Gollion would have hidden something with such mundane tricks.

Take 20 for 23 on Search check on each.

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey
~

Geoffrey startles, and almost drops the ivory knife. He gets a grip on himself, and gently puts the knife back in its proper place in the cabinet. He licks the nasty cut on his hand, holding it in an awkward angle as to avoid smearing blood on his robe.
He frowned as Thomas started chanting. Shrugging he walks over to the wooden chest, and tries to open the lid. Should it be locked, he will start to rummage through the drawers of the desk in search of a key.

Search: [roll0]

[stack]

Thomas shakes his head clear. "The book, knife, mace and censer still bear enchantment. Me must take those. Any one of them could be the key." He pauses, seeing the discomfort writ on his companions' faces. "If any are uncomfortable handling the artifacts, I will bear them. I am no novice in these matters."

Much power lingers here, suffusing the room, the air itself. I would stay, delve into the mystery, walk in grandfather's footsteps myself, but there is no time. Not tonight.

What did you see?

identify isn't on the BM spell list. :smallfrown: Probably best to wait until we get to town anyhow.

[OzzyKP]

"I... I.. hesitate to point this out Thomas, but this book appears to have to have a ritual in it for finding the key we seek. I do not trust it, this book is entirely wicked and evil, but I felt it was not my place to keep this information secret."

[stack]

Thomas studies Nicholas's face for a moment, eyes keen for the tell-tales ticks of the beginnings of madness. Seeing no such thing, he stretches out his hand. "Let me see the book. If it is necessary to find the key, what choice do we have?"

Sensing the rising objections, he continues, "There is a room, across the hall, for performing rituals. It was once warded, strongly. They should provide some protection against any ill effects. I will see if the wards remain intact. Do not fear, I know better than most the need for caution in these matters. Nothing here is to be trifled with."

He doesn't open the book until he has checked the ritual room (detect magic, spellcraft check to identify wards [roll0]), if they seem intact and nothing else jumps out at him, he will bring the magic items in there and read the ritual. He will of course ask the brothers to pray and bless him before doing so. He'll probably cast protection from evil as well.

[boldfont]

The Chest

Geoffry removes the chest from the shelf. It is surprisingly light. Even before he opens it, he knows the chest will be empty. He is nearly right. A single silver coin lies wedged between the base and sides of the chest. He hypothesizes that the was was filled with silver at one point, but was emptied.

[boldfont]

Brandon's Search

It took twenty minutes to search everything. The others were busy with some book or other. Geoffrey was preoccupied with an empty chest. There were no secret passages or hidden switches. Brandon, feeling frustrated by the fruitlessness of his own searches, and the apparent success of the others', whips open the study curtains.

Nothing but silvery purple twilight and shadows. Brandon finds nothing.

[boldfont]

The Ritual Room Door

Thomas confidently strides down to the ritual room. Opposite the door he notes another of his grandfather's macrabe murals.


Knowledge: planes check [roll0]

http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/medieval_hell_beast-bite.jpg


He knows he is looking at a depiction of a lower plane of the Abyss, but the details are lost on him.

He turns to more immediate concerns. The ritual room. Thomas presses his thumb down on the plunger of the handle. It is stuck, however, and the door is effectively jammed. He jiggles the handle a bit, but it won't budge. One good slam to the plunger ought loosen it and lift the jammed bold inside. As far as he can remember, his grandfather never locked this door or attempted to hid what he was in his own home. His servants were all loyal and his guests never went upstairs. This was probably the age of the place showing itself again.

[stack]

Okay, I'll bite. Thomas frowns, jiggling the handle once more before slamming the plunger with his fist then pushing his shoulder into the door for good measure..

[boldfont]

The Ritual Room
Slamming his fist down on the handle loosens the plunger and opens the door. However, as the plunger goes down, a pin goes up into Thomas' meaty palm.


1 dmg
Fort save [roll0] DC 11
or [roll1] Dex dmg for [roll2] hours


The pin was obviously coated with some form of poison. It numbs Thomas' hand frightfuly bad. It is not a pleasant hinderance. Why didn't he ask Valentita to open the door? She could have her hand stabbed and numbed. At least it was a minor inconvenience. Thomas wonders when his grandfather had that little gem installed.

Inside the ritual room is much as Thomas remembered. A protective circle, much like the one Esther had drawn in her home, is the central feature. Acana meant to bind outsiders to their promises dominated the room. The world of demons had its special set of rules. They were creatures of evil and chaos, but if you knew their ways, then you could make powerful deals with them or bind them to your service. This... this was a good ritual room. It had magical braziers stocked with unexhaustable coal from the fires of 21st layer of the Abyss, the so called "sixth pyre". His father was proud of that prize. A six foot granite altar at the back of the room was dressed with candles and black silk. Gollion always kept this room neat and tidy, in spite of its alleged "unclean" nature. Two organized shelve with supplies were parallel each other on the left and right. Gollion loved symmetry. They had viles of blood and bile, boxes of feathers, bones, dead insects, and other ritual materials fully stocked and ready for use. Some components were spoiled. Thomas dared not open a mason jar of cheese curds, for example. But for the most part, this was a demonologist's dream.

+2 (or in some case +4) to any ritual cast in this room. +1 CL to any "demonic" type spell and summoning spells in this room. You may not take components with you to boost your spells.

At ritual for minor summoning appears half-way completed. It is a spell for summoning and binding a minor demon to service for as long as the demon exists on this plane, or "until the creature's name is spoken". The price was already paid. If Thomas could remember the final words he would have a free pet. But he would have to be careful. The demon may be clever and trick Thomas into saying his or her name. This would release the creature onto the mortal plane, free as a bird until vanquished. And to make matters tricker, he did not know the name because he did not perform the bulk of the ritual. Still, free was always good.

[stack]

(I presume you meant Thomas, since I don't think he used Brandon's hand :smallwink:)

Thomas jerks his hand away, blood welling out of the gouge. He bites of the curse that leaped to his tongue, his anger and frustration fading to confusion and concern as his feat grew unsteady. Leaning against the wall with his uninjured hand, he stops for a moment. "That...that was not there before. I ought be more cautious and not presume on my familiarity. Perhaps someone more skilled in these matters should go ahead before I continue my inspection."

[stack]

Thomas stands still, wavering slightly as he contemplates the half-finished ritual. Lost in thought, his companions start to wonder if something has happened to him. Snapping out of it, he turns. "I am uncertain that it would be safe to attempt anything here while the ritual that was last performed remains open. Give me a moment to understand it."

spellcraft name [roll0]
spellcraft type [roll1]

[boldfont]

Thomas thinks for a moment and then remembers the words that will, should he speak them, complete the ritual and summon a lesser demon as his servant. The spell has an infinite duration and the price, already paid, was in blood. It seems an old choice of spell for a black mage as powerful as his grandfather. Odder still that it was not completed. Nevertheless, Thomas is absolutely certain of the spell's purpose and effect. The demon should be bound to Thomas' service, unable to do anything that might harm or hinder him or his friends, until it is destroyed, banished, or until its name is spoken (in demon lore, this is because addressing it so gives it status as an equal).

All he needs to do is say nine little words...

"soba tahil ginonupe pereje aladi, das vaurebes obolehe giresam"

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey closes the lid of the chest. Thomas has been gone for a while now. Perhaps something has happened to him? He might be stuck somewhere... or worse. Suddenly in a hurry, Geoffrey walks off in the direction Thomas had seemed to be going. He breathes a sigh of relief when he sees him standing just inside the ritual room, appearently captivated by something. Geoffrey's relief is shortlived however, as he sees what Thomas is staring at, mumbling something about understanding the ritual.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita squints as she reads the last page she picked up, as one squints to make out something that isn't quite clear. However, no matter how she adjusts her eyes she can't fully understand the ravings listed on the page. It seemed to bounce between a journal of a demonic summoning (the Hound of Yeenoghu, an undead army), personal vendetta (John Walsh the rag mender), and the disturbing. The sketch at the bottom of the page shook Val to her core; scrawled in the margin is the image of the city, upside-down, with children falling out of its roots and into flame. The butcher tried telling herself that the figures lacked any detail and didn't have to be children, but she couldn't make herself see it any other way. Then there was the talk of "borrowing against Castor"...Had Gollion used the city and its people as ante in a high-stakes game he couldn't win?

[roll0] to identify John Walsh or anything else recognizable to Val about Castor.


"Dog men, what is this?" Brandon wonders aloud. He had noted that the dog men were given an item to guard; perhaps a clue to how to find this key they searched for?

Val's ears perk up as Brandon mentions dog men. "Think 'dog men' are the sheriff's boys." She laughs once, quickly and quietly, nodding her head. "Can't say it doesn't fit. This page may give us a guide to translating the other pages. Everyone take a look." At this, she passes the page around to the others, drawing their attention to the list at the bottom of the page:


Neath the manor: perversion of the flesh
Sheriff's keep: kingdom of the dog-men
vineyard: endless wylde (the mind of evil)
harbor: abyssal seas & isle (gaping maw)
lost canals: endless maze
sky gardens: shandilavri?
quarry: the Iron Wastes
ampitheatre: the liar's tale
Monastery: mouth of misery


As the others read the page, she asks "Anyone see anything familiar? Whatever's going on here is bigger than this manor. We should make haste to complete our search."


Thomas shakes his head clear. "The book, knife, mace and censer still bear enchantment. Me must take those. Any one of them could be the key." He pauses, seeing the discomfort writ on his companions' faces. "If any are uncomfortable handling the artifacts, I will bear them. I am no novice in these matters."

Val feels drawn to the blade. She knows that this is simply because of her appreciation for its craftsmanship, rather than anything as eery as the knife "calling to her." However, that doesn't explain why she can't ignore her interest in it. Reasoning that it's probably nothing, she shrugs and says "I can carry the knife. Looks keen enough to risk harming the lot of you, and I've got the know-how to use it safely." She holds out her hand to Thomas with her palm raised to the sky, wordlessly demanding it from him in the same way she kept dangerous objects out of her children's possession. So beautiful, she thinks to herself, Just let me hold it...wield it.


"Let me see the book. If it is necessary to find the key, what choice do we have?"

Plenty of folks had used this line of thought before, and Val didn't like it. It starts out of necessity, but then every occasion becomes a necessity. It starts as a matter of last resort, but then there are no more resorts. Living in the poorer part of Castor, the butcher had seen her fair share of addictions; by now she is wise enough to try stopping it before it even starts...especially when that addiction transcended wrestling metaphorical demons and skipped straight to actual demons.

Valentita raises a hand, palm out, as if to halt someone. "Thomas," she says sternly, her maternal role as a disciplinarian coming to the fore, "There's always another way. Magic is business; business has its profits, but it also carries costs. Be sure to count the cost."


"That...that was not there before. I ought be more cautious and not presume on my familiarity. Perhaps someone more skilled in these matters should go ahead before I continue my inspection."

Valentita begins to yawn at the lateness of the hour, but stops and kicks herself. It was her job to make sure accidents like that didn't happen, damn it--that's why Esther had asked her to join the Cord. With a small shiver, Val rids herself of the stress of her day and tries to make herself alert. She says nothing, but nods silently and takes the lead. Her eyes are peeled for any signs of movement, and she listens intently to the silence around them for any indication of danger. She wouldn't let that happen again.


"I am uncertain that it would be safe to attempt anything here while the ritual that was last performed remains open. Give me a moment to understand it."

Val didn't like the looks of this room at all; while the wards in Esther's sanctuary conveyed goodness and safety, the wards in this room seemed more precarious, as if they teetered on the brink between good and evil. Rather than starting another argument with Thomas about his dalliances in the dark arts, she tries to usher the party onward by saying, "We know with certainty that it would be unsafe to attempt anything here, period. We should continue our search and hurry back to Esther."

[stack]

Thomas manages a tired, sad smile. "Count the costs? My dear Valentita, I know the cost very well. I walk the edge of the knife, teetering between madness and damnation, selling my life and soul to purchase peace and ignorance for the masses. Sui oblitus commodi, 'regardless of his own interest', you've seen it written on these walls, beneath the crest."

He looks away, face taught, eyes intense. "Magic is no business, it is power. And power is what we must have if we are to persevere. You think this place dark and evil? Here is our hope for victory. Aye, the Tome is the source of our knowledge, understanding our foes and turning their strength against themselves."

He slumps slightly, his face relaxing. "But the Faith and the Sword are no less needed. I will hear council." He waves a hand about him. "To strive in isolation in...unwise."

[boldfont]

John Walsh

Where had Val heard that name before? John Walsh.
John
Walsh...

Walsh is a very common name. She knew several Walsh families.

rag mender?

This implies that he is poor. Very poor. Mending raggy clothes for coin is something old widows do on busy street corners. Their customers take pity on them more than anything else. If this John Walsh character was actually and mender of rags, Valentita would have heard of him. No, this has to be a jibe. It was a slight on a tailor.

Val was an expert on the who's who of Caster, but it wasn't the impossible feat of knowing everyone that made her an expert. It was knowing who knows!

Brandon, who's that tailor that lives by your house? The one that makes fine lady's dresses. she asked on a hunch.

Danielle Tully. Why do you ask? he replied.

Tully is a name she knew. Bradley Tully married a Danielle Walsh a few years back. Danielle Walsh inherited her couturier from her father who went missing around the same time that the page was dated. Val feels confident that Danielle's father is the John Walsh this paper speaks of.

1391 also sticks in her mind as significant.
[roll0] Local DC 15 (Would be +2 for any ranks in History) ***

But unfortunately she can't recall why. Maybe Danielle would know.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon steps back; his physical searches had yielded nothing whilst the others kept falling into traps.
He moved to the mace on the wall and whilst Valentita acquainted herself with the dagger he drew down the heavy weapon.

"Thomas; let me search instead of you, we'll need you if we want to survive this I think, and I imagine open wounds in this place are more dangerous than in any other abandoned house."

Brandon moves to search as Thomas instructs, hefting the mace in case any searches require a more physical application.

[stack]

Soba tahil ginonupe pereje aladi, das vaurebes obolehe giresam, those words will finish the spell...but what will be called? Can it provide answers? The danger will not be immediate, though I doubt the others will approve. But answers, even the chance...

To Brandon, absentmindedly, "Yes, go ahead. I'll be here a moment."

"I will examine the book as well. This was the page, was it not?" Stand in the protective circle and scans the page, hoping to discern more than Nicholas.

spellcraft [roll0]

[boldfont]

The Black Book


Listen [roll0]
Will Save [roll1] (+2 ritual circle bonus)


Thomas opens the black leather bound book to the marked page.

Sure enough, it is as Nicholas said. He could have cast it himself if Nicholas had the wherewithal. It is a spell to find whatever you might seek. Thomas is impressed. This particular ritual is extremely powerful, with lasting effect and free of error. Most of these kinds of scrying spells only work if the caster has a token of the thing sought, or if they have a clear picture in mind. What good is that? If Thomas knew what he was looking for, then he would just go and get it! And even then such spells have a good chance of fizzling. This spell works even if the caster only has the vaguest idea of what he might be seeking. It puts the vision of the object in your head, and as if you had an inner compass, you always know the path to it.

The price is troubling. The words "but one night's dream" sound innocuous, but the connotation of a peaceful slumber belies its true nature. Thomas knew full well that some demons have the power to kill you in your dreams. Others merely confuse you or give you a restless night's sleep. Certainly no demon would ask for anything that wasn't of interest to them. Pain and misery is what interests them.

More troubling still, there was no indication which demon wrote the spell. "Spell" was a bit of a misnomer. Rituals of this kind were closer to a contract. Some dark magic drew power from the world, like the one's he had on hand. Others came with a price. They were offers to treat, from whatever soul dared to make the deal. Without know which demon was offering, Thomas could not know the actual price. Fortunately, few demons have any real powers over our dreams.

He is weighing the pros and cons when he begins to hear the whispers.
He strains to hear them without thinking.

it's y our tu r n now



but

but i

dont w ant to




its y
ou
r

turn




eat it



n o


if y o u dont eatit
t hen
youraliar

...


ill neve r forg ive you



...





...







lets make h i m eat it


but its y o u r t u rn
i ll make you!



wait





...


i like this idea
lets
m a k e h i m
eat it


i t will

be fun


Thomas hears the giggles of children.


yes let s

you r e right
we ll do tha t

it ll be







...fun








...









...









...






thomas...









EAT THIS

http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/black-tears.jpg

Thomas is unconscious. The black book has disappeared.

[boldfont]

The Mace

Brandon pulls the heavy mace from the wall. It is one of bulbous hallow maces from the Easterly folk. It looks a little like a big pumpkin on the end of a stick. Still, it has a good feel to it, and Brandon figures it could do some damage in a pinch.

It gives off a slight humming sound when it moves. The sound is quite audible when it is swung.


Hvy Mace: Knockback (if med or small hit then Fort DC 19 or 5ft back), Resounding (if hits then +1 global to all ally in 30ft), Cold Iron
1d8 dmg, crit x2

http://www.trocadero.com/101antiques/items/747730/catphoto.jpg

[OzzyKP]

Warily, Nicholas handed Thomas the book. He offered a few quick words of protest, but knew that Thomas was fiercely independent and unlikely to heed his caution. He knew also that if anyone could successfully, and safely complete this ritual it was Thomas. He lodged his complaint and then handed the book over, giving it to Thomas open to the correct page. Though, he suspected, if he hadn't, the book very well may have turned to that page on its own. One more reason not to trust it.

Nicholas steps out of the circle and waits as Thomas looks the book over. He looks disturbed and distracted, no doubt hearing those same voices Nicholas did when he looked the book over himself. It wasn't long before Thomas suddenly collapsed.

Nicholas rushed in, grabbing his companion as he fell, cushioning his fall, and cradling his head. Instinctively he checks Thomas' pulse, confirming that he is indeed still alive.

He calls out to the others, "Help! Thomas has collapsed!"

But he knows he needs no help. Thomas is now his responsibility. He foolishly gave him this book, knowing the risks it posed. He was the one who must care for him.

Nicholas laid him flat and elevated his feet. Hoping additional blood flowing toward his head would help him wake up.

"Don't move him from the circle." he told the others, "If there is truly any protective power in this room, Thomas needs it now more than ever."

Continuing to vocalize his thoughts to the others he says, "The book offered a ritual that would help us find any object we sought. It asked 'but one night's dream' in return. I did not see Thomas perform any ritual, so I do not know what happened. Perhaps the evil of the book overwhelmed him. You should all keep your distance, just in case."

Nicholas inspected him closely looking for any kind of magical spell or curse placed on him that would prevent him from regaining consciousness normally. Seeking any information about his current state, and how he could be restored to normal.


Knowledge (Arcane): [roll0]
Knowledge (Planes): Take 10 + 10 = 20
Healing: Take 10 + 7 = 17
Spellcraft: [roll1]

[boldfont]

Foist

Thomas wasn't the only one who knew thing or two about demons. Nicholas, in his own way, had great knowledge of the other planes. His patient was clearly asleep. Nicolas gave Thomas a sound slap across the cheek hoping that this would rouse him. Alas, it was to no avail. Nicholas observed that Thomas' eyes darted forth and back rapidly. He was clearly dreaming. But of what? He recalled the price of the spell, "But one night's dream". He was dreaming then. Nicholas hypothesized that whatever demon had drawn up this spell had also foisted it upon Thomas. Thomas had no choice but to cast the spell. Some small part of him wanted to, and the demon had made a deal with that part of him. When he would wake, Nicholas could not say.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon starts as Thomas collapses: this was why he'd wanted to check things for Thomas- bloody minded mage!

The Deadeye moves in a circle around Thomas brandishing the mace in case there are invisible assailants. The faint humming is comforting, for somehow the silence of the house had begun to unnerve him.

"Nicholas. Do you think Thomas will return? If we could protect him for this one night he should wake again with our key, correct?" Brandon didn't trust any of this magery at all, and this house stank of it. "Where did the book go?"

[OzzyKP]

Continuing to hold Thomas' head, monitoring his sleep for anything out of the ordinary, Nicholas responds to Brandon, "Lacking any other information, I think the best we can assume is that he shall be asleep for one night, after which he will awake. There is the very real danger of course, as with any bargains with demons, that there is a catch or a trick. Which Thomas surely knew and would have taken into consideration, but it seems the book had no interest in waiting for him to actually decide to perform the ritual."

His face turning serious, "There is always the possibility that what this demon considers to be 'one night' is quite different than what you and I would consider it to be. We should wait and if he does not wake in the morning I shall try to revive him by other means."

Turning over their current predicament in his mind, Nicholas suggests a course of action, "Which leaves us with a choice. I shall not leave his side while he is incapacitated like this. That gives us three options right now. The rest of you could continue your search while I remain here and guard Thomas, or we could all stay in here and get some sleep, posting a watch in regular intervals, or we could gather up all the papers from the other room and bring them here for us all to organize and make some sense out of."

"My preference is for the third option. I am afraid to split up, this is an evil place full of devious traps and curses. Esther chose us all for this mission because, I believe, our skills complement each other. Going off on your own without Thomas and I could be too dangerous. Plus ,those pages might contain more information that we need, and Thomas' condition gives us the time to sort through them."


Good thing I didn't decide to go for that vow of silence...

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey
~

"It seems a wise course of action. But perhaps, if we sought through the house, we might find something that could cure him? Maybe some sort of artifact, or even a spell, though I do not like the idea of using more magic."

Geoffrey seemed quite indecisive, and scared to no small degree. On one hand, he didn't think they could afford not having Thomas with them, him knowing the house and all. On the other, he did not particularly like the thought of staying here the whole night. Yet again, this search might well be eased when the Godess once more returned to the skies. He uttered a prayer under his breath, that he might not fall victim to fear in face of adversity.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita Cantarritos

The quiet woman listens as Nicholas provides options to the group, nodding as he comes to his conclusion. "I agree," she says. "Productive, but cautious. I'll take a few minutes to gather the papers and we can review them in shifts. If he wakes," she points to Thomas, "he is not to complete that ritual under any circumstances." With that, she turns back to the study to gather the papers.

Taking 20 on Search for a result of 27 again, hoping to compile the papers and bring them back to the ritual chamber for organization and review.

[boldfont]

Organizing the Notes

The Three Strands put in to a vote and decided that the most sensible thing to do would be to move all of Gollion's loose and scattered notes into the ritual room and begin sorting through them while Thomas slept. This allowed them to continue the search and keep an eye on Thomas.

Most of the notes made no sense out of context. Gollion wrote in enigmatic terms with much poetic license.

It would be impossible for me to write the whole of Gollions memoirs for you. For storytelling and practical reasons I will post relevant notes throughout the campaign as your characters refer back to them or recall them (with a successful knowledge check). This works well because you will be coming into contat with many things that your characters would have no way of knowing anything about otherwise. Perhaps you will decide to have them bound, I don't know, but you should carry them with you.

Three more pages (http://averyfineknifepbp.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/gollions-notes/)stuck out as being particularly relevant. Nicholas recalled the horrible image of the eye he had seen upon coming into contact with the book and thought that two pages related to this. Brandon found a third which was about the house itself.

In general, the group came to understand that Gollion did many terrible things for what he believed to be the greater good. He made deal after deal with a host of demons, each time hoping to undo the damage of the last deal. Many times he managed these deals successfully, but overall he came to a devastating net loss. The nature of this loss would require continuous study to discover, but at least his memoirs were all in one place and organized by date. It was a valuable find.

[boldfont]

The Dream

Thomas finds himself lying in a four poster bed. This is someone's house, but he does not know whose. The masonry and the furnishings are of the highest quality, but they are covered in a thick layer of dust. As is he, incidently. The room is circular. Possibly a tower. There are windows, but the curtains are drawn. A heavy oak door is at the opposite end of the room. A chest lies at the end of the bed. A vanity table with a large looking glass is also present. A man's armour is proudly on display. This is a nobleman's master bedroom of an older style, but Thomas cannot tell more than that.

No ranks in Knowledge: History

He sits up. Everything feels muted and dull. Colours are less vibrant. Things feel and look less substantial generally. Like a memory or...

The heavy wooden door opens outwards. Through the doorway, Thomas can see a spiral stairwell leading down, but no one on the other side.

[stack]

Thomas stands slowly, unsure of his surroundings. Is this a dream? Or have I been taken somewhere? It feels...strange. 'One night's dream'...rhe ritual? No fire, a good sign. I've had worse dreams. Seems best to press on, if it is part of the ritual, perhaps I can find the key here?

He takes a long look at himself in the looking glass before drawing his sword and descending the stair.

[boldfont]

The Dream

Thomas is unnerved to discover that he hasn't got his sword with him. He is in his undergarments, and bare footed to boot. This must be a dream.
Fortunately the suit of armour on display is holding a claymore (two-handed sword) and Thomas can make do with that.

He makes his way down the spiral steps, and as he passes the torches behind him extinguish. The stairwell feels unnaturally endless.

How long it was he decended, Thomas could not say. Time has become a notion he was no longer acquianted with. All he knew was that he has to press on, for as he went and lights extinguished behind him, Thomas could not help but feel they also vanished into nothingness. It was an eternity and a second all at once.

He reaches the bottom and can hardly believe it. How long was he on those stairs? It was all he knew, yet now that he was at the bottom that part of his life has passed and 10,000 years is the same as a breath in memory.

A single solitary door with bars over a central portal and an oversized iron knocker.

come i n


yes e nter




we ve be en wait ing for you

Those whispers speak to Thomas from all directions, internal and external. He suddenly feels a sense of foreboding and terror.
Thomas is "shaken" -2 to rolls (except saves)
He looks back and sees naught but inky blackness. The world ends, at least to his eyes, five steps up. And the sole torch at the base of the stairwell is beginning to dwindle...

[stack]

Thomas reaches out, about to touch the knocker, then pauses. He takes a deep breath, muttering a warding enchantment before grasping it firmly and knocking three times. Forward, forward, and forward again, for good or ill. There is no behind.

nightshield, +1 saves for 1 minute, blocks magic missile

rolls to guess at whats going on from past reading, etc

Spellcraft [roll0]
Know rel [roll1]
know planes [roll2]

[boldfont]

The Mutes


Listen Checks DC [roll0]

Geoffrey [roll1]
Brandon [roll2]
Nicholas [roll3]
Valentita [roll4]

Geoffrey and Val have the surprise round initiative. Then the regular rounds. If you want to roll your own initiative, please do so before the surprise round ends.


As the group kneels sorting papers, Val and Geoffrey hear the creaking of floorboards and the shuffling of feet. Something wicked this way comes. Brandon and Nicholas do hear this and so they cannot react in time. The door to the ritual room is wide open.

http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/ritual-room-combat-map-1.jpg

[boldfont]

The Dream


Thomas reaches out, about to touch the knocker, then pauses. He takes a deep breath, muttering a warding enchantment before grasping it firmly and knocking three times. Forward, forward, and forward again, for good or ill. There is no behind.

nightshield, +1 saves for 1 minute, blocks magic missile

rolls to guess at whats going on from past reading, etc

Spellcraft [roll0]
Know rel [roll1]
know planes [roll2]

At the third knock the door opens of its own accord. Through the frame Thomas sees a flat rocky wasteland. The wind whistles softly in his ears and a slight bluster causes his hair to whip about. About a hundred feet in front of him, sloping upwards, is the pointed precipice of a cliff. The sky is the same purple twilight as it was in the waking world.

At the tip of this triangular wedge of cliff is a blanket laid out with silverware and what looks to be foodstuffs. Three small girls in wedding dresses, complete with veils, sit cross legged on the blanket.

Thomas knows he is expected to join them to sup, just as he was expected to go down the stairwell and not turn back, but since this is a lucid dream Thomas may do as he wishes.

He feels and sense of urgency. His heart races with fear. Thomas suspects he knows the demon girls he is now staring down, but he can't be certain unless he moves closer. If he is right, and these are the sisters three, then he had better guard his mind and pay close attention to any deal they might want to strike. Little is known about the sisters except that they want inside your head and the horrible thoughts they would fill your head with come to life. They want to drive you mad.

[stack]

Eat this...children's voices...so it comes together. But first, closer to be sure. Thomas walks slowly forward, studying his would-be hostesses carefully.

Once again to skirt madness for the answer to a riddle? Why wasn't I born a shepard? Sheep don't try to break your mind.

Shows what Thomas knows about sheep!

He grounds the awkwardly large sword next to him as he kneels to speak with the girls. Adopting his most assured tone, intent to deal with them as properly, he speaks "You wish to strike a bargain?"

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey
~

Momentarily, the blood froze in Goeffrey's veins. There were not supposed to be anyone in the house. He remembered a piece of Her scripture, and took solace in it, clutching the symbol around his neck:
"But the Goddess saw they were unworthy, and so She cast them out from Her light." He said, drawing his claymore accompanied by the clink of armor. He stood by the side of the door, resolved to stand firm in the face of whatever might come through.

Moving to B6, drawing his sword as part of the action. If he gets to make an AoO, He'll be smiting evil and chaos, and power attacking for all he's worth.
To hit: +6, 2d6+10 damage, assuming they are subject to smite.
Hp: 15(16)
Ac: 15

[boldfont]

He grounds the awkwardly large sword next to him as he kneels to speak with the girls. Adopting his most assured tone, intent to deal with them as properly, he speaks "You wish to strike a bargain?"

tee hee hee hee
tee hee hee hee
tee hee hee hee

It is definitely the sisters three. Thomas can see their mouths move underneath their veils, but it is no comfort. He can still hear their omnipresent whispers in his head and out.

He looks behind him. Whatever structure he emerged from is gone. He sees a colossal reclining figure that makes up part of the landscape in the distance. Its proportions are off and it has an unsettlingly alien quality to it. Further off, Thomas can see the outlines of other figures, each as strange or stranger.

As Thomas approached he sees the vastness of the chasm that the girls sit near. It can only be the abyss, and if Thomas is correct, he is (at least notionally) on the 230th lair of the Abyss, "the dreaming gulf". From what Thomas knows, the dreaming gulf is not ruled by any specific demon. Instead, it is the resting place of powerful and forgotten demons of old who dream for eternity. Some say they were gods. Geoffrey and Nicholas would have a thing or two to say about that though. The sisters are born of this lair from the dreams or nightmares of these lost elderich gods.

Laid out on the blanket they have a kind of picnic set up. A covered silver platter sits in the centre. There are four place settings, one at each corner of the blanket, complete with fork and knife and a small bone china plate. Faded pink napkins, complete with napkin rings, rest on the plate. Silver goblets rest comfortably without sign of tipping on the ground.

he joins us

i hoped
h
e
would


drin
k
thi s

One of the girls sips from her cup and then pours for Thomas from a bottle that looks to be wine, but what comes out is black and opaque ichor.

They look to the sword he has laid peacefully beside him.

he has
fat hers sword

he does not want to play at co urt


he want s to play
dragon slayer

dragon slayer


slayer
dragon


...




we lik e games

[stack]

Thomas moves slowly, weighing his options carefully. Drink the black ichor in the dreaming abyss? Boast and threaten, deal and lie? Question or presume? Lost in a strange country, without map and surround by fog. Dragonslayer? Father's sword...

take 20 examining the sword (24), cast detect magic if needed

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

Val darts to the door in a flash, trying to hide herself from prying eyes in the hallway while maintaining line of sight the best she can. She sees Geoffrey draw his large sword and moves to unsheathe her knife from her waistband. Curiously, she finds Thomas' ancestral dagger is already in her hand and prepared to strike at a moment's notice.

OOC:
Assuming Geoffrey's in C6 with his sword drawn, Val will try to hide in the corner at D6 if Brandon moves. If not, she'll move to B6, which should provide her limited line of sight out the door and down the hall.

Val makes a quick motion, pointing to the others in the room and then extending her hand (palm down). From the look in her eyes, it's clear that she's trying to say that everyone should stay in the ritual chamber and stay quiet; silence was important now. Trusting that the others understood her message, Val retrieves a small mirror from her pack. The tiny reflective glass looked like it had once been a part of an elaborate cosmetics like this used by the wealthy women of Elk Island. However, it was scratched and tattered so much that it was hardly recognizable as a luxury item. Whoever once owned it must have lost it long ago.

Spot or Search DC 20 to open*
As Val pulls the mirror from her pack, the candlelight in the room tosses an engraving on the outside lid into sharp relief. Though it's visible for but a moment, you can read:

V:
You are my song.
-E
*DC or skills required can be changed at DM discretion

Regardless of its state, it serves Val's purpose as she uses it to peek down the hallway without sticking her head out. She slows her breathing to quiet it and ignores the throbbing sound of her heart pumping blood through her chest, quieting herself in order to hear what was approaching. Perhaps it had just been the house settling?

[roll0] to deliver a secret message SUCCESS
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[boldfont]

The Sisters Three


Thomas moves slowly, weighing his options carefully. Drink the black ichor in the dreaming abyss? Boast and threaten, deal and lie? Question or presume? Lost in a strange country, without map and surround by fog. Dragonslayer? Father's sword...

take 20 examining the sword (24), cast detect magic if needed

The sword has an unreal dream like quality to it. It is too perfect, too polished, and too darn magical to be a real sword. It was more like the exaggerated memory of a sword.

he wants to play h ero


big
hero...


slayer of dragons




or
he could fight giants




giant killer


killer
giants...

Sense Motive [roll0]
No hint for you! LOL! Maybe he thinks they're nice girls and they just need a hug with that roll. Wow!
Detect magic is not necessary. Remember that this is a dream.

thomas?


thomas?




thomas...


won t
you play with us?



play with
us



let s play

tee hee hee

tee hee hee

tee hee hee

What did they want? Thomas felt scared. He had dealt with many demons in the past, but these three were more alien to him than any other he had met before. Some inspired awe. Some were frightful in appearance and stature. Some were just plain greedy. The sisters three were more than just creepy. They were anxiety and nightmares from another world. His heart was pounding.

Thomas takes 1 temporary Wisdom drain

[stack]

The dream was maddening. Riddles floated about, mysteries unspoken. Play the game or wait for them to act? I can feel mind slipping already. To forge on is perilous but to delay doom. Bottoms up.

He lifts the cup. Forcing a smile, he speaks cheerily, as if playing at tea with Meryld as she had made him do as a child. "A fine day for a picnic." He drinks deep.

[boldfont]

The Mutes

Val and Geoffrey spring into action. To them the sound of something approaching is very clear, however quiet the signs are. Geoffrey readies his weapon prepared to strike. Val pushes her way past Brandon, who is preoccupied with on of the manuscript sheets. She manages to find her pocket mirror, no more than a refletive sheet of metal, and seek a peek down the hallway. They are closer than expected! The enemy is upon them.

Val sees a crowd of faceless humaniod horrors staggering blindly towards the ritual room. They look like deformed and naked men and women with a second bleached layer of skin pulled over them. Some have only one arm. Another has both trapped tight beneath the pasty skin. The closest has two handless stumps which it uses to guide itself through the door presently. It is in the room before the others can ready themselves.

The creature practically trips into the room awkwardly. Geoffrey and Val, having weapons in hand, take the opportunity to strike the creature, who obviously does not come in peace.


Geoffrey's AoO [roll0]
if hit [roll1] dmg
Val's AoO [roll2]
if hit [roll3] (no sneak)


The first creature is felled. Geoffrey's powerful swing cuts in and cracks the torso. Valentita's blade cuts through the creature like butter. It falls in a messy clump on the floor.

http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/ritual-room-combat-map-21.jpg

OMG, treat the hawkbill knife as Follows
Keen +1 Knife 1d4+1 dmg (15-20 Crit +4 to confirm and x3 dmg)

[boldfont]

Bottoms up


Will DC 13 [roll0]

[boldfont]

[roll0] Wis dmg


The slick black fluid instantly goes to his head, not as a strong wine or port might, but as the sudden intoxication of fear and madness does. Nevertheless, his hosts seem pleased with his willingness to "play".

no sisters
thomas wants to play at court





so he
does


i like this g ame

you be the charming
prince


we re the
prince ss es




and thi s
i s
our court

Thomas definitely feels trapped, alone, and scared out of him mind. Whatever game they are playing, Thomas knew he wasn't winning so far.

eat
this


yes
eat it



eat it
thomas


The middle sister pushes the covered platter towards Thomas with a porcelain white hand. Thomas now recognizes the flowers in their hair. Posies.

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey is horrorstruck by the creatures before him. He steeled himself, however, and lifted his sword over his head, ready to bring it down upon the next creature that entered

Ready action to attack the next creature that enters. Power Attacking.
1d20+3, 2d6+6

[stack]

Thomas chokes down the rising terror. Deeper and deeper, drowning can'tbreathewhatdoIdo?

THINK

Master yourself. They toy with your mind.

Not even made a bargain yet.

Focus. Prince, princesses, game.

"Then the prince ought to have the honor of the maiden's names?" His hand pauses over the covered dish, awaiting a response.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon steps back to allow Korlon, his eagle to take his place, while he moved to backwards to grab the mace and then took his place beside Geoffrey.

Move to B5 (the long way around).

Hp 13/13, AC 18, Stance: Child of Shadow (gain concealment if move 10ft or more).

Ready an attack with the Mace (+2 to hit, resounding, knockback and cold iron, 1d8+1 damage).

Korlon the eagle (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/eagle.htm). Korlon also readies an attack.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita (Round 1)

Val doesn't know what these creatures are, but due to their foul appearance she doesn't have any qualms about bringing her blade to bear against them. When she stabs at the first oddity that comes through the door with Gollion's dagger, she feels an odd sense of calm come over her as the blade sails through its flesh. For some odd reason, using the dagger felt right...good, even. She raises her other hand to Geoffrey, motioning him to remain in place. The butcher raised the dagger high above her head and waited for the next creature to enter the room.


Move action: None.
Standard action: Ready an action to attack the next creature that comes into the doorway (flanked by her and Geoffrey). 6 vs AC for 11 damage (9 if nonliving).

[roll0] +2 (forgot that flanking provides a bonus to attack)
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

[OzzyKP]

"The horrors have begun," thought Nicholas, "The old fool made deal after deal with the demons, and now this entire house is a den of evil and twisted monsters."

Aware of his own danger, and danger to his ward, he realizes that poor Thomas may be following in his grandfather's footsteps. Opening himself up to demons, and all the sinister trickery they impose. Thomas' mind is being exposed to unknown danger right now, and Nicholas is powerless to aid him, but what he can do is protect his body from their faceless assailants. He drags Thomas over to the corner of the room, furthest from the door (E4) and readies his quarterstaff, hovering over Thomas (D4), prepared to defend him if necessary, but knowing that if not necessary the fighting is better left to the young.

Closing his eyes, he grabs for his three cord strand, dangling from his simple belt. He grasps the strand tightly and says the following blessing over his companions:

"Heavenly Goddess, may your loving kindness watch over us and protect us from harm. Bless these worthy souls with strength and clarity as they confront the forces of evil. Guide their hand as they defend light from the vile darkness. By the power of your holy spirit, amen."

Cast Bless: +1 to attacks and rolls against fear for all of us, lasts a minute

[boldfont]

The Mutes


Geoffrey [roll0] if hits [roll1] dmg
Val [roll2] if hits [roll3] plus [roll4] (I did not understand your rolls. Did you roll a 2? Something isn't adding up. Sorry, I'm not getting it. I'm rolling for you. The dagger is +1 magical too. It's BaB +2, Flank +2, +1 Magic, and next round +1 bless.) EDIT: I just got it. You did roll crap, my apologies both fpr misunderstanding and your luck. You missed either way. :smallfrown:
Nicolas - Bless
Brandon [roll5] if hits [roll6] Knockback Fort DC 19 [roll7]
Korlon Claw [roll8] claw [roll9] Bite [roll10] for [roll11] [roll12] [roll13]

[boldfont]

Geoffrey AoO [roll0] if hit [roll1]
Val AoO [roll2] if hit [roll3] and [roll4]
Brandon AoO [roll5] if hit [roll6] Knockback save [roll7]

[boldfont]

Geoffrey aptly dispatches the first monster to step over the body in the doorway. A quick chop to its torso severs it in twain. Valentita lunges at the next while Geoffrey resets his swing. She cuts through and through what appears to be a hollow cavity. The anatomy of the creatures is so strange, it is difficult to know where to cut!
Likewise, Brandon's mace connects to the head, but it rolls with the bludgeon and thinks nothing of it. His Eagle manages to swoop down on the next to enter and claw at its scalp, which is oddly effective as half the skull disintergrates.

Still they come pouring in. They do not strike, but none there have any doubt that these beings are dangerous. Geoffrey manages another swing, cutting another creature down. They do not moan or cry as the fall. The invasion is eeriely silent. The next comes in and the next! One trips over the pile of bodies in the doorway and lands prone at the other end of the room. From where Geoffrey is, he can see no end in sight. More and more are coming up the hall. Val and Brandon each try a second swing, but they lack the room to make use of the opportunity. One creature rushes towards Brandon, and he is forced to abandon the chance to hit one and must push back on the other. Their skin is clammy and cold.

Your turn. You can roll for yourselves or leave it to me. Either is fine. Don't forget Nicolas' +1 to Atk from Bless.
"P" is for Prone

http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/ritual-room-combat-map-3.jpg

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon forgets all his training and preparation, his knives and his arrows and starts bludgeoning the creatures wildly.
"Get-back-you-crazy-****s!"

I think we all have another +1 bonus to hit for Resounding?

Attack with Mace, knockback, resounding: [roll0] damage [roll1]

Korlon: [roll2] [roll3] [roll4] Edit: +2 to each to hit for Bless and Resounding (if they stack)
Damage [roll5] [roll6] [roll7]

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey swung at the husk before him, desperate to stop them from entering. If he manges to cut it down, he steps forward, hoping to stem the seemingly endless tide.

Attacking C6. You roll really well for me, I think I'll let you keep at it:smallsmile: It's 1d20+7=4-1+2+1+1 by my reckoning. Damage is 2d6+6. Maybe +7 if resounding is on damage as well.
If it dies, 5' step forwards.

[OzzyKP]

Nicholas shouts, "Block the door!"


I'll post more of my actions tonight when I have access to my character sheet.

[boldfont]

The Dream


Diplomacy You'll recall that I have house rules for diplomacy. Basically, I do not allow diplomacy checks to change NPC reactions in most cases because so-called "diploma-mancers" are totes broken and it kills role play. However, I do think diplomacy checks have a place. I use the DC guidelines for things like, trying to find out personal information from demons that are much more interested in slowly making you their person insanity driven play thing. Therefore, the DC is on a spectrum of 15 and 30. You cannot get their "true name" in this context through a diplomacy check.
[roll0]


Thomas can tell the girls clearly are not interested in talking about themselves, but they oblige him anyhow. Sort of...

tee hee hee
tee hee hee
tee hee hee


my name is lucy



you can call me emma




i ll be
mrs thomas


tee hee hee
tee hee hee
tee hee hee

Clearly these are names the demon children have given themselves. Thomas remembers that the Sisters Three are said to be "orphans" - whatever that means on a plane of existence where demons spawn from choas and nothingness. It is possible that they have no given names and that their true names are lost with the passage of time.


eat this



won t
you?



yes


eat it


if we pl ay a game

will you eat it?



win
our g am e
and we
will play yours


hide and seek
sisters

he wish es to play
hide
and
seek

yes


i
see it too



he seeks that
whi ch is hid den



wi ll you play our game?



and
then
we shall play yours



play

with me
thomas...

[boldfont]

Knowledge Planes [roll0] DC 20
Fail. No clue for you.

[stack]

Wrapped in games and childishness, but filled with madness and corruption in place of mirth and innocence. Not all demons have horns and scales. Hold on to what you have left, do not forget what you came for...not that I chose, exactly...but I am here.

"I have already played your game. It is my turn now. Hide and seek it is. Find what is hidden, a key that is not a key. That should work up a proper appetite, should it not? I will certainly finish our party after, how could I refuse such fine hosts?" He smiles graciously.

What is lost...dare I risk seeking more than the key? I am already here...father, where did you go...

focus.

bluff (he would rather not finish the party if he got the key (hoping all those bad rolls will pay off on this one

bluff [roll0]

wish I had action points or luck re-rolls to boost this one.

[OzzyKP]

Even in times of crisis and danger, Nicholas was never one to stop thinking. Where did these creatures come from? Why aren't they attacking? What are they?

He studies the monster closest to him, trying to remember some encounter or description of this beast in his many years of study. He specifically tries to recall any description of these creatures in the pages they had just been reading. Surely they weren't the first in this house to encounter them?



To identify these things, whatever they are:
Knowledge (Planes): Take 10 + 10 = 20
Knowledge (Arcana): [roll0]
Knowledge (Religion): Take 10 + 10 = 20
Knowledge (Dungeoneering): [roll1]

Since we seem to have an omni-present DM, I will just do my knowledge rolls and wait to see a result before I post my action for the turn. Hopefully this doesn't slow things down or cause an issue.

I'll check in in the morning, before I go to work (so like 7 am est).

[boldfont]

Even in times of crisis and danger, Nicholas was never one to stop thinking. Where did these creatures come from? Why aren't they attacking? What are they?

He studies the monster closest to him, trying to remember some encounter or description of this beast in his many years of study. He specifically tries to recall any description of these creatures in the pages they had just been reading. Surely they weren't the first in this house to encounter them?



To identify these things, whatever they are:
Knowledge (Planes): Take 10 + 10 = 20
Knowledge (Arcana): [roll0]
Knowledge (Religion): Take 10 + 10 = 20
Knowledge (Dungeoneering): [roll1]

Since we seem to have an omni-present DM, I will just do my knowledge rolls and wait to see a result before I post my action for the turn. Hopefully this doesn't slow things down or cause an issue.

I'll check in in the morning, before I go to work (so like 7 am est).


Nicholas studies the creature for a moment. They are faceless, tortious, pitiful beings. They may have been human at one point. They aren't so much dead as they are non-living. At least, not living in any qualitative sense, and this cannot be natural.

Try as he might, Nicholas can think of no mention of similar horrors in the annuals of the monastary, nor in anything he has read tonight. Of course, there are many more pages to read. They group was interrupted by these things. His best theory is that these are some demon's collection of tortured human souls, or else living nightmares projected from the Abyss.

He does understand why they aren't attacking though. That can be gleened from their conduct. They are attacking! They are simply much slower and cumbersome than he or any of his friends. He had no doubt that one on one he could take any of these things in a fight. But should they continue to blindly fill the room... It is sufficent to say that he and all his friends would be trampled to death quickly.

[OzzyKP]

Nicholas reiterates his command, "Block the door! If they keep coming like this they could trample us to death! Don't let them in the room!"

He attacks the closest one with his staff. Striking down upon it with whatever meager strength he had.


Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[boldfont]

The Dream

Thomas asks the Sisters to repay his own willingness and cooperation in kind, thinking that perhaps he can trick them into giing something up for nothing through a Bluff. Then he realizes that it is no bluff at all! He is dreaming, and his sought object was the price for "one night's dream". It is the girls, who seem foolish and child-like, that have attempted to bluff him! By asking him to eat their mystery terror in exchange for information they are trying to convince Thomas to give up his bodily security for something already owed to him.

This would be that recent failed Knowledge check, which was actually a disguised sense motive check. The player (Stack) has figured out what his character failed to, and this deserves a reward.


clever


clever boy


too clever


ver y well




we will grant you you r

boon





hold



still

The girls frown through their veils. The one that calls herself "Mrs Thomas" approaches Thomas on her hands and knees. He can't help but recoil a little, but he knows that they cannot kill him until his price is paid. Which is another concerning development. After he knows the location of the key he will be at their mercy. More so.

Mrs Thomas brings her deathly white hands up to Thomas' face and presses her thumbs against his eye lids.


see



see the key

And he does.


http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/fine-knife-itself.jpg
The "Very Fine Knife"
+1 Keen Dagger 1d4 (15-20 Crit x3, +4 to confirm); Gate (location specific); Chaotic Qualities; Cold Iron; Special ("Legacy" style weapon, without the suck).

The very same knife Valentita has in her possession


He can't help feel like a rube. It is uncertain exactly how trying this "Dream" is going to be on his psyche, and it was the price for something they already had in their possession. Did the girls know this when they foisted the offer on him? And now his stomach drops hard when he sees "Mrs Thomas" return to her seat. A knowing smile is clearly discernable through the tattered wedding veil. I will certainly finish our party after, how could I refuse such fine hosts? He has pledged himself to finish the party. Of course, he was already pledged to finish the dream, but the thought of giving these Sisters Three any part of him at this point strikes him as very dangerous indeed.


now

says the one called Emma


eat this

He has what he wanted. Now the game has changed to one of self preservation. Whatever is under that silver cover, Thomas most certainly knows that he does not want to eat it. Fear is beginning to grip him. Soon he will be nothing more than a gibbering loon running from his own shadow. He needs to wake up. Soon!

1 Wis Damage for a total of 7 wisdom right now. No save.

[stack]

Dream, one night's dream. How do you wake up from a dream. Silver plater, must not eat, break your word, no promises to demons, dark.

Dreams. Can you die in a dream?

This dream maybe.

Can I die? I can go mad. Madder. Hehehehe.

Sword. Falling in a dream, waking up before you hit...Sword.

Can I?

Or will that only be worse. Hehehe worse hahahahahaha

Focus.

Thomas seizes the sword and stands, impaling himself on the blade before he can think anymore.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita (Round 2)

She heard the cries to close the door, but she her another voice within--still and small, it coaxed her: just take down one more, then we can protect them. Without even thinking, Val obliges the voice in her head, slashing with precision at the creature foolish enough to remain in between her and Geoffrey. She hadn't stabbed anything in a while, and she found herself facing a troubling memory: it felt good. She had to snap herself out of her morbid reverie to remember that they were actually in danger; after but a moment, Val remembers the looming threat and moves to close the door, pressing her weight up against it to prevent more horrid creatures from entering.

"Can we wake up the damned magician?" she snarls.

Standard Action: Stab the flanked Mute. 18 vs AC for 7 damage
Move Action: Move to slam the door closed.

after bonuses for flanking and Bless
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll=Extra Crit Damage[2d4+8
[roll3]

[boldfont]

The Mutes


Geoffrey [roll0] for [roll1]
Val (Hit for 9)
Nicholas (Misses pitifully)
Brandon (Hit for 6) Knockback (Fort) [roll2] DC 19
Korlon (Miss; Miss; Hit for 3)

Don't forget to tell me which creatures you attack.

[boldfont]

The Creature that just walked over his fallen kin stumbles his way in, but trips on a limb. He falls into Geoffrey who keeps it at bay with an outstretched hand over its "face". Geoffrey pushes his sword through the belly of the monster, black blood spilling on the floor, but still it presists as if it knows no pain. Valentita comes from behind and runs her new blade up the spine of the creature, filleting it effectively. It crumples. She quickly turns to the door, and as she does another tries to make its way in. Its arm is in the jam. Val puts her shoulder to it and slams the door shut, severing the arm.

Brandon lines up his mace well. The monster in front of him has its back to Brandon, heading towards Thomas. They are all heading for helpless Thomas. One good smack and a resounding and satisfying BOOOoooooOOONNnng! echos in the ritual room. The monster flies into its partner beside it and both fall prone.

Nicholas uses his staff in an attempt to protect Thomas. He brings it down on their "hands" hard, but they simply deflate as if full of air and of no importance.

The three left in the room crawl towards Thomas. Nicholas is able to step between the two Brandon knocked over with his mace, but the one without legs at the end of the hall crawls on top of Thomas and attempts to tear through his leather armour and his abdomen. Nichoas takes the brunt of the other attacks.


[roll0] if hits [roll1] vs Thomas (whose AC is 8 while helpless)
[roll2] if hits [roll3] vs Nicholas (Attempts to attack Thomas but Nicholas intercepts; Mute gets -4 for being prone)
[roll4] if hits [roll5] vs Nicholas (Attempts to attack Thomas but Nicholas intercepts; Mute gets -4 for being prone)

[boldfont]

Awake

http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/ritual-room-combat-map-4.jpg

The creature claws at Thomas' armour impotently. Nicholas manages to pry the beasties from his body with a shove.

On the other side of the door a crowd of the monsters push against Val. Geoffrey joins her in pushing back.

THUD THUD THUD THUD

They pound on the door.

Brandon grabs the torso of the monster on Thomas and drags it off of him but it clings to leather straps.

THUD THUD THUD THUD CRACK!
A bloodied head pushes through a newly created hole in the door.

THUD THUD THUD THUD

...

Meanwhile

...

Thomas closes his eyes and throws himself on the sword. YEEEAAAAAAA!!! It impales him pushing through his ribs and out the other side. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA The Sisters stare at him with amusement. They are clearly getting some form of pleasure out of this development. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA The pain is unbearable. AAAAAAAAAAAAAA And then he wakes up.

...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!! Thomas arches his back up and falls over on his side in the fetal position. A perfect steel claymore is protruding from his body. The monsters, and their corpses, appear to have disappeared. The only blood in the room is his, and there is a lot of it.


[roll0] damage for impaling yourself like a loon! (For some reason they never put damage tables in for suicide attempts. Go figure! LOL)
On the plus side, the wisdom damage is gone and you have a shiny new dream sword. That's good, right?

Its a Greatsword +2 (Reptile bane; Dragon Bane; Luminous; Good Aligned)

[stack]

Thomas immediately passes out form his injuries, which is likely a mercy given the look on his face before his eyes close.-1 hp

I presume I'll get healed before needing to roll stabilization.

Also, I was sure the fight would be over when Thomas woke up. Didn't expect 10 damage though. :smallfrown:

If only He hadn't walked into those traps.

[OzzyKP]

Nicholas snapped into action. He didnt even notice the creatures had vanished. he didnt notice the end to the banging at the door. All he saw was blood.

There was so much blood.

Calmly, but quickly, Nicholas said, "Brandon, help me, remove this sword."

As soon as the sword was removed he dove in, applying his hands firmly to the wound. Applying pressure to attempt to slow the bleeding. Nicholas was a skilled healer, certainly the most experienced in town, and one would be hard pressed to find a better leech or surgeon within 100 miles. But a sword through the gut was too much for mere bandages and herbs. Little in his many books on the subject could account for that much loss of blood.

There was only one book that could help Thomas now.

Nicholas put his hands on Thomas' wound and began to pray:

"Goddess, You invite all who are burdened to come to you. Allow Your healing Hand to heal this man. Touch his soul with Your compassion for others; touch his heart with Your courage and infinite Love for all; touch his mind with Your Wisdom, and may his mouth always proclaim Your praise. Most loving Heart of the Goddess, bring your child Thomas health in body and spirit that he may serve You with all his strength. Touch gently this life which you have created, now and forever.
Amen."


Don't worry pal, Nicholas is here!

Nicholas casts lesser vigor on Thomas.

The spell gives you fast healing for 10 rounds. It should bring you back up to 9 hp.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

Val finds her blade guiding itself through the flesh of these monstrosities as if they were the ribeyes and rump roasts she found herself slicing on a daily basis. Combat had a certain rhythm to it, and Valentita found herself dancing to the beat. Instead of adrenaline-fueled fear, she found herself motivated to continue by the dance itself. As Thomas wakes and screams, Val finds herself thrown out of the rhythm of battle. Luckily, the monsters disappear and she finds herself with only a screaming magician to deal with.

"It's okay, Thomas," she coos before turning to him. Though no members of the Cord would ever call Valentita "soft" on a job, she always had a nurturing quality about her, though she never spoke of any children. "It was just a dream..." As she turns to face him and sees the weapon jutting from his torso, she finds herself doubting the words coming out of her mouth. Her face takes on a look of utter horror as she adds, "Please tell me it was just a dream. Thomas?" She finds that the mage is unresponsive, and crouches by his side as the white mage treats his wounds. There was little she could do to help, as the muscles in a man were more tender and numerous than those in the steers and pigs she was familiar with.

[roll0]

[boldfont]

Nicholas' prayers are answered. He feels pure love and kindness moving through him. The wound begins to close supernaturally and colour returns to Thomas' cheeks. Nicholas knows that the Goddess is with him, looking over him and his friends even in the darkest of hours.

[stack]

Thomas stares at the ceiling, slowly coming back to consciousness. "No tea, that you. Had enough. Please, not hungry. Very fine knife...sword...no, no dragonslaying, lovely day for a picnic...."

As his wounds close more completely, he sits up, looking around with distant eyes, eventually gaining focus. "I..was asleep?" I looks at his rent clothes and the sword. "So, it was real. Or am I still dreaming...no dreams don't hurt this much. Usually."

He stands slowly, one hand on the wall and one on Nicholas. "Thank you kindly for watching over me. Did you find anything else while I was out?"

[OzzyKP]

Nicholas was too concerned and curious about Thomas to pay any heed to his questions. Instead he launched into a few of his own.

"Thank the Goddess you are awake! How are you feeling? What happened to you? What was your dream?"

Looking down at the sloppy mess of blood that covered them both he asked, "What manner of foul demon did this to you?"

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey
~

Geoffrey stood awestruck, his mouth agape. He had certainly heard of miracles, everyone had; but it was something else entirely to see them in person. He closed his eyes, and silently sent a prayer of thanks to Her, for allowing him to witness this.

Opening his eyes, he looked to the revived Thomas. "We didn't get to do much. Brandon has organized your grandfarthers notes, something which will surely prove usefull. We were intent on guarding your body for the night in here, and were attacked by some... creatures. Then you awoke, and they vanished instantly."

Perhaps they should check if all of the garish creatures were really gone. Holding his sword in one hand, he carefully opened the door, looking out into the passway.

[stack]

Thomas shakes his head. "My dream...I would rather not speak of it, not yet. I could have acquitted myself better, but that is past. I suspect the creatures you fought were linked to my, well dream will have to suffice as a word, so I doubt there will be any more, though the house may yet hold other perils."

I was weak. Weak and foolish, forgetting why I was there, playing games that I could not win against any need. I thought myself wise, possessed of dark knowledge, yet I am laid bare, a fraud, a dabbler unsuited to the deep dealings.

Perhaps...perhaps more experience is in order...But tests that I control. Though the others would not approve, certainly not. Even less now.

His eyes drift to Val's knife. He blinks, shaking away the burning memory. "But we have found our key. The knife is what we seek. But we were charged to deliver anything we found bearing an enchantment. Though I doubt there will be much more than we have already found, we ought to finish searching the house. I will rest here a moment to regain my composure, then follow. I see you have put some of the notes together." I ought have read them before my little excursion.

[boldfont]

Sure enough, Geoffrey saw an empty hallway. But there was a hole in the door and some of the paintings down the hall had been knocked from their anchor and now lay flat on the floor as proof of the encounter.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

If the knife was the key they sought, they should return it to Esther with haste. Val moves her lips to speak these words, but there is only silence. Perhaps if they search the house, she could use the knife just a little bit longer...feel its elegance and balance, admire its craftmanship...

[al'Lan Mandrag]

"There is much and more to learn here, more than half of which no sane man would want to see," Brandon's usual sarcastic humour has deserted him in the face of those abominations. "No splitting up; let's keep searching, and in future, let's have no one trying any demonic rituals."

[stack]

"I did not, precisely, Perform a ritual. It seemed to occur of its own volition, which in retrospect if perhaps less surprising than it sounds. Regardless, let us move on. I expect there to be at least one more room of interest." Thomas nods toward the strange room across the hall.

to the observatory, then the library, since Thomas can't get any alone time in the ritual room.

[OzzyKP]

Nicholas, always eager to further satisfy his curiousity, nods his approval to Thomas.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon smiles at Thomas, some of his humour returning and then nods; it seemed as good a plan as any, though he made certain that he had the notes they had already begun to organise.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

...to wield it masterfully. She would be loathe to part with such a weapon--nay, such a piece of art! Val is shaken from her reverie at the words of the others. "Aye," she adds sheepishly, afraid that she has missed a crucial part of the conversation. "Anything else we find, we bag," she says harshly, allowing her eyes to linger on Thomas. She checks the door to the room to assure herself that there were no more monsters or traps around, then opens it slowly, using the creaking of the door to cover the sound of her footfalls. Though Thomas knew this house, perhaps that was more of a burden than a boon. Val carefully takes the lead, searching every square inch for nasty surprises as the wounded wizard whispers directions over her shoulder.

[boldfont]

The Observatory

Val stepped in front of Thomas to try the oberservatory door.
Search take 10 = 17 for DC 13

She immediately sees that the door has the same handle design as the ritual room. Sure enough, a small poisoned pin is concealed beneath the plunger.
It's trapped? You better get out your theives tools then, huh? Nicholas asks. Val shoots him a bemused look. This was a simple trap and required a simple solution. She kicks the door in, the jam sunders, and it flys open to reveal the observatory.

On a platform beneath a leather canopy stood the largest spy glass any of them had ever seen. It was a full twelve foot long, the lens being nearly a foot in its own right. The platform was set on an elaborate mechanism, allowing the user to adjust the height and angle of the telescopic device. A folding ladder lay nearby to remove the canopy and view the night sky. Gollion had even set up an adjustable tablet for writing his notes without leaving the comfort of the platform.

Stretched across the whole of the east wall were star charts painted on wooden panels. They were masterfully detailed. Thomas remembered when his Grandfather converted this room into an observatory. It used to be quarters for a clothier, a wet nurse, the head server, and a stock master, but Gollion kept few staff. The changes since were remarkable.

While searching for traps Val notices the water damage to the floorboards. She could attempt to mark off or repair the weakest points in the floor if she wanted, but the attempt would not be safe. Val was not an engineer.

Knowledge Engineering check DC 20

The other option was to leave the spyglass alone, since only the centre of the room, beneath the edges of the canopy, have been affected.

Finally, a large plant in a five foot long trough is overgrowing its confines. The plant is placed near an open window and had the good fortune to be placed directly under a leak. Somehow it has thrived. The roots are breaking out of its box, and the tendrils have far outgrow the trellis set nearby to assist it. It had torn holes through the drapes and used this to continue its assent. The plant occupies a good 10x10 feet of the room and stretches 25 feet to the ceiling. Its stalk has a brilliant green hue to it and its many head sized blooms are a deep and seductive purple. The whole room smells faintly like a sickly sweet rotting honey ham.

[stack]

Thomas looks about the room, again searching for the tell-tale signs of lingering dweomers. "It is a shame that the house has been allowed to fall into such disrepair. This is a fine room and of no mean cost. In fact, I am surprised that rumor sufficed to keep away looters and the odd curious trophy taker. This telescope alone would fetch a fair bit of coin. Hmm..."

detect magic, starting on the outside of the room and working in

I recommend someone more practical toss a stick at that plant. It HAS to be hostile.

[boldfont]

Thomas is disappointed when nothing comes to the forefront as magical after casting his spell. Nevertheless, the room is far from "mundane".

[stack]

Thomas dismisses his enchantment. "I can find no magic here, though the room is intriguing. I wonder..." What were you looking, grandfather?

He picks his way across the floor as carefully as he is able, being to expert on flooring and water damage, and takes the lens covers off the telescope. He next unfolds the ladder to remove the canopy, returning to the floor to peer through the device. Unlikely that whatever he last sought would be there now...but why not?

If he does all that without anything bad happening (unlikely) and doesn't see anything of note, he'll go study the star charts for anything interesting.

[boldfont]

Thomas to telescope
No Engineering skill - skip
Just plain lucky [roll0]
if not, Reflex [roll1]


Thomas hears the boards groan in protest as he carefully crosses to the spyglass, but they hold. He examines the skies through the eyepiece.

[boldfont]

Unskilled Knowledge Nature (+2 for planes syn) [roll0]


While Thomas would never claim to be an expert on the constellations, even he can tell that something is wrong. First of all, why hadn't the sun risen yet? The sky was still that same eerie twilight. He tried to remember when the last time he saw the sun was, but found that he couldn't. It was an odd sensation. Neither could he locate even the most elementary constellation, and he was absolutely certain that it wasn't from lack of skill. Come to think of it, where was the moon?...

[stack]

Thomas pulls his eye from the eyepiece, brow furrowed. He goes and checks the lens for any obstruction, then peers at the sky with his naked eyes to determine if the issue was in the telescope or the sky. Or his mind. "Can anyone else see anything through the lens? Mind the floor."

He picks his way to the wall, careful to step in the same places as before, to try to get a sense for what the telescope should be showing by examining the star chart panels, shifting them around as needed.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

As Thomas moves to the spyglass, Brandon approaches the plant. He tried to recall if he had ever read or seen a flower like that before, and he drew a knife, ready to cut a sample from it; anything that could live in this house would be of interest to Esther and the order.

Knowledge Nature [roll0]

[boldfont]

As Thomas moves to the spyglass, Brandon approaches the plant. He tried to recall if he had ever read or seen a flower like that before, and he drew a knife, ready to cut a sample from it; anything that could live in this house would be of interest to Esther and the order.

Knowledge Nature [roll0]

Brandon cut a bloom from the plant, careful not to inhale it's nectar. He had not actually seen or heard of this plant before, which was surprising. He could tell the plant was not of this world. Perhaps it was a souvenier from Gollion's Abyssal travels? The thing seemed wicked looking enough. It was obviously poisonous. He gently rubbed the most minute amount of the bloom's nectar on to his wrist and immediately experieced a slight numbing sensation. This must have been the poison that coated Gollion's door traps. It was strong! If Thomas were not alseep for several hours then perhaps he might have noticed more of its effect.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

Val looked around the observatory with a sense of hushed awe. She could try to decipher the star charts or identify the odd plant, but she'd be somewhere between guessing and bluffing, much like a child desperately trying to convince her parents that she can read before she can. Instead, Val chose to watch the others and keep an eye out for danger.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

"This plant is not of our world; I would speculate that it is something Gollion either conjured with magic, or brought from another realm. Its nectar is poisonous and has a numbing quality it seems, but that could be useful, what do you think Nicholas, could you make sue of some of this? And I bet Esther will want a look at it. Try not to breathe in too much of this stink though, we wouldn't want anyone falling asleep, again."

[stack]

Thomas looks up from the charts. "I should think a sample would be in order, if for no reason other than to determine its origin and is it poses a threat." Be a shame to destroy it unnecessarily.

[boldfont]

Once again, Thomas was no expert of the stars, but he was smart enough to see that the telescope image and the charts were a match. The detail of the star charts was impressive. Each constellation was lovingly painted on the board just so. The absence of the moon was unsettling.

Brandon snipped four more blooms from the plant, wrapped them in paper, and put them in his pack. He could cut the remaining ten blooms if he wanted, but he suspected that this would be fatal to the plant.

Rolls made out of forum

[stack]

Thomas finally shrugs. "A mystery for another day, I suppose. On to the library." He allows Val to lead the way again.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

Val leads the way (carefully and quietly as always) to the observatory. However, along the way her mind is occupied with one singular thought: what if she put the venomous nectar on her knife? It could serve to weaken her enemies, and while it might be dangerous it could make the blade even more powerful--its luster render the blade even more beautiful...Val is so distracted that she barely even realizes they have reached their next destination.

[boldfont]

The Library Door (North)

Search [roll0] DC 15 or [roll1] bludgeon Reflex DC 13 for 1/2 [roll2]

Valentita inspects the door. They are at the North end of the library, which was the shortest entrance. It is across the way from the old magicians workshop. Valentita notices that the shop is locked. A large masterwork lock run through a sliding bolt holds a heavy reinforced iron door in place.

The library door is happily much more simple. This door is not locked at all and it appears to have none of the nasty tricks installed that the ritual room and the observatory did. She gingerly opens the door.

Val could not have seen the mess on the other side or avoided this by being any more careful than she was, but by opening the door vast knocks loose a potential avalanche of books. "Potential" because she hand the good sense to enter slowly and felt the resistance of something pushing the door open. She quickly held the door still. Looking up she sees a full shelf worth of books balanced between the shelf and the door. On the top of the stack she catches a glint of glass. Now she has a dilemma. She can't let go without sending the stack tumbling. She could easily avoid harm, but the glass object will surely fall and break.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

Val pauses, careful to leave the door exactly as-is. She raises her hand to the group, motioning them to stop. "Something glass above the door," she mutters. "Best to leave the door as-is and retrieve it." She sized up the opening in the doorway vis a vis the size of her companions to see who (if anyone) could make it through.

[OzzyKP]

Nicholas inspects the situation and then suggests, "Could Geoffry hold up the shelf perhaps? So you can open the door without the shelf falling?"

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey takes a peek through the door. "It seems there's no shelf. It's just a bunch of books with some glass objects on top. I don't think I could hold them without the glass thing toppling down." It comes to his mind that Valentita is utilizing quite some strength in holding the books up. He braces his hands on the door to lighten her burden a little.

[boldfont]

Geoffrey takes a peek through the door. "It seems there's no shelf. It's just a bunch of books with some glass objects on top. I don't think I could hold them without the glass thing toppling down." It comes to his mind that Valentita is utilizing quite some strength in holding the books up. He braces his hands on the door to lighten her burden a little.

Geoffrey has underestimated the precariousness of the situation. It was an issue of balance rather than strength. His actions run the risk of tipping that balance.

Unskilled Sleight of hand [roll0]
Good luck :smalleek:
SUCCESS! :smallbiggrin:


He feels the materials shifting above just in time to change his strategy from strength to dexterity. He would have pulled the door with such force as the send the pile crashing down for certain. On a positive note, Val can now let go and leave Geoffrey to the task if she chooses, or vise versa.

[stack]

Thomas peers around his companions. "Hold a moment. If we are worried about the glass falling, the answer is simplicity itself. Don't move." He reaches out with arcane force to grasp the fragile item and bring it to his hand for inspection.

Mage Hand!

[boldfont]

The object, which turns out to be a vial rack with three light blue potions and four empty vials, floats to the side in midair. Val and Geoffrey allow the books to fall. They step out of the way on the count of three and watch as cascades of books that almost certainly would have buried and crushed them falls to the floor. Thomas takes the vials in hand triumphantly.

The Library

The centre of the manor is underneath the apex of the steeple roof. This allows the library to be twice as high as any other room in the house. This room has vaulted a ceiling to support its tall dainty frame. It is a good thing too, since Gollion appears to have amassed a collection of books bigger than any library on Earth that wasn't royally funded. The room is not especially wide or long, so the shelves go up, up, and up.

As the party climbs over the pile and enters the room the smell of musk and the sight of so many odds and ends, and of course books, overwhelm them. You could hide a man in plain sight in this room and the eye wouldn't see him until it adjusted. There are just - so - many - BOOKS!
In such a small space.

The ones on the floor, that nearly toppled on them, are water damaged. A leak in the vaulting has spent many years running down the wall and onto the history collection. The thought of being crushed by several hundred history books reminds Geoffrey of his youth as a novice in the monastery. The shelving there has rotted away and was ready to fall at the slightest provocation. Fortunately the rest of this magnificent collection was unharmed.


There are books on every subject imaginable. From art and poetry to zoology. Gollion even has a collection of children's books. And yes, many books on the dark arts.


Players receive a 2d4 point bonus to knowledge checks made in this library after studying for 1d6 hours. Players may add this bonus to a previously failed knowledge check to see if the difference allows them to pass. The exception is history. Those books are destroyed unless they clearly relate to some other topic such as the history of architecture.


The shelves line each of the four walls and secondary stacks form a U in the centre. Gollion has a large oak table for studying inside this U. The table contains a brass reading lamp, a series of philosophical and religious theses primarily having to do with forgiveness, and a three foot tall marble statue of an angel with the wings broken off.

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey
~

Geoffrey had inherited much of Nicholas' love for books and knowledge, and he was quite in awe of the amount of knowledge stored in a single room. If he should once return here, he'd love to sit down at the table, and simply read until he had learned all he could from the countless volumes. For now though, he settled for carefully replacing the books that had toppled down during their entry. He briefly looks the titles of said books over, trying to divine a particular order of arrangement they were supposed to be put back in.

[boldfont]

Geoffrey was greatly saddened to discover that most of the books that had fallen were converted to black and moldy mulch by time ans water. The volumes that hadn't disintegrated were barely legible because the ink had run, or because the constant wetting and drying of the paper has made it brittle, discoloured, rank. Some books weren't books. They were scrolls and maps loosely bound in leather folios. It would take much more time than they had to restore any one of these lost treasures. In some cases, it was impossible.

He was able to decipher the title and subject matter of many of the books. They were all about history. They history books on royalty and wars took the most damage. Here are some specific examples of lost books and scrolls:

The war of the Blackmore Barons 1337-1340
Untitled (Historical Maps of old political boundaries between the Anglo Empire and the West Asiatic Kingdoms)
Untitled (Letters patent for his Majesty John III)
The lost tribes of Ghanzanea
The Fostian Clerics
A History of Successful Dark Dealings (by Gollion!)
Untitled (Collections of Sketches of the Ithima Ruins with notes)
Extinct Fauna Killed by Anglo Settlers in 1055
Lineage of Castor Sheriffs - A critique
Untitled (Copies of Transferred Freehold Estates)
Public Houses I have known - Tristam Freemore, legendary drinker

The list goes on. Individually they varied in interest to Geoffrey, but Geoffrey knew the power of a good collection. While he currently had absolutely no interest in losing an hour of his life pouring over a long and dry descriptor of Castor Sheriffs, he knew that if the right problem came up that those records could become instantly fascinating in context.

There were many more books to discover however. On the adjacent shelf, Geoffrey saw an entire series of non-canonized holy texts ranging from the blasphemous to the lost and sacred. There were even holy texts in languages he had never heard of. Some appeared to be for *shudder* imposter demon "gods".

Gollion also had a wide collection of music to Geoffrey's left. He really could spend days on end in here. A lifetime.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon briefly paused to look at the floating vials, but he had no knowledge of poisons or chemicals, and their bright hue persuaded him he wouldn't want to touch any of them. He idly tossed a dagger in his hand as he waited for the others to finish gawking at the books.

[boldfont]

Brandon briefly paused to look at the floating vials, but he had no knowledge of poisons or chemicals, and their bright hue persuaded him he wouldn't want to touch any of them. He idly tossed a dagger in his hand as he waited for the others to finish gawking at the books.


Brandon
Spot [roll0]
Listen [roll1]


Brandon happened to be closest to the door. It was him that caught a brief glimpse and soft footpads of a lady down the west hall. She was peeking around the corner at his before she retreated. From what he saw, she was unnaturally pale, but lovely.
She was obviously still listening. Brandon can not alert the others vocally without also alerting the mystery lady.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Being at heart, a chivalrous young man, Brandon's first instinct upon seeing the pale woman was to defend and protect her, but she appeared so nervous that he paused. What was a woman doing in this manor? Was she Gollion's wife perhaps? he knew nothing of the women of this household, and little of the men if truth be told? Perhaps Thomas's father's wife?

These thoughts spun in his head, but he knew he had to approach the woman cautiously, without scaring her. He crept towards the door, trying to be as silent as possible so as not to alert her: he didn't want her running away...

Move Silently: [roll0]

[boldfont]

Listen [roll0]


Brandon reaches the corner, absolutely certain that he has been silent. He listens carefully, but hears nothing.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

With a motion to Korlon on his shoulder to remain silent, he steps around the corner suddenly, knife in his right hand, but with his left hand raised, palm outwards to indicate that he means no harm.

[boldfont]

He heard nothing because there was nothing there. The lady, whom he can see now clearly, has retreated further. She lifts her frock and tip toes down the steps. Brandon sees her turn right and towards the first floor hallway. She apparently does not know she is being followed.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

That would have been a good time to call out, Brandon thought, but something restrained him: what was this woman doing, and where was she going? He followed her, again making sure that his armour didn't rattle too loudly, and trying to make a good pace.

Move Silently: [roll0]

[boldfont]

He went down the steps and into the hall. She was further ahead of him now and making no effort of her own to be stealthy. Brandon saw one of the doors close and deduced where she went from that.


The ballroom actually, but Brandon doesn't have a familiarity with the house.
Listen [roll0]


He opened the door. A small ballroom for entertaining noble guests. It was dusty, but still in fine condition. The woodwork flooring was excellent and polished for dancing. There were benches on either side for shy would be dancers. The ballroom had the unique feature of two indoor windows as well. The one to the north west had the curtains draw. The north west was open. It looked in to a nursery, which had a crib and for children's play things. A rocking horse and a basket with stitching were clearly visible.

The woman was in the nursery. She retrieved a viola from the crib and made to exit. She would see Brandon momentarily. He was at a disadvantage if he wanted to remain hidden. The room was wide open. His only chance at further stealth would be to hide in the hallway and lose sight of her. She was... intoxicatingly beautiful.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon looked around, but upon ascertaining that there was nowhere to hide he stepped forward and called out to the strange lady: "Greetings, fair mistress. How are you here? This is a place of danger. I am Brandon."

[boldfont]

The woman is shocked to see Brandon in the ballroom with her. In the dark her pale skin remains a beacon in a silent and dark house.

You followed me she says in an airy and strikingly feminine manner. I... live with the squatters up the way.

A clear lie. I rolled privately. Your 16 to her 9.

I know I shouldn't be here but, I saw the lights on and I was curious. It's not that dangerous if you stay on the ground floor and stick to the ballroom and the nursery. I come here to play my music sometimes. It makes me feel like a lady she blushes. This isn't my dress. I stole it from upstairs. I thought you might be looters, so I came to get my viola. Then I wanted to see what you looked like. You like... nice. You won't hurt me will you?

There is clearly more to this story than she is letting on. Brandon suspects it is full of half truths. He also believes she is playing coy and innocent to seduce him. Whether this is for legitimate reasons or not, Brandon cannot say.

[stack]

The vials, full and empty, disappear into Thomas's belt. "I'll examine them in the morning, and good vials are valuable in my trade."

He picks his way carefully into the room, years of memory rushing back. Long hours huddled on his father's lap, listening to stories read by candlelight. He takes a moment, hiding his face from the others even in the dark. He runs a finger over the children's books, titles leaping to his memory. He pulls away, taking in the rest of the room. One title disappears into his pack, A History of Successful Dark Dealings. I must prepare myself. The matter was too close this time. I know less than I imagined...I will return. If nothing else this collection must be saved.

[boldfont]

The vials, full and empty, disappear into Thomas's belt. "I'll examine them in the morning, and good vials are valuable in my trade."

He picks his way carefully into the room, years of memory rushing back. Long hours huddled on his father's lap, listening to stories read by candlelight. He takes a moment, hiding his face from the others even in the dark. He runs a finger over the children's books, titles leaping to his memory. He pulls away, taking in the rest of the room. One title disappears into his pack, A History of Successful Dark Dealings. I must prepare myself. The matter was too close this time. I know less than I imagined...I will return. If nothing else this collection must be saved.

Unfortunately, this was one of the damaged books. With careful treatment and time, perhaps he could restore the bulk of it, but for now it was a wrinkled and stained mess. It was his Grandfather's original manuscript, however, and if nothing else it had great sentimental value.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon paused; half of him was now on edge, alerted by her obviously fraudulent story, but the other half of him just wanted to protect her. He was young, but a story needed a hero and it definitely needed a damsel in distress. And though that dress wasn't hers, she wore it awfully well..."You come here a lot? Can you tell me anything about it, anything interesting? What is your name?" He began to walk towards her, hoping that she wouldn't run.

[boldfont]

She giggled. My, aren't you curious? Far from running off, the lady extended her hand to be kissed or held. My name is Sasha. It's a terrible name, isn't it? I know. My sister's name is Ellenor, but I always call her Ellen. I wish I had her name. As for this house... it is pretty mysterious, don't you think? I absolutely love it. I can tell you that the man who used to live here was an evil old fool who never truly cared for anyone, so I wouldn't go upstairs. But, I suppose you've already ignored that advice. I wouldn't go down to the wine cellar either. It's flooding terribly and a stench is she laughs again well, it's simply dreadful! But the ground floor is where he used to entertain. It has a real parlour and a dining hall with one of those long oak tables. There is the man-at-arms quarters, which I've only been in once because there is dried blood in the room and it makes me think that something bad happened there. There is a room for the... for the ladies... to breastfeed... ahem! Which is where I like to go if I'm feeling sad. And the old man has many "impressive" looking trophies in the grand hall. You would probably care more about that than I would. You look like a hunter. They even had a chef on staff and an outdoor kitchen. But my favourite room in the manor is this one. When I play my music here or sing, everything sounds perfect.
Sasha realizes she has been carrying on and she covers her mouth to hide her embarrassed smile. And, Brandon is it?, what are you and your friends doing here? You didn't bring your wife here, did you? That pretty lady you were with?

She appears to be upfront. Nothing in what she has told Brandon is particularly secretive though. She is clearly asking about Valentita to discover if Brandon is married.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

"Ah no, Valentita is only a colleague. We came here to look for a key," he answers, his tongue giddily getting carried away as he talks to Sasha. "I like the name, it isn't horrible at all." Abruptly he realises he sounds like a love-struck fool and has an inane grin plastered on his face. "We've already met some creatures here, and a toxic plant. I would feel much better if you accompanied my friends and I until we leave this place, just to make sure you are safe." And find out a little more about you, added a small voice in the back of his mind.

[boldfont]

How do I know if I can trust you? she asks with a playful smile, placing one hand on Brandon's chest. If you would be willing to walk me home I would be grateful, but I really shouldn't stay. I don't live far away. She bats her eyes and moves her long dark locks behind her ears. I would feel much safer if you did. Please?

[boldfont]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdqr27KrIJ1rcr4l4o1_1280.jpg

[al'Lan Mandrag]

"I can escort you as far as the manor's borders, and then I will return to my companions. but I can take you that far. Now let's go." Aware of the possible dangers, Brandon attempts to lead Sasha out via the nearest exit, holding a dagger in his right hand and ready to hurl it.

[boldfont]

She finds Brandon's serious mistrust of the manor amusing. All the way out the front door? she asks in mock surprise. I feel much safer already.

Together they walk the short distance out of the ballroom, through the hall and out the front window.

My house is a mile up the lane. You must have passed it on your way through the estate. Father can't afford land of his own, and he has no skills beyond farming. We could go back as fiefs for the sheriff, but it is a miserable existence and he refuses. So we squat. No one seems to mind.

Will I see you again? she asks.

Brandon sees a wild animal of some sort in the bush about two hundred feet towards her house. Sasha's back is turned and she appears to be oblivious to it.

[TwelvePointFive]

"It seems there is nothing in here relevant to our search, beyond the magnificent amount of knowledge, of course." Geoffrey looks up from the damaged books, squarely at Thomas "Although I do recommend that you turn over some of the more... Esoteric texts to safer hands, I suggest we move on." Geoffrey takes a look at his companions, and suddenly startles. "By the Godess! Where is Brandon?"

[al'Lan Mandrag]

"For a certainty," he answered.

As the bushes started to move Brandon darted forwards, drawing a second dagger from his belt. He didn't call out, but prepared to attack whatever creature it was if it should be dangerous.

Ready to attack the animal if it looks dangerous, throwing two knives.

[boldfont]

The Rabid Dog

It did indeed look dangerous. A wild and rabid dog! Brandon made a mental note not to get bit.


Initiative
Brandon [roll0]
Wild Dog [roll1]
You have the honours. Let me know what distance you keep from the dog and where (relative) you throw from. AC 15 not flat footed.


http://strengthfortoday.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/rabiddog2.png

EDIT
The Statue
Geoffrey has no sooner spoken than he saw the angel statue again. He knew that statue! It was from the monastery when he was a boy. He remembered when it went missing, all the monks went mad looking for it. Terrance, another novice who later died of consumption, was beat soundly by Father Amos because he was suspected of having stolen it. Now he knows what became of it. It used to have wings...

But otherwise, Geoffrey was correct. Nothing magical or of distinct interest. Except for books, books, and more books.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Seeing the creature emerge from the bushes, Brandon lets out a cry, hoping to warn Sasha.

Dagger(s) fly from his hands towards the beasts seeking it's heart.

I realised I never asked if Rapid Shot or Flame Arrow applied to thrown daggers (I can see the arguments either way).

Move to 20ft away.

If one dagger without Flame Arrow:
[roll0]
Damage [roll1]

If two daggers:
[roll2]
Damage [roll3]
(And previous attack roll suffers -2 penalty)

If flame arrow:
First dagger + [roll]1d6[/toll] damage
Second dagger + [roll]1d6[/toll] damage

Korlon swooped forwards as well to engage the beast, striking at it with his talons.

[roll4]
damage [roll5]

[stack]

Thomas gives a guarded look, "My good Geoffrey, knowledge will serve us naught if locked away under sacred key. If this night has shown me anything, it is that my ignorance is dangerous, to myself and my friends. We must learn as much as we can. How can we stand between the world and the devils if we know not where to stand?"

Brandon? He was right...let us adjourn and seek him.

[boldfont]

My Hero!

The rabid dog's read eyes loll and its mouth froths with diseased drool. It charges towards Brandon at full tilt and Brandon towards it. When he is within range Brandon stops, takes aim, and lets loose two daggers one after the other. The first sinks into the animals chest and it ceases its charge to howl in pain. The second hits it hilt first in the nose, bouncing off harmlessly.

AAAaaaaahhh! Sasha screams loud enough for anyone to hear.

It is Brandon's trusty companion Korlon that truly finishes the deed. That magnificent bird was well trained by Brandon, and in a superior show of strength it swoops down on the dog pushing it over. It then lays into the soft parts of the dog with its talons. The gut. The throat. The eyes. Brandon watches with both admiration and distaste as the sick animal is rent apart by his pet gruesomely. He calls Korlon off. Its flesh and innards are strewn about. The dog will be dead in an hour if Brandon doesn't take pity on it.

Sasha has turned away from the scene and cries on Brandon's shoulder, looking for comfort. For a farm girl, she is awfully sensitive and ladylike.

[stack]

Thomas hears the sounds of struggle outside. "Quickly now, I am certain Brandon has found trouble. Let us go to him!" Why did the fool wander off? He leads the way down the steps.figure it will take a little bit yet to get their, giving time for Brandon to talk to the girl.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

Val squints at the books that litter the library, looking for anything of particular import to her. Her attention is drawn to one, a detailed lineage of the sheriffs of Castor. She reaches out for it, but is interrupted by a girl's scream from in front of the manor.

"That damned fool," she scowls under her breath. Even still, she feels a compulsion to protect Brandon (and all members of the Cord) as if they were her own brood. She moves quickly and gracefully down to the main entrance, taking care to follow the safe path they've already traced out on the way into the property. By the time she makes it to the door, her dagger is already unsheathed and the fight is already done. Valentita looks first to the dog and eagle, then back to Brandon. She arches an eyebrow at the presence of his new companion, but says nothing. Neither does she sheathe her blade.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon takes Sasha in his arms and hugs her, giving her a consoling pat on the back. "It's all right, I've stopped it, you don't need to worry." Although, now that he saw how dangerous the road was, amybe he should walk her home...

"I think I'll take you all the way to your door if you do not mind Sasha, just to make sure there are no other mutts about."

Once he had extracted himself from her weeping embrace he retrieved his daggers and ended the rabid dog's suffering.

[boldfont]

Sasha dries her tears on a stolen kerchief and tries her best to look put together again. And these are your friends? she asks. Hello she greets them nervously. Her eyes lock on Valentita's for an uncomfortable period of time. Judging her perhaps...

Yes, please take me home Brandon. I think I've had enough excitement for one evening.

[OzzyKP]

Nicholas never said a word. From the moment they entered the library he was captivated by the books lining the walls, stretching up to the top of the tower. He neither noticed that Brandon went missing nor heard the girl's scream, he was focused on the mountain of knowledge he discovered. He scanned the titles, his finger tips unconsciously reaching out to feel the spines of the books as he walked past.

He would have stayed to browse the volumes for many days to come, but the sight of the wingless angel statue woke him up from his daze enough to notice the others beginning to leave the room.

"Wha..?" he starts to say, "Where is everyone going? We just got here..."

Not wanting the group to split up in a house as dangerous as this, he wistfully follows the others. On the way he says to Geoffrey, "Did you see that statue? We spent days looking for that thing!"

He started to laugh, "Do you remember how angry Father Amos got about the statue? I still remember his red face!"

His laughter turned somber, "Ah.. shame about poor Terrance though.. I told Amos not to..."

He trailed off.

"Well... in any event, let's see how many of these books we can get for the monastery. They need to be taken care of and used, not left to sit here and rot."

[stack]

Thomas gives a gallant bow to the lady. "Thomas of Castor, at your service." He gives Brandon a questioning glance before proceeding. "It is very late to be out in this house of disrepair. I am glad my friend was here to protect you from this beast, the night may hold many perils. As I believe our business here is concluded, perhaps it best we all be on the road" I must return in the light, see what I can salvage from the library. After speaking with Esther, of course.

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey
~

Geoffrey had been walking bristly, too focused on the source of the scream to be able to make smalltalk. Now that he saw that there were no danger, he replied Nicholas. "Yes, I remember. Terrance kept finding new bruises for a week. I wonder, that statue... How do you think it got here? From what little I now know of Thomas' grandfarther, I would not think him a theif. Although if a broken angel should happen to be part of a ritual, it might be another case entirely. I really would rest better if some of those volumes were not available to laymen. Of course, I realize that they belong to Thomas and that knowledge is important, but demon worshipping? Really?"
Upon Thomas proposal of calling it a day, Geoffrey speaks up once more. "I was thinking. Shouldn't we make sure the manor is completely free of abominations? It would do me a world of good to know that we have looked it all through, so that you can avoid returning to unpleasant suprises, and if there is any additional creatures in there, it would behoove us to strike them down in the name of the Godess."

[stack]

Thomas considers Geoffrey's proposal for a moment. "You are right, if Brandon is not concerned about any more wild beasts then we could finish checking the house." So much to do, so many questions. It will take months of reading to sort out the notes and manuscripts. And I will have to ensure that vital information is not snatched away and locked up.

Or that others should hear of our findings. There are others who would desire these things. Yes, cousin, best to keep grandfather's research from your hands.

[OMG PONIES]

Sasha dries her tears on a stolen kerchief and tries her best to look put together again. And these are your friends? she asks. Hello she greets them nervously. Her eyes lock on Valentita's for an uncomfortable period of time. Judging her perhaps...

[roll0] vs DC 20 to get a hunch of the social situation FAIL

"Pleasure," Val practically snarls, making it clear that it was not, in fact, a pleasure to meet her. New acquaintances were at best a nuisance and at worst a threat. If there was a mutual connection, or a reason for the introduction, that was bearable. But a stranger was called so for a reason, as Val had learned long ago that chance encounters were often anything but. "I assume you were passing by?" As she waits for the woman's response, she is shocked at Brandon's offer. She thought the young hunter had better instincts than that. Valentita had been single for too long (and her children were too young) for her to realize when a man was smitten.


Yes, please take me home Brandon. I think I've had enough excitement for one evening.

Valentita arches her eyebrow even higher and clears her throat to catch Brandon's attention. "You know this girl?" she asks coldly before turning to the lady and adding, "I'm afraid Brandon's working at the moment, Miss." When she hears Thomas speak of joining them on the road, she shoots him a sharp look and hisses, "We all are." Val wasn't eager to go back into the house--something about it caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end--but she was eager for her companions to stop sharing confidential information so freely with someone they had just met.

[roll1] to gauge the honesty of anything Sasha says, as well as her tearful display.

[boldfont]

Who's judging who?

Val's keen eyes and street smart instincts read the waif like a book. She wore a lady's dress, but her uneven hair said poverty. Her palms were a pale pink instead of the calloused grey of honest labour. So what was she then? Her skin hadn't seen the light of day in years. She was clearly malnourished. Bruising at 10 and 1 o' clock on her wrist said that she had been man-handled. An easy thing to miss. She was trying to damn hard to sound high born. Val didn't sense much intelligence behind those chestnut eyes. She might be a chamber maid, a prostitute, or a shut in of some kind. The tears are real, but what does that say about her except that she can't even handle a stupid dog? She's not that pretty in Val's opinion.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon stared wistfully at Sasha, but his companions were here to remind him of his duty. He called Korlon away from the beast and stood before Sasha: "I'm sorry my lady, but I must return to my duty, if it is not too far, then I wish you all the best on your return home." He really didn't understand why Val was so angry; he'd have to ask one of the others.

[stack]

Thomas bows to the departing girl. Turning back to the house, "First floor, then the cellar before returning to the upstairs? If we are to be thorough, we best be to it."

[boldfont]

I see... her voice trails off. She tries to read Brandon, and then her eyes glare at Valentita. I'll just have to hope there aren't any more wild dogs on the road tonight then. Her hands shake and her eyes are still wet. She kisses Brandon on the cheek before heading home. Thank you Brandon. Sasha departs, careful to avoid looking at the mess of fur and blood as she passes it.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

Once they are back inside the manor, Val closes the door quietly and peeks out the torn wisps of the once-beautiful curtains to ensure that Sasha has left the premises. She is seething, but does her best to restrain her angry huffs and puffs in order to listen for any potential threats.

[roll0]
[roll1]

She turns to look at the others, and her need to say something finally outweighs her desire for stealth. "This is a job," she grimaces at them, "not a gala. You are here to ensure the safety of Castor, not to fill your dance card. You," her words burn as she looks to Brandon, "As a hunter, you're our eyes and ears. Leaving us to go skirt chasing is cursing us with blindness and deafness. What happens in the wild to an animal who can neither see nor hear?"

She allows the implications of her words to settle on Brandon before turning to Thomas and splashing him with vitriol as well. She steps near the mage and hisses "And you...A mage of all people should know the power of a name. It is deeply and personally yours; keep it that way unless you have certainty you can trust another. What rituals could she perform--what agreements could she ink--with the knowledge of your true name? She may not be a mage, but you know far less of her than she now knows of you. Unless we know another (or one who can vouch for them), we'd be well served to treat them as if they are worse than the darkest evil inside ourselves. Even once you get to know a person, there is much that is still hidden within their past and inside their soul."

Sense Motive DC 20 to open:
At the last admonishment, Val's voice falters ever-so-slightly. It seems that she may be saying something that is more universal than her thoughts on Sasha or how to deal with strangers; instead, it seems that her words are speaking of herself as well.

Valentita looks around at the perplexed (even fearful) reactions from the rest of the group. She is silent for a moment before turning to realize that not only is her dagger unsheathed, but her weapon hand held high as if ready to slice down at Thomas. She found this odd, as Val had no intentions of attacking the chemist, nor did she remember getting so close or drawing her blade. She backs away, shakes herself to regain her composure, sheathes the blade, and continues in a much more level tone.

"Perhaps I'm being overly cautious, but that's what Esther pays me for--protecting the lot of you. We've worked well together, and it's precisely because we've remained together. Let's not go wandering off anymore, whether into dreams or after women. Deal?" At this, she extends her right hand to offer her companionship and the secret handshake all members of the Cord learn upon their Weaving In.

[stack]

Thomas holds up a hand, taken aback by the uncharacteristic outburst. "First, truenames are a bit more involved than basic introductions. There is no shortage of Thomas's in Castor. We were already suspicious, overt secrecy would have marked us further. Our presence and numbers where shown when we came to the sounds of the fighting. While I agree that Brandon should not have strayed off without warning, especially after the night's events, it was well that he did so." He gestures to the dead dog.

"As it stands, she will be curious, but hopefully well disposed enough to not run off to report trespassers to the sheriff in the morning, not that she appeared to be of a station to care to do so anyhow."

Relaxing, he takes the proffered hand. "It has been a long night. We all need to return so that we may see our beds before the sun is high."

Drawing the dagger...unusual aggression...the key.

Taking Val aside, Thomas whispers, "Are you feeling well? I fear that the dagger might have...effects. Are you certain you wish to continue carrying it?"

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

Val laughed softly at Thomas' thought that the girl might not report them to the sheriff. Even if she did, their first question would be what she had been doing on the premises; Val was sure they didn't need to fear the young girl going to the law. Val snaps her head toward Thomas in reply to his question, and her eyes burn with something Thomas hadn't seen in the woman before. However, her mouth is drawn into a kind smile as she purrs, "Fine, thanks; just a bit tired, maybe. I don't mind carrying it; I don't want anyone to accidentally harm themselves."

Sense Motive DC [roll0] to open:
Val's words aren't false, but their halting nature belies something deeper lurking below the surface. As she says she doesn't mind carrying the dagger, her hand drifts to carress its scabbard, and it is clear that Val wants to keep carrying the dagger.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

"I was only investigaating who she was, and then er, she needed protection..." Brandon's voice trails off as he realises he is trying to defend the indefensible: he should not have let the girl's plight interfere with his duty, but if he had, and she had died, then would that make him a killer even so...? He had never questioned his obedience to the Cord, not since he had realised that demons and monsters walked the earth, but now...

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

Val turns to Thomas, as he had become their unofficial tour guide. "Where to next?" she asks quietly before taking the lead in the direction that he points. She is cautious to keep an eye out for traps, but a lingering fear nags at her; between cursed books and mysterious visitors, Val can't help but think that the biggest danger wasn't the house at all...it was their own curiosity.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[stack]

Thomas

"First floor, start with the guard room and work around, then the cellar. Only a few rooms left upstairs, we'll check those last."

[boldfont]

The Man-at-Arms' Quarters

The Cord of Three Strands reenters the manor. They pass the stairwell and enter the first floor hallway, turning right. The hall is drafty. Somewhere a window is open or smashed. The door to the Man-at-Arms' quarters is unlocked and Val see no danger in simply opening the door.

Inside it is much as Sasha described it. Traces of dried blood are on the sheets and floor. Otherwise the room is what you might expect. One cot where Gollion's hired man used to sleep, a small open and empty chest at the foot of the bed, and a small clumsily carved wooden chair. The room has no other furnishings, no distinguishing features, and looks as if the occupant moved out. The blood is a mystery.

[stack]

Thomas examines the room briefly. "While I do not see the cause of the blood, there does not seem to be anything for us here. I suggest we move on."

[boldfont]

The Serving Quarters

The servants quarters proved as empty and yet mysterious as the man-at-arms' room did. Four straw bed mats with typical low quality bedding. There was shelving and some cleaning supplies. Uniforms hung in a cheap dresser. Brandon was quick to spot a bit of blood on the scullery maiden's dress. An empty chamber pot was lying turned over when they entered. In Nicholas' opinion there had been a struggle, after which someone quickly emptied the room of all person effects or signs that it had been lived in. The door to the outside was bolted shut. They opened the door and saw the kitchen a short and convenient distance from the quarters. Just outside the door a busted wooden tub was grown over with weeds. They left for the Chapel.

The Chapel
The chapel was much more promising. The door was locked, but Val picked it easily. It had four pews in the standard church formation facing an altar. There on the altar was a massive silver Omega (" Ω " the Goddess' holy symbol). It must weigh a hundred pounds. A line of prayer beads were draped around the Omega. They were made of jade and had tremendous value. The walls had four portraits, each of a different saint. At the foot of the altar were burnt incense offerings and prayer scrolls asking for forgiveness. The had not yet been burnt and offered to the Goddess.

Most interesting of all is the colorful bird perched on a candle. It sings a happy song as you enter, takes flight for a circle, before setting down on the candle again. There are no obvious ways that this beautiful creature could have entered the room before Val unlocked the door, and no way that is could have survived so long alone.

Tweep tweep tweep Tweeeeeep!

[al'Lan Mandrag]

"I had not expected your grandfather to be so devout," Brandon commented to Thomas, before quickly covering his gaff; "But I mean of course I wasn't questioning your commitment. These magics though, they seem to be of the darkest kind: can someone traffic in them and still remain a servant of the Goddess?" Brandon was oblivious to the ways he might have wounded Thomas with his words.

He watched the parrot intently, ready to react should it turn out to be more than it seemed. The candle below it drew his eye, and he wondered what kind of animal would willingly place itself near an object that created flame.

He held out his hand and tried to coax the parrot to leave its seat so that he could get a closer look...

Knowledge Nature [roll0]
Handle Animal [roll1]

[stack]

Thomas

"Ah, Brandon , who needs the light more than those that must walk the dark paths?" He carefully lights the incense and offers the prayers. "Whomever placed them here may have need of them. The goddess will forgive the tardiness."

He turns and looks at the bird as well. "Another mystery, aren't you?"

know planes [roll0], detect magic on the room if needed

[boldfont]

Prayers and Bird

Brandon was pretty sure this was an exotic "Parr-ot" from the Southerly lands. The bright colours and robust beak were tell tale signs. Apparently miners in the South used these happy song birds by taking them down into the mines with them to check if the air was stale. If the bird died, then the miners knew to surface immediately. Although Brandon had never seen a "Parr-ot" before, as a hunter he had a certain familiarity with nature and he could identify this sort of thing on instinct. It was a good thing the group had Brandon with them.

It hopped on his finger, eying him curiously. It didn't seem to be afraid at all. Brandon's Eagle showed amazing restraint thanks to Brandon's training, and it did not try to eat the "Parr-ot" as it clearly desired to do.

Chip! Twiiiiiirl
Tweep tweep tweep Tweeeeeep

http://www.tenlohuis.nl/images/sabine/illustration2013/tenlohuis_lovebird_01.jpg

Thomas watched the happy little bird as it made friends with Brandon. It was definitely not from around here. He sensed a celestial nature about it. As he offered his Grandfather's prayers he inadvertently read one, despite his efforts to respect his privacy. It was a prayer for forgiveness confessing great evils and asking the Goddess to reveal the path to heaven. He couldn't explain it if he tried, but strong emotions welled up within him.

[stack]

Thomas

Breathing in the incense, Thomas closes his eyes. What of our path, grandfather? Is it necessary, or do we just tell ourselves that to excuse our trespasses, or sin in seeking ever greater knowledge and power. Knowledge and power, they are the same, aren't they? But are we really right? Could the cord stand with two strands?

No. Our sacrifices cannot be in vain. I do not know where you went, what spirit claimed you, but you did it to save all. And I will do the same.

Opening his eyes, the doubt passes. He breathes in deeply again, the incense and burning paper cleansing his mind. He looks at the bird again. "An omen? A bird here, in this house, watching over the chapel without provision or care. Surely I am not the only one who can sense the touch of the higher planes about it?"

[OzzyKP]

Nicholas was pleased to see the chapel. At last, a corner of this forsaken home that wasn't dripping with blood or terrible darkness. Hearing Brandon's question he says, "His grandfather sought forgiveness. As we can see from his notes and this house, there was much to forgive."

Hoping his words would influence Thomas he continued, "He tried to do good, but as his own notes admitted, one does not win when they make deals with demons. He explored further and further down a dark path until there was no way out. Only the pure love of the Goddess can heal the scars such a journey takes on a man. He knew that. But perhaps he realized it too late..."

Nicholas studied the room. He knew many chapels, and prayed many prayers. He studied everything in detail. Walking over and holding the prayer beads, turning them over in his fingers. He looked at the four saints on the wall, recalling all he could about each. Perhaps Thomas' grandfather's selection of these saints might reveal more information about him and his fate. He was glad to see Thomas light the incense and hoped he was praying for himself as well as for his grandfather.

Hearing Thomas' question Nicholas examined the bird perched on Brandon's finger closely.


Time for more crazy knowledge checks!

Knowledge (Religion): Take 10 + 10 = 20
Knowledge (Planes): Take 10 + 10 = 20
Knowledge (Arcana): [roll0]
Knowledge (Nature): [roll1]

[stack]

Thomas gives a non-committal nod. Just because he failed does not mean that was the only possible result.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

Val's eyes dart around the room, betraying her discomfort where others would find solace. In the portraits of the saints, she found only the feeble smiles of dead men that followed her with disdain around the room. In the incense, she smelled only perfume to mask the ever-present stench of her own sin. In the candles, she felt the burning fires of hell instead of the warmth of their light. Even in the prayers, she heard the futile wish of doomed souls rather than the hope for redemption...perhaps her past had dampened her piety?

Sense Motive DC 20 10 to open:
Val's holding it together, but just barely. There's something about being in a religious setting that conjures up bad memories. Rather than the anger she exhibited in the foyer, however, this is different...pain, perhaps? She seems as though she's barely able to contain her tears.


"An omen? A bird here, in this house, watching over the chapel without provision or care. Surely I am not the only one who can sense the touch of the higher planes about it?"

Valentita's eyes flutter to the bright bird as it alights on Brandon's hand. While Thomas saw an omen, Val's profession influenced her vision. She saw a spry, gamey bird, good maybe for a small bit of wing meat and a tough breast...no more. She scoffs at Thomas' suggestion that there might be something heavenly about this bird and says, "Search for something enough and you're bound to find it. I see a bird, but no angel."

[stack]

Thomas

Thomas shakes his head. "A bird? Obviously. But you fail to note the traces of celestial origin. Perhaps it was summoned here for a purpose, then never released. Or there could be another reason, as I said. But a mere bird it is most certainly not."

spellcraft to tell how the bird was summoned [roll0]

[boldfont]

A Lovebird

A lovebird Nicholas thinks to himself. What is she doing here? He recalls a folk tale of two lovers torn apart by tragedy and mistrust. The man, "Terus" was it?... The man was a soldier and a deeply devoted husband. The woman, Philima, waited at home patiently for his return. She weaved a beautiful tapestry for his homecoming while she waited. As the months went by the tapestry became longer and longer, until it stretched out the door, over the ocean, and to the man's station. He had been so engrossed with the bloodlust and violence of war that he forgot about his life at home, but her tapestry reminded him of the life he once had. He returned immediately. Tears filled his eyes and he vowed never to leave again. But, alas, he had changed in war. He hallucinated the horrors he had seen and struck his wife in anger and confusion daily. One day the wife could take it no longer and she attempted to poison the husband. She poured hemlock into the man's wife and asked her daughter to give it to his father. Regretfully, she poisoned their daughter instead when the daughter snuck a sip of her father's wine before delivering it. The daughter died and both the man and woman wept for forty days and nights. On the forty-first day the Goddess took pity on them and turned them both into lovebirds, who do not dwell on such things. Nicholas is not sure how relevant the tale is to this lovebird, but it is a lovely story.

The religious trappings of this chapel have not seen much use. The prayer beads do not have the worn surface of a devout man. Moreover, the giant silver Omega says more about Gollion's concern with appearances than with piety. The saints on display reflect this as well. St. Estoban the humble is ironically framed in gold leafed wood worth a poor man's annual salary. St. Judith, the generous is a favourite of lords and nobles. She teaches paternal benevolence and is often used to justify positions of power. St. Hammish the wise is the patron saint of discovery and logic. A fitting choice for a black wizard. Finally, St. Thomas, after whom Thomas was likely named, is famous for his cunning. He is the only Saint who is known to have consorted with demons but not to have been tempted to forsake the Goddess for their favour. There is one story of St. Thomas in which he pits too fiends against each other, steals their treasure while they fight, and then pays a third with the stolen treasures to finish them off.

The prayers, on the other hand, are genuine.


Tweep?

If he didn't know better, Nichlas would say the Lovebird was asking a question. It launches from Brandon's finger and flies out the door.

[OzzyKP]

"That is no normal parrot," Nicholas said, "That is a lovebird, I think it wishes us to follow it. Be careful not to lose the bird!"

Nicholas left the room and followed after it.

[stack]

Thomas follows close after. No mere bird. What could it be leading us to?

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

Val wasn't one to take her orders from a bird, but she was quick to find any excuse to leave the chapel. As the others start to run after the bird, she stops them with an outstretched arm. "Caution, still," she warns. "Danger can take unassuming forms." She relaxes her arm and takes up her place in the lead, careful to keep the bird in her peripheral vision as she searches the hallway for traps as they follow it.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

However, her experience in the chapel--whatever it was--has left her shaken. Not only does she find it difficult to follow the bird, but she has to take a moment to lean against the wall to regain her composure. She fights to wipe the tears from her eyes without the others noticing, and though she listens for the chirps of the lovebird the only thing she hears resounding in her head is the naive prayer of a lonely little girl from long ago.

Spot or Sense Motive DC 7 to notice Val wiping away her tears.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon had been so pleased with the warmth that simply holding the 'Parr-ot' had given him that he had been lulled into a sense of contentment; he hadn't been ready to react as the bird flew away from him. The others called out, but he turned on his heel and raced after the bird.

[boldfont]

The Hanging Man

They rush out of the chapel and into the hall to catch a glimpse of the lovebird taking off from the hallway floor to the broken window in the vestibule. Valentita tried to give her surrounding the usual care and attention, but the tears in her eyes and strong dirge of emotions is a constant distraction. She believes she is presenting herself and being held together, but anyone can tell she is upset.
This way! she leads the charge.

The lovebird is perched on the grave marker when the group exits the manor.

Tweep?

It takes off in full flight East, towards the woodlands. The Cord can barely keep up while running full tilt, but the little bird is somewhat obliging in the chase. It stops to rest on a stump, a rock, a catstail, or a tree branch.

Tweep?

When they can't see her they follow her bird song.


Chip! Twiiiiiirl
Tweep tweep tweep Tweeeeeep

She leads them deep into the woods and off the Estate. The fog, which has been ever present since the bell tower rang thirteen, is getting thicker here. The sky is the same mysterious deep indigo of twilight. Light is required.

The bird is now nowhere to be seen or heard, but up ahead they hear a man's voice calling out to someone or something.

Are you happy now? Is this what you want?!? Your victory of death and wickedness? Oh I am Laid LOW dark masters of the Abyss! All hail the mighty demons!

There is a slurring of the words and a mockery in his voice. The cord achieves visibility just in time to see the tree, the rope, and the man.

I hope you know regret as I know it.

He jumps from his perch in the tree and the sound of his neck snapping can be heard from 20 feet away.

http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/hanged_man_by_periwinklepixie-d5ev4bs.jpg

The group draws closer. They are now ten feet away from the tree. It is Gollion himself. His legs are still kicking and his mouth froths the pink foam of spit and blood. He voids his trousers and begins to turn the grotesque combination of fleshy purple, yellow, and blue that dead or dying men do.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon doesn't think, just twitches a hand and sends a dagger speeding towards the rope, hoping that if they cut it in time and get the man down the others can heal him.

Attack roll with thrown dagger: [roll0]

[boldfont]

A cord of three strands is not easily broken


Brandon's 17 hits Rope AC 15 (10 + size mod (-12 fine) + Dex mod (-5) = AC 15)
Hardness is 0
HP is 2
Result: Hits and breaks


Brandon's knife sails through the air and the rope severs two of the three strands that make up the rope. It uncoils and Gollion drops a foot. It takes a second for the weight and the tug of the body to snap the final cord. Then with an inappropriately comical sounding "SRoiNG!" the branch and end of rope above recoil.

Gollion's body - and it is Gollion himself - falls to the earth in an flaccid heap. His legs still twitch in a spastic fashion. Even from ten feet away Brandon can smell wine and urine.

Death can be so undignified.

Brandon can't help wonder Did I hesitate? If I was just a second faster or a hair more accurate, could I have saved him?

[stack]

Thomas holds his torch high upon hearing the familiar voice, rushing ahead of the others only to be toolate. He falls to his knees, silent, his only motion to watch the body fall to the ground after Brandon severs the rope. How? Why? After all these years? Grandfather....

I've tried, father tried, we...we lost hope. And now its too late.

He's going to be in shock for a bit, don't mind him.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

As Thomas regains his senses, he realizes that there is a hand gently stroking his hair as he kneels in the dirt. Looking up, he sees the butcher standing by his side. Gone is her usual scowl, replaced instead by a concerned frown. Her eyes seem to shine with uncharacteristic warmth. She says nothing, but stands by the grieving man attempting to provide comfort.

[OzzyKP]

Nicholas runs as fast as his tired old legs can carry him. Reaching Gollion just as his rope is severed and his body falls. He examines him quickly, hoping to determine if there is any life left in him and if there is any use in calling upon the Goddess to heal his wounds.


Healing: [roll0]

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon knows he is no healer but all the same he anxiously watches Nicholas, too tense to do anything else.

Once it becomes clear that Nicholas's work is under way, he strides purposefully over to the tree to recover his dagger, unable to stand idly whilst a man's life is in danger...

[boldfont]

Gollion's condition was beyond Nicholas' skills. Nothing short of a miracle would save him now. The Goddess would have to raise him from the dead, and this was something she was only known to do in Holy texts for the greatest of prophets. The spasms had ceased. Gollion's suicide was successful. At least he died quickly and with the body intact. Nicholas had known town executions to go wrong. When the drop was too long, the head could actually tear loose. When the rope was too short, the victim would die slowly and painfully of suffocation and internal bleeding. But Gollion planned this well and died the instant they heard the neck snap. The spasms they witnessed were the involuntary movements of the after-death, no different from a chicken that is beheaded.

[stack]

After some time, Thomas collects himself, standing slowly with Val's aid. His face is a stone mask. "We must take his body back. For proper burial. Help me find a...a wagon." His movements are slow, eyes distant in a dreamlike look, as if expecting to wake up.

[TwelvePointFive]

Geoffrey placed his hand on Thomas' Shoulder, and looked as if he was about to say something. He couldn't quite find the words, however, and let go, setting about the task of finding means to transport the body for a burial.
Death was a shocking experience, and while he didn't know the man, it was always sad to see the godess' ceratures depart this world. Especially as Geoffrey couldn't shake the feeling that Gollion's soul might not be bound for the heavens.

[boldfont]

Geoffrey remembers someone describing the lay out the land to him. There should be a wagon in the stable (http://averyfineknifepbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/gollion-estate-you-are-here.jpg)to the south. He would have to go back the way he came, and once he cleared the forest, either cut through the field or take the east most or west most path around it.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon knelt and lifted his dagger from the floor and paused then, not wanting to return to the group: this night had been full of darkness and horror, but it had been an adventure, and they had survived. He could not endure sorrow and despair, and had no wish to return to a group overcome by remorse and guilt: real consequences had caught up with them, and Brandon didn't want to hang around to deal with them.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

She was loathe to admit it, but nothing good would come of them heading back into the manor at this point. There was probably still more worth exploring, but hopefully it would still be there at the next sundown.

"C'mon, folks," she says as she gently moves her hand upwards on Thomas' back, encouraging him to stand. "We should get a wagon, get back to Esther and then get some rest. The work can wait."

...she hoped.

[OzzyKP]

With a heavy heart, Nicholas closes Gollion's eyes, and moves his limbs to a more dignified position. Nicholas stands and covers him with his cloak. The grim, tired expression on his face tells his companions all they need to know. Gollion was beyond his powers to heal.

He is glad to see Valentita comforting Thomas, despite being fairly distant, it is never easy to lose family.

Not wanting to overwhelm Thomas with too much consoling, Nicholas instead looks over to the lovebird, "Thank you, pretty bird. I wish we had found you sooner. I think we might have more to learn from you, would you like to accompany us?"

Nicholas holds out his hand, inviting the bird to perch on his finger.


Handle Animal: Take 10 + 7 = 17

[stack]

Thomas doesn't look away from the body "Yes. Yes we should."

He turns, eyes downcast. "Let us get that wagon. There will be questions in the morning, best to get to Esther as soon as possible."

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita

Gone is the hyper-cautious, angry Val that made an appearance earlier in the foyer. In her place, there is now a caring, compassionate--almost parental--woman. "Thomas and Nicholas should stay," she says calmly. "We will give them the privacy to say their goodbyes...unless they'd rather I stay as well. Some of the others-- perhaps Brandon and Gregory at the least--should go retrieve a wagon. We shouldn't wander off alone, but neither should he be left out here alone." At this point, it's unclear whether she's referring to Gollion, Thomas, or both.

[TwelvePointFive]

It occured to Geoffrey that it might be easier to simply bring the body of Gollion along with them. But Thomas needed some time alone, and while Geoffrey might not be good at consoling words, he knew when to make himself scarce. He leaned closer to Val. "It seems strange that he would appear out of nowhere after all these years. Perhaps you would take a look at the sorroundings while we are gone?" He said in a hushed voice, as to not disturb Thomas or his grief. He was glad to see Nicholas taking care of Thomas and the body, and hoped Brandon would come along. The darkness was not so thick while in company.

[boldfont]

Wagon Hunting

Valentita Leads the way, scouting ahead, and keeping her ears open and eyes peeled. They head around the field, reasoning that it is better to have clear visibility in this place.


Spot [roll0]
Listen [roll1]

Dog [roll2]

Geoffrey [roll3]
Brandon [roll4]
Valentita [roll5]


http://strengthfortoday.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/rabiddog2.png

Brandon swears to the Goddess that this is the same rabid mutt he put down not more than an hour ago. It leaps out of the field charging the three friends.

[boldfont]

It has the advantage! Valentita was distracted by the night sounds of other critters, she hardly notices before the mutt leaps at her. It growls fiercely and aims for an outstretched arm.


Dog Attack [roll0] if hit [roll1] and roll Fort DC 13.

[boldfont]

Intruder during Mourning


Thomas Listen [roll0]
Nicholas Listen [roll1]
DC 10


They had been gone for a quarter of an hour when Nicholas hears someone (or something) approach. He is ready as it clears the fog and reaches and outstretched hand towards Gollion's dead body. The hand is an eerie translucent blue. He can hear it say in a dull whisper You are out of place...

[OzzyKP]

Grasping his staff, Nicholas moves himself between the hand and Gollion's body, responding to the voice by saying, "Who is there and what do you want with Gollion?"

Nicholas takes a careful look at the creature, hoping to identify it and understand if it is friend or foe. Or, more likely from their recent experiences, what kind of foe it is.

[boldfont]

The Keepers

This, realized Nicholas, is a Keeper. A Keeper is a creature of law and order. They are impartial to either good or evil. Instead they care only for "the natural order of things". They appear only at the most egregious sites of damage to the natural order or sometimes as enforcers of spiritual law. Tears in time and space. Short cuts between heaven and Earth. Some times complete abandonment of all known physical laws. These were the damages they were known to remedy. They also upheld the cosmic bargains between demons, angels, and men. They were exceedingly rare beings, and they were absolutely straight forward in their thinking. Their touch could right a wrong in an instant by reforming reality itself!

It was with some regret, then, that Nicholas realized he put himself in the path of the Keeper's touch.


Touch Attack [roll0] if hit, Grapple [roll1] vs Nicolas' grapple [roll2]
If grappled then Will save DC 16 [roll3] (Whew! Complicated.)

Initiative
Keeper [roll4]
Thomas [roll5]
Nicholas [roll6]


The Keeper grabs hold of Nicolas' wrist. Nicolas can just feel the Keeper's magic pulling him out of reality. He yanks his arm away before the magic has a chance to take hold. He knows they are outmatched, yet he takes some comfort in the fact that the Keeper is not here to kill them. Some comfort. For all he knew, the Keeper is here to wipe them from reality and it will be as if they never existed at all.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Brandon is done messing around, all night he's had to fight with maces and daggers, and skilled though he may be with the latter, neither would compare to his bow.

As the mutt raced towards them Brandon planted his feet and drew his bow, knocking an arrow as he did so. He allowed his mind to calm as he focussed himself before loosing an arrow straight at the dog's heart. For a moment the onlookers could see a bright tracery, as though the prohectile flickered with some arcane fire.

Move action: Move to 30ft away and draw bow.
Swift Action: Flame Arrow (Boost)
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Damage from flame arrow [roll2]

[boldfont]

Arrpf! it yelps as Brandon's arrow lands in its heart. The dog dies instantly.

[OzzyKP]

Barely escaping from the Keeper's touch, Nicholas recoiled from the creature. Next time he might not be so lucky. He didn't know what the Keeper would do to him - or to Gollion - but he didn't want to take that chance again.

He pulled back and quickly said a prayer under his breath to the Goddess, asking her to protect them, and hold the Keeper in place. He hoped it would give he and Thomas some time to decide what to do.

After he was out of the Keeper's reach, and the Goddess of good had answered his prayer, he said to Thomas, "The Goddess holds the creature, do not get close, its touch alone could wipe us from reality."

One of the smartest men in town, and following in his grandfather's path of study into the planes, Nicholas knew that Thomas already knew this, but he felt it good to say nonetheless.

"What we don't know is what the Keeper wants. We shouldn't, I don't think, automatically assume it is a threat or will harm your grandfather. But neither should we rule that out."

Continuing to think outloud, Nicholas says, "Just trying to think this through...if the Keeper was here to hold Gollion to some deal he made and was trying to cheat on, wouldn't your grandfather have been more defiant as he took his life? His words as he hung himself indicate he was giving up and giving in to the demons. If he was giving in to them, would they send a Keeper?"



Nicholas casts Impede

[boldfont]

The Keeper


Impede Will Save DC 14
[roll0]
Nice work. This certainly did buy you some time.


The Keeper's will is strong, but Nicholas' faith is true. His prayer is answered, and the Keeper's feet are locked in place. It pulls one leg forward, but can do no more. The Keeper's mouth hangs agape, obviously surprised by the power of this mortal.

You must return! it gasps desperately. Thomas and Nicolas can tell that the Keeper is driven to "fix" something. It would be fascinating if it weren't trying to fix them! A blue energy burns where its eyes should be. It is now staring at Nicholas, swinging its arms to reach him or the body, but it can't. It can do nothing.

You are out of place

[OzzyKP]

Frustrated that he and Thomas must try to figure out what this creature wants, when the creature can obviously speak and understand and could tell them itself. He says, "I can ask the Goddess to release you, Keeper, but you must tell me who sent you and to where you wish Gollion to return. Answer me! What are you trying to fix!"

[boldfont]

The Keeper looks almost pathetic when it tries to move its feet and stares imploringly at Nicholas. To want order so badly that it literally defines your existence, and then to have it out of reach, must be torture. We are out of time. We are out of place. One cannot precede the other. Once stopped; all must stop. Once resumed; all must resume. We pause until the fall is complete.
It talks in frustrating riddles that no doubt make perfect sense to its alien mind. It must be remembered that the Keeper is a creature of natural law. Nicholas could only guess at what was happening. There was nothing in Gollion's notes about this. But given the number of strange things he had seen tonight, the Keeper's presence here was not all that surprising. The world is not as it seems Esther had said. Perhaps she could explain better if Nicholas could not discern any real meaning from the Keeper.

[stack]

Thomas stands quickly, mind racing. "It seeks to bring order. Remember his last words? The mockery in them? He must have....sought a way to free his soul from those that sought it. The question is, to what end does this thing seek him, to uphold his escape or deliver him for damnation? Let us hinder it until it will answer." A black cloud flies from his fingers, enveloping the creature's head.

Net of Shadows, Will DC 15 or can't see beyond 5', opponents inside 5' have concealment

"To whom will you deliver him? Answer and we may free and aid you."

[boldfont]

Net of shadows on top of being stuck? Now that's just mean! LOL
[roll0]
Oh god!


A black smudge appears around its head. It clearly cannot see or move. Thomas could stick it with a knife with relative impunity.
No! No! You must be restored to where you were! All must be restored! Release me! ReeeeLeeeeasseee Meeee!!!

[OzzyKP]

"Who must be restored!? Restored to where?! Answer us! No more riddles!"


Nicholas grows frustrated. He asked his new, lovebird companion. Whether it could communicate or not is another question, but it does seem to know much and does seem to be intelligent. In any event, it is the only creature who seemed to know Thomas' grandfather in recent days.

He asks, "And how about you, pretty bird, is there any clue or hint you can give us?"

[stack]

"Grandfather disappeared many years ago...Law Keeper, has Golion become removed from his time? Have we?"

duration for net of shadows [roll0]

impede only lasted 1 rnd.

[OzzyKP]

OOC:

I'm not sure how long this talking is taking, in terms of rounds. bold font, when we go into a new round, just go ahead and assume I'm recasting the Impede spell. At least until we've finished talking.

[boldfont]

Has a round passed? Sure. Seems about right, even if speech is technically a free action. Or as I like to think of it, "free speech". (that was awful - sorry)

YYyyeeeeeSSS! You are out of time! And as if on cue its legs free. It takes a stumble forward and a wild blind swing at Nicholas.


Spell breaks
Readied action - Impede
Will save DC 14
[roll0]

Attack if not impeded
[roll1] touch attack
then grapple [roll2] vs Nicholas' [roll3]
and Will save to avoid having reality changed DC 16. [roll4] Opps! Forgot concealment. Oh well, no harm no foul.


But the Keeper only makes a single step before the Goddess answers Nicholas' prayer. Just a little longer... please! It flails wildly and ineffectively in their general direction. NOOOOOOoooo!!! it calls in frustration.

Tweep tweep! Chirps Nicholas' little friend, like it were laughing.

[OzzyKP]

With a sigh, Nicholas says, "I don't know how much longer the Goddess will hold him, Thomas. And we are clearly not getting anywhere by talking to him. I hate to be the one to suggest violence, but.. your grandfather's very soul could be at risk here. I think we've done all we can do to try and resolve this peacefully... Please act quickly."

[stack]

"We are out of time...but when? I was the only one asleep, the only one who wouldn't have seen it? Ought we let it return us to our place?"

"But I trust you judgement." With that, he mutters dark words, a black coating covering his hand as he steps toward the thing. He reaches out, the air chilling around him.

cause light wounds [roll0] vs touch
damage [roll1] negative energy

his list isn't made for blasting. Holds the charge on a miss.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Having ended the animal, Brandon stretches his arms and limbers up, feigning shooting again (recover manoeuvres), before recovering his spent arrow.

He then continues on to the wagon.

[OMG PONIES]

Valentita


It has the advantage! Valentita was distracted by the night sounds of other critters, she hardly notices before the mutt leaps at her. It growls fiercely and aims for an outstretched arm.

Val curses under her breath as the dog bites her and blood starts to seep from her arm. Luckily, she was no stranger to dealing with nicks and scratches. She squeezes the wound a little to allow her blood to wash out anything toxic, then grabs a scrap of fabric from her belt pouch and wraps it around the wound. She ties it tight and gives a satisfied nod. "Should hold 'til Nicholas takes a look. Now, about that wagon..."

As the group walks on, Val is on high alert. First she had almost lost sight of the lovebird, and now she had allowed a stray animal to get the drop on her. She didn't know if she was still shaken from being in the chapel or if this long workday had started getting to her, but she was happy they were nearing its end. Though she'd never admit it to another, she was just looking forward to knowing her children were safe at home, kissing their foreheads, and getting some rest.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[boldfont]

The Keeper

Thomas walks around the Keeper and delivers his negative charge to the Keeper's back. It can neither see, nor move greatly to avoid a touch. It arches it's back in pain. Nicholas' spell breaks, and it wheels blindly towards Thomas, swinging wildly.


You are now flanking, I didn't think you would mind the tactical help there.

[roll0] (-4 for blindness), Full Concealment 01-50% miss [roll1]
If hit grapple [roll2] vs Thomas [roll3]
if grapple, magic and will save DC 16 [roll4]


Wagon
The other three find a dilapidated wagon with ease. It will require minor repairs. It is presently full of planks of dry lumber. Odd screeching sounds emanate from the stable, the three may not wish to tarry.


Any ranks in an applicable skill (e.g. craft: woodwork or Know: engineering) will allow you to take ten, but this will take 3d6 rounds to come up with something. The stable is roughly 50ft away South. The wagon weighs about 400 lbs. The lumber adds 500 lbs.

[stack]

Wow, so just really stink at rolling will saves.

Thomas reaches out to strike the planar being again. I hope we can defeat it before I have to resort to my blade.

ILW, vs touch [roll0] vs touch, flanking
damage [roll1]

I assume it can't take an AOO, but even if it can I'd rather rely on miss chance than casting defensively and risking losing the spell.

[OzzyKP]

Nicholas hoped he was doing the right thing. He hoped further that he and Thomas would survive the next few minutes.

He whacked the creature with his staff.


Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

I play a 4th level super bad ass paladin in my other game. I weep every time Nicholas tries to attack someone.

[boldfont]

The Keeper ducks and deeks to the side. It hardly knows whether it is avoiding a blow or walking into one. This time it gets lucky. Both Thomas and Nicholas swing at air.

Return!

The Keeper lunges at Nicholas, trying to get a hold of the wise monk.


This is the last round for the net of shadows by my count.
[roll0] (-4 for darkness) if hit, grapple [roll1] vs Nicholas' Grapple [roll2] then Will save DC 16 [roll3]
[roll4]


It is not Nicholas at all the Keeper sensed, but a tree. It actuality, the Keeper ran five feet away in the opposite direction. The Keeper's hands feel up the trunk and it spins around expecting an attack from behind. The net of shadows begins to fade.

[stack]

"Explain yourself and we may allow you to carry out your appointed task. We oppose you because we do not know what you intend to do to us."

ready action to deliver the touch again since he held the charge, delivering it if it takes any hostile action.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[OzzyKP]

"Answer us!"

Nicholas attacks the creature once again.


Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[boldfont]

Nicholas swung high with his staff and struck the being, but it was a glancing blow and caused no damage. Thomas, who only needed a touch to effect his terrible dark will upon others, managed to connect. It drained and peeled away the manifest of this otherworldly incarnation. Nicholas and Thomas sorely missed their comrades at this perilous time. Hopefully they would be along with the wagon shortly.

I intend to place you back to where you were before the thirteenth hour! I intend to stop you in time until the fall is complete!

Cryptic and unhelpful. It almost seems like the Keeper is speaking another language. If Thomas and Nicholas had time to look at Gollion's notes or question Esther, then maybe this would start to make sense. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The net of shadows dissipated and the Keeper could not attack in earnest. This was going to be tight. They could see where Thomas' hand had torn the fabric of the Keeper's being and pure blue energy was bleeding out. Both sides were desperate.

The Keeper leaped at Thomas.


Here we go...
[roll0] if hit Grapple [roll1] vs your grapple [roll2] and Will DC 16 [roll3]
Oh dear. I'll remind you that running is a valid tactic.
I'll PM Stack to let him know what happened.


Thomas feels his body being pulled from reality, but his mind is set on staying. No. Not today. When it appears like Thomas is about to fade, he solidifies. He gains some unique insight from his brief fade, which makes it all the more important than he and Nicholas get out of this so they can inform the others. He is still locked in a grapple with the Keeper.