D&D 3.5 Blood, Debt and Tears. IC

[Jyssika]

Your caravan finally makes it to Vilhalain,
you have travelled for about a week by
horse and cart and are now in the far
western plains of the empire.

This part of the Empire is the opposite side
to where the Empires forces were at war
and as such have no love for soldiers, they
are also well known for their very low minority
of races other than humans, there poverished
way of life and lack of defeses against local
wildlife.

The Town is almost entirely based around a
large cross road; Church, Tavern, Sheriff's
Office, Lumber Headquarters and Farmers
market all the largest and most obveous
buildings. Around that are houses clinging
to the backs of the main buildings like flies
on cattle. Finally in the distance are larger
houses presumably owned by the farmers
themselves.

It is about midday, the population of the town
is only about 150-200 people including children
and elderly.

The group is not yet in the Town; you and your
carts are pulled up a few miles from the closest
farm house.

[wkwkwkwk1]

"Aaaaah..." Kanyar sighs, "I still haven't gotten over how good it is to be free from those savages..." His smile changes to a frown "I hope to meet them sometime in the future, to teach them a lesson, if they give us a fighting chance this time."

[trysted]

"Agreed, there will be a time for that" says Cloistered while taking a look around. "Not much to see here, is there?"

[wkwkwkwk1]

"Not much, really, but maybe some wolf will turn up so we can kill it."

[neriractor]

Mathias nods at his partnerts chitchat until he decides to jump to the conversation "we can leave the killing for later, now lets just enjoy the calm countryside. Would you like to heard a story?" he says and without waisting time pulls a nicely crafted book out and begins
"once upon a time
There was a far too grey place
People lived sad,nobody lived well
Then a mighty little group of heroic people
Brought to the world the color of the sun..."

perform(story telling)check to make people happy:[roll0]

[niw18]

Magesoul would just smirk and nod to the other to and look to them and then the location and sigh's "wow they have sent us in the middle of no where" he would say to them. He would shake his head "we so going get revenge on them for this" he would say in general area as the place was very new settlement with not much there at all development wise.

[trysted]

Well, last I checked, we were here to kill wildlife, and I don't think it's going to come to us. What say we go have a look around?

Does a 360 degree look around to, puts a loaded crossbow to hand, and hops out of the wagon.

Anyone else feel like hunting?

[dethkruzer]

"Or maybe we could just live, and let live? I understand that we're probably pretty angry about the whole thing, but I'm glad we even got out alive." Joseph replied sarcastically from atop his horse. "And since I also got out with all my bits attached to my other bits, I'd rather not give them a chance to rectify that."

[Jyssika]

Without looking too closely Cloistered realizes the farm house
nearest to them seems to be badly damaged; Mathias tells
a loverly tale, however, as no one is around to hear it appart
from yourselves... it was perhaps a pointless endeavor.

[trysted]

Well, Gentlemen, and the rest of you as well.....what say we go have a closer look at that farmhouse?

[wkwkwkwk1]

"It is a nice story, Mathias, and I will want to hear the rest of it," Kanyar says, smiling at his rudely interrupted companion, "But now it seems we must go hunting."

Kanyar gets up, stretches, draws his ornate Greatsword, and spins it around a few times.

"Let's go, guys!"

[Jyssika]

As the group close in on the Farm House several
things become evident: the damage is extensive
all the window either have their shutters boarded and
nailed up or have been ripped from their hingest,
the door is wide open and the small picket fence
usually running around the private garden space
has been pushed over and trampled into the mud.

There is are also large piles freshly moved earth
directly infront of the house and most of the land
to the east of the house seems to have been trampled.

Contacting one of those responsible for your summons
is usually the first thing expected of the Debt Mercs,
however, it seems unlikely anyone still lives in this
house.

[dethkruzer]

Checking his rapier is wherre it's supposed to, and that his boot-shethed daggers are securely strapped in, Joseph then hops of his horse to follow the group over to the farmhouse. He seems slightly shocked at the scale of the damage. "These were supposed wild animals we were chasing, right? I'm thinking that might not be the whole truth." He says out loud, slowly approaching the house.

Can I roll any knowldge checks to determine what might have caused the damage?

[wkwkwkwk1]

"Far from it, apparently. Cloistered, can you take a look around the house? I'd be right behind you, but I'm not as good at sneaking as you are."

[neriractor]

"thanks kanyar, I will surely tell you the rest someday" Mathias says as he too gets his feet to the ground "lets go check it out, the fastest the better"


I activate my motivate dexterity aura(EX): +3 to all dex checks/dex based skill checks(hide and move silently,etc) and Initiative

[trysted]

I'm all about it. I'll go right, Why don't one of you check out the left side?

Crossbow at the ready, gives a wide berth to the building and heads around the right side, utilizing whatever concealment is available.

[Jyssika]

Around the right of the house Cloistered finds more of
the same; boarded over shutters, trampled fences and
ripped up crop gardens.

He also finds two freshish graves marked with small wooden
boards, the names read;
Margaret Williams, Kenneth Williams.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Positioning his greatsword to kill anyone waiting in ambush, Kanyar creeps along the wall and takes a wide berth around the corner, spotting Cloistered on the other side, and stares at the graves, his heart filled with sadness for the two poor souls.

"No one else must die," Kanyar mutters to himself. He turns to his companions and yells, "Come, my friends, we have lives to save!"

[trysted]

Uses Concealed Spellcasting to cast Detect Magic in the direction of the house itself.

Then suggests, "lets take a look inside".

[neriractor]

mathias follows cloystered while writting some stuff in the book.

"ok, lets see if we can avenge this family"
he says as he prepares his shield and starts checking the house for any clue as to what caused the incident.

[roll0]

[dethkruzer]

Joseph followed the rest of the group, drawing his rapier with one hand and keeping the other one near his spell component pouch, his eyes vigilantly darting about in an attempt to spot anything out of place. He wasn't so sure about all this vengeance nonsense. It's not like it would really achieve anything, but he decided to keep such thoughts to himself for the time being.

[roll0]

[Jyssika]

Nothing appears magical.

As you enter the house you immediately find
the source of the window boards, large sections
of the floor boards have been ripped up in the
effort to fortify the house.

It has clearly been a while since anyone has been
inside atleast a week or so.
The entrance hall is littered with random objects
that have been collected from all around the house,
almost as though someone was collecting everything
they thought valuable enough to take with them prior
to leaving.

There is a large staircase leading up to a landing area
and two large archways leading in each direction, one
to a cloakroom and kitchen area and another towards
a small library/study.

[neriractor]

mathias pulls out his rapier and slowly walks up the stairs, wary of any structural damage.

[trysted]

Cloistered Follows two steps behind Mathias, crossbow at ready.

[Jyssika]

The stairs creek but are otherwise intact, compared to
the dark downstairs it is shockingly bright upstairs...
It hits you the upstairs windows have not been boarded
up.

Upstairs there are two rooms; one on each side of the
house as you can make out a bed in each of the rooms
it is evident they are probably bedrooms.

A small landing with hand rail rings around the area above
the entrance hall.

[trysted]

What say take the rooms together? We can start with the one on the right.

[neriractor]

"sounds good, lets go to that one" mathias begins moving to the room in the right still in a defensive stance just in case.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Drawing his crossbow, Kanyar covers his companions' movements.

[dethkruzer]

"I'll go check the study. Maybe I can find some records on what it was that happened here." Joseph says to the rest of the group, before proceeding toward the study. Should he reach the study, he will try to see if hecsn find anything useful.

[roll0]

I also noticed I hand't picked my extra languagees, so I did thaat.

[niw18]

magesoul would look around and notice the tracks and would follow them unaware that his fellow mercs had gone into the house. He was curious as to where tracks head to and where they go out of the town so that he can report it to his fellow mercs as he was sure they would find it as interesting as himself.

[Jyssika]

As you head towards the first room the smell of death hits you, you notice the door
has been hacked to pieces and barely still anything more than pieces of splintered wood
attached to the two hinges.

Inside the room you find what looks like a tavern after a brawl, the furniture all seems to
have been piled up in the centre of the room most of it is significantly damaged and
blood splatters cover most of the room.


The study is very messy; it would seek several of the books have been collected up
on a desk, mostly a collection of random what might be the owners favorites however
there is also a small pile of history texts documenting the local area and one particular
book called: Vilhalain, Creatures and Monsters.

You also find a few entries from a personal Journal of Kenneth Williams, although you
are unable to find the whole Journal.
The entries are from a couple of weeks ago; non mention anything out of the ordinary
for a farmer's diary.


There are many tracks, perhaps 40 or 50 people have been through this house in the
past two weeks; some head to the Town Centre, others head away from the town towards
a thick forest.

The ones heading towards the forest are clawed.
The ones heading towards the town are human.

[trysted]

Wonder what did this? Drunk Ogres? Lots of blood, where are the bodies?

Enters room and looks for any clue as to what kind of thing did it, or any bodies still here.

[Jyssika]

There are no bodies inside the room; it looks like the
furniture might have been piles up behind the door
and then pushed into the middle of the room as the
door gave way.

[trysted]

C'mon Mathius, let's go check out the other room.

Heads to other room, crossbow at the ready, looking for traps or any hint of what's as been dealing the damage.

I'm thinking whatever it was, ate em unless they are in those graves out back

[neriractor]

Mathias still checking the Room turn back to talk "what ever it was it must have really big claws or a huge strengh,not being Both mutually exclusive". Lets see maybe there is something in there,says Mathias as he moves to the other room side by side cloystered.

[niw18]

Magesoul would head back after tracking all those tracks and head towards the house and sighs there something strange out there. He would open the door and walk in to the house speak loudly enough so other mercs can hear him "hey I found some out where tracks go to and I differently think there something out there that might have done this" before going through house find them.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Upon hearing Magesoul, Kanyar shouts to his companions, "Come, friends, we have a quarry to follow!"

[dethkruzer]

Joseph walk back into the entrance hall before shouting. "Study is clear, couldn't find anything useful." To the people upstairs. He thn goes to find Magesoul. "What did you find?" he then asks.

[Jyssika]

The final bedroom is rather anti-climactic
in comparison to the previous; it is similarly
messy to the rest of the house however to
a much lesser degree. It was clearly used
as some sort of spare bedroom due to the
rather spartan decorating and lack of personal
effects.

As the group recollects itself in the entrance of
the house you hear an ominous crack of thunder
and begin to hear rain on the roof of the house.

This is thunder storm season in this side of the
Empire and although none of you are locals you
know that the rain can get pretty heavy and
not something you want to go running off into
the woods in the middle of.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Standing in the doorway, Kanyar grits his teeth, knowing pursuit is probably not the best option.

"Magesoul, do you thing you will be able to follow the tracks after the rain? If not, I think we'd better return to the caravan."


@DM: You're not trying to railroad us, are you? :smalltongue:

@All:
Each hour of rain is a +1 to the tracking DC
Precipitation is a +3 to DC while "precipitating"

What do you think?

Jyssika, are you enforcing the above rules?

[trysted]

Heads downstairs to rejoin the rest of the group and find out what they've seen.

What do ya think guys? Wanna slog it in the rain, or hit the town and see what they already know?

[wkwkwkwk1]

"I think rusting my armor won't do much good. Besides, these tracks have been here for a few days, and it has probably rained on them a few times, so... Going to town it is!"

Kanyar sighs.

[Jyssika]

As the group leave the house the heavens open; what
was only an hour ago a beautiful summer day darkens
to what almost appears to be the middle of the night.

It only takes a quarter of an hour to get to the town
inside your carrage (http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/carriage-illustration-children-beautiful-wild-west-35211206.jpg) and for the most part it holds
water tight, those driving the carrage or near openings
in the canvas slowly see more and more details of the
town as you draw closer.

Initially from a distance you first notice the proximity of
all the houses, it reminds you of some sort of inner city
slums in the heart of the Capital and makes no sence for
a town this far into the country side to be so clustered.

Drawing closer still you notice the vast array of lantern lights
being lit around the outer houses as the storm rolls in; hundreds
of small lights like fireflies in the gloom at irregular hights and
distances appart.

As the driver of the cart draws within a few hundred meters he
begins looking for a place to park the carrage, or a road to pull
onto, this attempt draws the groups attention to a large wooden
gate.

The gate is seven or eight feet tall and connects two houses, either
side of those houses is section of fence linked to the next houses
and this continues around the town as far as you can see... this
small town has been circle fenced and fortified...

As you pull towards the gate the ground is thick with deep foot prints,
clearly people have walked en masse through this gate in the past
month or so, the ground itself has been ripped up and a deep trench
forming due to the footfall.

Once the carrage has stopped infront of the gate a gruff voice calls
to them from a peek hole.

Who goes there?

[trysted]

Friends. Yours, specifically. We've been sent to help.

(whispered) "Kanyar, do some of your fancy talking here, I don't feel like being out here all day".

[wkwkwkwk1]

Oh no you didn't! :smalleek:

Hold on for a few days... pretty please? :smallredface:


Kanyar stands up and raises his hands in a gesture of peace.

"My name is Kanyar Maal'Dru, paladin of Lathander, and these are my companions. We come in peace. In fact, we have been sent to help your city with its troubles. We have come to report on our findings to our superiors!"


If needed, of course:
[roll0]

N-Natural... 20??? This dice roller clearly has a love-hate relationship with me... :smalleek:

[Jyssika]

City? What? Y-y-your not from round 'ere are you?

A person sized door opens inside the larger gates
and a man in a scruffy and very old looking Imperial
Army Man at Arms uniform stands looking at you.

He turns off to one side; waving his hand at someone

Oright, well lets get you in 'ere and out of the
well shall th'us and you can explain what your
doing in this side of no where.

The larger gate swings open and you are very hastily
rushed through, before it is boarded behind the carrage.
On the other side is a wide throughfare, presumably the
centre road of the town, and what may have once been a
well kept flagged road is choked with heaps of wet mud
and grass.

The man looks at you funny before deciding not to try charge
you for parking.

Oright, lets get you somewhere warm an you can 'xplain whats
going on to the Sheriff... We will sort out your carrage see.

The man dutifully takes the reigns of your horse and
leads it about 150ft up the road; pulling outside of a
small yet very loud tavern, he waves at you to climb
out and opens the door for you gesturing you into the
crowded bar.

Afterwards he leads off with your carrage persumably
to find somewhere to stable the horses and park the
carrage.

In the courner of the bar you see a few men sitting in
similar uniforms to the man whom has thus far dealt
with you, the rest of the bar is filled with all sorts of
men and women... all human, most are very very drunk.

[dethkruzer]

Joseph sits quietly in the carriage as they go, feeling that he had nothing that needed to be added to what Kanyar already said.

[niw18]

he would nod " I should be able to track them easily as the tracks seem to be deep enough that rain storm won't hurt them" he would say to them before following them out and felt the rains poured down on them. He would watch as he seen the gate and then looked to the others as he sat there in silence until he needed to speak. He would follow them to the bar and stayed silent as he watched those in bar and his fellow mercs.

[trysted]

So, which of you is the Sheriff?

[neriractor]

mathias stays half asleep most of the trip and just minding his own business with his book until he sees the bar, finally he had founded a comfortable place of chaos. "bartender give me a big glass of your best ale "he says as goes to the middle of the bar and starts reciting in a musical tone:

"there was once a drunken guy that just coudnt talk no more, everyone called mute jack he could never talk again because he liked buss too much; it never battered him again to think of himself as a good singer while drunk because when he "singed" in the bar everyone will just applaud and go: jaja there goes old jack again ... "

perform(story telling)check to make everyone nice and kind to us outsiders, and help get this party started :smallcool::[roll0]

minding his own bosiness is being used as a different for forging a bunch of fake governments ID´s
forgery check:[roll1]

[Jyssika]

Cloistered makes quite the commotion as he addresses the room.
The table of uniformed men in the courner cheer; they are not quite as
drunk as the rest but clearly on their way.

One of the two older men at the table raises his hand;
Come sit with us.

---

Meanwhile; on the other side of the bar.
[roll0]
[roll1]

A fist flies past Mathias' shortly followed
by the elbow, shoulder and then body of a
drunken man taking a swing at the the
Spellscale.

Man 1: One of the beasts has gotten over the fence!
Man 2: Kill it!
Women 1: *Screams*
Bartender 2: Everybody out, guard!

Other than two men; everyone quickly attempts to rush past
the remaining party members and flee the tavern, two men
draw clubs and the table of guard all put their hands on their
sword hilts.

Suffice to say you never got chance to tell your story; also, I am not really
sure how you intended to forge things... forgery is supposed to be a lengthy process and
requires tools and... it also kinda requires you to have an aim as to what your are forging... :o

Citizenship papers? :S
A letter from the King?

*Shrugs*

[neriractor]

Mathias was about to tell his story as he almost gets attacked instinctively he draws his shield first, and focuses on his inner energy to protect himself from law enforcers as he stands in a defensive stance he says in the most sothing tone he can use:"I was sent here from the goverment to help you get rid of your pest problems so please calm down"



move action to prepare my shield, standard action to cast protection from law on myself(+2AC/resistance for 1 min)
desperate diplomacy roll(asuming I can make one in this little slice of time, and I am willing to take a penalty):[roll0]






didnt actually think it was so hard to make a document :smalltongue:, I meant like a search order or something that explains why we are here. man I hate xenophobic people

[dethkruzer]

Joseph had decided to go to the counter, and he was just reaching for his coin pouch to order a beer when the commotion started. Turning to see what was going on, his initial knee-jerak reaction was to reach for his rapier. Then realizing that perhaps slaughtering townsfolk in a bar fight would not exactly give a good image, he instead opted for the non-lethal approach. His stance chaged slightly as he reached into his spell component pouch, pulling out a tiny wad of wool, which seemingly flashed out of existence in puuf of thin smoke, as his mouth formed the words of the incatation.

Initative(are we even using this?): [roll0]
Swift: Initating stance: Martial Spirit
Standard: Casting the spell Daze, on one of the men wielding clubs. DC 12 will save negates.

[trysted]

Draws crossbow and looks for a corner to hide in so that I can see "the beast" before the "the beast" sees me.

Hide check 1d20+6+2

Spot check [roll0]

[trysted]

hide check again

Hide check [roll0]

[wkwkwkwk1]

I'm back! :smallbiggrin:

Also, damnit, forgot to select spells for the day, guess I'll do without them :smallannoyed:


Instinctively drawing his greatsword, Kanyar tries to talk some sense into the crazed folk.


Diplomacy [roll0]
Initiative [roll1]

[Jyssika]

As soon as the two men draw their weapons the guards
began to shout almost in unison; yet still do not unsheath
their longswords.

After a moment they stop and the Sherriff makes himself
heard.

Put your weapons away! This is a public place,
its against the king's law to draw a martial weapon here!

The two men with clubs on the other hand move in on poor
Mathias; one of them momentarily pauses as he listens to the
spellscales attempt to convince him hes on their side.

The other simply swings his club at what he believes is a
monster that might try kill him.

[roll0] To hit
[roll1] Dmg

---

So

Cloistered and Joseph are stuck in a confrontation with the Guards;
they are more worried about some strangers with a Crossbow and
a Greatsword than some drunks beating up a mutant lizard creature.

Mathias is stuck on the other side of them with one drunk attacking
him with a club whilst the other looks confused.

The club is easily deflected by Mathias, clearly the two bar patrons
are a little out of their depth.

[niw18]

Mage soul would sigh and walk up and step next to mathias and punches guy with the club "stop or I will have to use force that will not only harm you but most in the bar" he was hoping that his words would get them to back off.


[roll0] to hit

[roll1] damage

set my aura to energy so any strikes me or mathius takes 2 points of fire damage and if the others are within range of my aura they would get this as well.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Seeing as the men keep attacking, Kanyar puts his Greatsword away and draws a quarterstaff from his Haversack.

"I do not mean any trouble, Sheriff, but I hope you understand I have to defend my companions. I will see to repair the damage afterwards."

He runs towards the fighting men and attempts to subdue one of them.


Nonlethal Attack: [roll0]
Nonlethal Damage: [roll1]

[Jyssika]

The attack hits; using the guard of the blade a
solid blow causes the man to convulse in pain,
he does not yet act simply standing looking shocked.

[trysted]

Puts the crossbow away and tells the guards, ok, we will be peaceable...but you'd better help me get those guys with clubs away from my friends before we have to do it with them in pieces.

[roll0]

[Jyssika]

As the weapons are put away; the deadly one at any road,
the situation cools. The first drunk shudders out of his daze,
scared out of his wits at being controlled by sorcery and the
second comes to the realization he might have concussion.

The guards wade in before anymore serious damage can be
done to the assailants and you, the victims, are
invited to put your weapons away and have a meal and as much
ale as you can drink on the house.

Sorry about that, we have been having some issues with strange
reptillian things... the beasts they refered to. I am the Sheriff
and as you can see this town is a little on edge at the moment.

What did you say you were here for again?

And might I ask why you travel together... Humans and Lizard...folk?

He is clearly trying to not be offensive, but you can tell there is
racial tension in these parts, you havn't seen a single non-human
since you arrived. The Empire is usually a pretty segregated place
but there are usually token dwarves, the odd half orc and rarely
an elf mixing in with other groups.


Sorry about the skip from combat to talking and back at pretty rapid rates,
that was only really a token combat scene and I stupidly missed the sheaving
of the Gsword and drawing of the Qstaff... Might have been a much more ...
painful fight... if you had taken on the guard.

Eitherway; you have questions to ask. If you could post a list of your questions
each in whatever order you like I will respond to them in bulk, don't feel you have
to wait for a responce from me to someone elses questions before you post your own.

Gonna try get you turned around and up and out again tomorrow morning (in game)
as quickly as I can so we can actually kill some beasts.

[neriractor]

"Im really sorry about the confusion, you see Im not a lizardfolk, as you can see I have hair, my skin is soft and my color is aqua marine, my partner magesoul over here isnt a lizard folk either ;if you want I can tell you a little more about my lineage... " says Mathias as he points to the respective body parts and then stoping to think that well."... anyway moving on we are part of a team formed by the goverment in order to stop some of the menaces in the kingdom borders, hence our presence here." he thinks a little bit before continuing:

"I have a couple of questions:

1: what reptiles are troubling you?,did they destroy that house outside of town?,where are they located?

2: where can we get some extra equipment?

3:where can we leave my mule to sleep?"

4:when is the bartender gonna give me the ale I asked for?

5:do you think there will be any new troubles if I and magesoul dont disguise ourselves?

6: are there any clerics/divine people in this town?

once again sorry if we are causing any trouble and I asure you than we will solve all of your lizard-troubles"
then he sits on a chair next to the counter and waits

[wkwkwkwk1]

Kanyar puts his quarterstaff in his back, bows respectfully, and says, "My name is Kanyar Maal'Dru, and these are my companions. We have come to report on our findings. Sorry if we caused a commotion, but my sense of companionship called for me in their defense. Do you want to hear about what we have found?"

[trysted]

As for my friends, even the ones that look a big lizardy to ya, there's two things you need to know. First, they are with me, and second, I'm here to help you. That means they are here to help you too.

But, lets sit and have an eat, and definitely have a drink, and you can tell me all about these beasties. I'm guessing they are pretty big. How are they getting people, and what are they doing to em? And what do they look like?

Sits down and offers the sheriff his hand. The name's Cloistered, and I'm hoping that after we help ya with this problem, that you will remember me and my friends.

[niw18]

Magesoul would soften his body language to more peaceful one and look those that he those that Mathias was speaking to and nod to him then looked for a place to sit as he had skills speak but he prefered to act only when needed and hated to have go close but it was a situation of them insulting their linage and ganging up on a fellow spellscale. Magesoul would peacefully so turn off his aura as it was not needed at the moment any more.

[dethkruzer]

Joseph gets that ale he wanted to begin with, chucking a silver piece to the whoever served it to him, telling them to keep the change. he sits down with the rest of the group, and although he at first felt the need to correct sheriff about Magesouls heritage, he instead opted to sit and listen. He could always inquire for any details as the need came up.

[Jyssika]

The Sheriff takes the hands of those that offer them
as they each introduce themselves, his hands are
rough and warn.

My name is Warren Jashon, I am in charge of the
defense.

As he begins speaking all the ale and food arrives;
he seems as though you are being given huge feasts
but what arrives is actually rather small.

I am sorry; but you will have to forgive us, we are
rationing food at the moment.

Anyway.
The town as you can see is on edge at the moment,
in the past few months attacks from lizard like creatures
have grown more and more common, they are mostly
dwarfish in size but sometimes larger ones are amongst
them...

I am not sure if you have seen some of the outer houses
on your way into town but they were the first to be attacked,
now everyone has been evacuated into the town and we have
built a wall to hold out any small raids.

As for supplies; they are in short supply, your mule and any
other transport you brough has probably been stored in the
grain warehouses at the other side of the town... we have
a very limited medical resources at the guard house, an old
Empire doctor and a nurse but nothing special...

He pauses briefly;
I do hope there will be no more trouble for you due to your
... herritage... but perhaps just try not to sneak up on people
if you can, we don't need more panic if we can help it.

[wkwkwkwk1]

"As you wish. If you want help with the wounded or sick, I and my friends may be able to lend a hand."

[dethkruzer]

"Do you have anyone who could supply us with accurate descriptions of these creatures? Appearances? Mannerisms? Any identified languages or symbols? any information that could give us some idea what is behind this would help most greatly." Joseph asks, before taking a short sip of his ale.

[trysted]

We would be greatly interested in finding out what they look like, and how they are hurting people.

[Jyssika]

One of the other men at the table chirps up
in responce to questions of their appearence.

They all look a bit different really...
But they are all very lizard'y.

[trysted]

So, where do you think we can find these beasties?

[Jyssika]

The town has not been attacked since we fortified it...

He scratches his head.

They came somewhere from the west, outside the Empire boarders and
raided the outer houses at first... then they got braver attacking the town
centre during the night but since we put the wall up we havn't had any
issues... although there are still rumours of shadows lurking outside the
walls at night.

[wkwkwkwk1]

"Do you have any idea where they live? A scouting mission might provide some useful information."

[trysted]

I'm with Kanyar, I think we should get a night's sleep, and then go scout and see if we can find these.

[neriractor]

"ok lets do that"*jaw*"I needed to sleep anyway, so were are we staying?"

[dethkruzer]

"Sheriff, would you mind if I went around asking people who have encountered these beasts for some eye-witness accounts?" Jospeh asks, once agian sipping his ale before continuing. "Because while being lizardy... Could be considered a start, I'd much rather have at least some general idea what it is we will be up against. For all we know thus far, it could just be a tribe of lizardmen or other humanoids of amphibian nature. It could be some mage gone off his rocker who decided polymorphing the local population of newts into bloodthirsty monsters was a good idea. It could just as well be some vile dragon intentionally breeding with different humanoid races and setting it's bastard half-blood offspring loose on the populace." He finished, explaining all this in a slow, methodic manner.

[trysted]

*chimes in* I will go with him, so no one confuses him for one them....again

[wkwkwkwk1]

"If you're going, I'm going. As your companion in arms, it is my duty to protect you."

[trysted]

Come to think of it, why don't you lead and do the initial talking. We don't want em to feel like they are being interrogated, just asked for help so that we can help them.

[neriractor]

"can I go ? Ill make sure to look really really human" says Mathias to kanyar as he finishes his ale and pays a silver piece to the bartender.

[Jyssika]

The Sheriff nods; and doesn't say much to most of the talking.
You can have some of the bunks in the guard quarters, its pretty
spartan but it will do you for the night. You can do your questioning
in the morning, but watch what you say.

The group are all lead to a guardhouse bunk; you all recieve 8 hours sleep.

---

Morning time.
Everyone pick one type of person they want to question.

Examples: Farmer, Guard, Wife, Widow, Young Boy, Blacksmith... stuff like that

[neriractor]

Mathias wakes up and still half asleep eats a little bit of food and prepares himself in order to look more human even if he didnt have the appropiate tools, then he goes to wake magesoul "wake up tibur we have to hit the town"




disguise check(to appear human): [roll0]-2 improvised tools

should have really gotten a masterwork everything

if magesoul comes with me I´ll try to talk to the blacksmiths, if Im alone I ask the farmers around town

[trysted]

*Wakes up* I'm up for talking to someone who might have seen these things, maybe a widow of someone who was taken...

[neriractor]

*yawn* "ok go ahead I´ll catch up when mister sleepy head over here wakes up" then he sits on a chair drinking some water from his waterskin




I think we do

[wkwkwkwk1]

Kanyar jumps from the bed at first sunlight and gets ready for the trip


Can't we do several of them? :smallconfused:

[niw18]

Mage soul follow them to the sleeping quarters get some good rest. He would awake with the rest and first spend an hour to do blood - quickening Meditation to Astilabor by cataloging his gear in peace and quiet. Mage soul would get up pack his stuff once again before exiting the barracks to go out to speak to the merchants thinking they would have a lot of information. He would walk out of the barracks head towards the closest merchant to the barracks.

[neriractor]

Mathias tries to get mage soul attention atfer he wakes up but he doesnt manage to do it, so he decides to not disturbe while he polishes his equipment and takes the chance to write some new histories he dreamed and at the same time(without realizing it ) he blood quickened to hlal.

Then he follows magesoul around and loses him in the city; so he moves to the farms looking for somebody who may have been raided.


totally forgot about blood quckening :smalltongue:

[dethkruzer]

Although Joseph could hardly be happy about being in this town, given the circumstances, but at the very least he could sleep in an actual bed.

After waking up, he goes through his morning routines, meditated for his spells, and did some kata practices to keep his mind sharp.He then headed out to ask some questions from the people who keep watch on the outside wall.

[Jyssika]

Mathias Farmers

Mathias has some trouble finding farmers, asking a local where
he might find them he had expected them to be beyond the town
walls in their posh homes... however, he quickly found out they had
all suffered similar fates to the house they had originally searched.

The local whom he asked, after finally stopping shaking in fear of
his strange appearance eventually said he might find them at the
storage warehouse although most used what was left of their money
to leave town as soon as their home fell under attack.

Following the locals advice Mathias ventured to the Warehouses, he
found the groups horses and carrage and all their travelling gear
and to his suprise a rather vagrant looking man wearing what looked
like an entire wardrobe of clothes at once.
The man: bristling beard, dried snot and soiled breifs was rummaging
through their storage crates when he jumped at the sight of the Spell
Scale.

What! Agh! Guards!!!!

Cloistered Widow

Cloistered doesn't have to look too far for a widow; the first local he
askes where he might find one happens to be one himself. A middle
aged man cradles a young boy in his arms fast asleep... both look
exhausted and have clearly spent the last few weeks in the same
clothes with little food or rest.

The man is slow to share his story but after a few moments the flood
gates blow open. He can hardly hold back the tears as he speaks of
his wife and how her life ended.
Hannah Williams Groatworth was apparently the only daughter of a farmer,
she went missing in their home as they rushed to pack up all their things onto
a caravan to leave the town. The man whom has not said his name is
guilt stricken that he was assisting his own parents at the time of her
disappearence, having been to the house he found the bodies of her
mother and father... buying them in the garden he presumed she must
have died and been taken.

He looks like a man whom has given up hoping she might still be alive.


Kanyar Several!

Not particularly focussing on a single person Kanyar just canvasses
a few nearby people he finds.

He catches a wastecollector on the streets as he finishes up his rounds,
the man is in a rush to get home and sleep but wishes Kanyar luck as a
newcommer and suggests that he doesn't get on the wrong side of
the Guard, saying apparently they are struggling to remain in control.

A young girl attempting to sell fruit barely still edible offers him a mangey
looking yowll for a single copperpiece... its surface blisters out in billowing
blisters brown and squishy. She mentions in passing that the farmers where the
towns entire food supply and that in a few weeks if the Empire hasn't sent
any relief even the huge grain warehouses will be barren.

Finally he bumps into a little old lady; she smiles a very large smile, revealing
her lack of teeth. She tells him she is sixteen years old and that she will be
performing at the towns new grain warehouses this week as a yghorna dancer,
she is going to be the face of their town as it goes from a small backwater into
a huge farming colony. She then reminds him that she will be seventeen next
month and that its actually considered ok for older men to court girls of her
age provided he asks her father.

Magesoul Merchants

Just as Mathias struggled to find Farmers, magesoul too struggles to find
Merchants... A local boy is able to provide lots of small traders, bakers,
the blacksmith, shop owners and market folk but anything larger is all
but gone.

The boy mentions that the Farmers only sold to Merchants that travelled
in from outside the town every season, but the Farmers were the first to
leave town. Apparently one of the Merchants lives within 50 miles of the
town but he hasn't been heard from since everything started.


Joseph Watch

As Joseph approaches the Watch are turning in and heading towards their
beds, it would appear that the walls are only watched during the day and
there is no shift replacing them now that the sun has risen. Obveously due
to having spent the whole night on the walls they are not particularly keen
to stay for a long chat but he does manage to get one of the younger ones
to give him a few minuites of their time.

The young man explains that there hasn't been an attack on the town in a
week or so and that there hasn't been anything during the day for two weeks
however they still see things moving in the dark on a regular basis and that
a number of the guards are getting freaked out and letting their imagination
run wild.

He whispers that one of the older men claimed to have seen a troll sized shadow
lurking in the tree line a few hours ago and believes they will siege the town
within the month... He also suggests the captain of the guard wont have any
of that and might have to interviene again.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Kanyar frowns at the apples, at the girl's suggestion, at the state the city is in. He looks for one of his companions.

[trysted]

A bit disappointed from the lack of useful information, Cloistered looks around the town to meet up with his companions, hoping they have better info, or if not, to head into the forest.

[neriractor]

Mathias approaches the strange man "hey you walking closet I was sended by the goverment to investigate the recent attacks, ask any guard they were all informed ... you could be of help just tell me what you know about those lizard looking dudes"

[Jyssika]

The man is shocked, then suprised, then confused.
He stops waving for the guards and starts looking
at himself.

I... Lived in a house, that was attacked...

[dethkruzer]

Joseph was in all honesty a bit disappointed By just how vague the info was, not that he actually let it show. And while he at first thought about pestering the lad for more information, he decided against it, the intent of trying to establish a reputation of decency was certainly not the least of his motivations. He thanked the young watchman before heading back to the tavern, seeing if he might find some of his companions along the way.

[trysted]

*decides to make his first stop while looking for his companions, to be at the tavern.

And maybe have a drink there.

[niw18]

Magesoul not getting any good information and fact that only those that have shop are here was a bit disappointing to hear that was for sure. He would go to the tavern to share what he got which was not much that was for sure in the hopes the others did a lot better than he had .

[Jyssika]

The three of you find yourselves back in the Tavern,
its almost mid day and the place is almost deserted.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Kanyar leans back against his chair

"What have you found? I found out there is a food shortage, and apparently a shortage of men, too."

[dethkruzer]

Well, they apparently see shadowy figure moving outside on occasion. Additionally one of the older watchmen supposedly saw some larger shadow, about troll-sized, only a few hours ago. Also it seems they expect the enemy to lay siege within the month. That is all I've learned."

[wkwkwkwk1]

"Laying siege? We can't let that happen, we have to strike when they are disorganized."

[neriractor]

Mathias sees the man munbling so he decides to take him to a more comfortable place to discuss the man´s situation.

"listen it will be of great help for us if you could come and tell us what you know ... soo if you could just come with me" he sort of points the direction they are going to go (the tavern) and walks with the man towards it.

[niw18]

Mage soul would look to the others "so besides a siege we got that this is a very small place that will make restocking difficult as it seems they got a few shops but they get major stuff from traveling merchants" He would say to the others "these lizardfolk like creatures might be tougher than we thought as their more organized than a typical savage race. We will have carefully plan this out or it might go badly for town folk here" he would say a little worried about how they are even do more advanced then normal war like actions then he had read before.

[trysted]

I siege-jest that we siege their siege before it even becomes a siege.

Cloistered seems impressed with his own punniness, but he seems damn serious about taking the fight to them.

[Jyssika]

Mathias arrives in the Tavern with a strange homeless looking man.
After much cajoling the man begins to speak:

He tells the group he was one of the first people to ever settle in this
town, he was a young boy with his father... his father had gone to war
in this part of the Empire to fight over small boarder issues with the
Dwarvern Mountain folk to the East, the war had ended abruptly and
the Empire set up boarder settlements incase the war ever restarted.
He became a farmer and for the past sixty odd years this has been his
home, that was before the creatures attacked his home and destroyed
everything he had spent his life building.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Kanyar chuckes at Cloistered's pun, relieving some of the day's stress, and listens intently to the man's story.

"I wonder what we can do... perhaps the guard can spare a few men to help us?"

[dethkruzer]

Joseph groaned at the pun, not that Cloistered wasn't making a good point. "If one were to ask me, it would most likely help to find out who is doing this, and why? Why, because that way we could find a non-violent resolution, and who, in case a non-violent solution does not turn out to be viable, we might know of some weakness."

[trysted]

Either way, what we need is information. Lets go find them, and quietly.

Then once we know what they are specifically up to, and possibly why, we can decide what to do about it.

[Jyssika]

As if to punctuate the point a scream can be heard from outside.
A dull thud, followed by a rustling, followed by a whirring and then
after a small silence... Screams, hisses and panic.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Drawing his sword in a single, vigorous motion, Kanyar runs outside and looks for the source of the noise

Initiative: 10 13, due to aura of initiative

Nice catch with the aura

[dethkruzer]

"Well shut me up." Joseph utters, seemingly annoyed. Bouncing up from his chair, he adjusts his stance ever so slight before heading for the door, drawing his rapier as he went.

Initiative: [roll0]
(If the DM allows) Initiating the Stance: Martial Spirit.

[neriractor]

Mathias prepares to fight the enemy "stay put" he says to the farmer and then moves behind the rest, rapier in hand



initative:[roll0] I think you all forgot my area of dex adds +3 to initative and I always had it active

[trysted]

Cloistered readies crossbow and heads outside, following suit.

[Jyssika]

As the group heads outside it is not instantly apparent what
has happened; 30 feet up the street (which is 20 feet wide)
a 5ft by 10ft hole has appeared, a strange mangle of metal
and stone wirring away in its centre. From his hole has leaped
a collection of four legged creatures, they hiss and bark in
a strange manner as they chase down townfolk, already
one man lies dead and a few others injured.

The town guard seem to have arrived just as you have, a
small group of them climbing down off the wall with their
short swords drawn ready to engage from the east side.

---
Map, pick a position and change boarder colour to match your text colour/a new picture if you like. (http://pyromancers.com/media/view/main.swf?round_id=114147)

For ease of this combat you will all act first in your order, then the lizard-dogs, then guards, then back to you.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Are we in the first door from the left?

[neriractor]

is already done (http://pyromancers.com/media/view/main.swf?round_id=114187)

[wkwkwkwk1]

Letting out a battle cry, Kanyar charges against the nearest creature.


Attempting a Smite Evil, for a +1 to Attack and Damage

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Critical Confirmation (on a 19 or 20): [roll2]
Critical Damage: [roll3]

-2 to AC and +2 to Attack from the charge

AC: 13

Really? Can someone care to explain hoe I got a 2, then a 1 and a 2, then a decent roll, and then a 1 and a 2? :smallfurious:

MAP (http://pyromancers.com/media/view/main.swf?round_id=114388)

[trysted]

Cloistered looses a bolt at the same beast Kanyar is attacking.



Standard Action
Attack
[roll0]

Damage
[roll1]

Crit Confirmation (if needed)
[roll2]

[niw18]

mage soul would get up and follow and look as he noticed the creatures and what seemed to have happen and prepared to battle the creatures with his teammates.

[roll0] initiative

[roll1] fire breath weapon

[dethkruzer]

Lifting his rapier in front of him, lunging forward towards another one of the strange beasts, his keen eyes trying to find a weak spot amidst the scales as he stabs as he thrsuts wth the sword.

approach one of the monsters(leftmost on the map), and attack it with a rapier, activating Lesser Cunning Attack and Lesser Cunning damage. This adds a +2 to attack and damage rolls, on top of the +2 from Knowledge devotion.

attack roll(threatens critical on roll of 18-20): [roll0]
damage roll: [roll1]

critical confirmation: [roll2]
critical damage: [roll3]

If the monster is still alive after the attack, activate Lesser Cunning Dodge against the monster, other wise activate against the the monster two squares up and right(the topmost one).

MAP (http://pyromancers.com/media/view/main.swf?round_id=114500)

[neriractor]

Mathias starts singing an encouraging song as he moves behind kanyar.

let´s go get them (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwwl9jiJ1A4)

[Jyssika]

The largest beast across the square from you, steps towards the three guards,
sinking its large teeth into the middle guards neck and with ease removes his
head from his shoulders... The other two guards, attempting to hold in the
contents of their stomachs draw their longswords and attack, but the beast
barely seems to notice.

Meanwhile on the parties side of the hole the beast they focussed on the previous
turn dies, its body punctured by rapier wounds and the three react accordingly,
turning on their new foes.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Moving behind another creature, Kanyar hopes to get an easier strike, and swings his sword.


Attempting a second (and last) Smite Evil

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Critical Confirmation (on a natural 19 or 20): [roll2]
Critical Damage: [roll3]

[trysted]

Cloistered sees LD3 attacking Mathias, and sneaks behind LD3, draws his longsword and attacks LD3.

Attack Roll
[roll0]

Damage
[roll1]

Sneak attack damage
[roll2]
[roll3]

Dragonfire Strike (fire damage)
[roll4]

[dethkruzer]

Joseph grunts in pain as he gets attacked in turn, but he quickly concentrates again, putting that focus into another strike with seemingly renewed vigor

Recover 1 Sublime point at start of turning.

initiating the manuever: Crusader's Strike against LD 4, using Lesser Cunning Attack, and Lesser Cunning Damage if the attack hits.
attack roll(threatens critical on roll of 18-20):[roll0]
damage roll:[roll1]

critical confirmation:[roll2]
critical damage:[roll3]

if the attack hits, Jospeh heals himself for [roll4]
and heals an additional 2 hitpoints from Martial Spirit.

if the attack hit, and LD4 does not survive, use Lesser Cunning Dodge against LD3. if the attack hit, but LD4 survives, use Lesser Cunning Dodge against LD4.
If the attack misses, use Lesser Cunning Dodge against LD3 and LD4.

[trysted]

Cloistered casts a spell of thread resurrection

1d20-5

[wkwkwkwk1]

I think it only works if the soul is willing to return