[IC I] Settlers of Arcadia

[Othniel]

Settlers of Arcadia
Or, "All Your Lands Are Belong To Us"

15 Erastus 4714 – It was a glorious summer day with a wonderful easterly breeze and a warm sun shining down when three galleons set sail from the port of Augustana. Five members of the Marius family and one mercenary were joined by several hundred settlers, a few soldiers, and sundry others, eager to start a new life in far-off Arcadia. The passengers, evenly spread between the Falcon, Nereid’s Harp, and Seasprite, were packed snugly – but comfortably – for the expected two-to-three month long voyage. The ships were commanded by Captains Drask, Harding, and Blitz, respectively.

The Falcon’s Captain Drask was a dark-haired man in his mid-forties who kept a tight ship, and while he asked much of his crew, he treated all who worked hard fairly. Captain Harding of the Nereid’s Harp was a cheerful woman in her mid-thirties. She had long, golden hair tied in a ponytail, bright blue eyes, and a scar that ran from above her right eyebrow down to her chin, the only physical characteristic marring her beauty. She’d never tired of telling how she’d earned the scar, fighting off pirates in the Inner Sea alongside the third captain, Blitz. Blitz was a gnome, standing a mere three feet in height with grey hair and soulful green eyes.. Uncharacteristically reserved for a gnome, he was incredibly polite, though firm with his crew, and most of all, very patient. Quite the opposite of Captain Harding (who was rather impetuous and eager for a fight), Captain Blitz would size up the enemy, sailing his Seasprite deftly while studying his opponent’s tactics, before choosing a course of action and moving in for the kill.

The three captains had evidently worked together before, though Harding and Blitz seemed more familiar with each other than with Drask. They complemented each other well, however, with three opinions of well-seasoned officers ready to confront any difficulty. Extensive discussion was had over the best route from Augustana to Arcadia, with the two primary choices being whether to sail north around the ruins of Azlant opposed by those favoring a direct route through the twists and turns of the drowned continent. The prudence of Captains Drask and Blitz won out over the brashness of Captain Harding in the end, however, and the trio of ships took the longer, safer path across the Arcadian Ocean.

The voyage was unexpectedly uneventful, with warm (but not hot) air and good winds making up the majority of the weather. A few pirates had nosed about early on, but thanks to the relatively heavily-armed appearance of the three Andoran ships, they quickly lost interest. Finally, after more than two months at sea, the Nereid's Harp, Falcon, and Seasprite landed at the Andoran colony of Elesomare on the afternoon of 28 Rova 4714. A collection of several dozen inhabitants of Elesomare had come out to greet the arrival of the ships, colonists staring out at the newcomers or talking among themselves. Children waved exuberantly at those on board the vessels as they pulled up to the docks. A fourth ship was already docked there, another Andoran vessel by the color of its flag and the uniforms of the sailors moving about on deck. The name written upon the stern read as the Spirit of Freedom, and her sailors looked to be in the process of loading a great many crates, barrels, and boxes on board for shipment back to Andoran.

Once the three ships were safely tied off and sails furled, the captains of the ships, followed by the intrepid leaders of the colonial expedition, marched down the gangplanks to be greeted by the welcoming committee. There were several men and women present, flanked by a squad of four militia, who appeared to be serving as honor guard. They stood resplendent in their blue and gold uniforms, holding well-crafted halberds. Behind them near the northern gate of the palisade was a line of grim-faced archers, keeping wary watch over the anchorage. Chief among those welcoming the new arrivals was a man of commanding presence, standing a good head taller than most of those around him. He was dressed in a well-stitched blue-and-gold uniform, similar to those of the militia around him, but seemingly of civilian styling. A dueling sword of exquisite craftsmanship was belted at his side and the glint of forged chain could be seen beneath his clothing. Cheerful brown eyes peered out from underneath great, bushy white eyebrows, matching his hair and a well-trimmed beard. As the welcoming party drew near, he stepped forward and extended his hand to Captain Drask.

Drask moved to intercept the white-haired gentleman’s hand and the two shook before quietly exchanging words. Then Drask beckoned the party forward and moved aside to stand with Harding and Blitz as the gentleman spoke. “Welcome, everyone,” the man said, his deep, booming voice carrying well across the docks. “Welcome to Elesomare, the farthest western foothold of Andoran. I am sure you have all had a long voyage and are eager for a hot meal and some rest, and I am happy to say that our larders are well-stocked, the beer is good, and the women are friendly.” At this last remark, he glanced sidelong at a half-elven woman standing next to him. She raised a single eyebrow, but said nothing as the man turned back to the party.

Captain Drask coughed slightly and gestured to the members of the Marius family standing there. “Governor Strand, I present to you the leaders of the expedition, Lykon and Corvos, Tanith, and Rema, all of House Marius, as well as Haukr Malmquist and Ragna Eldenhall.” Then he turned his face back to the party and made an identical gesture toward the governor. "Friends, this is Governor Alvarr Strand."

The governor bowed low. "This is my daughter, Alori," he began, gesturing toward the half-elven woman he’d looked at moments before. She had long, brown hair and hazel eyes that sat in an attractive face, though there appeared to be a sadness to her expression. She bore a strong resemblance to the older man, save that her ears were pointed where his were not. Alori appeared to be somewhere in her early twenties, although half-elves sometimes inherited a form of the ageless appearance of their elven forebears. She wore clothing suitable for travel out-of-doors and had at her back a bow and quiver of arrows as well as a sword belted to her hip.

The governor turned around and pointed to each of the remaining people in turn, naming them and describing their roles. “The rest of these fine folk are the pillars of our community.” First were Mr. and Mrs. Edvard and Sirli Orlos, the proprietors of The Liberty's Rest, Elesomare’s tavern. A middle-aged couple, the man was short, round, and balding with a ready smile. He wore a food- and drink-stained apron that testified to his profession. His wife was similarly attired, though hers was somewhat more orderly than that of her husband. Shorter than he, she appeared plump and had decorated herself with beaded jewelry, perhaps something of a local style. After the Orloses, the governor pointed to Captain Norman Haventhorne, leader of the town militia. He wore a uniform identical to those of the other militia present, save for a captain's rank insignia. He looked to be in his mid-thirties with short, brown hair and a well-groomed mustache that curled upward. Finally, the governor named Shossi Frostmane, the village Blacksmith and head of the Merchant’s Guild. Miss Frostmane was a tall woman with icy blue eyes and hair that had obviously given birth to her surname. She wore worker’s clothing under worn leather armor and carried both a blacksmith’s hammer in a beltloop, and a sword with an intricate pommel and guard in a matching scabbard. She looked at the unloading of ships with a bit of a wistful expression, though her eyes were eventually drawn to focus on the newly-arrived Marius family.

Now that you've arrived, it's time to make your stepping-off-the-boat introductions. This is also your cue to greet the governor and the people with him.
Click here for a map of Elesomare. (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-16QFOEV64EPnrIf_6eZT2Z_7NaNIyPCBanONIaFfZ0/edit#gid=861067367)

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[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

As the Nereid's Harp sidled into Elesomare's harbor, those upon the docks were treated to the sight of a rather unusual figure hanging off the figure head, the wind whipping at his snow-white ponytail. By all appearances, he appeared to be a young man barely into his early twenties, if even that, with eyes the color of gold and a small scar over his right cheek.

Such youthful looks, as it turned out, were one of the advantages of the man's angelic heritage, along with a host of others that we shall examine in greater detail as the story progresses.

Swinging around back onto the forecastle, Haukr Malmquist, one of the older sons of Titus Marius at a whopping sixty-two years of age, took a deep breath of the sea air. Two months had passed with such a scent in his nose every day, and as much as he enjoyed it, he was looking forward to being on dry land again. For it was on dry land - upon Arcadia - where he would finally be able to sate his lust for adventure.

For justice, as they worked as a family to thwart the Lumber Consortium and its sinister motives. For glory in battle as they cut down their thugs, and the huge monsters that would inevitably patrol the Arcadian forests. And, of course, for that sweet, sweet, gold and riches and spices that must inevitably be in such a place.

It's a far-off land of milk and honey. It would be weird if it didn't have those things.

His blood roused at the prospect of the beginning of the next step of their journey, Haukr let his rumbling baritone roll across the ship, hoping to inspire those on the deck to join in.

"In forty-seven fourteen,
We sailed the open sea
For glory, gods, and gold
and the Arcadian Company
For the New World is like heaven
And we'll all be rich and free
Or so we have been told
By the Arcadian Company.
So we have been told by the Arcadian Company..."

Couldn't resist the Pocahontas reference, especially given that it's been brought up in the Skype thread a few times. It'll probably be the only one, I swear.

Plus, I'm half-bard. It'd be weirder if I wasn't trying to pump up the colonists.

Perform (Sing): [roll0]


***


His urge to show off his talents in the performing arts sated, Haukr stepped into formation with the rest of the Marius family, the children of Tiberius taking point as they went down the gangplank with Lykon in the front.

Once the introductions had been made, Haukr smiled and bowed in greeting. "And a pleasure it is to meet all of you. Haukr Malmquist, at your service." Standing up and clapping his hands together, he then looked around, in particular settling his gaze upon Edvard and Sirli. "Now! Before we get down to business, I think we really ought to test the larders and the beer. I don't know about the rest of you all -" He looked to the rest of the Marius family. "But I think it's only appropriate to discuss matters regarding Arcadia over a meal of its fruit, metaphorical and literal."

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos

"Yes, I could be tempted to sample the local fare," Corvos said with an unfailingly polite smile as he made the rounds and pressed flesh. Despite the long journey, the dashing young man and his fine clothes appeared as pristine as the day he'd stepped on the ship. Apparently, he'd even found the time to apply eyeliner and a touch of indigo shadow before disembarking.

"Cherries perhaps? This far north they must still be in season. My raven loves cherries."

Meeting dignitaries (such as they were) qualified as one of the rare times Corvos allowed his familiar to perch on his shoulder. He was, to his credit, a handsome specimen with feathers so oily black they took on a blue hue in the light. Soren thankfully remained silent, though he looked Alori up and down.

[Snowfire]

Rema

The voyage had been something that Rema had treasured, not perhaps for the time with family but for what the journey itself represented. The freedom to use her abilities on the trip had been nice as well, although it had taken a while for the crew to get used to her climbing back onto the ship in the form of a water elemental with whatever she'd managed to catch that day. It wasn't that they'd been unappreciative for fresh food, but the rather unique delivery method had taken some getting used to. She debarked in her armor, the rest of her clothing pulled from her knowledge of traditional Mahwek garb. If not for her looks, and her pronounced Andoran accent, she could have passed as one of them.

"The ripe ones are the best, aren't they." Rema said from her older brother's side, looking over the welcoming party come to greet. "It is good to meet you all." She crouched down, touching the earth with her fingertips. "It seems you have treated this land well. I do hope it is so." That the settlement was still standing was a good sign of that, however. Kaniehtiio had been rather expressive on the potential consequences of that sort of mistreatment.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

The eldest child of the House of Marius lead their way down the gangplank, wrapped in a finely embroidered navy-blue robe, his hands wrapped in delicate silk bandages and folded before him. The signet of their great house rested on the ring finger of his right hand, the thick platinum an accustomed irritant after many years of enduring its chafing touch. Alongside him walked a small boy of eight, his beatific face similar enough to Lykon's to assure his parentage, yet with a crown of dark curls that betrayed a heritage beyond the ethereal Marius blood. Hadrian had been a constant balm on the long voyage, his youthful exuberance and curiosity a potent reminder of the grand adventure that awaited them. Yet now he stood subdued, proud yet silent as they approached the native delegation, much to his father's pride.

At their introduction from Captain Drask, Lykon favored the governor with a slight bow of respect. His eyes prowled over the dignitaries of the colony, lingering a moment on Alori before blinking back to their host.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Governor. You have my thanks, and that of my house, for your receptive welcome. It is my hope that we might become fast friends as we embark upon this grand endeavor. May I present my son, Hadrian Marius."

Hadrian stepped forward, with only the slightest hint of stiffness in his practiced gait. He fell into a bow that was almost courtly, doubtless and affectation picked up from his uncle, before rising with a smile.

"A pleasure to meet you, honorable lords."

His eyes strayed up to his father, who nodded with a slight smile of approval. It was met by a far more reveling grin from his son, before the ceremony of the occasion returned to him and he returned to his father's side. Lykon paused, considering the most appropriate way to broach their needs to further the expedition, only to cast aside his plans with Haukr's introduction. As the angelic bastard slipped into his sociable idiom, Lykon restrained his annoyance. No doubt a meal would provide ample lubricant by which to accomplish their goals. He smiled in truth as his brother took charge, engaging in the glad-handing that remained beyond Lykon's ability, and nodded his consent.

"Indeed, some refreshment would indeed be welcome after so long at sea. And far better to discuss the future by the fire, away from this sea air."

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Rocking softly along the Nereid's Harp, Tanith worked diligently on a new quilt she was inspired to make of the sunset over the sea. Several spools were placed next to her of various colors, each one showing clear signs of having been extensively used. Her work was only slightly slowed down as her uncle Haukr began his ballad and she hummed along to his impressive baritone. When he had finished she looked up and began to clap softly, delight beaming off of her face "How wonderful!" she returned to her work with newfound vigor, and hastened to finish sewing together the layers as landfall approached them.

Folding her work up neatly, she set it off to the side indoors for a worker to unload before quickly falling in place behind her father. She wore her favorite dress, the bow on the back whipping softly as the wind blew over the ship and worked hard to undo the bun upon her hair that she had meticulously placed. Trained and practiced as she was, her pristine and aloof expression was only betrayed by the slightest of glances at her younger brother as he stepped back into place, and she flashed him a demure smile. Facing the greeting party one at a time, Tanith stepped forth and curtsied, her head facing the ground as she said

"A pleasure. I hope our arrival is not too much of a burden, my lords."

And with that she returned to her station, gloved hands folded over one another, and awaited a command from one of her elders.

[Othniel]

Elesomare

So infectious was Haukr's song that several sailors could not help but join in. After all, it was a well-known song, and easy to follow. What followed was a several-minute-long impromptu celebration of reaching land in which several sailors forgot their duties and had to be rather sternly reminded not to shirk.

After introductions were made, hands were shaken, bows were given and received, Governor Strand stood aside and gestured toward the open gate. Behind the group, the docks sprung to life once more as the sailors, workers, and settlers started unloading the three Andoran ships. As the group commenced moving in the indicated direction, the party could see down a wide road that led to what appeared to be a large, important-looking building. Mrs. Orlos sidled up to Corvos as they walked, practically giggling with delight as she broached a topic doubtlessly near and dear to her heart. "Did I hear you mention cherries, love? Well, I have such a treat for you, young man. Such a treat indeed!"

"You folks are about a week late for the Waning Light Festival, I'm afraid," the governor told Lykan and the others as they passed through the gate, his voice filled with regret. "It's one of the local festivals here in celebration of their patron goddess, but we've adopted their festivals ourselves, partially out of respect to our hosts here in Arcadia, and partially because we appreciate Kazutal herself." The group walked slowly, and governor pointed out a few buildings within view. "Straight ahead you'll see the town hall. The upstairs serves as my residence, and the downstairs is where we do all of our colony business. Most days it's pretty quiet, but we do host dinners there for native delegations from time to time."

"We even once entertained the governor of Anchor's End across the bay," Edvard Orlos put in from behind, only to be cut off with a warning look from Strand. "That's true," he affirmed after a cough, "But we haven't had many dealings with the Chelish, especially recently. They don't particularly like us over here, as you can imagine."

"At any rate," he continued, "You can see the lumber we have stored within the settlement's walls. Much of this will be going back on ships we expect before the end of autumn, and it is currently being air dried - seasoning it to remove moisture so it doesn't weigh so much. We do quite a bit of lumbering, as you probably know, though it is not our only product here. Of course, it is by far the largest export, particularly since that fiasco a while back with the darkwood in Andoran. It's not quite as plentiful here as back home, but we help with the demand."

"To your right there is the general store," Strand said, still intent on his impromptu tour. "We also have an herbalist, smithy, and magic shop within the walls, as well as sundry other small artisans in the woods and farms. Feel free to avail yourselves of their services. They won't charge you extra like they do the natives." At this, he laughed, a great booming sound before continuing. "The townsfolk live in houses to the south, across the main green where we'll be holding a bit of a celebration for your arrival today. We'll set you up in the tavern around the corner and get ready for the festivities. Please do come, by the way; it'll mean so much to the folks here." As he finished, the group came to the tavern and Strand stopped just outside. "I'll come back to pick you folks up in a little while after I've organized things a bit more. Have fun, and welcome to Arcadia!"

As the governor departed, Mr. and Mrs. Orlos bustled into their establishment, ushering in the party and doing their best to feel welcome. "Please, have a seat and we'll get some food to you right away." The Liberty's Rest was a clean, but humble establishment. A collection of long tables and benches were arranged in parallel, and a slightly raised platform stood at the north wall, serving as a stage. The eastern side of the tavern housed the bar and kitchen where a bartender and two cooks were already at work. The wood was unfinished, though the floor was covered with sawdust to absorb stains and the walls were decorated with animal trophies. Several windows on each wall let in the afternoon light, and a gentle breeze could be felt wafting in through the open doors and windows.

You get the feeling Strand may be trying to avoid the topic of the Chelaxian colonies.
You all notice Shossi staring at Haukr, a look of curiosity on her face.
Thanks to Lykon's and Ragnas knowledge of religion, and Rema's first-hand experience in Arcadia, you three know the following:

All Core deities are worshiped to some degree or another in Arcadia, although those affiliated with nature, community, and celestial bodies are held in the highest regard. As a result, Abadar, Desna, Erastil, Gozreh, and Saranrae, as well as Pharasma and the Green Faith are most openly worshipped. Additionally, a deity known only to Arcadia is especially revered in the nation of Degasi: Kazutal, goddess of community, liberty, and the sun. In fact, Kazutal has mostly replaced worship of Sarenrae in Degasi, leading some to believe that she has especially favored the Mahwek of that nation. Kazutal's domains are Community, Glory, Protection, Travel, and Sun; while her subdomains are Education, Heroism, Honor, Defense, Trade, and Revelation.
In the nation of Degasi, four seasonal festivals are celebrated in which honor is given to Kazutal. The Festival of Flowers starts on the evening of the waxing half moon that occurs closest to the spring equinox and celebrates regrowth and community. The Harvest Bounty Festival, celebrated on the summer solstice, is devoted to the beginning of the harvest season. With celebration beginning on the fall equinox, the Waning Light Festival (which goes by different names in different communities) bids farewell to the sun. Finally, beginning upon the winter solstice is Long Dark Night, where the revelers welcome back the sun as the days begin to lengthen.

[Nefarion Xid]

Mrs. Orlos sidled up to Corvos as they walked, practically giggling with delight as she broached a topic doubtlessly near and dear to her heart. "Did I hear you mention cherries, love? Well, I have such a treat for you, young man. Such a treat indeed!"

"Oh," Corvos chirped, lightly hugging Mrs Orlos with one arm. "I like this place already."

"I know, right? It's been five minutes and someone already wants to shove her pie in your face. That is just so typical. Or her tarts, I guess," Soren said too loudly. The raven had an unusually deep and dusky voice -- unusual at least insofar as magical talking animals went. The sound should have been coming out of a weathered old Varisian man instead of a bird.

Corvos paid him no attention and quickly broached another topic. "We were to meet an Arlo Clegg. Will he be joining us?"

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

The elf had not... fully appreciated the long voyage, even with the relatively calm seas. The crew had taken to calling a place near the aft of the ship "Ragna's Roost" after the amount of time that she had spent there. Hurling. Even so, she knew her duty and carefully waited to be the last one off the Nereid's Harp, at least among the Marius group, even ignoring Haukr's rousing song in favor of scanning the gathering crowd for threats. When none presented themselves, and with the ship sitting much more steadily than it had been, she gratefully bounced down the plank, almost skipping, arriving just after the introductions had started.

She said nothing during that time, knowing that the Marius family in general, from Titus on down, liked to pretend that they were universally highly educated, clean spoken, and just generally well to do, all things that clashed with her usual accent. Ragna had spent enough time in lands outside of those governed by the mighty Linnorn Kings that she could now speak the common tongue every flavor from clear Taldane to unintelligible northern slang. Either one clashed with Lykon's introduction, though, so she waited until the party had moved into the Liberty's Rest to actually speak, leaving it somewhere in between, the better to judge reactions. "Noice den ye got 'ere. Add some thatch an' it'll be like 'ome. I could use some grub after a trip loike that."

[Othniel]

Corvos

Mrs. Orlos extricated herself from Corvos so she could help prepare food, but her husband stuck by the man and his bird, proceeding to fill and light a carven pipe before answering the question. "The diplomat? Well, he's probably in Segada at his office," Edvard replied. "You'll want to talk to the governor about arranging a meeting, I'm sure, but I doubt you'll manage it today. It's sixty miles west to Segada, so Mr. Clegg probably won't even know you're here until tomorrow or the day after, assuming the governor has sent a messenger or bird."

Ragna

Shossi Frostmane had stamped into the tavern behind the party, finally breaking the stare she'd kept at Haukr. Moving further inside, she leaned against the bar, and as Ragna spoke, her head swiveled around to look at the elf. "You speak like one from the Linnorm Lands," she stated, her own voice betraying the lilting accent of the Ulfen people from that region. "Are you from the north-lands? It has been many years since I left home." The blacksmith pounded a fist on the bar and addressed one of the staff preparing food. "Come, we are thirsty! And hurry with that food for the guests."

"They only just arrived, so be patient, Shossi," Mrs. Orlos reminded the tall woman, "We just started preparing the meal a few minutes ago."

This was not strictly true, as the ships had been seen some ways off and a fair amount of preparations had already been completed, but Shossi didn't argue the point. Instead, she turned her attention back to Ragna and asked another question. "What was your name? In the rush of welcomings on the dock, I did not catch them all."

[Snowfire]

Rema

"Some of my fellows may be in the area after the Waning Light Festival," Rema said quietly to Lykon, as it was only good manners to inform the leader of the expedition where she was going. Rema always tried to be polite with family. "If we will not see Mr Clegg for several days at best, then I will go looking for them. Information closer to home would be useful, I think."

With that, Rema turned away from the entrance to the inn and headed for the edge of the settlement. The woods were her goal, that was where she'd found some of those like her before, so with luck that would be a place for her to find them again. It was a longer walk than most would have taken, around the edge of the lumber yards before entering the forest, and she vanished into the still familiar woodlands without a trace. Within a few minutes she was far enough in that none but another druid would be able to track her, and she hummed a short tune that Kaniehtiio had taught her as she continued on her way into the wood.

Although she was clearly not of Mahwek birth, her clothes and manner would identify her as one who knew the land, and with luck that would bring those she was looking for to her. The Circles in Andoran had told her that, regardless of race or nation, their kind could always know each other. From experience on Arcadia, that should bring a conversation within an hour or two. Rema had quite the place to enjoy whilst she waited, although she had to be careful of her skin. This late into the year the forest was starting to build up its tinder, and a few sparks in the wrong place could make things go badly wrong. She'd been through one firestorm, she'd rather not be the cause of the next one she had to experience, at least not so close to Elesomare.

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

The elf hesitated. She hadn't anticipated coming to the edge of Avistan-style civilization and encountering anyone who might have heard of the Eldenhall Ring, but this Aasimar... she decided to go for it, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Ragna Eldenhall. Pleased to meet ye an' all that, but it's been a few decades since I've seen fair Kalsgard meself. How'd ye end up out 'ere?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos was plainly annoyed that Arlo hadn't the courtesy to greet them in Elesomare, regardless of how inconvenient it may have been. None the less, he held his tongue on the subject and tried to enjoy himself. After stuffing himself and Soren with cherry treats, he drew Lykon aside to discuss logistics, and then Haukr to deliver the marching orders.

"There's no reason to keep the fleet idle while we deal with politics. You'll go on ahead tomorrow with the Seasprite and begin scouting the Shraedar Peninsula and establish a base camp. Lykon and I will ride to Segada to meet with Mr. Clegg, then we'll be along on the Nereid's Harp in a few days. We'll look after Hadrian and Tanith. You're in charge of making sure Rema gets on the ship. I don't know where the Hells she's gotten off to."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

As Strand led them to the Liberty's End, Haukr's eyes flitted from building to building, trying to memorize the layout. Not that he expected they would be here overlong, mind, but it paid to know these kinds of things. It was no surprise that Strand was trying to avoid the topic of the Chelaxian colonies, of courses - what red-blooded Andoran would want to talk about the efforts of their sworn enemies? It was a shame that they'd missed the Waning Light Festival, though.

Any excuse to get drunk and party.

As they waited for the food to be brought out, the aasimar noticed that the head of the merchant's guild - Shossi Frostmane, if he recalled - was staring at him. Initially debating whether or not he should go over there and introduce himself before Ragna went and started chatting with her, he instead decided to continue idling at the table, turning as Corvos came over. Carefully the aasimar listened as the son of Tiberius outlined his plan.

"Rema went out into the woods a little while ago, I believe. Will Ragna be coming with us as well, or do you have something else in mind for her?"

Once Corvos had responded, Haukr felt his stomach growl slightly.

Rema can wait to hear the news later. Best to stay in here where the promise of food awaits. In the meantime...

Ever so casually, Haukr meandered over to the bar and sat down beside Shossi and Ragna, flagging down Mrs. Orlos.

"I don't suppose you've got anything hoppy on tap, have you?"

[Othniel]

The Liberty's Rest

Mrs. Orlos flashed a smile at Haukr as he asked his question, "Certainly dearie, just a moment." She bustled back behind the bar and then, after a matter of a few minutes, the food and drink started arriving, a tribute to the proprietress's near-perfect timing. The Orloses and their staff quickly served up several dishes, placing them upon the tables around which the party sat. There was a roast, several chickens, and even a plump pheasant for meat dishes, as well as several bowls of roasted vegetables, and then there were the pies. There was cherry, of course, as Mrs. Orlos had hinted, along with the aforementioned bowl of cherries for Soren, but rhubarb, apple, and cranberry pies joined the cherry as well, along with a generous portion of whipped cream. For drink there were several kinds of ale, beer, and even some wine that Mr. Orlos drug out of what he referred to as his deep storage.

At last, the tables were set, a stack of plates and utensils were set down, and Mr. Orlos joined Corvos and Haukr at their table, setting down a trio of ale-filled mugs. "Your health, gentleman," he said, and took a drink.

Ragna

"I must beg your pardon, Ragna Eldenhall," the blacksmith said, sounding chagrined. "I did not mean to imply that I am from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings." Shossi lowered her voice slightly as a pained expression flashed across her face. "I am from Valenhall."

Rema

As the druidess entered the forest, the mix of red, orange, and gold colors swallowed her up. The crunch of dry vegetation sounded as she padded further in, and the sound of myriad birds filled the air. Squirrels aplenty chattered overhead, ignoring or accepting the presence of the intruder upon their forest domain. She could see places where the bite of the axe had left its mark, although she noted that the Andorans had taken care to replant after they had harvested. It did not take Rema one or two hours to find someone, nor did it take three or four hours. Rema had walked for five hours, through the forest of color before she finally heard the sound of another sapient creature.

To the east she heard the sudden hoot of an owl, and as she turned her head, she saw a man standing there, and above him, perched upon the limb if a birch tree, a large owl. He was leaning on a gnarled staff and dressed shoulder to moccasin in deerskin. A wooden holy symbol of the Green Faith dangling from his belt. "What do you seek here, traveler from afar?" he asked, his voice as soft as the whispering wind.

[Snowfire]

Rema

"I am searching for a fellow." Rema replied, her smile weary but satisfied. As she'd walked the feeling of the land had seeped into her, and the knowledge it had passed to her had provided. It might not have been the fare of the tavern that her family must have enjoyed, but in its own way it had been far more fulfilling to her. Her reply was in Mahwek, with only a touch of Andoran accent. A year spent speaking and hearing the accents of Arcadia had taught her well. She turned to face the man, fire flickering in her eyes with hopeful joy, and she switched languages.

"Have I found one, brother?" She asked in Druidic. "It has been several years since I have seen these woods."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

A large and genuine smile on his face, Haukr toasted Mr. Orlos. "And to yours as well." He then drank deeply, the bitter taste of hops filling his mouth and washing a sense of calm over him. Digging into a rather large plate of pork loin roast, pheasant, roasted yams, asparagus, and apple pie, Haukr decided to engage Mr. Orlos in conversation.

"So tell me, Mr. Orlos - or may I call you Edvard? What brings a man such as yourself to the shores of Arcadia?"


*** After finishing eating... ***

Having ate and drank his fill, Haukr then decided it was time to deal with another item on his to-do list - Shossi, or, more specifically, getting to the bottom of why she'd been looking at him.

Surprised to see another aasimar, perhaps? She certainly has the look of one.

Making his way over to the head of the merchant's guild, Halbrecht casually sat down beside the woman and addressed her in a rather relaxed and friendly manner.

"A wonderful day outside, is it not?"

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

As Lykon and his family followed their hosts inside the walls of Elesomare, there was a brief commotion on their ship. Followed by cheers and a few muttered curses, an enormous silver wolf bounded down the gangplank to join Lykon's side. A smile and a stroke of the beast's silky ears was all Lykon deemed appropriate greetings, but Hadrian had played his part and saw little wrong with throwing his arms around the beast's neck in a welcoming hug. Holding up his wrapped hand to forestall any questions from the natives, Lykon left his free hand atop her shaggy head.

"Have no fear, gentle people. Faola is a loyal companion, and will do you no harm without my leave."

Continuing to the tavern, Lykon ignored whatever stares their retinue might draw, holding himself with the cold detachment of old aristocracy. The facade melted once they left the street, however, as he set his sister off with an approving nod. Sinking into a waiting chair, Faola curled up at his feet, he awaited the coming meal with anticipation. Cool eyes watched as his family mingled with the local color, but aside from a brief exchange with his twin he said nothing until dinner was served. However, as they began to indulge in Arcadia's bounty, he coughed to gain the attention of their hosts.

"How fares your relationship with the Chelaxian colonies across the bay? The Governor seemed ill at ease to hear of them."

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

In for a copper, in for a sovereign. The elf was a bit confused by the woman's chagrin, but pressed on. "Oh? I'd heard Valenhall was a land of spiritual enlightenment? Why'd ye leave?"

[Othniel]

Rema

The man nodded as if in confirmation. "I am Akecheta of the Degasi Circle," he replied softly in Druidic. "Time may have passed, but the forest never forgets a guest...or an intruder." Akecheta tilted his head slightly to one side as he regarded Rema. "Tell me, child, are you of the woodcutters who live along the seashore? They cut, but they replant, such considerate invaders they are." He chuckled to himself and held up a hand. "Do not mind mind me. I lament only the heedless chopping and burning that some of those from across the seas practice. These men who worship the Great Eagle, they have understood. If one wishes to reap, one must sow. Come, who do you seek?"

Haukr

"Yes, please, Edvard will do! Actually, there isn't much to the story," the innkeep replied, looking rather put out. Evidently, he enjoyed his stories. "The Mrs. and I were born here, you see. Third-generation Andoran-Arcadians we are. I've never seen a single square inch of Avistan, though I've seen maps. Collect them, you see. Perhaps some time I could show them to you." Mr. Orlos probably would have given Haukr an earful, but at that moment he was called away by his wife, leaving the Skald to enjoy his lunch.

Ragna and Haukr

"Valenhall truly is a wondrous place," the blacksmith replied after some hesitation. "I would still be there were there any choice in the matter, Ragna Eldenhall."

As you arrive, you catch Shossi's last sentence.

Just then, Haukr joined the two and Shossi turned to look upon the Skald. She seemed not to hear his question at first as her eyes regarded him from head to toe and back up again, lingering for a long moment upon the weapon at his back until finally she stared at his face. "It is indeed. A fine day for drinking with friends old and new." Shossi grasped a mug of foamy ale that one of the tavern workers had set in front of her and drank a long draught. Wiping the foam from her mouth, she flicked it from her fingers and smiled infectiously at both Ragna and Haukr. "Tell me, what is it you intend to accomplish in Arcadia?"

Lykon (and pretty much everyone else)

"If the governor seems ill at ease," Captain Haventhorne spoke up, his accent placing his origin somewhere in the Arthfell region of Andoran, "It is probably because Canorus was wiped off the map, and nobody, not even our Mahwek friends to the west - if they are to be believed - know what happened."

Arthfell is the westernmost area of Andoran, bordering eastern Cheliax.

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Following alongside her father, Tanith watched the day to day lives of the local populace flow naturally, and spared only fleeting glances as she focused on stepping in time and observing the conversation before her. She minded her tongue, fully cognizant of the station she occupied and the limitations and expectations therein, but the prospect of a whole colony disappearing like that invoked a knee jerk reaction.

"That's terrible! Has anyone been sent to investigate? Surely there must be-"

She stopped herself and glanced at Lykon as she realized she spoke out of turn, and cast her eyes towards her feet as she returned to silence.

[Snowfire]

"Of, but not quite alike." Rema replied, carefully laying a hand on the bark of one of the trees beside her. "My name is Rema, I was shown this land by Kaniehtiio. If there would be any that I sought, it would be her, but my true desire is knowledge. I have come only today back to this land, and I would wish to know what changes have come upon it in the years that have passed since last I walked it."

[Nefarion Xid]

"If the governor seems ill at ease," Captain Haventhorne spoke up, his accent placing his origin somewhere in the Arthfell region of Andoran, "It is probably because Canorus was wiped off the map, and nobody, not even our Mahwek friends to the west - if they are to be believed - know what happened."

"Yes," said Corvos callously, "I'm given to understand that there's no shortage of creatures in the mountains capable of that feat. Unfortunately for civilization, dragons don't always wait politely in their lairs."

He illustrated his point by gesturing to the candle before him and transforming the flame into a red dragon that slithered up from the wick before taking to the air to terrorize the basket of dinner rolls.

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

"Oh, I jus' work 'ere." Ragna gestured to the other conversation taking place. "I'm on retainer for the Marius family. I'm t' see to their success and protection, mainly, as well as that o' the kiddies." She reached out and banged her glass against the aasimar's whether it was offered or not. "And ye don' have t' keep callin' me by m' full name. Ragna will do. Hells, I've made do on 'you there, elf!' before."

[Othniel]

Rema

"Kaniehtiio. That's a name I've not heard in several years." The druid rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he searched his memory. "Yes...yes, I think she was headed to Three-River Valley three years ago now. Something about tending to the prairie. I keep myself largely concerned with the forests, as you may well deduce, so I did not pay much attention at the time."

"As for changes," he continued, "I assume you have come from Elesomare (I was just there myself a few days ago), so you will likely hear about Canorus. I keep myself away from that land, but something happened several weeks ago. I have not investigated, nor spoken to anyone who has, but the forest rumor is that something was disturbed from deep in the forest. Beyond that, all I can say is that the survivors have taken refuge in Anchor's End."

Though you've never been there, you recall hearing about Three-River Valley. It is a very large valley running roughly two hundred miles north-south, and one hundred fifty east-west. The valley lies about two-hundred miles due west of Elesomare, and has some of the best grazing land in northern Arcadia thanks to the plentiful water that runs through the plains in the valley.

Those in the tavern

"Very well, Ragna!" the frosty-haired woman replied, turning her attention back to the Elf. "You may call me Shossi." She took another drink and studied Ragna's features. "I have never seen an elf before. Clearly you do not all live in trees and wear naught but animal skins. I wonder what else I might learn."

"I doubt it was a dragon," the captain replied stiffly. "Dragons do not...paint in blood." He shook his head. "We still do not know exactly what happened, but I have heard that there were pieces of the settlers everywhere. No, something angry was stirred up and came out from the forest with a vengeance, or so we have heard."

[Nefarion Xid]

"Not a dragon then," Corvos said, wiggling his fingers to turn the flames blue and contorting them into a fanged face. The face gnashed its teeth at Soren before fizzling away. The raven looked unimpressed with his master's antics and resumed trying to tie a cherry stem into a knot with his tongue.

"Ogres then. They're easily entertained with gore. Perhaps something worse. Consider me intrigued. Alas, I've not the time or the liberty to scurry off to the north to play monster hunter."

[TheDarkDM]

Lkyon

Lykon coughed, hiding what might have been a smile behind a raised hand, only to lower it to reveal a far more appropriate frown.

"Perhaps a bit more respect is due, brother. The Chelaxians may be Andoran's enemy at home, but here we are all neighbors on a strange frontier."

He turned towards their hosts.

"I do hope the Governor will keep us apprised of any revelations, that we might avoid the same fate."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr


[QUOTE=Othniel;20881661]"Valenhall truly is a wondrous place," the blacksmith replied after some hesitation. "I would still be there were there any choice in the matter, Ragna Eldenhall."

As you arrive, you catch Shossi's last sentence.

Just then, Haukr joined the two and Shossi turned to look upon the Skald. She seemed not to hear his question at first as her eyes regarded him from head to toe and back up again, lingering for a long moment upon the weapon at his back until finally she stared at his face. "It is indeed. A fine day for drinking with friends old and new." Shossi grasped a mug of foamy ale that one of the tavern workers had set in front of her and drank a long draught. Wiping the foam from her mouth, she flicked it from her fingers and smiled infectiously at both Ragna and Haukr. "Tell me, what is it you intend to accomplish in Arcadia?"/QUOTE]

A shame I can't tell her about the plans to defeat the lumber consortium. There's nothing quite like boasting before going off to battle. But nothing says I cannot tell her about the other thing...

"A great many things, milady." Haukr waggled his eyebrow flirtatiously. "Slay hideous monsters, sing songs of great battles, find key deposits of valuable ores and-or plants that have value as cash crops. But our biggest goal is something else. Titus Marius, the patriarch of the family, has asked us - or more specifically, Lykon - to come and establish a new colony here in Arcadia. It is this reason for which Lykon and Corvos depart for Segada soon; the others and I will be departing on the morrow to begin the initial surveys."

Haukr took a long drink.

"Honestly, I've always been more of the adventuring type, but I'm certainly not opposed to taking a stab at governance."

[Othniel]

The Liberty's Rest

Shossi stared in puzzlement at Haukr's twitching eyebrows. "I abhor violence," she said, rather curtly, but then she brightened when Haukr mentioned singing. "But I do enjoy songs. And metalwork." She paused for a moment as if searching for just the right words, "Do you think you will have need of a blacksmith in your new colony? I have an apprentice who is ready to work on his own, and I feel trammeled here."

Sense Motive: She's lying about something.

As Lykon spoke, the doors to the tavern opened once more and Governor Strand rejoined the group. "I see you are making friends and influencing people," he said with a smile.

"They were just talking about how the folk of Carnorus were butchered, father," Alori spoke up. She'd been silent the entire time, though she'd looked at Faola with deep interest.

"Ah, yes. Regrettable turn of events for them, I am sure," Strand responded, giving his daughter a rather pointed look. "I'd hoped to not trouble you with wild rumors, but I may as well tell you what we know." He sighed in resignation and began to explain, "We still only have rumors, although the Spirit of Freedom sailed by a few days ago and found the town deserted. The captain took a peek with that spyglass of his and said there was blood and people - that is, pieces of people - everywhere. One of the Mahwek traders that visits the colonies here told us there were a few survivors of whatever it was that happened, and that they ended up at Anchor's End. He also said the entire populace of the other Chelaxian colony was on edge. We know the Segadans are aware of the situation, but Ambassador Clegg was told that it was none of our concern and that he should tell us not to worry." He glanced over at Captain Haventhorne and continued. "We've doubled the watch on the palisade and docks, just to be on the safe side, but haven't seen anything out of the ordinary since it happened. That's all we know at this point, but I do suggest you not wander outside the colony at night, and when you do head out to start exploring, do set a heavy watch."

"Now then!" He clapped his hands and flashed the same smile as before, though it seemed slightly hollow, "We can turn to the business of the celebration of your arrival. We've set up tables and chairs, and a makeshift podium in the town green. If one of you wouldn't mind saying a few words to the folk here, it would be greatly appreciated.

Rather than RP through the whole celebration, I'm going to let you guys sum up what you did, be it only a sentence if that's all you wish. For those with conversations still ongoing, we can continue them until you're finished via a bit of a "Earlier-Later" separation in posts.

The proposed plan is for Lykon, Corvos, and Tanith (and Hadrian) to head to Segada and find Arlo Clegg, while Haukr, Ragna, and Rema head out with the Nereid's Harp and start scouting for a place to start exploration in preparation for settlement. Everyone else will rejoin them afterward in the Seasprite.


***The Next Morning***

The next morning broke clear and sunny, just as the previous day. Rema had returned to Elesomare and was brought up to speed. Shortly after breakfast, the party drew together and finalized their plans. Captain Haventhorne would guide Lykon, Corvos, Tanith, and Hadrian to Segada, a journey of roughly a a day-and-a-half to two days while the remainder of the party would board the Nereid's Harp and head south to explore along the coast. Lykon's group would follow behind in the Seasprite after returning to Elesomare.

Go ahead and everyone make a post to sum up/finish up whatever you want to in Elesomare.

[Othniel]

It was late morning when the group said their farewells. Lykon took Corvos, Tanith, and Hadrian with him, and led by the able Captain Haventhorne, they took the west road to Segada. Rema, Haukr, and Ragna boarded the Nereid’s Harp once more and headed southeast along the coast, making for Shraedar Penninsula.

The road to Segada ran straight out of Elesomare’s western gate for a mile and then dipped back toward the tree line, following the edge of the Emerald Woods for some twenty-five miles. It then ran westward once more, passing through miles of rich farmland which fed the city of Segada. They traveled swiftly, as the road was well-maintained and the met no obstacles or challenges. The party camped in a spring-fed copse for the night before proceeding the next morning. The second day of their journey was slightly more difficult, as they started entering the foothills that steadily rose to meet the great mountain cliffs to the north. About an hour before evening, and after climbing through winding hills, they finally reached the gateway to Segada, a deep cleft in the hills, flanked by what Captain Haventhorne called one of the Cliffside citadels, watchtowers built by the Segadans in days of war when they defended their borders from sea-going aggressors. He explained that the watchtowers now served primarily as garrison posts these days, and as bases from which patrols were sent to Segada’s Chelaxian and Andoran neighbors along the sea.

As the riders climbed the road past the citadel, a pair of mounted soldiers rode swiftly toward them, one holding up a hand commanding them to halt. They wore blue and white uniforms, over which were finely-wrought hauberks of chain mail. Belted at their waists were hand axes of equal craftsmanship and in their hands were long lances. Their broad faces, which looked prone to laughter, were a deep red-brown, and their hair was long, though tied back with beaded leather strips. Captain Haventhorne bowed in his saddle toward one of them and began to speak in Mahwek, “A day of peace and safety to you! I am Captain Haventhorne of Elesomare and these are my charges. They are a delegation from Andoran, a nation from across the water, here to meet with our emissary to Degasi, Arlo Clegg.”

The two soldiers conferred with one another and then beckoned the party on, one leading and the other following. The line of riders passed over a ridge and could suddenly see the city of Segada in its evening glory. Spread across stark variations in elevation, the city was blanketed in long shadows. Towering pine, spruce, birch, elm, and maple trees covered most of the mountains in a wash of burning red and orange autumn colors. The center of the city appeared densely populated, though toward the edges of the district, the homes and businesses became larger and farther apart, allowing for lush gardens and open fields. Terraced gardens and homes carved out of the stone climbed the sides of the cliffs, and a few palatial dwellings graced the cliff tops, commanding views of the entire city. Most of the buildings were crafted from stone and timber and featured wood tile roofs, though some of the finer buildings used slate tiles as roofing material. Some buildings, seemingly built more recently, began incorporating metal into new structures, such as the “climbers” that scale the cliff faces, and the massive metal-and-stone bridge that span the gap across the Snowmelt River that ran through part of the city.

Haventhorne explained that the climbers came about as a result of Segada’s varying elevations. The city’s engineers devised a unique solution to ascending the cliffs that shelter it. These metal and wood structures, called “climbers” by Segadans, ran on geared tracks attached to the sheer face of the ridges and worked like giant elevators. He went on to say that a zigzag staircase ran alongside the climbers for use when the devices were shut down at night or for maintenance. Most of the city’s climbers ran only from dawn to dusk, but the one leading to the northern stacks continued to run until late at night, a fact frequently protested by its nearby neighbors.

Some minutes later, the party rode down what looked to be a main thoroughfare, paved with cobblestones and kept free of refuse. They passed by a large building on the right, which Captain Haventhorne noted as the House of Keys, Segada’s governmental building and residence of the mayor, Wanakeena Awasuul. “We’ll stop by tomorrow, as it is evening and the offices will be closed this time of night.”

They continued riding westward until they started to near the western edge of the city. “Here’s where we’ll be staying tonight,” Haventhorne said, gesturing toward a two-story establishment with a sign on the front that said (in Mahwek) “Crow-In-The-Spruce” with accompanying carven figure. The building was made of red brick, and like the rest of the city they’d seen was well-kept. The double-door entrance was flanked by large windows, through which the party could see an assortment of people, mostly natives, though the occasional Halfling or gnome could be seen, along with some strange, Halfling-sized creatures that appeared to be constructs made out of wood. Haventhorne said they were wyrwoods, one of Arcadia’s native species, though he did not know much about them. “Go inside and get a few rooms for the night, and I’ll see about the horses,” he said.

Inside, the party could see that the establishment was very lively. Tables were filled with people talking, laughing, or playing various games of chance. Over in a corner was a ring of people listening to a gnome they’d gathered around. Across from the door on the far wall was what appeared to be the front desk, behind which was a Halfling. He was wearing brightly-colored clothing, a mix of white with orange and blue decoration, and grinned broadly as he saw the party enter. “Welcome, welcome!” he greeted in Mahwek. “What can I do for you?”

http://i.imgur.com/4ooLM7y.jpg?1
The map isn't the best, topographically speaking, but the northern, southern, and eastern sides of the map are at a higher elevation, being the hillier portions. The Northern and Southern Stacks are especially high, being on higher cliffs which overlook the broad central district. The western lows, where the Crow-In-The-Spruce (#4 on the map) is located, is naturally a much lower area as the geography runs down through gentler hills to the Degasi plains.

***Meanwhile***

Ragna, Rema, and Haukr had boarded the Nereid’s Harp, piloted as usual by Captain Harding. Half of the Andoran settlers were packed aboard along with the most important necessities for pitching a camp in preparation for exploration and eventual settlement. Along with the Andorans, Shossi Frostmane had come with, as well as Alori Strand, specifically at the Governor's insistance. Alori hadn't looked happy about it, but she dutifully gathered what she would need for an extended time away from her home and found a place aboard the ship. The Harp then put to sea against a strong westerly gale and made slow progress, but finally on the afternoon of the second day, a line of trees came in sight.

“That’ll be the Creakwood forest,” Captain Harding said, by way of explanation. She’d handed over the ship’s wheel to her first mate and joined the party at the gunwale. “Let me know when you want to drop anchor and start heading ashore. I reckon we’ve about fifteen or twenty miles to go before we reach a place where it’ll be safe to put you ashore. Of course, if you’d rather, we can come around the east side of the peninsula and run up the Shraedar River some if you like. We won’t be able to make it too far, as I’m told it gets too shallow for a ship the size of the Harp, but it might save you a bit of travel."

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos waited until he was inside before dismissing the two summoned mounts. No sense in feeding summoned creatures. It was always good for a laugh anyway when a stable boy tried to explain that horses under his care suddenly vanished.

"Yes, good afternoon. We'll have three private rooms. Two singles, one suite. Meals for this evening and a bottle of surprise me." Corvos smiled politely at the innkeeper. Like most of the party, he'd practiced Mahwek for nearly a year before departing. He began counting out his money preemptively, leaving two platinum coins as a "tip".

"And a written account of everything going on that is impolite to discuss in pleasant company, delivered discreetly at dinner."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr
*** Back at Elsomare... ***

Haukr chuckled at Shossi's request. "We would be fools if we said we didn't need one. Farming tools, weapons to guard a new settlement, shoes for horses - all vital and necessary reasons to take along a blacksmith. Although..." He looked kindly at Shossi. "If you wish to say something, Miss Frostmane, please do not feel you have to hold back. I pride myself in my approachability." He drained his ale and then tilted his head slightly. "Speaking of which... I could not help but notice you were staring at me earlier. Has it been so long since you've seen another aasimar?"


*** Meanwhile, back in the present... ***


Haukr considered the two options before speaking.

"I think we may well head ashore rather than going upriver. It will pay to scout the shoreline for any potential threats to eventual merchant ships, and it saves you the trouble of having to get back out."

[Tychris1]

As her uncle went about the business of procuring rooms to stay the night, Tanith nodded to her father as a sign of respect and an indication that she would depart his side before slowly working her way through the lively establishment. She engaged in small talk with the people she passed by, making sure to apologize and ask for room to move through as she finally worked her way near the gnome and tried to listen in on the story he told.


Gathering Information afterwards:[roll0]

[Snowfire]

Rema

"Useful as that may be, uncle, I believe that finding a place to start unloading would be more prudent than leaving the ship full as we muck around on the near coastline." Rema said, pulling up an image in her head of their location. "The plan, Captain, was to continue around to the river. The land to the south of the Shraeder struck us as an excellent location for a settlement."

"The river would suffice for barge traffic with little work, even with the prairie storms." And she had a few thoughts for how to work with those, given time.

[Othniel]

Corvos

The halfling handed Corvos a trio of keys for rooms matching the sorcerer's request. "I'll have the meals sent up shortly, sir!" There was no reply to Corvos' other request, but the halfling winked knowingly. A short time later, a halfling servant girl with a spritely smile and raggedly-cut blonde hair knocked at Corvos' door to announce that the travelers' food was ready and promptly walked in to set down a tray containing a covered plate of beef, potatoes, and corn, as well as a bottle of local spirits with accompanying glass. "Will there be anything else, your lordship?" she asked, unabashedly holding out her hand.

Peeking out form under one of the dishes is the corner of a sealed letter bearing the official seal of the Andoran Diplomatic Corps. It is addressed to Lykon or Corvos Marius.
30 Rova 4714

To: Corvos or Lykon Marius
From: Mr. Arlo Clegg, Andoran Emmisary to Segada

Greetings,

I apologize for the lateness of this letter, but I have just received notice of your arrival in Segada. Please stop by my office early tomorrow morning, as we have much to discuss. Your arrival here in Arcadia has not gone unnoticed by the natives, and they will be no doubt prepared for a visit from you to the House of Keys sometime tomorrow. The Segadans are slightly on edge after what happened to the colony of Canorus, though I hope to smooth over any difficulties arising therefrom. When you meet with a representative of the Segadan government, there will be some paperwork to sign, as well as certain assurances you must make to account for the provisions in the Segada Protocol. If you are unaware, the Segada Protocol stipulates that Avistani settlers agree to maintain peaceful relations with the nations party to the Protocol, and support the armed forces of Degasi should the need arise. Furthermore, any travel within lands party to the Protocol require a letter of endorsement and a native guide, granted and chosen by Segadan authorities and stationed within any settlements you may found. Lastly, such settlements are granted the rights to free trade with Segada, but may only transport 15% of their income or goods back to Avistan. Elesomare has been able to work within the bounds of the Protocol, and I am sure you will be able to as well. I wish you a good evening and hope to see you early tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Arlo Clegg
After the body of the letter, there appears to be a postscript in Ancient Thassilonian.
I also have a friend I wish to introduce you to, but I dare say no more until we meet in person, for there are complications that may arise.

Tanith

Drawing closer to the group gathered around the talking gnome, a red-haired chap wearing green and brown clothing, Tanith was soon able to hear what the short fellow was saying. "...and so no sooner had I beaten the Grippli to a swimming race against the river's current, than the chieftain offered his daughter's hand in marriage. Of course, you know the Grippli heap gifts upon a suitor to show that the would-be bride's family is wealthy, so I came away from the adventure with my economic situation very much improved, I must say. Do you know, those frogs are sitting on a veritable goldmine? When I was in the water, I caught specks of gold on the bottom of the river, you see, and I'll bet that the first outfit to strike a trade deal with Koochiching would be ridiculously rich."

The gnome is quite obviously lying, though he seems to be taking no care to make his story sound plausible.
The usual words heard in a tavern in Andoran are heard here as well: People talking about the weather, about the harvest, about the boundball championship prospects next year, but by far, the most repeated rumors center on what may have happened at Canorus. Speculation has run wild, and people suspect everything from feral skinwalkers to a gnomish mishap to angry treants, and even one persistent rumor that blames the Chelaxians themselves for summoning devils. In general, the attitude of the tavern is that whatever happened, the colonists brought it on themselves, and it was uniformly hoped that whatever happened would stay away from Segada.
Out of the corner of your eye, you see that Captain Haventhorne has come back from having the party's horses stabled (minus those he discovered were phantoms), and joined the throng in the inn's common room. Relieved of his wards, he has ordered a meal and settled in to a comfortable chair by the fire.

*** Elsewhere ***

There was some disagreement, but the side preferring a river landing won out, and the Nereid's Harp sailed along, following the coast for another day until she finally came within sight of the Shraedar River's mouth. The river ended in a delta filled with dozens of small islands, but Captain Harding kept a deft hand at the wheel and managed to find a navigable path into the river proper sometime around eight in the morning on 1 Lamashan. Some two hours (and twenty miles) later, the Nereid's Harp finally dropped anchor. Captain Harding turned to the three members of the party on board and explained that she could go no further. "My apologies, folks, but the river is getting too shallow to sail any further in uncharted waters. You'll have to go by land now, though I might recommend staying close to the river. It'll give you something to steer by and a reliable source of fresh water. I wish you good luck in your exploration of this land! We'll be standing by here for when you come back."

An hour later, Hauker, Ragna, and Rema stood on the shore with their horses. Alori Strand was near by, silently astride her horse, White-Socks, a sturdy pinto with white above his hooves. Behind them, settlers and sailors were hard at work unloading supplies from the ship. A camp would be pitched along the river bank in hopes that they would soon be following the explorers further inland. Shossi Frostmane had elected to remain behind, explaining that while she was proud of her work as a blacksmith, she made a poor scout (particularly compared to Alori, who - as they learned on the ship - was a close friend of Shossi) and would only slow the rest of them down. When one of the sailors remarked about the sword and shield she bore, she replied that she was far better at making weapons and armor than wielding them, but brought along her gear anyway, "just in case."

Turning their horses one after another, the four explorers looked to the west and new lands.

I assume you'll want to explore the hex you're starting in first, but let me know.
You sense that Shossi is lying about her combat abilities.
"Aasimar?" Shossi repeated. "Is that what I am?" She took another long, slow draught of ale and then repeated her earlier motion to dispose of the foam. "I...have heard this word in Valenhall, but do not know what it means."

[Othniel]

Exploration!

On the second day of exploration, the party met with a challenge, for out of the water swarmed a handful of creatures, sharp teeth and claws reaching for their intended prey, a herd of goats peacefully grazing by the side of the river.

You guys won initiative.
You identify the creatures as River Drakes, fearsome predators with sharp teeth and muscular tails. They are amphibious, and can move quickly when they need to.
You also know that River Drakes can spit balls of caustic mucus at their enemies, boiling their flesh and entangling them.

Battle Map Here. (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-16QFOEV64EPnrIf_6eZT2Z_7NaNIyPCBanONIaFfZ0/edit#gid=1494786701)

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos fished a gold coin out of his coat pocket for the girl, smiling politely to hide his disappointment with her poor service. "I believe your employer still has something for me," he said eyeing the seal on his letter. "Go and jog his memory."

He read over the note while pouring a glass for Lykon and himself with a facile display of Mage Hand. When finished, he passed it to his brother and began poking at his meal.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr


*** Back in Elesomare... ***

Haukr blinked in wonder, and set down his beer.

"You... you know nothing of your heritage?"

Wiping his lips and lacing his fingers together, Haukr cleared his throat and began to explain.

"As you know, there are many planes of existence beyond our own material plane. The transitive planes, which connect all planes to one another. The inner planes, which are made of the building blocks of the universe. And, most relevant to this discussion, the outer planes - the planes to which the souls of the dead travel after they die, and where the gods themselves hold court. Outsiders, or denizens of these other planes, sometimes cross over into this one - and, while here, they can and do mate with humans and other mortal races. The children of these relationships, in turn, gain their power and resilience to the elements, which can last for generations. When good outsiders - the Archons and Angels of Heaven, the Peris and Agathions of Nirvana, and the Garudas and Azatas of Elysium - do such a thing, their descendants are called aasimar."

"Or, put more simply, we are the grandchildren of heaven, the descendants of good outsiders."

Haukr took another drink - a gentle sip, this time.

"Forgive me for asking such a personal question, but... how have you gone so long without knowing who you are? Did those who raised you tell you nothing of this?"

Diplomacy: [roll0]


*** Meanwhile, back in the present... ***


It had been two days so far, and while he could not deny the scenery was beautiful, Haukr was beginning to grow restless. While it did a person good to focus on re-reading songs of old, sharpening ones axe, and performing the usual daily devotional to Pharasma, there were only so many times these could all be done before it grew dull.

Then, it happened. Leaping out of the river, draconic drakes emerged, keen on getting an early lunch. Seeing the Drakes were about to maim the goats - and realizing they would just as likely turn on them next - Haukr's concentration snapped to its fullest.

His face contorted in a serene rage, he dashed forward, rolling behind the closest drake, before hopping up - and, in a flash of pure blue light, let out a great bellow of rage before beginning to sing. As he did so, the flash of light began to settle - and all around him, swarming like a million ethereal fireflies, were the spirits of the dead for whom he fought. Tentatively, each floated to Haukr's allies, looking at them curiously, as if making an offer.

Eight heavy feet
Walk the bloodsoiled ground!
With rhythm these
Four warriors march!

Move action to move to AM 18.

Standard action to use Raging Song, using Inspired Rage.


Inspired Rage

When under the effects of Raging Song, Haukr, as well as any allies who allow themselves to be affected, gain the following bonuses.



+2 morale bonus to STR
+2 morale bonus to CON
+2 morale bonus to Will Saves
The ability to use Haukr's Rage Powers.


Lesser Spirit Totem
While using Raging Song, Haukr (and any allies affected by Inspired Rage) are surrounded by a swarm of spirit wisps that, each round, make a slam attack against a living foe that is adjacent to that person. This attack has the following stats:

Attack: +8
Damage: 1d4+4 Negative Energy


Spirit Totem
The spirit wisps around Haukr (and any allies affected by Inspired Rage) become so dense that you gain 20% Concealment versus:

All melee attackers not adjacent to you (typically due to reach)
All ranged attackers

Conversely, this comes at the following disadvantages:


-1 to AC
All allies affected cannot use any CHA, INT, or DEX-based skills (with the exception of Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride).
All allies affected cannot use any ability that requires patience or concentration.


All allies must choose whether or not they would like to be affected by Inspired Rage when it is first activated. Unconscious allies are automatically affected.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Before...

Proceeding out to the festival at Elesomare, Lykon made his way to the podium. Standing atop the makeshift stage, staring out across a sea of lamplight and revelry, his hand strayed up to lightly caress something beneath his robe. A ring, hanging near his heart.

"Good people of Elesomare, today is a day that I will long remember. The day that my family, and those brave settlers that have chosen to follow us, join you on the road to greatness. It is a road you know far better than I, a road of hardship and danger, yet you have welcomed us with open arms. For that, I thank you. Let no one doubt that the true spirit of Andoran lives on in Elesomare. Her bravery. Her hospitality. Her kindness. And how could they not? For did we not embark on this adventure, flinging ourselves into the mysteries of this distant land, that we might share the luster of our nation?"

He paused, allowing expectation to rise before he continued.

"Yet dangers remain, beyond even those through which you have blazed your bright trail. I see in some eyes here the same doubt that grips my heart when I think of my children in the wilderness. I quail, for I fear that I cannot protect them. But that fear is of my baser self, a self that mistrusts the strength of my convictions. It is a fear borne of darkness, of ignorance. And in the light of morning that shadow self is banished to forgotten obscurity. Barbarism may stalk our borders, but we will never allow it to take us unawares! And so readied it can do naught but break upon our stout walls and stouter hearts!"

His voice began to rise, as he reached out to the crowd.

"We go soon to found a new bastion of hope in the savage night, and we do not go afraid. Like you, we shall shine the light of civilization upon the blackened nests of those slithering things that would undo us and force them into purifying flame! Like you, we shall dive bravely into the blank spaces of our maps, and claim their hidden treasures! Like you, we shall lay the foundation for a future where our children, our grandchildren, and all the lines of our blood unto the ending of the world may stand as proud masters of their domain! Upon the rock of this new land shall we raise up shining cities, hilltop beacons for all the world to see and envy! Together, we shall give birth to wonders. Together, we cannot fail!"

Now...

Reclining in a chair as he watched Hadrian wrestle with Faola on the floor, Lykon stretched out with a moan of contentment. He was no stranger to riding, but the journey had done little to ease the pain of his arms or the lingering aches of the long sea voyage. As the serving girl entered the room alongside Corvos and Tanith, he stood and stretched his arms towards the ceiling. His eyebrow quirked at the servant's bold assertion for additional payment, but he remained silent until she had gone.

"Hadrian, come now, clean yourself off for dinner. Corvos, daughter, what news of the city?"

Corvos' letter floated towards him by way of reply, to be taken gingerly from the invisible force that carried it.

[Snowfire]

Rema

Rema shook her head at the offering wisp of light, hands already moving through a set of well practice gestures. She disliked this spell, it did not mesh as well with her being, but it was impossible to deny its usefulness. Kneeling down, she touched the dusty ground with her fingertips. Water condensed out of the air around her other hand, turning cool on her skin as she wove it into the dust with magic and then she loosed it towards the river bank, to a point almost eighty foot away. She couldn't quite get all of the drakes, but it should isolate them well enough. Dealing with them one by one would be much easier.

The mix of half frozen dust and water shot across the space, and erupted into a vicious storm of ice that engulfed all but one of the creatures facing them. Rema shivered, shaking away the feeling of water on her arms, and set herself for the combat to come.

Casting Sleet Storm (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/sleet-storm) centered on the top left corner of AG 14. The area of effect should cover every drake but the one Haukr is in combat with.

Move action to ready shield.

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

Ragna pulled her weapon free, sighting in on the nearest drake. She hadn't tested Fergus against the wonders of Arcadia yet, but she had little doubt that...

Or not. Rema's spell went off and covered the area in driving sleet, completely obscuring any chance of a clear shot. "So, your idea of tactical brilliance was t' give all the enemies cover from my fire. Issat a fair assessment?" Without waiting for a reply, and totally ignoring the motes, Ragna fell back behind the bole of the nearest tree and readied herself for whatever flew out of that cloud, urging Alori to seek similar cover.

Move and ready an action to fire (Deadly Aim Active) at the first drake to emerge.

[Othniel]

Wilderness

"I cannot see anything!" Alori's shout came as the raging sleet storm descended upon the area in front of the party. Mirroring Ragna's actions, Alori ducked behind a tree and nocked an arrow to her bowstring.

A few moments pass as the party acts, a guttural, throaty language is heard from within the storm. Moments later, the five drakes fly up out of the storm, searching for their assailants.

You recognize the language the drakes are speaking in as Draconic. You hear one of them (presumably the leader) tell the others, "Enemy has mage. Kill, then we eat prey!"
Alori moves behind a tree and readies action to shoot the first drake she sees.

D1 flies upward at a 45-degree angle and turns south, searching for its assailant.
D2, being on the edge of the storm, simply walks out, and upon seeing Rema, shoots a ball of caustic mucous at her for [roll0] points of acid damage and entangling her (14 Reflex save halves the damage and negates the entangle effect).
D3 does the same as D1.
D4 does the same as D1, spots Alori, and shoots mucous at her, for [roll1] points of acid damage and entangling her (14 Reflex save halves the damage and negates the entangle effect).
D5 does the same as D1.

As soon as D1 appears, Alori looses an arrow.
Attack (Deadly Aim): [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Shossi's eyes focused intently upon the Skald as he spoke, and she remained silent for several long heartbeats after he'd finished. "I did not know who my parents," she began slowly, "For they were killed when I was but a babe, but I was told that an ancestor was a Valkyrie. I do not know of angels and planes, and all of these things, though there were Valkyries and Einheriar who guarded us, as well as three Norn sisters who ruled us." Shossi lowered her voice, and her cheerful demeanor lessened as she became more serious. "Is this what the Vaklyries are, angels?"
You do not know much about any of these three, but you are not completely ignorant. For one thing, you know that Valkyries are not angels, though they are outsiders of a different sort.
Valkyries are outsiders who scour the battlefields of the Material Plane for warriors of great prowess and legendary renown. With a glance, a valkyrie can tell who is near death and ready to give up life and who fights on to live another day, and can either claim the soul of the slain or aid the living to continue the fight.

Valkyries are always female, and appear as strong and beautiful human, dwarven, or elven women. Valkyries serve a variety of deities, though they are most often associated with the gods of war, conflict, valor, and courage. Although capable combatants in their own right, valkyries are almost always encountered mounted, typically on flying steeds such as dragon horses, pegasi, or sleipnirs.
Some warriors who die glorious deaths in battle find that there is a call for their skill and prowess even after death. Chosen by valkyries from among the slain on the battlefield, they become einherjar, outsiders who fight for the gods and other powerful extraplanar beings in battles across the multiverse.

Like valkyries, einherjar can serve a variety of deities, not just gods of war, conflict, and valor, but also those of love, beauty, life, and others not thought of as combative. Einherjar pride themselves on prowess in battle, and forever seek to prove themselves by challenging worthy foes. Einherjar can be either male or female, and normally appear as muscled, battle-hardened humans, dwarves, or elves.
Ancient beyond imagining, the norns are a race of powerful women who hold in their hands the physical manifestation of fate and destiny in the form of golden thread. They watch over all life, intervening with reluctance when called upon or with a vengeance when the strands of fate are twisted and abused by lesser beings.

Segada

The first night:

The hafling girl took the coin and bounded away, and Corvos could hear the repeated thump of her tiny feet as she flew down the stairs at the end of the hall. Half an hour later, another letter appears, slid under the door. Opening the letter, which is unsealed, you find the following:
- One of the climbers near the Southern Stacks is out of commission after a wyrwood reportedly sabotaged it, causing the deaths of three people.
- Louma Oland has recently erected a large metal tower over the roof of his mansion. People are saying that he is attempting some dark experiments.
- One of the higher-ups in the Stone Rats thieves’ guild has been caught, tried, and sentenced to death by being thrown off the Kankadanda Bridge.
- Uanae Deepsky, a famous local celebrity, is back in town and performing nightly at the Riverhead Amphitheater.
- The feud between the Orenta and Uise families has heated up, and is impacting the processing of grain at Uise Mill.

At the bottom of the list is one last sentence, written angrily in Mahwek: "I don't know what you foreigners are used to where you come from, but around here, you have to work for your gossip."


The next morning:

Morning came and Captain Haventhorne collected Lykon, Corvos, and Tanith. He led them outside the Crow-In-The-Spruce where a carriage awaited the four of them. It was a matter of some twenty minutes before the carriage pulled up in front of the House of Keys, Segada's government building. The House of Keys was a large, round building constructed from white bricks. It had multiple stories and dwarfed every building the party had yet seen in the city, running roughly two-hundred feet in diameter. The face of the building bore many windows, and atop the building, the flag of Segada waved cheerfully in the breeze. Captain Haventhorne guided the group inside, up a set of stairs, and down a round hallway to a room with the name "Arlo Clegg" written upon a sign on the door. Haventhorne knocked on the door, which opened to admit the party.

The room before them was furnished in an up-to-date Andoran style, complete with blue and gold trimmings and a painting of the Supreme Elect hanging on the wall behind a large, richly-crafted wooden desk. Behind the desk was a man dressed in expensive clothing. He wore his blonde hair long and loose, and had a matching beard. Blue eyes sat in a careworn face that smiled as his guests entered the room. Morning light streamed in through a window on the eastern wall, landing upon a closed door on the opposite side of the room. The man stood up and bowed graciously to the newcomers before coming around the desk. "Good day. I am Arlo Clegg, and you must be the new arrivals."

https://s31.postimg.org/qjfmioymz/Segada_Flag2.png (https://postimage.org/)
http://67.media.tumblr.com/07d53a7be1e33eec9bb4677ee0225e99/tumblr_n4vx19dUHF1qcof3vo2_1280.jpg
Your speech catches the attention of most of your listeners fairly early on, though a stubborn remainder find themselves more interested in the food and drink provided than what some newcomer has to say. Still, those that do listen do so attentively, and even nod, cheer, or clap at certain parts of the speech. By the time you are finished, you get a sense that your words have somewhat allayed the fears of the folk listening.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr


*** Back in Elesomare... ***

Haukr racked his brain for what he knew of Valkyries, Einherjar, and Norn - and came back with much less information than he would have liked.

"I will confess that my knowledge of the Valkyries, Norn, and Einherjar is not as up-to-date as I would like it to be, but I can tell you that they are not angels. They are, however, outsiders, so they have that in common with angels. As far as I can remember, actually, there is no one particular plane that they call home."

"As for your parents... I am sorry about that. Although, this talk of growing up with Valkyries and Einherjar - what was your childhood like? From the sound of it it has to be at least as interesting as mine was, if not more so."

20


*** Back in the present... ***

Realizing that the drakes were capable of speech, Haukr promptly switched his song to draconic.

The victory we seek will be taken in blood!
No mercy will be shown, no mercy will be shown!
We ignore the pain that hammer like pounds,
from falls off slain drakes to the ground!

Leaping out of the cloud of obscuring mist, Haukr brought down his mighty battleaxe upon the nearest drake.

Since intimidating is a standard action, Haukr will have to settle for weaving in a warning message into his Inspired Rage Song instead.

Move Action to AP18.

Attack (Power Attack + Reckless Rage + Inspired Rage): [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Spirit Totem Attack: [roll2]
Spirit Totem Damage: [roll3] Negative Energy

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Bowing his head towards the ambassador, Lykon gestured to his bandaged hands.

"You will excuse me for not shaking hands, ambassador, but we are indeed the new colonists. Lykon Marius, at your service. And this is my brother Corvos Marius and my children Tanith and Hadrian. I was given to understand you might have some information for us."

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

As the Drakes cleared the cloud en masse, Ragna snapped off a shot. It got a squeal of pain from the creature, but didn't put it down. Worse still, she lost sight of it behind the same cover she was using. Clever girl.

Another one elected to make a wide loop beyond the shoreline, though, and Ragna saw no reason to let it line up and hurl more caustic spitballs. Two more deafeningly loud shots cracked through the forest and across the waters.

Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim
Touch Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Touch Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Nefarion Xid]

House of Keys

Corvos nodded politely and smiled, mentally preparing himself for Clegg to repeat himself yet again. Still, he held out hope that this mysterious "friend" would prove interesting.

[Snowfire]

Rema

"Never said it was brilliance, Ragna. Makes them come a bit closer though, and I'm all for that." Rema spun aside as the ball of acidic spit shot past her, grazing the edge of her skin, and she let the turn take her. Her form twisted, wind boiling to life inside her veins, and she moved in close to the grounded drake before her.

Standard Action: Wild Shape into Air Elemental form. +2 to Dex and Natural Armour.
Swift: 5' step in beside D2 to provide flanking for Haukr.

New AC: 22

[Othniel]

Wilderness

Cursing the drake that entangled her, Alori attempted to free herself of the clinging mucous. Meanwhile, the drakes closed in for the kill.

Alori escape artist attempt vs entangle (DC 14): [roll0]

D1 spits mucous at Rema, doing [roll1] acid damage and entangles (save for half and no entangle) and continues southwest, moving to AQ23.
Rema Save: [roll2] (including +1 from Wildeshape's increase to dex)

D2 snaps at Rema and whips its tail at her.
Bite: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]
Tail Slap: [roll5]
Damage: [roll6]
D2 can use Caustic Mucous in [roll7] more rounds.

D3 spots Haukr engaged with another drake and dives toward him, claws extended.
Charging Power Attack (Bite): [roll8]
Damage: [roll9]

D4 also dives down at Haukr, mirroring its companion's attack
Charging Power Attack (Bite): [roll10]
Damage: [roll11]
D4 can use Caustic Mucous in [roll12] more rounds.

D5 continues its turn, heading east and then north, finishing its movement for the turn in AR23, and then spits mucous at Rema for [roll13] acid damage
Rema Save: [roll14] (including +1 from Wildeshape's increase to dex)

"I have no experience to compare it with," Shossi replied with a sigh. Initially reluctant, Haukr's perseverance has paid off well, and the woman almost seems relieved to talk to someone. "Valenhall is an Ulfen colony, far north along the coast of Arcadia. The people there are few but hardy. Many centuries ago, one of the Linnorm Kings sailed west to find the afterlife. What he found instead was a paradise in the ice and snow. Valenhall is ruled by the Norn; wise, beautiful, and mighty creatures who sit in judgment of the colony and its inhabitants. They make our laws and punish any wrongdoing. Through their guidance, we live peaceful, happy lives. Forgotten are the bloodlusts of the Linnorm lands, and life there is a happy existence. Since its discovery, many kings and warriors who follow the ways of my people have come across the ocean to die. My mother and father were the descendants picked kingsmen who followed their lord across the Arcadian ocean several hundred years ago. When he died, their ancestors were freed of their oaths and joined the other descendants of kingsmen living peaceful lives guarded by the Valkyrie of Valenhall. I was born some sixty years ago, though my parents were slain soon after when a mighty creature full of bloodlust strayed too close to the colony. I was wounded as well, for I was with them in my infancy, and bear the scar to this day. They had been outside the walls of the settlement, and the Valkyries did not arrive in time to prevent their deaths. And death is final in Valenhall, by decree of the Norn. There are many decrees from the Norn, and they are not questioned. Chief among them is the decree that none who venture to Valenhall from Avistan are permitted to return, but some, such as myself, are exiled for breaking the law against violence inside the colony's walls."
Looking closely, you do detect something other than her Aasimar heritage. There is something wildly chaotic about her, almost like that of a watchful warrior at rest.

Segada

"Of course, Mister Marius," Clegg replied. "What lovely children," he said, turning to Hadrian and Tanith. He smiled politely and inclined his head. "How charming. We do not see many children in the House of Keys, and it is rather nice to spend time with the younger generation." Clasping his hands behind his back, the ambassador's demeanor turned serious. "I will not waste your time by reiterating the points in my letter, but I feel like an explanation of what I know of your expedition is in order. I am aware of both objectives of your mission here in Arcadia, and you will have my full support with them. Unfortunately, my power is limited in reach and extent, so you will have to rely mainly upon yourselves to accomplish your tasks." He gestured toward some chairs in the room. "Please, have a seat."

"As you should know, thanks to the actions of one or two adventurers in Darkmoon Vale a few years ago, as well as the signing of a treaty with the Fey living in the area, Andoran has had to seek lumber for her shipbuilding from other sources. This has led to the adoption of non-darkwood materials, and, more importantly, to the quest for a new supply of darkwood. That supply is here in Arcadia, and Andoran wishes to claim her share of the bounty this continent has to offer. Complicating our plans is the Lumber Consortium and the Seven Houses. One of the ramifications of the aforementioned adventurers' actions was the loss of a substantial amount of political and economic power the Lumber Consortium once wielded. They have also turned their attention to Arcadia and have allied themselves to the Seven Houses, a group of noble houses who disagreed with the actions taken during the People's Revolt forty-five years ago."

Clegg took a step back and sat on the edge of his desk before continuing, "Thanks to the work of Andoran's intelligence services, we know that the Lumber Consortium has had to regroup and change their mode of operation. Their headquarters in Arcadia was formerly in the colony of Elesomare, whence you have recently come, but I believe they have pulled up stakes and moved elsewhere along the coast. We know they are still in operation, for word has come back from Andoran that ships laden with lumber have continued to dock in Augustana and several other Andoran ports. Unfortunately, I do not have the use of more than a handful of intelligence operatives here, but what I have been told is that it is likely they moved their operations south. It is unlikely they have moved north, although we cannot rule out the possibility, and set up camp in Rockwood forest. The wood there is good, but it is again within dangerous proximity of a dragon, a white by the name of Verath, who I am told is a terror. The land there is quite cold, and the Snowborn River ices up in the winter. As far as a southerly direction, they could be as close as the Shraedar Penninsula, or further southwest as far as the Dragon's Gap or Fatgrass forests, although the former would put them within dangerous proximity to a suspected dragon. There is a dwarf colony there, though neither I nor the Segadans have had much contact with them."

The Andoran ambassador stood and took a few steps over toward the closed door. "This brings me to my friend. Kiru is a native of Strix Isle, where she is the Rokoa (roughly translated as wise-woman or shaman) for her tribe of Strix. Kiru is here on behalf of her tribe to petition Segada for help against the Syrinxes of Taloncliff, but they have unfortunately turned her down due to political reasons. I will let her explain her people's troubles in her own words."

With that, Clegg opened the door and a tall, dark-skinned creature stepped through. She had dark, feathery wings, white hair, and ghostly-white eyes. Her fingers and toes were clawed. She was barefoot, and wore little but a top and skirt made of dark, ragged leather, plus a few pieces of jewelry and several pouches tied to a rope that went around her slender waist. The strix dipped her head in approximation of a bow, and she spoke in halting Mahwek, "I greet you, travelers from across the sea."

http://i.imgur.com/sG7IheC.png?1
Aside from their pronounced ears, dark wings, and clawed limbs, strix resemble humans with gray to black skin tones. They are a leathery-skinned, lanky people; most adults stand just over 6 feet tall, but strix rarely weigh more than 170 pounds. Their ears are pointed, their hair is universally white, and their large eyes give off an eerie glow that ranges from ghostly white to crimson. As nocturnal creatures, they prefer the cool mist of the midnight moon to the hot glare of the midday sun. Nictitating membranes, which slide sideways over their eyes, add to their alien appearance. Oddly, strix eyes are fixed within their heads, forcing them to turn their heads to look around, and giving them a skittish demeanor.

Strix society is led by a rokoa, an elder female strix who functions as a spiritual, social, and military leader. A council of elders and senior warriors advises her. Rokoa do not often bear children, since most do not ascend to the position until they are in their twilight years. However, they do participate in a spring fertility ritual that involves coupling with multiple male tribesmen, and occasionally bear offspring after this rite. A daughter conceived during the ritual is considered to be the daughter of the entire tribe, and often inherits her mother’s position.

Strix see their tight-knit, territorial, and insular society as an extended family, even if some members of the tribe lack close blood ties. Each individual considers it a personal duty to ensure that their tribe survives. Even strix who disagree with one another generally discuss the subject of contention politely and respectfully, and remain protective of one another.

Their low population and fertility rates ensure that strix consider the well-being of the tribe far more important than any tensions between individuals. Strix do not formally recognize marriage or permanent bonds outside of blood relations. While some individuals do form pair-bonds, strix more commonly see sexual relationships as transient, and organize the family unit around sibling relationships. Mothers are the primary caregivers for their children, and while fathers are often involved with raising their offspring, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and close friends from both parents’ sides tend to be equally involved.

While their legends paint them as a once proud and noble race, strix see themselves as fallen, and have internalized the myths of their curse and the legacy of their bloody history with humans. They take pride in their warriors’ prowess, while feeling shame at the need for constant violence. They acknowledge that their survival requires such aggressiveness on occasion, but remain divided on the morality of killing—even killing humans. Those who consider it a necessary evil wear masks when fighting so that their victims will not see their faces.

Strix rarely attack first, but don’t hesitate to kill dozens of humans in retaliation for the loss of one of their own. Ironically, their vengeful nature and their tendency toward destructive witchcraft feeds into their wide-spread reputation as diabolical or otherwise evil beings.
Syrinxes are humanoids native to the continent of Arcadia with the heads, wings, and feet of owls. They are scholars who highly value art and philosophy, and seek to distance themselves from their own history of barbarism. Their methods, however, are anything but cultured, as they seek to enslave all other races (especially those without wings) to serve their quest for cultural progress.

Syrinx society revolves around a hierarchy of their subservient races, with the strix immediately beneath them. Syrinx magically modified the strix race in the distant past to serve as their soldiers and slave masters, though the strix of the Inner Sea region have all but forgotten their former overlords.
You get a good reading on both Arlo Clegg and Kiru. Arlo strikes you as being honest, though he probably has the ability to lie through his teeth should he want to. Kiru, while her mannerisms are distinctly bird-like, strikes you as unable to convincingly lie. She seems nervous and out of place.

[Nefarion Xid]

Perched on the back of Corvos' chair, Soren whispered, "Corvos, that's what it would look like if we had a baby. I dunno if it's the feathers or the hips, but she's kinda doing it for me."

The sorcerer rose and bowed shallowly to Kiru, putting on a charming (and unforced) smile. He made introductions on the party's behalf. "Our sister warned us about the owl-people. Unfortunately I don't know much about them or your plight."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Bellowing in rage, Haukr continued to sing.

No signs of weakness, no signs of weariness,
Not even a glimpse of remorse in their eyes!
They slew drakes ruthless, fed the wolves with flesh,
And now they leave this land side by side!
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: 24
Spirit Totem Attack: [roll1]
Spirit Totem Damage: [roll2]
As the spirits surrounding him slammed into the chest of the River Drake and left it staggered, Haukr's axe finally struck true, cleaving off the head of the River Drake in a single fell swoop!

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

Ragna will rapid shot and deadly aim at D4. If that kills D4, she'll five foot adjust and fire at D1. If it doesn't, she fires at D4 again.

Touch Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Touch Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

Ragna ignored Rema's remark and fired at the drake over the water again, dropping it with a loud splash. She sidestepped to the south and fired on her original target, but rushed the shot. Behind the drakes, a branch exploded and fell from an unfortunate elm.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

As the winged woman entered, Lykon stood along with his brother. Bowing after introductions, he nodded in agreement to Corvos' statement.

"Indeed, we are sadly ignorant of the trials that assail your people. Though perhaps we might be able to provide assistance where Segada could offer none."

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Satisfied with lurking behind her father, Tanith watched the proceeding events with a watchful yet subtle eye, analyzing the various mannerisms of both Mr. Clegg and the newly arrived Soren. She wordlessly bowed her head respectfully to the Rokoa before glancing at Hadrian to ensure he followed suit with the formality.

[Snowfire]

Rema hissed as more pain shot through her, acid and claw taking a toll on her despite her resilience, but smiled through it as she saw the two drakes to her left move together. High enough up as well, that there would be little danger of setting the grass ablaze. Another spell formed between her hands, a golden bead of fire that flashed up at the two creatures and then burst into roaring flame. Her spell loosed, she moved back. It was clear now that her use of magic had made her a target, and she swept across the ground to put something in between her and her attackers.

Standard: Fireball centered on D1.
Damage: [roll0] DC 18 Reflex for half.
Move: Move to AV 16 - or 15 if I'm not allowed to hide in the tree itself.

[Othniel]

Wilderness

The first drake banked around and spit at Haukr as it passed overhead, just as the one he was already engaged with unleashed its fury. The final drake spotted Alori and dove, teeth bared.

D1 Acid Damage + entangle: [roll0] (save for half and no entangle)
Haukr Reflex Save: [roll1]

D3 snaps and whips its tail at Haukr.
Bite (Power Attack): [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Tail Slap: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]

D5 charges downward at Alori.
Charge Attack (Power Attack): [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]



Segada

"I have tried the Kotarra ways. Their...channels," she began uncertainly, having some difficulty with the language. "To no avail. My people, the Itarii, are plagued by the Syrinxes of the mountain the Kotarra name Taloncleft. They take many hatchlings when they are old enough to fly, and few ever return. Those who are returned to us have clipped wings and appear bowed from heavy labor, and become burdens to the tribe. We hear that they have also taken stunted folk with hair on their faces from the mountain west of our home and small child-folk from their home beside the muddy lake." Kiru clenched her hands, and stared out the window at the city. "We have asked the Kotarra for help to free our people from this slavery, but they say they will not break a treaty with the Syrinxes. We need allies, for we are not strong. We suffered much from plague eight seasons ago, and are slow to rebuild our numbers. We have few itaraak, few warriors. The Syrinxes come and go as they please and wield great magics." Kiru turned her ghostly-white eyes back upon Lykon, and reached into one of her belt pouches, producing a small lump of silvery metal. She set it upon the corner of the desk and gestured to it. "We do not dig in the mountain like the stunted folk with hair on their faces, but I understand this rock is valuable to ground-dwellers. If you help us, we will let you dig in our mountain and be true friends."

You identify the lump of metal as mithral. You aren't sure how much it is worth, but by the size, you estimate the sample weighs about 5 lbs.
There is something familiar about some of the words Kiru uses. They sound Azlanti, but with some other influence.
There is something familiar about some of the words Kiru uses. They sound Infernal, but with some other influence.
Kiru strikes you as being completely honest. She is also clearly upset, and appears to be displaying shame.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr


*** Back in Elesomare... ***


"I have no experience to compare it with," Shossi replied with a sigh. Initially reluctant, Haukr's perseverance has paid off well, and the woman almost seems relieved to talk to someone. "Valenhall is an Ulfen colony, far north along the coast of Arcadia. The people there are few but hardy. Many centuries ago, one of the Linnorm Kings sailed west to find the afterlife. What he found instead was a paradise in the ice and snow. Valenhall is ruled by the Norn; wise, beautiful, and mighty creatures who sit in judgment of the colony and its inhabitants. They make our laws and punish any wrongdoing. Through their guidance, we live peaceful, happy lives. Forgotten are the bloodlusts of the Linnorm lands, and life there is a happy existence. Since its discovery, many kings and warriors who follow the ways of my people have come across the ocean to die. My mother and father were the descendants picked kingsmen who followed their lord across the Arcadian ocean several hundred years ago. When he died, their ancestors were freed of their oaths and joined the other descendants of kingsmen living peaceful lives guarded by the Valkyrie of Valenhall. I was born some sixty years ago, though my parents were slain soon after when a mighty creature full of bloodlust strayed too close to the colony. I was wounded as well, for I was with them in my infancy, and bear the scar to this day. They had been outside the walls of the settlement, and the Valkyries did not arrive in time to prevent their deaths. And death is final in Valenhall, by decree of the Norn. There are many decrees from the Norn, and they are not questioned. Chief among them is the decree that none who venture to Valenhall from Avistan are permitted to return, but some, such as myself, are exiled for breaking the law against violence inside the colony's walls."
Looking closely, you do detect something other than her Aasimar heritage. There is something wildly chaotic about her, almost like that of a watchful warrior at rest.
Haukr listened attentively as Shossi detailed her own history. "That does explain your earlier comment about disliking violence. I won't pry as to specifics, though - I'm just glad you've shared this much with me. And it seems I was right about you having a bit more of an interesting life than I did." Haukr continued to look at her. "And looking a little closer... I can definitely see that aura of the Valkyries shining through your blood, as well. Mixed aasimar and valkyrie-blood - what are the odds?"

He looked back toward the main group. "As for myself... you'd never know it, given my relatively youthful looks and different surname, but I'm actually Lykon, Corvos, and Rema's uncle - which then makes me Tanith's great-uncle, if you're the kind to get into specifics. My mother... Well, she was a traveling warpriest of Shelyn, and our family patriarch, Titus, had a rendezvous with her while out an adventure about 62 years ago. She raised me for the first twenty years or so, and then had a vision that her services were needed at the great Worldwound, after which time she left me in the care of Titus. I have not seen her since."

Haukr, uncharacteristically, let a bit of sadness slip through his voice.

"Since then, I've mostly been trying to carve out my own space in the family, mixing my mother's tales of adventure with warrior-poets from the lands of the Linnorm with father's own tales of using words to resolve situations. And so I got shipped off with the rest of this lot - a multi-purpose man who can both speak softly and carry a big stick when the need arises."


*** Meanwhile, back in the present... ***

Continuing to rage and sing, Haukr swung at the drake next to him.

Realizing that the remaining dragons had retreated beyond the range of his axe, Haukr ceased his rage. Calling upon his training as a skald, he ran his fingers down the runes of his axe, trying to call back the memories of a spell unknown...

And then, a scorching ray leapt from his fingers, barreling toward the first drake.

Because of Haukr's community-minded trait, all morale bonuses from his Inspired Rage last 2 more rounds.

Haukr uses Spell Kenning to duplicate Scorching Ray.
Ranged Touch Attack: [roll0]
Fire Damage: [roll1]
Unfortunately, in contrast to his abilities with a melee weapon, Haukr's ability to aim ranged attacks left something to be desired, and his ray did not go anywhere near the river drake.

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

Finishing her shuffle, the elf sighted in and snapped off a shot at each of the drakes flanking Haukr. They're both injured, maybe I'll get lucky...

Same as before. Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim. Both are in the first Range Increment this time, though.

Touch Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Touch Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Othniel]

Haukr, Earlier

"You are an interesting man, Haukr Malmquist," Shossi said, eyeing the Skald over the rim of her mug as she took another drink. "No doubt tempered by your experiences the way a blade is tempered at the forge. More value should be placed on words, I think, and yet you are right to carry a weapon. I said before that I do not like violence, yes I realize that one must be prudent. It is the last resort, but in these lands one must keep a blade at hand." Shossi set her mug down and drew her sword, carefully setting it on the table before her. Its well-crafted blade was was keen and shone silvery, clearly made of mithral. Made primarily for one hand, the sword looked to be capable of forceful blows. The pommel and crossguard were intricately crafted in the Ulfen style, displaying images of tiny animals. "This is Temperance," she said by way of explanation.

http://img07.deviantart.net/f9af/i/2013/271/3/3/del_tin_viking_sword__pencil_draw__by_marcofaccio-d6o9bqa.jpg

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos glanced sideways at his brother and gave him a nearly imperceptible, gratified smirk.

"There are few evils we inflict on one another so vile as slavery," he said to Kiru, apparently perfectly sincere. "We are moved. Something must be done, of course, but this calls for a light touch. So as not to upset the tenuous political balance, we Andorans should disavow any direct involvement in this affair. Instead, if the Rokoa were to invite an emissary (and powerful sorcerer)," he said, poking his chest with a finger, "For a diplomatic visit, and the Syrinx were to display open hostilities, then no one could really blame that emissary for defending himself and his host."

[Othniel]

Segada

Kiru ruffled the feathers on her wings, and stared at Corvos. "You would be welcome in our home," she began, "But if you come, be wary and stealthful. It is only with great care that I have left Stone Mountain, that which you call Mount Redoubt, and I must return soon and in secret, lest our enemies suspect our designs. The Syrinxes wield powerful magics, as I have said, and they watch always. Most of our adults are wing-clipped and know no such magic. The rokoa such as myself are knowledgeable about such things, but we have ever been few. Now there are only two, my daughter and myself."

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Lykon nodded in thought as Corvos and Kiru spoke, his attention drifting over to Arlo Clegg. But as they finished, his eyes snapped back to Kiru.

"It sounds as though Taloncleft's grip will be difficult to break. While we sympathize with your plight, and would alleviate it if we could, we are not yet so strong as to spare my brother as permanent guardian. Nor do we have soldiers enough to meet them in the field. But if you have need of weapons, or supplies. Information from deeper in the peninsula, or perhaps the services of our ship, we may be able to help in such matters. And when our people are settled securely behind stout walls, there will be more we can offer."

Diplomacy: [roll0]

[Snowfire]

Rema

Seeing Ragna's shots go wide, Rema flashed up to intercept the drake above Haukr, hoping to finish it off before it could attack again.

Move action: Fly up to AQ 16, 15' up.
Standard Action: Piranha Strike on D1 [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos pouted, not bothering to hide his disappointment at not being able to run off and play hero.

"Then we should at least petition the council ourselves, Lykon. Maybe they'll listen to us, or at the very least covertly supply us with weapons. The Syrinx are despots and slavers -- they're a threat to us all.

[Othniel]

Segada

Clegg nodded to Corvos. "They are newly arrived, Kiru. It would bring great hardship on their people to assault the Syrinxes directly, or to even goad them into a battle. Once they have built a home, they will be in a stronger position from which to act. Please be patient, my friend. Circumstances will improve for your people soon. And besides, perhaps they will be able to win some concessions from the council."

"Very well," Kiru assented. "I will remain in the city one more day; then I shall return to my people." She turned her head back to Lykon and Corvos. "I wish your people success in your task, and eagerly await what help you may give when the time is ready."

The ambassador stood up, addressing Lykon again, "Well, with that settled for now, perhaps you are ready to meet with council?"

Arlo Clegg informs you that the Syrinx claim all of the land from Taloncleft (and its surrounding geography) in the east to Mudbottom Lake in the west. This includes the entirety of Owlwood Forest, Bitterroot Forest, and the hills around Death Lake. They also claim sovereignty over Strix Isle. They have been known to capture halflings from Mudbottom, and he suspects dwarves from Newdelve as well. Right now, there is a fragile peace between Degasi and the Syrinxes, and one of the provisions requires Degasi to maintain a hands-off policy involving settlements that are not party to the Segada Protocols. As such, both Newdelve and Mudbottom are outside their protection, much to the halflings' dismay.

[Othniel]

Wilderness

Rema's attack felled a third drake, and it plummeted to the ground, landing with a sickening crunch. With one fewer of their number to rely upon, the remaining two drakes renewed their efforts. Their teeth and tails had little effect, however, as both Haukr and Alori remained unhurt.

D3 Attacks Haukr, again with bite and tail.
Bite (Power Attack): [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Tail Slap (Power Attack): [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

D5 Attacks Alori, again with bite and tail.
Bite (Power Attack): [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]
Tail Slap (Power Attack): [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]

[Snowfire]

Rema

Only two left... Rema paused, considering which of the remaining targets to strike. Uncle would be fine, he had his spirits. Alori was currently alone against the drake that looked healthiest, only some light burns from the fireball Rema had flung at it. Well then.

She darted over the battlefield and descended behind the drake before moving in to take full advantage of flanking.

Move action: Fly around behind D5, staying out of reach until touching down and moving into strike range.
Standard action: Power Attack! [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

Irritated at her miss rate, Ragna took a deep breath and let it out, focusing on just hitting the flapping nuisances instead of trying for maximum effect.

Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim Off

Touch Attack vs. D3: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Touch Attack vs. D5: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Othniel]

Wilderness

The final two drakes fell dead and silence reigned, save for the bleat of the terrified goats running amok. Following the tracks of the drakes, the party eventually came to a cave along the shore, and finding it empty, relieved the fallen drakes of their ill-gotten goods.

XP:
The three of you each gain 1333 XP.

Loot:
Bronze flagon with warrior images (50 gp)
Crystal skull (80 gp)
Elaborate silver wind chimes (60 gp)
Gold and platinum statuette of a deity (750 gp)
Gold holy symbol (100 gp)
Ivory drinking horn with silver ends (110 gp)
Polished darkwood chalice (50 gp)
Set of six silver dice (75 gp)
Silver chalice with dragon carvings (150 gp)
Silver chess set (50 gp)
Silver comb with ornate handle (75 gp)
Silver hand mirror (75 gp)
Silver holy symbol (25 gp)
36 pp, 290 gp

The Next Day...

You have found a second flock of goats grazing in the plain, and in the distance, you spot a bundle on the plain ahead of you. Coming closer, you see that it is the body of a man lying facedown on the ground. Judging by the presence of the grubs on his body and the state of decomposition, he has been dead for about a day. He appears to be a native, if his bronze skin is anything to go by. He is is dressed in the local style with a suit of leather armor, and he bears many wounds. Underneath the man, you can see a bundle that appears to be a knapsack as well as the handle of a weapon.

You recognize the grubs as Rot Grubs, a particularly nasty form of grub that are drawn to corpses. The traveler must be wary, lest he come in contact with the grubs, for only a skilled healer or practitioner of healing magic can remove them safely. If one acts quickly within the first few seconds of contact (1 round), direct application of flame to the point of entry is enough to kill the grubs.
In fact, it requires the delicate touch of a healer of a Remove Disease spell (or similar effect) to rid an infected host of rot grubs once infestation has set in. Immunity to disease does not prevent infection. While infested, the host suffers constitution damage every round until death or cure.

Segada

Taking leave of Kiru, who would await news after the meeting with the council, Ambassador Clegg and the Andoran pioneers left his office and walked through the building to the council chamber of the House of Keys. The chamber was a two-storied room in the center of the governmental building. Around the outside of the room were seats for an audience, though they were only half-filled as the council was not in formal session that day. The center of the room displayed the council's semi-circular desk and seats, looking down upon a shorter desk where those questioned by the council would presumably be sat. It was do this shorter desk that Arlo Clegg led the others, offering the seats to his right to both Lykon and Corvos. Servants brought in another pair of seats for Tanith and Hadrian.

At the council's desk were seated six people, carved wood plaques displaying their names and titles for the benefit of guests and observers. From left to right they were: Peacekeeper Captain Tekawenda Ulash, Head Investigator Tadran Datotek, Mayor Wanakeena Awasuul, Spirit Writer Walela Tithawahn, High Council Member Ojiham Nekero, and High Council Member Skawahann Duburra. Mayor Awasuul waited as the party were seated and nodded to Ambassador Clegg. "Greetings Ambassador. I understand these are the guests you mentioned yesterday?" With Clegg's acknowledgement, the Mayor turned to the party and flashed a smile, "We welcome you to our shores, honored guests. While you are in our city, consider yourselves at home, but please do not stray west of the city without proper authorization, or you will meet Peacekeeper Captain Ulash in one of her more, shall we say, hands-on roles?" She turned to Ulash and grinned, while the other woman merely raised an eyebrow. Turning back to the party, Awasuul continued, "At any rate, there are some formalities to go over, and then I believe you have some business regarding the Strix in Ambassador Clegg's office?" She looked over at the ambassador again and the corners of her mouth turned upward in another slight smile. The ambassador, for his part, was trying his hardest not to look surprised. The rest of the council looked at the mayor as well, their expressions all testifying that this was also news to them. All except the Spirit Writer, that is, who was studiously observing the Head Investigator.

http://i.imgur.com/IZYdahS.png?1
Tall, armor-clad, muscular woman with a serious expression. She has many scars on her face and arms, and her left eye is covered with a patch.
A balding, grim-faced man wearing dark clothing. He eyes the party with suspicion, and maybe a bit of contempt.
Elderly woman with a keen glance. She observes all of the party members with interest, but scowls when she looks at the Head Investigator.
Tall, broad-shouldered man with a warrior’s build. Wears an elaborate hat that is decorated with many beads and feathers. Appears reserved, but has the spark of intelligence in his eyes. Watches the party with great interest.
Sandy-haired female gnome wearing a long, white robe with blue stars and crescent moons. Appears very indecisive, and often glances at Head Investigator Datotek. Eyes Corvos with particular interest.

[Snowfire]

Rema

"Everyone stand away from the corpse, please." Were Rema's first words on identifying the grubs crawling over the remains of the man, her form beginning a practiced shift into living flame. "I'd prefer to not have to set any of you on fire to prevent infection. I would prefer to simply cremate this man now, in honour, but he carries something. As wounded as he is, it could be something important. So if you would all stand back a moment, I will try to remove it safely. This form will keep me safe from the grubs."

With words said, and assuming no objections, Rema cast a single spell in the event of there being more afoot here than simple grubs, then moved forward and caught the pommel of the weapon in her hands. Taking the weapon by the blade, she looped the pommel through the knapsack's strap. Then she started to pull the bag out from under the body, taking care to not touch it with her burning form.

Wildshape into Fire Elemental, cast Barkskin.
Strength check to remove knapsack: [roll0]

[Othniel]

Wilderness

With the help of the sword, Rema pulled the knapsack from the body, and while the four travelers did not see any grubs upon it, they couldn't be sure there weren't any clinging to the folds or hidden inside. As they pondered how to search the knapsack, the sword lay on the grass, shining in the sunlight.

This +1 Mithral Longsword is of exquisite craftsmanship. Etchings of a great battle decorate the crossguard and glimmering blade, and the sword is undefiled by rot, weather, or time. The grip is wound with mithral wire and a sparkling sapphire decorates the pommel which bears the name of the sword in Taldane: Glimmer.

Segada

Ambassador Clegg led the way out of the council chambers and out to the street where he called another carriage for the five of them. The carriage took them down the main street again, in the same direction as their lodging, but this time they stopped at Blueberry Park. Clegg explained that the park was named for the numerous berry-producing bushes in the park that sagged with ripe fruit come late summer. The park was filled with plenty of shady trees and soft grass, as well as a pond in the southern end of the park that was the favorite swimming hole for the city's inhabitants. The north end of the park, where the party entered, housed a boundball court surrounded by log benches for spectators. Clegg suggested the colonists walk through the park, and he would meet them again near where they entered. He was going to get in touch with Spirit Writer Tithawahn before she met them.

The group spent the next two hours walking through the park, and then they took an early lunch before heading back to the entrance. There on a bench next to Ambassador Clegg sat the wizened old woman. A shining black cane was propped against the bench where she sat. She wore a woven straw hat and looked up with a smile as the party approached. "Come here, dears, and keep an old woman company," she said to Tanith and Hadrian (in near perfect Taldane), beckoning them forward and patting the bench between her and Clegg. "I have great-grandchildren somewhere around your ages, though I have not seen them in some time. I don't travel much these days, you know, save to the park here. I like to watch the families, as it reminds me of my own." Turning her attention to Lykon and Corvos, she adopted a more serious tone, "Now then, what exactly do you young people intend to do about the Strix, and more importantly, how earnest are you about it? I've been watching them for decades now, and they seem to be at the straining point with those foul, old owlmen. They just need a bit of a push and someone to give them a helping hand. What I want to know most importantly, however, is whether your intentions are true. Do you truly wish to help the Strix, or are you in it for your own ends?"

Popular throughout much of Arcadia, this sport has a long tradition, and variations of it date back millennia. Although the exact rules and dimensions of the field have changed since the game’s inception, current standards dictate that boundball is played on wide fields of trimmed grass where players use every part of their body but their hands to put a hard rubber ball through one of two vertically aligned hoops set opposite the field from one another.

The ball used in boundball is made of hard rubber and is the size of a small squash. Since the players bounce the ball off their chest, hips, shins, and feet, many of the players are covered in bruises and scrapes. While most of the players wear little more than short pants and thin hip guards, one player on each team uses a flat baton to knock the ball through the hoop, and another has oversized gloves and is the only player allowed to pick up the ball during play.

Once a year, a boundball tournament between 12 of Arcadia’s qualifying nations occurs in one of seven cities. The tournament’s location rotates between these cities each year, and Segada’s chance to host the championship is coming up in 2 years. Construction has already begun on a new park on the north side of town to host the event and the expected celebrations. Thousands of people from across much of Arcadia flood the host city for each event, and host cities welcome the gold they bring with them.

[Nefarion Xid]

"Back home, the people commonly accuse all politicians of being liars," said Corvos, modestly folding his arms over his chest. "That's a bit rubbish, isn't it? We must not be very good at it if everyone's in our secret."

He smiled coyly. "Deceit is a temporary solution, Spirit Writer. Keeping the truth buried is quite a challenge -- a little bit of it always finds its way to the surface, no matter how careful you thought you were. And once you know a man is a liar, that's it, isn't it? You won't have anything to do with them. In my experience, dishonest politicians don't last."

"Remember Thuldrin Kreed?" he turned to ask his brother. "He was a liar and everyone knew it. Just a liar and a bully with enough money to buy the loyalty of more liars and bullies. No one mourned Kreed when they Fey came for him. Fed him to giant spiders, the way I heard. No one cared. He'd defrauded so many people that no one would have saved him if they could."

"So, could we deceive you?" He made eye contact with the old woman again. "Probably! It's easy to lie to anyone once. By all means, don't trust us. We haven't done anything to earn your trust. You do what you think is right. We'll do what we were going to do anyway. If it all works out, then you can start throwing around words like "trust". And if it doesn't? Well ... then we've made an awful lot of enemies today, haven't we? You must have some giant spiders somewhere around here."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr


*** Back in Elesomare... ***


Haukr, Earlier

"You are an interesting man, Haukr Malmquist," Shossi said, eyeing the Skald over the rim of her mug as she took another drink. "No doubt tempered by your experiences the way a blade is tempered at the forge. More value should be placed on words, I think, and yet you are right to carry a weapon. I said before that I do not like violence, yes I realize that one must be prudent. It is the last resort, but in these lands one must keep a blade at hand." Shossi set her mug down and drew her sword, carefully setting it on the table before her. Its well-crafted blade was was keen and shone silvery, clearly made of mithral. Made primarily for one hand, the sword looked to be capable of forceful blows. The pommel and crossguard were intricately crafted in the Ulfen style, displaying images of tiny animals. "This is Temperance," she said by way of explanation.

http://img07.deviantart.net/f9af/i/2013/271/3/3/del_tin_viking_sword__pencil_draw__by_marcofaccio-d6o9bqa.jpg


Haukr gazed upon Temparance admiringly. "A fine blade. Made by one who loves their craft. I am partial to axes, myself, and my own is much more spartan in its make, but I know good work when I see it."

He smiled at Shossi.

"With skills such as these, I am certain your help would be invaluable. But for now..."

Haukr raised his flagon once again.

"A toast! To the power of words, and the hope of a brighter future!"

I think this is a good place to end the conversation.


*** At the fight with the drakes... ***

"Huzzah!"

With the battle over, Haukr ceased his raging song, and following the tracks of the drakes, marveled at their hoard.

"T'were it not for the fact that the coin these fetch will be invaluable in our endeavors, I would almost suggest keeping some of these. Very fine craftsmanship. Actually, dibs on the ivory drinking horn and bronze flagon - I'm putting those in my cupboard for special occasions."


*** Meanwhile, back in the present... ***


Having had his mind on other things, Haukr had not thought to speak when they had initially spotted the corpse; however, having enough of his wits about him to recognize the danger posed by the rot grubs, Haukr stood far away from the corpse, letting Rema attempt to remove the backpack. Though her efforts were successful, the backpack remained closed - and carried the possibility of grubs within it.

"If you will allow me, Rema, I have just the spell for this situation."

Performing a quick one-handed kata, a Mage Hand emanated from Haukr's own, and he grabbed the knapsack.

"When I shake it, all the contents, and any grubs inside, should fall out. Then you can kill them with your fire."

[Othniel]

Wilderness

As Haukr turned the knapsack upside down, the top fell open and a collection of items tumbled out: A flint and steel, a mess kit, a pair of waterskins, a utility knife, a rolled scroll, and a sheathed dagger. Much to the relief of the party, the knapsack appeared to be grub-free. Upon closer examination of the dagger, the party found that it had a hollow pommel, and packed tightly inside with wadded cloth, a small iron key.

Unrolling the scroll, you see that it is an annotated map displaying Shraedar Penninsula in very vague detail. Aside from the basic outline of the peninsula ending at the mountains to the west, the map displays only three other things: the locations of Creakwood Forest and the Shraedar River, and the location of what appears to be a village denoted by a collection of three, small hut-like drawings clumped together near where the edge of the forest meets the north shore of the river.

Looking back at the man's body, you notice that he is lying stretched out in an easterly direction, but his tracks lead to the southwest.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

His burned eye glittered at the Spirit Writer's question and at Corvos' response, before he turned his back on them all to observe the park.

"This is a beautiful city, elder. Mighty, proud. But for all its strength, it was not built alone."

He turned back towards the old woman.

"I am wise enough to know that one man, no matter how strong, cannot build a city. Cannot forge a nation. They must have friends."

His hand found his brother's shoulder and squeezed, sending a dull pain along his fingers.

"And the more friends, the better. Your mistrust is justified, elder, for as we are we are but interlopers new come to this land. But soon we will both call this land home. To my eyes, helping the Strix to rise up to their full glory is not counter to our interests. It is our interest. The Syrinx use them as slaves, little better than beasts of burden, and think themselves clever for their domination. But in the untapped promise of Kiru's people I see potential partners. Potential friends. And strong friends can accomplish far more than divided strangers."

Diplomacy: [roll0]

[Snowfire]

Rema

Looking down at the tracks, Rema blinked, then looked over at the man's body again. Tracks. Body. The directions were wrong. She made sure to stay away from contents of the knapsack, holding her form as she examined the tracks more closely.

"His body is lying in the wrong direction." She said, standing again. "If he got infected before death, we might have a minor infestation somewhere. Easy enough to dispose of, but it would be better to do that now, before we try to settle anyone here. And even if that isn't the case, his belongings are unusual enough," she gestured at the sword lying on the grass, "that I think where he came from bears investigation."

She moved over to the man's body, giving more attention to his wounds this time for a few moments. "Now unless there are any objections, I will see to this man's remains."

Heal check to try and work out what caused the man's wounds before Rema burns him to ash: [roll0]

[Othniel]

Segada

The party had spent the day in conference with Ambassador Arlo Clegg, followed up by a meeting with the Segada High Council. After the council meeting, they had received their proper paperwork and authorization for travel within the Arcadian lands that fell under the Segada Protocol's purview. Finally, upon signing the papers, the party members were acknowledged as having permission to begin construction of a settlement. Native guides would later be sent to the eventual building sites, but for now the party was given relative freedom of travel with only a warning not to venture too far into the interior of the continent without someone to guide them lest evil or misadventure befall them.

After that, the Ambassador had brought them to a meeting with Spirit Writer Walela Tithawahn, who he described as the chief spiritual authority in Segada, a woman of many years and much wisdom. She had been watching the Strix plight for some time, and deemed this as the golden opportunity to aid them through the actions of those newly come to Arcadia. She told them she would consult her library and respond to them in the morning. The party took their leave of the Spirit Writer and returned to their lodging for the remainder of the day to discuss their plans.

The next morning, an invitation arrived at the inn, requesting the presence of the party at the Spirit Writer's house. Upon arrival, they found their hostess waiting for them in a rocking chair. Seated upon the ground next to the old woman's feet was a young native woman of about twenty-five years. She was dressed in deerskin clothing and displayed various jewelry dominated by beads. She wore only a single feather tied to her hair (where the Spirit Writer had several) and bore a strong enough resemblance to the older woman that she must have been family. She looked up at the party with wondering eyes as they entered, but remained silent.

"Come in, come in," the old woman said. "This is my grand-niece, Lomasi Odina. She will one day be taking over my position as Spirit Writer after her mother, but for now she needs more worldly experience." Her wrinkled face produced a grandmotherly smile. "It is my decision that she should accompany you and do what she can to further my interests with your quest to free the Strix. I have explained the situation to her fully, and we are of one mind on the matter. I ask that you accord her the same respect you would me, and use what wisdom she has to your advantage. I will check on her daily, through use of a Sending spell, though of course communication will be limited."

"With regard to more material aid, I can furnish you with some supplies, though they will take some time to arrive. You see, I have certain discretionary funds that I may use as I see fit - I shall not bother you with the details, as it is frightfully dull - though I must utilize discretion when using these funds. I believe I mentioned the Head Investigator to you yesterday, hmm? Well, he sticks his nose in everything, so I cannot simply buy several wagons full of weapons for you." Then she smiled deviously. "What I can do is help your settlement along. To that end, I have prepared a list of supplies that should reach you in a few weeks' time. Lomasi, if you would?"

The younger woman stood and walked over to a nearby table. She picked up a sheaf of papers, and taking them to Corvos, offered them to the man with a demure bow of the head and a sidelong glance of curiosity at Lykon.

"I took the liberty of having a new map of what you folk call Shraedar Peninsula drawn up, as that is where your folk seem to be intent on exploration," the Spirit Writer said. "I could see* that young lady from the Andoran colony accompanying several of what I assume are your companions in the plains of the peninsula. A spirited girl, to be sure, though not entirely confident in her own abilities after what she's experienced."

The first is a scroll listing various raw materials and goods totaling 5 Build Points.
The second is a newly-drawn map of Shraedar Penninsula with a number of locations marked thereupon that the party had been previously unaware of.
The Spirit Writer is describing what sounds a lot like the result of a divination spell.
http://i.imgur.com/3Q9xZaq.png?1

Wilderness

The explorers disposed of the body, making sure to account for the rot grubs, lest they become a problem later. Venturing on again, the party headed southwest, continuing into the plains. Eventually, in the distance, they spied a cluster of small cabins (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-16QFOEV64EPnrIf_6eZT2Z_7NaNIyPCBanONIaFfZ0/edit#gid=1494786701), surrounded by a shady grove at the bottom of a hill. From a distance, there was no tell-tale sign of life such as smoke or the sound of people or domesticated animals.

It is hard to tell what caused the man's wounds. There are deep rents in his skin and what almost look like bite marks. Judging by the size of his wounds, they were made by some kind of monstrous humanoid. It is impossible to determine what kind, lacking other evidence.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Lykon bowed respectfully to the Spirit Writer and her granddaughter, but refrained from speaking until the old woman finished. Having examined the documents in his brother's hands with great interest, he gave Lomasi a small smile before turning towards her grandmother.

"You have my sincere thanks, elder, for your generosity and your courage. Knowing that one of your blood stands with us shall only bolster our resolve."

He turned back to the young woman, raising a hand in a courtly gesture of welcome.

"I am Lykon Marius, though I have no doubt you already knew as much. Still, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Diplomacy for good impressions!

1d20+17

[Othniel]

Lykon & Co.

The next day, the Mariuses headed back on the road to Elesomare, accompanied again by Captain Haventhorne and the newest addition to the group, Lomasi Odina. It was about three hours past noon, when suddenly from the right side of the road a trio of arrows sped toward the party. Two of them passed by harmlessly, but the third impacted Captain Haventhorne, lodging itself in his arm. "Ambush!" he cried, and dismounted quickly, using his horse as cover. "Find cover!"

You are now in combat, and have won initiative!
Captain Haventhorne has taken 15 damage from the arrow.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Lykon's eyes widened in momentary shock as arrows flew from the trees. Then, his attention shot to his children.

"Get down! Faola, attack!"

Reaching towards the sky, Lykon's fingers twitched as the shadows of the forest streamed into an orb above them. With a final word, the orb streamed towards the hidden attackers to burst into black embers.

Lykon casts Dust of Twilight (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/d/dust-of-twilight) towards the arrows, resulting in a ten foot burst around B. Save DC = 18

After the spell, Faola will rush towards the arrows.

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos scowled. Some poor fool highwayman and his friends were going to die painfully because they chose the wrong targets. While sliding off his horse to take cover behind the beast, he flicked his hand and lobbed a bead of fire towards the bush, aiming it so it would explode in the air a safe distance away from the wolf.

[roll0] 18 Reflex

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Looking at the arrows whizz by in the air, Tanith instinctively clutched her waist, and in a flash withdrew one of her sawtooth sabres hidden away upon her steed. Rushing forward, she looked back sternly to Hadrian and muttered "Get back, I'll handle this." And with that she stuck close to the massive horses mane and rode up alongside the bandit swiping at him with her saber.


Charging the Bandit with a Piranha Strike.

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

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr


Wilderness

The explorers disposed of the body, making sure to account for the rot grubs, lest they become a problem later. Venturing on again, the party headed southwest, continuing into the plains. Eventually, in the distance, they spied a cluster of small cabins (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-16QFOEV64EPnrIf_6eZT2Z_7NaNIyPCBanONIaFfZ0/edit#gid=1494786701), surrounded by a shady grove at the bottom of a hill. From a distance, there was no tell-tale sign of life such as smoke or the sound of people or domesticated animals.

It is hard to tell what caused the man's wounds. There are deep rents in his skin and what almost look like bite marks. Judging by the size of his wounds, they were made by some kind of monstrous humanoid. It is impossible to determine what kind, lacking other evidence.

Haukr narrowed his eyes as he took in the scene of the thorpe.

"A settlement, this far away from civilization? And yet with no sign of people. That can only mean one thing - either they're all dead, or it's a trap. Likely both."

He then narrowed his eyes, taking a few minutes to examine the scene as carefully as possible before turning to Rema, Ragna, and Alori.

I would like to take 20 on Perception to see if there's anything of note that can be spotted from our current position.
"I have enough energy to be able to cast Invisibility on all four of us. Should we go for it?"

[Othniel]

On the road from Segada to Elesomare

Captain Haventhorne, shrugging off the attack, drew his bastard sword and sped forward, interposing himself between his wards and the direction of the archer. Meanwhile, Lomasi dismounted form her horse and moved to stand near the Marius brothers.

The archer, surprised by the ferocity of the young girl's attack, took an involuntary step back, raising his bow to shoot. "Now would be a good time!" he hollered to seemingly nobody.

But somebody heard. In front of the party along the road materialized a halfling dressed in hide armor (At AL50), muttering and waving his hands as he manipulated spell components. A moment later, a peal of thunder rumbled and a lightning bolt streaked down toward Lykon. After releasing the bolt of lightning, the halfling ducked off the side of the path behind a tree.

To the left of the party, another figure appeared mid-spell, and a second bolt of lightning flew toward Lykon, emerging from the fingertips of a female elf in flowing robes. Mimicking her compatriot's movements, the elf moved back within the trees.

Haventhorne double moves to V53.
Lomasi dismounts and moves to

B1 5' step to AA61 and full attack vs Tanith.
Attack (Deadly Aim): [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Attack (Deadly Aim): [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

Attack (Deadly Aim): [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]

Hafling's spell does [roll6] Lightning Damage to Lykon (DC 15 reflex save for half)
Save: [roll7]
Halfling then ducks behind tree at AL53.

Elf's spell does [roll8] Lightning Damage to Lykon, Lomasi, and Lykon's Horse (DC 17 reflex save for half)
Lykon's Save: [roll9]
Lomasi's Save:[roll10]
Lykon's Horse's Save: [roll11]
Elf then moves back out of direct line of sight to AD42.

[Snowfire]

Rema

Rema knelt by the man's corpse, letting the fire around her burn away any grubs that attempt to come close. She laid a hand where her heart would be as a human, the other reaching out to cover the man's chest, and she murmured a short blessing in Mahwek that Kaniehtiio had taught her, one she had seen carried out for the dead on the few occasions they had run across lost lives. It was a simple thing, but she could hope that it would see to the man's passage. If nothing else, that he might be content that the last of his body would nourish his homeland.

"There is no death," A fiery hand touched where his heart would have been, and flame sprang to life around it. "There is only a change of worlds."

She rose, stepped back a pace, and then the fire melted away around her as it raced across the corpse before her.

"That could be wise," Rema said quietly, having matched her uncle's observation with one of her own. "It might be nothing, but I do not like this." She muttered a few words, melding a shard of bark on the ground with her skin, and then spinning to life a web of power that would enhance her own abilities. "Let's see what that man left behind."

Taking 20 on Perception as well, then casting Barkskin and Greater Magic Fang (not all attacks version) on herself.

[Tychris1]

Tanith

The ambush turned from a petty nuisance into a legitimate danger with the arrival of two magic users, Tanith's attention getting drawn from her current engagement as she watched to see if her father was okay.

Stupid.

She returned her focus just in time to see the volley of arrows get aimed her way, and with preternatural reflexes bobbed her head and pivoted her body to avoid the arrows by the skin of her teeth. Staring down her opponent, Tanith rode forward raising her sword high in the air and slashing downward to slice his throat in one clean cut.


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

[Nefarion Xid]

"So ... someone wants us dead," Corvos said flatly, gripping the reigns of his horse and hiding behind its shoulder.

"Try it again, you pointy eared tart! Or have you already used up your good spells for the day?"

Corvos readies an action to Fireball a square near the elf if she begins to cast a spell. 6d6 vs 18 reflex

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Hissing in pain, Lykon reached out a clawed hand to grip the small druid's heart, hopefully to stop him dead. Then, with a flick of his wrists, he guided his horse behind the cover of the treeline, Hadrian close behind. Meanwhile, Faola circled around the offending archer and attempted to unsteady him with her jaws.

Lykon will cast Hold Person on the halfling, Will DC 18, then use his move action to direct his mount.

Faola will attack.

Bite: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Crit: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

Trip: [roll4]

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

"They could just be out." Ragna's accent faded considerably as she slipped into her Blackjack mentality. "Small village like this might need everyone to do things, periodically. Like set up ambushes." She sighed. "Sure, let's sneak in. Better to cause a huge misunderstanding than get caught off guard. Probably."

I guess I'll join the cool kids and take a 20 on Perception. If we don't get attacked during that time, but are somehow in initiative, Ragna will ready to cast Gravity Gun should someone hostile appear.

[Othniel]

On the road from Segada to Elesomare

Captain Haventhorne stopped in his tracks and glanced back at Lomasi, who was still reeling from the lightning that has washed over her. She shook her head and started to cast a spell. Mist rose up from the ground and blanketed the area. Haventhorne continued on, shield raised, and he ducked behind a tree.

The archer, hemmed in by Tanith and Faola decided discretion was the better part of valor, and took off at a run, throwing a parting shot behind him at the wolf.

Paralyzed in place by Lykon, the halfling had no choice but to rage silently (and immovably) against his invisible bonds. The last of the trio of assailants watched Captain Haventhorne dash forward, and prepared to shoot another bold of lightning at him, but Corvos had timed his action just right to interrupt her, dropping a huge fireball around the Elven mage. The mage's spell died at her fingertips, and she stumbled backward, ducking behind a tree.

Lomasi darts into the trees and casts Obscuring Mist.
Captain Haventhorne goes Total Defense and seeks refuge behind a tree.

B1 Withdraws, moving to AL62, but uses Parting Shot to fire an arrow at Faola.
Attack (Deadly Aim): [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

B2 Full Round Action to break free of Hold Person: [roll2]

B3 Failed Reflex Save. Autofails Concentration check. Move action to...move.

Wilderness

Not much was visible beyond a cooled fire pit between the three cabins. Save for the chirping of birds, silenced reigned.

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos took off at a jog towards the trees while tracing the elf's path with an outstretched finger.

"Last words?" He didn't wait for an answer. Merely lobbing another Fireball behind the trees where she'd taken cover.

[roll0] 18 vs reflex

"Yes ... they all say that."

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Shrouded in cooling fog, Lykon whispered a few words of vitalizing power. A warm golden glow rose from his hands, spreading up and along his body as his wounds began to close. Meanwhile, outside the mist, Faola snarled in pain as an arrow pierced her side. Yet her fury did not abate, and she closed the distance with her attacker swiftly.

Lykon casts Cure Serious Wounds on himself: [roll0]

Faola Charges:

Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

Crit: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

Trip: [roll5]

[Tychris1]

Tanith

"You don't get away that easily, sniveling worm."

Her voice fell to a low growl, bits of her foreign accent bleeding in from the utter disdain she felt for the coward who dare run from her and shoot her fathers companion. Gripping the reins of her supernatural stallion, Tanith rushed it forward with a kick, clutching tightly to its muscled mane as she banked to the right and cut around the trees that interposed her and her quarry. The moment she turned around the tree instinct kicked in and she threw the ensorcelled saber. And as if guided by Achaekek's blood drenched claws, the sawtoothed blade ripped flesh and buried itself within his neck, blood spurting about as Tanith watched the display with a dark coy smile.


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

[Othniel]

On the road from Segada to Elesomare

Stuff Happens. See OOC for details.

Lomasi Channels Energy, healing herself, Lykon, and Lykon's mount for [roll0]
Captain Haventhorne keeps moving forward.
Druid attempts save vs Hold Person: [roll1]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

"Well, we've been waiting 5 whole minutes and no sign of anyone. I will cast invisibility on myself and head on in, unless anyone wants to come with me. If there were some sort of hostile presence, I think we would have seen it by now."

Casting invisibility on anyone who indicated they wished to follow and then himself, Haukr made his way into the center of the village, then took a look around before poking his head into the easternmost hut.

Stealth: [roll0]

[Nefarion Xid]

On the road from Segada to Elesomare

"You'd best give up now unless you've got some more invisible friends! We only need one of you alive for questioning." Corvos called out from behind the tree, emerging to fire off an exploding diamond shard before ducking into cover.

Glitterdust, 17 vs Will. Location: Doesn't matter so long as the halfling gets hit

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Feeling a surge of positive energy rush over him and his horse, Lykon felt confident in returning to the fray. He emerged from the billowing fog in time to see his brother fling a fist of sparkling diamond dust towards their sole visible attacker, only to be followed by a snarling charge from Faola. He reached out an open hand, smoke rising from his empty palm, and suddenly closed his fingers into a fist. Above the halfling, a ball of roaring flame materialized, threatening to engulf the tiny form.

Lykon casts Flaming Sphere, materializing it in the halfling's space for [roll0] fire damage, Reflex DC 18 for half.

Faola charges, and hopes to be proven a good girl finally.

Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]


Crit: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

Trip: [roll5]

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Slowly riding forward to the dying man, Tanith tutted softly and shook her head before reaching one sculpted hand down to grab the handle of her divine blade. Looking into his fearful, rapidly glazing over eyes, Tanith felt a hollow ringing through her chest. A signal from her ingrained mentoring to act a certain way when presented with certain sights, she repressed it for now, a cursory glance revealing that the roar of combat and the nearby foliage would make any direct observations of her a tertiary sight at best.

"I wonder what your name was. I wonder if you even deserved it. Maybe your children won't make the same mistakes as you. Considering foolishness is hereditary though, I doubt it. If I find one of them I'll make sure they're educated. I promise you that."

And with that she pulled the saber out of his rapidly fading body before riding off to rejoin her father and uncle in handling the last bandit.

[Othniel]

On the road from Segada to Elesomare

Finally able to catch up with the halfling, Captain Haventhorne brought his bastard sword down in a powerful overhand chop against the prone halfling. The halfling, perhaps suddenly pondering mortality while staring death in the face, suddenly took on the appearance of living flame and stood up.

Haventhorne's blade took the halfling's head off cleanly, and it rolled away, coming to rest some ten feet down the road.

CH moves to AK54 and Power Attacks: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

B1 Fort save to stop dying: [roll2]

B2 just lays there.

B3 Wildshapes into a Small Fire Elemental and stands up, triggering an Attack of Opportunity from both Faola and Captain Haventhorne.
CH: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

[Othniel]

On the road from Segada to Elesomare

Wounds were healed, and foes were despoiled of their equipment. Among the ranger's belongings was an unsealed letter.

"There is a party of Andorans traveling to Segada. You will find their likenesses below. When they inevitably return toward the Andoran colony, kill them. Make it look like brigands.

- S"

Drawn below the short note were likenesses of both Lykon and Corvos.
The three of you each gain 1600 XP.

Sorceress:
Scroll of fly
Scroll of gaseous form
Scroll of levitate
Masterwork longbow with 20 arrows
Spear
Cloak of resistance +1
Ring of protection +1
375 gp

Ranger:
+1 Composite longbow (+3 Str)
40 arrows
Cold iron arrows (10)
Alchemical silver arrows (10)
Masterwork chain shirt
Masterwork buckler
Masterwork longsword
Dagger

Druid:
Scroll of longstrider
Wand of barkskin (7 charges)
Wand of cure moderate wounds (15 charges)
Wand of magic fang (8 charges)
+1 Hide armor,
Darkwood masterwork heavy wooden shield
Masterwork sickle
Masterwork sling with 20 bullets
Antitoxin
Holly and mistletoe
Spell component pouch
52 gp

[Snowfire]

Rema

"That or they're very good at hiding, which could be even more troublesome." Rema accepted the spell from her uncle, then led the way towards the eastern cabin, watching to see where the man's tracks led.

Stealth: [roll0]
Survival (Tracking): [roll1]

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos took a moment to center himself, rubbing his temples to assuage the sudden headache that had come on from unleashing so much power in so little time. He hadn't let loose with that level of arcane fury for many years and likened the feeling to attempting to power through a long night of drunkenness with coffee. He had quite a lot of experience with both during his academy years.

After checking on his brother's well-being, he prudently extinguished the fires he'd set with liberal castings of Ray of Frost before retrieving the unconscious and slightly toasty elf.

"That was invigorating," he droned while watching the Captain bind the survivors. Once they were secure, he cast Charm Person on both of them until the spell took, starting with the ranger.

[Othniel]

Wilderness

The area in the middle of the cabins was a mess of footprints, and it was impossible for Rema or Alori to ascertain which cabin the tracks originated from, for they led to and from all three structures and back again several times before finally heading off in a northeasterly direction (the way the explorers had come). What Rema did notice, however, was that the man's was not the only set of prints. Two more smaller sets were scattered around the area as well. The four of them split up, trying different cabins simultaneously. Haukr and Rema chose the western cabin, and Ragna the north, leaving the larger southern cabin the the governor's daughter, Alori Strand.

Haukr was the first try the door of the easternmost cabin. It was unlocked and pushed open with a squeak. Peering inside, the Skald found the cabin deserted, and saw that a thick layer of dust covered everything. There was a stone fireplace to the north (left from the doorway) that looked like it hadn't been used in years. A table with four chairs sat off to the right of the door, and past that stood a cupboard, its doors hanging open and displaying emptiness. A set of three beds (one double and two singles) were pushed against the east wall, though the bedding was long gone and they'd been reduced to the frames and wooden slats.

Ragna's choice of cabin was similarly laid out (and similarly plundered), though where there had been three beds in the first cabin, the two smaller pieces of furniture had been replaced with a large, wooden trunk. The trunk's lid was caved in as if it had been forcefully smashed with a large, heavy object.

The third and largest cabin, however, was different. Upon trying the handle, the half-elf woman found it locked. Turning to the others, she called out to them, "This one's locked. Shall I pick it?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Haukr smacked himself on the head.

The point of the invisiblity was so that no-one would know we were coming... then again, at this point, it's looking increasingly unlikely that there is anyone, so I suppose it's not that bad.

Approaching Alori, axe held out, he positioned himself beside the door so as to be able to hit anything that charged out and replied.

"Do it."

[Othniel]

Wilderness

Alori nodded and knelt by the door, drawing out her set of lockpicks. Just as she was about to insert one, a "click" was heard and the door pulled open from inside, revealing a woman. She had long, black hair and dark skin that gave her the appearance of being a Mahwek native. Her deerskin clothing was worn in such a way that it clung to her in all the right places. She looked down at Alori, "My dear, did you even think of trying to knock?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Not wanting the situation to get out of control, Haukr lowered his axe (but did not sheathe it), then dismissed his invisibility spell.

"You'll have to forgive us, madam. We would have knocked if we'd known anyone was home, but to all appearances, it looked as if this place was abandoned."

Haukr then realized something.

"As long as we have your attention, tell us - do you perchance happen to know a man who..."

Haukr gave a description of the corpse they'd found.

"If so, then... I apologize but it appears as if he was attacked by a monster."
Diplomacy: [roll0]

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

The elf froze where she was and then sidled to one side of the door as slowly as possible, still looking out for trouble. She didn't say anything - better to hide numbers, at least for the moment.

[Othniel]

Wilderness

"Oh, my! Another one," the woman replied as Haukr winked into visibility. "And a handsome one at that," she added, her eyes taking in all that was Haukr. She smiled widely and leaned against the door frame as Haukr spoke. "Oh, that must have been the man who stayed here one evening. We didn't speak much," she said, the suggestive tone in her voice speaking volumes. The woman frowned for a moment. "Pardon my manners, but my name is Ayita. What is yours?"

You do not sense any deception from the woman, but something feels odd.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

"The name's Haukr, milady - storyteller and warrior, at your service."

Haukr gave a gracious little bow, a charming smile on his face. His mind, however, was turning.

We didn't speak much - there are a lot of things that that could refer to. Is she, perhaps, in league with whatever killed him, and that was why they didn't speak much? Aside from the presumable intimate relationship?

"You said he was here one evening - did he happen to state anything about why he was here? Actually... if you don't mind my asking, what brings you out to this remote stretch of the woods? It doesn't seem like there's much to this surrounding area."
Diplomacy: [roll0]

[Othniel]

Wilderness

The woman looked at Haukr thoughtfully and then replied, "He said he was searching for a monster that he was told lives in the area, but as he only found me, he moved on the next morning. As for what brings me here? Why, kind sir, I live here. The solitude is nice, though I do get awful lonely..." As she said this last, she gazed deep into Haukr's eyes and smiled coyly. "Perhaps you would care to join me for dinner this evening? You are more than welcome to stay the night as well," she continued, though she seemed to have forgotten the presence of Alori.

You detect no lie in her words, but something is still bothering you.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Okay, now I really am getting bad vibes from this. Either she simply never learned how not to be creepy, or she's a shape-shifted monster that is trying to trick me into coming inside so she can eat me. Let's see how she responds to a refusal.

"You'll have to forgive me, madam, but I'm rather afraid that I cannot afford to lie around - the life of an explorer is a difficult one, though I confess it has its juicy bits. It's a job you can really get excited about, something to sink your teeth into."

Charisma Check (to see if mentioning the stuff about being juicy or sinking teeth into something gets a rise out of her): [roll0]

Haukr would also like to make a Perception check to see if he can see past her into the cabin (remember he has darkvision), and a Knowledge check offhand to see if he can recall any man-eating monsters that can change into a human-like form.

If the woman becomes insistent or hostile, he will cast Detect Magic ​on her.

[Othniel]

Elesomare

Roughly a day after being ambushed in the woods, Lykon, Corvos, and the rest arrived back in Elesomare. Captain Haventhorne led the way, heading straight to summon Governor Strand, who was just finishing up a lovely dinner of salmon and roasted red potatoes at the Liberty's Rest. As the party trooped in, the governor rose to meet them. "Welcome back, my friends! I trust everything went well on your little trip to Segada?"

Wilderness

If the woman was affected by Haukr's choice of words, she did not show it, but she did look somewhat disappointed. "Are you sure? It would be no bother to provide food for you and your lady friend here, even if you don't stay the night. Surely you must be hungry, out here in the wilderness, subsisting on traveler's fare?"

You recall that there are plenty of creatures in the world that can alter their form, either through magic or inherent abilities. Succubi, hags, doppelgangers, and lycanthropes are some of the more commonly known creatures with such abilities.

With regard to the cabin, it seems to be similar to the first one you looked in. There are a pair of bed frames shoved against the western wall, and makeshift sleeping arrangements (straw and tattered cloth) seem to have been made near the fireplace. A bare table and four chairs stand in the middle of the room, and off to the east side stands another wooden cupboard (closed). Above the hearth and fireplace hang various plants that look to be herbs (you do not recognize any of them).

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Damn. No way to get definitive proof of whether she's evil or not without letting her get the drop on us - too many things she could be.

Well... if I detect magic on her, and she's a monster, then at least I'm not taken by surprise. If she's not a monster, I'm sure I can smooth things over.

"Well, it would be rude not to accept such a generous offer... very well. Of course, there is one thing that I need to do beforehand."

Still with his axe out, Haukr casts Detect Magic.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Favoring the governor with a friendly nod, Lykon but shrugged his shoulders.

"Segada herself proved an enchanting destination, to be sure, but we encountered some small trouble on the road. Bandits, of all things. We managed to capture two alive, but sadly left one dead. None in our party were harmed."

[Othniel]

Wilderness

Both Ragna and Rema crept closer so as to better hear and understand what was being said. Rema had transformed into a weasel and slunk beneath the woman, giving her a weasel's eye view of the cabin. Alori remained at Haukr's side, listening to the exchange, an expression of mistrust upon her face. The woman, for her part, barely reacted when Haukr cast his spell. "Did no one ever tell you that it is rude to do that to someone?" she asked, fixing Haukr with an amused look. "Come inside. I will forgive your rudeness if you tell me what you are doing in these lands. I get so few travelers out in these parts." Ayita beckoned Haukr and Alori in, turning as she did so, and walked inside where she stood waiting behind the table. "Please, sit down, and I will fix you something to eat."

There are a pair of bed frames shoved against the western wall, and makeshift sleeping arrangements (straw and tattered cloth) seem to have been made near the fireplace. Across from the door is a closed chest. A bare table and four chairs stand in the middle of the room, and off to the east side stands another wooden cupboard (closed). Above the hearth and fireplace hang various plants that look to be herbs. Most of them appear to be mundane herbs for cooking, but you also spot a cluster of reddish-brown leaves that you identify as Flayleaf, a potent analgesic and muscle relaxant that also has the side effect of rendering the user particularly susceptible to suggestion. The berries of the flayleaf plant are sometimes crushed and mixed with dream spider venom and spiderberry tea to produce a potent hallucinogen called Riddleport Tea, which can cause outbursts of violence followed by fatigue.
You detect no magic on or from the woman, though there appear to be several auras coming from behind her, perhaps from inside the chest against the wall? There are two moderate auras and four faint aura, all coming from the same direction.
Something still feels very strange about the situation, and while it does not feel like Ayita has told you any lies, she may be leaving something out.
Those who are still invisible have approximately four minutes duration remaining.

Elesomare

"Bandits!" thundered the governor, "On the road to Segada? We've heard of the occasional bandit attack, but they have mostly left us Andorans alone before now." Strand stroked his beard thoughtfully as he looked at Lykon. "Well, you can handle yourselves well enough, at any rate. I'll admit I had my misgivings when you arrived, but you do appear unhurt, which I am glad to hear. If you like, we can hang the bandits for you, once there's a proper trial and all, of course. I serve as judge around here in addition to my duties as governor, though we haven't had more than the occasional scuffle or disagreement to adjudicate. Haven't had the chance to try someone for murder yet."

Strand sounds legitimately surprised to hear about bandits. He also sounds excited about the prospect of hanging them.

[Tychris1]

Tanith

"My father is a wise and merciful man, seeing more use for them alive than dead, and in the light of Sarenrae all can be redeemed and set down the path of the righteous. As it is told in The Birth of Light and Truth. A small time bandit deserves to be educated and rectified, not given a noose."

[Nefarion Xid]

"Yes," Corvos added, smiling down at Tanith, "No harm done. Nothing a few cure spells couldn't fix anyway. Well, ignoring the fellow that lost his head. No second chances for him, I'm afraid."

[Snowfire]

Rema

Rema scampered forward carefully, slipping beneath the table and taking up position under the bed that smelt less of bodily fluids where she could see the woman's supply of Flayleaf. If she started the fire, she would use her magic to direct a rather lively spark into the plant's leaves. If nothing else, it would hopefully act as a message her uncle would understand.

Above is assuming Haukr enters. But if so Rema will move into the cabin and hide under one of the beds, making sure to keep line of effect on the Flayleaf plant. If or when the woman starts the fire, she will use Spark to ruin the plant's leaves. If Rema sees the woman using another source of Flayleaf, she will probably be forced to take more extreme measures.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Smiling at his daughter's well-rehearsed lies, Ltkon returned his attention to the governor.

"Indeed, Governor Strand, should you agree I should like to take the two surviving bandits into my custody for transport south. From your words it sounds as if they have done little harm to Elesomare, and while the attack on my party was a grievous crime I believe them to be misled rather than actively malicious. With the proper guidance, I believe they can become productive members of society, if given the clean slate that a new colony offers."

Diplomacy: [roll0]

[Othniel]

Wilderness

More pending...

[10:53:01 PM] Lord Of Mantas: Following after Ayita, Haukr sat down at the table.

"You will have to forgive my rudeness, madam. We've had a few run-ins with some rather devious monsters - drakes, wolves, even an odd ghost or two. Wanted to make sure nothing snuck up on us. Can't be too careful nowadays."

(bluff check goes here, at +13)

Slipping his hand behind his back, Haukr then signed to anyone behind him.

(Auras inside chest.)

(Second bluff check to pass secret message goes here, also at +13)
[10:54:51 PM] Lord Of Mantas: "As for what we're doing, we're part of an expedition to chart and explore the lands in this peninsula - we're the advance party for a colonization expedition. We've seen some rather lush territory so far - we may well end up being neighbours."
[10:55:04 PM] Othniel: (Roll your bluff checks in the OOC when you get a moment)
[10:56:42 PM] Lord Of Mantas: Bluff Ayita: 25
SEcret Message: 31
[10:57:35 PM] Othniel: Okay, Ragna and Alori understand. Rema can't see it since she's now inside.
[11:00:23 PM] Othniel: The woman tilts her head slightly, and her eyes widen slightly. "Drakes, wolves, and ghosts? My, you certainly have been busy. And you fought them all off? You must be famished! Now then, what would you like to eat? Perhaps some local game and vegetables? And some nice, strong wine as well?"
[11:02:00 PM] Lord Of Mantas: "That sounds lovely. And thank you once again for the hospitality."
[11:02:13 PM] Lord Of Mantas: (It goes without saying that Haukr watches her carefully.)
[11:02:28 PM] Othniel: (Of course.)
[11:08:20 PM] Othniel: Ayita busies herself with opening various doors and drawers of her cupboards, and in the matter of about two minutes, three places are set with wooden plates, utensils, and cups. "I do apologize for the roughness of my tableware, but this is the wilderness, after all. Now then, hold on a moment..."

Ayita stands at the head of the table (the cold hearth to her back) and lifts her hands into the air. A slightly wild gleam shines in her eyes and as she waves her hands over the table, dishes suddenly fill with food and containers with drink. There are bowls of fresh fruits and roasted vegetables, platters of roasted mutton, goat, and fish, and a large carafe filled with a gold-colored liquid. It smells heavenly and looks delicious.

Seating herself across from Haukr, Ayita smiles broadly. "Do enjoy."
[11:09:05 PM] Lord Of Mantas: Spellcraft check?
[11:09:34 PM] Lord Of Mantas: (+9)
[11:09:44 PM] Othniel: You get to roll spellcraft
[11:13:47 PM] Lord Of Mantas: Oh, I do?
[11:13:48 PM] Lord Of Mantas: Sweet
[11:13:51 PM] Lord Of Mantas: Gimme a sec
[11:14:46 PM] Lord Of Mantas: 26. My dice are hot.
[11:18:19 PM] Othniel: You do not identify what just happened as the result of a spell. However, Alori looks at her food and says she isn't hungry.
[11:19:10 PM] Lord Of Mantas: Secret Sense Motive spell?
[11:19:17 PM] Lord Of Mantas: Oh, whoops, misread that.
[11:19:32 PM] Othniel: Rephrasing: Your spellcraft tells you nothing :P
[11:19:38 PM] Lord Of Mantas: Yup.
[11:20:01 PM] Lord Of Mantas: Haukr makes a perception check and then begins digging in if he can't find any sign of poison.
[11:20:31 PM] Lord Of Mantas: He stays away from the drink for now.
[11:20:32 PM] Othniel: <rolls perception>
[11:20:41 PM] Othniel: You do not perceive any poison.
[11:21:40 PM] Lord Of Mantas: He carves himself a few hefty hunks of mutton before picking a few choice fruits, some roasted roots, and chows down.
[11:22:01 PM] Lord Of Mantas: "Tell me - I've never seen any such ability as what you did. How did you create such a feast?"
[11:22:46 PM] Othniel: Akiya takes a drink from her own cup, all the while staring intently at Haukr over the brim. "Oh, I've always had that ability," she says.
[11:23:55 PM] Lord Of Mantas: "Really, now? I've seen a wide array of people with strange abilities, but none quite such as that."

(INT check to see if Haukr's ever heard of anyone with natural abilities such as that.)
[11:24:47 PM] Lord Of Mantas: 10. Probably not gonna get anyting.
[11:24:57 PM] Othniel: Not a thing
[11:28:19 PM] Othniel: "There are many things in this world, my dear. I doubt you have seen it all,"

Alori frowns at the woman and stands up. "I'm going to sit outside," she says irritably.
[11:28:46 PM] Othniel: I should probably give Jade and Snow an opportunity to do something before their invisibility wears off.
[11:29:11 PM] Othniel: In case Snow suddenly appears in the room :P

Elesomare

Strand looked at Tanith, Corvos, and finally Lykon. His expression told them that he was skeptical, but then he shrugged. "Very well; they're your prisoners anyway, but do keep an eye on them, would you? I would hate to have my daughter living in close proximity to attempted murderers. Was there anything else? I imagine you are eager to sail off to meet the rest of your expedition."

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Nodding to the Governor's generosity, Lykon made as if to leave before remembering a final detail.

"There is but one final item, Governor Strand, before we take our leave. Captain Havethorne has expressed some interest in accompanying us to our new colony - I was hoping you would agree, and sign transfer papers to that effect."

Diplomacy: [roll0]

[Othniel]

Elesomare

"That's a mighty tall request," Strand replied, "Haventhorne is sort of my right-hand man, and he does an awful lot to keep this place safe." The governor scratched his chin thoughtfully, weighing the request in his mind. "I'll grant that we've been pretty save for some time. There aren't any known threats in the immediate area - save for the Chelaxians across the water, and they've pretty much left us alone - but this business with Canorus does make me a little nervous about letting my best man go." Then he sighed and his shoulder slumped a little. "Take Haventhorne with you. You will probably have more need of him than I shall, but I ask that you remember this - remember the friendship of Alvarr Strand - should I ask a favor of you some day."

After asking Lykon to remember his good will, Strand walked over to the town hall and waved the Mariuses into his office. It was a frugally-appointed room. There was one window in the northern wall facing down the street to the gate. Several roughly-made wooden chairs were pushed up against the walls, or standing in front of his desk. The desk was the one item of luxury in the room. Made out of darkwood, it had detailed carvings of trees covering the back and sides, and the top was a polished cross-section of a tree of great age, judging by the number of rings. One painting hung on the eastern wall depicting a younger-looking Strand standing behind an Elven woman and a young girl that looked to be his daughter as a child. The Elven woman looked very much like Alori, save that she was taller, thinner, and the points of ear ears were more pronounced. Strand moved over to sit behind his desk and rummaged around in a drawer, finally pulling out some official-looking stationary and a quill pen. Dipping the pen into a container of ink, the governor wrote out an official transfer notice for Captain Haventhorne. When he was done, he eyed Lykon's hands and pushed it across the desk toward Corvos along with the pen. Then he laughed as if an amusing thought had suddenly occurred to him. "Well, now is there anything else you would have of me? You have my daughter, my captain, and my best smith already." But there was no grudging tone in his voice.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

As the ink dried in his brother's hands, Lykon placed a palm against the polished wood of the desk and met the Governor's eye with an earnest gaze.

"You have done a great deal to help us, Governor Strand, and you have done it with graceful hospitality. Neither I nor my family shall forget the many kindnesses you have provided. And while it would warm my heart to spend more time in your thriving town, it is past time we attended to the care of our people to the south."

He straightened, hesitating a moment before offering a hand across the desk to the Governor.

"Until we meet again, sir."

Be a Nice Guy Diplomacy!

[roll0]

[Othniel]

Elesomare

Strand took the proffered hand gently and shook. "Fair winds to you all," he said, and as they turned to go, he called after them, "Give my regards to Alori!"


***

After they'd taken leave of Elesomare's governor, the Mariuses sought out Captain Blitz and made preparations to sail at dawn. Dockworkers spent the remainder of the evening making sure the Seasprite was ready to sail, and as the sun rose over the Arcadian Ocean, she slipped away from the dock. It took just a little over two days to reach the mouth of the Shraedar River, following the same course as the Nereid's Harp, and the passengers and crew of the latter were happy to see their compatriots arrive. As with the Harp previously, it took some time to unload the Seasprite, but the crew and passengers of the latter were aided by the same of the former, and an orderly system worked out.

Soon, a large, several-acre area on the south side of the river was occupied by several hundred Andorans, all living (and working) in tents they had brought with them all the way from Avistan. Great stores of building supplies and preserved food, as well as seed for planting the next spring were also unloaded and covered with tarps or stored in tightly-closed tents to protect them from the elements. One rather large tent was provided for (and by) the Marius family, large enough to accommodate over a dozen people around a table set up on the ground beneath it. There were no beds, for this was an administrative tent, although there was a ring of personal tents ringed around the outside of the main, close enough for the family members and associates to slip into when it was time for sleep to claim them. Faeyra Tenegan spent most of her time in the administrative tent, pouring over a multitude of documents. There were maps, as well as lists of people and supplies (and peoples' supplies), and Miss Tenegan's task was to keep everything orderly and accounted for. Her more adventurous twin sister, Caina, spent most of her time either in the company of Faeyra, helping her with tasks or running errands, or - to her preference - spending time with the trained men and women in the Marius family guard whose task it was to oversee the safety of the settlers.

Various other important personages could be found in the camp, and the sound of laborers, craftsman, cooks, and those tending livestock could be heard, giving the formerly peaceful coastline a city-like atmosphere. A little further away from the Marius and administrative tents was the temporary shrine to Abadar, tended by Keenan Duqesne, a jovial young man with the protection and profit of the settlers foremost in his mind. Shossi Frostmane, the blacksmith from Elesomare who had elected to join the expedition, had been given a place with the other smiths - despite her strange origins, they had welcomed her in as if she had been long-lost family - and she happily went to work on whatever needed forging or mending.

Wilderness

As Haukr ate, Alori walked outside and Ferret-Rema followed at her heels. The diminutive druid found a secure hiding place just outside the door and settled in to observe, while the half-elven Ranger stalked across the space between the cabins and leaned against the building opposite Akiya's. There she made a show of checking her gear - particularly her bow, making sure the string was in good shape and giving it a few pulls - though she frequently looked up and stared into the open door. Akiya sampled bits of the feat, though she hadn't as hearty appetite as Haukr, and she kept her gaze upon the man throughout his victualing. "Your woman seems to care not for my company, Haukr."

This is your cue to do...well, anything. :P

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

"I apologize. Being out in the wilderness can definitely put a few people on edge. But this is truly excellent stuff. I feel as if I could take on a dragon right now!"

Haukr slammed his fist on the table.

"Forward we will go into the night, our voices high in song, and then..."

The skald blinked.

...oookay, time to leave before whatever's in this catches up with me. There's trying to get to the bottom of a mystery, and then there's just being stupid.

"That said... I must thank you for this meal, Akiya, but we really have to be going. We've gone far enough out as it is, and base camp will be expecting us in a few days."
Bluff: [roll0] plus an invisible penalty for being agitated.

Hopefully this should be enough to disengage us and get us out of here - I sense impatience in the ranks, and I'm not seeing how to get to the bottom of this mystery without acting out of character.

[Othniel]

Wilderness

Akiya frowned - pouted, really - and sighed as Haukr announced his intent to eat-and-run, "You are certain you cannot stay the night?" When she saw that Haukr had made his decision, she gave in. "Very well, but I do hope you will drop in if you ever pass by my door?" She paused. "Or perhaps I might visit this camp of yours? You have...others there?"

All three of you get the feeling that Akiya is very interested in your camp.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

"There are others, but there's no guarantee that it'll still be in the same spot for long. We will make an effort to stop by again if we pass through."

Preferably with a wizard of some sort - Lykon, maybe - who can identify what kind of monster you are. Or a paladin. Or anybody who can find out whether or not you're evil or just kind of creepy, really. I'm not picky.

Bluff: [roll0]

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Finally arrived, Lykon took some time to settle Hadrian and Tanith in their temporary accommodations before moving to the administrative tent for several hours to outline the plan for the settlement's first few buildings with Faeyra. Eventually, though, he found the time to walk the camp, stopping with an encouraging word or a friendly smile to the people that would form the backbone of the new community. And in due course that brought him to the blacksmiths' enclave, and Shossi Frostmane.

"Miss Frostmane. I hope you're settling in to your satisfaction?"

[Othniel]

Settler Camp

When Lykon found Shossi Frostmane, she was sitting at a bench, sharpening the teeth of several hand saws. Lykon could see that she possessed a powerful build, broad shoulders, and forearms so muscular she could be the envy of any warrior. She stood a full head taller than most men in the settler camp and towered over most women, and despite all of her apparent physical strength and the clumsiness that sometimes accompanies such features, the blacksmith's movements were deft and graceful. Shossi wore her blacksmith's apron over a grey tunic that was patched in many places, and her sword was belted at her hip. A shirt of well-made mithral chain, accompanied by an equally-ornate mithral heavy shield, leaned against the leg of the bench, both within easy reach. Her long, white hair was tied back out of convenience, though her face was smudged, slightly marring her beauty. As the expedition leader approached, the blacksmith rose from her seat, smiling before attempting a stiff bow, a motion that was clearly unfamiliar to her. "Greetings, my lord. I am quite satisfied. There is plentiful work, and the new surroundings are pleasing."

Haukr, Ragna, and Rema

The trio (along with a still-grumpy Alori Strand) took their leave of Akiya and passed on to the next plot of land to survey. It was without serious incident, save that a treacherous field of sinkholes temporarily impeded their journey. Finally, on the 6th of Lamashan, they returned to the camp alongside the Shraedar River, meeting up with the rest of the Andoran colonial expedition.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

On the 6th of Lamashan, as they were about an hour out from the camp, Haukr pulled Alori aside briefly.

"I know what you're thinking - 'Exactly what was the point of any of what he did back at the thorpe? And couldn't he have thought of anything better?' In a perfect world, yes, absolutely. The whole trouble, Alori, was that whatever was in that food, it was starting to agitate the nerves - which is hell when you're trying to bluff your way out of a situation. There was no way to refuse the dinner outright without appearing rude - not ideal if it had turned out she was just an ordinary woman with poor social skills. In any case, we'll be keeping an eye out for her - we never gave her a location for our camp, and even if she does have hostile intentions and follows our tracks, I'm sure we can deal with her. And we will deal with her, one of these days, when we bring along someone else, who will hopefully be able to ferret out her intentions for certain."

It doesn't do to have a discordant relationship with your coworkers. Let's see if we can smooth things out with Alori.

Diplomacy: [roll0]

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

His eyes lingering on her shield and armor, Lykon nodded amiably.

"That is good to hear. There was no small amount of courage in your decision, to leave the safety of a fine and thriving colony to join us in the unknown. And I am usre your fellows feel safer for your presence - your personal panoply would not be out of place among the great knights of Andoran's past."

[Othniel]

Stormwall

A month passed. By the time chilly weather set in, the newly-named (and constructed) settlement of Stormwall graced the eastern coast of Arcadia's Shraedar Penninsula. In the time the colonists had been there, they had constructed a pier, mill (with adjoining house), and two farms. Most of the settlers had moved into the newly-constructed housing area, and just in time too, for as the weeks toward year's end ticked by, colder winds began to blow, and blow they did. Not for naught had the colonists been told that the peninsula was often subject to high winds, and they found this out soon after breaking ground. A thunderstorm boiled over the mountains to the west - some blamed the Syrinxes at Taloncleft for this, though there was no evidence to support such a theory - and drenched the camp thoroughly. Lightning strikes were plentiful, although luckily nobody was injured and there was little damage. In the following weeks, there had been another pair of storms, but the colonists found their concern lessened after the first. Two weeks into building, the Seasprite returned to dock at the new pier (Captain Blitz had returned to Elesomare upon the disembarking of the second group of colonists), bringing the resources Segada's Spirit Writer had promised. When the Seasprite left them for a second time, it was to travel onward to Avistan and her home port of Augustana, bringing - along with her regular cargo - news to Titus of his children's success.

You may add 5 Build Points to your treasury.

Map: Along with the map the Spirit Writer gave you was an explanation of what was on it. There are two settlements, the names of which are both unknown, that were both abandoned a long time ago. What little history she was able to gather on the subject says the inhabitants of the settlement along the river were subject to raids of monsters from the marked lair who would carry off villagers to eat. Eventually they moved to the coast, but subsequently abandoned that settlement as well. Nobody knows where they went, or if they are, they aren't telling. There are also two hexes with cavern systems running along a tributary to the Shraedar River. Nobody has been there in over one hundred years, but there is an old story about an underground cave network that runs into the hills and under the mountains, eventually coming out somewhere near Taloncliff. On opposite sides of the Shraedar River lie a pair of ruins. On the north side, the shattered remains of a city, the memory if its name and inhabitants long fallen into the depths of history, and on the south stands the ruins of a tower.

Wilderness

One bright fall day, after a particularly rainy week, the party headed out for more exploring south of the river. They were traveling through a woody area not far from the river, and the morning had been uneventful, but as the afternoon crept by, the party noticed the ground becoming more treacherous. The heavy rains of the previous week had turned much of the ground to mud, and their horses started getting their hooves stuck in muddy depressions and roots revealed as water washed away dirt. This went on for some time until the party spotted a large depression in the ground ahead. As they drew closer, they could see down into the middle. There before them was what looked to be a cave-in in the ground - possibly caused by the rains or some other underground occurrence - and in the center, a sharp drop down underground.

Later...

Finally, on the 4th day out from Lisara, the party came to a structure. It appeared to be an old two-story watchtower roughly thirty feet tall, badly weathered and in serious need of repair. A set of windows looked down from the second story fifteen feet up, and a single entrance (doors missing) faced the river to the north. The roof appeared to be partially caved in on the east side, though a cursory glance from both Corvos and Ragna was enough to conclude that what was left of the structure appeared sound.

Rema

Rema set out alone to explore the mouth of the river. Diving into the water (in water elemental form) where the land, river, and ocean touched, the druid set out on her day's exploration. As she traveled, she found little until midday. Finally, just past the end of the mouth, when the water turned from a brackish mixture into proper salt water, a sudden flashing from below her caught her eye. As Rema looked down, she could see what appeared to be some sort of underwater structure about 200 feet below. At that distance, she couldn't quite make out what it was, but it appeared to be some sort of building, either sunken or somehow constructed underwater.

[Nefarion Xid]

"Soren, fly up and have look inside," Corvos said, beckoning the raven to his hand to cast Invisibility on him.

"If there are squatters, we'll have to start charging them rent, won't we, brother?"

[Snowfire]

Rema

Rema paused a moment, swimming around in a circle above the structure with no little curiosity, then smiled to herself and dived. She cast two spells as she flowed languidly down towards the building, one to protect and the other to guide if her choice led to combat. And although she found the feeling of water all around her more than a little discomfiting, curiosity won out.

Casting Barkskin and Greater Magic Fang (Enhancing primary attack to by +2)

[Othniel]

Underwater

As Rema dove, the structure became clearer: it appeared to be some sort of multi-tiered building constructed of stone. It had four levels, and in the face of the third was a darkened opening. Another flash caught Rema's eye, drawing her attention to what appeared to be a heated battle between two pairs of creatures. The first pair had scaly skin and long, fish-like tails. They had arms and legs ending in webbed claws, and piscine heads with toothy maws. The second pair possessed the the upper torsos of well-built and attractive humans with lower halves consisting of the tail and fins of great fish. They wore little, save for some spartan armor made from some sort of underwater substance. Rema identified the first pair of creatures as Sahuagin, a cruel, warlike, and proud aquatic race who hate land-dwellers and compete with other aquatic races. Their only friends are ravenous sharks, and they often communicate with them, urging sharks to battle alongside them. Rema was unable to identify the second pair, but she had a feeling she'd perhaps heard of them long ago as a child.

As Rema drew closer, she could see that the male was attempting to shield the female from the attacks of the Sahuagin, but he had sustained several wounds, though he had given some of his own, judging by the appearance of the attackers. The female appeared to be singing, and the weapon of her defender sparked with electricity when it connected with his opponent.

I have placed you on the map (see Map 4 on the Exploration Map Tab). Feel free to reposition yourself, just as long as you don't go lower, unless you spend a move action to move, that is.
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/b3/a5/83/underwater-mayan-ziggurat.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f24/War-overlord/Sahaugin_by_VegasMike.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/21/74/5c/21745c4e1a03733d0dff491e120369a5.jpghttps://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/d7/97/c2/d797c275edb4ce11c88418454d30ffdd.jpg

Ruined Watchtower

Soren had investigated and reported the presence of five harpies nesting in the upper level of the watchtower. Lykon, attempting a bluff, called out that he (and presumably Faola) were weary travelers in need of rest. A female face appeared momentarily in a window, peering down at him, and then withdrew. Moments later, a voice called back, "Come in, come in, weary travelers. I have plenty of warm, dry space for you to rest!"

Please post your actions and locations on the map: Map! (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-16QFOEV64EPnrIf_6eZT2Z_7NaNIyPCBanONIaFfZ0/edit#gid=1494786701)

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Smiling slightly at the harpy's clever reply, Lykon called back.

"Thank you my lady! What a pleasure it is to be greeted by an harmonious voice after these long weeks."

With that, secure in his companions' protection, he proceeded with Faola into the ruined tower.

[Nefarion Xid]

"Back to Plan A then -- into the tower of dangerous ladies we go then," Corvos said to himself, jogging from his safe place to keep up with the party.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Opting to let Lykon handle the talking this time around, Haukr cast a spell of invisibility upon himself once Soren had given his report, and snuck in after Lykon and Faola.

Stealth: [roll0]

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Both blades drawn, Tanith lurked ahead of her father some odd 15 feet, her eyes constantly surveying for harpies. Standing on the tips of her toes, bobbing and swaying gently from side to side, Tanith began to move her serrated swords in a rhythmic almost ritualistic pattern. A dance of death she had not performed in sometime. Flipping her swords in hand so that they were gripped upside down she mentally recited the mantra they had instilled into her.

"I am a curse. One curse. And there are thousands of me. We will find you in the sin fields and slaughter you. You will drown in our blood and our bodies will form your graves. I am a curse....."


Invisibility was cast on me so:[roll0]

[Othniel]

Rema

Suddenly aware of a new combatant, the sahuagin Rema hit snarls and thrusts at her with his trident, while the other maintains his focus on the male fish-person.

S2 vs Rema:
Power Attack (trident) vs Rema: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Bite Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

S1 Power Attack (trident) vs Fish Guy: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]
Bite Attack: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

Aware of the intrinsic danger of walking into a harpy nest - protected or not - Ragna already had her gun out and had elected to sneak quietly behind the group.

Stealth: [roll0]

[Othniel]

Ruined Watchtower

As Lykon (and the invisible Tanith) climbed the stairs, they found themselves surrounded by a quintet of harpies staring at them, though Tanith managed to slip past their ranks without any seeming to notice her. One harpy (H4) waddled up to Lykon and eyed him curiously. "You and the...beast...are alone, yes?"

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Ruined Watchtower

As Lykon (and the invisible Tanith) climbed the stairs, they found themselves surrounded by a quintet of harpies staring at them, though Tanith managed to slip past their ranks without any seeming to notice her. One harpy (H4) waddled up to Lykon and eyed him curiously. "You and the...beast...are alone, yes?"

Seemingly taken aback by the appearance of the harpies, Lykon brought his hand to his chest nervously while he smiled.

"Sadly yes. Ours was a small caravan, and we were separated in the storm. The horses were spooked, you see, and I went after them. I am just lucky to find such hospitable...ladies this far into the wilderness."

Bluff!

[roll0]

[Othniel]

Rema

As both sahuagin went belly-up, and Rema cast her healing spell upon the male, the female swam toward the male, clutching him tightly and nodding her thanks to Water Elemental Rema. "We are now," she answered back in Aquan. "Thank you, honorable elemental."

Ruined Watchtower

The harpy silently gazed at Lykon, and another - one behind him on the other side of the stairwell - spoke, "What brings a caravan to these desolate parts, traveler, hmm?" The harpy addressing Lykon was different from the rest. She appeared older by the look of her sagging skin and missing feathers, although malice and cunning gleamed in her eyes as she studied Lykon, and they way she crouched gave her the appearance of a tensed predator.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Turning his attention to the elder harpy, Lykon shrugged.

"Our leader had heard rumors of the Strix's plight, and thought we might turn a healthy profit by selling them arms and armor to help fight the Syrinx. Bloody lot of good that's going to do them now, though. Half our stock probably got washed away or drowned in mud."

Bluff!

[roll0]

[Othniel]

As the harpy matriarch stretched forth her wings, a puff of glitter blasted over her and the nearest harpy, coating them both in a sparkling substance.

Party wins initiative, except Corvos, so everyone but him take your surprise round actions and round 1 actions.

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Grumbling after shattering her invisibility and missing her downward strike, Tanith brought both of her blades to bear and swung them in tandem upwards. Using her whole body as leverage in the process. Dancing her blade inches away from the Harpies flesh, Tanith managed to sink her other sawtooth sabre deep into the winged harlots flesh and drew first blood, gouging the weapon deeper into her side as she used the support to swing her body up and kick the winged hag in the throat, temporarily collapsing it.


Stab!:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]+[roll2]+[roll3]

Stab!:[roll4]
Damage:[roll5]+[roll6]+[roll7]

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Leaping into action, Lykon sent a beam of silver flame streaming towards the elder harpy while Faola leapt to close her jaws around the monstrosity adjacent to her. This assault was followed by an identical barrage of flame and Faola's continued savagery.

Surprise Round: Lykon casts Scorching Ray at H5, Faola attacks H2

Scorching Ray: [roll0] vs. H5 Flat Footed Touch
Damage: [roll1] Fire

Crit?: [roll2] vs. Flat Footed Touch
Damage: [roll3] Fire

Faola Bite: [roll4] vs. H2 Flat Footed Touch
Damage: [roll5]
Trip: [roll6]

Crit?: [roll7] vs. H2 Flat Footed Touch
Damage: [roll8]

Round One: Lykon and Faola repeat their actions.

Scorching Ray: [roll9] vs. H5 Flat Footed Touch
Damage: [roll10] Fire

Crit?: [roll11] vs. Flat Footed Touch
Damage: [roll12] Fire

Faola Bite: [roll13] vs. H2 Flat Footed Touch
Damage: [roll14]
Trip: [roll15]

Crit?: [roll16] vs. H2 Flat Footed Touch
Damage: [roll17]

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

A pair of shots thundered through the ruined tower, as Ragna opened fire. Shards of scenery fell apart to reveal her standing a short distance north of the scuffle, already reloading in case the first salvo from her charges wasn't enough.

Deadly Aim, Rapid Shot, Point Blank vs. Flat Footed Touch AC. Burning 2 points of stamina on each shot. Aiming at Harpy 1. If by chance the first hit kills H1, switch to H4 for the second shot.

Attack 1: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Attack 1: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Moving forward into the fray, Haukr once more surrendered to the rage inside him, and began belting out a song. A familiar flash of pure blue light surrounded him, and like a million ethereal fireflies, the spirits of the dead began to form their usual cloud around his body. One or two each floated to Haukr's allies, looking at them curiously, as if making an offer.

"There comes Fenris' twin,
His jaws are open wide!
The serpent rises from the waves!"

Move action to move to G90.

Standard action to use Raging Song, using Inspired Rage.


Inspired Rage

When under the effects of Raging Song, Haukr, as well as any allies who allow themselves to be affected, gain the following bonuses.



+2 morale bonus to STR
+2 morale bonus to CON
+2 morale bonus to Will Saves
The ability to use Haukr's Rage Powers.


Lesser Spirit Totem
While using Raging Song, Haukr (and any allies affected by Inspired Rage) are surrounded by a swarm of spirit wisps that, each round, make a slam attack against a living foe that is adjacent to that person. This attack has the following stats:

Attack: +8
Damage: 1d4+4 Negative Energy


Spirit Totem
The spirit wisps around Haukr (and any allies affected by Inspired Rage) become so dense that you gain 20% Concealment versus:

All melee attackers not adjacent to you (typically due to reach)
All ranged attackers

Conversely, this comes at the following disadvantages:


-1 to AC
All allies affected cannot use any CHA, INT, or DEX-based skills (with the exception of Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride).
All allies affected cannot use any ability that requires patience or concentration.


All allies must choose whether or not they would like to be affected by Inspired Rage when it is first activated. Unconscious allies are automatically affected.

[Othniel]

Ruined Watchtower

As one of their number fell unconscious, the three lesser harpies screeched in anger at their assailants, lashing out with worn morningstars. The matriarch charged straight for Haukr, claws balled into fists. "Kill the singer!"

Matriarch Swift action to spend a ki point, giving her a +4 dodge bonus for one round, and then charge attack (with Stunning Fist) vs Haukr: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

H3 flies forward and attacks Haukr as well: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

H4 attacks Lykon: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Raising her eyebrows at the foolish blind harpy that charged into the fray, Tanith shrugged and swiped in a scissor cut with both of her blades.


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

Attack:[roll3]
Damage:[roll4]+[roll5]

Totem Attack:[roll6]
Damage:[roll7]

[Nefarion Xid]

Backing away from the melee, Corvos casually gestured to the nearest harpy and pelted her with Magic Missiles.

[roll0] damage for H5/Matriarch

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Stepping back from the slaughter, Lykon raised a hand above his head. His palm exploded in a halo of light around an umbral center, the miniature eclipse filling his allies with uncanny prowess. Meanwhile, Faola's attack continued unabated.

Lykon five foot steps and casts Bless. Every friendly gets +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects

Faola attacks with Raging Song and Bless

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

Crit?: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Stepping away from the Matriarch who seemed intent on mauling him, Haukr did a pirouette and brought his axe down upon her fellow harpy.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Othniel]

Rema

"We should move swiftly, Jhinenda," Artun suggested, once the female had healed both Artunr's and Rema's remaining wounds. "We must go help the others." Jhinenda cast a spell of light upon her husband's weapon. Artun hefted his weapon and swam up toward the entrance to the temple. He turned at the entrance and beckoned Rema forward. Now that the fighting had ceased, Rema was able to get a better look at the structure. Covered in seaweed, coral, and other examples of oceanic flora and fauna, the temple had a distinctly tomb-like appearance (at least from the outside), and as she looked closely, she could make out symbols that were carved deeply into the stone of the structure. Alternating across the face of the stone, they depicted both spiraling comets and seashells of the same shape. The comets in particular rang a bell in Rema's memory: they were the symbol of Pharasma.

Level 1 of the temple has been added to the Exploration tab.

Inside the Temple

Artun took the lead, swimming ahead of the other two with his lit spear held before him to light the way, and Jhinenda took up the rearguard position, though she kept close to Rema. The walls inside had motifs similar to the decorations Rema had seen on the outside of the temple, chiefly alternating spiraling comets and sea shells. The trio pushed ahead down the stairwell, and past two nerve-wracking left turns before they came to an intersection of two pathways, although the one straight ahead of the group stopped after only five feet. Artun stopped as he pondered what to do next. Jhinenda mentioned that the short passageway before them seemed to end in a doorway, though Artun could not make it out. His wife gestured with her own spear to the center of the spiral, where Rema noticed a cleverly-hidden trigger.

To the south was another door - this one was not hidden - with a clearly visible trigger plate embedded in the stone on the right side of the door.

You know from experience that light spells only cast light as a torch in a 20' radius, so while a full 20' are illuminated in front of Arkun, only 10' are lit behind Jhinenda.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

As the Matriarch became the last harpy standing, Faola moved to flank her with Tanith. Meanwhile, seeing his daughter in peril, Lykon let loose another blast of silver fire, though perhaps with too much care to his daughter's safety.

Faola moves into a flank and attacks, Lykon casts Scorching Ray and takes the -4 for firing into melee.

Faola Bite: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Trip: [roll2]

Crit?: Faola Bite: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

Lykon Scorching Ray: [roll5] touch
Fire Damage: [roll6]

Crit?: [roll7] touch
Fire Damage: [roll8]

[Othniel]

Ruined Watchtower

The matriarch, perhaps out of some mix of despair and distraction with so many enemies surrounding her, whirled on the wolf attacking her.

Swift Action to spend one ki point, granting her a +4 dodge bonus to AC
Flurry of Blows vs Faola. The Matriarch will also use Stunning Fist on her first attack (and if unsuccessful on the second).

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Faola's Fort Save vs Stunning Attack (DC 16): [roll2]

Attack: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]
Faola's Fort Save vs Stunning Attack (DC 16): [roll5]

Attack: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]

Attack: [roll8]
Damage: [roll9]

Attack: [roll10]
Damage: [roll11]

Attack: [roll12]
Damage: [roll13]

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Seeing Faola assaulted by numerous blows, Lykon reached out his healing hands while she continued her assault.

Faola continues to attack while Lykon cast Cure Moderate Wounds

Bite: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Trip: [roll2]

Crit?: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

Cure Moderate Wounds: [roll5]

[Snowfire]

Rema

"There's a trigger at the center of the spiral." Rema said, taking full advantage of the enhanced vision that this form gave her. "That must be what opens the door. But what about the other passageway? I would prefer not to get caught with Sahuagin on both sides."

[Nefarion Xid]

Vok vok vok!

"Tough old bird," Corvos sighed as the last pale blue missile drove home in her chest. "Really, there's a lesson here about not playing with your food. Or perhaps about your food antagonizing you?"

[roll0]

[Othniel]

Rema


Rema

"There's a trigger at the center of the spiral." Rema said, taking full advantage of the enhanced vision that this form gave her. "That must be what opens the door. But what about the other passageway? I would prefer not to get caught with Sahuagin on both sides."

"Nor would I," replied Artun as he slammed his fist against the trigger plate of the western door. A dull rumble sounded as the door slowly split in twain, both halves receding into the wall to reveal...an elf.

An aquatic elf, more precisely. He had tucked himself into the back corner of what appeared to be a five-by-five-by-ten space, and he had twin shortswords at the ready, though he dropped his arms to his sides with a look of relief when he saw Artun before him. "Artun! I was afraid I was going to die in there."

"What happened, Daoros?" the barbarian asked. "Quickly, we must proceed."

"As Khosh, Ilihne, and I swam below, we heard battle outside and assumed you were in the thick of it, so they told me to wait in ambush in case you did not prevail. They went on ahead to battle the sahuagin, and I stayed behind. I found a pressure plate on the door here, and when I went inside the room, it closed behind me, leaving me in darkness." The elf appeared apologetic and somewhat embarrassed as he explained. "Artun, this place is dangerous. I disabled five traps down just the first corridor. No one has been inside the temple in living memory. I do not know what it is that is protected at the heart, but if Pharasma's clerics went through this much trouble to protect it, it must be kept out of the hands of the sahuagin." As he spoke, Daoros' glance was drawn to Rema. "Who's this?"

You recognize Daoros as an Aquatic Elf. Similar to their land-based cousins, aquatic elves are as home in the sea as they are on land.
http://i.imgur.com/kUoGmf4.png?1

[Snowfire]

Rema

"My name is Rema, Daoros." The druid replied. "I am a steward of the natural order, and luck saw to it that I glimpsed your friend's struggle whilst I was exploring the waters of this place. This is not my natural form, but it is the one best suited to this environment." She chuckled. "Human bodies have this terrible problem with water called drowning." Her voice turned more serious at the mention of the number of traps the elf had dealt with on the way in.

"Anything hidden so thoroughly by Pharasma's priesthood would certainly be better kept that way." The fluid form swung back to the hidden trigger on the doorway. "Is the door safe to open? I would hate to waste time and health on a trap when Sahuagin await.

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Wiping her blades clean of blood, Tanith rummaged through the assorted corpses of Harpies until she found an ensorcelled ring and slide it over her finger. "Nice." She said coyly, holding out her hand to examine it before finally sheathing both of her sawtooth sabers. "Shall we keep moving?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Breathing heavily as he stowed his axe, the pain from his wounds leaving him wincing, Haukr picked up what appeared to be an enchanted Halberd from one of the harpies, twirling it in his hands as he tested its heft.

"I think that would be best, yes."

[Nefarion Xid]

"Let's have a look around, but return to spend the night in the verifiably monster-free tower, hm?" Corvos said, glancing to his brother for affirmation. "We'll move south tomorrow and then begin exploring the strip of land back to the sea."

14, 4 > 15,4 > 16,3 > 17,3 > 18,3 > 19,3 > Return home

[Othniel]

Lykon & Company

After the harpies were slain and the spoils counted out, the party searched the tower from top to bottom. It was quick work, as there wasn't much visible save for the harpies' nest (which turned up nothing but soiled bedding) and the pile of wood downstairs. It was under the pile that a secret was found. After the party (presumably Haukr) cleared the wood aside, and the group collectively stared at the now-bare patch, the faint outlines of a cleverly-disguised cover block were visible. No traps could be seen, though Soren did spot the trigger mechanism - or rather mechanisms, for there were two - on either side of the stone. A pair of smaller stones (each blending in as well as the primary) could be pressed, causing the larger stone to slowly grind open. Or they would have caused it to grind open, had the mechanism not broken down as the triggers were activated. The stone lid covering a metal trap door partially slid back, but ground to a halt after opening a mere six inches. It was enough, however to see a drop of about one foot to a metal door, and on the door a rusted lock, the key still inside and turned to the locking position.

It'll take a strength check to force the cover block open enough to access the door.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Analyzing the stuck stone lid, Haukr furrowed his brow for a bit before turning to the others.

"From what my intuition tells me, we could probably repair the mechanism, but we'd have to break through the floor on either side of this trapdoor. And unless someone here has an adamantine weapon that I am unaware of, it would seem trying to force this open is our best bet. If you would all give me a little room?.."

Moving to the trapdoor, Haukr then braced himself as best he could before heaving as hard as he was able...

Strength Check: [roll0]

If that doesn't work, Haukr will take 20.

[Othniel]

Rema

"Oh, this one? Yes, it's safe," the elf replied. "Wasn't trapped at all, actually. Khosh and Ilihne went through, after all, and they don't know the first thing about detecting traps. Tear at the fabric of reality, sure, but apparently purely mechanical traps are beyond the knowledge of spellcasters." A hint of sarcasm had crept into the elf's voice as he spoke. "But yes, the sahuagin await. I'm not exactly sure how many went in before we got here, but I'm sure our friends have probably dispatched a few. Shall we?" He gestured toward the door as his hand hovered over the pressure plate that would presumably activate it.

Ruined Watchtower

Haukr's first attempt was unsuccessful, but when he redoubled his efforts and put all of his strength into it, the retractable panel finally started to move. As the skald continued to apply his brute strength, the sound of protesting mechanical parts sounded until he'd forced it far enough back to access the metal door. The door was roughly four feet long by three feet wide, centered under where the wood pile had been. The key was in the lock and turned to the locked position, though key, lock, and door were all covered in a heavy coat of rust as if it had lain undisturbed for many years.

[Snowfire]

Rema

"Let's not keep them waiting." Rema swirled upwards, climbing above Artun and preparing herself for the clash of combat. "Whenever you're ready."

[Othniel]

Ruined Watchtower

Secured to a rope, Tanith gingerly set foot upon the first step, and found herself dropping suddenly as it broke beneath her. The second step fared no better, and it was shortly decided that Soren would be sent to investigate instead. The grouchy raven flapped his wings and dipped into the hole in the ground, disappearing into darkness. After a few minutes, Soren flew up out of the tunnel and dropped an object at Corvos’ feet, muttering something about the sorcerer doing his own dirty work. He explained that the tunnel bore straight south (and downward) for roughly one-hundred feet before curving westward and running another three hundred due west (also downward). The architecture remained the same, and was both clean and dry, but at the end of the tunnel, the bird had found the remains of three humanoids sitting with their backs propped against what looked like a collapsed section of tunnel. One of the three still clutched the book in his skeletal hands, but Soren was able to snatch it.

The book was remarkably well-preserved, though fragile, and Corvos found to his surprise that he was able to understand most of what was written. The dialect seemed to be a fusion of Mahwek and Azlanti, and the book read as the log of a guardsman. Most of the book was the dull record of the man’s daily life as a watchman at the tower, but a crude map of the peninsula had also been drawn inside the cover. At the beginning of the book, the man names himself Wakiza from the village of Muna. Wakiza and his fellow guardsmen, Mingan and Chesmu were apparently stationed at the tower to guard approach to the village of Muna, and to watch over the river which served as the means of travel from the village of Hassun to the west. Wakiza and Mingan were young men, barely come of age, and placed under the command of Chesmu, and older warrior of many winters. Wakiza mentioned that Otekah, the maiden he favored, was proud of him. The book went on like this for most of the pages, but about halfway through, the tone changed and the content became more interesting.

For some time, the villages of Muna, Hassun, Misu (on the south coast), and Kono (in the forest far to the west, at the base of the hills) had traded peacefully with each other, until news from Kono suddenly stopped. Villagers from Hassun had investigated, only to report that the village had been wiped out. Only three children were found alive after several weeks, two of them too young to speak, and the third so frightened, she would not say any more than, “They came from under the ground.” The village elders of the three remaining settlements met in Hassun and developed a plan to double the watch on the towers along the river and to keep messenger birds ready in case of attack. The towers had also been linked through underground passages for swift travel and communication, and runners were kept ready to bear messages should the ravens be shot down.

Months passed until one day a flock of ravens had been seen coming from the direction of Hassun, though only one bore a message of any kind. Unrolling the scroll, Chesmu read aloud, “Collapse all tunnels, death comes from beneath!” Thanks to the forethought of the village elders, weak links had been prepared in the tunnels so that they could be permanently sealed off on short notice, should an enemy gain access to the tunnel system. Chesmu had wasted no time in ordering the men to collapse the tunnel, and it was done in the nick of time, for down the tunnel, Wakiza had heard the bloodthirsty howls of something terrible. But before anything came within sight of their lanterns, the cave-in was complete, and the tunnel to the west completely sealed off. Then it came time to discharge the men’s sacred duty: they would remain below the tower, on watch, in case anything broke through, and sell their lives dearly to give their people time to flee. Those not selected to stay below would lock the access door and leave the key inside so that it could not be opened from belowground, and then ride with all haste to Muna.

Wakiza’s entry continues, explaining that they’d heard scrabbling on the other side of the rubble, but eventually the invaders had given up. The man expressed his hope that his people escaped in time, but mentioned that they were running out of food. On the last page, Wakiza mentioned taking poison to bring them to a swift end, and finishes with his recording a prayer to his god, and a wish that he had been given the opportunity to marry Otekah.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Acting on orders from Corvos, Haukr began breaking up the rotten wooden steps with his new halberd.

[Othniel]

Beneath the Ruined Watchtower

As Corvos (and anyone else accompanying him) tramped down the tunnel, they found the remains of the watchtower guards. They'd been dead a long time, and save for Soren's recovery of the journal, the remains appeared to be undisturbed.

Three sets of antique chain mail, short swords, and light steel shields (all masterwork), crafted in a style that seems to combine old Azlanti craftsmanship with something akin to what you saw the Segadan guards wearing. The short swords also have pommels of ivory carved into the form of eagle heads, adding about 50gp to the value of each. You also find a beaded necklace around the neck of what was probably Chesmu. Made primarily of silver and agate beads, there is also a large, polished black pearl in the center. You estimate the value to be around 1500gp, perhaps more to a collector of Azlanti antiquities. It appears Chesmu was more important than the journal implied.

Rema

Daoros pressed the door switch and the door silently parted in half, revealing a seemingly empty room. Empty, save for the exquisite carvings upon the wall. From the left of the door snaking around the room upon the walls was a continuous progression of carved panels, depicting the scenes from a woman's life. In the first panel she was born under the sign of a comet. In the next, she received instruction from men and women with Pharasma's spiral comet upon them. In the third, the woman was shown delivering babies and consecrating the bodies of the departed. Once the group viewed the fourth carving, however, the pictured story changed, and a tall figure bearing the sign of Urgathoa was shown raising the dead. Immediately after this were two carvings showing the woman raising a dagger above her head, waves of energy emanating from it, followed by a carving of her standing against the tall figure, dagger pointed at his skeletal minions. The last carving showed both the man and woman fallen, but other clerics of Pharasma bearing the body of their comrade off the field of battle into a building near the sea that looked suspiciously like that through which Rema was traveling.

"I do not think this was a temple," Jhinenda offered. "I think it was a tomb."

"What would the sahuagin want with the tomb of a Pharasmin priestess?" Daoros wondered aloud.

"I do not know," Artun replied, "But when I think of those foul creatures pawing her body...we must hurry."

Daoros led the others through the twisting hallways of the tomb and down another flight of stairs to the third level and around two more corners only to find the next room full of sahuagin, though this time the monsters each had four arms a piece.

Team Fishy wins, you go first, then NPCs and Sahuagin.

[Nefarion Xid]

Watchtower

Corvos looked pleased with himself once he emerged from the tunnel, apparently still unconcerned by the contents of the dead man's diary. "We'll have to put this on display. The necklace, swords and shields at least. The mail isn't particularly distinctive."

[Snowfire]

Rema

Rema paused for a moment as the party talked, staring at the carvings on the walls, then swore. "Why focus an image entirely on a dagger?" She asked. "A priestess born under the sign of their goddess is a rare being, and for such care to be taken in the rendering of power around an object in her history? That cannot be coincidence. Artun is right, we must hurry."

On seeing their foes, Rema called out quickly in Mahwek. "Be careful of them, they are far more volatile than their cousins. Focus your attacks to kill them quickly or we will find ourselves fighting all of them in a blood rage."

Suiting action to words, she rushed forward and struck at the closest Sahuagin with the full body of her form.

Move to AY 227. Attack S4.
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Othniel]

Rema

Rema's underwater allies moved forward to join battle with the Sahuagin.

Swimming forward, Jhinenda begins her Weapon Song, granting everyone a +1 and shocking to a single weapon.

Artun advances and power attacks S2: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] plus [roll2] shock

Daoros moves forward and attacks S1: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4] plus [roll5] shock

S1 attacks Daoros
Trident: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]

Bite: [roll8]
Damage: [roll9]

Claw: [roll10]
Damage: [roll11]

Claw: [roll12]
Damage: [roll13]


S2 Attacks Artun
Trident: [roll14]
Damage: [roll15]

Bite: [roll16]
Damage: [roll17]

Claw: [roll18]
Damage: [roll19]

Claw: [roll20]
Damage: [roll21]

S3 attacks Daoros
Trident: [roll22]
Damage: [roll23]

Bite: [roll24]
Damage: [roll25]

Claw: [roll26]
Damage: [roll27]

Claw: [roll28]
Damage: [roll29]

S5 swims forward and attacks Rema
Trident: [roll30]
Damage: [roll31]

Bite: [roll32]
Damage: [roll33]

Claw: [roll34]
Damage: [roll35]

Claw: [roll36]
Damage: [roll37]

[Snowfire]

Rema

Accepting the flow of power from Jhinenda gladly, Rema struck again at the newly presented target before her.

Attack:
Damage: + 1d6

[Othniel]

Rema

Insert fancy combat words here.


Artun vs S1: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] plus [roll2]

Jhinenda vs S3: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4] plus [roll5]

Daoros vs the survivor: [roll6]
Damage" [roll7] plus [roll8]

If any Sahuagin are alive, they attack Daoros:

Trident: [roll9]]
Damage: [roll10]

Bite: [roll11]
Damage: [roll12]

Claw: [roll13]
Damage: [roll14]

Claw: [roll15]
Damage: [roll16]


Trident: [roll17]]
Damage: [roll18]

Bite: [roll19]
Damage: [roll20]

Claw: [roll21]
Damage: [roll22]

Claw: [roll23]
Damage: [roll24]

Rewards: 400XP and 600gp in pearls. Plus one normal trident.

After the short melee, Rema and her companions continued on through the winding passages. Taking the lead, Daoros moved methodically, checking the way for traps - he found several, which he said had been previously tripped - until they finally opened onto another large room full of floating bodies. A half dozen sahuagin (two-armed variety) floated in the room, and the water was red with blood. The walls were decorated with more carvings, though these did not seem to tell any story. Instead, they featured artwork of Pharasma, and while most were simple scenes cut into the stone of the temple, there was one giant fifteen-by-fifteen foot engraving of The Lady of Graves enthroned in judgement as a line of souls awaited an audience. The central depiction of Pharasma herself was formed from a mosaic of different shaded chips of onyx, and the souls depicted by small teardrop-shaped aquamarine gemstones, while the balance of the artwork was made out of a collection of thousands of seashells.. Rema wasn't sure, but she guessed that the work could fetch several thousands of gold pieces to the right buyer, though recovering the artwork intact would be a challenge, not to mention a desecration of the tomb.

Moving along, the party passed through yet another twisting tunnel, pushing past another pair of dead sahuagin, which Daoros stabbed. "Just to make sure," he said. Continuing onward and downward, the four reached what appeared to be the bottom (and largest) level of the structure. Here the decor changed again. Gone were the carvings and mosaics, and in there place were granite statues of several different figures. Some Rema recognized as various depictions of Pharasma in her different roles: Midwife, Healer, Mortician, and Prophet. Scattered between these four larger statues, were four smaller depictions of the priestess who (presumably) lay buried at the heart of the structure, imitating the poses of the statues of the Lady of Graves. Along the walls was traced in silver a winding silver thread, which Rema surmised was to symbolize the River of Souls. Finally, as the group turned the last corner, they saw the tunnel open to another room, and as Daoros swam forward, he gave an exclamation of recognition, uttering the names of his last two friends: Khosh and Ilihne.

Khosh appeared to be a sour-faced male Gillman, dressed in scaled robes and a cloak that was decorated with fins. Ilihne, on the other hand, appeared to be a female Undine, her long, blue hair and clerical robes floating loosely in the water. A silver holy symbol of Pharasma hung from a chain around her neck. Jhinenda swam forward and embraced the cleric briefly. "I am glad you are alive!" Khosh nooded to the others, but said nothing, his expression unreadable.

The Undine returned the embrace and nodded at the others, though she gave Elemental-Rema a questioning gaze. "It is good you have come. Several sahuagin are inside the priestess's resting place and are likely disturbing her remains." Her limpid blue eyes flashed in anger as she spoke, and she turned to Daoros, "Can you get inside?"

"Let us see!" was the Elf's answer, and he started looking at the doors.

"You have found an elemental, I see," Ilihne commented to Jhinenda, gesturing to Rema with the shortspear she carried. Her manner was non-threatening, though she sounded curious.

http://i.imgur.com/4X9Tbj6.png?1http://i.imgur.com/L71DS1Z.jpg

Lykon & Company

The next day brought the troupe one step closer to Stormwall. The weather remained dry, though a brisk wind had picked up and the sky was cloudy and threatened rain. Along about midday, the five (plus raven) neared the edge of the sheer cliffs that dropped down to the Arcadian Ocean some three hundred feet below. They'd moved out onto a narrow piece of land that jutted out into the ocean like the misshapen prow of a ship. As the party looked around the area, marking the location on their map for later use, their work was interrupted when a terribly cry rent the air. Hurtling toward them, barely in sight to the east came a purple shape, wings outstretched.

You identify the creature as a Forked-Tail Wyvern. More dangerous than its normal brethren, the Forked-Tail sports a bifurcated tail (per the creature's name), the ends of which are tipped with poisonous stingers. In addition to the creature's foul attitude toward invaders into its territory, the wyvern sports razor-sharp teeth and claws as well as a fiery breath weapon, and is resistant to magic in general, particularly that of a fire or acid nature.
http://i.imgur.com/pbXjd2C.png?1

You lost, but the Wyvern spends his entire turn flying toward you and looking menacing.

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos sucked on his teeth while shaking his head and spurring his horse in the opposite direction. While retreating, he hurled a glittering diamond shard over his shoulder to explode in the dragon's face.
Glitterdust DC 16 vs will

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Seeing the approaching creature and turning his hear to Ragna's cried warnings, the miniature eclipse appeared once again in Faolan's hand as divine power rushed into the surrounding members of the expedition. That done, he reached behind his saddle to the oil-cloth sack hanging there, releasing its bound occupant.

Lykon casts Bless (it hits everyone) and releases his skeletal harpy.

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

"Alright! Time fer some big game hunting, then." Ragna slid to one side and pulled Fergus up to her shoulder.

No sense in being careful. Deadly Aim and Rapid Shot, Hoi!

Touch Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Touch Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

Spent cartridges started to fall to her feet as she began firing as quickly as she could. She saw the spatters of her shots hitting the mark, but couldn't tell how much damage she was doing. "Might want to look for cover!"

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Rapidly diving for cover, Tanith took out her enchanted bow and fired off a shot in the general direction of the Wyvern, cursing under her breathe at the misfortune of finding such a beast.


Moving to cover and drawing bow.

Attack:[roll0]
Damage:[ROLL]1d8+6

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

"Cover? Hah! I do not know the meaning of cover when battle is joined!"

Performing a quick kata, Haukr uttered a prayer to Pharasma as he drew upon his powers, using his skald kenning to begin channeling eldritch energies into his feet - energies that would allow him to take power over the air itself.

Using Spell Kenning to select and cast the spell Fly from the Witch list. This is a full-round action.

[Othniel]

Wilderness

The Wyvern called out angrily and swooped down onto the ground, landing with a loud thud. Taking a deep breath it breathed a cone of flame toward Lykon and Faola, catching both Ragna and Haukr as well. The creature's noxious breath momentarily blinded those who were affected by it, save Lykon who managed to avoid the worst of the attack.

Wyvern flies down and breathes noxious fire! Creatures who take damage are also blinded for 4 rounds as in Glitterdust.
Fire Damage: [roll0]
Reflex saves (DC 19) for half damage (and negates the glitterdust effect):
Haukr: [roll1]
Ragna: [roll2]
Lykon: [roll3]
Faola: [roll4]

Able to understand the Wyvern's words, you hear it calling out, "Die, invaders!"

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Watching her family (And one legal servant) get roasted by the Wyvern's scintillating attack caused the young Red Mantis to seethe with anger. Her pupils went wide, her grip on her bow slackening as it clattered to the ground, and she felt her teeth gnash rapidly against one another. Her body began to disappear from sight as she muttered a prayer to Achaekek, both of her jagged blades vanishing as quickly as they were pulled out of their respective scabbards, and it appeared as if she were merely retracting handles for a second before they too disappeared. Silently approaching the beast, she waited for the perfect moment to strike.


Drop Longbow, draw both Sabers out, and then cast Vanish. Lasts 3 rounds or until I attack. Move adjacent to the Wyvern stealthily.

Stealth:[roll0]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

"Didn't your mother ever teach you it's rude to set your guests on fire?!"

Carefully and slowly - a necessity, given his blindness - Haukr stepped toward the east a few feet and then began chanting, his usual raging song beginning to cover the countryside as the blue motes of the swarming spirits began swarming around him. As per usual, one of them went to each of his fellows, looking inquisitive.

Move action to move at half-speed to Y157.

Standard action to use Raging Song, using Inspired Rage.


Inspired Rage

When under the effects of Raging Song, Haukr, as well as any allies who allow themselves to be affected, gain the following bonuses.



+2 morale bonus to STR
+2 morale bonus to CON
+2 morale bonus to Will Saves
The ability to use Haukr's Rage Powers.


Lesser Spirit Totem
While using Raging Song, Haukr (and any allies affected by Inspired Rage) are surrounded by a swarm of spirit wisps that, each round, make a slam attack against a living foe that is adjacent to that person. This attack has the following stats:

Attack: +8
Damage: 1d4+4 Negative Energy


Spirit Totem
The spirit wisps around Haukr (and any allies affected by Inspired Rage) become so dense that you gain 20% Concealment versus:

All melee attackers not adjacent to you (typically due to reach)
All ranged attackers


Conversely, this comes at the following disadvantages:


-1 to AC
All allies affected cannot use any CHA, INT, or DEX-based skills (with the exception of Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride).
All allies affected cannot use any ability that requires patience or concentration.


All allies must choose whether or not they would like to be affected by Inspired Rage when it is first activated. Unconscious allies are automatically affected.

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

"Then can I have your stuff when you die?" The elf readied for more fire before the wyvern's return attack caught her full in the face. Blinded was not the right state to be firing a rifle in, and she staggered away, looking for better cover.

Moving half speed, total defensing, here's a will save vs. the dust: [roll0]

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Recoiling from the fire, all too familiar, Lykon shouted a few words of power and sent a coruscating orb of shadows to explode before the wyvern. Then, giving brief orders to the harpy and Faola, he withdrew into cover.

Lykon casts Dust of Twilight fifteen feet above the wyvern, so it hits the creature but no medium creatures on the ground. DC 18 Fort save or the wyvern is fatigued, no save. He and Faola then withdraw behind cover while the harpy skeleton charges.

Harpy Power Attack Charge: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Crit?: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Othniel]

Wilderness

Taking a reflexive step backward from the annoying skeleton, but incensed that one of its assailants disappeared, the Wyvern sucked in its breath and breathed out another spray of noxious fire, torching the harpy skeleton, Tanith, and Haukr in the process.

5' step diagonal and fire breath!
[roll0] Fire damage to Harpy Skeleton, Tanith, and Haukr.
Saves:
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

Wyvern's Save vs Fatigue: [roll4]

[Nefarion Xid]

"Hells!" Corvos hissed from behind his distant tree. Taking up the ornate silver rod from the loop in his coat, he focused a spell through it and showered the wyvern with a burst of supernatural cold.

Metamagic rod to Cold Fireball! [roll0] damage [roll1] Caster Check

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Consumed by fire, Haukr's fight-or-flight response kicked in.

One more hit and I'm done for. Need to keep the rage flowing... if I stop singing, I will fall unconscious - and I will die...

His singing now a pained whisper, Haukr fled as best he could from the battle.

Moving to U153. Because Haukr has flight cast on him, he has a flight speed of 60, but because he is disabled, he can only move half speed and only gets one move action a turn.

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Holding up her blades to shield herself, Tanith hissed in pain as her mask protected her eyes from the scintillating assault, and with a grunt of effort she sliced in an x motion and cleared away the flames before her. Lunging forward, she lowered both of her blades and stabbed at the wyvern.


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

Attack:[roll3]
Damage:[roll4]+[roll5]

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

The elf grimaced and blinked the soot from her eyes. Okay, time to see where the creature wound u-WHOA! The thing was right in front of her. Ragna scooted back and opened fire as fast as she could.

Rapid Shot, Point Blank Shot, Bless, and Deadly Aim. Here we go!

Touch Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Touch Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Remaining behind cover, Lykon motioned for Faola to keep low while his skeletal minion soldiered on.

Lykon casts Cure Serious Wounds on Faola: [roll0]

Harpy attacks, wyvern has a 50% miss chance.

Talon 1: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

Talon 2: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

Claw 1: [roll5]
Damager: [roll6]

Claw 2: [roll7]
Damager: [roll8]

[Othniel]

Wilderness

Satisfied that Haukr was dealt with (and no longer within reach), the wyvern turned its attention to its nearest assailants.

Full attack vs Harpy Skeleton. Once it goes down, the remainder of attacks go to Tanith. If stings hit Tanith, we'll roll saves vs poison in the OOC.

Bite: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Sting 1: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

Sting 2: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]

Wing 1: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]

Wing 2: [roll8]
Damage: [roll9]

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos repeated his trick, exploding cold energy a few feet above the wyvern's head.

[roll0] CL check
[roll1] damage

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Stepping to the side as the rampaging beast flailed wildly in an attempt to strike her dancing form, Tanith watched as it fell to the ground in a critical state of unconciousness, and approached it with both blades pointed down in imitation of her assassin god. Lurking over its head she slammed both blades into seperate eyes and ended the scaled nightmares life.

"I am a curse."

Coup de grace the Wyvern.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Feeling the healing energies of Lykon's spell coursing through his body, Haukr finally ceased singing, and fixed his half-nephew with a grateful look.

"Much obliged, Lykon." Turning to the now-dead corpse of the Wyvern, he then wiped his brow. "Note to self: If I ever utter anything along the lines of 'I don't know the meaning of cover' ever again, slap myself in the head. Also, maybe invest in a bow."

[Othniel]

Sea Cave

As the party flew down and explored the cave, they turned up a number of treasures:

On the body of the sailor:
A silver ring etched with decorative waves that identifies as a Ring of Swimming (2,500 gp)
Cold Iron Masterwork Longsword (330 gp)
Studded Leather Armor (+1 armor) (1175 gp)

And in a separate pile:
Gold and platinum statuette of Sarenrae (750 gp)
Ivory drinking horn with copper ends (60 gp)
Silver comb with ornate handle (75 gp)
Silver holy symbol of Gozreh (25 gp)
Silver mask (75 gp)
Wand of Animate Rope (cr, 750 gp)
51 pp, 1000 gp, 2300 sp, 13000 cp

XP: 960 to everyone for defeating the Wyvern.

[Snowfire]

Rema

She had to chuckle, for the same sentiment to be exchanged a third time. Of course it made sense, it was not exactly easy to see through her changed form, but it was hard not to find the humor in it.

"No elemental, simply a steward of the natural order for whom this is the most capable form available to help you." She gestured with a watery appendage to Artun and Jhinenda. "I saw your fellows battling the Saughain below in my exploration of these waters, and I knew enough of those creatures tastes to be quite sure that helping Artun and Jhineda was the right thing to do. As them, so it is to you all. Whatever the Saughain wish to unearth from this tomb they cannot be allowed to find, or escape with if they are successful in their search."

"Most of my offensive magic is very limited underwater, it would take a great deal from me to successfully cast it, but I am quite capable of combat up close, or evening the odds with some well placed creatures of nature."

[Othniel]

Rema

Tinkering with the mechanism, Daoros finally figured it out and triggered the door, opening it up to a room full of Sahuagin and their shark companions. In the center stood a raised platform with a black sarcophagus resting upon it - no doubt the resting place of the Phasmarin priestess.

Artun and Daoros win, followed by the bad guys. Then Rema and the others.

Artun:
Free action to activate rage. He charges forward and power attacks the shark in front of him: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Daoros:
Moves forward and attacks from stealth (if Artun kills the first shark, he moves to S1 instead): [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Sneak Attack: [roll4]

Sh1 power attacks Artun: [roll5]
Damage: [roll6]

Sh2 swims forward to power attack Daoros: [roll7]
Damage: [roll8]

Sh3 does the same: [roll9]
Damage: [roll10]

Sh4 moves forward, but can't get to anyone.

S1 power attacks the first person to come near him:
Trident: [roll11]
Damage: [roll12]

Bite: [roll13]
Damage: [roll14]

S2 swims toward Artun to attack:
Trident: [roll15]
Damage: [roll16]

Bite: [roll17]
Damage: [roll18]

Claw 1: [roll19]
Damage: [roll20]

Claw 2: [roll21]
Damage: [roll22]

S3 and S4 move forward.

[Othniel]

Rema

Jhinenda moves forward and starts singing, giving everyone +1 shocking to one weapon.

Khosh moves into view and shoots a Freezing Ray at S1: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Ilihne also swims into view and shoots an icicle at S1: [roll2] vs touch
Damage: [roll3]

Sh3, under Rema's control attacks S1: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]

S1, surprised that one of this allies has turned on him, fights back against the shark with the previously rolls.

Sh2 power attacks Daoros: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]

Sh2 power attacks Artun: [roll8]
Damage: [roll9]

S2 attacks Artun
Trident: [roll10]
Damage: [roll11]

Bite: [roll12]
Damage: [roll13]

Claw 1: [roll14]
Damage: [roll15]

Claw 2: [roll16]
Damage: [roll17]

S3 also attacks Artun
Trident: [roll18]
Damage: [roll19]

Bite: [roll20]
Damage: [roll21]

Claw 1: [roll22]
Damage: [roll23]

Claw 2: [roll24]
Damage: [roll25]

S4 attacks Daoros
Trident: [roll26]
Damage: [roll27]

Bite: [roll28]
Damage: [roll29]

Claw 1: [roll30]
Damage: [roll31]

Claw 2: [roll32]
Damage: [roll33]

[Othniel]

Rema

Sh3 attacks S1: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Sh2 attacks Rema: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

Sh4 attacks Artun: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]

S1 attacks Sh3 again.
Trident: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]

Bite: [roll8]
Damage: [roll9]

S3 full attacks Artun: Trident: [roll10]
Damage: [roll11]

Bite: [roll12]
Damage: [roll13]

Claw 1: [roll14]
Damage: [roll15]

Claw 2: [roll16]
Damage: [roll17]

[Othniel]

Rema

Artun vs Sh4: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] plus [roll2] shock

Daoros vs S1: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4] plus [roll5] shock

Jhinenda vs S1: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7] plus [roll8] shock

Khosh vs S1: [roll9]
Damage: [roll10]

Ilihne vs S1: [roll11]
Damage: [roll12]

S1 flies into a blood frenzy, growing stronger but easier to hit.

S1 vs Daoros: Trident: [roll13]
Damage: [roll14]

Bite: [roll15]
Damage: [roll16]

Sh4 attacks Artun: [roll17]
Damage: [roll18]

[Othniel]

Rema

As the last enemy finally passed into the next world, the group formed a ring around the sarcophagus in the center of the room. After Daoros checked it for traps, he and Artun lifted the cover off (at Ilihne's assent) and looked inside. Before them lay the body of the Pharasmin priestess, wrapped in pure white graveclothes, and so void of corruption was her body that she appeared merely asleep. On her breast lay a glass case with a rolled scroll inside. Ilihne examined the area and declared that the spot had been hallowed. Sounding awed, the Undine cleric posited that Pharasma herself had protected the site. Everyone was puzzled, however, at the absence of the expected dagger from the mosaics.

Collecting the possessions of their enemies, Ilihne urged the others to make haste in leaving the temple with the promise that she would later return in the company of other Pharasmin clerics to purify it. The six then left the temple, finding no enemies waiting for them inside or out, and made for the surface of the water. Reaching shore, Artun and Daoros made a pile of the Sahuagin's gear as Ilihne opened the glass scroll case and carefully withdrew the scroll. She examined it, but frowned, and turned it around to show the others. "I cannot read this," she said, "As it is in a language I do not understand."

You, however, can read the scroll, and to your astonishment, it appears to be written in Taldane.My name is Orlana Dariel, and I am a thief. If you are reading this, then you no doubt seeking the Fate Blade of the priestess buried in this tomb. I leave this record here in case my mission is unsuccessful. As a follower of the Mother of Souls, I pray that my own may not be damned for intruding upon this sacred place, but if it must be so, then that is my fate.

Far to the north there is a laired vampire by the name of Volina Sutri, an escapee of Avistan seeking refuge in Arcadia. I have tracked her for many years and through many lands, but have yet been unable to put her to rest. I have sworn an oath to do so as she is responsible for the deaths of many people, my husband and children among them. If you follow me in this pursuit, be warned that Volina is a sorceress of great power, cunning, and ability. Her capacity to daunt and seduce those who would seek her ruin is of great measure. I have claimed the blade as a tool with which I intend to bring an end to Volina’s evil. May Pharasma guide my steps and my hands. Below I mark what I suspect is the location of her latest lair, an ancient keep in the Blood mountains at the headwaters of the Snowborn River.

Orlana Dariel


1200 XP for Rema's share.
Loot that was dropped:
1x Potion of cure moderate wounds
1x Potion of protection from arrows
1x Bracers of armor +1
+1 Trident

4x Tridents (non-masterwork)

Fancy Glass Scroll Case worth approximately 200g

Now, I divided up the loot from the 2nd fight between Rema and her companions, but not the 1st or last. Depending on how generous she wants to be, they may be more friendly or less.

[Othniel]

The Sinkhole

Several days later, the party traveled back to the site of the sinkhole. Nothing had seemingly changed from the last time they were there, though it looked like a bit more earth had collapsed from the sides into the hole.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Haukr looked down into the hole, craning his head as he attempted to study it.

"So, remind me... Did we find out anything relevant about this last time, do we have a plan for what we're doing here, and most importantly, do we have enough rope?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos mumbled something about people getting worked up over a perfectly natural and boring sinkhole moments before leaping into the pit and casting Feather Fall before he hit bottom. Once on the ground he summoned a quartet of Dancing Lights to illuminate the exposed pocket.

[Othniel]

The Sinkhole

As Corvos reached bottom, several things became apparent. Most importantly, the tunnel Soren had mentioned earlier looked far too regular to be a natural occurrence. The slightly curved sides and ceiling of the tunnel bore striking similarities to worked stone, giving the tunnel a somewhat tubular shape, though it showed no tool marks that the sorcerer could see. About ten feet high on average, the tunnel stretched almost straight westward past the limit of his dancing lights. Scattered on the floor of the hole around him was an assortment of soil and clay with a top-layer of stone (the same type as lines the tunnel). Additionally, about a foot past the opening Corvos could see the remains of what appeared to be the end of the tunnel. He surmised that structural weakness below where he currently stood caused a collapse not only of the surface, but the end of the tunnel as well.

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos relayed what he saw to his compatriots, then called Soren to his shoulder. Moving cautiously down the tunnel, he continued to light the way with his four magic orbs.

[Othniel]

Underground

As Corvos (and Soren) continued forward, they noticed the floor of the tunnel start to slant downward. Down, down it went, slanting first to the northwest for over one hundred feet before running due west for another twenty or so. Here Corvos noted that the smoothed tunnel walls had given way to natural rock, and he could see water trickling through the north wall of the tunnel through many small openings, pooling on the floor of the tunnel and flowing south, about fifty feet before continuing down into a great bowl-shaped depression. Running about eighty feet in diameter, the cavern was roughly circular. The ground there sloped steeply down, and the water picked up speed as it rushed to the center, carrying reflections of the sorcerer's dancing lights with them into the the inky blackness below.

You surmise that due to the proximity of the Shraedar River, the water coming through the stone likely comes from there. The stone wall itself seems sturdy enough, however, and you doubt there is any danger of it suddenly giving way to a rush of water.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Looking around the perimeter of the sinkhole, Haukr found a sturdy-looking tree and, tying off a knotted rope, descended into the sinkhole after Corvos.

Eventually reaching the room with the great "bowl", Haukr stopped to marvel briefly at the sight.

"It's rather beautiful, in a way."

Carefully approaching the edge of the bowl-like depression (as much as was safe), Haukr attempted to peer over the edge using his natural darkvision.

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos scanned the water with Detect Magic.

[Snowfire]

Rema

Rema was waiting in the cavern when her family reached it, having taken advantage of her elemental form to simply fly down where Haukr had needed rope. Seeing them enter, she smiled, and then darted forward to hover where she could look down into the collected water. The warnings in the diary recovered by her brothers resonated in her mind.

[Othniel]

Underground

Nothing about the water detected as magical, although Corvos did detect the distinct presence of two sources of magic, one on the west side of the chasm and the other on the east. Just next to the hole into darkness was a pile of rubble from which the first aura radiated. As Haukr gazed about the chamber, dimly illuminated by Corvos' dancing lights, he noticed the very faint outline of a doorway in the rocky surface, but it had no discernible handle or latch from his current vantage point. Additionally, as those gathered at the edge peered below), they could see spiraling downward in a clockwise manner what appeared to be a staircase, barely glimpsed in the shadow cast by rough-cut stone pillars.

Note: Moving across the two darker grey tiles requires a DC 5 acrobatics check to move 1/2 speed and avoid falling.

https://cristimoise.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/5672798007_51e8e52c78.jpg?w=540

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Heading back toward the entrance and hurrying back up the rope, Haukr conveyed what Rema, Corvos, and he had found to the others.

"So fair, we've found what looks to be an underground river leading into a really old cairn. Corvos found a long-dead corpse with an enchanted sawtoothed sword on it, and there's a spiral staircase with no visible entrance on it - so we're going to need more rope or magic to get on it. There's also a secret door on the east side of the chamber, but as far as I can tell, no way to open it - though I haven't investigated it thoroughly yet, so that may change."

*After leading those above back into the cairn...*

Having realized something on the way back, Haukr called down into the cairn to Corvos.

"Corvos? About the sword you found - I just realized what it is. It's a Rhoka sword, used by a variety of daemonspawn known as an urdhefan."

"What are they? Very nasty customers. Basically, they are servants bred by the daemons of Abaddon to do their bidding. The males are usually sterile, so the women often turn to daemons for mates. All of them seek to inflict as much pain on anyone and anything they can before they die."

"In terms of raw capability, they are able to blow themselves up in a burst of negative energy that sends their souls to Abaddon, suck the strength from their targets with their deadly bites, and have an extra eye at the backs of their mouths. Like undead, they are also healed by negative energy and harmed by positive energy."

[Nefarion Xid]

"Yes, yes," Corvos hummed dismissively, "I did go to college."

"Hardly explains what it's doing in a human's possession." He hefted the sword and gave it a few experimental swipes. "Damned unwieldy thing."

"Now, someone bash this door in to sate my curiosity."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

"Let me see if I can get down there from this secret door here."

Examining the secret door for traps, Haukr then attempted to force it open.

Take 20 on Perception to check for traps at the secret door, Detect Magic with a Spellcraft check, then Take 20 on a Strength Check to force it open.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

With Faola and Tanith's help, along with a trusty crowbar he'd picked up back in town, Haukr was able to force the door open, the crack of stone followed by the door opening inward. Immediately, Haukr used Detect Magic, again, attempting to find the source of the emanation. Once found and identified, he began following the stairs downward, his eyes peeled.

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Drawing both of her blades, Tanith followed closely behind Haukr, her head bobbing from side to side like the chittering insect she modeled herself after. She listened closely to her Gruncle's explanation of what the Urdhefan were, her masked face curling up slightly in disgust, and she merely grumbled "How repulsive."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Haukr watched as Lykon disabled the alarm stone they had found on the other side of the door and pocketed it. He then inclined his head toward the staircase.

"Shall we?"

[Othniel]

Underground

Trapfinders in front, the party moved carefully down the stairs. There was a tense moment after they had descended a little over one hundred feet when Tanith nearly stepped upon a pressure plate, but Corvos saw it in time, preventing his niece from triggering a partial collapse of the stairway.

Down they went, until finally, halfway to the bottom of the 8th circle, Corvos and Tanith spotted what seemed to be an archway leading south opposite their position on the stairs.

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

The elf took a look at their projected path and scowled. "So... this may not be the best time to mention this, but I'm not a huge fan of underground spaces."

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Still silent, Tanith raised two fingers and then pointed them down towards the archway before stealthily approaching it, both blades in hand.

[Nefarion Xid]

Corvos huffed, glancing back up the long stairwell, "I'm not looking forward to the climb back up."

"You see, Tanith, there may be a temptation to let the stalwart companion take the lead," he said very quietly, drawing close to his niece as they continued to lead the way. "But healing items are expensive and corpses are heavy."

[Tychris1]

"Personally I'd rather stay dead," she tutted, shifting a rock infront of her foot gracefully to the side before continuing on her path, her voice barely a whisper "No point in denying destiny."

[Othniel]

Underground

As Tanith crept forward, she could see into a room roughly twenty-five by twenty feet in dimension. At the back of the room was what appeared to be a stone bed with a bedroll laid neatly on top. A set of stone shelves lined most of the eastern wall, most of them filled with books bearing timeworn covers and silvery lettering on the binding, though they did not appear to be in any language Tanith could read. A stone table and chair occupied the western side of the room, and several earthen vessels stood on top, accompanying a table setting made from some sort of metal. Finally, just to the right of the door sat a wooden chest with a large padlock attached.

[Nefarion Xid]

"Well, that's between you, Pharasma and your father," Corvos chided, sliding into the room just behind Tanith. "You can't call a soul back if it doesn't want to return. Saves us a diamond at any rate."


After scanning the room for magic, he gestured to the chest, indicating for his niece to have a try at the lock. Meanwhile, he began examining the bookcase thoroughly.

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Examining the lock, Tanith sucks on her teeth before standing up from her crouched position, and waves a hand at her uncle.

"This lock's craftsmanship is too intricate for me to disable. You have anything small and preferrably adamantine I could use?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Having now coaxed the hidden Oread out of her hiding place...

She asked in Mahwek, "Who in the Hells are you?"

Folding his arms over his chest, Corvos flippantly replied, "In a strictly technical sense, tomb raiders. Though, since we do own this land, so it's more like tomb cleaning. Why are you living in a tomb?"

"She's so small and adorable," Tanith said in quiet Taldane.

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

"Oi! Don't knock Tomb living, aye? The 'jacks had to take shelter in one once. They're very defensible: sturdy, limited access, tons of choke points, an' ye don't have to drag the bodies far."

[Othniel]

Lisara

One night, while the Marius family lay sleeping, a cry split the night, startling several sleepers to wakefulness.

Just outside your window, you heard the unmistakable sound of someone crying out, followed by the thud of a body hitting the ground.
You are startled awake, but you aren't sure by what.
Apparently you drew the short straw and did not wake up (nor did Faola). You'll have to wait to act until someone wakes you up.

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Eyes opening wide, the young Assassin stared at the cold hard ceiling, and promptly sprung into action. Something was wrong, she wasn't sure what, but she had a gut feeling that she had to follow through with. Swinging her feet off of her bed she quickly prayed to her hidden Achaekek altar before swinging over her bed, she deftly reached for and unlocked the secret compartment where she stored her twin blades, mask, armor, and magical accoutrements. Taking the blades and belt out she then rushed to her fathers room to see if he was alright.

"Father?" She said whilst opening the door.

[Nefarion Xid]

Having been alerted by Soren that, "Seriously, someone just got shanked outside. Around the east side of the house," Corvos leapt naked from his bed, grabbed for his metamagic rod, cast invisibility on himself and headed for the door.

[Snowfire]

Rema

She still didn't trust the city as much as some of the family, for whilst growing, Lisara was not what Rema would call a true place of safety in the wilderness surrounding it. So she slept with her gear close to her, the amulet that let her lend insight to her blows in the place of force around her neck. Something waking her in the middle of the night? It could be something simple, but some part of her didn't quite trust that easy rationalization. She pulled on the few easily donned magical enhancements that she kept near when she slept, then made for the door, expending a simple spell to harden her body to harm. It never hurt to be too careful.

Barkskin on self, all magical items on, leaving armour behind.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Haukr's eyes snapped open, his gold-colored eyes shining in the dark.

Something's wrong.

While he couldn't say precisely what, the fact that he'd been jarred awake from an otherwise soundless sleep - as well as the noise of footprints from the rest of the family - said that it likely wasn't a good thing.

Springing to action, Haukr leapt out of bed...

I am unsure as to how many actions I can take, so here's what I'd like to do.

If I can start the round out of bed, I will take a move action to grab my halberd from off the rack next to my bed, and then cast Mirror Image on myself. He will then move around the hallway until he hears someone else and head to where he thinks everyone else is congregating - which, if Skype is accurate, will probably be Corvos' room, since Nef has declared his intention to use Ghost Sound as an alarm of sorts.

[roll0] images are created by the spell.

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

"Seriously? Och, it's like Kalsgard all o'er again." Ragna sort of... kick-shimmied out of her covers and used the momentum to haul herself upright. She grabbed her rifle on pure memory, cast the one spell she knew by rote, staggered to the window, and opened it. "A'ight, who's gettin' shanked and why? Hands where I ken see 'em!"

[Othniel]

Lisara

Most of the family rose quickly, but Ragna was the first to see the enemy. Two black-cloaked figures wearing masks stood over the bodies of the two guards posted at the eastern door to the house. As the Elf spoke out, one rose and flicked a dagger at her.

Attack vs Ragna: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
On hit, save vs poison (DC 17): [roll]1d20+12

You guys are up. I've placed your character markers on the map. Lykon now wakes up, thanks to Ragna's words.

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

"ARE YOU F***IN' FOR REAL?" Now fully awake, Ragna snarled and opened fire.

Hey, she'd tried to be diplomatic. No need to waste any eloquence on the poison dagger team.

Opening fire on A2. Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot, Gravity Gun. Let's see what happens.

Touch Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Touch Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

If the first shot somehow kills A2, the second will be fired at A1. If either of them get away, into the house, or take cover, Ragna will loudly announce their last known position and direction like a good guard.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Hearing the report of Ragna's rifle, Haukr knew there and then that something was seriously wrong. Moving further down the hallway, halberd in hand, he cast another spell on himself.

"To arms! <Heroism!>"

Haukr will move to O95 and cast Heroism.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Torn from his dreams by the shattering explosion of a gunshot, Lykon had barely processed the situation when he cried out to the darkness.

"Faola! Hadrian!"

The wolf at the foot of his bed reacted immediately, lunging up from her rest and tackling through the bedroom door. Staggering to his feet, still naked, Lykon followed as quickly as he was able. As he entered the lamplight of the hallway, the true extent of his horrific burns became apparent to any present to see.

[Tychris1]

Tanith

Satisfied that her father wasn't in immediate danger, Tanith shrugged and quickly sallied forward to see what could provoke a gunshot. One blade held upside down one held rightside up, she peered around the corner with an appraising predatory eye before shimmying out of cover and smiling at the would-be assassins.

[Snowfire]

Rema

The gunshot was a surprise, one that almost broke her focus on the spell she was forming around her, but also a confirmation that it was necessary. Ragna was anything but trigger happy with her weapon, the bullets were expensive enough for anyone to be sparing with them. Pushing the door open, she rushed towards the east side of the house, coming to sudden stop as the combination of wolf and naked older brother blocked her path.

"Are bedclothes truly such a chore?" She muttered under her breath, doing her best to not look at Lykon. A part of her was drawn by the burn scars, but she managed to keep her eyes mostly to themselves. Thank the gods.

[Othniel]

Lisara

The assassin Rema hit cursed softly, and grabbed a small vial from his belt, tipping it back swiftly and becoming invisible. The other assassin pushed open the door and hurled a poison-laced dagger at Tanith.

As Rema moved down the hall, the hair on the back of her neck rose. Coming to a halt before Lykon, she didn't see the attack coming.

Attack vs Tanith: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
On hit, Save vs Poison (DC 17): [roll2]
Con Damage: [roll3]

Attack vs Rema: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]
Sneak Attack: [roll6]
On hit, Save vs Poison (DC 17): [roll7]
Con Damage: [roll8]

[Tychris1]

Tanith

How slow, how sloppy, easily sidestepping the flying blade, Tanith quickly bent her body into a low stance with a fluid motion and rushed forward to stab at her assailant.


Charge:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]
Crit:[roll2]
Damage:[roll3]

[Nefarion Xid]

Surprised, Corvos kept his hand on the door-pull and snapped off a spell while safely behind the cover of an inch-thick pine plank

Glitterdust A3, DC 17

[Lord Of Mantas]

Haukr

Spotting another assassin bursting out of the Great Room, Haukr doubled back on his feet, rushed past Lykon, and with a flying leap brought down his Halberd on their would-be assailant.

Power Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

I forgot to add Heroism, but I don't think a 13​ would hit either.
Even as the assassin was blinded by Corvos' glitterdust, however, Haukr's halberd failed to penetrate his armor, the polearm's blade giving a chink​ as it was stopped cold.

[Jade_Tarem]

Ragna

Satisfied that her antics had to have woken up her charges, the household, the neighbors, and probably her contacts back in Avistan, Ragna continued to fire on the visible assailant. She and Rema could track down the other one when the smoke cleared.

Doin' it again, only this time I'm going to remember about my Combat Stamina to add +2 to each attack. Ragna's going to turn A1 into steak sauce.

Touch Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Touch Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Snowfire]

Rema

Rema swore as she felt the weapon dig into her, and her blood sparked inside of her. She could feel the poison trying to hurt her, but the fire would not allow it. So she rode the pain, instead of falling to it, and the body she wore shifted. A moment later there was a large, angry looking tiger where she'd been standing. It growled at the assassin in front of her.

Wild shape into Dire Tiger.

[TheDarkDM]

Lykon

Turning to face the newly-revealed intruders, Lykon stepped next to Haukr as Faola continued her mad dash to Hadrian's door. Seeing a pair of blinded assassins, Lykon reached out with a ruined finger and sent a beam of silver fire towards the furthest one, briefly illuminating the stardust-filled hall.

Faola double moves. Lykon casts Scorching Ray on A4.

Touch: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] Fire

Crit?: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3] Fire

[Othniel]

Lisara

"There he is, kill him!" shouted one of the assassins (A3) as it attempted to move past Rema to get to Lykon. His comrade (A4) followed in his wake.

On the other side of the house, the assassin (A1) engaged with Tanith opens up with his dual shortswords. "I'm gonna bleed you in front of your pop, wench!"

The fourth assassin (A2) was nowhere in sight.

A3 attempts to move (at 1/2 speed) to L96. Rolling Acrobatics to get past. If successful, A3 attacks Lykon. If not, A3 is prevented from moving and attacks Rema instead.
Acrobatics: [roll0]
Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]
On hit, Save vs Poison (DC 17): [roll3] (will add in target's fort save mod +2 circumstance bonus for Lasting Poison Talent)
Con Damage: [roll4]

If A3 is successful in moving past Rema, A4 will move to J96 and attack (with a +2 flanking bonus and adding in Sneak Attack). If A3 is not successful, A4 moves to J95 and attacks Rema.
Attack: [roll5]
Damage: [roll6]
Sneak Attack, if applicable: [roll7]
On hit, Save vs Poison (DC 17): [roll8]
Con Damage: [roll9]

Ignore that. Forgot about Glitterdust. Instead, A3 takes a step backward and those two assassins attempt to clear the dust from their eyes (will roll in OOC). A4 saves and is no longer blind.

A1 full attacks Tanith with TWF. Tanith's AC is -2 from her charge.
Attack: [roll10]
Damage: [roll11]
On hit, Save vs Poison (DC 17): [roll12] - This should have been a +4 mod, bringing the save result to 16 vs a DC of 17.
Con Damage: [roll13]

Attack: [roll14]
Damage: [roll15]
On hit, Save vs Poison (DC 17): [roll16]
Con Damage: [roll17]