Peril & Fame 2: Belhaim

[Nefarion Xid]

10th of Kuthona, 4716
Belhaim

Seconds after the last wagon had rattled onto the old stone bridge three men emerged from behind the hedge up the embankment along the southern road. They wore the signature long wool winter coats common for Taldan guardsmen (a deep hunter green in this case) over a mismatched assortment of leather and scale armor. Wordlessly, they hustled into position with light crossbows readied, but not aimed at anyone. As they drew near, those towards the rear of the caravan could make out the brass shields pinned to their uniforms at the breast and the stitching of a black deer on a white field on their shoulders.

Ahead, a man on a white destrier darted out onto the street, boxing the entire wagon train in on the bridge. He was easily recognizable as a sheriff from his palpable sense of self importance. Closer inspection of his obnoxiously gilded breastplate would reveal it to be parade armor, if serviceable in the field. The falcata he brandished was likewise largely ornamental and the completely intact gold filigree perhaps betrayed that it had never seen a real fight. Hugging the side of nearest building there was a fourth guardsman, shorter than the rest by a hand, but better equipped with a fine musket at the ready. Across the road from him, there appeared a female guard with a lowered halberd -- younger than the others by two or three years and waifish.

"Silas Gribb!" bellowed the shiny man from atop his horse. His black, broom handle mustache flickered with each meticulously over-enunciated syllable. "You are charged with smuggling, larceny, bribery ... and one count of buggery. By order of Lady Devy, I place you under arrest. May the sheep sleep soundly tonight. Step forth, sirrah! Em ... which one of you is ..." The sheriff lowered his sword and squinted at the caravan.

"The one escaping out the back, sir!" screamed the waife in exasperation, dropping her polearm to sprint after the fat man who'd just then slipped out the painted canvas flaps of the lead wagon.

"Yes-yes, Mulle, I can see that now," sniffed the sheriff, unconcerned. "You've got the ruffian, have you?"

You recognize the three gold trouts on the sheriff's breastplate to mean he's a Benhovy -- a minor noble family with some fame for producing fine officers in centuries past. Now days, they've exhausted their family fortune and misused their lands, so it's hardly surprising to see one working as a small town sheriff.
There are three more arrests to be made. A tip received a week ago indicated that some other wanted criminals may be working as caravan guards for Silas. Gervas Alkivas (100 gp bounty), wanted for assaulting a nobleman; short man with wiry black hair and a green dragon tattoo on his left arm. Ignatz Gunther, wanted for poaching (75 gp bounty); light brown hair, balding, six feet tall. Anton Mallers (250 gp bounty), wanted for murder; Varisian? Wears a blue bandana. Accent?

While the tip from Faldamont could have been vastly more helpful, it was a stroke of luck to have any information on these fugitives.

During the ensuing scuffle, the grey clouds above finally broke and it began to snow.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Amateur," the Tian-Min woman muttered as the man's crimes were read off, though she laughed by the end of the list. She didn't make a move to stop Gribb, but she did intently watch the guardsmen at work. To be honest, she'd been just the slightest bit concerned when they'd showed up, even though her crimes on this side of the world were small and not well known. Now that their quarry had been made clear, though, she could sit back and watch the show.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Sitting astride his magically conjured mount, Elias had felt the strain and weariness of the road begin to melt away as he sighted the bridge to Belhaim. He had never truly thought of the little town as home, but with his family's estate sold and his parents dead it was the closest thing he had. Warmly tinged memories of his apprenticeship floated to the forefront of his thoughts, the difficulty of that time conveniently forgotten in favor of rosy nostalgia. That illusion was shattered by the sudden appearance of guardsmen, and the rapid flight of the caravan master. Anyone else might have doubted this as a trick or a trap, but Elias knew the sheriff to be an honorable man. Leaning out to catch a glimpse of the fleeing fugitive, he felt the magic flow into his fingertips, banishing the chill of winter as his hands moved in well-practiced patterns and the old words came to his lips. In a flash, a spray of emerald and golden sparks flew from his hand to erupt above the fleeing caravan master in a brilliant flash.

Rushing headlong into the shower of magical sparks, Silas Gribb froze in place, screaming and batting at his face. Clearly, the smuggler lacked the strength of will to shake off the magic's effect. Before his faculties could return to him, the waif tackled him, striking his chest and sending him flying to the flagstones. Nodding that his work was done, Elias led his horse to the front of the caravan and raised a hand in greeting.

"Sheriff Benhovy! It is good to see you again."

Elias casts Glitterdust to hit Gribb. DC 17 Will Save.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

After days of traveling, of keeping up his disguise (that being of a simple farmer going to see family), of cozying up to Silas to keep him complacent and unsuspecting, it was time to act. Throwing aside his dense, woolen robe, a man dressed in a dark green field uniform leapt out of the wagon, the large silver key emblazoned on the front and the manacles at his belt identifying him as an inquisitor of the Master of the First Vault. Quickly, he readied a blunted arrow to his longbow, ready to pronounce judgement on the man who had cheated the law...

Only to find that someone had beaten him to it.

Shrugging at his relative turn of good fortune, Eren opted to simply call out to the Sheriff.

"Sheriff! Have the rest of your men surround the caravan! There are yet more miscreants hidden away here, and we cannot let them escape."

Striding quickly over to where the smaller female guard (Mulle, if he'd heard correctly) had pinned Silas, Eren offered a pair of manacles.

"I've got some, if you haven't. But I'll need these back later."

If Mulle doesn't have any manacles, Eren will let her use his to apprehend Silas, as he's the main target here. Regardless of whether or not she elects to borrow the manacles (which are locked with an Average Lock), he then goes on to do the following...
With Silas secured, Eren then strode to the second wagon in the caravan, throwing aside the flaps and peering inside. The most dangerous criminal he had gotten a tip on, Anton Mallers, was said to be wearing a blue bandana - and Eren had earlier spotted someone matching that description sleeping there, though frustratingly he had been unable to get a name out of him.

Promptly leveling his bow at his target, blunted arrowhead nocked and ready, Eren barked out a threat.

"You there, blue bandana! Out of the hammock, hands where I can see them!"

Assuming the man followed orders, Eren then growled out a followup.

"I will give you one chance to be honest with me, sir. Do you, or have you ever, gone by the name of Anton Mallers? Lie, and I promise you that the consequences will be highly unpleasant."

It's the first roll of the game, so of course I will roll poorly - but hey, gotta try right?

Intimidate: [roll0]

And of course, Sense Motive to follow up.

[Nefarion Xid]

Silas now lay on the flagstones, piteously gasping for breath as Deputy Mulle had quite knocked the wind out of him. Although there was no fight in the man, she struggled to pull his fat arms behind his back to manacle him. She muttered her thanks to Eren for borrowing his irons and absently mentioned she must have dropped hers somewhere. Elias recalled that Letha Mulle was an orphan girl who'd grown up on one of the outlying farms. She might have been pretty if not for her partial harelip. Her blonde hair has been cropped off below her ears and strands of it poked out from beneath her black knit cap. It was perhaps surprising to see the slender teenager in the employ of the town guard, but she had always been a bit daring. Engaged with Silas, she didn't notice Elias as he rode by.

"Elias," the sheriff regarded him with a wan smile. He looked a bit surprised. "Or is it Master Apion now? Good to see you again, lad. Deepest sympathies once again for what's happened to your family. Dreadful business, that. I do hope you've got everything sorted?"

Benhovy ignored Eren's shouting, confident that his men had the situation well in hand. Indeed, two of the men with crossbows began approaching the train and poking about the cargo.

When Eren got to the second wagon and pulled back the canvas, he found what he was looking for. A young man in a blue silk bandana had cocooned himself a cotton blanket and napped fitfully in a hammock hanging over some casks of whisky and what Eren assumed were his effects. He wore a strand of semiprecious stones over his brow (secured to his bandana with a few stitches) he had dangling turquoise and gold earrings. When Eren barked at him, his eyes flickered, he gave an annoyed grunt and attempted to resume sleeping.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Returning the Sheriff's smile with his own weary one, Elias nodded in thanks.

"No master until Master Balthus deems me ready. Perhaps another decade."

He chuckled, though it was forced.

"But thank you for your condolences, Sheriff. The kindness of the people of Belhaim was one of the few lights in my future, and I am glad to return. Though I am surprised at such an...active reunion."

He wheeled his horse around to look back at the deputy restraining Gribb.

"I see Letha's found her calling."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

After arriving into Belhaim and seeing her horse looked after, Ellarie had trudged heavily around town burdened with her belongings. She walked partly for the fresh air, but also to think and consider what her next move might be. She was considering spending the coin for a room of her own. A place to stow her gear and have a bath seemed priceless as she adjusted her heavy pack more securely onto her back for the thousandth time. Her mood was uncommonly somber as she walked along the lakeside, though this wasn't the worst place she'd ever found herself in, not by half.

A commotion somewhat ahead of her on the bridge she had crossed earlier coming into town drew her attention. She hoisted her pack and walked purposefully over to the growing altercation, her demeanor left no doubt that she had every right to be there. She second guessed her approach as a man dressed in the fine clothes of the upper class threw a dazzling spell at the fleeing man. She had the thought then that Belhaim must be better off than she had given credit for at first glance, if they housed members of the nobility and a wizard besides.

She had been of the mind to seek employ as a tavern bard in exchange for food and lodgings. Or even join the town guard if that failed, but if she could convince him or his peers that she was a talent deserving a Patron. That had been her secret hope for years now, only brought out for examination when she was at her weariest. She stood quietly amidst the chaos, eyes narrowed intently as she studied the wizard. Her attention turned to the Sheriff and she noted his gilded vanity for future use.

Lastly, her pale eyes fell upon the men being arrested. Her lips curled instinctively into a contemptuous grimace. They reminded her of the merc she had been forced to kill on the road and her hand twitched as though aching to feel her sword there once again. She was taken aback as the large man bearing the insignia of an Inquisitor quickly took control of the scene and her face reddened with the guilt of the recent thoughts of the man she had murdered. She edged back to find a small bit of shelter from his piercing gaze, certain he could hear her heart racing from where he stood. Certain she was a fool, for her frightened imaginings and her guilt.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Climbing partway out of her wagon, the tiefling made a brief sweep of the bridge with her eyes, ignoring the driver's protest when the long sheathed blade at her hip bonked him on the head. "Hey! Is there something I can do to speed this up, or - oh, hey Elias. You know this guy?"

[zabbarot]

Ioseph
Wagon Three

Ioseph watched from the raised seat of his own wagon as he worked to calm his horse. He considered reaching for a weapon, but the sheriff seemed to have it well in hand. So he waited and watched. He did find himself idly reaching for a blunt arrow just in case though. As the guards moved closer he spoke up.

"Don't worry, I packed my wagon myself and I haven't left it unattended."

[BladeofObliviom]

Tomoko

She really should have just continued on her business. It was snowing now; it'd be better to be inside where it was warm. But there was a caravan coming into town, and perhaps more visibly, someone had called an enormous shimmering ball of glittery dust. It's sort of impossible to miss.

Daring to get a little closer to the bridge, the girl watched with intense curiosity as the watch began making their arrests. She really shouldn't be getting involved at all. But some things are just too difficult to ignore.

[Nefarion Xid]

"Letha's a good girl and she works hard." Sheriff Benhovy nodded his approval towards the deputy who was attempting to get Silas onto his feet. "Old Dymas* passed away this summer, I'm afraid. But Zera has enough hired hands to do the work. Letha came to me asking about joining the guard. Course, I didn't think she was up for it, but I gave her a chance on account of her pa's passing. Haven't regretted it yet."

*Dran Dymas was Letha's adoptive father. His wife Zera now runs the wheat farm west of town. No mention of Dran's eldest son.

When Kiyoko interrupted, the sheriff made a dismissive gesture, barely acknowledging her presence. "My men have the situation well in hand, miss ..." At last he had a proper appraisal and took measure of the foreign woman and her equally exotic sword. "Miss?" he repeated with a suspicious tone.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Nodding along to the sheriff's recounting of the past year's events, Elias was slightly taken aback by Kiyoko's sudden appearance. Sensing the sheriff's distrust, he rushed to make introductions.

"Ah, Sheriff Benhovy, this is Kiyoko, one of our travelling companions on the road north. Originally of Minkai, if you'd believe it. Kiyoko, may I present Sheriff Benhovy, knight of the realm and dutiful protector of Belhaim."

[Jade_Tarem]

The tiefling smiled and gave the lawman an insultingly tiny bow, the kind an empress might give to a favored pet as a joke. If he knew enough to be offended, she'd just blame it on the odd footing the wagon provided. "I'm glad we're in such good hands, Sheriff Benhovy. Things were so quiet for most of the trip."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

Huh. From the looks of it, that man's Chelaxian, but he could well have disguised himself, if he is the murderer. Except then why leave the bandana? No choice. Have to keep pressing, see if he has the accent. See if he's lying.

Eren drew his bowstring back.

"I will NOT ask again, sir. Get up, put your hands in the air, and identify yourself."

Let's try this again, shall we?

Intimidate: [roll0]

[Nefarion Xid]

Ioseph

Recognizing the young guardsman scrutinizing his property as Varyl Hodd, Ioseph made his appeal. Varyl had only been deputized shortly before Ioseph's departure. The lad had unsettlingly pale blue eyes and the right one never seemed to quite focus on what was in front of him. His right ear was misshapen and crinkled, likely due to his father only having a left hand. "No offense, Master Vega," he drawled, "Orders is orders."

A quick visual search of Ioseph's wagon didn't reveal anything suspicious, apparently. Though he couldn't be sure if the boy knew what he was looking for in the first place. Perhaps he just wanted to look important.

Eren

The man in blue spied the drawn bow through one bleary eye and went tumbling out of his hammock. His boot caught in the rope and he dangled there, bashing his head on one of the casks beneath him. He grasped for the dagger on his belt once, but quickly thought better of it. Eren couldn't place his accent, but he sounded foreign and smart. At least, there was a posh tone to the few comprehensible, but impolite, words that came out of his mouth between nonsense and frustrated growls. "No need! No need for that. Too much. Inappropriate. That is an inappropriate level of ... I'm sorry, who the devil are you?"

Even though his hands were in the air, he'd somehow managed to go from panic to condescension in seconds.

Kiyoko & Elias

"Lovely to meet you," muttered the sheriff with noncommittal enthusiasm to Kiyoko. "You and your friend can run along, Elias. We'll be a bit searching the wagons for contraband. No need for you two stand out in the cold. Oh, though you were handy with that spell, what! Very flashy, lad!"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

"I am Inquisitor Drakos, of the church of Abadar. "

And there's ''an' ​accent. That's two out of three.

"I have orders to apprehend a man fitting your description. Identify yourself."

Sense Motive on whatever reply he gives.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Is he ignoring me? The warrior started to narrow her eyes and say something, but stopped when she realized that this was the exact outcome that she wanted. Instead, she looked to Elias. While Kiyoko didn't have a problem with the cold, she also didn't have a problem with riding Apion's metaphorical coat-tails into town faster. All of her worldly possessions were sitting on her back, so she didn't even have to duck back inside the wagon for anything.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Heartened by Sir Pelle's praise, Elias' smile became more sincere with a chuckle.

"Thank you, Sir. Just trying to help - wouldn't want you or your men to have to chase down some reprobate in a snowstorm."

Turning back to the tien woman, Elias gestured for Kiyoko to join him.

"Let's get you settled into the inn, Kiyoko. Then, if you like, I can introduce you to my master. He's rather learned in the arcane arts, if a bit...prickly."

[Nefarion Xid]

Eren

"Apprehend?" shrieked the man in blue, one octave higher than he'd intended. "On whose bloody authority you jackbooted accountant!? I'll have you know that Almas owes me eight hundred ... not important. You don't care. Still got your bow out. Not worth it."

Still with his hands up, he began wiggling his boot to see if he could free himself.

"Fine. My name is Valere. I have documents in my satchel if you like. I'm from Almas. I pay my taxes and I vote. Not that it matters, apparently."

As he says, a dark brown leather satchel sits tucked behind the barrels of whisky along with a rapier.

He seems perfectly sincere and incredibly annoyed.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

Seems sincere enough... the documents will tell.

Eren released the tension on his string and lowered his bow, though he did not put it away entirely, and nodded.

"Please produce your documents, sir, slowly and without sudden moves. As for on whose authority, my immediate superior is Grand Inquisitor Argentum, at the main branch of the Church in Oppara."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Astride her horse, Cyril, Cassandra watched the events suddenly enfolding with a mix of curiosity, excitement, and trepidation. A smuggler! She'd been riding along with a caravan led by a smuggler for all these miles! Mother would be scandalized, Cassandra thought to herself. She frowned disapprovingly when she heard that Silas Gribb had tried to make a run for it. Better to take one's medicine, she figured. Running always made it harder on the culprit, she reflected, remembering stories she'd heard from the men who worked for her father patrolling the roads in their land.

Cyril looked around and shifted uneasily, spooked by the goings on. "Easy, my friend," she soothed the creature, "None of this concerns us. We merely traveled with him. Peace, Cyril." She gave the beast one last comforting pat and urged him forward. She had just about pulled even with Eren when he shot forward, rushing to the aid of one of the town guard. Then things became even more interesting as the inquisitor zeroed in on another potential criminal. She urged Cyril forward more and overheard the exchange. "Interesting accent for a man from Almas," she said, her voice ringing out in her own upper-class Taldoran accent. "Sounds Chelish." She gave the man an innocent smile.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Prickly, you say? I think I can manage, especially if he knows a great deal about the arcane arts. Lead on, my good sir!" The tiefling then began walking toward the town ahead of Elias's horse, probably to emphasize how good she was at following.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Shaking his head in bemusement at Kiyoko's continued bravado, Elias briefly caught the eye of the striking woman watching him from the edge of town. She was unfamiliar to him, and beneath her armor seemed dreadful thin, but was armed like a warrior. It was an altogether intriguing image, one that compelled him to pull up on the reins.

"Kiyoko, would you wait a moment?"

Perhaps assuming her assent, he guided the summoned beast towards where Ellarie stood watching.

"Pardon me, miss. Is there anything I might help you with?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Eren & Cassandra

"Oppara? The Hells is a taxman from Oppara doing in Galt? We are in ... no? Not in Galt yet? No. This is too pretty to be Taldor still. Really?" At length he got his foot free and shut up momentarily while he went through his bag for his papers.

"Look, I'll be honest here. I don't think you have the authority to ... what is it that I'm accused of?"

The man handed over a darkwood box containing a number of documents.

Within you find: a voter registration card for Almas, an Andoran passport with a stamp showing he'd disembarked at Oppara last month, and letters patent proclaiming him the Count Logaine Valere with an auxiliary letter corroborating that his father had received the title from Abrogail Thrune I in 4641 and that it had been transferred to his son in 4703. Lastly, there was a blue hued deed to someplace called Castle Laire.

The documents look official enough, though you're not at all familiar with some of these forms. The letters of nobility are similar enough to their Taldan counterparts that you believe them to be authentic.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

"As last I was informed, Belthaim currently falls under Taldor's jurisdiction, sir."

Although, if I remember, it does depend on which map you look at. What was it Alden said? Thirty miles from where the cartographers stopped giving a damn, or something along those lines?

Taking the darkwood box, and finally putting away his bow, Eren carefully inspected Valere's documents before neatly putting them back.

"And as for what you are accused of? Nothing, as your papers appear to be in order, and you are thus free to continue on your way." Eren handed the box back. "However, the man we are pursuing, who is said to bear an appearance similar to yours, is accused of murder most foul. Speaking of which, if you do not wish to be the subject of murder most foul, I highly recommend against traveling to Galt, sir. The sheer instability of the political climate renders them highly hostile to outsiders at best."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie's eyes had wandered back to the wizard and the Sheriff and she had been somewhat dismayed as she caught the young noble's eye. She had hoped to follow him and then return later after a bath and some clean clothes. Perhaps buy him a drink and get him to chat about his family. Noblemen loved talking about their families. With increasing alarm she realized that he was approaching her, though she glanced around to confirm that he could be headed towards nobody else. She cursed. This was not the first impression she had wished to make. It was all about first impressions with the upper class. But as she took him in as he rode the short distance to her she noticed his clothes, though well made, showed some wear. Perhaps he was not who he had appeared at first glance after all.

"I've only arrived today, My Lord." She decided to hedge her bets.

"Perhaps you can help, if it isn't too great an imposition. Might you point the way to a good inn where I might have a bath and a hot meal? Somewhere safe?" She added, unconsciously eyeing the ongoing commotion at the wagons.

[Nefarion Xid]

Eren & Cassandra

"I am aware of the political climate in Galt and my travels are none of your concern, inquisitor," he sneered, shutting his box with a loud clap. "Now, you won't go revealing the contents of that box to anyone, will you? I should very much like to continue my travels unmolested. Well, less molested than this."

Indignantly, he began bundling himself back up in this blanket.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Following the woman's stare, Elias gave a commiserating sigh.

"Well, allow me to welcome you to Belhaim, miss. My name is Elias Apion, and I assure you that ugly scenes like that are far from the norm. Belhaim may be a lean place, but it is not without kindness. If you're seeking a safe room, Talia Orem at the Wise Piper inn will treat you fairly. I was actually showing my companion Kiyoko there in order to get her settled. Would you care to follow?"

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

Aiming down his sights, Yagenas began to whistle a little ditty to himself as he mentally calculated trajectories and the recoil of his gun for optimal firing accuracy. He was content at first to let the others get in close, he had always preferred to strike at enemies from afar, but after seeing one get apprehended and an inquisitor suddenly arrive on the scene Yagenas decided it might be best to catch the bounty before some uppity holy taxman takes it from him. Lowering his iron sights he trudged forward in his heavy leather armor, green cowl pulled tightly over him, and nodded respectfully to each passerby (taking extra long on a Minkain woman whom he eyed oddly) until finally he worked his way to the third caravan and sidled up to it. Musket at the ready, he took a deep breathe in and then silently crept forward into the wagon.


Stealth:[roll0]

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The Tian-Min woman gave a bow that was perceptibly lower than the one she gave the Sheriff, just in case the living mustache was still paying attention. "It's part of his clever scheme to ride into town with a trail of fine ladies following him. Though," she gave him a look, "the effect will be lost if we start shivering on the way there." Despite the words, her tone wasn't terribly aggravated. It didn't matter to Kiyoko if Elias wanted to stop and chat with strangers or even build up a harem prior to settling back in. What did bother her a bit was the description of Belhaim being 'lean' - a word she took to mean 'poor and simple.' If that were true, it'd be a good place to stop, but she couldn't make much of a living here the way she'd want to. Hopefully something interesting would happen before she got too bored or ran out of funds...

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"That went well," Cassandra offered, gracing Eren with a smile. "Tell me, do all of your inquisitions go thus?" Nudging Cyril in the side with her heels, she pressed on toward the bridge. Time to be gawked at by all the townsfolk, I suppose.

[PepperP.]

Elias and Kiyoko

She noted the lack of noble styling as the wizard introduced himself with a small amount of regret. Still, she hadn't really been expecting kindness.

"Ellarie Chapman, and I thank you for the welcome." Her smile was sincere and lit her face in gratitude. She nodded at the imposing woman who stood tall above them both, matching the depth of her bow perfectly before turning back to Elias.

"I would be grateful to follow your lead, My.. ah Elias?" Her fumble turned into a question, though before he could answer, she was laughing at Kiyoko's jest.

"Then a trail of fine ladies we shall be for him that leads us to a warm meal and a hot tub." She stood a bit straighter and smoothed her dark hair, distractedly wishing she didn't feel more disheveled than fine. At Kiyoko's last words, she realized that she had begun to shiver in the light snowfall, her arms bare beneath her armor. Despite the cold, she felt the warmth of a shared laughter that she hadn't for some time.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Blushing slightly at Kiyoko's jest, Elias nevertheless gave a friendly nod at Ellarie's name.

"Very well, let's be off. I would be a poor gentleman to leave two ladies shivering in the cold."

With that, he turned his horse and began leading the way towards the Wise Piper.

[Nefarion Xid]

Yagenas

A cursory glance inside Iospeh's wagon revealed nothing out of the ordinary (medical supplies, glassware, his person effects), as expected. He, of course, recognized the gentleman as Master Ioseph Vega, an honorable man who owned a spot of land just south of the barony. Ioseph was known as a healer and typically came to Belhaim at least twice a year to trade for tools and other items necessities his homestead couldn't provide.

Hodd nodded his approval, looking very satisfied with himself that Yagenas saw nothing illicit either. Although, Hodd had practically ignored the forth wagon in the column. A man and a woman sat together on the driver's seat, huddled under a shared pelt. Though the wind was picking up, Yagenas caught the aroma of tobacco smoke from someone in the covered back.

Elias, Kiyoko, Ellarie

The party rode for all of forty feet before arriving at the doorstep of the Wise Piper Inn as it was precisely the first building on the right of Belhaim proper. The half-timber inn had a stately brick foundation, though the frontage was mostly obscured by overgrown rosebushes, still putting on red tinged growth at the end of the season. Little expense had been spared in its construction; closer inspection of the timber frames revealed them to be real darkwood instead of just stained to imitate the color. There were two full stories and a loft space, as indicated by the dormers poking out from the roof. Above the door, a painted placard showed a bearded man in a green cloak with a flute to his lips, and beneath him, the stylish letters W.P. in black with gold borders. To the side, there was an alcove with a rope and a sign reading, "Please ring for stable service."

You feel the building looks misplaced in this village. The style indicates it might be Ustalavic or perhaps Galtan, but you don't really know that much about architecture. At least, it's far nicer than the other buildings you can see. The inn is half brick, half timber and the bricks have been covered with pristine white plaster. The other buildings within view are all timber, with the exception of the grey stone manor you saw across the river earlier.

You remember that Talia Orem owns and operates the Wise Piper, a lovely woman with youthful vigor and deep pockets. Her much older husband died childless three years back, leaving the magnificent inn and a considerable sum of gold to his pretty young wife. She doesn't have much of a head for business, but locals say the food has been wonderful since Talia came to town.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Swinging off his horse, Elias gathered his few valuables before waving his hand over the horse with a single muttered word. Like the magic it was, the beast shimmered and disappeared into the air, leaving little more than a dusting of starstuff dancing with the snow.

"Shall we?"

Holding open the door for Kiyoko and Ellarie, Elias followed behind them into the common room. Scanning the room for Talia Orem, he attempted to get her attention.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie's eyebrows raised in surprise to find the Wise Piper a handsome building in such good repair, suddenly hesitant that she could afford such accommodations. She watched as Elias dispelled his mount with some admiration, aware that her own abilities amounted to little more than parlor tricks. Her hesitation was quickly overcome as Elias opened the door and she was enveloped by the inn's warm welcoming glow.

"Thank you." She spoke with a glance at Elias as she passed into the warmth of the inn, her stomach growling.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The warrior from Minkai had seen Elias summon and un-summon horses for a few weeks now, but it was still cool to watch. She didn't know much about the inn itself, other than that it looked a bit different from the surrounding buildings, and much different from the way people built things on the other side of the world. She knew enough to realize that it was possible that the inn predated the town by a fair span of time - many inns were self sufficient, and one could get by sitting all by itself on a lonely road. At the moment, though, Kiyoko was more interested in the good meal and promised hot water as she followed the pair of Avistani inside.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra followed some of the others into town and stopped before the entrance of the inn. Dismounting, she led Cyril over toward the stable she'd noted coming in. "Hello? Is anyone around?" she called out, after pulling on the rope. Cassandra eyed the exterior of the building, hoping whoever kept the stable enjoyed his or her work. "I'm sure you'll like it here," she said to her horse. Cyril looked at her and swished his tail.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren


Eren & Cassandra

"I am aware of the political climate in Galt and my travels are none of your concern, inquisitor," he sneered, shutting his box with a loud clap. "Now, you won't go revealing the contents of that box to anyone, will you? I should very much like to continue my travels unmolested. Well, less molested than this."

Indignantly, he began bundling himself back up in this blanket.
Eren did not reply to Valere, instead stowing his bow and opting to descend from the wagon.

Not the one. And the other leads are hardly strong enough to follow up on without further evidence. Particularly the assaulter. Way too many men fitting his description. May as well proceed into town and get lodging for the night before heading back.


"That went well. Tell me, do all of your inquisitions go thus?"
Finally registering the presence of another voice beside him, Eren turned to find a familiar face smirking at him.

"Lady Vallas." He inclined his head slightly in greeting. "To answer your question, not all of them do. But some of them. Particularly when you have only a name or an appearance to go on. You remember the bandit camp hunt, of course."

He looked up at the now-snowing sky.

"But further conversation can wait until we're inside, I think. This weather's getting worse, and I don't see a need to be out in it without reason."

Deciding to follow along with Sandra, if for no other reason than the company, Eren then followed her through the ring of the Sheriff's men, spotting the second familiar face along the way.

I shall see if I can say hello to Ioseph once I'm settled in.

Arriving at the door of the Wise Piper, Eren opted to wait with Sandra as she pulled the bell for stable service.

[Nefarion Xid]

Elias, Kiyoko, Ellarie

Still early evening, the inn hadn't yet begun to accommodate the dinner rush. The Wise Piper was one of only two eateries in town, so even if you had the coin, your choices were limited. At the moment, the dining room was unoccupied, and the lounge empty except for a man and a woman. Elias recognized the man from his finely coifed (if thin) black hair and mustaches. Nilos Genser sat warming himself by the fire dressed in only a linen shirt, tied together at the chest with a flashy red ribbon, and snug leather pants. He cared for the Shrine of the Seven Roses, the obliquely named temple of Shelyn. The woman was the baker, fat and gray headed with far too much rouge painted on her cheeks. Her work finished hours ago, Mirary Scalyn sat across from Nilos, nibbling on one of her own tarts.

Moments after the bell over the door jingled, the proprietor came rushing out from the kitchen, along with a strong whiff of onion soup. "Oh! Hello handsome!" Upon seeing Elias, Talia broke into a jog to give him a hug. Talia was politely described as "pleasantly plump" by the locals, and impolitely with pantomime of squeezing and cupping. She had straw colored hair in long curls, usually pulled back and up. Somehow, she'd found a collection of aprons which framed her generous decolletage rather than obscured it.

"Sweetheart, you're freezing! Go sit by the fire while I get you a cuppa." She turned and pointed manically to Koyoko and Ellarie in turn, "Cuppa? Cuppa?" She didn't wait for answer. "Oh, you're a pretty thing, aren't ya?" She left it ambiguous as to which of Elias' companions she meant. "Milk?" Talia chirped, halfway back to the kitchen.

While Nilos suppressed a dirty giggle from the lounge, a second bell rung. A slender boy came sprinting out from the supply room, tugging on his coat as he went. He brushed past Elias's party without a word and trotted outside to see Eren and Cassandra.

Eren and Cassandra

"Miss Talia will see you inside. We've got lots of vacancies. Book a week or more in advance and your stabling's free!" said the lad automatically as he snatched up the reigns and maneuvered their mounts around back.

Yagenas

Having finished their search, the guard apprehended only the first wagon belonging to Silas and two of his hired thugs. The three men stood nearby in irons, muttering to each other. The sheriff instructed Deputy Mulle to drive their wagon back to the garrison for impound and motioned for Hodd to march the men behind. With the way clear, he lead his horse out of the road and motions the rest of the caravan through. Turning to Yagenas, Benhovy put a hand on the young man's shoulder. "No sign of the poacher? The others?"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"I remember the bandits very well, thank you," replied Cassandra. "And the atrocious language their leader used. Do you always take highborn ladies to such interesting places?" She raised a hand to silence the inevitable objection. "And yes, I remember that you were only making use of my skills to find their camp."

The druidess was interrupted as the boy ran up to them. "Then I shall certainly be staying the week, young man. My horse's name is Cyril, by the way, and he can be somewhat skittish around strangers, so do be careful," she instructed the lad about her horse. "Cyril, behave." She gave her horse a firm look, turned, and passed into the Wise Piper.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Attempting to get a question in had been fruitless. Kiyoko didn't know what 'cuppa' was or how it was made, but at this point anything not cooked over a campfire by someone who had no idea what they were doing would be a major improvement, so she was looking forward to it regardless. Shrugging at her two companions for the late afternoon, she made her way to a table in the center of the room and sat facing the door. "Aww, she seems nice."

[zabbarot]

Ioseph

Ioseph nodded respectfully to the sheriff and his entourage as the remains of the wagon train crossed the bridge and rolled into town. "Always a pleasure, Sir Benhovy. If you finish up before it gets too late I'll be at the inn. First round is on me. We have some catching up to do." Ioseph had never been especially close with the sheriff, but Benhovy did tend to know all the local gossip. He would be a good friend to have. That said he headed to the tavern to lock up his wagon and stable his horse for the afternoon.

He pulled his coat a little tighter as he walked from the stable to the inn. He'd always enjoyed the snow, if not the cold. Hopefully the lake will freeze this winter. Ahead he saw Cassandra and Eren so he hurried to catch up. "So, is it everything you hoped for?"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"I try to keep an open mind about a place before I visit," Cassandra replied. "It makes learning about it easier, you see. Even small villages such as Belheim have their secrets."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

He accepted Talia's ample embrace with only a hint of a flush, returning a quick squeeze before being released as the innkeep launched into her hospitable flurry.

"Ah, Miss Talia, so good to see you again! Er, thank you, yes, these are my...ah, milk would be lovely!"

Left somewhat breathless by the woman's sudden entrance and even more sudden departure, Elias made his way to where Kiyoko had already claimed a seat and sat across from her, only pausing to offer a chair to Ellarie if she seemed intent on following.

"Yes, Talia is something of a local wonder - you'd be hard pressed to find a more hospitable inn if you traveled the entire empire."

Taking a moment to look about the room, Elias caught sight of Brother Nilos and Mrs. Scalyn. Brightening at the sight of more familiar faces, he rose slightly from his bench and gave a quick wave.

"Brother Nilos, Mrs. Scalyn! A pleasure to see you again. I look forward to spending another Crystalhue in Belhaim, Brother."

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

Shaking his head slowly, Yagenas shrugged and slung his musket over his shoulder.

"No. Maybe it was a bad tip,"

Pulling back his leather helmet, Yagenas shook his head vigorously before looking up at the snow falling down.

"I'll mull it over some lunch, I haven't eaten all day."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

She stood in the entrance, for a moment at a loss. She didn't know what a cuppa was, but she hoped it was warm. The addition of milk sounded of promising, at least. The inn keeper's comment brushed past her, if it was meant for her, it went unnoticed. She certainly didn't feel pretty in her current unkempt state. She looked around wishing for a place to stow her gear but ended up dragging it with her towards the fire. She felt a bit shy as Elias pushed a seat out for her as an afterthought, torn between feeling like a third wheel and craving the company. She dropped her backpack and gear in a heap and took the proffered seat. In order to occupy her hands, she picked up her lute and began to strum it softly as she watched Elias greet the locals. He seemed to be well known around town, perhaps he might be a help in aiding her find employment. She soon began to reflexively hum along with her tune, the soft music wound around her and absorbed her worries as it never failed to do.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren


"I remember the bandits very well, thank you, and the atrocious language their leader used. Do you always take highborn ladies to such interesting places? And yes, I remember that you were only making use of my skills to find their camp."
Eren smiled dryly. "No, milady. You are special in that regard. Most of the time when I interact with other highborn it is usually because they've been engaging in tax evasion."

"And thanks again for the guidance, by the way."

He then turned as Ioseph ran up to them.

"So, is it everything you hoped for?"

"I try to keep an open mind about a place before I visit. It makes learning about it easier, you see. Even small villages such as Belheim have their secrets."
"The inn looks pleasant enough, and not leaky or damp, so yes, Ioseph, it is everything I hoped for. I forget - you came from this village originally, didn't you?" He then turned to Sandra and chuckled slightly, a rare display of humor. "Everything and everyplace has secrets, milady. Some of them are just bigger than others."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra took one of the stools at the bar. Removing her fur cloak, the woman ran her hands through her auburn hair, shaking away the snowflakes that had by now turned to droplets of water. She accepted the tea with a bright smile and rested a hand upon the bar top. "Excuse me, I believe I caught your name as Talia? This is a lovely establishment. Your lad out at the stable was very helpful. He said a week's front payment for a stay here also covers the keeping of a horse. I would like a small suite for that long, if one is available. Should my business here last longer, I will likely continue to stay on." She reached into her coin purse and placed a small pile of gold coins on the bar before her. "I am also looking for some direction, if you can help me, or at least steer me to someone who can. You see, I'm searching for druids."

Diplomacy to see if Talia knows of any druids around: [roll0]

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

Knocking his leather boots free of snow and wiping his hair clean, Yagenas stepped into the inn and flashed a smile back at Talia.

"Well if it isn't my favorite maiden. Seems a bit slow, but atleast ya have plenty of new faces."

Hooking his two thumbs into his belt, Yagenas briefly surveyed the lounge and noted some of the same faces he had spotted from the caravan before. Scratching his chin, he began to walk over to the dining room to take a seat, and idly commented "Y'know, I always wondered why a comely, well to do lady such as yourself stuck around a dreary little town like this."


Charisma:[roll0]

[Nefarion Xid]

Elias

Mrs. Scalyn gave a pleasant smile, but her mouth was too full of tart to answer. Nilos stood up to clasp Elias by the wrist. "Yes, nearly time to start decorating! I had hoped to get my ornaments up before the snow hit. Bit early this year, isn't it? The blue beards told me so, but I didn't listen. Now they'll gloat. If they have their way, this winter will be bitter just to spite us."

Now close up, Elias noticed that the man had dyed the tips of his mustache crimson. He'd also sewn tiny silver bells to his lacy sleeves for the holidays.

He lowered his voice and gave a faint nod towards Kiyoko. "Is that statuesque Minkaian treat a friend of yours? If that's the kind of friend you make when you travel, then I think I need to get out of town for a spell. Pity the town needs me so much!"

Ellarie & Kiyoko

Cups of tea were splashed down on the table within minutes. Proper cuppas, served the same way it had been in Belhaim for two hundred years -- aged black tea with a hint of bergamot, steeped four minutes, put through a silver strainer, served with a third milk, no sugar.

Talia pushed a cup and saucer into Elias' hand and returned to the Ellarie and Kiyoko to rattle off the menu and some of the baked goods for sale. She wrote down nothing, mumbled something about "five minutes, loves" and jiggled off towards the second party.

Cassandra, Others

Talia repeated her name to Cassandra and repeatedly bobbed her head while jotting names and numbers down in a ledger. "Through next Starday then, stabling comped," she hummed and produced a key, "Third floor, end of the hall. That's the quiet one."

Seeing Yagenas enter, she spared a wave and a smile before returning her attention to Cassandra. "You must be looking for Master Kell. I'm sorry, love, I don't think anyone's seen him for weeks. But, you know how they are. Probably some ... squirrel emergency? Don't know what they get up to."

She continued to book accommodations for Ioseph and Eren if they wished, fetched food for Ellarie, then plopped down with both elbows on the table, opposite of Yagenas. "Oh hon, I haven't been a maiden since, oh, not important. But you keep trying. Don't think you'd know what to do with me if you caught me, but you keep trying!"

She winked, then rushed off to see what the man in blue wanted.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

Taking his complimentary cup of tea from their hostess with a polite nod of thanks, Eren sipped at it carefully, letting the warmth flow through him, before turning his attention to booking a room.

"I will also pay for a week's stay in a single room here, ma'am - weather doesn't look like it will break anytime soon. And a portion of that beef and soup I smell, please and thank you, with a pint of your house beer."

As I recall, that should be 14 gp for the room, and then since we're making up our own charges for the food, I think 7 sp should afford a nice generous portion - onion soup, beef, turnip greens, and a pint of the house beer. And a bear claw, if it's among their baked goods.
His room now accounted for, Eren put his feet up and turned to Sandra and Ioseph.

"So, you've likely guessed my own reasons for coming out here at the moment, but I don't think I managed to get either of yours - although I think I might be able to guess in your case, Ioseph."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"I seek more of my kind," replied Cassandra after taking a sip from the blessedly hot soup. The druidess could survive well out-of-doors, even in the winter, but that didn't mean she had no appreciation for the comforts of civilization. One had to have standards, of course. "Druids, I mean," she continued. "What I require is information from one who knows this forest well."

Marked off 14.5g for the room + dinner.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

Eren raised an eyebrow in concern as he continued to sip his tea. "Is it something the rest of us should be worried about? Or merely a personal matter?"

Upon Sandra citing that it was a personal matter, he finished his tea and shrugged. "Fair enough. I shall not pry further. How about you, Ioseph? What brings you back here?"

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Returning Nilos grip with a firm squeeze, Elias smiled at the Sheylnite's enthusiasm. Following the direction of the priest's nod, he couldn't suppress a faint chuckle and a conciliatory shake of the head.

"Perhaps better to call her an acquaintance on the road to friendship. If you'd care to try your luck, Brother, I wish you well, but she is a tad mercurial."

Their conversation briefly interrupted by the arrival of more guests, a shadow passed before Elias' eyes at the sight of an Abadaran priest.

"But tell me, Brother, how fares Belhaim? I've been away for near a year and am woefully behind on the local news."

[Nefarion Xid]

All

The tremors came first. Timbers creaked, furniture rattled, saucers tittered towards the edges of tables. A dull roar followed on the wind a second later, vibrating the windows. The disturbance lasted all of five seconds, just long enough for Talia to put a hand on the door to investigate. She giggled nervously once the world was silent again, "Oh my! Don't think I've ever felt an earthquake before. Ha! Well, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

No sooner than had she dismissed the event, inarticulate shouting could be heard outside. Out of the north window, the inn's patrons could a few people jogging east and pointing. Finally the words "Witch Tower!" could be heard clearly.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Elias reached out to the couch to steady himself, Elias shared a concerned look with Nilos before turning his attention to Talia. The woman's assurances caused him to relax slightly, only for his eyes to widen at the sound of the commotion outside. Turning with a concerned glance towards Kiyoko and Ellarie, he gave a resigned shrug before rushing out the door.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

As soon as Talia had placed her food before her, Ellarie had set upon devouring it in short order. She had approached the bar to secure another cup of tea and a room when the first tremor hit. She listened to Talia's reassurances uneasily, meeting Elias's concerned eyes before spotting the pointing crowd trotting past the windows. She exited the inn quickly and joined them. She hurried to catch up to the nearest villager.

"What's going on?" She tried to get their attention to glean some information on the situation.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

After watching Elias rush out the door, Cassandra stood, wrapped herself in her fur cloak once more, and followed suit. Cuffing Eren on the shoulder as she passed by, she gestured toward the door. "Come on, taxman, let's see what the commotion is."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

Reluctantly putting down his beer, Eren grabbed his bow and dutifully followed Sandra. His eyes following the crowd and the cloud of dust across the creek, he stepped forward with the others... and gazed upon the sinkhole that had been left behind, and the tower propped up by the rubble nearby. He turned once more to his friends.

"I don't suppose either of you know what was here before? Or, more relevantly, if earthquakes commonly strike here?"

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Pointedly ignoring the Abadaran's question, Elias turned to the approaching sheriff.

"Sheriff Benhovy! It seems that Witch Tower has collapsed, Sir - let us pray to the gods no one was inside. How can I help?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

Unblinking, Eren turned to the Sheriff as he arrived on scene and ordered a nearby boy to go and fetch the baroness. Spotting Elias offering his help, he approached as well.

"I will also offer my help, as one of the Vaultmaster's own."

[Nefarion Xid]

Witch Tower Ruins

Following the gawking crowd, a number of the adventurous sort made their way to the east of town, over the creek bridge to the source of commotion. A cloud of dust hung now over the sunken ruins of a castle, swallowed by a sinkhole with the exception of the tallest tower which now stood precariously supported by a mound of rotted wood and rubble.

Sensibly, the mob of townsfolk that had rushed in to see what had happened gave the ruins a respectable distance and dared not approach within seventy feet. The Sheriff arrived soon on horseback and repeated what everyone already knew; sinkholes were dangerous and everyone should stay back.

Frustrated and clearly unsure of how to proceed, Benhovy snapped at a boy to fetch the Baroness while he turned his attention to the offers of help. "Hells! Not much you can do, lads. No one's stupid enough to go in those damned ruins. Not since ... " he trailed off bit his lip underneath his whiskers. "Suppose this was bound to happen eventually, what. Only reason we haven't had workers tear it down already -- we figured it would do the job for us one day."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Nodding at the sheriff's trepidation, Elias regarded the collapsed ruins with somber eyes. Catching the woman he'd met on the way into town...Ellarie?...out the corner of his eye, he watched with some surprise as she summoned a cantrip to examine the site. Most interesting. Still, there were more pressing matters, and he turned back towards the mounted knight.

"Indeed, Sir. I doubt the Baroness will be pleased to have lost this last memorial to her husband. If you'd like, I could summon my master; the tower toppling over would have been a predictable end, but to collapse in on itself seems a queer end to its sad tale."

Thinking a moment, the sheriff nodded.

"Perhaps a good idea, lad. If I go knock, he's liable to turn me into something ... unnatural."

Nodding, Elias turned back towards the large manor that housed his master. Before he'd gone more than a few steps, though, a small cough caused him to turn and find Ellarie among the crowd.

"Did, uh, does anybody live in there?"

His face growing grim, Elias shook his head.

"Not since before the Devies were granted these lands, near two centuries ago. Those ruins were the home of the old lords of Belhaim, the Canteclures. They met a bloody end when they rebelled against the emperor, and the new lords chose to build a new holdfast rather than repair that dark place. Its last occupant was something of a monster. Now it is, it was, home to only ghosts."

He paused, examining the weather-beaten face of the woman before him. Finally, he seemed to come to a decision.

"I was about to fetch my master. I noticed you have some skill in the arcane arts - I could arrange an introduction, if you wish?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

"If I may be so bold, sir, ever since what?"

Eren's query went unanswered, however, as the Sheriff shook his head in reply, Eren gaining a palpable sense that there was some unspoken town history going on there. He then turned to Sandra and Elias as they had a small conversation.

"Oh! Is that Canteclure castle?"

"Castle Tula, yes. At least, it was."

"Do you know something about this place, milady?"

"No more than he said," indicating Elias.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie flushed slightly at being caught performing her minor spell by a real wizard.

"I would like that, and with thanks. Lead the way." Still, curiosity overcame her chagrin as it ever did.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Giving the uncertain woman a friendly smile, Elias gestured back towards the road.

"Then please, follow me. His home is not far. Watch your step, though - the path can become treacherous in the snow."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

At the mention of snow, she realized her flesh had broken out into goosebumps and her hands went to rub warmth into her bare forearms.

"Are you from Belhaim?" She was curious, though she asked mostly to fill the silence.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Chuckling at the question, Elias paused for a moment to pick up a stone from the side of the road. Whispering a prestidigitation, he infused it with a pleasant warmth and passed it to Ellarie.

"Not born here, no. I apprenticed under Master Hunclay for four years, but I am originally from...from Oppara."

Mention of the fabled capital seemed to cause a shift in the young man's mood, and his smile faded to somber silence.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The tiefling actually perked up at the rumbling, then turned to finish her tea when it stopped. Then the bread and soup. By the time she was done, everyone was gone. You'd think they'd never seen a building collapse before.

Look, it was really good food. You don't get to judge.

When she did catch up, she heard Sheriff Mustache telling everyone that gravity was dangerous, and elected to get her information from the same place she'd been getting it - Elias. "Hello, lovebirds," she dropped an arm around each of them. "Catch me up? Are we going looting?"

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

It took every ounce of self-control he possessed for Elias not to shriek in terror at Kiyoko's touch. Instead, his back remained as tense as a jungle cat preparing to jump as he muttered under his breath.

"This is my master's manor house. Kobold there tried to open the door. Handle is trapped with a fireball. Trying to get inside to see if everything is alright. Wait a moment."

With that, Elias disappeared entirely from the stoop. His location was quickly confirmed, though, when a scream of terror came from behind the door. It was followed, more slowly, by a quiet groan.

"I'm alright. Pit trap behind the door. One moment."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Deep in concentration working her magic alongside Elias so that he may peer through the keyhole, she did not notice Kiyoko creeping up behind them.

"Hello, lovebirds," she dropped an arm around each of them.

Ellarie jumped, her heart in her throat.

Just as quickly as Kiyoko appeared, Elias disappeared. His disappearance was soon followed by a scream and she futilely tried to nudge the door with her shoulder.

"Dammit!"

"He's fine. We'd have more reason to worry if the shriek abruptly stopped. Can you spring this door, or do we break it down?"

"Let's break it down"

Ellarie stepped back and watched in awe as Kiyoko hammered away at the door hinges with her sword. As it fell inwards, she heard Elias's voice dissolve into another scream.

"Aha, never fear, I can open the...aaah!"

She quickly followed the door inside.

"Are you hurt?"

"Only my pride."

"Master Hunclay has certainly increased security in the year I've been gone."

"Probably to keep his former apprentice from sneaking in, or something."

"Hardly former. I was on a sabbatical for...personal reasons."

"Oh man. I know exactly what you mean. I'm on a personal sabbatical now."

Ignoring the pair's banter, she arose from where she had crouched by Elias's side and peered around. There was little to be seen in the dark, windowless room they stood in. She whispered and a bright light appeared in her hand, illuminating her face and the room around her.

[zabbarot]

Ioseph

Previously
Ioseph made accommodations for the week, which Talia might have noted as unusual. He didn't usually stay in town that long. He went back to small talk with his traveling companions as she moved on to tend to other guests though. "Family matters, Eren. It's a bit of a long story. I'll save it for dinner if you're interested."

Currently
Ioseph rushed out to the castle with the crowd. He'd seen it in the past, but never really paid it much mind. Now that it was just a mess of stone and shattered timbers he wished that he'd taken a chance to explore it. "Well... we should see if it's settled." He rummaged through his backpack and produced a length of rope that he tied around his waste. The other end he offered to Sheriff Benhovy. "If you don't mind, Sir. You and your horse can pull me back if the ground starts to collapse under me or something. Was anyone near by when it collapsed, or, gods forbid, inside?" He waited for Benhovy to wrap it around the saddlehorn before making his way closer to the ruins, and the sinkhole.

I've got 50 feet of rope, so I guess I'll see if Ioseph can spot any clues about what happened. OOC I supsect that kobolds were digging under the castle :P

Perception +7, Knowledge Local +4, most other knowledges that might be relevant are +2.

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

"Well, lady's have said I'm quite dogged." He snickered before laying back and enjoying the ambience. He wasn't particularly fond of peace and quiet but every once in a while it didn't hurt. Yagenas' love for the unexpected was quickly sated however as soon after he got his meal the earth began to shake. Sitting at the dining table with his bowl of soup, Yagenas gripped the bowl tightly and with expert precision balanced it to ensure that none of the liquid got out of the bowl even as the building heaved and hoed. As the other patrons moved to leave he decided to stay a while, not because he was disinterested in seeing what had happened or in helping out, but because he really hadn't eaten anything in a long while and wanted to not work two cases on an empty stomach. Scarfing down his meal he quickly began to leave the inn and arrived in time to see the Sheriff on horseback talking to one of the wagon owners.

Grumbling and shaking his head, the Sheriff objected to Ioseph's plan ""No need, man! There's nothing in there worth risking your life. Best to let it settle a few days at least."

"What in the nine hells is going on here!" Yagenas proclaimed as he looked at the sight of the collapsed witch tower, his musket drawn and his feet quickly pacing back and forth as he tried to observe as much of the ruin as possible. His eyes focused in and narrowed on the outline of it, disturbed by how precise and contained the collapse was. Stepping alongside the sheriff, he tapped the man on the leg to draw his attention.

"Sheriff, I don't think this was an accident."

"More reason to check it out then." Ioseph commented whilst stepping in line with the two lawmen, causing Yagenas to turn around and fully recognize his presence with a reaffirming nod of the head. Resting his musket against his shoulder, Yagenas raised his left pointer finger and began to point out the outline of the hole.

"I'm getting a real..... sinking feeling about it, heh. Too precise." A groan escaped the sheriff's mouth at Yagenas' joke but the severity of what he said wasn't impacted in the slightest as a serious visage fell over the mustachioed officer.

"You don't mean ... sappers?"

"Probably."

"If we can look at the edge we can probably tell if it was dug out or not at the least. If it was magic that's a whole different issue."

"Speaking of, is the local wizard working on this?" Yagenas noted as he finally put his leather wolf helmet over his head and began to secure it with straps.

"Someone went to fetch him." Ioseph replied before waving in the general direction of where Elias and Co. went.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Curiosity and prudence at war within her, Cassandra followed Ioseph closer to the edge of the hole. "Are you sure exploring down there immediately after a cave-in is wise?" Yagenas then came up as she was pondering the possibilities. "On the other hand if what you say is true about it being too precise to happen on accident, perhaps we should investigate."

[Nefarion Xid]

Witch Tower

Benhovy's mustache bristled. "Keep quiet about that, will you? We've no reason to believe this was," he lowered his voice, "purposeful. Besides, who the devil would want to sink an old ruin? Castle Tula had a rather extensive dungeon, as I recall, perhaps the supports have just given out after all these years?"

"Kobolds, Sir!" sputtered Deputy Antilles, reigning in his chestnut courser after galloping in from the west. "Three of them, at least. Once they realized they were spotted they faded into the forest. Biggs didn't want to lose them so he gave chase."

"Blast! Fool should know better than to go off by himself!" The Sheriff wheeled his mount around and shouted for Yagenas to, "See that no one hurts themselves, Tulwin!" before riding off with the exceptionally nondescript Antilles. Upon hearing the word "kobold", the crowd muttered to themselves angrily and many grew plainly apprehensive. Some hurried their loved ones back to their homes. Others began to speak of fetching farming implements to use as weapons.

Spinning in place with the flurry of activity, Yagenas caught sight of the Baroness, her son and one of their house guards approached from the south. Lady Origena Devy was a handsome, slender woman with pronounced cheekbones. Silver hair and deep lines around her eyes belied her age. She'd taken the time to apply her makeup and pin her hair into a loose bun before setting out from her manor to see what the commotion was about. A purple cloak had been draped over one shoulder, so as not to completely occlude her black silk dress or her favorite silver rose brooch.

Once Yagenas had apprised Lady Devy of the situation, she decided, "I want you to have a look around. See if there's a way in through the tower. I won't have my people panicking over kobold vermin! Show them there's nothing to worry about. And if you do find anything ... kill it. You're good at that, aren't you deputy?"

She looked between Eren and Ioseph, who had been listening intently nearby. "You there. You look capable. Care to make some coin? "

Hunclay Estate

Apart from the traps, the great hall was just as Elias remembered it. The floor of this well-appointed entry hall is adorned with two expensive Qadiran rugs and deocrated with several overstuffed suede sofas. Two dozen paintings with gilded frames hang on the walls (mostly landscapes) and grand examples of classical realism. To the north sits a large bird cage. Wooden doors open to the east and west halls, and an elaborate spiral staircase of wrought iron ascends and descends in the corner to the right.

The five exotic birds in the cage chatter frantically, clearly upset by someone hacking the door down. Ellarie sees that the birds, despite their annoyance, have been recently fed and watered. Their cage looks as if it must have been cleaned recently.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

"This place... I thought this manor was abandoned. Did I get confused?"

Ellarie shook her head at Kiyoko's words and gestured to the bird cage.

"These birds have been well cared for. Someone has been here recently." She glanced askance at Elias, though the questions she sought answers to were numerous.

"Where should we look?" Everything outside the glow of her light was just a dark blur to her.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Dusting himself off from his magical journey down a magical hole, Elias quirked an eyebrow at Kiyoko's question.

"What? No. I said, this is my master's manor. For some reason he's trapped the door and isn't answering, but if the birds are being cared for then the worst case is unlikely."

Taking in the fallen door, Elias winced at the shattered door frame.

"Hopefully he isn't too annoyed about the door. At least the important parts are still intact...one make whole and it should be good as new."

Turning towards Ellarie's question, Elias cast a practiced gaze about the room.

"No idea. If Master Hunclay were himself then I can't imagine he'd have missed a chance to scare off some inept intruders. We should check each floor, make sure none of those vermin found a way inside. I shudder to think what a kobold could do while mishandling one of the master's artifacts."

Elias will examine the room with Detect Magic, and if nothing pings will listen at the doors.

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

Firing off a salute at the Sheriff, Yagenas stood guard and rather brusquely told any too curious onlooker to back up before they accidentally make the mess any worse. His face was a sneering scowl to match the ferocity of the helmet he wore, though it melted away to a far more obedient and stern expression when the Baroness arrived and he explained the situation to her.

"Yes, Ser Petrikov was quite serious in making sure I was good at just that."

Glancing over at the rather comely lady standing beside him, Yagenas looked over her assets and equipment before deciding she could be of some use. Straightening himself out, he looked her in the eyes and said "Howdy miss, you look fairly capable, and as a former active concerned citizen to another how would you like a little bit of action with a young dashing deputy?"

Slightly amused, Cassandra nodded her head before glancing at the halberd on his back "I have talents that might be useful. And it will be interesting, at any rate."

Smiling slightly, Yagenas began to clear out space with the usual rounds of "Nothing to see here, please go back inside and don't worry. The situation was a bit unstable, but we're on solid ground now and we've got it under control," before turning back to Cassandra to properly introduce himself "Names Yagenas, Yagenas Tulwin. And what may I call my lovely traveling companion?" Even as he spoke he wasted no time and immediately started to take some rope out and put it around his arm for ease of access.

"Lady Cassandra Vallas to most. Cassandra to my friends," She replied, smiling slightly and arching an eyebrow "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Deputy Tulwin."

Freezing up slightly, Yagenas' whole face turned bright red and upon recollecting himself he instantly turned away to face the now downed tower and began walking towards it, grumbling “Right, well, uh, lets focus on the task at hand.”

"Good idea champ." Ioseph does his best not to chuckle. It is not enough. Yagenas glances back at the older man and shoots him a brief but dirty look, deeply wishing in his heart that he could shoot something else instead.

"Lets get a move on. Hole's not going anywhere."

Inspecting the ruins, taking a walk around the perimeter, the Lady and the Deputy decided the only way IN must be through the tower. Climbing the ramp of rubble appeared to be the easiest way in ... though periodically a small rock flies loose and tumbles down. The tower itself was leaning about 15 degrees, but it looked more stable than either of them would have guessed. Yagenas, using his halberd as a walking stick, offered to go first and traversed the rubble with relative ease, and upon reaching the top threw Cassandra a line of rope for her to use as support. It was mostly unnecessary however as the Lady Vallas found traversing the rubble to be quiet easy, though she took measures to make sure it wasn't readily apparent to the young Deputy. Both having reached the top, she nodded her head to Yagenas as he rolled the rope back up and said "Thank you Deputy." eliciting a small blush from the still flustered marksman "Don't mind me, just trying to act chivalrous."

This part of the tower they had found themselves in was open, the roof long since burned away, and save for the light sprinkling of rubble here and there the floor seemed mostly sound. A trap door was set in the floor on the northwest wall, but a heavy timber had fallen across it, and with a grunt of effort Yagenas kicked it away to clear the path. Their expedition was halted briefly, however, by the sound of Ioseph trying and failing to climb up the rubble. Stepping back out to the top of the rubble slope, Yagenas leaned and watched the display with his hands resting on one knee. Smiling slightly, he let Ioseph flounder twice before shouting down.

"Need help, champ?"
"Oh, that'd be delightful."
"Don't mind if I do."

And with that he threw Ioseph a line of rope and hauled him up the slope with ease, his compact muscles making quick work of the task while Ioseph tried to maintain his footing and succeeded.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

"You think there might be more kobolds?" She gestured nervously to the gaping hole where the door used to be.

"Perhaps we should fix the door before we move on? Just in case?" She looked to Elias as fixing such a large and heavy object was beyond her magical abilities.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Taking a moment to consider Ellarie's suggestion, he nodded.

"I don't have the magics at present necessary to fix the door, but propping it back into place is a good idea. It might at least dissuade any kobolds that come sneaking about."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The Minkaian woman swore, with passion if not volume, in her home language. "Wow, did I get confused. Do me a favor and don't mention the door to him, please?" Kiyoko grabbed it and wedged it back into place. "I'll try to avoid breaking anything else."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren



Witch Tower

Benhovy's mustache bristled. "Keep quiet about that, will you? We've no reason to believe this was," he lowered his voice, "purposeful. Besides, who the devil would want to sink an old ruin? Castle Tula had a rather extensive dungeon, as I recall, perhaps the supports have just given out after all these years?"

"Kobolds, Sir!" sputtered Deputy Antilles, reigning in his chestnut courser after galloping in from the west. "Three of them, at least. Once they realized they were spotted they faded into the forest. Biggs didn't want to lose them so he gave chase."

"Blast! Fool should know better than to go off by himself!" The Sheriff wheeled his mount around and shouted for Yagenas to, "See that no one hurts themselves, Tulwin!" before riding off with the exceptionally nondescript Antilles. Upon hearing the word "kobold", the crowd muttered to themselves angrily and many grew plainly apprehensive. Some hurried their loved ones back to their homes. Others began to speak of fetching farming implements to use as weapons.

Spinning in place with the flurry of activity, Yagenas caught sight of the Baroness, her son and one of their house guards approached from the south. Lady Origena Devy was a handsome, slender woman with pronounced cheekbones. Silver hair and deep lines around her eyes belied her age. She'd taken the time to apply her makeup and pin her hair into a loose bun before setting out from her manor to see what the commotion was about. A purple cloak had been draped over one shoulder, so as not to completely occlude her black silk dress or her favorite silver rose brooch.

Once Yagenas had apprised Lady Devy of the situation, she decided, "I want you to have a look around. See if there's a way in through the tower. I won't have my people panicking over kobold vermin! Show them there's nothing to worry about. And if you do find anything ... kill it. You're good at that, aren't you deputy?"

She looked between Eren and Ioseph, who had been listening intently nearby. "You there. You look capable. Care to make some coin? "
Watching the baroness approach, Eren inclined his head respectfully as she addressed him.

"How may I be of service, milady?"

Upon being petitioned to go into the ruin and see if there were any kobolds present, and kill them if so, Eren saluted.

"I will certainly do that, milday. Although, as one of Abadar's devotees, if I may be so bold as to ask - how much will we be compensated for this endeavour?"

He then turned to Yagenas as he introduced himself, and extended a hand.

"Inquisitor Eren Drakos, Opparan Church of Abadar."

Later, as the party delved into the ruins, he hauled himself up the side of the tower (with a little help from Yagenas at the top), then, nocking an arrow to his bowstring, kept low as they began to creep through the ruins.

21 for Climb
27​ for Stealth

[Nefarion Xid]

Hunclay's Manor

A search of the first floor's west wing reveals only the dining room and parlor with no signs of a struggle and nothing to explain Hunclay's conspicuous absence from his own home. The parlor is filled with fine mahogany furniture and shelves holding a collection of sextants, astrolabes and other expensive looking instruments. Three strange, nearly surreal, landscape paintings hang here.

You identify the scenes in the paintings as the desolate Planes of Abaddon and the river Styx, the diabolic City of Dis in the second layer of Hell. The third you cannot identify, but it shows an idyllic green village inside a crater in a sickly mauve colored rocky plane. Unseen winged creatures cast long shadows on the ground.

You cannot guess the value of the instruments in this room, but you're sure they'd fetch more than 1,000 gp. The entire collection could be shoved in a backpack.

There is little of interest in the dining room except the landscape paintings of Osirion's deserts and monuments. The oak table and ornately carved matching chairs are magnificent, but far too heavy to be looted.

Returning to the great hall, Ellarie spies the glint of silver on the foot of the largest bird in the cage. Drawing closer, she sees that it's a silver key tied to his ankle!

Witch Tower Ruins

After carefully moving aside a fallen timber, the party lifted the trap door and began quietly and carefully making their way down the precarious ladder affixed to the wall. Nothing beyond this room seems to have survived the collapse. What had been an archway leading south was now completely clogged with earth and stone. Scattered wooden furniture (including bunk beds) lies about the area, made useless by centuries of moisture. An iron trap door sits in the floor, directly beneath the open one above. The green scaled corpse of a kobold is partially visible beneath the rubble of the archway.

The trap door in the ceiling provides the only light in this room.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

"Well, there are definitely more kobolds in here, alright. Although it seems not all of them made it out."

Carefully advancing toward the trap door, Eren carefully examined it for any sort of sabotage or traps before pressing his ear against it.

Eren checks the new trapdoor we've found for traps. If there are none, he will attempt to listen through it before opening it.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

She studies the paintings in the parlor quietly by the light in her hand. Deep in thought, she follows after Elias back to the Great Hall. She does a double take, as a hint of silver catches the light.

"Hey, look at this! Is that a key attached to that bird's foot?" she moves her hand with the light as close as she can outside the cage to the bird's foot.

"It is a key! What do you think it unlocks?" She nearly goes for the cage door and then stops herself, remembering the fried kobold on the stoop.

Casts Detect Magic

"It's a magical key." She straightens and turns to Elias.

"That's all I can tell." She reaches cautiously for the cage door.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

Determining that the trapdoor was untrapped, Eren carefully opened it - and saw only darkness.

"<Light.>"

Eren will pick up a nearby piece of debris or pebble, cast lLight​ on it, and drop it down the hole.

[Nefarion Xid]

Witch Tower Ruins

Finding nothing suspicious about the trap door, Eren pried it open as quietly as he could and peered into the room below. Illuminated with multiple magical light sources, the room below looked clear. The walls of this chamber have buckled precariously in places. Masonry and dirt are scattered across the floor. Rotted frames of five beds lie against the walls in the right-hand chamber. A rusted, grinning iron statue stands in an alcove on the northern wall.

You identify the statue as a Canteclure, the former rulers of this realm. You cannot be sure precisely which one, but it hardly matters. The statue is worthless as an art object in this state.

A large iron door sits at the south end of the room.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Not quite sure what to make of the bird with the key, Kiyoko had difficulty taking her mind off of the fortune in instrumentation in the next room. The urge to snatch it was intense - indeed, she knew many in the Five Storms that wouldn't have hesitated - but there were three problems. The first involved an irate wizard, the second involved how to sell the damn things in this one-horse town, and the third involved not wanting to anger Elias. She was surprised by that sensation, but those who'd treated her fairly and well were few and far between. She could be magnanimous to return favors.

Instead, she waited to see how the bird development went... but she kept the instruments in mind, regardless. There could always be a way to monetize them later.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

As Sandra divulged the identity of the statue, Yagenas and her began bantering about its value, with Sandra making a sarcastic comment to the effect that she had not been told whether or not they had been given orders to loot the tower. Eren, not catching onto this, replied with a straight face.

"No, milady. We are merely to clear the tower of any remaining kobolds."

He then dropped down carefully.

"Now, stay back. I'm going to check that iron door to the south for traps."

He then, along with Yagenas, proceeded to do so.

A quick sweep of the iron door to the south with Detect Magic before I check it for traps, please and thank you.

[Nefarion Xid]

Witch Tower Ruins

Crawling out of the rubble at the edges of the light, the party sees four monstrous red centipedes chittering towards them!

The party has won initiative. Enjoy.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

"Contact!"

Turning toward the nearest centipede, Eren loosed a couple of arrows.

5-step to AH 70. Going to combine Rapid Shot and Deadly Aim, then attack the centipede at AB 64.

Attack 1: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Rapid Shot: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Loosing a two arrows at the giant vermin, Eren's first missed - but his second found its target, sending it curling up into a ball as it shivered in its death throes.

"Tango down!"

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

Aiming down the sites of his musket, Yagenas pointed it at the nearest centipede before opening fire. "Ugh. I'm a deputy, not an exterminator. I don't get paid enough for this." Glancing over at Cassandra he shouted "Get behind me!" before taking a few steps back.


Deadly Aim:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]
Crit:[roll2]
Damage:[roll3]

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"Mind their poison!" Cassandra urged the others and then summoned a flame into her hand, which she subsequently hurled at one of the centipedes.

Casting Produce Flame (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/p/produce-flame), and throwing a ball of fire at C in AT64.
Attack vs touch:
Damage: [roll']1d6+3

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

With the flame that Sandra had flung, and Ioseph's own attacks, the last of the centipedes fell, and Eren wiped his brow. Looking as Yagenas found a couple of mithril daggers and a rusted key, he nodded and gestured toward the door.

"Doesn't look trapped. Whatever's on the other side likely heard us, but we might still be able to get the drop on them."

Carefully opening the door, Eren looked beyond before proceeding.

Stealth: [roll0]

[TheDarkDM]

Elias, Ellarie, and Kiyoko
Hunclay's Manor

Proceeding from the west wing back to the east, the trio entered into Balthus Hunclay's gourmet kitchen. Te expansive space displayed all the trappings of a man who enjoyed the finer and more exotic things in life, an impression borne out by the glass windowed cabinet against the southern wall that displayed the house's silver, crystal, and delicate porcelain dishes. Flanking the impressive display were a pair of doors, one leading to a well-stocked larder, the other leading into a closet that seemed to have been converted into a bedroom. A small bed sat against the south wall with a footlocker at its base, surrounded by shelves that held clean linens. Elias immediately recognized his old room.

"Ah, memories."

The comment drew a strange look from Kiyoko, who puzzled out Elias' wistful look quickly enough.

"Tidy, at least."

This drew no further comment from Elias save a shrug, as the adventurers proceeded up the stairs in search of his wayward master. Cresting the landing, they found a lushly furnished library featuring three tall bookcases running north to south down the center of the chamber, with another made of iron in the north-east corner. A stuffed grizzly bear towered in the opposite corner. Sixteen paintings of the planets and moons of this solar system adorned the east wall, while a ladder on the west side of the room lead up to a trap door. The way, Elias knew, to the observatory.

Spreading out through the room, both Elias and Ellarie drew upon their magics to discern whether Hunclay had left further enchantments upon his property. It was with some surprised that Elias detected yet another trap on the locked door to his master's study, as well as a reasonably powerful aura emanating from behind the door to Hunclay's bedroom. Those considerations were pushed aside, however, as Ellarie cried out victoriously from the iron book-case. The sturdy cage was secured by a grate with a arcanely sealed lock, just the sort of lock that the key around the bird's leg seemed fitted for.

"Elias! This is an arcane lock, do you think this is the key?"

She waved the key excitedly towards the bookshelf, but just as she reached to test the lock she withdrew sharply.

"Needle trap!"

Coming closer to peer at the volumes behind the metal grate, Elias recognized Master Hunclay's private collection of arcane lore. Several rare and valuable tomes on astronomy stood neatly stacked alongside his master's personal spellbook as well as more than one magically infused grimoire. Elias might have wondered at the nature of each, had they not been clearly marked. Turning back to Ellarie and Kiyoko, he caught the young skald staring at the cabinet with longing.

"Well I'm not here to steal books. I guess we know what the key opens now though huh?"

The disappointment was evident in her voice, a disappointment Elias could relate to all too easily.

"Before we raid my master's private collection, we should at least confirm he isn't asleep or absorbed in his observatory."

"Perhaps you should try calling for your master? He's either here or he's not. He should be able to hear you, and there is an emergency."

Elias nodded in agreement, moving to the bedroom door and knocking lightly before opening it. The room beyond inspired a pang of jealousy, richly appointed as it was with darkwood armoire, bureau, and wardrobe. Opposite the door loomed a canopy bed in matching darkwood with crimson bedding, a locked chest at its foot. Completing the picture of luxury were a darkwood writing desk and chair, a marble tub complete with brass clawed feet, and a bearskin rug. Entranced by the sight, he almost didn't notice the scrap of paper on the nightstand, but Kiyoko was not so easily impressed.

"It looks like he isn't home."

Her gaze passed from Elias to Ellarie and back before she shrugged and began to move into the room. She had almost passed the threshold by the time Elias began to focus on his mage-sight once more, only to see the entire room ringed by a protective enchantment well beyond his own capabilities. His hand slammed into the door frame to block Kiyoko's path, hissing out a warning in a muted whisper.

"The room is warded! A conjuration I cannot ken."

"The whole room?"

"Yes."

The both turned to Ellarie, who unnoticed had peered with her own sight and divined greater truths.

"A summoning spell. One of great power."

Kiyoko's shook her head in response.

"Let me get this right - the note he left on his nightstand, presumably for you to read, summons a horrible monster that will try to kill us all."

She snorted.

"That just about makes me homesick."

The trio stood in the doorway for a long moment, eyeing the thirty five feet that separated them from the clue on the night stand.

"Want me to try to lasso the nightstand and pull it in to range of your spell, or do we want to do this the fun way?"

Ellarie looked at Elias with a shrug.

"Unless you have a better idea?"

"Please tell me we're doing it the fun way."

"Fun as in not dying? Or..."

"I have a dim memory that summoned creatures don't really die so... only if we do poorly in battle?"

"Before we trigger any spells, we should at least make sure the observatory doesn't hold an easy answer to this riddle."

Elias sighed.

"But yes, my master's paranoia seems to have taken a turn for the murderous."

This earned a doubtful look from Ellarie, though she did not protest.

"Ah I suppose that's prudent."

The disappointed was plainer on Kiyoko's face as she turned away.

"Agh, alright. On the upside, I don't feel bad about the door anymore. Full disclosure: I'd be looting the place if I thought I could do it without aggravating you two. No one needs this many deathtraps. It's a violation of good hospitality."

"I do not, strictly, disagree."

Elias paused for a moment to look back towards the bedroom.

"Though, above all else, it makes me wonder why."

They moved to the ladder, beginning the ascent towards Hunclay's prized observatory. At the midway point, Kiyoko turned to look down on the others.

"Did you know that instrumentation downstairs is worth a thousand gold? Because it is. And it's not like he needs a sextant unless he's busy plying the high seas at the moment."

"A thousand gold!"

"Yes....well..."

Elias' noncommittal defense of his master's property was cut short as they reached the end of the ladder. They found themselves standing in a glass dome dominated by an enormous brass telescope studded with a mind-boggling array of gears and knobs to turn. A cushioned chair was attached to the device, seemingly designed to rotate with the monstrous machine. Books and star charts covered tables pressed against the walls, but most arresting of all was a grotesque creature, a fat infant human with curling horns and two pairs of bat wings. He made no attempt to hide himself, merely grinning at Elias. The young wizard recognized his master's homunculus familiar immediately.

"Lodo!? Where the hell is the master?"

"Oh, good you're acquainted. I thought this was going to be awk..."

Silently, the tiny construct pointed towards the telescope's seat.

"...ward. Well that's creepy. I was hoping for more conversation from a servant of the Dread Pirate Hunclay."

Ignoring his companion for the moment, Elias moved closer to examine Hunclay's prized possession.

"The telescope?"

His trust worn thin, Elias took the precaution of his mage sight before laying hand on the thick cushioning. A precaution that proved well-planned, for it was trapped with latent electrical energy. This was the last straw for him, as he turned back towards no one in particular with a shout.

"THE CHAIR IS TRAPPED!?"

However, before his rant could get up to speed Elias was interrupted by a shriek from the homunculus. Its eyes gleaming maniacally, it pulled a wand from beneath its perch and pointed it towards him.

"You did it! You killed master! JEALOUS BAD BOY!"

There was a moment of stunned silence, a quiet breath before the inevitable storm, where Elias could only mutter.

"Oh my god my life is disintegrating."

"I thought only powerful wizards could do that."

Kiyoko's jibe passed without comment, as Elias put his frustration to good use, striding across the room and lunging to take the wand from the familiar before anything unfortunate occurred.

"LODO, YOU STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS NOW!"

However, the diminutive humanoid proved too elusive, no doubt aided by Elias' knee colliding unexpectedly with the table leg. This only seemed to embolden the creature, as it shrieked ever louder.

"BAD BOY!"

It flitted to the left, and without warning a bolt of searing lightning exploded from the tip of the wand. Both Elias and Ellarie were caught in the bolt's path, and while Elias was able to avoid the worst of it Ellarie was struck full in the chest. The air sizzled with ionization, and in an instant the madness of the homunculus became frighteningly clear. Yet despite her grievous injury, Ellarie was able to regain her feet and fill the air with a chanting song that riled the blood. Drawing her sword, she moved closer to the homunculus even as Kiyoko leapt into action.

"Do you really want this thing alive?"

She shouted, jumping atop one of the tables alongside Lodo. The shouting only seemed to enrage the creature more, as it screamed in between inconsolate sobs.

"KILLED MASTER KILLED MASTER"

Shaken, but not bereft of pity, Elias attempted to drown out the noise.

"ALIVE IS SLIGHTLY PREFERABLE! SLIGHTLY!"

Perhaps surprisingly, Kiyoko obliged, reaching out to catch Lodo in an iron grip.

"You have five seconds to cool it, creature!"

"NO NO NO NO BAD!"

Seeing his opportunity, Elias reached out again to snatch the wand, only to accidentally slam his hand into the bottom of a nearby table. Muttering a curse, he staggered back, in time to see the homunculus sink its teeth into Kiyoko's forearm. She stiffened, at first in pain, and then in horror as the creature's poison coursed through her. Within moments, she was slumped against the wall with a yawn, allowing Lodo to flap its tiny wings to hover over her menacingly. With a yell, Ellarie stepped forward and slashed at it with her sword, scoring a telling blow and revealing the vitreous clay beneath the skin. Surprised, Lodo whimpered incoherently, muttering his complaints to the empty air.

"No one hurts Lodo except master!"

The homunculus so distracted, Elias reached beneath it to violently shake Kiyoko awake. His thanks was a garbled string of Minkaian, and the renewed rage of Lodo. Screaming, the diminutive form lunged at Elias' face, but rather than dodge he made a last desperate grab for the wand. Miraculously, his fingers found purchase, and he pulled it from the creature's grip even as it buffeted him ineffectually. The flurry of activity was interrupted as Ellarie struck once more with her longsword, tearing another gash in Lodo's artificial body. She seemed about to press her advantage, only for a groan from Kiyoko to give her pause. Standing back atop the table, Kiyoko lashed out in an attempt to force Lodo onto the trapped telescope seat, only to slip on a sheaf of loose papers and tumble back against the wall. Distracted by the unintentionally comedic sight, Ellarie's focus slipped and her blade buried itself in the wood of the tabletop rather than Lodo's flesh.

"Dammit!"

Attempting to escape the hommunculus' reach, Elias stepped backwards and drew his dagger. While he was ill-trained in its use, he hoped to at least distract the creature, and perhaps he succeeded despite his first swing going wide. He drew Lodo's attention, at least, allowing Ellarie to land a third blow as the creature attempted unsuccessfully to impale Elias on its horns.

"STUPID BAD JEALOUS BOY!"

It spat a globule of ichor on the ground at Elias' feet, not noticing as Kiyoko once more regained her footing and drew her fearsome nodachi. Winding up like a child at the county fair, Kiyoko swung mightily at Lodo, hoping to bat him into the trap so fiendishly laid...only for the homunculus to slip deftly beneath her blade. It began cackling at the failed attempt, a cackle that turned to a wet gurgle as Ellarie's sword struck true once more, slicing open its belly and causing a torrent of pink goo to spill forth. The homunculus collapsed to the ground, dissolving into slime even as the trio regained their breath.

"Lodo...I'm sorry."

"I'm not."

At the sight of the bloody pool spreading from Lodo's body, Ellarie released her sword in sword in disgust, covering her face for a long moment before straightening. Face still concealed behind her hands, her attentions turned to the party's wounds.

"Do you need healing Kiyoko?"

"If you can heal magically, that would be lovely."

Elias said nothing, instead turning his attention to the gathered notes and documents scattered about. Diving into them, he found sheet after sheet of star charts, a magnificent platinum astrolabe, six tomes on astronomy, two handheld telescopes. Yet among it all, no personal notes. Nothing to point to why Hunclay left. Standing in momentary despair, he jumped with surprise as Kiyoko appeared at his shoulder.

"Checking the dates on the star logs would be a better way to see when Hunclay lost it."

"Ah, an excellent suggestion Kiyoko!"

Seizing on the thin hope of a clue, Elias ruffled through the logs until he found the most recent, dated as recently as the night before.

"If we assume Lodo was just trying to trick you into sitting in the chair, Hunclay's body is probably elsewhere... assuming the toxic little turd was telling the truth. Unless it could sense his death somehow, it would likely be nearby"

"Perhaps. But the bond between master and familiar is strong, and I felt no trace of it. Most animal familiar will revert to their base natures on the death of their wizard, but a construct? A construct might simply lose its mind."

"...so he could have died anywhere."

"Yes."

[Nefarion Xid]

Witch Tower Ruins

With the centipedes dispatched in seconds, the party made a search of the barracks. Having a leather tool roll pointed out beneath one of the beds, Yagenas discovered that it held two mithral daggers with a curious series of stepped notches cut out of their back side, and a jailer's key on a necklace chain (both equally rusty).

The next series of chambers made up the old castle's dungeon. Prison cell doors hung ajar and the rooms beyond held nothing of interest or value. The outline of two formerly secret doors were set on the southern ends of the twisting hallways, years of water erosion had made the gaps in the wall quite obvious to a canny adventurer. The western passage lead to a pair of wooden doors, bloated and stuck in their frame. Overhead, what appeared to be a stone tube built into the ceiling ran from one east to west (please see the map). Tapping on it with a bow resulted in a definite hollow report -- not full of water as Eren has suspected.

With considerable effort, the party was able to force the doors open without resorting to blasting them in. Within they found what was clearly a torture chamber, complete with a fanciful devices including a brazen bull, a rack, and two iron maidens. On the war wall, crossed spears are mounted over a brass plaque reading "Confession cleanses the Soul - Pain clarifies the Mind".

Ioseph, you hear the whisper as well, something in the air over Yagenas' left shoulder! You see nothing though.
Moments after taking in the scene, Yagenas hears a whisper from the air to his left, "Go look inside the iron maiden. It's really interesting!". This is your Will Save roll. [roll0] You quickly decide this morbid suggestion from a disembodied voice is bull****!

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"Oh, gods. Just like in stories," muttered Cassandra, seeing the torture implements. "Confessions cleanses the Soul - Pain clarifies the Mind," she read aloud. "Whoever put that up there had a twisted idea of what is good for the soul."

Detect Magic on everything (without touching).

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The warrior was still rather miffed about the homunculus. As a puddle of nothing, it was now immune to her wrath, but the fact that it had died and died violently didn't do much to make her feel better.

Focus, girl. That rage is useful in combat. It will break down your inhibitions, keep you from flinching away from victory. But you cannot let it blind you when the swords are silent.

Her grandfather's words, from one of the few times he'd bothered to teach her anything, still rang true. With some effort, the Minkaian managed to calm down, one breath at a time, and with that, she focused her attention on the bigger picture. "So, Elias..." She stalked around the trapped telescope and half-sat on the heavy desk covered in star charts. "What happens to all of this now that Hunclay has shuffled free of the mortal coil?" Her gesture swept wide to take in the whole manor.

A slightly wicked grin overtook her features. "The savvy thing to do would be to pay respects to dear old Hunclay and then steal as much stuff as you possibly can. I'm not even kidding." She waved airly, "because either he died by chance or by design. In the former case, he either left you what was in his, or he left it up for grabs. A man with kids doesn't booby-trap his house. If it's all yours, then it doesn't matter what you take. In the latter case, this is your chance to grab what you can before Taldan authorities seize it. I mean, a failed state ain't gonna prop itself up. But I don't think they've earned it, do you?"

Her head and tone lowered slightly, though the grin stayed fixed as her gaze alighted on the trapped chair. "In the latter case, congratulations on inheriting a new and powerful enemy. One who will likely be here sooner or later to swipe everything he didn't have on his person... and may find evidence that Hunclay had an apprentice. If that happens, you become a target, because the man's student is the most obvious potential source of avenging-related difficulties. Cleaning up here would make that realization more difficult, and deny him, her, or it the extra resources." Kiyoko shrugged, "Or I could be overthinking it, but I was told to hope for the best and plan for the worst."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie


Ellarie looked between Kiyoko and Elias from her vantage point on the floor where she had stayed after healing Kiyoko. She was still feeling the pain herself from the familiar's lightning wand, and her throat was dry from the song that had poured from her lips at being attacked by the foul creature.

"Wait, don't you think we should confirm his death before looting his house?" She put her hands up in front of her in a placating gesture.

"There is much we could gain from looting the old wizard's relics sure, but I would feel better about it if he were actually dead." Her hand touched the magical key in her pocket once more.

"I think we should either try and move that chair out of the way without disturbing the telescope so we can peer through it and see if there's anything to be learned on the other end of it. Or go back to the bedroom and you can try to lasso the desk close enough for me to pull the note over." She ran her hand through her hair.

"We're here, why don't we start with the chair?" She gestured at the chair and arose holding her side.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

The young wizard was quiet for a long moment. The foreign perspective on his homeland stung only a little, and Kiyoko's words made a selfish kind of sense. Still, there remained legal avenues by which he might inherit his master's fortune. If, indeed, his master were truly dead and not simply cut off from his familiar by means unknown.

"Kiyoko, you are not wrong. There is some danger in leaving Master Hunclay's treasures behind for more common looters. However, I cannot profess full comfort in stripping clean his home. If nothing else, we should ensure that everything of value is gathered up and protected - if he is indeed dead, and I am granted stewardship of his estate, I will have no compunction in sharing his wealth with you who risked your life with me today. And if he is not, or I am denied an apprentice's inheritance? Well, I can hardly be held responsible for what you do with your own satchel."

He offered a hand to help Ellarie up.

"While the daylight will almost certainly obscure what was clear in the dead of night, your idea is a good one. Both ideas, to tell you true. I recall Master Hunclay having a fondness for bears, and given the state of his carpet I would not be surprised if his room summoned several grizzlies. If we knew they would be fiends, I have the means of shielding one of us from their attacks, but if they hail from the celestial realms we would have a far graver fight on our hands. Best not to test it if we do not need to."

[Jade_Tarem]

Team EEK & the Hunclay House
Part 2: Cops and Robbers

There was a sudden and jarring call from downstairs, if not a terribly threatening one. "Um ... hallo? Master Hunclay?"

The three erstwhile investigators exchanged a look, none of them anticipating the interruption would be pleasant.

Elias swiftly packed up the valuables and made his way downstairs. "One moment!"

"Oi! Who's that!?" Elias recognized the voice of Hodd, the rather dense deputy. With that realization, he put the valuables back where they were before descending to meet the guardsman. Hodd, for his part, didn't really stop talking while Kiyoko and Ellarie followed him down the stairs. "What's all this with the door and the dead lizard!? They said there was kobolds in the woods and ... this is one of 'em innit? You was gone a long time and I thought some-in bad might of happened."

"Thank you deputy, you weren't wrong. Watch the door - the master rigged the handle with an explosive rune. That's what did in the kobold." Elias struggled with the offending barrier for a moment before pushing it aside. Hodd sprang back and pointed his crossbow at the discarded door, before slowly lowing it. Breathing heavily, Elias waved him inside.

"And it was the wune that took the door off the hinges?"

"Ah, no. Seeing the kobold creeping around and considering the master failed to respond to his trap going off, I decided to investigate. I didn't think he'd mind, and I shifted through the door. Foolishly, it turns out - there was a magical pit on the other side. The ladies heard my cry of dismay and acted with commendable speed to ensure my safety."

Hodd reacted with his default, slightly confused expression, saying nothing as he attempted to parse the implied cause and effect.

Elias went on, "We decided to investigate further, only to discover Lodo on the top floor. You remember Lodo? Tiny construct, wings, horns? The poor creature had gone mad, and attacked us on sight, screaming that we'd slain Master Hunclay. I believe his connection to the master was severed. If I am correct, the master may well be dead. We were trying to find some clue as to his whereabouts, but the entire house seems to have been converted into a death trap in my absence. Magic everywhere."

Hodd's confused expression intensified, with some anxiety added for variety.

"You see why were were so long delayed."

Hodd nodded hesitantly, "Because ... the magics."

"Indeed. The master's bedroom and study remain warded - we were about to make an attempt to breach their defenses. There is a scrap of paper on the night stand that we were hoping might shed some light on things. From his notes in the observatory, I believe Master Hunclay was alive at least as of last night. Coupled with the collapse of the castle, I fear dark forces are at work."

The deputy's face cleared as a possible course of action finished percolating at long last. "Well if it's dangerous, you should come away from there. Go back to the Piper and wait for the sheriff."

Normal, sane people might have taken the suggestion. Kiyoko, however, balked. "We should at least take a look at the note before we leave."

Hodd squinted a bit at that. "If I was gonna leave a note, don't reckon I'd put it in me own bedroom."

"A reasonable point, deputy. But the master was rarely a reasonable man."

"Best come away then until the sheriff gets back then. Please. I don't want no one getting hurt."

Ellarie, perhaps sensing that Elias and Hodd were about as likely to reach intellectual consensus as druids and pyrokineticists, placed a hand on Elias's arm to shush him and smiled at the deputy. "We know the Sheriff is awful busy with the tower collapse and all. Since we're already here, and Elias was his apprentice, we'll just have one more quick look around, and then report to the Sheriff what we find as soon as we can."

The guardsman frowned, but failed to come up with an effective counter argument. "Well, be quick about it then. And please be careful. I don't want no one getting hurt like this thing." He leveled his weapon at the kobold, which remained dead. In the deputy's defense, it was a very frightful-looking corpse. "Five minutes, then back to the inn with all of you."

Kiyoko's eyes narrowed at the orders, but she said nothing.

Ellarie maintained her pleasant demeanor. "Of course. And we'll report back to the sheriff as soon as we can. I think the Sheriff might need some help with the tower, he was awful anxious about it when we left him."

"The Sheriff's gone after kobolds in the woods with Biggs and Wedge. I hope they get back soon."

"Time is wasting, then." Kiyoko turned and made for the bedroom, the other two in tow. When the reached the threshold again, she paused. "Ugh. He sounds like the bugbears from my homeland. So... how were we doing this again? You said something about bears?"

"Indeed." The wizard tugged out a wand and began to tend to his and Ellarie's wounds from the previous fight. "He had a fondness for bears, and there's a chance - about a fifty percent chance, actually - that the one summoned here will be fiendish." He extended a hand, and a few arcane syllables later, a cyan flash passed from him to the Minkaian. "If it is evil, keep his attention without attacking it. So warded, a creature of darkness summoned cannot strike you unless you strike at it first."

"Really?" Kiyoko blinked. "That's some fine magic, then. Is everyone ready?" Getting a pair of nods, the tiefling stepped into the room.

Glowing runes blazed to life in a large circle around the bearskin rug. A cloud of sulfurous smoke erupted from the empty space within, and when it cleared... a massive creature stood on its hind legs momentarily, eight feet of muscle and terrible attitude, with coarse red-brown fur and burning red eyes.

Kiyoko heard the whisper from behind her. "I just wanted to live long enough to get a bath."

The bear slammed down onto all fours and lumbered forward, swift despite how awkward the motion looked. It swung a meaty paw in an attempt to turn the Minkaian's skull into paste... only to watch it skip past her as it bounced off of a cyan demisphere. Further biting, clawing, and pounding didn't seem to do much better.

The warrior froze, more in shock that it couldn't touch her than at being attacked. "This is a good spell. I like this spell."

"Kiyoko, get the note." Ellarie hissed.

Instead, the tiefling hefted her blade. "I can beat it up now, right?"

"No!" The wizard cut her off with a sharp motion. "If you attack it, the spell will be broken."

"Come again?" Kiyoko turned to face him, leaving the bear to snarl and claw at her back. It managed to make her hair move. A little. "I can't attack it ever? I thought it would only break if I attacked first!"

"Kiyoko, get the note!"

The tiefling planted a hand on one hip, letting her sword hang free. She looked almost as confused and frustrated as the bear, "If I move, the thing might attack you two. Did... did you just want me to stand here like a chump while you two shot it?"

"That was the hope. That or we simply wait."

"You are an incorrigible tease. That's not flirtation. I haven't been this frustrated since arriving on the continent." Kiyoko shut the door and began to search the room.

Elias, wearing a look not out of place among some trolls, shouted through the door, "Yell when it disappears!"

The Minkaian woman began going through all of Hunclay's things. Sock drawer, underwear drawer, under the bed, the closet, the nightstand, behind the nightstand. At one point she lured the bear into the corner so she could check under the rug. Eventually, it vanished, and the her teammates joined in on the search.

Elias's sweep of the room for magic revealed only the fading aura on the sheet atop the nightstand - and examining it revealed only a few naughty limericks. "What do you two make of this?"

Ellarie shook her head. "Well, he had a sense of humor, though his meter is all off."

Kiyoko frowned as she reads over Elias's shoulder. "I'm afraid I don't quite get the slang here. 'There once was a woman from Kerse, whose speech was insufferably terse. Said of the Kersi: A cunning linguist is she. And they laughed when she made herself scarce.'"

"I will explain when we have more time," the skald snickered.

The remainder of the room sported additional treasures, none of them magical in nature. After pocketing one of Hunclay's rings on the nightstand, they managed to open the chest in the corner of the room, revealing a small fortune in gold and precious stones.

"So... you know that baroness is just gonna take this stuff, right?"

"How are we going to get it past deputy bugbear out there?"

"We could distract him with the poetry of Hunclay the Bard?" Kiyoko's mind lingered on the awful verse. "You know, now that I'm thinking about it... the paper might have been the key to disabling one or more of the traps."

"That was my thought."

"The chair?"

"Or the door."

"We should try it on the chair."

"Maybe it went to the bear. That would have been a nasty surprise after getting back from a midnight snack. But sure, let's give the chair another shot."

"We can come back for this once the deputy isn't dogging us."

"I could just carry it all out the back. I'm not convinced he can count to three."

"I didn't see a back door."

"Oh gods, he even builds fortresses like the Five Storms. One path, no other exits. Hope there isn't a fire! Grandpa would be so proud."

Elias shrugged. "I suppose master wizards care less about that sort of thing. Shall we?"

"He had enough time to install a magical bear trap. A back patio would not have been a waste of a weekend." Despite her complaints, Kiyoko followed them to the observatory. "So am I doing a recital, or...?"

"Yeah, go ahead."

"I would expect a real bard to be too classy to read this," Kiyoko snorts. She read from the paper, complete with emotive hand gestures, out loud to the room. Sadly, there was no effect on her surroundings, short of Ellarie having to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

As Elias leaned around the trapped chair to peer through the telescope, they heard Hodd again "It's been about five minutes! I don't ... I don't have a clock, but it FEELS like it's been five minutes!"

"Oh, well, who are we to question your internal water clock?" The warrior muttered. Louder, she shouted back to him, "You're off a bit. It's actually just been three!"

Ellarie leaned in next to the wizard. "See anything?"

"Augh. No. Bright daylight. We're not going to learn anything from this until nightfall."

"Damn."

At least the guardsman was satisfied, for the moment. "Oh ... well okay! Thank you!"

"I take it back. I love that guy. Limitless entertainment value. I'm going to call him Spot."

"I heard growling! Sounded like something was angry and disappointed ... like me mum!"

"Growling?"

"Sorry, I was cranky!"

With new time pressure, Elias defeated the needle trap in the library downstairs by simply summoning an Earth Elemental to take the hit. If it was impressed by the tiny and probably poisonous device, it didn't show it. The wizard sent it off to deal with the door to the study while the crew freely looted the library itself, pulling down magical tomes and spellbooks, not to mention thoroughly confusing the local tiefling. "...you're serious. After we passed up thousands of gold..."

"They can't get into the chest without the key, now can they?"

Kiyoko patted the hilt of her adamantine weapon. "I think you'll find they can."

Elias was saved the need to reply by the sonic trap going off. A scream loud enough to literally shatter the earth elemental tore through the house, though the vast majority of its fury was directed at the stony creature that had triggered it. Even then, those nearby were left with ringing ears.

"Mawp." "Mawp." "Mawp."

Hodd began yelling. "WASSAT!" They heard footsteps in the hall below them.

"We told you the place was trapped!"

"More magic! Nothing to be concerned about."

"Is anyone hurt!?"

"We're fine!"

"Not at all, everything is perfectly fine!"

"We're all fine here! ...how are you?"

"I'm a bit scared ta be honest!"

"Well, you should probably go back outside and count to one hundred and twenty. That always calms me down."

The group had, by that point, piled into the study. A quick scan of the room revealed a number of minor magical consumables and a rigorously locked chest. Elias and Ellarie both asked Kiyoko to read the terrible poetry again, and once again nothing happened. "...I'm beginning to think that lady wasn't a very good linguist at all."

"You wanna try it one more time? You know, just in case?"

"You're just doing this for the encores now, aren't you?"

"Maybe."

"Works for me. I'll take the fame I can get. Help me look for keys."

"It's definitely been five minutes now!" Hodd was beginning to sound legitimately upset. "PLEASE come out! You said you'd only be five minute and I'm getting cross!"

"Coming, deputy!"

The trio responded by grabbing as many valuables as the possibly could on their way out, which was perhaps against the spirit of the guardsman's request, but served everyone's purposes admirably for the moment. Books, instruments, magic items, and jewelry were quickly snatched and stashed.

"Many apologies, Deputy. It took slightly more time than we anticipated to bypass the magical defenses safely. But happily we did manage to do so! Let us away to the Piper."

"Thanks so much for standing guard, you were a big help."

Hodd didn't look happy, but nodded.

"I'll be sure to let the sheriff know, he's lucky to have you."

"All right, all right, everyone out! Come on then! None of you should be here without the sheriff!"

"As you say, Deputy." Elias allowed himself to be escorted out, but the guardsman just waved him to the door.

"Of course, as you say."

Kiyoko rolled her eyes and follows them without comment.

Once they were all out, he stood by the door. "I'm going to stay right here to make sure no on else goes 'splorin in Hunclay's house. If you could ... would you tell Letha I'm here?"

"Of course, Deputy." Elias cast prestidigitation and gave him a warm rock for his hands. "Thank you for your understanding, and sorry for the trouble."

And so they left, after a final warning from Elias that the basement had not been cleared of traps or hazards, which was true, and a separate warning from Kiyoko about the invisible murderous guardian that roamed the grounds, making creaking and groaning noises that sounded suspiciously like the manor settling on its foundations, which was not provably false. They retired to the inn to rest, get settled properly, bathe, and restore themselves... but they were far from done with Hunclay's manor. That, however, is a story for another time.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Having stored his possessions, and those of his master, securely in the inn suite's trunk, Elias changed into a new set of robes and descended to the common room. Ordering another cup of tea, he finally freed Galla from her satchel at his side. Watching the scorpion skitter onto the table, he began to play lightly with her as he awaited Ellarie, Kiyoko, or most importantly of all the sheriff. His failure to inform his aunt and uncle of his arrival weighed on him, but Elias didn't want to appear rude to his new companions or keep their discoveries from the town authorities. So he waited, and brooded.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren, Cassandra, Ioseph, and Yagenas

"If one of you is a ventriloquist, please stop with the spooky voices."

"...what?"

Concerned at Cassandra's apparent ignorance of the voice, Ioseph turned to Yagenas. "Did you at least hear it?"

Cassandra momentarily detects an aura of faint illusion inside the iron maiden.
"Yeah, I just heard a pretty spooky voice tell me to get inside the iron maiden. I didn't get inside when my ex-girlfriend told me to, I don't know why a disembodied voice thought it had a better chance." Yagenas, still holding onto his rifle, began to sweep the room for traps - a task which would, as it turned out, reveal nothing.

Cassandra, in the meantime, spoke up once again. "That Iron Maiden is detecting as magical. Or whatever's inside it is."

Ioseph drew his own bow. "The voice asked Yagenas to climb into the iron maiden."

"Good magic or bad magic?"

"Unsure! One way to find out."

"Has anyone ever enchanted a torture device with good magic?"

"Perhaps it's merciful."

"Ha!"

"I have yet to encounter the Iron Maiden of restful sleep."

Suddenly, breaking into a combat posture, Ioseph loosed an arrow over Yagenas' shoulder. It struck the wall, splintering into several pieces. Silence reigned in the dungeon once again.

"Sorry Yagenas, hoped if the voice had a body it was just hovering there..."

Yagenas frowned slightly. "Well, next time give me a bit of a heads-up."

"Then I'd lose the element of surprise, though."

Finding nothing further to do with the torture devices, the group began searching the room top to bottom. Nothing of value or importance was found, but eventually, Ioseph found a secret door in the northwest wall. Pressing on it gently, it slid away into the walls on hidden rails, and a gentle whisper echoed through the room.

"The Good Baron wills it."

Laughter. Then silence.


***

Moving down the passage, the four adventurers advanced carefully, winding first to the north, then west, then south, until at last they came to a point where the floor dropped away. Instead of stone, the floor was instead replaced almost entirely with a trough full of indeterminably deep green slime. The only vestige of further passage was a small, 7-inch ledge on the right side, just above the trough, and the walls were highly smooth with almost no grip whatsoever.

"I don't like the look of that stuff. It's probably dangerous."

Ioseph, bending downwards, began to examine it carefully. It was diluted heavily, likely due to dripping water and sediment from the world above, but there was no mistaking it - it was, in fact, acid.

Stepping in the acid does 1d6 Acid Damage per round.
"You're right. It's acidic."

Attempting to inject humor into the situation, Cassandra smiled slightly. "You could bottle it and retire."

"I'll keep that in mind when we leave."

"Dr. Ioseph's Digestive Tonic - cleans out your insides."

"I... Uh... Wouldn't recommend that."

"You could sell it by mail-order. No refunds."

Ioseph smiled and laughed, but it was half-hearted.

"Well, unless we can find some way to drain or neutralize the acid, this looks like a dead end."

Looking over the trough, Cassandra pondered whether it would be viable to neutralize the acid, but quickly came to the conclusion that the trough contained enough acid that doing so would require hundreds of gallons of a relevant base. Looking up, however, she then spotted the same tube attached to the ceiling that the party had seen earlier, turning out of sight down the section of the hall turning away from them, southwards.

"Hey, maybe there's a place to send water into the pipe, and then we could use it to dilute the acid. I think we should check out the other paths, and then come back here."

Eren, who had until then been silent, finally spoke up. "I agree. There is nothing more to do here at this time, and I would like to examine the Iron Maidens myself."

Winding their way back to the torture room, Eren attempted to detect the magic Cassandra had seen earlier - only to find nothing there.

"Iiinteresting."

Eren furrowed his brow. "Indeed. And not the fun kind, either. An incorporeal creature, perhaps, trying to lure us to our doom?"

Cassandra nods. "Possibly. If so, I doubt it is friendly, judging by what Ioseph said about whispers."

Eren looked to the rest of the party. "Does anyone have a magic weapon, or a spell to grant magic enchantment to one? If our conjecture is true, and we are dealing with such beasts, it's the only way to damage them."

Cassandra shook her head. "I have nothing like that, I'm afraid. We should proceed cautiously then."

Yagenas and Ioseph, however, each lifted up their musket and rifle, respectively.

"Very well. We shall have to rely on you two, then, if it comes to it. Since we seem to be at an impasse for now, I recommend we take the secret door to the Southwest. Work our way around."

Proceeding there, Eren took point, and discovered that the secret door led to what appeared to be another block of cells. Moving along them, he and the rest of the party found nothing of interest - until, at last, they came to the largest and southernmost cell. A hand shot out from the food slat at the bottom and a frantic scream rang out.

"Is someone there!? Please gods, mercy! Give us water!"

Cassandra, realizing there were no containers nearby, decided to take a cup out of her own mess kit. Filling it with cold, clear water via cantrip, she filled it to the top and handed it over.

The hand grasped it and shot back into the cell. "Yes... yes... thank you."

Silence reigned once again.

"Please, who are you?"

No response came.

"That was my only cup."

Eren whispered. "Yet another haunt, perhaps." Out loud, he once more spoke commandingly. "Are you still there?"

No response. Once again, Eren began his usual procedure for checking out a closed door.

"Er, I can get another cup. If the thirsty ghosts really want to keep it, they're welcome to it." Cassandra said hurriedly.

"I know. But we have to see if there's anything there. There could be something important, or valuable, inside that room."

Detecting no magic or traps, Eren carefully opened the door, bow at the ready. Inside, a lone corpse stood in the corner, dressed in prisoner's rags with the cup in its hand.

"I think I'm going to need to wash that thoroughly," Cassandra said with a sigh.

"Our friendly little haunt must have been possessing the corpse." Carefully, Eren advanced toward it and, finding nothing else on it of note, uttered a quick prayer to Abadar on behalf of the poor man.

The party tried not to ponder the realization that the man must have been left behind when the dungeon was initially liberated, and subsequently died of thirst, too hard.

"I wonder what the poor fellow did to deserve a slow death by dehydration. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Well, almost anyone. I don't think my father's dungeon has any ghosts. At least, I haven't heard of any."

"Has he had occasion to take many prisoners?"

"Not many, though we have had the occasional bandit or highwayman to lock up. No torture chamber that I was ever aware of. Papa is a stern man, but fair in his dealings," Cassandra noted.

Searching the rest of the cell, Eren then found a secret door in the back wall. The party collectively raised an eyebrow as they realized how poor of an idea it was to include a secret door in a cell, but then proceeded through. Moving the secret door aside, they saw a narrow passage leading back to a mechanical winch attached to a chain. They also saw guarding the machine two living balls of lightning, each the size of a man. They made no movement towards them, but simply... stood there silently. Well, crackling.

Eren recognized that they were elementals of some kind, likely air, but could say no more. He called out to them, his bow not raised but still at the ready. "Let us pass, elementals. We seek merely to operate the winch. We mean you no harm."

No response came, and Eren turned to the rest of the party. "Well, they're not attacking us as of yet, but I have a distinct feeling they might do so if we go down the corridor. I am not particularly effective in confined spaces."

It was thus that, after some discussion, Ioseph opted to be the one to take point. As he went down the corridor and entered the room with the winch, the elementals began to crackle to life... and then attacked!

"Mrrrr..."

As the elementals moved forward, Eren and Yagenas' bow and musket roared to life, Eren firing off two shots while Yagenas got one - and all three of them missed. Ioseph had better luck, as he was able to dodge both of the attacks before stepping back and firing off a volley of his own, hitting them with one of his arrows. Yagenas fired again and missed completely, while Eren, deciding that accuracy would win the day over quantity, fired a single arrow, striking the one Ioseph had wounded.

Cassandra, not possessing anything viable for ranged combat, readied herself for if the elementals flew past and into their room.

The elementals pressed the attack, striking Ioseph once; however, Ioseph was able to lay hands upon himself and heal the damage. Backing up once again, he fired another arrow, finishing off the elemental that had previously been wounded. As that one dissipated into the aether, Eren nocked an arrow of his own, drawing it back... and loosing it directly into the core of the second elemental, scoring a direct and critical hit! The remaining elemental vanished, and the corridor was silent once more.

After confirming that Ioseph was alright, Eren began operating the crank, the rusty machine taking some effort but eventually cooperating. As he turned it, the party could hear gears and a chain winding through the cieling, until at last a solid ka-CHUNG rang out to the west, from the direction of the room with the acid trough.

"Well, now... let's go see if that did something."


***


It had not, at least, not that they could see. There was, of course, the matter of what lay around the corner, and what they could not see, but that was only accessible by the 7-inch ledge.

"...how does everyone feel about their balancing skills?"

"Terrible. Part of me wonders if this isn't some sort of sick trick. Remember the line about pain? What if we're supposed to walk into the acid?"

"That would not surprise me. But let's see if we can find an alternate route before we go inflicting horrible burns to our feet."

And so it was that the party then began to tear the rest of the complex apart, desperating searching for any magic or any secret doors that would allow them to find some way to drain the acid. 50 minutes later, they had found nothing, save for a secret compartment in one of the other cells with some gold and a very old flask of whiskey. It was then, as they scratched their heads, that Ioseph suggested something else.

"What if we were to grab the iron maidens and the bedframes we saw in the cells, and use those to make a bridge? The acid is about 3 feet deep, it's not impossible."

Deciding that this was their best bet of getting past the acid, the rest of the party agreed. Putting their collective strength together, all four of them dragged the instruments of torture and bedframes down the hall. Another thirty minutes of work later, they had succeeded, and as they finally stepped around the corner onto solid land, Eren wiped his brow.

"Well, never thought I'd be doing quite this much manual labor as part of the job."

"I can definitely say that was a new experience for me," agreed Cassandra.

Proceeding along, the party then passed slowly and carefully through a long boring hall. A small, barred window sat in an iron door at the end of the boring hall, and beyond, the party saw a 10x10 room with a windowless iron door on the far wall. A quick examination by Eren revealed no traps and a faint aura of illusion in the next room.

"I wonder if it's the same aura I detected earlier, which would mean that whatever is causing it moved."

"Not unlikely, given the other things we've found."

Deciding to proceed inside, Eren was greeted by a booming voice.

"Close the door and speak the pass phrase."

Scratching his head, Eren eventually came to a decision. "Confession cleanses the Soul - Pain clarifies the mind."

"10."

Eren realized he had chosen incorrectly, and, not knowing what else to say, uttered the next thing to come to mind. "Silence is golden?"

"9."

Cassandra, listening from outside, then realized what the voice wanted, and spoke up. "The Good Baron wills it."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Eren turned back to Cassandra. "Good work, milady."

"You would have worked it out eventually."

And so the process repeated for the other three members of the party, the passphrase being the same each time. Cassandra stuck her tongue out as she scribbled it onto the map she was making. "Good baron, my a- <ahem> foot."

Eren smirked. "Nice save."

"I grew up with two older brothers. It was very trying on my mother."

Emerging into the room beyond, the party found the room to be large but barren, except for a lever on the west wall and three mechanical figures. Constructs of some sort, with four arms. All of them looked rather slender and elegantly designed. Two stood at the end of the room, blocking the exit, while one waited on the left side of the room.

One spoke. "Do you have your badges?"

WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' BADGES

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie nearly jumped into the hot water of the bath, so eager she was to soak off the troubling events of the day. She scrubbed herself thoroughly twice, once for the grime of the road, and once for the battle-sweat that had come with her raging song. She shivered despite the hot water and closed her eyes. A vision foul lump of disintegrating pink goop greeted her and she dunked her head below the water in irritation. She forcefully turned her thoughts to her new companions. She also instinctively trusted Elias. Perhaps not with her secrets, she remembered his forthrightness with Deputy Spot with some consternation. Years of scraping by in run down towns and alone on the road had made her usually slow to trust and it made her uncomfortable that he had earned hers so readily. Her thoughts turned to Kiyoko. She seemed to trust Elias as well, Ellarie was willing to bet that was no small thing. She snickered as she recalled that she still owed the tiefling an explanation of the dirty poem they had found at the manor.

Refreshed at last, she made her way to the Wise Piper dining room and ordered another cuppa and a fruit pastry from Talia. She spied Elias and sat at his table before she spotted the scorpion. She jumped up from her seat with a startled squeal.

"That's yours I take it?" She sputtered in embarrassment at her frightened over-reaction and regained her seat sheepishly.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

His hand frozen in a wave of greeting, Elias grinned sheepishly at Ellarie's cry and subsequent question.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I suppose it makes a rather odd sight. Let me introduce Galla."

His hand waved down to the impressively large scorpion, its chitinous exterior a mottled pattern of green and black, offset by the light leafy green of its poisonous stinger. Oddly for an arachnid, its eyes held a spark of intelligence beyond what might be dismissed as the reflection of the light, and as she turned towards Ellarie a single claw rose in an awkward approximation of a human wave.

"She and I have been together for years, now, ever since I found her on a walk through Belhaim's woods. She's really quite sweet."

As if to support his assertion, the scorpion turned and scuttled towards where Elias sat. Lowering his arm, he allowed her to travel up to the opposite shoulder, where she latched on securely with her claws and curled her tail up protectively.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The Tian-Min woman's own bath was not as long, nor her revulsion to the events in Hunclay's manor as intense, but she took her sweet time getting her armor back on, just to luxuriate in not having forty pounds of articulated plating and heavy wraps strapped to her. Honestly, after her visits to the House of Withered Blossoms, the late wizard would have had to bring his A-game to make her flinch with anything other than basic fright. Fortunately, her two companions for the little adventure hadn't let any of the mad mage's paranoia paralyze them.

Companions! She hadn't had any that treated her with respect since Sugimato had been flash-frozen by a dragon at the Crown of the World... and she'd never had any that had treated her well who hadn't been ordered to, directly or indirectly, by her grandfather. She had honestly been expecting more hostility from the caravan.

Well, at least the guardsmen didn't disappoint. She wished Hodd every success in his choice of career. A man like that, where bystanders could hear the thoughts moving like unlubricated gears... that was a treasure to have in a position of authority. That didn't help her figure out what to do about the theme-named duo she was working with now, though. She wasn't sure what to make of sacrificing personal resources for the betterment of others. If nothing else, the Five Storms didn't give gifts so much as they made investments or traded favors. Perhaps Elias would want recompense at some later date? She wouldn't want to disappoint - he seemed powerful enough, especially if he was on the way to reaching Hunclay's level of ability. The old fool had nearly killed her despitenot being in the same room or even alive. She had to respect that.

And these two are nice. Musn't forget that.

Ellarie was more of a wild card, but she hadn't reached for a weapon on identifying her as a Tiefling, so that had to count for something. Hacking up that homunculus counted for a good bit more, though. Between them and her windfall - she had not expected Elias to actually take her advice, even in limited fashion (people could be weirdly sentimental about material goods) - things were going very well today. Sure, there were kobolds running around and towers falling down and wizards dying, but that just made things more interesting!

She descended the stairs in time to see Elias allow the bizarrely adorable scorpion to ride around on his shoulder, thus sparing herself the blunder of whipping her dagger out to throw at the creature. Shizuru's bedsheets, it's so ugly, it looped back around to cute! Sadly, there was zero indication that the Sheriff had been by yet, leaving the tiefling in a bind. On the one hand, she didn't want to face the Sheriff. On the other hand, she didn't want to be seen as not wanting to face the Sheriff. Looking into her room and the bath had been a convenient excuse, but going back for another one would just be odd.

With little else to do, she joined her partners in opportunism at their usual table, if the one they'd sat at exactly twice could be considered their 'usual.' When the tiny scorpion waved in greeting, she waved back before speaking up. "So... I'm guessing you're going to want to pursue this Hunclay thing. Any ideas on how to go about it?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

She wore a nonplussed expression as the creature waved a claw at her. Her smile at it was faintly amused as she waved back, trying to not feel foolish.

"It's quite alright, I'm sure I'm just especially jumpy this evening." She left the reasoning for that unspoken between them, though she felt it obvious.

"Hello Galla. Nice to meet you, I am Ellarie." Unsure exactly just how much the scorpion understood, she figured she may as well be polite. She looked up from the scorpion as Kiyoko joined them.

"I think we should wait a bit until later tonight, and then head back." Her voice was guarded as she glanced about the room surreptitiously.

"Master Hunclay might still be in the basement yet." She spoke with a nod at Elias to show her intentions were not strictly mercenary. She brightened suddenly,

"Oh! I still owe you an explanation." She leaned over to the tiefling and cupped her hand to her mouth in order to shield Elias's ears from the ensuing impropriety. She explained at length with the occasional gesture. And when she was done, a mischievous smile curved her lips.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Averting his attention momentarily to give Ellarie some privacy while she whispered to Kiyoko, busying himself with rubbing the part of Galla's head that she liked to be petted on. Eventually, he turned back to the two woman, laying his hands flat on the table.

"I fear you may be correct, Ellarie. And to answer your question, Kiyoko, as far as I know Master Hunclay and I were the only two wizards living in Belhaim prior to his diappearance. Leaving me as the foremost expert on such matters remaining in town. I am hoping that the sheriff sees the wisdom in allowing me to continue the investigation of Master Hunclay's residence rather than risking the lives of his deputies in such a death trap."

Elias' unusually striking eyes moved to the dark windows on the walls.

"Though I had hoped Sheriff Benhovy would have returned by now."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The Tian-Min woman had actually known about the joke behind linguists and their cunning ways, and had mostly been hoping to provoke the otherwise straight-laced Elias into describing it. Still, she listened attentively to Ellarie's explanation, and just as she finished...

"I fear you may be correct, Ellarie."

The timing was too perfect. Tea sprayed from the warrior's mouth and nose, leaving her coughing and snorting as she tried to contain her chortles and the mess. Holding up a finger, she eventually regained control, although her sinuses stung.

Elias, perhaps not aware of the private discussion, continued. The tiefling listened as best she could, and eventually he finished.

"...Though I had hoped Sheriff Benhovy would have returned by now."

"Ahem. *cough*. I'm just wondering why he and three others went charging off into the woods after the kobolds. Aren't the little monsters known for... y'know... setting traps? You'd think we'd want them to come to us."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Kiyoko's comment earned a circumspect nod from the young wizard.

"I suppose you have a point. But most kobold traps are reserved for their lairs, and there hasn't been a serious infestation in this region in living memory. I would imagine the sheriff hoped to chase them away to greener pastures."

Fingers rapping on the table, Elias suddenly stood.

"I think I'm going to check in with Varyl and Letha, see if the sheriff has returned. I'm getting tired of waiting, and I'd like to let my Aunt and Uncle know I've arrived."

He returned Galla to her satchel, wrapping both of them securely in his cloak.

"I...don't suppose you'd keep me company?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie laughed along with Kiyoko, though as Elias voiced his concerns, she didn't have to try very hard to regain her composure given the wizard's brooding mood. She was about ready to suggest they go into the woods after the Sheriff themselves when Elias offered a more cautious course of action.

"Of course. These don't seem like fine times to be roaming after dark by one's self." The words she spoke were true, though she found she wanted to keep in pair's company. And she had to admit to being more than a bit curious as to Elias's family. And the whereabouts of the Sheriff. She had an increasingly growing sense of unease that something had gone terribly wrong in this quiet town. Was perhaps still going wrong as they sat here in the warmth of the inn drinking tea. She set her cup down firmly and stood.

"I'm ready if you two are." She only wished she had had time to buy a cloak.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"You two have terrible taste in companions. Still, I've got nothing planned for the evening." Kiyoko got up, grabbing her sword and affixing the lengthy thing to her equipment belt, itself resting atop the abbreviated obi that kept her tunic shut. With another motion, she had her pack on. "I'm ready when you are."

[Nefarion Xid]

Elias, Ellarie, Kiyoko
Garrison, 6 PM

The sun was completely down before they left the comfort of the inn. In the light of the waxing moon, the glistening snowbanks once again made the town seem quiet and picturesque after the unpleasant afternoon. The wind had picked up a bit and the snow had stopped for now. By noon tomorrow, it would likely be all slush unless it remained overcast like today. The grey beards predicted sun.

It was a short walk (just across the street) to the Belhaim Garrison a small, defensible red brick building. It was all one room, discounting the two jail cells. A deputy guardsman sat at a desk near the hearth, scratching into a logbook. Crates and leather sacks had been piled up along the back wall, partially obscuring a bunk bed. A rack near the door held an assortment of weapons and manacles, a handsome looking darkwood repeating crossbow stood out among the rest. On the right, there were two 15x10 foot barred cells, each with a bunk bed. Silas sulked in one and his two guards looked to be in the other.

The man behind the desk was a slim faced man with blond locks and a solid build, less doughy than Benhovy or Hodd, not as lanky as the other two. "Yes, what is it?" he didn't bother looking up from his work.

Witch Tower Ruins

Having supplied the appropriate password, the party moved on and found themselves in a large room completely devoid of any features spare for a large lever on the near wall and three spindly metallic creatures. Each was the size of man, but skeletal in build and with four long arms. They did not appear to be armed, but two blocked the exit to the room. One intoned politely, "Do you have your badges? Please present your badges."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Cradling the clay jug of cider in one arm, Elias' face made his disappointment clear at not finding the sheriff in the office. Still, his optimism had not been completely spent, and he placed the cider on the deputy's desk with some approximation of a natural smile.

"Good evening, Deputy Bellett. We were just coming to inquire on Sheriff Benhovy's whereabouts. We discovered some disturbing things in Master Hunclay's manor, and have been waiting to discuss them with him."

[Nefarion Xid]

The deputy shook his head and maintained a stiff upper lip. "No, the sheriff isn't back yet. I've just sent Letha to relieve Hodd at the ... well, you know. Deputy Tulwin is still on his errand. I have high hopes since no one has mentioned the rubble shifting again. Still, you couldn't pay me to go down there."

Though he tries to hide it, you can tell he's worried about the three that went riding after the kobolds.

He finally puts down his quill and makes eye contact with Elias. "I'm just inventorying the smuggler's lot. I'll have a break and take your statement, Master Apion. I assure you, I'm perfectly qualified to put words to paper."

You get the feeling he doesn't like you. But you can't think of what offense you could have caused him in the past.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren


Witch Tower Ruins

Having supplied the appropriate password, the party moved on and found themselves in a large room completely devoid of any features spare for a large lever on the near wall and three spindly metallic creatures. Each was the size of man, but skeletal in build and with four long arms. They did not appear to be armed, but two blocked the exit to the room. One intoned politely, "Do you have your badges? Please present your badges."

Crap. We didn't find anything like a badge in the ruins. Think of something, think of something...

Hissing out the side of his mouth, Eren spoke to Yagenas.

"Deputy, try showing them your badge. See if that will work."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"I do not have my badge with me, as I lost it when the kobolds invaded." Cassandra lied, hoping the creature would believe her and allow the group to pass. "The castle has caved in in part, and is in serious danger of total collapse." That much was probably true, she figured. Now to see if the creatures will buy it. "We need to recover what we can from this level before it is destroyed. Please allow us to pass."

Bluff! [roll0]

[Nefarion Xid]

Witch Tower Ruins

The construct glanced towards Cassandra briefly, then repeated, "Please present your badges. You have ten seconds to comply."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

...yeah, this isn't going to work. It probably would have if they were men, but these are robots. You can't really fool them.

Guess we do this the hard way.

"Open fire!"

Whipping out an arrow, Eren loosed it at the nearest construct.

Using untrained Bluff, Eren will try to get the drop on the nearest construct at CV 128.

Bluff: [roll0]

Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[Othniel]

Cassandra

As she caught the drop on the creatures, Cassandra summoned a small stormcloud over the head of the one demanding to see their badges.

Casting Aggressive Thundercloud (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/a/aggressive-thundercloud) on the square of the speaking construct. He has to make a DC 17 reflex save or take [7] electricity damage.

[Nefarion Xid]

"Engaging!" announced the clockwork soldier as soon as he saw the party going for their weapons. Tubes emerged from their chests and disgorged a tangle of weighted rope that caught Cassandra around the waist and knees. The nearest construct swiped slowly at Ioseph who merely shrugged away from its metallic claws.

Round 1, fight!

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

This is bad. These constructs are made out of solid metal. I won't be able to pierce them with just my natural strength.

Slapping his hands together in a prayer pose, Eren channeled Abadar's divine favor through his being, infusing his arms with the Vaultmaster's strength, before striking a pose.

Eren casts Divine Favor on himself, gaining +1 to Attack and Damage.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Nonplussed by the tone of the deputy's reply, Elias still took the seat across from his desk.

"Of course, Deputy. My companions and I arrived this afternoon in time to witness Castle Tula collapse. Rushing to the scene, it wasn't long before Sheriff Benhovy requested that I summon Master Hunclay, in the hopes that he would be able to help discover the reason for the collapse. As I had promised my two lovely companions an introduction to the master, I asked them to accompany me. It was only upon approaching the manor that we sighted a green-scaled kobold attempting to break inside. We rushed to stop it, only to discover that it had been slain by an explosive trap laid upon the door handle, I assume by Master Hunclay himself. We attempted to examine the body to determine its origins, to no avail, yet despite the time taken there was no reaction from within the manor to the explosion. I knocked, and similarly received no reply."

Elias paused, allowing the deputy to catch up and taking a moment to catch his breath.

"Normally, I might have waited longer or returned to the sheriff, but the collapse of the castle made me fear the worst. Considering I had returned to continue my apprenticeship, I thought it reasonable to conclude the master would not object to my bypassing his wards, and so I attempted to do just that. Successfully, when it came to the door, but not so when it came to the trap beyond the door. My reaction to falling down a magically conjured pit was less than courageous, and in response my companions broke through the door in an attempt to save my life. An ultimately unnecessary but commendable act of heroism."

He smiled back at Ellarie and Kiyoko.

"Afterwards, we set out to explore the manor. It seemed deserted, though there was a profusion of magical traps scattered throughout the premises that had not been in place during my stay there. It was not until we reached the observatory that we discovered signs of the master, in the form of his familiar Lodo. Alas, Lodo had gone mad, attacking us while raving that we ourselves had slain Master Hunclay. Such madness is not uncommon for homunculi cut off from their creator, so while Lodo's accusations were of course spurious I fear Master Hunclay may well be deceased. It was at this point that Deputy Hodd arrived at the manor. Our investigation had gone on longer than he believed a simple errand to fetch Master Hunclay should have, and he kindly feared for our safety. We descended from the third floor to reassure him, and after apprising him of the situation requested he allow us a few minutes more to complete our search of the upper floors. He acquiesced, and while we did complete the search to the fullest of our knowledge we discovered no sign of Master Hunclay. All we know is that he was alive last night - his most recent star chart was thusly dated - and that for some reason he felt compelled to transform his home into a death trap."

Elias paused a final time, gathering his composure. While he had not loved Hunclay like a father, or even a beloved teacher, he had an affection for the thorny old man. What's more, the old wizard had been one of the few constants in the past year of upheaval and strife.

"I am convinced something has happened to Master Hunclay, and while we searched the entirety of the aboveground the manor's basement remains undisturbed. I intend to petition Sheriff Benhovy to allow us to complete our investigation, both to allay or confirm my suspicions and to spare you and your fellow deputies the danger of delving a master wizard's defenses."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

As Elias introduced his two companions as "lovely", Ellarie found herself grateful that she had been able to bathe. She shook her head to relieve it of such foolish vanities and took the seat besides Elias. She returned Elias's smile as he commended their bravery, though felt a bit chagrined at her part of that over-reaction.

"We can fix the door, forgive our trespasses, but we were really and truly worried for Elais's safety." Ellarie said placatingly, trying to ease the strange tension between Deputy Bellett and Elias. She patted her companion's arm as he spoke of his Master's potential fate. She hadn't truly understood exactly the personal stake for Elias in the search for his mentor before. She listened as he spoke of his intent to petition for permission to investigate the manor further, she knew it didn't really matter to her or Kiyoko. They had both seemed of a mind to explore the manor with or without permission. The only question was would Elias join them or even try to stop them if he did not receive permission he desired.

[Nefarion Xid]

The deputy recorded Elias' account of what had transpired with a nonplussed expression. When he'd completed his shorthand scribbling, he asked, "You said you 'bypassed his wards'. You found yourself on the other side of the door (and thus imperiled) -- how, precisely? Do feel free to demonstrate."

"And this "Lodo", where is he now? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with whatever a homonculi is. You said he was mad, but would he be able to answer questions?" He finally looked up from his paper and glowered at Elias.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Having taken it completely for granted that she would be introduced as lovely, Kiyoko instead snorted at the Deputy's question. "Lodo couldn't answer questions when he was alive. If you want to bring him in now, you're gonna need a mop."

The deputy stared, as though several questions were fighting to be asked first. "Lodo was the name of the homonculus. It went berserk and attacked us when we entered Hunclay's little stargazing clubhouse. The damn thing bit me, and then Ellarie hit it so hard that it melted." She nodded for emphasis. "Last I saw, it was a disgusting puddle of pink goo. We might have cleaned it up, but we got chased out of the mansion before we were done." She shot Hodd a pointed look. "This is how we get ants."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie's face went carefully blank as the deputy queried Elias on Lodo's whereabouts. She tried not to shoot him a guilty glance at Kiyoko's words and instead concentrated upon her fingernails, the men in the cell, the items covering the Deputy's desk. She noted the Deputy's hostility through her anxiety, what in the world had Elias done to rouse the man's ire so? Or perhaps he just dislike users of the arcane in general? That though did not ease her concern for her future freedom in the slightest. She waited still and quiet for the deputy's reply, unaware she was holding her breath.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

His gut knotting up at the deputy's questions and Kiyoko's glib answer, Elias stood from his chair.

"Of course, deputy. As to your first question..."

Elias shimmered, and in an emerald flash and disappeared from where he stood and reappeared along the other side of the deputy's desk.

"Part of my training with Master Hunclay involved traversing the Astral barrier for short stretches. As to Lodo, he was Master Hunclay's familiar. A minor construct, shaped from clay and animated by an offering of Master Hunclay's arcane power and blood. Such creatures rely on a connection to their master to function properly, and deprived of it they have no bestial nature to return to like the familiars of other wizards. Instead, they slowly deteriorate. We were forced to slay Lodo when he turned the master's magics against us, and in so doing returned him to the clay from whence he came."

[Nefarion Xid]

Bellett took this in while rubbing his temples. Elias' sudden teleportation had caused him to snap his quill in half, but beyond that he just seemed tired. "Well," he began, inhaling sharply, "Until we have the manpower to investigate properly, or until the Baroness intercedes, or until Master Hunclay turns up in some state, you will face no formal charges. Not that you have any other choice, but I would not leave Belhaim until we've got this matter sorted. I suspect, at the least, you'll be charged with property damage, if not breaking and entering. If Master Hunclay is deceased, then that will be in left to Lady Devy."

"Oh, one last thing," he looked between the women with a quirked brow, "And, I'm sure I know the answer here, but indulge me. You, of course, didn't remove anything from the house, did you?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie watched the Deputy rub his temples with no little sympathy. It was certainly a heavy load they had dumped in his lap, especially with the Sheriff's continued absence. She balked inwardly at being charged with property damage when Elias could simply fix it with magic. Though she suspected arguing the point would do little to improve their situation at present.

"I have no plans to leave Belhaim in the near future, Deputy Bellett, even if I could, as you say." She had been hoping to find refuge from her desperate wanderings here, though she was no longer certain of the wisdom of that thought given the events of the day. The exhaustively long day. A weariness overcame her then and she sighed deeply as the lawman sized up herself and Kiyoko with a scrutinous eye.

"No Sir, I did not remove anything from the Manor." Technically true, and though she mentioned nothing of Elias's books or Kiyoko's pilfered instruments she made effort to push them from her mind as she regarded the Deputy steadily with her pale blue eyes.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The Tian-Min woman held up an arm, still showing faint bite marks. "I got a free piercing out of it. Does that count?" As to leaving town, she'd love to see the desk lord try to stop her, but she'd had no plans to go anywhere immediately.

Bluff: [roll0]

[zabbarot]

Ioseph

"Good attempt. It's been a while since I've had a sparring partner." Ioseph adopted a stance he'd learned in the monastery and left his bow on his back. His fist easily find purchase on the constructs body, and wreak significantly more havoc than he expected. "I thought they'd be more heavily armored.... kind of fragile, all said."

One punch in the surprise round.
to-hit:[roll0]
damage:[roll1]

Swift action to declare Personal Trial on the construct in the corner followed by full attack flurry.
to-hit:[roll2], [roll3]
damage:[roll4], [roll5]

[Nefarion Xid]

Yagenas shot slammed into the wall, sending a spray of debris over the closet automaton, but leaving it unfazed. They advanced on the party, making clumsy predictable swings with their fists. These were easy enough to dodge, unless you were Cassandra, who took one on the chin (7 damage). The purpose of the second set of arms on the constructs became clear as they whirred to life and began making repairs to their mechanical bodies.

Round 2.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Nodding, Elias followed the deputy's skeptical eyes with an apologetic glance towards the women.

"I was able to find several of the master's more sensitive tomes. I removed them, to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands."

Bluff?

[roll0]

[zabbarot]

Ioseph

The doctor continued his two fisted assault on the cornered construct.

Flurry!
[roll0], [roll1]
[roll2], [roll3]

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Stuck in the net, Cassandra could do little but direct her tiny thundercloud one last time. "I hate nets," she sighed.

Sending the thundercloud over C2 again (move action). It dissipates at the beginning of my next turn, but first, it does [roll0] damage unless C2 makes a DC 17 reflex save.

Then she draws her scimitar and 5'-steps behind Yagenas.

[Nefarion Xid]

Elias, Ellarie, Kiyoko
Garrison

The deputy inspected Kiyoko's bite and appeared satisfied. "That's no dog bite, I'll give you that."

When Elias mentioned the "protected" tomes, he soured again. "As you say, Master Apion. Why don't you bring them here tomorrow so that I can inventory them. I can promise you, they'll be quite safe in our storage. By the by, where are you lot staying tonight?"

Satisfied they were all rooming at the Piper, he nodded with something approaching satisfaction. "That will be all. Thank you for your cooperation."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The Tian-Min woman gave the wizard a told-you-so look, but nodded to the deputy and stepped outside. Taking a deep and refreshing breath of the chill air, she idly wondered what Elias's relatives would be like. Though I sincerely doubt they're more interesting than mine.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

"Just hold fast, milady! I will assist you once we have some breathing room!"

Then pausing to gesture to the lone uninjured construct, Eren let out a roar.

"I PRONOUNCE JUDGEMENT ON YOU IN THE NAME OF ABADAR!"

Drawing his bowstring, Eren then loosed an arrow at the construct...

Eren uses a swift action to apply Judgement of Justice to Construct 3, using Judgement Surge at the same time. This grants him a total of +2 to attack versus Construct 3.

Once this is done, he attacks it. Eren is applying Rapid Shot, Point-Blank Shot, Divine Favor, and the Judgement of Justice.

Attack 1: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Rapid Shot: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Nefarion Xid]

Witch Tower

Two arrows to the torso sent the construct reeling, but a point-blank musket blast blew reduced it to flying scrap metal. In the corner, the remaining automatons continued to flail at Ioseph with no effect.

Round 3.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

As Yagenas' point blank shot managed to finish off the construct Eren had opened up on, he nodded to the deputy.

"Good work!"

He then turned his attention to the second construct, loosing another two arrows at it.

Same buffs as last round, and a 5'-step to CX.

Attack 1: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Rapid Shot: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie gave a cordial smile to the Deputy, partly to mask her relief and partly in an attempt to ingratiate herself to the man. He was certainly more competent at his job than Deputy Spot, and it never hurt to have friends in high places. Well, she could only assume as she hadn't yet had the chance to test that theory. Besides, the Deputy wasn't half bad-looking when he wasn't scowling and the threat of imprisonment wasn't looming over her head.

"Of course, Deputy anytime." Anytime? Well that was rather inane. She left the garrison shaking her head at herself and sighed. She took another deep breath of the bracing air of freedom.

"That could have gone worse, huh?" She said with a grin and a pat on each of her companion's back.

"You've been our leader so far Elias, no reason to stop now, lead the way!" She didn't bring up that the Deputy had ignored Elias's request for permission to investigate the Manor further. She hoped he would be able to come to terms with continuing on the sly, she doubted he possessed the magical ability to dissuade the two women from exploring further, and she had a feeling they'd need his help.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Choosing to simply attack, Cassandra stepped toward one of the constructs, and attacked. "Stupid net," she continued muttering.

Stepping toward C1, and attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Proceeding down the narrowing tunnel behind Yagenas, Cassandra took care to be as quiet as possible. Scimitar at the ready, and dancing lights ahead, she crept forward.

Stealth: [roll0]

[Othniel]

After summoning her thundercloud, Cassandra was slowed by a net which had exploded from one of the constructs. Several tense moments passed during which the other members of the party exchanged blows with the machines, one of them landing a painful blow upon the druidess' chin. Seconds, it was all over; Yagenas and Ioseph laying the last two constructs low. The room was finally inspected, but little was found of value, save perhaps the constructs themselves. Unfortunately, none of the party were able to identify the materials used in their construction, and they were left lying as the four pressed onward.

An iron door faced them next, but Eren made quick work of the obstruction. "I did not know inquisitors were capable burglars," quipped Cassandra.

"My line of work sometimes requires me to retrieve documents and other important objects without the permission of the owner. All perfectly legal with the appropriate warrant under Taldorian law, of course," responded the taxman.

"Of course." replied the noblewoman, her tone is slightly skeptical.

"To say nothing of the times where they've rigged their books to explode rather than face the penalties that come with tax evasion," Eren elaborated.

"Exploding Runes really never get old," Cassandra said, a note of humor in her voice. "Ah, I mean...how dreadful!"

"Comes with the territory, milady."

"Ahuh." Yagenas grunted. "Well, I guess you'd have to have nimble fingers for all that copper pinching."

"It's usually more along the lines of silver or gold pinching, Deputy. Abadar and Taldor have their priorities, after all."

Behind the door, the foursome noted a tunnel pressing northward. On the south wall, they found a cage enclosing several black iron chests. A pair of slots opened in the floor nearby which, upon closer inspection, had some type of cylindrical mechanism and tumbler inside, ready to accept some sort of rod or lever, perhaps. "No traps that I can see, though it will still pay to be cautious," Eren noted. "Ah. Well, then, clearly these are meant to lower the cage. So now, that leaves the question: Where are the levers that would presumably operate these?"

A search of the room turned up nothing. "Well, so much for that vain hope. Let us see if there is anything in the tunnel."

Going first, Eren snagged his foot on a hidden tripwire and before he could say "oopsie," a boulder lodged in the wall ripped free and plummeted...very near his foot. It fell to the ground and rolled away, missing him by a foot.

"That was a close shave."

“Almost stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

"I think we may have found the part inhabited by kobolds."

“Hrm.”

This large cave area also appeared to be fresh dug. The ceiling was still only 5 feet high and tons of debris filled the western half of the cave, which the group noticed was a different color of stone and likely came from above. Half-bured in the rubble they saw a white bearded man in red robes.

"There is a man there!" exclaimed Cassandra.

“What?” Yagenas replied. He moved forward and began to clear rubble from the man, aided with light provided by Cassandra.

"I am no doctor, but I suspect he won't be getting up on his own ever again," she said matter-of-factly.

Judging by the drying puddle of blood around his lips and the purple color of his skin, the group of adventurers concluded that the man had been dead for at least an hour. The man seemed to have been crushed from the chest down.

"Oh...oh my," uttered Yagenas.

Eren stood silently behind, making a religious motion Abadarans commonly used. "It looks like he's been dead for just about an hour, which would fit perfectly with when the castle collapsed. Whatever happened down here, I am certain he was attempting to investigate and got caught up in it."

"Well, that is most unfortunate," said Cassandra, trying to sound sympathetic. "But...what if he was responsible for it?"

Eren looked at Cassandra. "Well, both lead back to the same question: What, and why? The only answer to both, I think is to bring him back up top. Get his identity, see if there is a man of faith who possesses the ability to speak with the dead, and then get him a proper burial."

Noticing Yagenas examining the body, Cassandra moved a little closer to the lawman. "Time to report back, probably. Should we move the body, deputy? We've already pressed our luck being down here this long. We may not get another chance."

“Absolutely,” came the reply, followed quickly by a single word, “Balls.”

"Language!" the noblewoman scolded him, accompanied by a disapproving look.

“Uh, sorry, just that, well, I hate to break it to the kid,” responded Yagenas. “His boss is dead.”

"It is the wizard, then?" Eren sighed. "I suspected as much."

The group examined the rest of the area, noting the presence of two kobold bodies as well. Another tunnel ran east and into darkness.

"Is it possible the wizard brought the place down?" Ioseph suggested.

“To kill some kobolds?” replied Yagenas. “Sounds like a bit of a shaky theory.”

"You never know with wizards," Cassandra muttered. "Maybe he had to kill all of them at once to head off an invasion? Noble self-sacrifice and all that." The woman's tone suggested that she did not think highly of that principle.

"They could have been digging for something else," offered Ioseph. "Kobolds get enslaved all the time. They'll pretty much work for anyone."

“This whole thing sticks," said the deputy. "Speaking of which, someone help me move this body.”

"Gladly," said Eren, moving to assist. "It is equally likely that he may have been simply trying to kill them and they collapsed it in on him to try and take him down." The two of them freed the body of Balthus Hunclay, the local wizard, and Ioseph wrapped him in some cloth. To the side, both Cassandra and Eren fought to keep from retching.

Yagenas just stared at it blankly, raising an eyebrow but otherwise unfazed as he considered some of the **** Ser Petrikov had fought.

Most of the hard or unsettling work done, Cassandra finally took a moment to look over herself. "I am dirty, scratched, and tired," she said. "I am going to take the longest bath tonight."

"I wouldn't mind one of those myself," agreed Eren.

“Aye...” agreed Yagenas, pausing at the prospect for perhaps a second or two too long.

"You'll have to get your own," the druidess replied, matter-of-factually.

"What a shame."

"If you'd like, I can take a look at your injuries when we get back to the inn," Ioseph offered.

With the wizard's body prepared for recovery, the four of them pressed onward a short distance, noting that the tunnel became increasingly restricting. "The tunnel is getting narrower and narrower," noted the inquisitor. "If we go much further, we will be at too much of a disadvantage. I think we've gathered enough intelligence at this point. Let's get Mr. Hunclay topside."

After a brief discussion, it was decided that Ioseph and Eren would bear the body back through the castle, while Yagenas and Cassandra would press on in search of the tunnel's end. "Hope he had a will," muttered Ioseph, as he bundled up the wizard and started the trek back. Eren followed behind, firm in his belief that proceeding further down the tunnel was a bad idea.

Meanwhile, Yagenas pressed forward, extending a hand to Cassandra. After a brief moment's hesitation, the woman grasped his hand, following closely behind. "I'll...well, a little further wouldn't hurt, but we turn back if it looks dangerous, all right?"

“Of course m’lady. No heroic self-sacrifices today.”

Eren looked a little put out, but did not press further. "Be careful, you two. The last thing I want to have to do is retrieve three corpses."

“I’m too young and good looking to die,” quipped Yagenas, to which Cassandra laughed.

"This is a long tunnel," Cassandra muttered, after the pair had gone some distance. "Yagenas?"

“Yes, Cassandra?”

"How much further do you want to follow this?"

“I’m not sure. Maybe I should just shoot down the tunnel and see if anything comes out.”

"I'd rather you didn't. Wouldn't want a horde of kobolds coming at us. They can probably move swifter in this tunnel."

“I hope you’re not using my compromised position as an opportunity to look up my skirt.”

The druidess snorted. "Wouldn't dream of it, lawman."

“Well, I guess I’d like to go until something changes. This tunnel can’t go on forever.”

"All right. Just be careful. I don't want to get buried down here."

“An interesting grave for interesting people.”

"That was not reassuring."

“Well, is it more reassuring knowing the chances of you getting revived are ridiculously higher than mine?”

"Just because I'm a noble?" She laughs quietly. "It would probably be a relief to my parents."

“And because the only person who really cared about me either abandoned me or is dead….” Yagenas’ chipper mood pretty much instantly evaporated and he stopped crawling briefly.

"I'm sorry, Yagenas."

“Lets, lets just keep crawling.”

Pressing onward, the two emerged a quarter mile from Belhaim at the old flooded quarry. It had become completely overgrown since it fell into disuse, but a worn path winded around to the far side where Yagenas barely made out an obscured cave entrance in the moonlight. “Well that’s interesting,” he said, helping Cassandra out of the tunnel.

"Yes, quite..." Cassandra said, as she was pulled firmly upright. "Well, at least we can walk back outside the tower now. At this point, I do think we should return to town."

“Agreed."

With the agreement made, the two found the old quarry road and followed it back to town, though they noticed that it had been overgrown with saplings growing straight up the middle in places. When they made it back to town unmolested, it had grown dark. “I should probably report all this to the Sheriff,” Yagenas said.

"I'll go with you. Least I can do," offered Cassandra.

The two entered the garrison, which was really just a single room with some shelves, a bunk bed for deputies on duty, and two jail cells at the far end. They noticed Deputy Bellet there. He was fairer skinned than most folk and had dirty blond hair that hung down to his chin. "Oh thank the gods, you're not dead," he said, sounding (and looking) exhausted.

“You think a little collapsing tower can keep me down? I’m hurt.”

"He's right," put in Cassandra. "Soldiered right on through. Didn't want to give up until he reached the end."

"Well the Sheriff's not back yet. Neither are Biggs or Wedge. Letha and Varyl just checked in, but they're near frozen to death from standing guard outside the wizard's place all night."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

Sighing reluctantly at Yagenas' and Cassandra's decision to proceed further, Eren left them with a final word.

"If your mission goes well, meet us back at the Garrison. If we don't see you in an hour, we're going back down there."

Proceeding over the bridge of bedframes and iron maidens with Ioseph, and up the chain of ladders to the top, Eren steeled himself against the wind as they made their way back to town and to the garrison. Presenting the boy of Hunclay to the deputy, they were then thanked for their service and told to take him to the undertaker. Journeying there, they were greeted by the man, who, with a rather unimpressed look, informed them he would get to work.

Eren turned to Ioseph.

"Well, this has been quite an adventure. I think a nice, stiff drink is in order, but first, shall we go and see if they're back yet?"

Eren then made his way back to the garrison, where, after a few minutes, Yagenas and Cassandra showed up, none the worse for wear, and they promptly made their way to the baroness.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Taking Yagenas by the arm, Cassandra led him back out into the cold evening. "Let us go and visit the Baroness," suggested the young woman, though she suspected the lawman had that intention anyway. Easier for the newcomer in town to be seen in respectable company, she figured. At least until they start respecting me, she thought. "You can fill her in on what happened below, if Ioseph and Eren have not done so already." The two walked arm-in-arm toward the Baroness' house, huddling closer due to the cold, though Cassandra couldn't help but glance over at her companion and smile slightly.

[Nefarion Xid]

Devy Estate

The Baroness' keep was the only building in town larger than Hunclay's renovated mansion. Essentially, it was one large square tower attached to a squatter looking round tower by a two story expanse with a gable roof. Arrow slits could be seen on the second story and light flickered within. Decorative windows were set higher up in the square tower, which must serve as the residential area. A dull orange glow could be seen in the frost covered glass.

Arriving at the iron reinforced oaken front doors, Cassandra and Yagenas heard a metal slat open and a voice call out. "Oi, who goes ... oh, it's you, deputy. Have you anything to report?"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"And Lady Cassandra Vallas, if you please," the noblewoman instructed the voice. "We would appreciate your announcing us to the Baroness, if it isn't too much trouble." Her tone was slightly icy, just enough to match the air temperature. "We have news of the Witch Tower's collapse that she might find interesting," she added, hoping the doorman would run and fetch the baroness, or at least allow them inside out of the chilly evening air. She'd pushed back her wolf-fur cloak slightly, enough to show off the jewelry that marked her station. Most prominent was the circular platinum amulet depicting the Vallas family crest, though a silver wolf's head brooch attached to her cloak shone brightly in the moonlight as well. A slender silver bracelet, golden star-shaped earrings, and her signet ring completed the ensemble, giving her noble clothing the extra adornment needed to be properly presentable. Even if she went traipsing about the country on her own, she was determined to look her station when possible. She'd covered up much of her material wealth while traveling with the caravan: it wouldn't do to put so much wealth on display and draw the attention of potential robbers.

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

"Aye, it's as the good lady says. Just have to give her the nitty gritty on those damn kobolds," He doffed his leather wolf helmet, shook his hair, and shined a smile at the eyes behind the slits "Could we, perhaps, wait inside? Otherwise I'll have to give Lady Vallas my coat and, well, I'd rather not freeze to death."

[Othniel]

Summary

After the two were joined by Eren and Ioseph, the guard ushered the four of them inside, taking them to a sitting room with a velvet couch, some overstuffed chairs and a roaring fire. The adventurers sat and warmed themselves for a few minutes before the Baroness made her appearance with a servant holding a small chest.

Cassandra and Eren rose in respect for their hostess. "Milady," Eren greeted the Baroness, giving a small bow from the waist.

"We've not made proper introductions," said the Baroness. "I know Deputy Tulwin and Master Vega, of course. But you two are new to my realm."

"Lady Cassandra Vallas, at your service, my lady," Cassandra spoke, accompanied by a practiced curtsy. Into her tone, she pushed a little more of the accent belonging to her noble station.

"Inquisitor Eren Drakos, of the Opparan Branch of the Church of Abadar. Also at your service."

The Baroness smiled politely, "Lovely to meet you. Now, please, tell me what you've found."

Eren shook his head. "In summary, milady: Nothing good. We did not find any living kobolds within the basement of the castle, although we did find three who had died - all of them from the cave-in. We also discovered a previously unexplored section of the cells, including a whole section hidden behind a set of secret doors and a trough full of acid. Beyond that, and a room full of constructs and a passworded door, we found the body of Master Hunclay. His lower body had been crushed by the cave-in, along with two of the kobolds. As to what he was doing down there, we can only conjecture at this point - but whatever it was, based on... how long he looked to have been there, he was there right as the castle collapsed." Eren then looked to Cassandra. "Incidentally... was there anything important you wished to add from your and Yagenas' own exploration, milady?"

"Ah, yes," Cassandra nodded. "We followed the tunnel for quite some distance, but did not run into anything else. It came out by the old quarry, and we saw a cave, but decided it would be best to return to town and report before venturing in. I have spent enough time on and off paths to know that one should not walk heedless into a cave."

"Yes, tunnels! Knew I'd forgotten something - we found Hunclay in a rough tunnel that was not part of the original dungeon - very recent, and clearly made by pickaxes. It was there that we found the signs of the cave-in. If I were a betting man, I would guess that the kobolds were responsible."

Nodding, the Baroness gestured for her man to bring over the chest and opened it before the four. Inside were four bags of gold, each containing 150 gp. "My thanks for diving into danger for the good of the town," the lady explained. "Still, the cave you found needs exploring. Where there are three kobolds, I'm sure there's a whole nest. We've still no word from the sheriff and his party. I don't to imagine what's delayed Sir Pelle."

"There was also a cavern that I could barely make out not too far from the tunnel entrance," Yagenas put in. "My guess is they probably came from it."

Ioseph nodded and he spoke up, "I can leave now to look for him. Yegenas?" He looked to the deputy for direction, presuming the deputy would like to check on the sheriff himself.

"Yes, I'm afraid our dear Sir Pelle may be in need of rescuing," the Baroness assented, "If any of you can track, I would begin by following his horses. If that turns up something, there is, of course, the cavern you discovered. I'd wager the kobolds have laired there. Regardless of the state of Sir Pelle, the kobolds must be destroyed ... "

Cassandra coughed politely. "Oh, excuse me. Actually, since you have mentioned it, I have some skill in tracking, and I would wager Eren does as well."

"I couldn't possibly ask you to go Cassandra." The Baroness paused, "But there is a reward in it ..."

"Oh, nonsense," replied Cassandra, "A man's life may hang in the balance. If there is some chance my assistance can help find him before it is too late, I would be more than happy to lend my assistance." She smiled. "And I get along very well in natural surroundings."

"I agree, though those short bastards like to swarm and there's safety in numbers. So I'd like to see if the Sheriff is okay and able to help before spelunking some scaly cave."

Nodding once more, the Baroness moved to conclude their business, "Then please. I'll leave you to it. You certainly seem capable."

"Very good then," Cassandra conformed. "We follow the horse tracks as best we can, and if that turns up nothing, we make for the cave. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

After a brief stop at the barracks where Cassandra requisitioned a sling and some bullets, the party made their way to the edge of town, from where Sir Pelle had departed. They spent a few moments searching for the trail, and it was Yagenas who found it first. "Good job, Yagenas. You're a natural," Cassandra said, praising the lawman.

"Well, Ser Petrikov gave me this outfit for a reason," he said, pulling his cold weather outfit tighter, "And it wasn't because of my attitude with the ladies."

As the four began to follow the tracks, Cassandra paused to cast a spell on herself, protecting her body from the cold.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Protected from the temperature as she was, the druidess instinctively pulled her cloak closer. She looked to the lead where Yagenas was following the trail, and noticed the intriguing weapon he carried. "You like wolves, deputy?" she asked as she caught up and walked beside the man. "I could not help but notice the weapon you carry."

[Nefarion Xid]

East of Belhaim

It was slow going through the dense hinterlands, even when following the tracks of the sheriff's war horse. After thirty minutes, the party had trekked a half mile the north east, or at least, as Yagenas and Cassandra reckoned. At last they reached a small clearing where there were signs of activity. A dozen spent arrows littered the area or were lodged in trees. In the slush, there were spatters of blood and one dishearteningly large puddle of the stuff in a man-shaped impression. A body had been dragged south from here.

A pit ten feet in diameter had been dug at the right edge of the clearing. As the party neared the mouth, they could see the still body of Benhovy's horse white horse impaled on sharpened stakes amid pine branches and dirt. Pinned beneath the horse and reclining against the side of the pit was the sheriff. Two spikes had just missed his body as he fell. At the sound of approaching footsteps, he looked up and smiled wanly. "Ah. Yagenas, old boy. Be a sport and get this beast off me? I've taken my last potion, so I'm in no danger of bleeding out. But I'm afraid I've got quite the splinter in my thigh. And a horse on me. Can't quite muscle it off m'self."

He patted the horse's shoulder affectionately and went back to staring dead ahead.

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

Smiling softly, Yagenas pulled back the cowl on his winter cloak and tapped the helmet upon his head "My master, Ser Petrikov, was quite in touch with nature and had a dire wolf companion. Or familiar? Or maybe it was a patron?" He stopped tracking for a brief second to scratch his chin and attempt to remember before shrugging his shoulders and continuing "Whatever he called it. I don't know, after a while all that stuff just kind of sounds the same. Anyway, he had a belief that wolves were an admirable creature, how they always acted in accordance of the pack and the pack in accordance to the wolf. He told me "Armiger Tulwin, we are more than just the enforcers of justice, we are also the keepers of civilized packs." I happened to agree with his views when he dropped them on me. Ser Petrikov was so proud of my adherence to the idea, that when the Order of the Nail deemed me fit to gain my own custom made firearm, he had it specially commissioned with this head. I'd love to hear a pack of these howling some day......" He glanced back to Ioseph and Eren before leaning in to whisper

"Plus people give me the most hilarious looks when I point it at them and they realize what it is."

Pulling back he continued following along the trail as quickly as he could "The armor I asked for of my own commission and personal payment."

Some time later

Yagenas looked down at the pinned Sheriff and quickly sprung to action. Throwing his musket over his shoulder he began to slowly work his way down to the sheriff and began to pick up the horse in tandem with the sheriff.

"Good to see you're still one piece Sheriff! Oof, urgh, uh know where anyone else is?"

[TheDarkDM]

Elias, Ellarie, and Kiyoko
Adventures in Estate Planning

Stepping back into the darkened road after their brief interview with Deputy Bellett, the group started towards the Rendakis Orchard, home of Elias' Aunt Flora and Uncle Bernard. They hadn't gone far, however, when Elias caught sight of the blue-garbed stranger he'd seen reclining at the inn. Walking alone on the street wasn't a crime, of course, but to see a traveler embarking on a walk after dark after the kind of day it had been?

"Does that fellow seem suspicious to you?"

His voice was little more than a low mutter, though it sent plumes of steam from his mouth all the same. Kiyoko's practiced scan of the street revealed a few figures hurrying to their homes, confusing the question.

"Which one?"

"The one in blue."

Their attention all drawn to the azure gentleman, the trio peered closer. Finally, Ellarie whispered.

"He's heading in the direction of the manor, do you recognize him?"

"I remember him from the caravan."

And remember him Elias did, if not well. He'd been with the caravan since Oppara, though his primary contribution had been snoring and the sight of his brief calisthenics routine every day. He didn't even know the man's name, though he'd taken not of a mithral rapier that was absent from the man's hip.

"This is the most active I've ever seen him, if that counts as a revelation. I suspect he's a fencer of some kind."

Ellarie considered the situation momentarily, her mind turning to the chest full of gold they'd left in Hunclay's bedroom.

"It's an awful dangerous night to be wandering about by yourself. With the kobolds and all. Should we follow and make sure he's not heading to the Manor?"

"Yes, far be it from us to subvert cooperation with the local authorities. We should definitely ensure that he doesn't enter the manor."

The odd seriousness of the discussion muffled Elias' laugh at Kiyoko's sudden concern for the law.

"Let's at least follow at a distance and see what he's about. I don't suppose either of you is skilled at stealth?"

All three paused to appraise the substantial armor hanging from both women.

"Define skilled?"

"I've learned how to pass unseen from the infamous ninjas of the Frozen Shadows. I can't do it, but I learned how."

Kiyoko shrugged.

"My battle cry tends to give me away."

Ellarie returned the shrug.

"I can vanish for a short time if that's helpful."

"So can I! I usually just tell everyone that I'm going to the head, and then I don't come back."

Kiyoko paused.

"Or... did you mean magically vanish?"

Ellarie laughed.

"I meant magically, though admit your way sounds much more efficient."

Swiftly accepting that none of them was particularly versed in the schools of shadow and silence, Elias shook his head slightly.

"Well, let's not let him out of our sight at least."

The party began to meander along the stranger's trail, keeping a respectable distance and hoping not to be spotted. A hope somewhat undercut by the clanking of Kiyoko's armor and Elias' brief cry as his toe uncovered a solid rock beneath the dusting of snow. It was perhaps unsurprising, then, that as they followed the stranger around a bend in the road they found he had disappeared.

"Oh hey, he can vanish too. Seems to be a lot of that going around lately."

"A little too much if you ask me."

Spreading out, they began to look for footprints in the snow. Elias and Ellarie, unfortunately, could scarcely tell the difference between the various footfalls that had traveled the muddy road since the snow began. Both turned instead to their magical senses, hoping to discern the stranger had he turned invisible, but beyond a magical aura from the Mason's Guildhouse there was nothing to find.

"That's damn peculiar."

"I'm not picking up anything useful except a magical item in the guildhouse. he seems to have vanished Kiyoko's way."

Sighing in frustration, Elias looked towards the manor house.

"Let's check up on Letha and Varyl, at least."

"Yeah, let's check up on our old pal Spot."

The pair turned to retrieve Kiyoko, but before they could call out she held up a hand. Waving them over, she pointed to a slight displacement in the snow leading into the copse of trees to the north.

"There! Snow's always a giveaway."

His impression of Kiyoko's skills rising slightly, Elias gestured towards the dark, wintry forest with false cheer.

"Well, I'm committed to seeing where this rabbit hole goes."

"Are you sure? There's a mansion full of trouble waiting for us, and he might just be going to a literal rabbit hole."

"He's clearly not headed to the mansion unless he can float over icy rivers."

Ellarie paused, torn between her curiosity and her desire to return to their explorations.

"Oh let's see what he's up to before his trail grows cold."

Without another word, Kiyoko plunged into the forest, following the trail. Though there was no sign of the man in blue, nor any clear evidence that it was his trail they were following, there was a trail. However, their excitement was short lived as the crooked path simply lead through the trees to the northern road through town.

"This is a waste of time."

Ellarie's response was uneasy as she scanned the surrounding houses and woods.

"Yeah I guess so."

Elias's disappointment was more apparent, as his strange eyes scanned the road seemingly untroubled by the night.

"It's probably still in our interest to make sure the deputies haven't been murdered by kobolds."

"Sounds good to me."

Turning east, they made their way to the bridge over Rogue Creek.

"What do we do when we actually get there?"

Elias had no good answer to that question, but he tried to put on a confident face.

"Ensure there's been no further strangeness, I suppose. And it can't hurt to smooth things over with Varyl...Deputy Hodd...Spot."

Hurrying across the open ground of the bridge and the hill of Huncaly's manor, they found Deputies Mulle and Hodd struggling to erect a wooden barricade over the shattered door to the manor. As they came closer, it was apparent that both were both cold and miserable.

"Need any help, deputies?"

Ellarie favored them with a friendly smile.

"It'll go faster with more help, I'm sure."

Turning towards the new voices, Letha Mulle and Varyl Hodd watched the three adventurers emerge from the darkness. Recognizing them, Letha was the first to respond.

"Well, we're having a hell of a time actually securing this thing seeing as how there's no wood frame in the house to nail anything too! We've got a long board on the other side and we're ... well, we're not very good at this."

Taking a moment to appraise their work, it quickly became apparent that Letha was giving an accurate appraisal of their abilities. It was quite clear that the barricade could simply be shoved aside if one so desired. Taking it all in, Ellarie gave a sympathetic nod.

"You know, Elias could fix the door up in no time with his magic. You could probably leave this for the night and let him come back during daylight and fix it right up."

Shivering, Varyl looked towards Letha and nodded.

"Yeah, let's go home Letha. No one's gonna be snooping around on a night like this anyway."

Elias smiled sympathetically to the deputies' plight.

"There's cider at the garrison."

Looking back towards the lights of the town, his voice grew low.

"Has there been any sign of the sheriff?"

Letha sniffed against the cold, or at least it seemed to be the cold.

"None yet. We'd go look for them, but we're not exactly equipped to go charging off into the snow. They've got our only 3 horses."

The deputy's assessment of their situation had the unintended side-effect of forcing Kiyoko to adjust her estimate of Belhaim's horse supply upwards by two, but the Minkaian woman remained silent as Ellarie grew thoughtful.

"Perhaps a search party is in order if they are back by sunrise. There's really little to be done in the dark."

"If they've not returned by then, I at least would be willing to join a search effort."

"Definitely."

Kiyoko's voice was flat.

"We should all split up into discrete groups of three to make it easier for the kobolds to process us, too."

Deputy Hodd spoke up.

"Sir Pelle is one hell of a fighter. I'm sure he's fine ..."

"Was Sir Pelle the man with the moustache and the unused gold sword?"

Kiyoko thought back to their encounter on the bridge.

"Wait, no, that was Benhovy. Who is Sir Pelle?"

"Sir Pelle Benhovy. Sheriff and knight of the realm."

"I'm sure they will be back come sunrise, but its best to have a plan in case they aren't."

Seeing the deputies making ready to leave, Elias rubbed his hands together.

"Well, we'll walk back with you, deputies. At least as far as the fork - I still need to let Aunt Flora know I've arrived."

Before leaving, Letha gave a final apprising kick to the barricade before sighing, defeated.

"It's just as well, no one's stupid enough to go poking around in a wizard's house anyway, right?"

The trio's faces remained stone-still.

"They'd have to be idiotic or suicidal, to be sure."

"Or both, most likely"

Remembering what Hodd had told her, Letha blushed furiously.

"Oh, I didn't mean. Uh ... I ..."

Unable to hold his expression any longer, Elias burst out laughing.

"Don't trouble yourself, Letha. I lived with Master Hunclay for four years. I'm not entirely sure I'm not idiotic or suicidal."

Ellarie grinned as well, pleased that Letha had known enough to detect the joke, while for her part Letha looked away sheepishly. Gesturing towards the road, she lead them back towards the bridge. As they walked, it seemed that Hodd's earlier annoyance with the adventurers had vanished in the face of the freezing weather, and while he spoke no more Letha thanked Elias with a smile as they parted ways.

"To your Aunt and Uncle's then? It looks like we can get back to the manor at our leisure now."

"So long as we get moving. Unless you're worried about the man in blue sneaking into the manor while we're out."

"I'll admit the thought crossed my mind."

Reminded of their earlier suspicions, Ellarie began to chew her lip.

"But why would he know anything about the manor?"

Kiyoko shrugged.

"Why would I? This town has - wait for it - three horses, a couple of bridges, a crew of guards that's basically a parody of themselves, an inn founded upon the merits of an ample bosom and milk tea, and a wizard's manor. One of these things is not like the others."

"You know because Elias told you, same as me. Still, I do wonder if word of Hunclay's disappearance has begun to spread. I suppose it does seem likely given the size of the town."

She shifted from foot to foot, her attention swaying between the road before them and the manor behind.

"I'd say let's go to the Manor if it wasn't a matter of Elias's family. I shall concede to his wishes on the matter."

Sighing heavily, Elias couldn't help but concede the truth in their words. If the man in blue was the scoundrel he feared, then he might have designs on Hunclay's treasures. But with kobolds on the loose and castle's collapsing, much less the disappearance of the town wizard, he feared for the safety of the only family he had left.

"I'd like to at least make sure my Aunt and Uncle are alright. The manor can wait an hour or two."

"If you say so."

Ellarie nodded.

"That's good enough for me."

Finally committed to a course of action, the party made the short trek to the west side of the village before following a short trail north to the Rendakis Orchards. Despite everything that had changed around Belhaim, the place looked the same as it had when Elias had left. Embracing his Aunt and Uncle after they answered their door, the greatest surprise for Elias was to discover his young cousin fast becoming a strapping young man. Mercifully, it seemed nothing untoward had gone on around the orchard, and the trio were all invited to a dinner of roast chicken and apple wine. Seating themselves before a table of fine earthenware, Kiyoko leaned towards her companions.

"Never mind. This was the right decision."

Displaying impressive restraint and manners, Ellarie nodded towards their hosts before diving headlong into the meal.

"Thank you very much, this all looks lovely."

After that, the only sound for some time was chewing and the occasional satisfied sigh, but eventually the stresses of the day had passed into suitably hazy memory, and Elias seemed to relax at last. At least a little. Seeing his look of contentment, Flora pounced.

"You're welcome to stay with us Elias. There's not as much room as the inn, I know, but we're happy to have you and you could save a lot of coin."

Elias couldn't keep his eyes from going misty at the offer. After the situation with Master Hunclay, he'd feared there would be no place left for him in the world. How foolish, to have doubted the kindness of family.

"Of course, Aunt Flora. I'd love to stay. Thank you."

He took a moment to collect himself, as his companions looked on with distinct reactions. Ellarie had grown wistful, though he knew not why, while Kiyoko seemed perplexed. What an odd pair he'd found himself in cahoots with.

"How have things been on the farm?"

She gestured towards his cousin.

"We'd like Philip to stay on for another three years at least, but he's ... well, he's very clever. Go on Phil, show Elias what you can do."

Philip stood up from the table, and as he did so his chest swelled with pride. Raising his hands, he carefully traced a sigil Elias recognized well in the air. With a soft pop, a flicker of flame appeared in his other hand. This earned eager applause from Ellarie, and while he seemed incapable of holding the magic for long he banished it in a controlled puff of smoke. Seemingly enchanted by the display, Elias stood with a cry of joy, forcing Kiyoko to swiftly steady their rocking drinks.

"That's incredible, Philip!"

"The talent must run in the family."

Elias gave Ellarie an appreciative wink.

"How long have you been studying?"

Philip simply shrugged.

"I just did what you did. I've just been practicing until I got this one right."

"That's very impressive to have taught yourself, you must have a real knack for it."

Flora beamed at their praise.

"He's not old enough to go off and study yet, and we still need his help around here, but we're hoping, in a few years..."

Elias nodded enthusiastically.

Indeed, Ellarie's right. You've a great deal of potential. And once your parents can make do, I'm sure you'll make a fine apprentice."

Across the table, Kiyoko's confusion began to fade as she recognized what was going on.

Talent scouting. I get it now.

Secure in her misinterpretation, she settled back and continued to watch as Philip stepped towards Elias.

"If it's not too much trouble, cousin, do you think you could copy some of your cantrips for me? I know the ink is expensive, but I've saved up a bit!"

Moved by his cousin's enthusiasm, there was no chance that Elias might refuse.

"I would be happy to, Philip."

Turning on his heel, Philip ran deeper into the house. The sounds of rummaging followed, until he reappeared with a thickly bound book in hand. Taking it from him with serious care, Elias opened it to see the first three pages covered in notes. Two were hesitant, failed attempts at the cantrip he'd just cast, but on the last page he'd managed a complete spell. If a tad sloppy. As Elias devoured his cousin's first tentative steps towards wizardry, Ellarie craned her head around him to take a peek.

"I'll get started tomorrow, Philip. Though it seems you've gotten a fine start on Spark here."

A massive smile spread over Philip's face.

"Will you come by tomorrow? There's not much to do around here in the winter, honest."

Flora nodded sympathetically.

"There aren't many boys in town his age."

"Sounds like he needs a girl, then."

Philip's smile turned into a temporary pout.

"Not many of them either."

"That innkeeper lady is available."

Philip could only blush, as Kiyoko looked on with a smile containing all the good cheer of a cat looking at a cornered mouse. It was an odd interaction, and one that drew Elias' attention, though his smile didn't waver. And, truth be told, he couldn't recall ever seeing a girl of Philip's age around town.

"I'm sure in a few years there will be girls coming from miles around. Powerful wizards are quite the catch."

He winked at Philip, even as Ellarie snorted.

"I'm sure they are."

Elias only had time to realize the logical conclusion of his encouraging words, rather than form a reply, before his uncle saved him.

"Owning land seems to do the trick."

Puffing on his pipe, he looked affectionately towards Flora.

"Well, we can't all have the good sense to be sensible, Uncle Bernard."

The night crept on, as the meal was finished and hugs were shared all around. Once again in unfamiliar waters, Kiyoko turned to hug Ellarie, who hugged her back with a giggle. Eventually, the trio of well-fed adventurers returned to the road.

"Your family is just lovely, Elias."

"Thank you, Ellarie. They seemed to like the two of you."

"I got a bit confused, but they seemed... um... pleasant?"

"Kiyoko and I will be expecting invitations to dinner."

"We can do that? We didn't get them a gift or tithe."

The Tian-Min woman shook her head.

"The local customs are very strange."

"Oh we should bring them a gift next time, that's a good idea."

"I'm sure they'd appreciate the gesture."

As they spoke, the trio continued towards the manor, until eventually it loomed in the moonlight. Oddly, though, Elias spotted markings on the path. It appeared as though someone had taken a broom to the path, sweeping it clean and leaving a thinner coating of new fallen snow.

"Hey, have a look at this."

"Damn do you think it was Bluey?"

Looking up towards the barricade, Elias noticed nothing amiss, and turned back towards the path.

"It might have been an unseen servant. Even if Master Hunclay were gone, the house's passive enchantments should still function. Regardless, let's have ourselves a look."

Returning to the threshold, they slowly rotated the barricade to one side and entered the manor once again.

[Nefarion Xid]

East of Belhaim

Yagenas slipped into the shallow pit, avoiding the sharpened stakes. Try as he might to muscle the enormous destrier off the sheriff's legs, it was firmly pinned thanks to the spikes. Eren tossed down his rope and once Yagenas had tied it about the horse's neck, the party was able to lift it up and off the stakes and roll it onto its side. The deputy could not see that Sir Pelle's left ankle was twisted at a sickening angle and his right thigh had been skewered clean through. As he said, the healing potion had stopped the bleeding. With some team effort, they managed to gingerly lift the sheriff up and off the spike while the poor man chomped on his own leather glove.

Now laying in a patch of tall grass, Ioseph and Cassandra cut away Benhovy's pant leg and began tending to his injuries.

"Little blighters got Biggs. I was already in the pit and didn't see it, but I heard the boy scream. Gods know what they've done with Wedge. They took him alive at least, all tangled up on nets. I could hear him shouting as they dragged him away."

[zabbarot]

Team ICEY

The leg was clearly broken, and the other injuries needed to be properly cleaned. "I"ll need two long sticks, straight as you can find, to drag him home. You all can head on to look for Wedge." It didn't take long for Cassandra to find a couple branches that fit the bill. Between them and a blanket they made a basic stretcher and got the sheriff situated.

"Be careful out there. I'd rather not have to take on any additional patients," he turned to Sheriff Benhovey, "Let's get you in a warm bed. You'll have to remind me what street you live on though." With that he headed back towards Belhaim.

Ioseph continued to make small talk on the way, mostly to distract Benhovey from his injuries and the bumps in the road, but also because it was just a long walk. "Pack some snow on that leg if you can. It'll help until we get you home. "

The doctor pulled Benhovey right up to his front door before knocking and introducing himself to the sheriff's worried and relieved family. "Put a pot on to boil, please." He let himself in and began unpacking a bag full of gauze and medicines. "I'm Ioseph Vega. I, and a few others, found your husband in the woods. He'll survive, but he won't be walking on that leg for a while. Have the carpenter make him a crutch for when he's off bed rest. Don't let him out of this bed for at least a week though," he looked pointedly at the sheriff, "I mean it. If you ever want to walk without a cane you'll take it easy for a while."

After an hour or so he'd mostly managed to set the sheriff's leg and clean up his wounds, but that was about it. With a mumbled prayer he summoned Irori's healing light into his hand to help mend the wound. "He should be fine for the night. I'll come check on him in the morning."

Lay on hands! [roll0], and down 2 uses of my healer's kits.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias, Ellarie, and Kiyoko
Adventures in Estate Planning II

Once again inside the windowless confines of Hunclay's manor, silence reigned around the party of adventurers. Though Ellarie was nearly blind in the gloom, both Kiyoko and Elias discerned that the blanket from Hunclay's bed had been laid over his bird cage. With a whisper, Ellarie summoned a mote of light, bathing the sitting room in soft white light. Stepping towards the covered cage, lifting the flap of the blanket to see the five birds huddled comfortably around a sliver of crystal that radiated a pleasant warmth. Ellarie whistled softly to them before lowering the blanket.

"They seem alright at least".

"This still fits the servant theme - probably going about its nightly chores. Basement, then?"

"Actually, I'd like another look at the paintings in the library."

Leading the way, Elias recalled the notations he'd found in the margins of one of Master Hunclay's spellbooks. The words Eox, Aucturn, Carcosa and Dominion, written in Azlanti, all but the last scratched out. He didn't recognize Carcosa or Dominion, but he knew Eox and Aucturn to be celestial bodies in their solar system. Celestial bodies like those in the library paintings. Ascending the stairs, he set about investigating the library walls, only to make an unhappy discovery. As he'd suspected, there was no indication of a Carcosa or Dominion in Master Hunclay's painted starscapes - they, it seemed, were of a different nature to the dead world or the stranger. A quick examination of the backs of each painting revealed nothing more, save their obvious quality.

"Let's ponder it while we search the basement. perhaps something will come to you."

Elias nodded, but rather than descending he crept over to his master's bedroom.

"Let me just check on...oh."

Peering through the doorway, the bedroom seemed little changed. Save for the glaring lack of the chest containing Hunclay's small fortune in gold and platinum.

"Damn it."

"Oh no not the money!"

A cold pit growing in her stomach at the thought of the missing treasure, Kiyoko rushed down to the study where she'd seen several valuable nautical instruments, only to find them missing as well. The trio met back in the sitting room, Elias' face a mask of apologetic regret, a fitting counterpart to Ellarie's stricken gaze.

"What, no guard came here and gave the guy five minutes? It's almost like he had a full hour and a half to ransack the place undisturbed."

Elias sighed, and the defeated sound hung in the air for a moment.

"The funny thing is, I'm more angry at Hodd than anything."

"He's too much of an idiot to be angry with. It'd be like being angry at a puppy."

"It is possible the guards confiscated everything and it's sitting in the garrison."

Elias clearly didn't believe his own reassurances.

"Unlikely, I grant."

"Hodd was terrified of this place, and I doubt he'd have let Letha come in."

Kiyoko paused, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Let's see if there's anything in the basement, and we can be done for the night."

"Maybe we'll find a dead thief. That's a nice thought."

"That is a nice thought."

"Yes, if we're very lucky. Oddly, I don't feel very lucky today."

"Let's see what we find, at least."

Descending the stair, the adventurers found themselves standing in a cellar, three connected rooms filled with provisions and furnished with permanent ice walls to keep them refrigerated. Looking about, Kiyoko grabbed a string of jerky and began absentmindedly chewing, but they discovered little of interest save a single door leading east. Elias approached, his mage sight revealing nothing, while Ellarie took the time to stuff some summer sausage into her pack. The door revealed a ten foot wide corridor that ended in short order at a T-junction, further corridors leading north and south before curving westward in both directions. Leaning into the intersection, Ellarie pointed to the north.

"Let's go that way first."

Elias and Kiyoko nodded gamely, following Ellarie as she led them forty feet around the corner, finding themselves standing in front of a wooden door. Her companions detecting no magic and discerning no traps herself, Kiyoko pushed the portal open. Swinging inwards, the door revealed a large workshop, six stone slabs piled high with tools as well as gears and springs of various sizes. The room appeared undisturbed, but they stepped inside for a brief examination. Their attentions revealed nothing, save to allow Elias to conclude that the materials within were of a kind to produce Clockworks, and that they were worth a small fortune. Still, the components were bulky, and disturbing his master's construct laboratory didn't seem the wisest course of action.

"Let's check the other passage."

"Indeed."

The southern passage led to another forty-foot hallway, this one broken by three doors leading north spaced ten feet apart, and a fourth door at the western end of the hall. The trio exchanged a glance, before Kiyoko drew her sword and moved to examine the doors for traps. The first northern door proved unlocked and safe, leading into a wine cellar stocked with dozens of fine vintages. There was little else of interest, though Ellarie surreptitiously slipped a bottle into her pack before moving on to the second door. Untrapped and unlocked as well, the party was greeted by the shocking sight of a dozen erotic paintings inside. Standing in mute surprise, Kiyoko was the first to cough.

"Wow, it's like the walls of the House of Withered Blossoms, but with fewer tentacles. And demons."

Ellarie blushed, but stared closer nevertheless. She quickly concluded the paintings were of Chelish origin, helped to that conclusion by the singular tableau of a pit fiend and a naked woman tangled together.

"I've never seen that before..."

Kiyoko remained in her reminisces of the past, muttering in the hall while Elias took a tentative step inside.

"Auntie Munasukaru was... she wasn't quite right in the head."

"They're all quite valuable. More so here, thanks to Chelish art being illegal."

Snapping out of her reverie, Kiyoko pointed towards the pit fiend painting with a smirk.

"I think that one might just be political satire, though."

Ellarie smirked in return, and remembering their examination of the paintings in the library above turned the paintings to check their backs. Sadly, there was nothing to find. Elias attempted to discern if any were magical, but found no such trace. The pair's close examination of the erotica seemed to amuse Kiyoko greatly, as she draped a friendly arm over Elias' shoulders and gestured expansively to the room.

"Well, you've inherited your master's enemies, his spellbooks, and now, his porn stash. Soon you shall truly take his place."

"Not a word of this to Philip."

Elias turned to leave, only to be followed by further levity.

"Did you know about this?"

"No."

"Is Phillip not old enough for this? Not gonna lie, I'm like seventy and you all seem kind of the same age to me."

"He's at exactly the age where this would make him go blind."

"Gotcha."

At last, Elias detected something interesting on the third door, a magical aura similar to the trap that had protected Hunclay's study. However, his close attention failed to grab his companions' attention.

"Oh no, this would give him the wrong idea entirely."

Ellarie paused to look behind her.

"Well, maybe not entirely."

"I'm sure it could be counted as education."

"The third door is trapped."

At once, the trio regained the mien of adventurers, remembering the potential danger of the place.

"Oh, that's good to know. Are you going to solve this one with another sacrificial dirt man? If so, maybe we should go close the other doors? Try to keep the sound in check?"

"That's a good idea let's try and muffle it best we can."

"Sadly, I don't have another of those."

"Is the trap on the lock or the handle?"

Peering closer, Elias took a moment to examine the enchantment in detail.

"The lock."

"Well, one of us could eat it, or we could check the last door."

Kiyoko paused, remembering the way the earth elemental had exploded.

"Let's try the last door."

Stepping up to the door to the west, Elias detected something in the room beyond. Turning the handle in excitement, though, he found it to be locked. pulling out the arcane key that had opened the chests above, they found it to be improperly sized for the keyhole.

"Well, I can get through these doors whenever we want, but everyone got really mad the last time I did that."

"Can you pick it?"

"I can put a metal thing into the lock and it will open."

"By all means."

Falling into a warrior's stance, Kiyoko readied herself to stab out the lock. Surprised, Ellarie took a hasty step back.

"I want to be completely clear here. This is going to break the lock."

"Not quite what I had in mind, but it'll do in a pinch."

"Well, I was mostly wondering if Elias was okay with it. It's quasi-his home, after all."

Elias looked towards the door, his opinion torn. On the one hand, he didn't really care about another of Master Hunclay's barriers being broken, but he didn't care to explain another act of property damage to the deputies. However, if it occurred beyond his sight and knowledge...

"I'm going to go check that the workshop doesn't have a key in it."

He took a few steps back towards the northern chamber before turning.

"Don't do anything rash."

"Us?"

Ellarie rose up in an offended tableau, earning a quick smile from Elias as he returned to the workshop. Diving into a thorough investigation of the room without hope of new discovery, it was with some surprise that he stumbled across the catch in the secret door recessed in the wall. Hopes rising at the unforeseen discovery, he called out to the two ladies who appeared moments later.

"What is it?"

"A secret door."

"Spiffy!"

Reaching out, Elias depressed the latch and slid the door aside. It screeched horribly on its runners, sending shivers down their spines, but revealed a narrow passage leading further west. Plunging inside, they found it curved around to the south, with another door at its end. Of more immediate concern, however, was the iron gate hanging ajar on the east wall. Opening it wider to see what lay beyond, Elias was greeted by a small room inscribed with a magic circle keyed to evil creatures. Outside the circle sat a wooden stool with a small leather book resting atop it, and within the circle crouched a creature of nightmare. The house-cat sized body of a bloated fly ended in the upper torso of an fat infant, its eyes gleaming with an odd combination of malign intelligence and indignation. At the sight of the thing, Ellarie stepped back in disgust.

"What is it?"

The creature hissed in response.

"It has a name!"

Perhaps less fazed than he should have been, Elias stepped forwards with a formal nod.

"What is your name then?"

Behind him, Ellarie echoes the question caustically.

"What is its name then?"

The creature scuttled up to the edge of the circle, slicking its hair back as it went.

"My name is Chirit."

"Oh well alright then."

"Well met, Chirit."

The creature sniffed at the greeting, but eventually decided to be polite. As he spoke, his forefingers began to tap together, a nervous tick that betrayed his anxiety.

"Well met."

"The wizard who summoned you. Balthus Hunclay, yes?"

"How long have you been here?"

"Yes, it was Hunclay. He summoned me two days ago and I was beginning to think he'd forgotten about me."

A low growl emerged from the creature's throat at the memory.

"Listen ... I don't suppose you'd be a lamb and just ... just draw your sword across this chalk line? Scratch it a little bit?"

Ignoring his request, Ellarie continued her questions.

"Do you know why Master Hunclay summoned you?"

Chirit considered his answer for a moment before giving a sickening smile.

"I'll tell you all about it if you draw a line through the circle. I will just talk your ear off."

His wings buzzed excitedly at the thought of freedom, as Ellarie reached down to absentmindedly examine the book. Looking up to Kiyoko, she muttered under her breath.

"More likely to chew it off I'd bet."

The creature's excitement remained undimmed, however, as it began to hop lightly between spindly nightmare legs.

"You know what? Just blow on it. Just sneeze in my direction and hope for the best."

At last, Kiyoko stepped forwards, drawing the fiend's gaze with her own inhuman eyes.

"This seems like an extremely poor idea. What's in this for us and how do we know you'd hold up your end of a bargain?"

"What? It's not like I'm going to attack you! You're bigger than me and there are 3 of you. And this bitch is rocking an adamantine katana!"

"It's true. I'm a bad bitch with a giant sword. Still looking for that profit motive, though."

The little beast seemed almost offended.

"I'll hold up my end of the bargain because I'm a bleeding Devil. It's our whole thing!"

"Then tell us now, and I promise we shall set you free, if you swear to bring no harm on us or the people of this village."

"Hey, I swear to take my free ride straight back to Dis if you break the circle. No one gets hurt!"

So sworn, Chirit made a brief symbol in the air with his forefinger that flashed with crimson light.

"Then tell us why Hunclay summoned you."

"The jerk wanted a spell he didn't have. Some way to make one thing look like another, permanently. Not my bag, but I'm the best he could do, apparently. I think it was that book."

A fat finger pointed towards the book in Ellarie's hands, and her curiosity compelled her to open it. The pages within were packed with ravings on dealing with evil outsiders, obsessive notes on how to reason and bargain with them. Towards the end, there was a collection of notes that seemed to relate to Hunclay's recent activities.

"He wanted to make this book look like something else?"

His own curiosity piqued, Elias reached out a hand.

"May I see that?"

"Yeah, look at this."

Flipping through the most recent notes, Elias was struck by the constant references to the "Dark Tapestry." Near the end, there was even an account of Hunclay's failed attempts to summon a creature from the Dominion of the Black. Perhaps more interesting, though, was reference to Hunclay's safe cave outside of town.

"Do you know of any tapestries in the Manor?"

"The Dark Tapestry is no worldly cloth. It is the dark space between the stars. Hence, the Dominion of the Black. The last in Master Hunclay's list. It seems Master Hunclay was involved in dealings far more sinister than I realized. Chirit, did he explain why he wanted these notes concealed?"

"I think that part's obvious."

"No, but I can guess. It's because he's a jerk, right?"

"He is a jerk."

"Do you know of any of these Representatives of the Black?"

"Representative of the Black? That ... doesn't ring any bells, sorry."

Kiyoko returned to the matter of the deception.

"No, it's to avoid people seeing it and saying things like 'It seems Master Hunclay was involved in sinister dealings.'"

"That seems likely. Listen to the bad bitch."

She nodded.

"It's the same reason this little summoning happened behind a secret door."

"Fair point."

Chirit looked up at Kiyoko, a simpering look on his face.

"I mean that with just ... just so much respect."

"I know."

"And awe and ... your hair is really pretty."

As Elias fell silent at the sight of a grotesque infant make eyes at the statuesque Tian-Min, Chirit became businesslike once again.

"That's all he wanted out of me. Accuser's honor."

Diminutive claws crossed where the heart would have been on a normal infant, and for all his misgivings Elias detected no falsehood. Nor, indeed, did the rest of his party.

"Don't I know it. Are we done? I'm willing to take the devil's explanation that he won't wreak havoc on the town. Ah! I'd like to get you to swear that you won't talk about this little encounter with people who aren't us, first. Or write, or otherwise communicate or inform about the subject of our being here or doing anything in particular."

"What? I can't even tell other devils about my trip? That's lame."

Kiyoko rolled her eyes.

"Fine. Don't tell anyone that poses a significant risk of informing Taldan authorities."

"I mean, I've got to tell Bakar and the boys...I was gone two days! Deal though. I won't tell anyone who matters."

"Accepted."

Elias dragged the toe of his boot over the chalk lines, disrupting the delicate magics of the summoning circle. Fire and ash sparked to life beneath Chirit's feet, and he favored Elias with a wink.

"You're a nice kid, don't ever let nobody tell you different."

Then he was gone in a flash of brimstone, leaving nothing but a foul stench behind.

"Darn. I was going to actually try sneezing on it."

"You can sneeze on the next one."

"Well that was interesting, though I'm afraid it just left us with more questions."

Elias nodded, but there was little they could do with their revelations at the moment. Exiting the empty summoning chamber, they proceeded south to the other door in the secret annex. Unlocked and untrapped, it swung open to reveal a room whose walls were covered in arcane sigils. A table sat against the east wall, piled high with clearly magical gear, but the auras coming from the swords and suit of armor paled before that radiating off the wall of solid light that blocked further passage to the south. A dim form was visible beyond the light, and before any of the trio could act, a voice echoed from the other side.

"Oh, thank the gods. You're not Hunclay. Please, can you set me free?"

[Jade_Tarem]

Kyoko

The Tian-Min woman mopped at the sweat that had built up while she improvised a solution to the Wall of Light problem. Hunclay hadn't been kind enough to leave his magic dust lying around where just anyone could find it, so she'd taken her adamantine problem solver and simply carved a path around it through solid stone and the earth behind it. While the blade would never break or grow dull, it wasn't really a digging tool, and it took a lot of hacking before she'd carved a large enough hole for the imprisoned Shae to crawl through.

Kiyoko wasn't an expert on Shae, but Maffei didn't look good. On the other hand, she didn't look dead, either, even to Kiyoko's enhanced senses. "Welcome to the rest of the material plane," she sighed. "Don't suppose you know where the wizard got off to?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Ioseph
Benhovy Home

Ioseph made the acquaintance with the sheriff's wife and daughter. Sona was a willowy girl in her nineteenth year, she busied herself with knitting so as to not wring her hands. When Ioseph left, she pressed a green wool scarf into his hand and smiled sweetly up at him. In the background, Benhovy and his wife continued to bicker about the tactical decision to go dashing off into the woods. It became clear to Ioseph that the man had either vastly underestimated the cleverness of kobolds, or else was vainglorious enough to think he could ride in for a few quick kills.

Yagenas, Eren, Cassandra
Old Quarry

Relocating the quarry was enough enough. The kobolds were too light to leave much in the way of prints, but they had traveled in mass and had dragged one captive and a corpse with them.

A narrow strip of shore lay between the water's edge and the forty-foot-high eastern wall quarry wall. A well worn path is visible through the tall grass, but near the cave entrance, tons of debris had pilled up hazardously. Several larger boulders stood in a semicircle around the entrance, likely placed there to provide cover.

You see three kobold archers standing guard outside. One chatters to the rest in draconic and points in your direction, likely having spotted the lights. One darts inside and the other two cautiously move into cover behind the standing stones.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie stepped back cautiously as Maffei crawled her way to freedom. She had never encountered a Shae before, but the otherworldly creature seemed to be sincere in that she meant them no harm. She was the victim here after all. One of the string of poor souls who had been dragged into the Wizard's mad schemes against their will. What had Hunclay been on about with all this? She shook her head to herself. It was a very real possibility that they might never know. She felt a surge of sympathy for Elias then, to not only lose his Master, but to find out he was a monster. She couldn't imagine what that must feel like. Moved to a surge of compassion, she went before the Shae.

"I have food and water if you're hungry. Do you need healing? I don't know if my magic will work on you, but I am happy to try if you're hurt." She was suddenly determined to show her not everyone from this plane were psychotic miscreants.

"Do you know how to make the powder to get you home? Perhaps We can fetch the ingredients?" She looked askance at Elias on that last bit, she had no idea if there was even an apothecary in town.

[Nefarion Xid]

Elias, Ellarie, Kiyoko
Hunclay's Dungeon

The Shae woman (or the roughly female humanoid shape of the hazy shadow-stuff) seemed to turn in Kiyoko's direction, "I'm afraid I don't know how long it's been since Hunclay entertained me. My kind do not eat or sleep. I've known nothing of his hospitality except this dungeon. I'm not even sure what part of Golarion this is. At least I think this is Golarion."

Brushing past Kiyoko, she went to the table and began to dress in her armor. The white leather mask's purpose became clear; it gave you a pair of eyes to look at, and you could tell who had her attention. "The dust would have allowed you to dispel this wall of light, not return me to my home. I do not posses their power, but I think I shall have no difficulty in locating someone who does."

"In the meanwhile, you have my gratitude for freeing me and you shall have a reward. If it is within my power to give."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias, Ellarie, and Kiyoko
Adventures in Estate Planning III

The feminine voice from beyond the wall of light caught the three adventurers off-guard, but it was not long before questions sprang to their lips.

"Who are you?"

"Also, what are you?"

Ellarie, for her part, did more than simply ask - she walked up to the wall of light and attempted to peer through.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Maffei. I'm Shae."

The part exchanged blank looks, unsure what a Shae was, and Kiyoko took charge.

"What is a Shae?"

"Why have you been trapped here?"

"We are the unfettered of the Plane of Shadow."

The woman beyond the wall sighed.

"The fool summoned me here, believing there was a connection between the Plane of Shadow and the Dark Tapestry. When I laughed in his face, he decided to keep me here indefinitely as punishment."

Horrified, Elias stepped closer.

"Do you know how we might free you?"

He continued, low enough that hopefully only Ellarie and Kiyoko could hear.

"My master was apparently a monster."

"And an idiot. I'm not an expert on this, but getting your planar entities confused is a great way to get killed."

Ignoring their banter, Ellarie continued to focus on Maffei.

"What do you know of the Dark tapestry? Why might one seek it?"

"I know he has what you would call Dust of Darkness hidden somewhere. I've seen him use it. Throwing it across the barrier will allow me to pass unharmed."

"I can't leave another of my master's victims to suffer in his absence. As his apprentice, the duty falls to me."

Ellarie set about searching for the powder in the room, to no avail, while Kiyoko leaned over to whisper in Elias' ear.

"Yes, but as his victim, she might want revenge. On, say, his apprentice."

Elias shook his head. He might not have known the nature of the Shae, or indeed who Maffei truly was, but he believed her sincerity. Meanwhile, Ellarie had completed her search, and stepped back towards Maffei.

"We'll search for the powder, but can you tell me why Hunclay might seek the Dark tapestry?"

"The Dark Tapestry is a freezing void of madness where even the gods fear to tread. Only mad men and fools think they can harness its power."

"That seems to describe my master to a tee."

Kiyoko winced.

"You beat me to it."

"And its denizens? What of them?"

"The things that live there are alien and ... antithetical to life as we know it."

The irony of being told such a thing by a person supposedly native to the Plane of Shadow did not escape them.

"I know little, but the things that lay beyond the stars are horrors few can even comprehend."

"Are you being literal? Because I've described the cooking of the Frozen Shadows' chef using those exact words. 'Antithetical to life as we know it.' Junichiro was not amused."

"Maffei, the powder seems to be elsewhere. We shall locate it and return."

Retracing their steps back to the southern expanse of the cellar, an idea occurred to Elias regard their door dilemma. Kneeling down by the trapped door handle, Elias peered through the keyhole. Beyond, he saw what looked like a small storeroom, and with a burst of magic he was on the other side. Taking time to rummage through the various shelves and containers, he came away with a small fortune in magical reagents, including a truly impressive diamond. Satisfied with his discovery, but still lacking the dust, he returned to the hall to reveal the windfall.

"Well that eases the sting of the chest. A tiny bit."

He replied with raised eyebrows, before performing the same routine for the locked door. It was with some disappointment that he realized the magical aura he had sensed earlier was sadly not a pouch of dust. Instead, a collection of magical glyphs spelling out the Azlanti word CTHEPALTANGOULGI was inscribed on the wall above a round pit. Curious what lay in the darkness, Elias was about to investigate further when a voice emanated from the darkness.

"Come to gloat, wizard?"

Checking the door, Elias was dismayed to find no means of unlocking the door from the inside.

"There is something in here. Wait a moment."

Clenching his fists, he instead turned towards the pit.

"Eh? Who's there?"

"I am not Balthus Hunclay."

Ellarie began knocking on the door.

"Who's there, can you open the door?"

Elias ignored her, instead devoting the fullness of his attention to the voice.

"Who are you, voice? More importantly, what are you?"

Elias received no response. Instead, the goat-headed demon inside the pit leapt out, brandishing a wicked black halberd in its gnarled hands.

"I don't know who you are, but I'm going to eat your heart out of boredom!"

Ellarie's hammering on the door intensified, but Elias was strangely calm as he recited on of the last incantations he had prepared. As the last syllable escaped his lips, he disappeared from view, and with a quick duck to peer back through the keyhole the invisible wizard was back in the hallway.

"Elias, what's going on in there? Kiyoko, break the door!"

"Wait!"

Elias' invisible voice echoed through the cold hall, only to be broken by an animalistic scream as something heavy slammed into the door..

"Be there in a second, El- Are you out here?"

"Yes. There's some minor demon in there."

As if to confirm his assessment, there was another scream behind the door as the black halberd blade broke through one of the upper planks.

"We can't leave it in there. What if it escapes?"

"We won't. I've been ready to kill something since Benhovy started flapping his mustache."

Kiyoko stepped up to the door, sword drawn.

"Any preparations you two can make would be grand."

Ellarie drew her sword, moving to stand alongside Kiyoko in the hallway. Meanwhile, Elias pulled free one of the scrolls he'd taken from above and invoked a magical circle, not against evil, but chaos. So prepared, Kiyoko's face broke into a cocky smile as the demon bellowed.

"I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill that bastard Hunclay!"

"I think you'll find you won't."

"Something beat you to it I'd be willing to bet"

As if in response, the demon's final blow sent the door flying off its hinges. Prepared to dodge a blade, Kiyoko was caught flat-footed by the solid slab of wood as it hit her cleanly in the face. Any lesser warrior might have buckled, but Kiyoko did not fall. No, Kiyoko screamed. And as she screamed, her body became wreathed in a shimmering something, obscuring her features behind a crackling veil. Her eyes glowed a deadly corpse-white, then flashed red as she lunged forward in a mighty stroke. Yet the strength of her rage carried her too far, and the adamantine blade merely carved a deep gash in the stone floor alongside the demon. It batted her sword away with a snort of contempt, and behind the warriors Elias pulled forth a wand to heal Kiyoko's injuries. Even as the bloodrager recovered and readied another swing, Ellarie's song filled the basement as she swelled with vigor. Lashing out with her sword, she too was parried, yet her song had summoned an uncanny mist around her. Wisps darted in that haze, and as she engaged the demon they seemed to batter its flesh, leaving sickly black welts in their wake.

Screaming at the spirits' touch, the demon nevertheless continued its assault on Kiyoko. The halberd came crashing down, only to be parried, and the warrior woman managed to disengage before being gored by the creature's horns. What's more, in its haste to slay her the demon had left itself exposed to Kiyoko's counterattack. She whipped the nodachi around and steped to one side, surprisingly nimble for someone in a frothing rage. Bringing the dark gray blade up and over her head, she swiped straight through the creature's neck, passing through demon flesh without much resistance. Staggering back, the demon almost managed a last curse before its head slid from its body. Ellarie's song ceased, and for a while was replaced by heavy breathing.

"Well, that was bracing."

"Nicely done, Kiyoko!"

Elias slapped the two women on their armored backs.

"And you, Ellarie."

"I think he'd disagree."

"T...thanks."

Kiyoko stammered her reply, still unused to being praised for good work. Or praised at all.

"Thanks, but I can't take much credit for this one."

Kneeling down to examine the creature, Elias confirmed what he'd suspected. A Schir, minor if dangerous for its diseased spittle. He studiously avoided the thing's head, hands moving to a belt pouch where he found a single shard of onyx. With a smile, he flicked it to the bloodrager.

"One of you ladies might look more natural carrying the halberd."

"Eh... I like the weapon I've got, and I'm like 60% sure it's been gnawing on that thing."

Entering to search the room, the trio were dismayed to find that Dust of Darkness still eluded them. It seemed as though the problem of Maffei's imprisonment would demand yet more searching, but even as he suggested it Elias saw Kiyoko heading back towards the secret prison. Following behind her, he could only look on in mute admiration as she began hacking at the wall abutting the wall of light, chipping away at it with her unbreakable sword. It took an hour of sweaty effort, but eventually a wide enough gash had been carved in the stonework to allow the shae to slip through, to freedom. Panting, Kiyoko leaned against the wall.

"This. Is. The. Worst. House."

"Agreed."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren, Yagenas, and Cassandra

“Looks like we have company."

"How many?"

“Three, but the third one went inside. Probably saw the lights. Waiting for them to come to us might be advantageous considering how much they love swarming in small caverns. Though giving them the time to plot isn’t great either.”

"A thrown rock has always worked for me. What's the range on that thing?" Eren gestured to Yagenas' musket.

“40 feet is when I’m at my best, but I can go about 200. Muskets don't have a very long range.”

"I can hit most things inside 110. Theoretically these things have a maximum of ten times that, but at that point you might as well be throwing arrows away." Eren poked his head out. "At the moment it looks like they're about 125 feet away, minimum. In the meantime, I think our best bet is to take cover behind those trees. You've got the shorter range, so I'll take the one further north."

“Aye. How big of a sound do you want to make? I have… a lot of gunpowder.”

"Not too big of a sound. We want it loud enough to get them interested, but not so loud that they sound the alarm. In my line of work, I've found that items such as glass bottles work best for that, but have none of those on hand. Worst case scenario, a pebble or small rock will do just fine, and there ought to be plenty around here, given that this is a quarry. That, and I'm betting that gunpowder is a bit more expensive than a rock. Speaking of which... you mentioned earlier that your master commissioned that musket for you when you joined the Order of the Nail. I didn't realize the Hellknights kept a presence in such a remote location."

“It’s actually surprisingly cheap, considering I make it by hand. And no, normally we don’t, my master was just riding through the area on a mission and he’s yet to return. Normally this would be Order of the Rack territory, though they’re kind enough to share with us Nails and the Chains. But, uh, I’m not sure now’s really the best time for this conversation. Tiny scaled murder trapper slavers and all that.”

"Right. We'll pick this up later."

Ducking behind the trees, Eren and Yagenas waited as Eren grabbed a pebble and strategically bounced it off the wall of the quarry. They waited for a minute, pausing to try and spot any movement under the light of the moon.

Nothing.

“Maybe we should get closer?”

"A bit more exposed then I'd like, but it seems we have no choice."

The three of them advanced forward, but once more, saw nothing.

“Alright, getting seriously bored now, and I’m not interested in wasting more time and risking a deputy’s life. I’m going in.”

Eren considered Yagenas' words briefly, weighing the balance of expediency versus tactical advantage... and nodded. "Right behind you."

Once more, the two advanced, no longer bothering with stealth... and two arrows flew toward Eren!


Roll for Initiative.

Round 1 is ours!

“Hey! You primitive runts!” Yagenas' musket roared to life. “My bite might not be as loud as my bark, but it’s a real bitch!”

“Heh, get it?”

Gritting his teeth as one of the kobold's arrows pierced through his breastplate, Eren took square aim at the closer of the two kobolds and let loose an arrow.

Move to F68, then attack the kobold at N70.

Attack 1: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Concealment Chance (Must roll below 80 to hit): [roll2]
Unfortunately, he chuckled slightly at Yagenas' pun involving his musket, and in that moment dropped his concentration enough to miss with his arrow.

*** Round 2! ***

Gritting his teeth again as he realized the number of kobolds was steadily increasing, Eren cast a spell of protection on himself.

Eren will cast Shield of Faith on himself.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren


*** A summary of the battle thus far will eventually go here. ***


"Oh no you don't!"

Spotting the kobolds on the retreat, Eren dodged past the beastmaster, taking up a position beside Cassandra, who had climbed across the pit he had fallen into earlier.

"Good to see you, milady!"

He then loosed an arrow at the beastmaster.

Move action to AZ 72. I am making an Acrobatics check vs the beastmaster's CMD to avoid the resulting AoO.

[roll0] vs CMD of Kb.

Next up, I will loose an arrow at Kb.

Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[TheDarkDM]

Elias, Ellarie, and Kiyoko; Now Co-Starring Maffei!
Adventures in Estate Planning IV

At the offer of a reward from the otherworldly woman, the party of adventurers grew contemplative. Finally able to meet what passed for her eyes, Elias stared deep into the shadows that made up this creature called a Shae. She seemed benevolent enough, certainly more so than his master's other called horrors, and he had nearly worked up the courage to speak when Kiyoko's thoughtful consideration came to an end.

"Huh. What are you offering?"

The question seemed an unexpected one, and it was a moment before Maffei answered.

"... I had nothing specific in mind. I am a capable warrior, scout and trapfinder. I think you three are in the business of going where there are traps and trouble. If I may serve you, I shall."

If Kiyoko's question has surprised the Shae, Maffei's answer stunned Elias. Still, his reserves of courage had been mustered, and he was not about to fall to pieces in the presence of his master's most recent victim.

"If you would do us that kindness, I swear to aid you in finding your way home. I am only Master Hunclay's apprentice, but what power I have is at your disposal."

"It is appreciated. Now please, tell me where in Golarion is this place?"

"Northern Taldor...Maffei. The town of Belhaim, to be precise. Do you have an honorific you would prefer?"

Another question that surprised the shadow of a woman, as she paused to consider.

"Maffei is my name."

She paused again.

"What are yours?"

"Elias Apion."

"Ellarie Chapman."

"Kiyoko."

The Shae nodded.

"It is an honor."

"The honor is mine."

Introductions made, the conversation turned to returning to town. However, Maffei confessed reservations about staying in such a small town, and her uncertainty about procuring a room at the inn.

"My Aunt and Uncle have a farm on the north side of town, I am moving there tomorrow. If you like, you may have the bed of my inn suite tonight."

Elias had assumed Maffei simply unsure, a stranger in a strange land, but another possibility occurred to him.

"Unless you wish to remain unseen?"

"A suite to myself? I do not think I can refuse. If you could provide me with a cloak, I can move into the town unmolested."

Ellarie removed her cloak, passing it to their new acquaintance.

"My thanks."

So concealed against any prying eyes, the trio turned quartet ascended from the basement of horrors back to the mansion's main floor, the out into the cold of the night. Elias took care to cover their tracks behind them with a prestidigitation, relying as much on his companion's eyes as his own, until they were back on the road into the heart of the village.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"So what is on the agenda for tomorrow? Are we hitting the Hunclay's safehouse?" Out in the cooler air, Kiyoko seems more at ease, despite the unpleasant memories the snow brings. This place had more in common with the Forest of Spirits than the Crown anyway. "And how are we dividing up the, uh, 'inheritance?'"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie tried not to shiver visibly while being Elias's eyes as he covered their tracks in the snow leading away from the Manor. Her attention was diverted to Kiyoko as the tiefling pondered their next move out loud.

"I think checking out that cave is the next logical step, yeah." After the disappearing chest fiasco, she almost hated to leave it until the next day, but she was mentally and physically spent. Plus they had Maffei to see to. Anxiety tensed her shoulders as Kiyoko metioned the "inheritance". She was all too keenly aware that she had only managed to loot a sausage and a bottle of wine from the Manor. Yes, but I'm sure it's very good wine, her tired brain offered somewhat unhelpfully.

"Split it all three ways?" She said hopefully while inwardly cursing the loss of the chest of riches once again.

"Hey if Bluey was the one who took the chest, don't you think it might be in one of those caravan wagons? It seems likely." She wasn't sure how they might get to search, but it seemed worth a mention.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra paused to cast a spell of healing upon herself. "I...think they're retreating. Should we follow?"

Casting CLW on herself, healing [roll0] HP.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Trudging next to his victorious but worn companion, Elias couldn't help but feel responsible for their meager fortunes. It had been his request that made them leave Hunclay's riches behind, and now they had little to show for it.

"With the help of Master Hunclay's books, I might be able to track down the chest. As far as how we divide what spoils we have, though, I would not lay claim to whatever wealth the instruments from the observatory bring. I would offer up these reagents as well, but I think I might be able to put them to better use. Regardless, none of what we have can be easily sold in Belhaim, at least until the issue of Master Hunclay's fate is resolved."

He raised a hand and began to rub the bridge of his nose.

"If we knew him to be dead, this would be simpler. I could petition the Baroness to be named executor of his estate. Master Hunclay was the only wizard in the area, and I imagine the offer to take his place would carry some weight. But while he remains in limbo, so too do his possessions."

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

Cursing still in Infernal over his now damaged gun, Yagenas made sure it was properly loaded though kept a wary eye on it before answering Cassandra.

"Those bastards still have my associate, I'm not leaving without him or atleast proper recompense."

[Nefarion Xid]

Elias, Ellarie & Kiyoko, joined by Ioseph
Canteclure Road

Moving west down Canteclure road on their way to the Piper, the party spied Master Ioseph Vega coming up the way towards them, his longbow strung and slung over one shoulder. Maffei drew up her cloak, moved silently off the path and vanished from sight at the stranger's approach.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

The wizard was surprised to see the travelling doctor out alone at night. Cognizant of Maffei's desire to remain unseen, at least for now, he raised a hand in greeting and attempted to get the man's attention.

"Good evening, Master Vega! What are you doing out alone on this cold night?"

[zabbarot]

Ioseph

"Ah, Master Apion! I'm afraid it's been rather more adventure this evening than would have asked for." Ioseph smiled, really he was just happy to see a familiar face. "I've just returned from tucking the sheriff into bed. He had a nasty encounter with some kobolds, busted his leg. I'm headed to the inn now to see if Deputy Yagenas has returned with the missing deputy. If not I fear it will be a very long night."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

On hearing the sheriff had been found alive, Elias felt a warm surge of relief. He knew Sir Pelle to be a good man, and the thought of his position passing to Deputy Bellet had inspired no small amount of trepidation.

"Kobolds? It was as I feared, then. Though not so bad as I had feared, thanks to you it seems."

Elias offered his hand.

"You have my thanks, Master Vega. As well as the rest of the town's, I'm sure."

Releasing the travelling doctor's wrist, Elias gestured to his two companions.

"I take it you know Kiyoko from the caravan? Allow me to introduce Miss Ellarie Chapman. We were making our way towards the inn as well - I'm sure we'll meet soon."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Her attention consumed by the trio's discussion concerning her future finances, Ellarie noticed Maffei slipping away before the presence of Master Vega asserted itself into her consciousness. She tore her eyes away from where the Shae had stood only moments before and fixed her face with a pleasant smile. She forgot sometimes how pleasant her face could be when she made an effort. The thought provoked a larger grin to surface and the smile she favored Master Vega with was a genuine one.

"I am pleased to meet you, and even more pleased of the glad tidings you bring about the Sheriff's well-being. Though a den of kobolds nearby is worrisome, I'd be willing to help assure their lair has been cleared out if you could use an extra sword. Hopefully it won't come to that and everybody will be back at the inn, as you say." She rubbed her arms up and down with her hands to warm them, her eyes slipping towards where Maffei had disappeared with her cloak. She couldn't get back to the inn soon enough, and its fire, and its mead. Or maybe some warm mulled wine. She sighed audibly in pleasurable anticipation.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Rather less thrilled - though at least ambivalent - about the return of the 'stache, Kiyoko nonetheless bowed sloppily. "I'm still looking for things to do, so I'd be happy to take on some pests for coin. I guess we'll see you at the inn."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

All things considered, Eren was not having a very pleasant night.

He had been skewered by no less than five arrows, had fallen down a pit, had had to walk out in the freezing cold, and, upon returning to the inn, had been informed that he'd been bumped from his suite. Thankfully, Talia, the innkeeper, had offered to give him one of the smaller single rooms at a discounted price, which had dulled the sting, but it still wasn't a particularly pleasant prospect.

Deciding that he might as well rest while he waited for Cassandra to finish her bath, he collapsed onto the couch, a tankard of the house beer in his hand. Rubbing at the spots where he'd bandaged himself up, Eren looked toward the door as it jingled open and Ioseph came through, followed by three other faces - ones that Eren tangentially recognized from the caravan. Weakly, he called out.

"Good to see you are well, Ioseph. Hopefully the rest of your evening went better than ours. Although you seem to be followed by a few faces I'm not completely familiar with."

[zabbarot]

Ioseph

On the Road
Ioseph shook Elias' hand appreciatively. "I didn't work alone of course. Some of our fellows from the wagon train went along. Hopefully they'll be back at the inn now."

He nodded politely at both the women "Pleasure to meet you both. Hopefully we can get further acquainted under better circumstances. Of course you're all welcome to come with me."

At the Inn
Ioseph let out a low whistle when he saw the battered inquisitor, You have surely seen better days. Did everyone make it back? Was the deputy..." Ioseph looked around the room and continued in hushed tones, Did you find him alive?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

Eren took a long sip from his beer before answering.

"First, the good news. The deputy is alive, and everyone made it back. The bad news is, he's still the captive of the kobolds who were living in the quarry."

"As it turns out, there is a whole nest of them in there - at least a dozen and a half of them, all together, and they'd taken at least three other captives besides the deputy, two of whom they'd kept alive so that they could craft fetishes and offerings to their gods. We managed to rescue those two with no issues, thankfully - apparently they were traveling merchants who got ambushed. The third... was apparently a comrade of the deputy. He was not so lucky."

"Anyway. We initially managed to get into their lair and take a good number of them down, but when we penetrated their final chamber, they marshaled their full strength against us, and we were severely outnumbered - five archers, along with eight melee warriors, all with primitive tower shields - and one of their arrows managed to strike me in the shoulder."

Eren winced again as he took another sip.

"Thankfully, in a rather stunning display of oratorship, Lady Cassandra managed to intimidate them into standing down, convincing them that if they were to kill us, more warriors would come and kill them all. Their chieftain wished to continue fighting, but his soldiers were much more amenable - his chief lieutenant knocked him out, and offered him as the pawn in a prisoner exchange. On the morrow, Her Ladyship and whoever else wishes to help will go to the Baroness. We are hoping that she will approve the deal that the kobolds and Her Ladyship hashed out - the deputy's life in exchange for a mutual non-aggression pact."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie's face quickly turned from relief at hearing of the last missing deputy's safety to incredulous disbelief to hearing the terms of the deal Her Ladyship had worked out with the vile beasts. Whoever she was.

"You can't be planning to actually keep to the terms of this bargain can you? To leave a lair of kobolds that close to the town is madness. You really think you can trust them to keep their word? Kobolds? She fought not to come across as unforgivably rude, though it was quite clear she thought little of their plan as stated. In her agitation, she had forgotten her previous anxiety of the man she had yet to be properly introduced to.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

Eren turned to the woman who he would later come to know as Ellarie and spoke. As he did so, he opened up his cloak, exposing the holy symbol of Abadar that hung around his neck for all to see.

"Abadar is very clear about how he feels regarding those who break compacts or contracts. In a perfect world, yes, we would not have to worry about the kobolds at all. But there were simply too many of them to dislodge by ourselves, and so the deal was struck. Plus, putting aside the matter of honoring our word, if we break the deal, the deputy is good as dead. Of course, if the kobolds break their end of the bargain, then that is on their souls - and we would be well within our rights to finish the job, hopefully with greater backup this time."

He stood, wincing, and walked over.

"But debates over course of action aside, I don't believe I caught your name, Miss?.."

[Othniel]

Summary of Kobold Cave Adventures

After the adventurers four had returned to Belhaim in pairs, the body of Hunclay was given over to the town's undertaker. A quick visit to the Baroness was made, wherein she awarded the four a sum of gold as payment for their venture into the keep. She then asked them to continue on and explore the cave discovered by Deputy Yagenas and Cassandra, and bid them goodnight. Those two reunited with Ioseph and Eren and together they proceeded with due haste toward the cave. They discovered the Sheriff alongside the road, impaled upon stakes and trapped there by the body of his horse. With the aid of Ioseph and Eren, Yagenas managed to free the mayor who was given medical treatment by Ioseph and returned safely to town by the same.

The remaining three pressed onward to the cave, and discovered it to be overrun with kobolds. They entered carefully and fought a number of the small creatures, overcoming other challenges such as cleverly-hidden pitfalls, tripwires, and even a swarm of hungry rats. The latter was dispatched by Yagenas and a giant porcupine summoned by Cassandra, its large spikes proving a swift death to the tiny rodents which quickly impaled themselves upon the spiked doom.

A man and a woman were found constructing trinkets for the kobolds to offer to to the kobolds' deity. Judging it too risky to leave the pair to fend for themselves, the three explorers brought them along to a point, but left them behind at a certain juncture to corner the kobolds. In a final chamber of the cave, Yagenas, Eren, and Cassandra found a squad of kobolds armed with spears and tower shields crafted of glue and birchbark, covered from above by a number of their brethren armed with bows and arrows. Commanding them was the leather armored one they had tangled with earlier in the cave. Deciding that a pitched battle would be very much in the kobold's favor, Cassandra spoke out to the creatures in Draconic, explaining to them (in rather harsh and commanding tones) just what would happen if they did not make peace with the townsfolk of Belhaim. A preliminary truce was negotiated wherein the kobolds would give back the body of Deputy Darklighter, but keep the remaining deputy as a hostage while the three adventures returned to town with the kobold sorcerer Roaghaz. Indeed, the remaining kobolds seemed glad to be rid of their now-former leader, who had accused the three of trespassing into the lair of the Blood Vow Tribe, explaining that he served someone he called "the great lord Aeteperax," whoever that was. Roaghaz was bound and gagged and led back to town.

On the road back, the three had come across an unusually-inquisitive young grey wolf. Cassandra took to the creature at once, and demanded both Yagenas and Eren refrain from killing it before they could say anything and crouched down next to it. The wolf followed her back to town, seeming rather docile for a wild animal, though it shied away from other people. Cassandra brought it up to her room and commanded none to enter without her leave (as much for their own safety as the wolf, who she named Conall). The Baroness was contacted, but she gave instructions for them to return in the morning, and so the matter of the kobold tribe was let be for the night.

Cassandra

She hadn't needed the bath, strictly speaking -the druidess had been warm enough thanks to the spell she'd cast earlier in the evening - but it was nice to pamper oneself when possible. Something she hadn't given up on when she left home and which had, in fact, increased on the road due to deprivation, was an appreciation for life's small luxuries. After drying off and dressing once more in a set of her rich clothing, she came down the stairs to join the others, sliding into a seat next to Eren as he was regaling some of the others with an explanation of their latest adventure. Brushing a strand of still-wet hair away from her face, she nodded to the inquisitor. "It was a fair agreement, and I did the best that I could in a tight situation. We had not the numbers to overcome them, and even if we had, the life of the deputy was at stake." She eyed the other woman for a moment before continuing. "Would you have me proved faithless? I may be the lesser daughter of a Prince far from Oppara, but I shall at least strive to keep my honor in this one thing."

"What intrigues me most," said Cassandra, slightly changing the subject, "Is who this 'great lord Aeteperax' is that the sorcerer mentioned."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

It was only after the large man flashed his holy symbol at her that she was able to collect herself and recovered the wherewithal to remember to tread carefully with this man.

"Ellarie Chapman. Forgive me, it's been a trying day. I see it has been for you as well. I could offer you some magical healing if you'd like." As she spoke with the imposing Inquisitor, a richly dressed woman who could only be Her Ladyship joined the conversation.

"Your honor.." Ranks about as high on my list of priorities as a mongrel's flea bitten bottom.

"Of course. I was only thinking of the townsfolk and those that dwell on the outskirts of town." It was always the poor that paid the price of their Lords honor.

"Perhaps if we can get the word out for everyone to bar their doors at night we will be able to rest more easily. I know I will. I can help mend locks and hinges. Elias can too." She looked towards the Wizard then, hoping she wasn't embarrassing him too terribly.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Bidding Ioseph a temporary farewell, Elias waited in the darkness for Maffei to reappear.

"I understand your caution after Hunclay's cruelty, but this town is mostly made up of decent people. You may seem strange to them, but at my side you should have nothing to fear."

He smiled, attempting to be reassuring, though in his heart he was unsure. To have so badly misjudged his master - how could he be sure he had not failed to detect cruelty or duplicity in others about Belhaim? Still, it was late, and such worries would keep until morning.

Continuing towards the inn, Elias took little notice of the common room as he bundled Maffei up the stairs towards his suite. Unlocking the footlocker within and quickly packing his belongings into what became an overstuffed backpack, he turned to press the key into her hands.

"I will be across the hall tonight. Tomorrow, I will be moving to stay with my Aunt and Uncle - you are free to accompany me or to stay here. There is certainly more room for you at the inn, but I doubt my family would turn aside another guest. Especially one so interesting as you. Good night, Maffei."

He bowed, unsure how a woman of living shadows might intend to spend her night, before descending to the common room with his possessions in tow. He arrived just in time to catch the tail end of Ellarie's rebuke and the noblewoman's empty reassurances, and barely managed to repress a scowl as he realized the Abadaran had been among those callous enough to leave a man to the tender mercies of kobolds.

"Indeed I can. It seems a prudent precaution, with a band of murderous lizards at large restrained only by a fear that intends to depart when the snows clear."

He turned towards Eren, carefully excluding the noble from his next words.

"While it may comfort you to defray judgement on this matter to Pharasma's court, Taxmaster, you will forgive those of us who see a man's life as more than another transaction. If he dies, you have the luxury of leaving the repercussions behind - it is those of us who live here that must shoulder the burden of your failures."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"Ha! Now you can heal him, Ellarie. He'll need it after that burn." The Tiefling wasn't quite sure she had a solid opinion on the bargain struck, especially as she still didn't know the particulars of it, but there was one thing she could say, and did so as she took a long drought of whatever was in her mug this time. "Oh my," she started dryly, "I hadn't realized that upholding your word to a bunch of homicidal sauropods was more important than the deputy's life. Don't get me wrong," the warrior held up her hands, "I totally get backing down in the face of superior firepower, but you need to consider that the kobolds aren't just a threat to you and him. Oh, and that he might prefer death to being left in their clutches."

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

Many things bothered Yagenas in the past few hours. Some were things he didn't like but had to accept, things such as leaving a fellow deputy in the clutches of Kobolds, whom he wished to give a chance to prove their honor and not strike out at them in blind xenophobia, and yet experience and the cold but practical advice of Ser Petrikov gave him doubt to the chances of them following through with their end of the bargain. While other things that bothered him were entirely within his hands to control, like fixing his broken musket and making sure it worked properly. He had dove straight to the task when he returned to the inn, angrily grumbling all the expressions he heard Ser Petrikov use when he was infuriated over an issue he needed to solve. After about an hour of working on it in his room, Yagenas finally got it fixed and headed down the stairs to see about further flirting with the good lady Cassandra. At first he was unsure of it, egg so quickly dropped on his face after blindly walking into the situation, and yet her idle insinuating was reason enough to atleast casually pursue that line of thought.

"And who knows, it might make one very interesting story."

Holding the musket proudly in his hands, he examined it one last time before calling out to the common room

"I think I finally got it work-"

He stopped his trail of thought as he laid eyes on the young man who served the wizard Hunclay quite diligently from what Yagenas heard. The words were caught in his throat, a sullen expression dragging its way across his face all of a sudden as he was faced with a duty he had not been looking forward to. Slinging his musket over his shoulder, Yagenas scratched the back of his head and called out to Elias whilst waving his hand.

"My good man... If I could have a moment of your time, I'd... Well I'd like to speak to you about the wizard Hunclay."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra bit back an angry retort. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calmly explain her position. "There was no time to consider other options. We were face-to-face with an angry and fearful bunch of kobolds who had all turned at bay - we had already slain several of their tribe - and did not dare back down. Something had to be done to change the balance of power in the situation, and I gambled not only on the Deputy Antilles' life, but on the lives of Deputy Tulwin, Inquisitor Drakos, and myself as well." Her tone softened as she looked between the other three. "As I spoke with one of them, I was under the distinct impression that the rest of the tribe deeply regretted being stirred to battle by their leader, which we now have in custody. They want nothing more than to be left alone and allowed to leave when the spring thaw comes. The female I spoke with seemed in earnest. I am sorry to leave Deputy Antilles' among them, but there really was no other option. Would you rather butcher the entire tribe to sate your vengeance, and instead risk the deputy's life by assaulting them in strength? The village surely has the numbers to exterminate the tribe, if all you see them as is vermin. I do not. Besides, you would lose more lives in the process. At least this way, there is the chance for a peaceful resolution, and perhaps avoiding further bloodshed."

"As for honor," she began again, directing her words at the other women, "Honor before one's enemies is as important as before one's friends. If you prove true to your word, you gain the trust of others, and develop a reputation for being responsible and reliable, which may serve you well in the future. Do not throw away your honor at the first difficulty."

She watched as Yagenas came down the stairs and spoke to Elias. "Oh..." she said quietly, "You didn't tell him yet?"

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

The noblewoman's words washed over Elias like a spring breeze, wholly unremarked on by the young wizard. Idiotic as he found her actions, and those of her toadies, he knew better than to insult the nobility. Instead, his attention turned towards the newly-arrived deputy.

"Ah, Deputy Tulwin."

At the sound of his master's name, Elias' face took on a queer porcelain quality, utterly still yet fragile.

"Do you have some knowledge of Master Hunclay's whereabouts?"

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

Glancing over at Lady Cassandra, Yagenas merely solemnly shook his head before staring Elias in the eyes with a stern yet caring intensity
"There's no easy way to put this, and as I am no stranger to the horrors man must face and his ability to recover and overcome from them, I'll give it to you straight. I found and retrieved Master Hunclay's remains from the Witch Tower earlier this day. He was pinned under quite a bit of rubble, from how the scene seemed to look at the time it appeared he brought the whole roof down on the kobolds and himself in the process. My deepest condolences." He dipped his leather helmet as a sign of respect for Elias' loss, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Now given the circumstances I can understand you might be having a lot of complex feelings, maybe a bit of lust for vengeance or hate. And I can tell you with certainty that won't bring you any good. Kobolds are vicious little bastards, but I went into that cave fully expecting to drag out my friend and colleague in a casket, and if there's even a chance that they can feel some of that same honor we have and we can resolve this without anyone dying then I'm going to take it. When a man asks for mercy and extends his hand, it's only right to accept, even if it's a very small, scaly, gross hand. I have to hope and believe that civilized creatures are capable of working together and turning over new leaves for the betterment of society, otherwise there's not much point to my job in the long run," he squeezed the apprentice wizards shoulder a little tighter "But if they do turn out to be a bunch of no good lying backstabbing little vermin then you'll be the first one I look for to make sure justice is served."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Absorbing the first part of the deputy's address, Elias nodded along absently as he preached of forgiveness.

"He is dead, then. It is as I feared."

It was the truth. Elias had feared Master Hunclay to be dead, though not for the reasons the deputy might expect. Rather, he regretted the old wizard's escape from the consequences of his actions. That he had likely died in an attempt to satisfy his own obsession with the stars was cold comfort.

"Thank you for letting me know, Deputy. I shall see to funeral arrangements on the morrow."

He sighed.

"I do not disagree that a genuine call for mercy should be answered with kindness. I do not see such a call here. Rather, I see a tribe that attacked first using a hostage to blackmail Belhaim into sacrificing even more than it already has."

He straightened, rubbing his hand against his neck wearily.

"Regardless, it is a matter for the Baroness. I'm sure you would not have made such an agreement if she had not given you leave to bargain in her stead, so I will trust her judgement. And I am sure you, Deputy, would not have left Deputy Wedge without first tending to his wounds. I am simply weary."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

It was all Eren could do to bite back a blistering volley of anger as Elias accused him of playing games with other peoples lives.

Taxmaster I'll take, but I will not tolerate the accusation that a man's life is a mere bargaining chip!

Luckily, Cassandra stepped in before he could say anything, and said it better than he could have to boot - and so he was able to respond to Elias and Kiyoko with a measure of calm.


"Oh my, I hadn't realized that upholding your word to a bunch of homicidal sauropods was more important than the deputy's life. Don't get me wrong, I totally get backing down in the face of superior firepower, but you need to consider that the kobolds aren't just a threat to you and him. Oh, and that he might prefer death to being left in their clutches."
"The whole reason we're upholding our word is to try and preserve the deputy's life. As milady said, there simply was no other viable option - it was either this, or else throw our lives away in a final vainglorious attempt to take them down. If we attack now, once they realize it's soured, they will kill him out of spite. And I am well aware that the kobolds are a threat to everyone else; the fact that we found two more prisoners is evidence enough of that. But as milady said, the lieutenant seemed reasonable enough. If there's any chance at resolving this without further bloodshed, it's worth trying."


"Regardless, it is a matter for the Baroness. I'm sure you would not have made such an agreement if she had not given you leave to bargain in her stead, so I will trust her judgement. And I am sure you, Deputy, would not have left Deputy Wedge without first tending to his wounds. I am simply weary."
Eren sighed, his own wounds aching ferociously.

"As are we all. As far as the deputy's condition, he was in reasonably good health when we left him."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The warrior rolled her eyes as she got three separate lectures from Team Peer Pressure. "You lot sound like the daimyos of my homeland, though that shouldn't surprise me. I guess nobles are the same wherever you go." The Tian-Min woman shrugged. "Of course honor is precious - it's a luxury item. When you have so much power, you can afford to use it inefficiently. Still, I think you missed my point: I don't care what the kobolds look like and I'm willing to ditch vengeance in a pinch, but as Elias pointed out, they're the aggressors and today they learned that taking hostages is a good way to get what they want."

Kiyoko had also learned that vis-a-vis the trio she was newly acquainted with, but she didn't bring that up. "Either they needed that hostage to guarantee their own safety or they didn't. Note how they blamed all their bad behavior on the guy you'd already taken at the first opportunity, but somehow they weren't as easy to manipulate when it came time to convince them to release their bargaining chip. Curious, no?" She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "But it's too late to change it now. This leader you spoke of, has he told you anything useful?"

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

As the posh prat chose to blithely ignore the plight of the townsfolk and continued to natter on about honor, Ellarie tuned her out. She was clearly only playing at adventure, and that made her a danger to everyone around her. As the Inquisitor had also ignored her words, and her offer of medical assistance, she turned her attention to Elias and Kiyoko. Ellarie wasn't sure why she had kept her thoughts to herself if what she actually said was going to be so unilaterally discounted. Before she might get the two away for a chat in private, another deputy appeared down the stairs. This one seemed competent at least, and without the underlying hostility of Bellett. As he relayed his news about Master Hunclay, Ellarie squeezed the Wizard's arm in sympathy. It seemed they might never have answers as to what the mad Master Wizard had really been up to. Her eyes searched for Kiyoko's. After what they had discovered in the Manor, she could not feel sorry that Hunclay was dead, only a bitter relief. But she was sorry for her new friend's loss, and grateful that they had understood and agreed with her on the issue of the kobolds. Even if they were forced to defer to the idiotic pact the others had made. She realized she was still touching Elias's arm, she gave it a final squeeze and released him. She went to find Talia and ordered three hot ciders. She carried them over herself and handed one to Kiyoko and one to Elias, the last with a sad smile. Kiyoko's words rang true to her, but she knew it was beyond pointless to argue at this point,

"Deputy," She began, addressing the handsome man she had yet been introduced to.

"I understand that your fellow deputy's life is the priority until he is returned safely. I think it would be wise if we can get the word out to the townsfolk to keep their doors barred at night and perhaps to also stay in groups of two while outdoors. Just as a precaution. I can help mend windows and doors where necessary." She blew on her cider and took a sip of the fragrant, warming liquid and peered at him over her mug. Her pale eyes were guileless and hopeful that somebody around here actually took the threat of a nest of kobolds in close proximity to town seriously.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra shook her head, glad for the change of subject. What the others failed to understand, she mused, was that the concept of personal honor was not something the nobility had sole claim to. She'd met enough contemptible members of the upper class to realize that there were dishonorable people across every walk of life. Indeed, the meanness of some nobles (who really had no excuse) far-outstripped the baseness of some poor folk who merely did what they could just to survive. Cassandra had developed an appreciation for the simple honor of simple people who so often behaved justly, and while possessing so little, also had so much more to lose, as what they had was held the dearer. It was these gems she found among the simple farmers and townsfolk that inspired her most.

If these people before here had no appreciation for personal honor, it wasn't her place to instruct them. Such things often needed to be ingrained from a young age or learned through hardship, and she couldn't be held responsible for the poor upbringing of others, lowborn or noble. "No, we did not interrogate the prisoner. We handed him over to the authorities in town, leaving him under guard. I imagine they will want to interrogate him tomorrow. As I said before, I would like to know who this Aeteperax person is, and what kind of sway he or she held over the kobolds. That, I deem, is the truly dangerous party in all of this, provided the sorcerer was not making that part up."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Eyes narrowed in disdain, Elias waved away the inquisitor's excuses.

"Perhaps bargaining was all you could reasonably accomplish. But if so, you should have known better than to have attempted the rescue in the first place. Now we can only hope someone more capable will be able to extricate the town without kowtowing to the demands of bandits."

The conversation finished, as far as he was concerned, Elias turned to join Ellarie.

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

"Dime.....yo? What's, actually, forget it. Feh, me, a noble. That's rich. Lord Tulwin, got a nice ring to it." Smiling unabashedly to himself, Yagenas flicked his helmet's left ear a few times before Ellarie came to him and looked at him over her cider. His smile turned from one of self-humor into a more charming and directed force as he eyed the new woman "I'm glad to see so many concerned and active citizens, be they foreign or domestic. I was actually going to head out door to door and do just that after fixing up my loyal blackpowder dog," he tapped on the stock of it twice with his right pointer and middle finger "Though I have to hope for the best and have faith in societies setting aside their differences, my master taught me to always prepare for the worst. Didn't want to patrol and keep watch with a broken weapon."

It was at this point he unslung his rifle and double checked to make sure it was loaded and in peak condition.

"As my Master put it to me, I am the keeper of civilized packs against the hungry scavengers of savage lands. Unleashing and restraining justice as seen fit by The Measure and Chain, so you and your compatriots concerns over the reliability of Kobolds is just as great as mine. My skills are a bit limited to the physical aspects of things, so I would certainly appreciate any aid in quickly repairing doors, windows, and by Iomedae where are my manners I don't even know your name and I'm asking you to go out into the cold," he bowed fully and respectfully, a process that he was clearly well practiced and rehearsed in doing "I am Deputy Yagenas Tulwin, Armiger of Ser Petrikov of the Order of the Nail. And you, my lovely lady are?..."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Relieved and reassured that the deputy at least, was taking the threat seriously, Ellarie returned Yagenas's smile with some amusement. She wasn't used to being bowed at.

"Ellarie Chapman. It's a pleasure, Deputy Tulwin." She only wished the circumstances more pleasant for meeting new acquaintances.


"Of course I'll come and help assure that the town is secure." She looked to Elias who had just turned his attention towards them.

" Would you come as well? I must admit to being anxious to checking upon your family again. I feel we must alert who we can." She turned to Kiyoko who she felt on the verge of insulting somebody unforgivably. Even though she was right.

"Kiki, come get some air with us? I wouldn't be sorry for another sword around, traipsing about after dark and all." Ellarie frowned suddenly,

"I seem to have misplaced my cloak." and cast a meaningful eye at Elias. Hopefully Maffei wouldn't require use of her cloak indoors.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Sipping his cider and savoring the vivifying warmth as it spread through his chest, Elias reached into his pack and pulled free Ellarie's wayward cloak.

"Here you are, Ellarie. Thank you for letting me borrow it."

Standing, he cracked his back.

"Give me one moment and I'll be along."

Moving back towards the bar, he attempted to get Talia's attention.

"Excuse me, Talia? Could I perhaps get a key to one of the smaller rooms? I came across an unexpected friend who needed my suite more than I - please, to not be surprised to see her staying here instead of me. My family has invited me to their home for the time being, so I need only a single night before transferring my belongings."

Handing over the cost of the room, Elias returned to his small cadre and the deputy.

"Ready?"

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The Tiefling woman gave Ellarie a strange look at the nickname. "Kiyoko, please," she let that conveniently serve as her introduction to the others. "Where I'm from, pet names like that are reserved for... well, let's just say that you and I aren't that close yet."

She stood up straight from where she'd been leaning against the wall, putting her cider down and picking up her sword for the third time that day. "I'm for grabbing some fresh air, though. The dark doesn't bother me."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie grinned widely at the tiefling's admonishment.

"Not yet!" She said with a playful wink to Kiyoko before accepting her cloak with a grateful smile at Elias. She clasped it about her shoulders and fastened it.

"Shall we head to your Aunt and Uncle's place first?" She figured Elias would be as anxious to check on his family as she was. Anybody who could cook a chicken like that needed to be kept safe. Plus she had been a stranger to them, and they had been kind to her. She figured she owed it to them to inform them of what was really happening in town.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Waking before the sunrise, Elias was reminded of his mornings in Belhaim years ago, padding through Master Hunclay's kitchen to prepare breakfast for the particular old man. Not this morning, though. That dark house was silent, its master gone to a judgement ELias doubted would be kind. He dressed in silence, cleansing himself with water and spell, before packing his belongings together. He tied Hunclay's magical tomes together with his dirty novel disguised as a spellbook, before descending to breakfast with the sunrise.

Outside, the sound of snow crunching beneath his boots lifted Elias' spirits. Looking out over the frosted peaks of the village roofs, the darkness of the past night seemed somehow more distant, and as people began to appear to go about their daily chores he offered sincere salutations. His ath was a winding one, but for the moment brief, as he stopped into the garrison. Knocking lightly, he opened the door and poked his head inside.

"Good morning. I've come to deliver Master Hunclay's enchanted books to protected storage."

Later...

His conversation with the deputy completed, Elias turned towards his more unpleasant task. Making his way towards the temple, he marveled at the smallness of the brick and plaster building compared to the ominous grandeur of the Abadaran bank in Oppara. Perhaps he had been unjust in his treatment of the inquisitor. But even in such humble accommodations, he could not help but feel the rapacious tug of the moneylender god. Still, his faithful did have their uses. Pushing through the front door, he attempted to catch someone's eye.

"Excuse me, who would I speak to regarding drafting a legal document?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

The cold grey light of dawn flickered across Eren's face, awakening him from his sleep. As he knelt at his bedside, offering his morning prayers to the Master of the First Vault, the cold snake of doubt coiled around his stomach, Elias' words from the previous night echoing through his head.

Such hostility... is this the reaction we are condemned to? To see our efforts at rescue dismissed as nothing but folly, an endangerment to Belhaim and those who dwell within?

He then clasped his hands more tightly together, his mind finding itself more resolute.

No. We did the right thing. Abadar has guided me thus far; I cannot let doubt take root in my mind. We saw there was a need to rescue, and we answered. We did not dawdle, and when faced with the circumstances, we took the only way out. We will be vindicated. Cassandra did well with the Kobolds - she will pull through for us again.

He then let out a sigh.

Still, it is a shame last night had to devolve into an argument. I'd half been looking forward to some decent conversation. That Ellarie woman - she, at least, seemed nice enough.

His prayers finished, Eren then pulled on his uniform and winter clothing before going to gather the rest of the team - Cassandra, Yagenas, and Ioseph.


*** Later, at the Baroness' mansion... ***

Standing at the door to the Baroness' home, Eren knocked on the door.

"Hello? We are here to see the baroness."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

The Tian-Min woman woke to the sunlight carving through her window and into the room, a fresh - if thin - layer of snow having added to the previous night's efforts. With little fanfare, she got up and stretched, sighing. Last night had been, in the words of a generation that wouldn't exist for another thousand years, 'a thing.' She was eager to get a start on seeing it all through today, but after her own bath and breakfast, she found that her theme-named partners had already taken off to do their own morning errands. With little else for it, she elected to wander about the town, getting familiar with its layout the old fashioned way.

[Nefarion Xid]

Cassandra et al
Devy Estate

In short order, everyone was moved to the sitting room to, somewhat ironically, stand and wait as the Baroness made her entrance and sat by the fire. She'd selected an indigo dress an an ermine throw for the occasion.

"I was very pleased to learn that Sir Pelle was returned home. You have my very deep gratitude for venturing into the fen on his behalf, and for the deputies."

She waved to her maid who brought around cups of mulled wine for everyone and then gestured for you to sit on the long couch.

"I am to understand that Deputy Antilles is still alive, according to Hodd. Though, he was somewhat spare on details. Please, for clarity's sake, explain to me exactly what happened in the cave and to what did you agree?"

Kiyoko

Content to meander the town in the daylight, Kiyoko passed the schoolhouse. Although closed on Sunday, a young man could be seen within, sitting at the desk at the back, reading with a blanket drawn over his shoulders. He had sandy brown hair tied into a long ponytail and wore gold rimmed spectacles.

Across the way, she saw the leatherworks that Talia had mentioned, Sensina Hides. Blessedly, the location did not double as a tannery, at least not one that utilized urea. A smoker was around the right side of the shop, a sort of stove-pipe assembly with a narrow iron tube bent at an elbow. A worker carefully tended a large brown pelt that had been rolled into a tube and suspended from a frame over the billowing smoker. He waved to Kiyoko cheerfully, then immediately shoved his hand back in his jacket pocket.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra went to bed early, tired from arguing with the other guests, and woke eight hours later. After dressing, she left the inn with her new companion, Conall, and found a secluded spot near the edge of town to commune with nature, receiving her spells for the day. After breakfast, she visited the sheriff, doing what she could to ease somewhat of his pain and wounds, promising to come back the next day. And then came the visit to Roaghaz, the despicable little kobold sorcerer they'd taken captive the evening before. Letting others do the talking, she watched and listened with curiousity, until it came time to meet the Baroness.

At the Baroness' Estate...

Accepting the mulled wine with a word of thanks, Cassandra began to recount the group's venture into the kobold caves. "After Ioseph returned to town with the sheriff, the three of us pressed onward and Deputy Tulwin led us into the cave, anxious to find Deputies Antilles and Darklighter. There we met with substantial resistance. I would note that the kobolds shot first, though no doubt they saw our venture into their dwelling as a trespass against them. What commenced then was a battle as the kobolds retreated deeper into their refuge. At one point, we came across a man and a woman who had been held captive, forced by the kobolds to make charms they were planning on sacrificing to their god." She paused for a moment, pondering, "I wonder if they worship this Aeteperax. But I digress. We kept the two we rescued with us, for fear of leaving them to an ambush in case the kobolds doubled back, and pressed on until we found what we determined to be the remainder of the tribe at bay in a cavern. They had two ranks of four armed with spears and a rank of five bowmen behind and above. We determined that fighting then would be suicide, and I decided to try diplomacy instead, demanding that they turn over Deputy Antilles and allow us to leave, or they would be set upon by additional forces from Belhaim were our group not to return. I am afraid I had to be rather forceful with them, so they will likely not love me thereafter, but I made an agreement on the spot with the female named Night Tail to allow them to leave once the spring thawed in exchange for not killing them. As a concession, she demanded that they keep Deputy Antilles hostage as a pledge of Belhaim's good faith until a final agreement could be reached." Cassandra paused for breath before continuing, "Their leader, the sorcerer Roaghaz who the town currently has under guard, was given to us us bound and gagged as a hostage, though it was readily apparent that the rest of the kobolds were angry at him for bringing their tribe to this juncture. I believe she regrets the tribe's actions - not out of morality, I am sure - but because they have lost a significant number of their tribe due to our assault, let alone how many they probably lost when the Witch Tower collapsed."

As she drew to a close, Cassandra sat up straighter and looked the Baroness in the eye, "My Lady, I am truly sorry we were not able to recover Deputy Antilles last night, but to press onward in battle or to retreat would probably have meant our lives as well as that of the deputy, and I cannot imagine that you or his friends or family would rather trade his for the deaths of a dwindling kobold tribe. I ask that you honor my agreement with Night Tail, and allow me to see this through to a peaceful resolution for the safety of all."

Diplomacy! [roll0]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

As the party was shown into the Baroness' home once more, Eren turned to Cassandra as the servants went to fetch her.

"As you know, this conversation will be crucial. After what you showed last night, I trust you to get us through this, but I have another thing that could tip the scales in our favor."

He extended a palm.

"Last night, I felt Abadar's touch - I have grown stronger, and learned a new spell, one that will bestow insight upon you and increase your skill with words. If you are willing, I can cast it on you, before the Baroness comes."

If Cassandra consents to it, Eren will cast Bestow Insight upon her. When casting Bestow Insight, Eren chooses a skill he has at least one rank in (in this case, Diplomacy) and then the person he touches gains +3 to that skill. Additionally, before the spell ends (4 minutes) the target can dismiss the spell when making a check with said skill to allow herself to roll the skill twice, taking the higher result.

***

As Cassandra finished her speech, Eren began to sense that the Baroness might not be completely swayed, and jumped in with his own words.

"We realize, of course, that this is not an easy pill to swallow, and that there will be objections from the populace - and not without reason. But if nothing else, think of Antilles, for I fear that if we go back on our word with the kobolds now, they will certainly kill him out of spite. As milady has said, Night Tail at the very least seems honorable enough that she can be trusted to hold up this particular bargain, if nothing else. If further bloodshed can be avoided, we owe it to everyone involved to try."

Eren tries to Aid Another on Diplomacy. Together with Bestow Insight, this raises the result of Othniel's Diplomacy check by +5.

Aid Another: [roll0] vs DC 10.

Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. Cassandra's check is now only raised by +3. Also, Othniel has indicated he will be rerolling.

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

Standing off to the side, Yagenas idly inspected his musket as Cassandra spoke before chirping in at the end "Their numbers are low, we've got a decent look at their cave, and three of us managed to carve through a chunk of them with relative ease. I'm just a servant of justice, but it seems as if they're pressured enough to keep their word, and I'd rather not see another lawman buried so soon. I'd advise listening to the good lady Cassandra, though I also stand fully ready and willing to exterminate those terrorists if they see fit to not follow through on their end of the bargain. Which is likely but I wouldn't say overwhelmingly so. 60/40. Which is still better than the no odds I gave of finding him alive when I went in gun blazing."


Aid Another:[roll0]

[Nefarion Xid]

Cassandra et al
Devy Estate

Lady Devy sat in silence for a while, betraying none of her thoughts. It was little wonder she had so few wrinkles. After a minute had passed she rose, Cassandra snapping up automatically as she did, and waved daintily at her maid. "Show Master Apion in. And bring the almonds."

As she said, the maid went across the hall to the salon to retrieve Elias, bringing with her a silver bowl of roasted almonds which she offered to Cassandra.

"Young Master Apion has proposed a stealthy rescue of Deputy Antilles," the baroness said, turning from Elias back to Cassandra. "And I am to understand his allies are rather capable. What do you think, Cassandra, Tulwin? You've seen the caves. Could this be accomplished?"

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

"They're riddled with traps, as to be expected from their kind, and they were storing the deputy at the very end of the cavern. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't place good odds on being able to pull it off stealthily barring some heavy magical intervention, though I think it could be accomplished if the kobolds were sufficiently distracted to which I'd offer myself as tribute to do so."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

While waiting for Cassandra to reply, Eren remained silent, but thought it over.

Not completely impossible - but certainly incredibly difficult. One of the main difficulties will be getting past the pit traps without setting them off, to say nothing of the narrowness of the corridors and the lack of hiding places. But Abadar has seen fit to grant me the power of invisibility, and I do have the potion that the deputy could take to hide himself.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Cassandra took several of the almonds with a smile and nod of thanks to the maid. "Quite possibly," she said in response to the Baroness' question. "Though as Deputy Tulwin just noted, the kobolds were quite clever with the placement of their traps, and there is no telling how they have Deputy Antilles guarded. We did not see past a certain point, and have no idea just how far in the cavern goes. The main difficulty such an attempt would face, I think, is in the ultimate retrieval as well as both ingress and egress through a certain point in the caverns where there is a sort of steep ramp." She regarded Elias with a sympathetic look. "While I appreciate Master Alpion's willingness to risk such an endeavor, is it wise to send him in, regardless of how capable his allies are, when he may be the town's remaining authority on things arcane, especially in light of his master's sad and untimely passing? If my words last night have provoked any rashness on his part to make such an attempt, I wish to apologize. I spoke with haste and without thought to the opinions of others around me, as I am wont to do when I believe myself in the right. It was not my intention to cause contention during a trying time for Belhaim." Cassandra looked at Elias, searching his face for some sign of acknowledgement, and then sighed, a slight feeling of resignation coming over her. "I will abide by whatever you decide, my lady, though you already know my thoughts on the matter."

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Entering the garrison, Elias saw that the three smugglers had been transferred into a single cell, doubtless to make room for the new prisoner. The creature was large for a kobold, the horn rising from its snout giving it a truly draconic appearance, but its majesty was somewhat undercut by the potato sack draped over it in a display of shabby modesty and the gag jammed into its toothy maw. Deputy Bellet remained on duty, seemingly denied the peace of even a brief sleep, but to Elias delight he was not alone. For Sheriff Benhovy had returned, propped up with pillows in an overstuffed chair that looked uniquely out of place in the spartan building. The sight of the mustachioed face inspired a yelp of joy from Elias.

"Sir Pelle! I can't tell you how happy I am to see you."

"Ha! Yes, little blighters nearly got the ghost. Tried to kill me with my own horse!"

Bellett only sighed.

"He won't take his medicine. Says he needs to stay alert..."

As if to accentuate the deputy's words, the sheriff patted the repeating crossbow in his lap. Smiling to himself at the man's resiliency, Elias nevertheless tried to reason with him.

"Sheriff, you know that the faster you're on your feet the safer we'll all be."

"Nothing to it, lad. Bassy gave me the opium. I'll have none of it. Can't be sleeping at a time like this. If I had a horse, I'd make the lads straps me to it."

Not willing to press the issue, Elias shrugged and turned back towards Bellett. Taking the tied parcel of four books from where it was affixed to his belt, he passed it to the man gingerly. The deputy took them with a practiced hand, immediately beginning to annotate their details in his log. For his part Elias paused, seemingly conflicted, before moving to stand before the sheriff with a guilty look. Reaching into a pocket of his robes, he pulled free Hunclay's pearl ring.

"Sir, I also took this from Master Hunclay's manor. I had hoped to use it to scry on him, discern his location...it seems somewhat foolish now."

Taking the ring, the sheriff turned it over a few times appraisingly.

"Pretty thing isn't it? I'm sorry about your master, lad. But, I'm afraid without a will or a proper heir, we'll have to hold all the items of the estate."

"I understand, Sheriff."

Bellett coughed to get his attention.

"These are all the sensitive tomes you mentioned, Master Apion?"

"Indeed, those are the ones from his sealed shelves."

"As you say. Thank you for your compliance."

Silently, Sheriff Benhovy passed the ring back to Elias so the young wizard could formally turn it over to Bellett. The business of Hunclay's possessions resolved, he turned towards the imprisoned kobold.

"I'd be careful with that kobold, Sir. If he really does worship the dragon that Tula Belhaim slew a millenium ago, I doubt he has any love for this town. I could try to compel him to reveal his motives. Magically, you understand."

"Is that what he's on about? We've kept him gagged all night on account of the..."

The sheriff paused, squinting his eyes and waggling his fingers and a crude approximation of spellcasting.

"Thought he was saying something 'bout big racks. Aeteperax though? That's who the little beastie said he served?"

"According to the noblewoman who apprehended him, at least. Neither she nor any of her companions seemed to know the name."

"Hmf! Well, no laws against coercing lesser races with magic. If you want to" finger wiggling motion "the green bugger, by all means, have a go at him!"

Nodding his head, Elias moved to stand in front of the kobold's cell. Dropping his voice to a draconic growl, he probed the bound creature.

<"Can you understand me, sorcerer?">

There was no response, save the kobold staring daggers at Elias and nodding.

"Excellent."

Placing his hands together, Elias muttered a quick incantation that sent the kobold's eyes wide. Alas, despite two attempts the beast's mind remained adamant against Elias' attempts to influence it. His head dropping to one side, he regarded the prisoner with no small amount of consternation.

"Hm, the kobold is certainly resilient."

This, at last, provoked a reaction as the kobold began screaming against its gag.

<"You clearly know what I'm doing. And you if you know that, you clearly know that eventually you'll fail to resist me. Talk to me now, and things might go easier for you.">

The kobold's screams ceased, and though his hands were manacled to a heavy belt he gestured towards the gag. Maintaining the gesture, the kobold stepped forward politely. Reaching in to undo the gag, Elias addressed the sheriff and his deputy as well as the small crowd of adventurers that had gathered at the door.

"Watch him."

He untied the gag slowly, and while the kobold made no aggressive moves he remained silent as it fell away.

<"You claim to serve Aeteperax. How did you come to revere a dragon a thousand years dead?">

The question provoked a chuckle.

<"You're a mage. Use your imagination.">

<"Games, then? I like games. I imagine that someone or something with some knowledge of the Dragon Plague managed to put an idea in your head that Aeteperax has returned, and that he wished for you to harry Belhaim. I also imagine that in your fit of religious fervor, you never bothered to wonder why an ancient dragon that had slipped the bonds of death required kobolds to do its dirty work.">

Elias smiled pleasantly.

<"How close to the mark am I?">

The kobold shook his head.

<"You're half right, human. Never once did I question the bidding of my master. You will not either when you find yourself in his presence.">

<"I'm sure. I am curious why you sent your people, without question, into the bowels of the castle. In search of ancient secrets, perhaps?">

<"If you wanted to kill a wizard, how would you do it? I couldn't beat Hunclay in a fair fight ... so I just dropped a castle on his head.">

<"So Aeteperax wanted Hunclay dead? Very interesting. I'd half suspected he'd brought the castle down on himself by mistake. Are you expecting a rescue from your lord and master, then? Some grand repayment for your loyal service and the betrayal suffered at your clan's hands?">

<"Survival is its own reward.">

<"I admire your optimism.">

Looking over his shoulder, Elias took full measure of the people in the room.

<"It seems you have other guests. I think that's enough for now.">

His voice returning to common, Elias called across the room.

"Little of use thus far, sheriff, save that he claims to be responsible for Master Hunclay's death. I'm sure there are more secrets locked away, though."

Passing the gag back to Deputy Bellett, Elias turned to leave. As he passed the noblewoman, he bowed precisely as low as was proper.

"My lady."

She returned the gesture, though stumbled at his name.

"Good morning to you, Master..."

"Elias Apion, my lady. Good morning."

Behind him, the kobold shouted a farewell.

<"He's going to kill you all! Enjoy your last week, wizard!">

<"I'm sure he thought the same before he met Tula Belhaim!">

<"Yes ... well he got better.">

Emerging into the early morning light, Elias made his way towards Devy Manor. He had little faith in the Lady Cassandra' plan - even if it succeeded, it left Belhaim exposed to even further danger. He had a plan of his own, one he hoped the Baroness would deign to hear. Knocking on the door, he was shown into the sitting room, where he stood in solemn silence until the Baroness appeared. It was not a long wait, the Lady Devy arriving resplendent in a purple dress and ermine throw. Gesturing for him to sit, they exchanged pleasantries before coming to the matter at hand.

"Lady Devy, first let me convey my sympathies on the destruction of Castle Tula. I know how much it meant to you. I learned last night of the investigation you ordered of the caves near the old quarry, to ascertain the fate of Sheriff Benhovy and Deputies Antilles and Darklighter. Your agents returned to the inn with an extraordinary tale, one of both heroism and idealism. Perhaps too much idealism. As you may already know, they left Deputy Antilles in the hands of the kobolds in return for a promise to negotiate with you or your representatives. A commendable attempt to save a life, but one that I fear has placed Belhaim in the difficult position of negotiating with kidnappers absent an real assurance of good faith."

He paused for a breath.

"If you will allow me, I have a proposal that I believe will free Deputy Antilles, and allow you to decide a course of action free from the threat of violence against a captive servant of the town."

"You may make your proposal, Master Apion, but I will speak with Lady Cassandra and the others before I decide anything."

"Of course, Lady Devy. While I have no doubt the Lady Cassandra is a skilled orator, and those who follow her skilled combatants, none of them strike me was skilled infiltrators. I have allies who are quite the opposite, and access to magics that will render us invisible to the naked eye. If the Lady Cassandra acquiesces to providing us a map to the parts of the kobold's lair she explored, we could infiltrate their lair undetected and provide Deputy Antilles with the same ward with which to make his escape. His safety so assured, we could return and allow you to pursue the business of peace, or finish what I gather Lady Cassandra started. That decision would be entirely yours."

The Baroness sat silently for a moment.

"Very well. I shall proceed with this offer under consideration. Your commitment to serving Belhaim is noted."

"Thank you, my lady. Would it please you for me to remain until you have spoken with Lady Cassandra, or shall I leave?"

"Are they here already? I expected she'd arrive later in the day. Why don't you have a seat in the salon. Help yourself to the almonds."

"Thank you, my Lady."

Lead into the salon, Elias sat to wait. Absently nibbling an almond, he wondered him his skills carried sufficient cachet for the Baroness to have believed his plan possible. All too soon, that was put to the test, as he returned to her presence alongside Lady Cassandra's attendants. As the questions came, he grew somewhat incredulous.

"My plan was to turn to magic to solve the greater issue of stealth, yes. I have an associate already capable of the subtlety of an Opparan thief, and so enchanted they would be nigh undetectable. And skilled at bypassing traps as well. As for the remainder of my party, invisibility and our guide, coupled with whatever map of the caverns you could provide, would surely see us safely to the heart of the den and thence to Deputy Antilles. Your concern does me great honor, Lady Cassandra, but my companions and I have faced worse foes than kobolds."

His attention fell on the deputy.

"While I thank you for your offer of a distraction, I would not rile the kobolds unnecessarily. If the Lady Devy chooses to turn to diplomacy, we would want them with clear heads. And should she choose the more permanent solution, striking from stealth within their lair would be the more devastating blow."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Eventually coming to the discovery that Elias had gone to see the Baroness, the tiefling realized that they would probably be going spelunking soon enough, and began hunting for climbing gear. She knew better than to try to fence Hunclay's goods in town, but she still had some funds left over from her previous journeys. Idly, the Tian-Min woman wondered what the wizard's plan would be once they got there. She doubted the kobolds would appreciate having their hostages removed, and while she was fine with taking them in a fight, Elias seemed like more of a divide and conquer kind of guy.

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

Playing with an almond inbetween his teeth, Yagenas finally finished tooling around with it as Elias' attention fell on him and he swallowed the fruit whilst simultaneously raising an eyebrow "Rile them? Far from it. Merely offering to speak to their new leader whilst you go about your endeavor. But if all you want is a map I can sketch one up for you with where I remember falling or getting nearly poisoned to death."

[Nefarion Xid]

Devy Estate

The Baroness listened attentively with her hands politely folded at her waist while everyone said their piece. She then raised her hand to signal silence. Without any equivocation, she gave her directive. "Lady Cassandra, Deputy, I want you to deliver a gift to the kobolds on my behalf. Go to the leatherworks and purchase a half dozen furs, then to Akil's for, say, ten pounds of dried meat. A sack of potatoes too, I think. I will reimburse you. Take all of this and give it to the kobolds with my good will. Say that they may have such provisions thrice more this winter if they release Deputy Antilles to us. Once Antilles is home, I will agree to their peace. Not before."

She glanced at Elias but continued after a beat. "Make no mention of this. Not to the sheriff. Not to anyone. I want this done quietly, swiftly, and on my terms ... without interference. Do you understand?"

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Disappointed, Elias bowed his head in resignation. He had such fears. Even if the kobolds could be trusted to move on, they would no doubt encounter other tribes, other races. And when those tribes, full up with savagery and ambition, heard of Belhaim's willingness to submit rather than risk the lives of her people? Would his Aunt and Uncle be taken next summer to furnish lizardfolk with spearheads? Would another deputy die to the trickery of a kobold tribe not decimated by a collapsing castle? He did not know. He could not know. But he feared.

"As you wish, Lady Devy. I will speak of this to no one."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

Letting out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding, Cassandra instinctively looked at Elias to gauge his reaction. She knew the young man meant well, differences aside. Turning to the Baroness, she nodded, "It will be done as you ask." She then looked over at Yagenas. "I am ready when you are, Deputy."

[Nefarion Xid]

Devy Estate
Moments Later ...

With their business concluded, everyone began to file out of the sitting room. Lady Devy put a hand on Eren's shoulder, saying, "Taxmaster, a moment."

When the room was empty except for the two and the maid. "I realize Belhaim must seem quaint compared to wherever it is you come from. And it is. The people are simple and unlearned. Most of them couldn't tell you why wizards farmed bat guano if their lives depended on it." The perpetually slight smile on her lips faded. "I am not a simple woman, Taxmaster. I've had dozens of tutors. I traveled in my youth. If you're lucky, you'll live to be half my age and half again as canny. And I've surrounded myself with all the talented, loyal people that my late husband's money could buy. If you ever cast a charm in my house again, I'll put you in jail until Abadar himself comes to post your bail."

With a shrug to the hall door, the baroness exited the sitting room through the opposite side to her antechamber. After the door had closed, the maid cheerfully offered, "Almond?" and held up the silver tray for Eren.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Spirits buoyed by her shopping trip and seeing to Maffei, Ellarie returned down the stairs to sit in front of the hearth with her lute. She began to strum softly as she waited for a familiar face to appear. She didn't know where Kiyoko had gone off to, but she knew Elias had meant to visit the Baroness today, and much of how she would spend the rest of her day was tied to that visit. She was anxious for the Wizard's return, though she also welcomed the chance to sit idly and clear her head. The events of yesterday seemed to her like enough excitement for a whole month, and it didn't seem to be letting up any time soon. What sort of town had she stumbled across anyway? Andun would have said it was hexed. A bit of a superstitious fool he was, but he had been hers. The passage of time had long dulled the ache of her loss, but the memory of it lingered at fringes of her mind. Like shadows that flickered at the edge of her peripheral vision. Her fingers warmed, she began to play in earnest and soon her voice joined the lute, the song's words a wistful counterpoint to the tinkling, upbeat melody.


"You’re my wanderer, little wanderer
Off across the sea
You’re my wanderer, little wanderer
Won’t you wander back to me
You’re my wanderer, little wanderer
How I wish that you could see
You’re my wanderer, little wanderer
How I need you back with me
Back with me.."

The song had been a particular favorite of her mother's. She smiled as she played, though she paused to turn her chair so she could see when somebody came through the inn door. Her companions could be due any minute. She tried not to be impatient and enjoy what might be her last still moments of the day.

"But if you’ll be my bluebird returning
Then I will be your evergreen
Standing tall on your horizon
Guiding you home to me
Guiding you home to me"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren



Devy Estate
Moments Later ...

With their business concluded, everyone began to file out of the sitting room. Lady Devy put a hand on Eren's shoulder, saying, "Taxmaster, a moment."

When the room was empty except for the two and the maid. "I realize Belhaim must seem quaint compared to wherever it is you come from. And it is. The people are simple and unlearned. Most of them couldn't tell you why wizards farmed bat guano if their lives depended on it." The perpetually slight smile on her lips faded. "I am not a simple woman, Taxmaster. I've had dozens of tutors. I traveled in my youth. If you're lucky, you'll live to be half my age and half again as canny. And I've surrounded myself with all the talented, loyal people that my late husband's money could buy. If you ever cast a charm in my house again, I'll put you in jail until Abadar himself comes to post your bail."

With a shrug to the hall door, the baroness exited the sitting room through the opposite side to her antechamber.

Eren, rather than feeling any real sense of intimidation - for there was little time to consider such things when the Baroness had him dead to rights and a fair point besides - felt confusion instead.

If you knew I had bolstered Cassandra's tongue, why even consider our plan? To be honest, I'm surprised you didn't just reject us outright. You would have had the justification, and there would have been no-one to blame but myself, really.

Out loud, he inclined his head and gave a simple response.

"I understand, my lady."

As the Baroness left, the maid offered up a silver platter to him.


"Almond?"
Looking at the tray, Eren let out a sigh as the tension left his body, and nodded. "Don't mind if I do, thank you."

He plucked three from the tray, popping them into his mouth and crushing them to splinters, allowing the nutty, salty taste to permeate his senses. Chewing them, he then hurried from the room, trying to catch up with Cassandra and Yagenas.

"Before you depart, Deputy - would you be so kind as to hand over the notched mithril daggers you found when we were exploring the castle the previous night? I believe they may be the key to opening the cage we found earlier."

Pending Yagenas handing them over, Eren then extended an invitation to Ioseph to accompany him as they went back - just in case.

Eren, daggers in hand, will go back to the cage room and see if the daggers fit the slots that were previously noted to be next to the cage.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Weighed down by his worries, Elias' pace was slow as he made his way towards the temple of Abadar. Seeing to his business there, he wound his way around the town before returning to the inn, dropping his belongings off at his Aunt and Uncle's house and sharing a brief conversation with them. At last, he returned in time to catch the end of Ellarie's song. Moving inside, he sat down across from her and clapped his hands lightly together.

"That was beautiful, Ellarie."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

She smiled brightly, pleased by the Wizard's praise and his appreciation of her song. She did a little mock bow from her seat and put her lute aside.

"Thank you, it's one of my favorites." She had an urge then to keep their talk of light things, to pass the time on trite pleasantries with a good man.

"Tell me Elias, how did your morning go? Did you see the Baroness?" No sense in sitting idle when the fate the the town might be at stake, still she asked of news somewhat regretfully.

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

He smiled.

"I can understand why. I did see the Baroness, but she decided against my plan. Unfortunate, but there's little to be done about it now. I'm sure we'll fine other ways to spend the day."

[zabbarot]

Ioseph

As everyone begins to leave Ioseph stops in the salon and notifies a servant that he would like a private audience if it wouldn't be too selfish of him to steal a few more minutes of the Baroness' time. He nods to Eren.

"I'll need a few minutes here, but if you don't mind waiting that's fine. "

He enjoyed a few almonds while he waited. It wasn't too long before his audience was granted. The baroness still seemed aggravated, but not with Ioseph specifically. He knelt and bowed his head in deference before starting.

"Lady Devy, Baroness of Belhaim, first I must beg your forgiveness because I came here on official business and allowed myself to be distracted. My father, Master Origen Vega, has passed away. My brother, Vilhelmus Vega, wishes for you to know that he will uphold all agreements my father may have had with you and that House Vega will continue to be your loyal vassals."

He waited for acknowledgement before rising and continuing.

"My father's funeral will be in two weeks and you are welcome to attend, though we understand if you will be busy. There is something else though. My relationship with my brother became rather strained over the years I spent with the army and then abroad. My father was always very proud of me, but Vilhelmus saw it as favoritism. The estate is his by right, but he seems to fear I will try to take it from him. I humbly request that if you have any position available in your court you would consider hiring myself. As a knight of Taldor, my duty is still first to the crown, but the crown only feeds me if we're at war. I am a trained surgeon, and capable in a fight. I am sure I can make myself useful, if you'll have me."

He bows his head again waiting for an answer. Outwardly he remains calm, really this isn't that much different from briefing a superior, but he can still feel himself begin to sweat despite the chill in the air.

[Nefarion Xid]

Eren et al

Once again descended into the bowels of the Witch Tower, the party found themselves in the treasure room which had previously vexed them. Their intuition prevailed and the conspicuously key shaped mithral daggers worked as such. The metal bars descended and the chests were there for the taking. Although they were locked, it didn't take Eren long to have them all open.

18,500 copper; 4,000 silver; 200 gold; 15 platinum. Three emeralds valued at 400 gp each. Due to the mass of copper and silver, it will take multiple trips to pull the coins out.

Ioseph

The baroness sat, listening attentively and tapping her long, thin fingers together as Ioseph spoke. "Sir Ioseph, you're a man who knows what land needs. I imagine your late father taught you well. Two strong hands, my father told me: one for the sword, one for the scythe. I have a great deal of land, what I lack are enough strong hands. In particular, I'm interested in clearing both sides of the Old Quarry Road. If you can secure the area, I shall happily grant you an estate and pay for the labor to have it cleared."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Before long, the Tian-Min woman returned to the inn as well, with a massive coil of rope around one shoulder, a grappling hook dangling from one end of it. She was either going on a subterranean trip or else taking up a life of vigilante crime fighting. Either way, she brightened when she spotted Elias and Ellarie, "Aha! There you are. So did the Baroness cave, or did she only sort of cave?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

"...that is a LOT of copper. Hopefully the local money-changer or Abadarians will be willing to exchange some of this, because there is no way hauling around wealth in this form will be viable in the long run."

Eren, along with the help of anyone else who had come, began scooping the coinage into his back, and began to make the trips back and forth to the Wise Piper, so as to have a more convenient location to transport the coinage to whoever, if anyone, would be willing to exchange for it. He focused on procuring the most valuble items first, secreting the emeralds in his belt pouch for later, before dealing with the mass of copper pieces.

Eren will do the actions described above. Once all the loot has been transported back, he will try to make contact with the local Abadarians to see how much of the copper they'd be willing to exchange for silver or gold pieces (latter preferable).

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Earlier...

Getting the attention of the resident clerk, Elias set about drafting his petition to the Baroness for Hunclay's estate. However, as the man wrote, he sniffed out a warning.

"I don't think you have much of a leg to stand on, sadly. We've pulled Master Hunclay's papers form the Records Hall and it seems he has a first cousin."

This took Elias off guard.

"Really? He never mentioned any family."

"Yes, a fellow in Yanmass by the name of Dalton Frist. Apparently they got on well enough for Master Hunclay to bequeath the entirety of his estate to Frist in the event of his death. And, I'm quoting here, "What the devil do I care who it goes to? I'm dead, aren't I? My blasted cousin, I suppose."

The clerk stopped writing and looked up.

"I understand the relationship between master and apprentice, of course. If there are some effects, spellbooks or magical-what-have-you that you believe you're entitled to, we may have some room to work there?"

"Perhaps the Baroness will see fit. I am left in something of a tenuous state without Master Hunclay to complete my training, but I had hoped to put down roots here and provide Belhaim with what skills I posess. I suppose I shall hope for the best."

Elias reached out to pay the man, and as the Abadaran took the coins he leaned forward with a hopeful smile.

"It's likely that Master Frist will simply wish to sell the estate and its contents. I'm to understand he's rather well-to-do and shouldn't want to leave Yanmass to deal with all this himself."

"Perhaps. I suppose I will have to wait and see. I don't imagine word will be sent until the Spring thaw, in any case."

"We've sent word by pigeon. Hopefully we'll have a reply within ... two weeks?"

"Ah, well, then I won't have as long to wait. Thank you for your time, Banker."

"Did you want the written petition? You can fill in which items you think you should inherit. Then if you talk to the baroness, she could intercede on your behalf."

"Yes, I'll take it, thank you."

Now...

Eyebrow quirking in amusement at Kiyoko's extensive preparations, Elias could only shrug as she asked after the Baroness.

"I can say nothing other than the fact our services are not required. We'll have to find some other way to spend our time."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Nodding as though that result was expected, the warrior tilted her head to one side. "So... spelunking? Or a social call to a certain friend?"

[TheDarkDM]

Elias

Standing, Elias shook his head.

"Our friend can wait. For now, let me get our new friend and we can enjoy a bit of a walk."

He ascended the stairs, knocking on Maffei's door and beckoning her to adventure.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

After the group took their leave of the Baroness, Cassandra headed about her business, visiting the town's leatherworks as well as the butcher and general store for dried meat and potatoes. She packed the bundles onto Cyril (who seemed none too happy about the situation) and swung up into the saddle. Conall, her new wolf companion, led the procession, rushing ahead to investigating things and drawing stares from townsfolk who likely mistrusted the sight of a wolf in town. "Heel, Conall," Cassandra instructed, hoping those who saw her commanding the wolf would realize he meant no harm. "Well, Deputy," she said to Yagenas. "We are about to find out if diplomacy works with kobolds. I do hope they agree to the Baroness' demand to relinquish Deputy Antilles."

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Elias

He smiled.

"I can understand why. I did see the Baroness, but she decided against my plan. Unfortunate, but there's little to be done about it now. I'm sure we'll fine other ways to spend the day."

Ellarie's smile faltered slightly in commiserative disappointment.

"There seems to be no end of interesting ways to spend the day in Belhaim." She smiled as Kiyoko walked in the door and made her way over to them. Ellarie's eyebrows raised at the heavy-duty gear the tiefling was sporting on her shoulder. Oh my, this was going to be an interesting day. She nodded as Kiyoko outlined the two options for activities that Ellarie had also pinpointed for the day.

"A walk sounds just lovely. I have just the thing for a walk in cold." She went to her room and stashed her lute back in her chest and returned wearing her armor and her new black bear cloak.

"Daylight's wasting!" She spoke enthusiastically, suddenly eager to be off after her tranquil morning.

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

"Yes, that would be nice. Though atleast my firearm is in working condition once more if they decide they rather like taking free stuff and want to take more." he said whilst eyeing Cassandra's new wolf companion "So, uh, where'd you get the wolf? Midnight escapades?"

[Nefarion Xid]

Cassandra & Yagenas

The pair, along with a horse and a wolf, made their way down the Old Quarry Road to the kobolds' den. The trip was uneventful except for when Cyril's weight caused a segment of road to give way and tumble down the incline. Decades of rapid freezes and thaws thanks to this region's sporadic weather had indeed left the roads in a terrible shape; in places, the flagstones sat atop hollow pockets where the material beneath had washed away. Cyril was thankfully sure footed, but Cassandra could see how people lost wagon wheels and found themselves stranded in winter.

Arriving at the ramp down into the quarry, the two saw no sentries, but a shrill voice called out from behind the standing stones in broken Taldane, "Far 'nuff! Talk talk or go home!"

Elias & The Harem Comedy Players

Following the clues in Hunclay's journal, the party made their way a mile north to the wizard's secret cache. As one of perhaps dozens of caves in the region worn out by a long disappeared river, it was unlikely that anyone could have found this place without extreme dedication or luck. Along the way, the party was harried by the howling of wolves. While the pack seemed to follow them closely, none ever made an appearance. No one would ever venture in here without the promise of reward.

A wide, shallow pond stands here, fed by a creek from the west. It floods the mouth of the cave, making it impossible to enter without sloshing through foot-deep freezing water.

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

"And yet... still better than auntie Munasukaru's place." Kiyoko quipped, knowing that her companions would have no idea who that was (for which she was grateful). Instead of elaborating, the tiefling hopped right into the nasty cold water and splashed her way forward. She made a face at the discomfort, but otherwise seemed unafraid of frostbite or hypothermia.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Ellarie cast Kiyoko a doubtful look with a raised eyebrow.

"Remind me to decline any invitations of supper I get from Auntie Munasukaru." She glanced around in desperate search for a way around the freezing water, but not finding any, she followed Kiyoko into the pool. She took a sharp intake of breath as the chill of the water hit her with force. She looked forward into the mouth of the cave, but she could not see anything within it's dark depths, contrasted as it was with the bright sunlight it was outlined in.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"I have prepared an orison that should allow me to fix your weapon, should it break again," Cassandra offered. "As for Conall," she began, glanced at the young wolf romping through the snow, "While you were bearing Deputy Darklighter home, I found the wolf following after. He was...strangely inquisitive for a lone wolf, and I felt a sort of pull toward him. It is difficult to explain, but I believe he is meant to travel with me. Please do not shoot him; he is not likely to bite unless provoked." She favored the deputy with a slight smile. "But then, are we not the same way?"

When the two reached the quarry, Cassandra eyed the cave and its surrounding area, looking for sentries. Seeing none, she urged Cyril forward until the shout came. Directing her attention toward the the origin of the voice, Cassanra replied back, "We come from the Baroness of Belhaim with gifts and news of peace. We wish to speak with Night Tail."

[Nefarion Xid]

Cassandra & Yagenas

"Gifts?" one kobold foolishly poked his head out from cover. "Stay stay! Tree! No move move!" Cassandra gathered that doubling a verb served as an imperative when the creatures were forced to use the common Taldane.

Five minutes passed. Eventually two more kobolds emerged and took cover behind the standing stones. After Cassandra reiterated what she wanted, the kobold with better Taldane spoke up. "Bring your gifts down and we'll talk. The male stays where he is and puts his thunder-stick on the ground where we can see it!"

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"I guess this is where we part for now, Deputy," whispered the woman to Yagenas. She handed Cyril's reins over to the man and dismounted. Patting Cyril's flank before bundling up the goods and heading toward the cave opening, she gave him a serious look. "If this doesn't work, and I don't come back, look after Cyril for me, would you?" Then she turned and walked slowly toward the cave, overburdened by the goods.

[Tychris1]

Yagenas

Glancing at the horse, Yagenas shrugged before placing his musket on the ground "Not exactly the best parting gift, but it'll do. Keep safe, Cassandra. I'd rather not see more of my friends get hurt."

[Othniel]

Cassandra

After she was led into the cave, Cassandra was stopped by the kobolds and instructed to speak her piece. Laying down the goods she'd brought, she took a half-step back from them and smiled. "The Baroness of Belhaim brings greetings to the Blood Vow Tribe. I, Cassandra Vallas, speak for her in this. I have brought gifts from my lady to see you through the winter: warm furs, dried meats, and potatoes." As she named the items, she slowly undid the ties holding the bundles together and lifted the items up for display. "My lady Baroness gives you these with her good will, and promises the same thrice more through the winter to help your people survive, if you release our last warrior to us. His strength is needed to serve the village through the winter. If he is released to me today and arrives home safely, the Baroness agrees to leave your tribe in peace, and will not hinder your removal from the area once the spring thaws come." Cassandra leveled her gaze at the spokes-kobold and then bowed in supplication. "I ask you to please do this, so that our people may remain at peace. Your tribe and the Baroness' tribe have suffered enough from these hostilities. Return our warrior, and let us live in peace."

Diplomacy: [roll0]

[Nefarion Xid]

Cassandra

The kobolds convene within the mouth of the cave. After ten minutes, Night Tail herself emerges to announce. "We will let your warrior go free today. But we want beats and more meat next time." The slender young kobold looked very pleased with herself for her hardball negotiating style.

"And eggses!" a voice called.

"Yes. And chicken eggs," Night Tail repeated.

Assuming Cassandra agreed to provide more food, and the kobolds favorites this time, Deputy Antilles is pushed out towards her. He seems sleep deprived, but unharmed, if still bound and completely despoiled. The poor man only had his long underwear on.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

"Very well," Cassandra replied. "I will tell the Baroness what you have said. Do know, however, that attempting to kidnap anyone for additional ransom will constitute a breach of the agreement, and subject you to retribution." Then she bowed again and left with Deputy Antilles. Helping the man up onto Cyril, she touched his knee, removing any feeling of coldness.

Endure Elements on Wedge.

After taking her leave of the kobolds, the three returned to Belhaim, and Cassandra went straight for the Baroness' residence. After reporting the success of the mission and receiving reimbursement for the expenses incurred in purchasing the materials for the kobolds and receiving instruction on the next three deliveries, Cassandra inquired about the local druid. Apparently Master Kell hadn't been seen in town for two months, though knowing how some other druids enjoyed their solitude, Cassandra was not so surprised. "Well, perhaps I will visit him on a warmer day then. As it appears I will be staying in Belhaim at least through the winter, are there any other tasks you would have me do? If I am going to be imposing upon your town's hospitality, I may as well make myself useful."

[Nefarion Xid]

Everyone
Afternoon

Irrespective of how everyone had decided to occupy themselves in the afternoon, a shuddering roar washed over the town like a dozen successive thunderclaps. All at once the smell of rot began to crawl through every window. Once the sound subsided, terrified, revolted scattered screaming could be heard from those unfortunate enough to have found themselves outside. Most did the sensible thing and ran as fast as they were able. Others collapsed, so sickened by the smell or completely overcome by the sight of the thing that now hovered over Belhaim.

The voice that followed matched the roar in volume. It was the sound of twisting medal and breaking stone. "I am Aeteperax and the true lord of this realm! And you, mewling apes have exhausted my patience. The wizard Hunclay promised me many things before his death, including five rare and ancient tomes. I have made efforts to obtain these lawfully and by subterfuge. Thus, my forbearance is at an end. You shall frustrate me no longer!"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Eren

Looking out the window, Eren was immediately greeted with the sight of a colossal black dragon with tattered wings, circling over the town. His eyes widened to the size of saucers, and his mouth dropped open.

"Oh, bugger."

Quickly turning to Cassandra, Ioseph, and Yagenas, he spoke with a highly desperate look on his face.

"Okay, so, I don't know about you all, but I have no idea how on earth we deal with a dragon that size. I'm pretty sure that thing will just laugh at anything I can throw at it - but I can't just run away, either. So if you have any ideas, I'm all ears."

[Jade_Tarem]

Kiyoko

Letting out a very soft giggle, the bloodrager leaned over to her companions and whispered, "I think we can take him."

One did not need to be an expert at reading body language to tell that she was not serious. Indeed, she wasn't fully convinced her grandfather could take this thing down, and that... was really saying something.Unfortunately, she felt that her destiny wasn't going to let her walk away from this one. That just simply wasn't how it worked.

[Othniel]

Cassandra

The druidess had returned to the Piper after placing her order for custom armor. She sat with Eren and several others, avoiding the cold and the snow outside. Then the dragon came. As it made its presence known, Cassandra reflexively grabbed Eren's arm and shrank down in her seat. It was a moment before she found her voice. "Wouldn't a promise be void upon death?" Cassandra prompted the Inquisitor. Quietly. Oh, so very quietly.

[PepperP.]

Ellarie

Almost dizzy from the sudden turn of events, she crouched in a building's shadow. Occasionally she would work up the courage to peer up at the great fearsome beast.

Elias do you know what books he's talking about? We've found an awful lot of books lately." She found that she had begun to tremble. Whether from fear of the Dragon or the shock of recent events, she couldn't be certain.