Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
"I say we head on in upstairs. If there was heavy duty danger, I think the others would have sniffed it out by now. Of course, we'll be on our toes, but it doesn't seem like stealth is required here."
Sonechka Alkaeva |
Sonechka makes an equivocal gesture with her head. "On the other hand, we didn't know about the basement before and if the upstairs is safe for Green and Norton we might want to investigate the lower level as they do the upper." She gives Dolgrym one of her unnerving smiles. "You, me, a basement full of treacherous fae? Doesn't that sound like fun?"
DM Bloodgargler |
Incidentally... not sure if I was clear enough. The "cellar door" is not connected to the tavern. It is attached to the ruined house about 150-200 feet behind the tavern. (the tavern might have a cellar too, but there is no exterior door)
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
"Either way is fine with me. After we deal with the fey, there could be a couple of unopened casks down there, you know. I could live with heading there first."
Sonechka Alkaeva |
Sonechka nods at Dolgrym. "Let's go say hello, then." Having decided that stealth was no longer required, she led them directly from their hiding spot to the door, where she recreated the patterned knock she'd heard earlier.
DM Bloodgargler |
Dolgrym and Sonechka arrive at the cellar door just as Furiel begins his second summons from behind a short pile of stone - 20 feet further from the cellar door.
Within you hear a muffled voice "I dunno... guess its the all clear.", then another "All clear?! You said there was no trouble! What's goin on here?!" "thump thump thump" (foot fall on steps), the clack of a latch, then the door begins to open.
Bregor Rowain |
The Green Man does a double take as Norton asks the question.
"Uh, is that the question you want to ask? I heard them say she would be here later tonight."
The Green Man then struggles to find a way to formulate the question if that counts as a question without THAT being a question and thus essentially giving them a free run.
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
Dolgrym shoots Sonechka the crook eye, remaining silent, wanting to be sure she heard exactly what he did.
Sonechka Alkaeva |
With no time to run and hide before the door opens, Sonechka shrugs at Dolgrym then goes ahead and does the knock as the door swings in.
Bregor Rowain |
The Green Man smiles and gives Yarnball a nod in gratitude.
He may only have done that because he feels he holds all the aces, but he still did it.
Sonechka Alkaeva |
So, do we get any warning before the fire monster attacks? Presumably it needs to cover the 20' between it and us, so hopefully yes? I'm hoping Sonya and Dolgrym can do a 'look out!' and we can make friends after warning them about the surprise attack.
Yarnball |
Yarnball looks sidelong at the two of you. "You must think I would not suspect you of deliberately stalling by dilly-dallying on your own turn." He then shakes his head. "Something is afoot. No more allowances. Your answer... I do see a reason. Your question. Where did you leave the rest of your group?"
There is a change in mood among the others in the tavern... a sudden tension.
DM Bloodgargler |
The cellar door opens. Dolgrym and Sonechka see the fire elemental immediately make its way toward the door. They also see a wrinkled gnomish fellow with wild white hair pushing open the slim double doors of the cellar from within.
They see only a faint look of surprise before he pulls the doors shut again. He did not look over toward Furiel, so he did not likely see the elemental.
22+ initiative will allow you to interact or intervene before he shuts the doors.
initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
Init. 1d20 ⇒ 9
With his slow reflexes, Dolgrym isn't able to intercede before the action plays out.
Bregor Rowain |
"Good question, and I'll answer it simply.
When we approached this structure, we did not know what to expect, so in the interest of feeling it out, we left them behind just outside, at the edge of the forest.
...
Since we are in agreement to abide by a truce, maybe I should call for them?"
This is rather like the left hand not knowing what the right hand is up to eh?
Yarnball |
"Truce is a strong word for this chance encounter between us, and I'd wager I know the use of its use. I have long been fascinated by you lonely beings, but find greatest amusement in the soft-hearted righteous."
"I think we can end our little game prematurely. I know all I need to know. Oh how you wish you could friend your foes away. You Great Redeemer and you Gentle Giant..." he snickers ".. both carry the curse of the coddled naive." The others in the tavern chuckle and titter.
"You asked me if your non-hostile reception here was for my own amusement.... Had you posed that question under the confines of our game, my answer would have been... 'Oh yes... you lower lifeforms do amuse me.'" For whatever reason, he bows at this point... and for the first time removes his hat as he does so.
As he straightens, you see his head - and the rest of his body - is a mass of worms. "Go on and fetch your friends for you will find none here."
He puts the hat back on his head. His face returns slowly - coalescing as he speaks - smiling.
"But know that we will come for Barndoor tonight. Beldame will not allow you to keep her favorite pet."
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
Sonechka Alkaeva |
Sure, she only needs a natural 20 to get the target initiative...
Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Sonechka rolls her eyes at the elemental's unexpected appearance and changes what she had been about to say. "Hello? I couldn't help but notice there is a fire elemental wandering around your wooden building. Could you use some help with that?"
DM Bloodgargler |
"No! Go away! Last warning!" You hear the patter of footsteps within again, and then the sound of heavy things dragging.
A moment later, the latch opens... though you did not hear footsteps coming up to it.
Bregor Rowain |
The Green Man finds himself once more the subject of scorn, something he knows all too well, but this time he is not hurt as much by it as he once was.
Instead he allows his lips to slowly stretch back in a smile, not a sneer, but a smile of complete confidence.
"And so another fool shows his true face.
I am big and strong, so I must be stupid, I am slow to anger and willing to negotiate so I must be weak...
Truly, people like you must have some kind of guidebook you follow slavishly to all be so stereotypical.
Lesser beings are we? Because we are willing to talk and show mercy?
Look closely at me then, because I am nothing less than an incarnation of nature, and only a true fool would be so quick to discount the wrath and cruelty that nature is capable off."
The thump as the butt of the earthbreaker that previously was so snuggly strapped across his back is very loud in the confined space of the tavern.
Deep down, he knows that fighting is not always the way, but just like with the encounter with the magpies, this naked threat cannot be ignored just because he wish he did not have to cause pain.
Sonechka Alkaeva |
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
"You're a buffoon." Sonechka said it quietly enough that it wouldn't be heard on the other side of the door. "You forced a confrontation here because you have the patience of a child." She shakes her head.
"Leave me out of this idiocy." The snow witch retreats about 30' from the door. Close enough to be able to see inside when the door opens but far enough away to be out of immediate danger in the face of the coming confrontation.
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
Dolgrym cast Bull's Strength on himself and moves back from the door, pulling his axe as he does so.
Madam Abacus |
Inside the tavern...
The frowning old woman stands... her chair noisily sliding against the floor cuts through the silence after Green's words. She swipes the balls of bread into the hollowed-out bread round. She carries it as she shuffles past Yarnball muttering... With a glance from her, Yarnball hangs his head. It takes a moment to realize her muttering is directed toward you.
"We go get your friends'n' wait in my carriage for Beldame... or there is a bench I like on edge of wood. Not in the wood, the scarecrows will get you. Come now. follow me and shut the door behind you. we do get so many pests this close to the water..." as she heads for the front door. "... this bread is mine don't touch it. I don't care how clean your hands are."
**** **** **** ****
Outside the cellar...
The earth elemental descends into the earth in front of the cellar door. A little more than 10 seconds later, the doors pop open... with the earthen minion awaiting its next command.
Sonechka Alkaeva |
Sonechka looks at Furiel, surprise and frustration clear on her face. She gestures at the open door and shakes her head, then raises her voice to be heard inside. "Hello, inside. We just want to talk. We're traveling, meeting the people in the area. Seem to have gotten off to a rough start here, but we're all friends."
What can they see inside through the open door? If it's dark inside, that doesn't bother her eyes at all.
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
Dolgrym has Darkvision 60' as well, so he can see whatever Sonechka can make out.
Bregor Rowain |
The Green Man is a little taken aback when the confrontation suddenly seems to be averted, but secretly he is quite delighted.
As the red slowly creeps away from his eyes, he puts his weapon back in the strap on his back and turns around to follow the old lady out.
Once outside he nods and takes a deep breath before bellowing, "Furiel, we got someone here we need to talk to, can you come on over?"
No need to name names they may not even have yet right?
He then turns to Abacus.
"Thank you for stopping us in there, I meant what I said about being capable of wrath, but I despise needles bloodshed.
Whatever happens next, you will have my gratitude for that, and I hope to repay you someday."
Madam Abacus |
"Repay repay repay... " She repeats the word as if it sounds strange to her, then shakes her head.
"Intangible things still supply and demand. Gratitude shines in worth where politeness is a five-leaf clover."
"You come no shackles, no chains... not dogs, not prey. No place for those with memories and names... You come with lives unforgotten, and not held by the Beldame, for you've no debt left unpaid.
DM Bloodgargler |
Outside the cellar...
You hear another voice from within the cellar. (not the one who said go away)
"Hello! Sorry! Private property! Umm..."
The other voice grumbles in a strained harsh whisper "What're you doin? Git back!", then yells "Hey!"
The man you'd seen go to the door and knock timidly comes partway up the step. He then makes an exaggerated "you made an oops" schoolteacherly look, and whispers.
"You don't want to be hanging around here.... We try to keep him away from people." Just as he says this, you can hear Green hollering from the front of the tavern. The man then gives you a "go on now" gesture, then he reaches for the cellar doors.
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
Dolgrym looks around not quite sure to make of the situation. At least it appeared that a fight had been avoided for the time being. "You ready to get out of here," Dolgrym asks his compatriot.
Sonechka Alkaeva |
Sonechka nods at the man in the doorway. "Thank you, then. It was nice to almost meet you. Maybe some time under better circumstances." She nods at Dolgrym and turns to head toward the tavern's front door.
Bregor Rowain |
I think I am beginning to understand the strange names and strange ways of acting here.
I think she may literally mean they have no names and memories here, did the Beldame take them away?
I should control my temper around her, they...they may have done something to deserve such a fate...
Madam Abacus |
Madam Abacus looks up as the three others come within range of her clouded eyes. She shuffles slightly stooped... her sandals, thick stockings, and hem dampen from the recent rains. She switches her bread-crust bowl to the crook of her arm, and covers it protectively with the other burn-scarred hand.
"blurs of shape, size, and hue become clear, but no more known to me... gathered flock?" she mutters as she gives each a skeptical eye.
Bregor Rowain |
"Yes, none of my companion save master Ambrosi here were with me from the very beginning, although Furiel joined us so early he is practically one of the originals.
No to mention the one who he replaced was with us for such a short time..."
Sonechka Alkaeva |
Sonechka gives the old woman a curious look when she calls them a 'gathered flock'. Perhaps unconsciously, perhaps not, she re-settles the iridescent black, feathered cape- almost as black and glossy as her hair- draped across her shoulders and shrouding the rest of her body from view.
She'll use Detect Magic on Madam Abacus.
Madam Abacus |
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
There is a slight resistance to your probing, but you overcome it fairly easily.
Her necklace (moderate) and ring (faint) each emit an aura.
She points with her empty hand to a far-off bench at the edge of the dark leafless woods, then slowly shuffles her way toward it.
"Years stacked on decades passed was the beginning for the one who wears this skin. Thrice cursed. Twice a debt has been paid in years, but memories are only of here. Real life and the law which broke are voids in between."
Dolgrym Sharpaxe |
Dolgrym shakes his head at the strange old woman and merely turns and walks away. [b]"That ones a real Kookoo. Makes me uncomfortable as all get out!"[i]
Madam Abacus |
"...a burden is not knowing which. Another comes from my own cryptic flesh."
She shows the inside of her forearm after she switches her bowl to the other arm. A tattoo reads "your suffering does not equal the evil you do."
"The one who wears this skin speaks no wont of ill upon you young lords who've felled the mad elk, but a pawn of the other color can do no better than simple courtesies.... At this bench you will see the garden of Beldame appear."
She then bids you farewell...
"May you bring death to your enemies, and face your own with a full spirit... for both rots will mingle to feed the harvest of future days."
That is a "cleaned up" version of a blessing of Urgathoa the Goddess of Disease, Gluttony, and Death.