Deadly Secret's Rise of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Deadly secret

The date is 4707 AR, Sunday, 22nd Rova at 12:00 pm.

Kargas is ready.

Going to go with "Cragkin" heritage

Cade has been adjusted

Gwestiel is good to go.

Herra is here.

Varisia

Sandpoint Map and Sandpoint Scene

The date is 4707 AR, Sunday, 22nd Rova at 12:00 pm

Swallowtail Festival Map

On the day of the Autumnal Equinox, the town of Sandpoint is buzzing with activity. Merchants are pouring in to the square, building their tents wherever they can fit them, and shouting at any person that happens to walk within earshot. Massive tables of food and drink are being set up around the courtyard. The turnout for the opening speeches is quite respectable.

A small stage is set in front of the newly rebuilt cathedral and a woman steps up and raises her voice, ”Welcome everyone, gather around. Thank you all for attending this year's Swallowtail Festival, even Larz Ravanky managed to tear himself away from the tannery to attend.” The crowd begins to laugh a little. ”I am Mayor Deverin and I would like to give a warm welcome to our local Sheriff, Belor Hemlock. He would like to share a few words before the fun begins.” She steps off the stage as she gestures for the man to step up.

Sheriff Hemlock steps up and addresses the crowd, ”Thank you Mayor Deverin. I wanted to remind everyone to be safe during today’s festivities. There will be a bonfire this evening and I would like to ask for the parents to keep their children a safe distance. We don’t need any burned fingers this year. Also, I would like everyone to give a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives in the fire that claimed the church several years ago.” Hemlock and the crowd all bow their heads in a moment of silence. After a moment’s pause he looks back up and clears his throat, ”Our next speaker could not be here today. Lonjiku Kaijitsu has come down with a sudden illness that is preventing him from attending. So I would like to welcome Cyrdak Drokkus to the stage.” Hemlock bows and steps off the stage.

Sandpoint's own showman Cyrdak Drokkus is more than up to the challenge of bringing the crowd's mood back up with his rousing anecdotes. He delivers a not-completely-irreverent recap of the long process the town went through to finance and construct the new cathedral. He throws in a bit of self­ promotion at the end, as is his wont, inviting everyone to stop by the Sandpoint Theater the following evening to check out his new production of "The Harpy's Curse," revealing that the lead role of Avisera the harpy queen will be played by none other than the famous Magnimarian diva Allishanda!

Finally, Father Zantus steps up to give a short speech thanking everyone for coming before declaring the Swallowtail Festival underway.

Your characters will be taking part of this festival however you see fit. Feel free to role play a little bit. You will find Fun and Games such as sack races, hide-and-seek, weight-lifting challenges, balance beam contests, tug-of-war events and the like. Plenty of food and drink. Lot’s of locals and travelers to converse with. Please keep your characters within this festival. Some events will occur as you enjoy your time. You also heard they have a free lunch scheduled soon.

A young woman is sitting on a bench, picking at a warm biscuit as the festival begins. A light breeze causes her blue and white robes to flutter and there is a smile on her face as she takes in the surroundings.

I'm glad these people are enjoying their festival. Even the adults are having a good time.

As she finishes her biscuit, she gets up and goes to watch the tug-of-war event.

Not to long after Father Zantus and his acolytes wheel a large covered wagon into the square, and after recounting the short parable of how Desna first fell to earth and was nursed back to health by a blind child whom she transformed into an immortal butterfly as a reward for her aid, they pull aside the wagon's cover, releasing the thousand children of Desna-a furious storm of swallowtail butterflies that swarm into the air in a spiraling riot of color to a great cheer from the crowd. Throughout the rest of the day, children futilely chase butterflies, never quite quick enough to catch them.

Lunch is provided free, at the expense of Sandpoint's taverns. Each brings its best dishes. It soon becomes apparent that the darling of the lunch is, once again, Ameiko Kaijitsu, whose remarkable curry-spiced salmon and early winterdrop mead easily overshadow the other offerings, such as the Hagfish's lobster chowder or the White Deer's peppercorn venison

The appearance of the hide-clad walking lizard caused a bit of a stir at first. His sword and shield marked him as a warrior and the juvenile thunder lizard walking at his side was something unusual in Varisia. That he spoke the common tongue in an accent filled with sibilant emphasis and Nidalese slang drew the ear as well as the eye. Children gawped at the lizard and his companion and hid behind their mother's skirts while they craned their necks to stare. But as morning gave way into afternoon and the lizard simply went about his business, chatting with merchants and looking lovingly over books about Varisian history, the novelty began to wear off.

Lunchtime found the lizardman lounging on a bench, head propped on one hand and nose buried in a cheap book, a piece of straw sticking out of his mouth as he lazily chewed on it after eating some of the White Deer's fair. Nearby, those same children who earlier had hidden in fear of the newcomer now climbed and crawled on the scion of the ancient thunder lizards. For it's part the tyrannosaurus was non-plussed and allowed the children their fun, it was of a similar mood as its master and laziness was very much the order of the day.

And so we present Herra Skriðdýra, the wandering druid

Kargas moves slowly through the crowd, savoring his plate of spicy salmon while also attempting to juggle a horn of mead--a delicious and welcome change from the burnt venison and hard-tack he'd consumed while traveling. Despite the pleasantly warm weather he wears his thick grey cloak with the hood up, self-conscious here amongst so many humans. He has bears a heavy pack on his back complete with bedroll, javelins, and a plain but clearly functional falchion slung in a baldric over his right shoulder.

Though unwilling to lower the hood Kargas turns this way and that, trying to see everything at once. He stops and chuckles at the releasing of the butterflies, carefully stepping past the careening children and after a time finds himself by the tug-of-war. Few enough of these folk look capable with a blade, but their food is better he muses to himself as several men and women arrange themselves into two teams. Pah, what do farmers and townsfolk know about contests of strength? I was hunting boars and avoiding warcats of Rull when I was but a stripling!

As he finishes his plate and drains the last of his mead one of the human women calls out to him. It seems that the teams are five-to-four, and the smaller has taken note of his stature and is cajoling Kargas into joining them. While reluctant at first, Kargas is not immune to the entreaties of a pretty girl and shrugs off his pack and cloak, revealing the azure tattoos whose spirals and whorls cover every inch of visible skin, barring only his face and fingers. Kargas grins nervously at the ripple of movement and murmurs his appearance causes. Hope no one here has lost kin to my tribe...

Pointing a stern finger at one of the nearby children he grunts "Watch my pack, but don't touch anything. Er, please." Taking his place at the back of his new team, Kargas glowers at the opposing contestents and rumbles "Alright then, lets see what these runts are made of."

Strength check1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

After being told that the next caravan to leave sandpoint would not be until after the festival, Cade decides to stretch his legs and see what is here in his new temporary home.

The days before the festival start have been kind to Cade as he gets to know the area. The people seem to be friendly to him enough so that they take his money readily. He is pleased with the town and feels that he might want to come back and visit sometime.

The days leading up to the festival bring more and more people to the town and Cade is able to make a small amount of money gambling with the caravan guards.

The day of the festival Cade takes his time strolling around town seeing what the influx of merchants have to offer. His leather armor is form fitting and his shirt covers most of it but he decides to add a vest and his traveling coat to his outfit. It is not polite to walk around town armored up looking for a fight. He takes his weapons with him as there is bound to be someone in the town that is looking for a fight. A halfling is always an easy target for the drunks. He wonders the festival sampling the food and drinks from different vendors in the merchant area.

Floredana catches sight of the tattoos on the large half-orc and waits until the competition is over to approach him.

"Well, it isn't every day the underdog is saved by such an impressive half-orc with such peculiar adornments!"

She offers out her hand in greeting, "My name is Floredana Mandulescu. My friends call me Flo," she says with a smile. "I am a local cleric of the Tender of Dreams as well as one of the librarians here. If I may be so forward, what is the story behind your tattoos? I have never seen anything quite like them!"

Pleased by his victory, Kargas grins and carefully shakes Floredana's hand. Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 17 More than once in Kaer Maga or Magnimar he'd been approached by some fast-talking human or gnome trying to rope him into some scheme, but this woman's curiosity seemed genuine, and besides everyone at the festival had been surprisingly relaxed about him so far.

"I am called Kargas Stormscar, and these scars are sacred to the Laac-Irgin, the Thunderbirds. They are the progenitors and guardians of my people. Through the spirit script they bless and watch over us, and grant some of us great power." Kargas' voice takes on a patterned, almost sing-song quality as he recites the common knowledge of his tribe. Glancing about, he continues "Er, can we walk as we talk? I want another horn of mead, and those little red-shelled things look delicious..."

"Of course we may! Aren't they delicious? I'll introduce you to their maker!"

Excited to potentially have a new friend, Flo is more than happy to walk and talk with Kargas.

While they scrounge around for some food, "Where are your people now? And what exactly are Thunderbirds? I've never come across them in my travels or readings!" With every question, she gets a little more visibly excited as she learns more and more about the topic.

It is astounding what you can learn from such a simple conversation with someone!

Kargas frowns at the flurry of questions as he shoulders his pack. Scanning above the heads of the crowd, he picks out the food stand and moves steadily towards it through the throngs of humanity.

"Dunno, never had one before. Never even seen 'em until today. They some kind of weird fish?" He pauses in his speech (though not his stride), weighing how much to reveal to a chatty stranger about his homeland. After a moment he resolves that in the realm of words discretion is the better part of valor. "My tribe is probably in about the same place they always are, a long way from here. By now they'll be preparing for the Floodway Truce and the hunting season. The floods bring the great herds of aurochs down from the north.

Kargas pauses to let a mob of shrieking children pelt by in pursuit of another butterfly before crossing the final stretch to his goal. You'd think someone was stabbing the little bastards, the way they caterwaul like that. Stopping as he reaches the lobster line, he turns to Floredana and continues. "The Laac-Irgin are mighty spirits of thunder and lighting, they live high in the mountains and don't care much for company. They like us alright though, but ma thinks they feel kind of sorry for us ground-walkers. If I ever see one I'll ask it."

Prepared Spells: Dancing Lights, Daze, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Mage Armor, Bungle

This was...new. Gwestiel moved through Sandpoint, observing the fervor of the celebration and the joy the townsfolk seemed to take in it. She was unused to being around so many people, and kept to herself. The games seemed simply enough, though Gwestiel contented herself with watching. She did enjoy all the free food that was offered.

She wondered, and not for the first time, why she felt such a strong need to be here. She couldn't place it...she wasn't that skilled, yet, but she knew something she had encountered in the Dreaming had sent her here.

She bided her time until her path was clear.

Making his way through the crowd of people, Cade seems to be happy and content to sample the ample supply of food that is provided. His smile is contagious as he talks with many different people. He appears to know everyone or at least is seems that way. It is hard to tell if he actually knows someone or if he is just being polite.

The appearance of an elf women was not out of the norm for the area, but one with dreadlocks and a disheveled look was a little uncommon. Cade simply smiles and tilts his head down a bit...
Me lady....
Her continues walking along.

Even the sight of a lizard does not seem to affect the jovial halfling as people stare at the lizardfolk walking though the festival. Cade walking by the person simply nods and smiles as if this lizardfolk was an everyday sight here in sandpoint.
Afternoon, sir

"Your tribe and these Laac-Irgin sound fascinating! When I get back to the library I'll have to look into them more!"

Part way through their conversation and with an arm full of fresh food, Flo catches sight of the large thunder lizard. "KARGAS!" she says as she grabs his arm, losing a small piece of bread, "We have to see what that is!"

Without a second thought, she makes her way over towards the dozing creature to investigate. She gently taps it on the nose, "Hi there big guy!" and offers it one of the pieces of food she is carrying.

Herra lifted his eyes from the pages of his book when the halfling greets him, "Eh... greetings... sir." Yellow eyes study the halfling intently before distraction snaps his gaze up at Eðla Bróðir, the young tyrannosaur itself staring at an elf woman offering it food.

The tyrannosaur's head lifted and pupils sharply dilated, it's haunches moving excitedly, shifting for purchase. The lizardman was on his feet and shouted something in the language of dragons.

Eðla's gaze snapped over to his master and made a pleading and excited look. Herra's stride carried him quickly to the side of the young mammal woman.

"Very dangerous, soft flesh. Little brother still wild animal. Good with kids, no so much big ones, especially not with food." He carefully extends a taloned hand, palm up and open, while keeping a sharp eye on the thunder lizard. "Hide food or hand to me and I'll feed him. Good way to lose a hand otherwise."

Kargas heaved a sigh through a mouthful of lobster as Flo darted off. This one's a little excitable, flying off at every--oh, well I'll be damned. Cracking another shell with his hand, he wanders casually over to where the librarian was attempting to hand-feed some big toothy lizard. He opened his mouth to warn her off but the lizardfolk is quicker. Kargas doesn't understand the shouted command, but the meaning is clear enough when the thunder lizard comes to heel.

"Very dangerous, soft flesh. Little brother still wild animal. Good with kids, no so much big ones, especially not with food." He carefully extends a taloned hand, palm up and open, while keeping a sharp eye on the thunder lizard. "Hide food or hand to me and I'll feed him. Good way to lose a hand otherwise."

Kargas laughs aloud, taking a last bite of lobster and tossing the plate away. "Ha! Looks like I'm only the second weirdest thing at this festival! I've heard tales that the beastmasters of the far north command big hungry lizards, but you don't look much like one of them."

What a funny little halfling.

She watched him walk around, silently observing an encounter with a Lizardfolk and others.

Flo looks at Herra and responds in kind

She hands the piece of chicken over to the lizardfolk and resumes speaking in the common tongue.

"I am Floredana Mandulescu. Who are you and where do you and your adorable friend come from?"

A sharp retort, like the crack of distant thunder, slices through the excited crowd as the sun's setting rays paint the western sky. The buzz of two dozen conversations quickly hushes as all heads turn towards the central podium, where a beaming Father Zantus has taken the stage. He clears his throat, takes a breath to speak, and suddenly a woman's scream slices through the air. A few seconds later, another scream rises, then another. Beyond them, a sudden surge of new voices rise - high-pitched, tittering shrieks that sound not quite human. The crowd parts as something low to the ground races by, giggling with disturbing glee as the stray dog gives a pained yelp and then collapses with a gurgle, its throat cut open from ear to ear. As blood pools around its head, the raucous sounds of a strange song begin, chanted in broken common with shrill, scratchy voices.

Almost all of the locals begin clearing the area and you all see three creatures crawling out from one of the food carts near you.

We are not using grid map for this encounter

Round 1
Goblin 1 moves up to Cade Goodbarrel (randomly selected) and attacks with Dogslicer vs FF DC13: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 and Confirm?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 for Slashing Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

I'd like to engage the nearest goblin not currently engaged with Cade

Kargas snarls at the interruption, dropping his pack to the ground and striding deliberately towards the little green blighter, snorting derisively as the creature waves about its crude blade, already slick with blood--from a dog or human, Kargas didn't know or care. As his strides ate up the distance between them his falchion scraped free of its baldric, gleaming in the afternoon sun.

"So let me get this straight...you hide in a wagon, and you leap out before the guy with the giant sword has gone somewhere else? Well then, better start running now--I'd like to get at least a little exercise out of this. Try not to get too much blood everywhere."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Gwestiel grimly took out her weapon, readying it. She then took a look at the nearest goblin not engaged with Cade, and uttered one word: "Sleep."

Slumber Hex, DC 16 Will save negates

Goblin 1 Will Save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4 The goblin falls to the ground asleep.

Goblin 2 races up to Gwestiel with a charge Dogslicer vs DC13: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 and misses!

Cade looks down at his torn shirt and the blood the is seeping out from under his armor. Damn it, I just bought this shirt...
Noting that his aggressor was asleep, cade moves to place himself behind the goblin that charged Gwestiel.

Cade stabs at the the goblin, trying to draw it's attention towards himself.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
not sure if I get flanking or not, I did not include it

Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Just add a spoiler next time with the extras if you get sneak attacks or inspiration or other things.

Cade stabs Goblin with a flank and Goblin 2 falls to the ground bleeding out.

Though Goblin 3 doesn't understand Kargas, he begins to shiver in his boots and is now Demoralized for a round.

Herra took the chicken and was about to feed the Little Brother when the goblins attacked.

His reactions were slow, perhaps it was the warmth of the day lulling him into a stupor. As two goblins fell, a lone and shivering one remained. Two pairs of reptilian eyes narrowed dangerously and claws and teeth were bared. Thunder lizard and master moved less like lone lizards and more like wolves, closing on their prey.

Herra and Eðla both move to flank for each other and attack.

Herra Attack:Claw w/flank: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Eðla Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Herra Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Eðla Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The two of you collectively murder Goblin 3 and it falls to the ground bleeding out.

What happens if no goblin is conscious? Floredana Mandulescu what would you do then?

Round 2

Goblin 1 snores loudly...

Standard action to roll perception in combat to see if anything catches your attention if anyone at all wants to do that.

Cade again looks down at his shirt and then he looks up at the Elf woman that aided him.
My thanks to you my Lady.
he looks back at the sleeping Goblin and starts to walk towards it, pulling out a cloth to wipe his weapon off.
Mayhap this...creature will explain the whys and hows he is here...?

Kargas spares hardly a glance at the sleeping goblin, instead concentrating his efforts on scanning the fairgrounds. The annoyance he feels at his fun having been interrupted creeps into his voice. "So maybe they don't have goblins where you come from, but the little blighters never run in groups this small. Keep your eyes peeled, this isn't over yet."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Cade is looking down at the sleeping goblin
Of course there are more..
Looking off in the direction that the goblins came from, which happens to be away from Kargas.
these things breed like...
Then he turns and looks up at the half-orc..
or..cs..... Cade blinks once

His skin color becomes a bit lighter, but he keeps his smile
umm....no offense meant
he then starts to scan the area to see if this half-orcs statement was true.

Goblin raid! I forgot to share this image at the start

That will change things...lol
and here I thought it was only three of them

Gwestiel took a moment to cast Mage Armor on herself and load her crossbow.
I'll make a stat line later, GM, just wanted to note that my initiative mod is +8

Yes you're right I didn't have your familiar next to you in my HeroLab. We will keep it like this for now to not complicate things but will make sure I do it right next time.

Gwestiel's sleep wears off Goblin 1 but it is still asleep until it's turn and it might roll high enough perception to wake up on its own.

Goblin 2 CON: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12 continues to bleeds more...

Cade spends his turn talking and moving. Sorry I'm going to take what you did as a turn. Don't assume that if something is asleep or bleeding out that combat is over.

Kargas, your attention is drawn to the sight of fire. You see a number of goblins surrounding a cart that has fuel on it. The fuel was to be used for the bonfire tonight. There are four all together and 3 of them have torches. The other is singing in goblin. You can take a move action towards them if you want. You can't charge though there are to many locals running across your path making it difficult to do so but you can reach them in a 30 ft move action weaving around carts and people.

Round 2
Herra Skriðdýra's turn

Question: since I had Kargas move after making a Standard Action spot check and his speed is 40ft, can he start his next turn already adjacent to a goblin, preferably the singing one?

OR: are they 30ft from me, and ~70ft from the rest of the party?

They are roughly 30 ft from the initial party, however the singing one is farthest and would be around the cart and might take more than 30 ft to get to. So nearest Goblin is 30 feet from the group.

Okay, thanks. Kargas would like to place himself in the path of the cart then, preferably adjacent to one or more goblins (who are presumably pulling it?)

Herra cast his eyes about while he pointed to the sleeping goblin and snapped his fingers. The Little Brother obliged his master, and his hunger, and descended on the somnolent form.

Move to command Eðla to finish the sleeping goblin, standard for perception. Eðla goes for a coup

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Coup Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 = 11

Herra does not notice anything other than fleeing locals, but you do see Kargas quickly moving towards a cart.

Goblin 5 gets side tracked and starts chasing off a lady with his torch. He is now 20 ft away from the cart and 50 ft away from the party's location.

Goblin 6 reaches out to torch the cart and it bursts up into flames with a huge explosion. The sheer force of the explosion knocks the goblin to the ground and is now prone and took some damage.

Goblin 3 dies instantly to the Coup.

Florendana's turn

If it was obvious that it was still dangerous, Flor would have cast Bless. If she thought combat was over, she would have offered to heal the other combatant's wounds. I am assuming she thought combat was over.

Seeing the new wave of foes, Flo does her best to move into range of all the other combatants and casts Bless upon them! 50ft radius centered on her, +1 to hit and saves against fear

Seeing the carnage before her, she can't help but think of the townspeople who will be most impacted by this. "We must do our best to keep these little beasts at bay! Protect the town! Protect the town!"

After casting her spell, she will move towards the cart as well, keeping Kargas between the goblins and her. "Kargas, keep them off of me while I try to put this fire out!"

Round 3

Goblin 1 apparently was the one who got coup de grace so he's dead but Goblin 5 could have continued to bleed out.

Goblin 4 see's Kargas approaching and he turns to move up to you as well and attacks Torch: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10 and misses Kargas.

The Singing Goblin 1 begins to cast a spell...

Kargas Will Save: 1d20 ⇒ 19 and saves against the spell. The singing goblin continues to sing it's song.

Gwestiel Elora's turn

apparently there is typo, Goblin 3 is bleeding out. I accidentally said 5

Cade is now seeing that there are more goblins than he thought. He does a quick scan of who is who and where there are. Moving as fast as his little legs will take him, Cade makes his way towards the closest goblin.
Double Move

Does Kargas recognize the spell Flor cast upon him? He met her at most half an hour ago, so he wouldn't be 100% okay with that Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Guess not

Kargas raises a hand to shield his eyes as an oil casket detonates on the wagon--showering the half-orc with chips of wood and a sudden rush of heat, but leaving him unharmed. Behind him he hears Floredana chanting and a tingling sensation runs across his skin. Stealing a moment to shoot her a wary glare, a shrill cry returns him to the battle at hand just in time to see the goblin before him wind up for a swing of its torch. A half-step back puts him out of the puny creature's reach, allowing the burning brand to crackle harmlessly through its arc. Kargas' falchion flashes out in response... Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 = 9 I'm reasonably confident that didn't confirm

Now that Flo is closer to the cart, does it look salvageable and is it near anything else that could catch on fire?