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"We made an oath to return the steaders back to Arwyll and after the fight we just had I think its more than important to get these people home. Your mother is seeking you Vegazi so no matter whete we go we will eventuallt meet with her. Let us head to Arwyll and then round up anymore steaders we can find. If your mother or her tribe gets them they'd likely become slaves!"
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"You raise some very good points, comrades..." Braggett says, still scratching his beard in thought, "I certainly don't want anyone to end up slaves because of our dilly-dallying. However, if the trail is already going cold, I feel like it's far too good an opportunity to waste. I say we have a quick look while our current group of steaders finish breakfast and prepare themselves for the long march ahead of them. We already know that Grev has a sturdy place to hold up in while we're away."
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Lord Braggett jumps into Kibble's saddle, "Then it's decided." He readies his shield and points in the direction of the tracks, "Follow me and fear not! We'll be back to our primary task in no time..." He urges Kibble forward a few steps before realising he has no idea what he is doing. "On second thought, I should keep my head up, and eyes open for danger while someone else leads the way."
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Hanlin shakes his head as the others are even more inept in the wilderness than he is. "If we're going to follow any tracks then Vegazi will lead us. If she can't then we're back to our original task. If this looks like it will take longer than today then we should abandon it and head back here pronto."
He gathers up his gear and bids Grev and the others a short goodbye. "We'll be back by tomorrow first thing, if not then head back to the Stead without us!"
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The ranger begins walking concentric circles, looking at the ground for more tracks or other signs of the boar's passing.
"This way. Follow me," Vegazi calls back as she sets out. It doesn't take long to find Ilka's camp.
The site isn’t much to speak of; it consists primarily of a tent where Ilka sleeps and keeps her gear, a circle of rocks where she lights a fire each night, and a stump to perch on.
As you reach the end of the game trail leading into the campsite you notice--too late--the foliage near the entrance shaking in the breeze as something leaps from the branches.
Two tiny, red-skinned creatures with fiendish wings and whipping scorpion-like tails become visible as they lash out at Vegazi and Hanlin. You recognize them as imps, just like the ones you faced at the Blissful Badger. Hovering in the air, the yellow one's stinger clanks against Hanlin's armor, but the red one finds a gap in Vegazi's leathers. Vegazi doesn't succumb to its poison.
Nina & Inky
Erlathan
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Red Imp
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Bishop
Vegazi
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Yellow Imp
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Hanlin
Lord Braggett & Sir Kibble
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Erlathan cowers when he's suddenly surrounded by imps. "Oh no, no no no, I refuse to be bitten or worse, kissed, by another devil! Away with you!"
Holding his robe to cover his face, Erlathan peeks his quarterstaff out of the middle and activates it, conjuring two magical serpent bolts. "Good thing these always hit their mark, or Hanlin might accidentally get a face full of force missile!"
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Erlathan cowers when he's suddenly surrounded by imps. "Oh no, no no no, I refuse to be bitten or worse, kissed, by another devil! Away with you!"
Holding his robe to cover his face, Erlathan peeks his quarterstaff out of the middle and activates it, conjuring two magical serpent bolts. "Good thing these always hit their mark, or Hanlin might accidentally get a face full of force missile!"
[dice=SoES vs Yellow]2d4+2
Why do I always get the feeling this guy is trying to shoot me... well, we're about to find out if he's got any evil outsider left in him.. Hanlin prepares to channel the evil away.
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Erlathan fires two black-and-white serpentine bolts of arcane force into the yellow imp.
Incandescence carries Nina close to the red imp that attacked Vegazi. The summoner's mace whiffs past the tiny devil's flank.
The red imp tries to sting Vegazi again, but the ranger dodges the scorpion-like tail.
The half-orc steps away from the imp, draws a silver arrow, and fires her bow. The missile flies into the brush.
Nina & Inky
Erlathan
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Red Imp
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Bishop
Vegazi
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Yellow Imp
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Hanlin
Lord Braggett & Sir Kibble
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Bishop fakes out the red imp and delivers a deep wound with his silver dagger, opening up a blood-gushing hole in its abdomen and bewildering the little devil.
Offended by the priest's horrid aura of goodness, the yellow imp tries to sting Hanlin again. The cleric intercepts the blow with his shield.
Nina & Inky
Erlathan
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Red Imp
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Bishop
Vegazi
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Yellow Imp
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Hanlin
Lord Braggett & Sir Kibble
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As Hanlin swats away the imp's stinger he points his bare left hand at the two fiends and asks Iomedae to show them her power "You guys stink of evil from across the planes, time to give you a bath in white, glorious light!"
Apparently Iomedae is on break as the bath of white light turns into more of a light misting from above with no soap. How embarrassing.
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Not wanting to risk hitting his hygienic friend, blessed bubbles and baths of light? Iomedae must be obsessed with cleanliness! Lord Braggett decides to capitalise on Bishop's skillful assault. "Haha good show, Sir! Now to finish the job." He whirls his flail around as fast as he can, and aims to send the little devil into orbit, "Take that!" At the same time, Kibble hops up on his hind legs and attempts to grab hold of the red imp's feet.
Move action: Draw Flail
Standard action: Attack Red
Kibble:
Standard action: Attack Red
The first time Kibble is hit in a round, Braggett will use the Mounted Combat feat, and as an immediate action to try and negate any damage. The hit is negated if the Ride check result is greater than the opponent's attack roll.
For the first two adjacent allies (including Braggett) who are targeted for an attack, Kibble will use the Bodyguard feat to use an AoO and boost their AC.
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Hanlin's divine flatulence and Lord Bragget's shiny flail end the infernal lives of the little devils. As its death rattle escapes its thin lips, the yellow imp murmurs, "Who will warn Kelseph now... ?"
You search the camp, looking for more imps or their infernal cousins.
Inside Ilka’s tent, you find a pair of air bladders, a bottle of animal glue, a compass, five days’ worth of animal feed, a fishing rod with fishhook, 50 feet of silk rope, a scroll of raise animal companion, and Ilka’s journal.
The journal is a rough, leather-bound volume with pages made of cactus skin. The pages are prickly to the touch, and the text of the journal is written in Orc. Ilka details her grisly experiments on beasts of Belkzen to increase their resilience to the elements and train them to work harder with less food.
Later in the journal, the tiefling’s dispassionate accounts give way to personal venting. She writes that Kelseph, her mother and her tribe’s leader, has been acting strangely since the appearance of some minor devils at the Hell’s Fury tribe’s encampment. Ilka believes Kelseph is now answering to the devils, something she feels puts her mother’s leadership in jeopardy.
The last entry discusses the deaths of Jagan and Ogash, and disparages Kelseph’s decision to bring her best assets out of Belkzen to acquire a single half-orc woman for no reason Ilka can imagine. Nonetheless, Ilka refuses to waste more resources in assaults like Ogash’s, preferring instead to find enough leverage to force the town to surrender Vegazi.
The journal mentions Korlum and Grache, two other half-orc children of Kelseph; Kelseph loathes them so much for reminding her of her father’s cruelty that she’s never given them weapons. They are working with Yvogga—a younger daughter of Kelseph—whom Ilka insults in the journal as a “human-lover who needs a magical outsider” to do all her work for her. The half-orcs and Yvogga are lairing in a camp north of Arwyll Stead.
The journal briefly mentions Bax as the sibling who most agrees with Ilka that they should use subtlety instead of brash attacks.
After she reads the journal, Vegazi turns away and composes herself. "Honest, at least, if brutally so." She clears her throat. "Yvogga was always as much an outcast as I. I fled, but she remained. Why, I wonder."
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"Probably because she met some human and fell in love?" Erlathan responds to Vegazi. "I prefer vargouilles myself." He grins, showing his overly sharp teeth. "Not sure what the magical outsider is all about, but I intend to find out! Perhaps we should visit this camp after returning to Arwyll Stead, hmm?"
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"Sounds like a splendid plan, Sirs!" Lord Braggett says as he tucks some choice loot into Kibble's saddle bags. He hops back into the saddle and looks to Vegazi, "I can't say my opinion of Ilka has improved any upon hearing of her activities, or that I have enjoyed the company of your other sisters. However, if Yvogga is anything like you, I should like to meet her."
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"Pack up guys, we're back and we need to get back on the road..." Hanlin pulls out the map that young man back at the Stead drew them "How about we hit up the Turnell Home next? Then we can start the trip back and stop at Vanyahara after that?" He looks to the others for nods of yay or nay as he pulls out some jerky for an early snack.
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"If you think that'll work best Hanlin," Nina replies, looking a bit worried. "I know the longer the other people stay out here, the more dangerous it gets for them, but it's also dangerous to have everyone we've rounded up so far walk with us all over the countryside too, right? Hopefully with Ilka gone we won't have to worry about hungry or enchanted critters but it's still something to think about."
Still, Nina makes ready to depart. "But I'm with everyone no matter what we decide to do - and so's Inky! Oh and um, pass me that animal glue we found - maybe it'll come in handy helping to fix stuff once we get back to town!"
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As soon as Grev and the Dessar family are ready, you depart Grev's Homestead, hellspawn half-orc druid bound, gagged, and hogtied over the back of Grev's mule.
As you near your first stop, Grev says, "Elizabeth and Ort Turnell and their two children make a living by harvesting the fungi and herbs that grow around the Arwyll Stead hinterlands and selling the goods to travelers and townsfolk."
The couple steps out of their sturdy cabin, when they notice you approach.
Ort spots Grev and the Dessars and nods in greeting. "Howdy, Grev. Who's your new friends?"
Elizabeth looks worried when she sees the Dessar family carrying all its belongings and Ilka tied to the mule. She starts calling out, "Aram! Whimsy! Time to come home!" Her shouts echo around the valley, but there's no answer.
Old Grev introduces everyone and explains that everyone's being evacuated back to Arwyll Stead, until the danger of rampaging devils and orcs is dealt with.
Elizabeth puts her foot down. "We're not going anywhere without our young'uns. They've been out in the hills just east of the house since after breakfast. Packed a lunch and took it with 'em. Shouldn't be more'n a few hours to wait."
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Bishop nods in total agreement with Mother Ortwell as she indicates the children have gone off. "Time is not in our favour. How about we go looking for your children. Undoubtedly they will not trust us strangers at first is there someway we can gain their trust so that they know we were sent by you? In the mean time pack your belongings so that when we return with the children you will be ready to leave."
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Erlathan can't help himself. Perhaps it is impatience, or perhaps he's just feeling grumpy. "And this week on Pathfinder Society: Travels Abroad, we learn how a group of six well-prepared, intelligent and powerful adventurers rush off to babysit two half-orc rascals. What will happen next?!"
He makes a frame around his face with his hands, as if he's talking to a camera. "Well, when I'm out there, when I'm out there in the field, in Arwyll Stead - it's really tough for an elf, you know. We're frail people. We run out of magic. And then what do we do?"
He drops his hands, and the charade, smiling coyly. ".... Er, my apologies. Yes, let us collect your children."
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"Hello Mr and Mrs Turnell, I'm Hanlin Cinderbrow, please excuse our Elven friend here, he's had some run ins with some really bad, bad things lately and isn't quite right in the head yet." He offers his hand in greeting, doing his best to step in front of the obnoxious Elf.
"If you can give us as good as directions as you can I'm sure our guide Vegazi will be able to track them down and we'll be back quickly. Pack only your most important belongings, and be ready to go." He pauses for a moment "And if that happens to include a light lunch for the road... I would be most appreciative!"
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"...what?" Nina responds, blinking confusedly at Erlathan. "Um...I don't think anyone here's a half-orc besides Vegazi," she points out. "But that's beside the point; we can't just let children wander around the countryside! We'll go and bring them back in a flash, before dinner - maybe even before lunch! And definitely before they become lunch," she smiles.
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Elizabeth Turnell is relieved at your offer to help bring in her son and daughter.
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"Indeed, Sir. Why, in my day, children left big dirty hand and footprints everywhere they went." Lord Braggett muses as he searches the floor for signs of the Turnell flock, "Now they wash their hands and wear shoes... What is the world coming to?" He shakes his head, despairing for the future of Golarion, when by shear chance, he spots a broken twig. "Aha! I think I have something. Sir Kibble, give that a sniff and lead the way."
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With help from almost everyone, it takes Vegazi an hour to find the two children, who are playing in a dried-up streambed roughly a mile from the Turnell homestead. It takes only 20 minutes to get back to the cabin.
When Elizabeth spots you, she rushes out to reel in her children, Aram and Whimsy, scolding them between tearful hugs.
Ort hands you a bundle of useful herbs, "For bringing our son and daughter back home." He adds, "They're good, as long as they're used fresh, so within the next three days, give or take."
The Turnells grab what they can carry and join you on your trek to the Vanyahara Ranch.
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"That....went really well," Nina remarks brightly as they all saddle up and continue on towards the Vanyahara Ranch. "I know there's still dangers out there but maybe we've taken care of enough of them that the ones left are thinking twice about their life choices? I'd like to think so! If it's true, everything's coming up Pathfinders!"
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You arrive at the Vanyahara Ranch in the early evening. Only a few chickens greet you as you pass through the gate in the rail fence surrounding the sturdy little cottage.
A male elf answers your knock at the door, a longsword in his hand. When he recognizes his neighbors, he relaxes, though his face is drawn with fatigue and worry. "My name's Pelengren Dweomerhart. Please come in. Least I can do is offer you hospitality."
The interior is cluttered with unwashed dishes and soiled laundry. The air carries the scent of illness.
"Sorry the place is a mess. My wife's been deathly ill, and I've head my hands full trying to keep her fever down."
An unconscious human woman, Rosette Vanyahara, lies shivering on a sweat-soaked bed in a corner of the cottage.
"I'm not sure what she's come down with. Is there a healer among you?" The elf's anxious gaze lingers on his sick wife. "We've lived here together since we retired from our fledgling adventuring careers years ago."
"Sorry, I should have asked when you got here. What brings you all to our ranch? Must be serious."
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"Oh! We've got a healer, we do," Nina exclaims, pushing Hanlin forward with a little more force than is likely necessary. "I'm sure he can get your wife on the mend in no time!"
Leaving Hanlin to have a look at Rosette, Nina turns to Pelengren. "Um...and yeah, it's a little serious," she says, pointing to the veritable caravan they've got in tow with them at this point. "The folks back in Arwyll Stead wanted us to bring all the people living in the outlying farms back to safety. There's been lots of orcs and even devils running around out here lately - it's really not safe at all!"
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Pelengren glances at his longbow hanging above the bed and looks thoughtful. "Well, that might explain why some of the game has been acting strange lately. Some of the larger predators have shown unnatural aggression."
His worry returns, and the elf looks back at his sleeping wife. "I hope your healer can help. If not, I'd ask you to watch over Rosette, while I go look for some medicinal herbs that might help stabilize her."
With resigned determination, he says, "She can't travel like this, and I won't leave her."
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"We've met some of those larger predators..." Lord Braggett says quietly as he approaches Rosette, "They certainly were aggressive." Feeling helpless in the face of the one enemy he cannot slay, he glances back at Hanlin. "Sir Hanlin, I can fetch some clean water and towels if that would help? Anything you need, I am at your service!"
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Dammit I really should have paid more attention in first aid class... fake it till you make it though right? Hanlin steps forward and smiles, albeit a bit nervously at first but regaining his composure as Lord Braggett offers his assistance. "I am Hanlin, swordarm of Iomedae. I haven't had much training in the art of medicine but if it isn't too serious I may be able to help."
He steps up and carefully starts going through the paces of an examination. Just follow the steps Hanlin! "I may need some privacy here please if you would for my examination." He tries to figure out what the problem is, having Braggett assist.
After a few moments Hanlin nods his head "I believe I have it... Filth Fever." He looks around at the unkempt homestead for a moment. "This disease is usually spread from filth, often rats can carry it? Your home should be cleaned thoroughly to avoid its return and hasten recovery. With the help of these herbs I should be able to start her on the road to recovery at least."
He asks for a clean cup and some boiled water, and a lot of guidance from the Turnell's to make a tea for the woman. "Drink this and hopefully it'll do the trick."
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Within minutes of administering the herbal brew to Rosette Vanyahara, the woman's fever breaks, and she sleeps peacefully.
"You have my eternal gratitude, Hanlin, priest of Iomedae." Pelengren Dweomerhart moves about the cottage grabbing what the couple will need and throwing it in a couple of worn saddle bags. "We've got half a dozen horses and ponies in the corral. That should help us make better time. If you'll help me saddle them, we can depart in a few minutes."
Outside, the elf mounts a bay gelding. "Grev tells me you need to evacuate a couple more homesteads. Don't think we should push for Arwyll Stead tonight, but we should be able to make the Brethun Farm by nightfall."
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"Good show, Sir!" Lord Braggett congratulates Hanlin on his healing and tea making prowess, "You are too humble by far. A true master of medicine."
Once outside and surrounded by cavalry, Braggett agrees with the others. "Indeed! We must push on as fast as we are able, but to travel by night while devils roam the land is folly. Onward to Brethun Farm, and tomorrow, we shall finish our tour and have everyone safely sequestered within the walls of Aryll Stead."
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Hanlin smiles, accepting the congratulations humbly "Like I said, most of my healing power comes from Iomedae, when this is over I should definitely take a refresher on medicine for times like these." He packs up the remaining supplies and hands them to Pelengren "Use them wisely. If you need a hand I'm happy to help later on."
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Dusk descends on the party and the refugees as they approach Brethun Farm.
Grev speaks up, "Linno Brethun is a dwarven alchemist from Vellumis who retired to the country for his health. Not much of a planter, though." The sparse fields around you are evidence of his floundering farm.
The dwarf can't help but hear your approach, horses clomping, children crying and laughing, adults talking.
Linno Brethun steps out of his home, a vial in each hand. A bored-looking human woman wielding an axe follows the dwarf out of the cabin. "Looks like we got company, Iselle. Hope they brought something to eat."
Axe resting on her shoulder, Iselle squints in your direction. "That you, Grev? Little late for a potluck. What's the occasion?"
Pelengren Dweomerhart whispers to you, "His live-in bodyguard, Iselle."
Recognizing his neighbors, the dwarf relaxes and invites you into his home. "Spill it, folks. Something to do with the orcs and such marching up and down the Path Road?"