GM Rednal's Rise of the Runelords: AE (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

Rixa comes in and greets the others, "Good morning. Anyone else feel... extra refreshed after last night? Zelani, mind if I have some fruit?" the motions towards the bowl on the counter.

Feel free to chat and get to know each other for as long as you'd like. ^^ *Sits back to watch*

Zelani motioned towards the bowl, "Go right ahead. I'm glad you're refreshed after how hectic last night was..." before returning to making a small pile of toasted bread.

Shalluk moved to help cook. "I do feel decently rested, yes." The crossbowman shrugged slightly. "I feel we will probably need it, sadly. And sadly, to buisness. The key we found had the symbol of a noble house, yes? I believe we will need to track that down to find the culprit of out current problem." Reaching out with one hand, Shalluk ate a slice of toast absent mindedly.

Knowledge Nobility: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 XD

"I think so, though few of my books cover such things..." Zelani said with a mildly frustrated glance to the pile of several books and tomes on the table. "After we talk to the Sheriff and possibly Maester Grump, we may need to see Brodert Quink again. He knew so much about the star...I will need to find something nice for him for all his help... Zelani mused as she sat at the table and began to eat her toast.

Fun fact: 16 hours of travel do not make for productive posting.

Rixa leans back, enjoying her meal, "I'm afraid I don't know much about nobility either. It was never really something that came up in my childhood. I'm also not terribly familiar with the area. I'll follow your lead as to what we should do next."

Ouch, I bet it doesn't.

Eyes slightly unfocused, Shalluk said quietly, "It...was part of mine. But I have forgotten most of what I learned then. And it was a long time ago." Shalluk's life had been long, but uneventful. The Fetchlings lived only a fraction of the time a Tiefling did. His...return...as such meant his life had been dramatically reduced in length.

Of course, it also meant he had a life, and not simply in the form of living again. In his old body, Shalluk had barely lived, preferring to exist with a minimum of pain. Only shortly before he'd been killed by the Shadows had he really tried living. This new body came without some of the issues of his past.

Remembering the shop keeps reaction, he reminded himself that only some of it had been left behind. People...remembered. And so did Shalluk.

"Master Grump will be our best bet, yes," he said, shaking his mind back to the present.

I can imagine.

Inquiring after Maester Grump, it didn't take long to find that the officials had decided to quarter him at the Rusty Dragon Inn. Apparently, they were of the opinion that good food, good music, and plenty of healthy, happy visitors would do more to comfort the man then secluding him away in the depths of the police station.

For her part, Ameiko - who was still dealing with the fallout of some recent experiences, but was clearly determined to keep running things - pointed you over to Grump's first-floor room. Apparently, she trusted you enough to not ask too many questions.

Shalluk nodded his thanks to Ameiko and made his way upstairs. He was still familiar with the Inn's layout from when he had stayed here, and had fond memories of the place. Still, Ameiko had refused to take his money, and he felt bad about staying for free.

Rapping on the door lightly with one gloved hand, Shalluk announced in a voice only a touch louder than usual, "Maester Grump? It is Shalluk, with Zelani and Rixa. We would like a short word if you have a moment?"

Zelani nodded and smiled at Ameiko as the druid thanked her for her help.

Zelani looked around as they went up to Master Grump's room. She waited and listened after Shalluk knocked on the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Rixa joins at the door, after saying hello to those she recognizes in the inn's main room. She listens at the door as well, wary that the farmer might have been infected with ghoul fever.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

It took a few moments for the old man to open the door. He looked more settled now - a half-hearted attempt at combing his hair had been made, and he didn't look terrified of every little noise. The underlying fear was still there, though. This was not a man who saw a shambling undead and charged out to send it back to rest - all he could do was run, and not so well at that given his age.

"Well? What happened?" he asked. An actual health checkup would be needed to say for sure, but it didn't look like he had contracted ghoul fever (or any other plague the undead might have carried).

Zelani nodded as Maester Grump opened the door, rushing through her usual greetings, trying to be pleasant though somber, "Good morning, I'm glad you look well after what you've been through. We founds things as you said Maester Grump and did our best to clear out the scarecrows, though I recommend you remain here at the inn until we can talk to the Sheriff and get..."

Zelani paused uneasily, taking a deep breath as she tried not to think too much on the sad sights from the night before, "...and get everything cleaned up and checked and tell everyone affected.

Maester Grump's likely didn't need what had happened sugar coated but Zelani didn't want to make it any harder than she had to, trying to be as kind as she could be to him. Death - particularly like that - was hard enough without discussing any details, and that someone might have caused all of that pain on purpose as part of...whatever...was more than Zelani wanted to think on at this moment.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

"It is a long shot," Shalluk said after a moment, "But we had hoped you would know the family or home this key would belong to." Shalluk didn't expect it to be that easy, and mentally was already planning the number of people to ask - the Sherrif, since they needed to report in, and any locals familiar with recent history, and if that failed Magnimar would have libraries and record offices and could be reached in an hour, thanks to Astral Caravan.

Rixa says nothing, not entirely sure what to say that might add something new to the conversation. Grump knew that it was bad, and Shalluk had already gotten to the point of their visit, she simply stays quiet and trying to appear comforting.

She's turning out way quieter than I initially imagined.

Maester Grump took a look at the key Shalluk showed him, then shook his head. "Don't ring a bell. Looks fancy enough to belong to someone important, though." he said - and it was clear that was the extent of his knowledge on the topic. "And no need to worry about me rushing out anytime soon. I'm too old for this as it is."

Ironically, Shalluk is far more chatty than I thought he would be...

Shalluk nodded. "Very wise. Ameiko, the lady of this inn, will see you right." She was very good at it.

But unless the others had something to add, it was time to report into the sheriff.

Zelani nodded in agreement with Shalluk, "Thank you for your time, I hope you have a good day. If you have further need of us, let Ameiko or the sheriff know." the druid said sincerely as she stepped back, and, unless Maester Grump or someone else stopped to talk to her, she would begin heading to the Sherriff's office...

"What did you find?" Sheriff Hemlock asked, looking over your group. "Given that you waited until morning to come see me, I presume it's not too terrible." ...That was probably a matter of perspective, but eh.

Considering for a moment, Shalluk replied, "It was deeply unpleasant. However, there was nothing that could be done about it, and it is safer to do so in daylight. The farm had been over run by Ghouls, and all the people there either turned or devoured." The crossbowman shuddered at the memory of the barn.

"I believe we destroyed all the monsters in the area, however. But it would still be wise to send a party to dispose of the remains. As to the source...we have a lead." Shalluk showed the key once more, hoping the Sherrif would know.

"This key was found on a victim who...had a mark similar to the previous horrible incident." Zelani started cautiously.

"Whoever left it was long gone from what we could see, so there was little that could not wait until after everyone, including yourself, had slept after...everything that has happened. I'm hoping nothing else terrible has come to your attention...

"Do you know anything you haven't mentioned yet? What might have drawn the menace to attack this particular farm, and not another one in the area? Or was it simply bad luck. Anything you know could be more important than you might expect."

"A key?" Sheriff Hemlock took it from you and looked at it for a moment, then flicked it with one finger. "This looks like the Foxglove family crest to me, though I wouldn't testify to it in court without checking some references first. They have an estate about three miles west of the Hambley farm."

"The Foxgloves? Many thanks, sheriff. We'll be sure to look into that. It's a good lead for now." Rixa nods in thanks to Hemlock.

Shalluk nodded. "Our thanks." He considered, and added, "Can you tell us anything about the family or the estate?"

Knowledge Nobility, Foxgloves: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Knowledge Local, Foxgloves: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Zelani considered what the sheriff said, nodding in agreement with what Rixa and Shalluk said.

Shalluk recognizes the name - more specifically, that of Aldern Foxglove, who he met shortly after the attack on Sandpoint.

"Foxglove Manor is over 80 years old, and has been the seat of the Foxglove family the whole time. Some sort of tragedy struck the family a few decades ago, and no one's lived there since. Common rumor holds that the place is haunted." Sheriff Hemlock explained.

Zelani, however, knows a fair few details beyond that.

Foxglove Manor is known as the "Misgivings" by some locals, particularly by Varisians. It certainly has a bad reputation-sightings of strange lights in the attic windows, muffled sounds of screaming from above and below, and even rumors of a huge bat-winged devil living in the caves below the manor are but a few of the tales told about the place. The Foxglove family lived there as recently as 2 decades ago, but then a fire burned down the servants' building, Cyralie Foxglove was found dead burnt and dashed on the rocks below the cliffs behind the house-and Traver Foxglove was found in his bedroom, dead by his own hand. The children, including young Aldern Foxglove, were sent away to be raised in Korvosa by distant relations.

Zelani paused in thought at Sheriff Hemlock's words. That place, still mostly fresh when this aasimar was born, had turned into a place of stories to frighten young people in her lifetime - but many places had changed like that. In that moment, it seemed strange and foolish to have forgotten such an obvious connections as Misgivings but she tried not to dwell on such things...

Quietly with a forced smile, Zelani spoke, "As Rixa said, it's a good lead for us to start with, hopefully we can end this terrible business soon. Thank you for your time, I wish you a pleasant day." she finished with a small bow and a warmer smile.

As she took a step away, Zelani glanced to the other two. "I know the place, or at least the rumours and a bit of the history attached to it. As he said, it isn't nice - fires, deaths, tales of devils and strange lights. I'll tell you more as we travel. Anything you think we should pick up before we head?"

Rixa nods goodbye to the sheriff as they leave, thanking him for his time. As they leave, Rixa listens to Zelani's knowledge of the local area, "Not that I can think of. I still have holy water, and, unless we just want to burn the place to the ground- in which case I'll need more oil, and perhaps some alchemist fire- I should be good."

"Several vials of antiplague," Shalluk suggested after consideration. "It will help Zelani and I avoid any diseases the monsters will carry, especially Ghoul Fever. I would also like to acquire a Darkwood Shield, if I can locate one in town. My new...abilities would let me make use of one."

"And sadly, cleansing flame needs to be the end. We cannot risk this creature lurking in a basement, hidden away from us." Shalluk paused. "Once we are done, however..."

"Aye. Don't hesitate to come back if there's anything else to report." Sheriff Hemlock said, waving as you headed off.

As far as shields go, Savah's Armory and the Red Dog Smithy seem like the best bets. Curatives were, of course, at the church.

Shalluk nodded to the others. "I shall quickly swing to Savah's Armory and the Smithy, if you would kindly enquire at the temple." With another nod he headed to Savah's, to see if they had what he needed.

As I understand it there is a 75% chance the town will have one if it's under the 1000gp limit for a small town. A Darkwood Shield is 257gp, so...1d100 ⇒ 47

Rixa tags along, doing her best to familiarize herself with the town and its surrounding area.

Zelani nodded to Shalluk before turning to head toward the temple. With previous events, these could be vital. Trying to be her cheery, bright self, the druid went to ask about the antiplague vials for the trip.

4 vials of antiplague, 200gp total.

Antiplague was easy enough to come by - goodness knew temples stocked up on that sort of thing. As for the shield... the proprietor of Savah's place (a human woman who looked pretty handy with the stuff she stocked) leaned over the counter. "That's a rather specific request." she noted. "Most people just want shields. What's it for?" she seemed genuinely interested.

"I am...refocusing my abilities," Shalluk explained. "I find I can lift a light object, and use it to block, with my mind while I continue to use my crossbows. However, a normal shield is too heavy. Darkwood, I understand, is much lighter. It should be light enough to use with these gifts, and the more protection I can muster the better, I feel."

After a moment he added, "Of course, as it is unusual, I understand if such an item requires time to craft. Or if it is not possible to acquire here, would you of somewhere that might have it, or another item that might serve? Mithral is even rarer, I believe, and far more expensive."

Rixa stands off the side as Shalluk orders his shield.

Zelani thanked those she bought the vials from, talking in a friendly manner for a bit before she excuses herself. She waits a moment outside and, unless stopped, she heads to Savah's for the others...

Savah blinked slightly. "Well, the best defense is a good offense. You sure I can't interest you in Vansaya instead?" she asked, gesturing to a darkwood crossbow with an ivory hilt. It looked to be one of the finest pieces in her shop. "It's true that the stuff is astoundingly light despite its strength, though, and I do have a few pieces. Looking for something plain, or a bit more... distinct?"

Zelani nodding to the others and Savah as she entered the shop with a smile.

She walked up to Shalluk and handed him two of the anti-plague vials. "Finished my purchases at the temple. Here are you half of it...anything interesting here catch your eye?"

Rixa starts whistling to pass the time, the sounds crisp and clear.

Shalluk eyed the crossbow with some desire, but shook his head. "Just a shield, if possible. I...suppose some ornamentation would be acceptable."

Savah chuckled slightly as she brought out a round shield of darkwood. "Some like 'em dark for camouflage. Some prefer them light for exactly the same reason." she explained. "Just a matter of personal preference, really. And since you're one of the fellows who dealt with our goblin problem... how about we take five percent off?"

Shalluk blinked in obvious surprise. "Well, I, uh...thank you. That would be most...kind." The former Tiefling was clearly thrown by the offer, and his mind replayed the words of another shopkeeper from not so long ago.

You're a jackal, a deviant...you can't hide what you are...Infernal taints never truly go away...

The new skin - new body - hadn't been his choice. Had he known it was an option, would he have taken it? He wasn't sure. But maybe it didn't matter, much. And maybe he didn't need to hide who he was forever/

*whistles*

Zelani nodded at Shalluk's request, while she made a mental note of Shalluk's reaction to certain items. Patting Shalluk on the shoulder, she said, "Most kind and generous & the wood looks lovely. Maybe after we return our trip out west, you will have time to make plans for something you that suits your tastes." the druid commented as Shalluk finished his purchased.

"If you've got a custom order, let me know." the shopkeeper said with a grin. "Anyone who pokes pointy things into goblins is okay in my book. Is there anything else you're looking for today?" If not, you could probably be on your way.

"If I have anything else I need I shall come and see you," Shalluk said with a small bow and headed out.

Rixa bows in thanks as they leave towards the manor, loosening her sword in its sheath.