"Huh, you're right. What happened to Jo?"
He flags down a customer. "Hey, where's Cham? She okay? Just wanted to check up on her. And see if she needs help getting rid of a few corpses."
"C-c-corpses? militia musta taken them weren't here when I got here. Knowing Jagrin they were already burned them. I saw Cham go upstairs I think she has some new men looking at that paint."
"Is it red? That's not paint, bud."
Roosevelt gives a jolly wink at the patron and flies upstairs to find Cham.
He gives you a blank stare "Bud we live in Trunau, we all know what blood is, how to clean it, and how much comes out of a human. I'm talking about the white paint those near savages left upstairs about a week ago."he walks away at this point.
"Way ahead of youuuuuuu..." Roosevelt calls from the top of the stairs.
You guys get up to the rooms most of the damage seems to have been repaired. Newish furniture is in the room and there is white graffiti on the walls. Although it looks it is similar stuff none of you can be sure. Cham is there directing a few men.
"Roosevelt and company. Words made it around that you are all alive. Good news. These rooms are almost done as you can see. When they are they are all yours to use."
"Oh they paid, but i didn't see the damage before they left. It was quite the ruckus so I was expecting some damage. It happens, I am the only inn in town, so once in a while a hole is put in the wall, but the paint. No matter how much my men scrub it won't come off. Half-orcs have alwaaayssss.....been the worst of all you tall folk." the last part is said under her breath, but not so low that you can't hear(she wants you to hear, but also wants a plausible deniability.)
After grabbing his stuff, Rurik hears Malthu, Roosevelt, and Cham talking down the hall, and enters the room just as Malthu leaves.
After turning in confusion he asks "What happened with Malthu? Is everything alright?"
He leads right in to his next question, "And this room looks like a mess! I seem to remember you saying something about half-orcs causing havok in a room or two, this must be that room?
"Hm, I have no idea what the white paint on the walls could be, maybe it has something to do with the graffiti that's been popping up over town that can't be washed off?"
"Possibly, if it is, that means these non-resident halfies are up to something. They haven't been staying here since that first night. I threw them on the street where they clearly belonged. They were clearly more savage than your friend, but as I've said before their gold was good. Well nothing to do about it now. Roosevelt can you try and do something about the paint?" she winks at you Roosevelt and heads back down to the bar/restaurant.
"Depends, you gonna stop being mean to your customers just because you haven't hit your growth spurt yet?"
He chuckles ruefully. "Nah, probably not."
Roosevelt then tries to cast Prestidigitation on the wall.
You can hear her shout "HA!" as she walks down the stairs.
Part of the paint disappears, its still noticeable when you really look for it. Its almost as if it has aged, but it still there.
"Nice work Roosevelt. Let's go get Malthu and see if Rormar has woken up yet. I bet He'll enjoy this longbow I got for him.", Rurik says with a wink.
You guys make it to the sanctuary without issue. Upon entering you over hear a gnome talking to Tyari.
"I'm not quite sure they will take you. I mean you seem capable, but they are also. If its work you're after I can most certainly find you some here. There is a horrid painting on the wall out back that needs scrubbing."
Now enters Fennrick!
Rormar feel free to awaken after a few rounds of disscussion.
"Well well, what do we have here? New gnome in town, eh? Nobody tell Cham, she'll be all over him in a heartbeat."
He saunters up to Tyari and the gnome. "Painting, huh? If it's anything like the stuff that's been popping up around town, he'll need a lot more than elbow grease to get it off. That stuff is stupidly resistant, even to magic."
He turns to the gnome. "Haven't seen you around here before-I'm Roosevelt Foster. Arborist, master of magic and future baker extraordinaire. What brings you to our little neck of Golarion? Just passing through? I was just passing through originally, decided to stay a while. That was like...years ago, I think? Not sure, still haven't gotten the hang of this whole 'linear time' thing you've got going on in the Material Plane. Were you traveling alone? Or did you have a group of gnomes? Oh, man-where are they? We got any more gnomes around here? Love you guys, always a good time when you've got a gnome around. This one time I was at a party at this gnome household, the absolute madmen decided to try and summon a demon and I swear to the gods, they somehow managed to coax Socothbenoth himself into the house. No idea how we got ourselves out of that one, but let me tell you-craziest night of my life. From what I remember. Of course, most of the girls and some of the guys there eventually gave birth to demon babies later, but hey. That's life for ya. It's like a box of chocolates-sometimes you get a truffle, sometimes it's a baby with two heads that breathes fire and poops acid. Never know what you're gonna get."
He smiles broadly.
Tyari stare at you blankly. "Did you uh catch something out there, a curse perhaps? The power of my lord could assist if you have become troubled for a small donation of course?"
If you reply no. "Well, I'll let you discuss accepting this one into your crew?, group?, whatever you 4 call yourselves?"
Fennrick turns to regard the three arrivals to the sanctuary. Just as he looks about to say hello and introduce himself he pauses to listen to Roosevelt's caffeine induced wonder-greeting.
When he thinks Roosevelt is done he puts his hands on his hips, looks to up and to the corner of the room for a moment while letting out a breathy whistle. "Well ok, where to begin. Um yeah I think I got all that. I'll give it a shot. Hello, the names Fennrick Sagebottom, Fenn for short if you please. I hail from Caliphas, but I've traveled all around these parts since I was a boy. I've heard that orc activity has been higher than usual around these parts and thought I'd come down to see if I could help in anyway. Sorry but I was traveling alone, no other gnomes are with me sadly. Though I know fair amount about magic, I don't think I'll taking to summoning anytime soon so you don't have to worry about that, though by the sounds of it you may be more excited than worried." He lets out a quick exhale and smiles back at Roosevelt.
"Now that you know a little bit about me, how bout you two big fellas. Who might you be? Tyari mentioned that there were four of you that were working together. Where is your fourth?"
"Fenn! Nice to meet you, the name's Rurik, and this (he points his thumb at Malthu) is Malthu. We can always use help fighting the orcs in theses parts."
He pauses for a moment, trying to think of where to start, "As for my story, it's been pretty straightforward since I arrived at Trunau. My village was plundered and my people taken hostage by orcs when I was younger. I managed to narrowly escape and ended up here. I've been helping to defend travelers passing through ever since."
Rurik pauses after, looking Fenn up and down, trying to guage whether he can be trusted. After a moment of pondering, having decided he is trustworthy, he resumes, "As for Rormar, our fourth, we were all attacked by assassins last night. It's a long story as to why someone wants to kill us, but the end result was that Rormar was almost killed, and would have died if it wasn't for the work of the healers here at the Sanctuary."
"Yes he is resting now. I'll go check on him." Tyari leaves you all to talk.
"Hmmm, a Gathlain with a tree friend. That sounds pretty shady if you ask me. " Fennrick waits just a second to judge his new crowds reaction. Then continues. "As for magic, I'm no wizard, that is for sure. I mainly use empathic magic to control the field of battle..." Pausing again to gauge his audiences comprehension abilities. "...and as far as my martial ability is concerned, well I like to say I float like a butterfly and sting like mosquito. Don't worry though, I think you will find my style of fighting valuable."
"Now turning to the troubling business at hand. Assassins, murder, and diseased wolves on my! You say an orc shaman shaman had dark visions of Trunau here or someplace else? I've heard of orc raids in the area but this all sounds much more sinister."
If needed and this would obviously fail edit "Gathlain" to "short fella"
Rurik chuckles heartily at the first joke, which continues through the second. (he didn't quite get the second, but wanted to continue as to not be rude)
"His dark visions were of the Plague House, which, when investigated by Rodrick, apparently housed a nasty Flood Troll"
Roosevelt starts giggling wildly at Fenn's first joke, which continues quietly throughout the rest of his statement. "Oh man, if you're half as good in a fight as you are funny, we're in for a great time. Welcome aboard, mate. And yeah, it's very spooky and sinister. We're all taking it very seriously."
He manages to keep a straight face for a few seconds before starting to laugh again. "Shady. Classic Fennrick..."
"Erm, Malthu...think you mean Rormar. If Rodrik was back on his feet, we'd be kinda out of a job..."
If you guys travel to the infirmary you will see Tyari talking softly to an awake and moving Rormar.
Adressing Rormar "You seem to be fine physically at least. If anything else troubles you come, I am here to serve the town and its residents for whatever they need. My lord's light can guide you."
She re-iterates this to the group.
Responding to Malthu "Fenn, actually. " says the gnome.
"So from what you've told me, these attacks have been aimed at the five of you? For apparently investigating Rodricks murder? What are you guys thinking for your next play? Seems like you er we need to get ahead of this. Perhaps we set a trap for this mysterious foes next attemp. "
"Ah the rest of you got attacked as well? Glad that they shared the fun. Looks like you guys made it out a bit better than I though. Rormar says as he sits up gingerly and opens his frock to take out the bread that he filched from the meeting with Agrit.
"Also, I have a feeling I missed something. Unless I lost some of my memory or my sight, I don't believe we had a fifth person (Other than Ragha, who seems to have disappeared like the other half-orcs), and it seems like he wants in on the action. Fenn? The name's Rormar." he says between bites of the slightly stale bread, "I hope your here to help. Also, what's happened on the outside? Tyari let me know it's only been half of a day, but obviously a lot can happen in that time."
"You know we are! But you have to give the longhouse some slack, you know everyone sleeps much better in your their beds, you guys were probably already half awake anyway." Rormar tosses back as he throws a wink and a smile Malthu's way. "And yeah, and orc in Trunau bodes very poorly. I suppose they could have disguised themselves very well, but I hope that the gatewatch are better than that, and last time I checked orcs were not known for their roguish ability. I think it might be a good idea to see if we can go to Kurst or Halgra, and see if they can organize a sweep of the city and the surroundings to look for any possible breaches, unless you guys have already taken care of that."
"I guess this might have been a blessing in disguise. If the enemy gave away their trump card of a way to get into the city on their attempt on our lives, we have a chance to defend against it before they can use it again."
He takes on a slightly more pensive look, "I can't remember the last time a flood troll has been even in the near vicinity. Fortunately it's on the other side of the city from the entrance, but it could still manage to do severe damage even there. It definitely needs to be taken care of as soon as possible too."
"Ah, fantastic, the journal. Good thing Katrezra had it, I was worried after I couldn't find it in Rodrik's room, but I'm glad it was safe and not stolen. But it means that these events probably aren't coincidence. Hopefully we can take care of the troll while the guard takes care of a breach."
"Also, Tyari, you have my sincere gratitude for helping me, once again. I probably owe you my life about five times over by this point."
"We accept donations, monetary, or labor at any time. I'll leave you all to it. May Iomedae guide you in the battle to come." she leaves then.
"Plague House? This place sounds fantastic! I'll put that at the top of my list of travel destinations. Was it some kind of place for dealing with its namesake or did it gain the name for some other reason? You say it sits in ruins now though correct?"
"Getting some people to check the perimeter seems like a good idea too. I can't imagine that all this skullduggery is taking place for no reason. Some kind of bigger attack is probably to come. "
"Huh. Now, this isn't the sort of plague that can remain dormant in a system for ages and then suddenly it turns out you've spread it to half the country, right? I've got-I mean, TOORG has a pretty crappy immune system, wouldn't want him to get sick or anything."
Brantos walks in with some clean sheets in hand and overhears your concern. "Not to worry the Plaguehouse is creepy, but young couples meet there quiet often. None have returned from there diseased. That shouldn't be a concern. I heard you might be facing a flood troll. As a quick tip you'll need fire or acid to deal with one, especially if it can find a source of water. Tyari won't approve of this, but uh here. Good luck! Strike with the full furor of Iomedae. " He offers two potions of cure light wounds to you guys.
"Awe Malthu, you're still as pretty as the first day I met you. " Turning to the approaching Brantos and taking the potion from him. "Why thank you person I have never met. You are so kind and what Tyari doesn't know won't hurt her. "
Turning back to the others Fenn flashes a broad smile. "Let's go see what we can find at the Plague House."
"Wait, Fenn, I'm still confused on where you come in. How did you and the rest of the group meet up, and where are you from?"
"Lets smash some troll!"
Brantos moves to Rormar and tells him quietly "Relax friend not everyone is evil in the world, trust me and Tyari he has no intentions to harm you." he then winks and also leaves.
To be clear the Plague House is point H on teh town map so your next post is your last chance to purchase anything from town retroactively.
You all approach the Plague House. As Malthu mentioned this was the original church of Iomadae. Orc raiders burned the building down and killed the priests within. 50 years ago when a plague ran rampent through the town they quickly erected a structure within the burned ruins, but once again a fire took to the building. Since then it has remained abandoned.
Due to your interest in potential tunnels I'll let you know along the way you see no signs of digging beneath the town walls.
The Plague House’s front doors sit three feet above the ground. Charred wooden beams and ash are all that remains of a small porch and stairs that once led to the entrance. The small windows flanking either side of the doorframe are broken, but a large stained glass window dominating the face of the building to the right remains in fine shape, and shows a varicolored image of Iomedae holding her sword aloft
If you walk around the building you will note 3 entrances, 1. the front door.(requiring a DC 5 climb check or a boost from an ally to get on the remnants of the porch). 2. Another entrance is collapsed wall directly to the left of the main entrance leading into what you guess may have been a sitting room based on the furniture. 3. The last entrance is the back door near a collapsed wall exposing a view inside and specifically a pit that was a stairwell down.
Map of entrances and current view in
Things will get a bit complicated from here. I will need to know exact locations >_<
back at the sanctuary
As Brantos leaves Fenn looks from the acolytes exit to the group. With a thumb in Brantos's direction he says "I like that guy. " Speaking then to Rormar "I'm just in from Caliphas. I'm here to help. Now come on Sleeping Beauty let's go check out this house of plagues. With a quick grin at Rormar he leaves with everyone else.
at the Plague House
It seems to Fennrick that a Flood Troll might find a pit that could collect rain water a good place to stay based on the creatures name alone. Perhaps start there?
The pit in north west corner is dark and none of you can see the bottom even with the late afternoon light. If you toss something in, a long moment later you here a very very faint splunk. The 3 entrances I mentioned and labeled seem to be the only safe way in.
"Hum, it seems I can't even see the bottom of the pit with my darkvision, must be a pretty deep hole there. Do you think we can make it down safely?"
What remains of the stairwell clearly would have led up to the now missing 2nd floor.
like the small bits of stairs you can see on the map are above you.