Wyvurn |
Wyvurn frowns at the sights and sounds coming from outside.
"Inkeep, this Marchal, do you know him? What is your son's name and where did you send him..specifically."
and quietly to those still at the table
"Perhaps we should talk to this Marshal a bit. I don't give a bugbear's hairy ass what happens to those raiders...as long as it's done with the right reasons.".
Kirth Gersen |
The two traders are up in a moment, reaching for their weapons. "Don't know this marshal," one of them says. "Yeah, those guys tried to rob the wagon, but there needs to be some law, or the marshal's no better than a bandit himself. We're goin' out there."
They look at the party with undisguised contempt.
Kirth Gersen |
"Inkeep, this Marshal, do you know him? What is your son's name and where did you send him..specifically."
"Son's name is Kemp -- only one place to send him, the nearest town, Grove Creek. Marshal's the marshal -- doesn't talk much, doesn't explain what he's doing. But no question he's tough!"
Jaegr "Knock Knock" |
The two traders are up in a moment, reaching for their weapons. "Don't know this marshal," one of them says. "Yeah, those guys tried to rob the wagon, but there needs to be some law, or the marshal's no better than a bandit himself. We're goin' out there."
They look at the party with undisguised contempt.
Jaegr shakes his head and grabs his pickaxe and follows the merchants. He wonders if it always this chaotic up here in the "civilized" areas.
Kirth Gersen |
"Hey why did you stop us from killing the bandits, just for the marshall to show up and kill them, could have save him a trip."
The innkeeper stares fixedly at the floor. "Out of my hands. And if you know what's good for you, you won't interfere. I might lose a lot of business this way, if word gets out, but at least I'll keep my life."
Kirth Gersen |
So far we have Jaegr intevening by walking into the barn, possibly in company with Wyvurn; Kelsin and Caspian hanging back and ignoring things; and Vanya off somewhere looking for his dog or getting drunk or something. Before we proceed, is that the plan, or does anyone want to elaborate?
Jaegr "Knock Knock" |
So far we have Jaegr intevening by walking into the barn, possibly in company with Wyvurn;
Correct on my part, at least in going into the barn. I am assuming the merchants are with me and Wyvurn too. Can't let them go and get themselves killed or arrested.
Kirth Gersen |
Hmmm... looks like Vanya's last post was Friday evening; it's Tuesday now. I'm going to rule that he's passed out drunk and of no use to anyone. Events proceed without him.
A horrific sight meets the dwarf's eyes in the barn. The two prisoners, still bound, are motionless. The marshal, face impassive, has just slain one with his sword; he is about to kill the other helpless man when you walk in. "Thought I told you to stay put," he growls, as he extends his free hand in your direction...
Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Jaegr "Knock Knock" |
Seeing the dwarf and hobgoblin go into the barn, Kelsin gets up, smacking Snort lightly to awaken him, and the two will cautiously approach, both scowling ferociously as now this Marshal's nonsense is keeping them from a good night's rest. Stealth: 1d20 +3
Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Vanya Volkov |
Stumbling just a bit, and tightly holding a vodka bottle, Vanya wanders seemingly aimlessly around the inn. Suddenly, he stops and turns eastwards, mumbling "Of course. I should have known..." His drink forgotten, he picks up his pace and goes toward the small copse of trees some ways from the inn. Approaching an old oak, he immediately notices a small white raven on the branch, with head tucked beneath one wing. "Frost, there you are!" With fists on his hips, sorcerer harumphs and looks sternly at the raven. "You do realize that this is ridiculous, don't you? Come back down this instant!"
The raven looks at the oprichnik with silvery-blue eyes and crows "Graak?!"
"Don't you try to fool me, you idiot! Baba Yaga herself gave you to me! I can feel that you are my familiar! Stop making a fool of yourself - you are a wolf, not raven!"
Ravens startles and flies off the branch, hiding himself behind the tree. "Frost, for Perun's sake, I can still feel you..."
"Meow?" A cute and fluffy white kitten shows itself, looking contrite.
"Oh, Morana take me... Listen, I know that you miss home. I as well. But we can not go back. Not yet. Not until both of us grow big and strong, all right? Now, come on, let's go to the inn."
The kitten jumps on Vanya's shoulder and starts to preen itself.
After several moments filled with quick strides, Vanya goes back towards the inn. Seeing the dwarf and hobgoblin going into the barn, he enters just after them, calling "Hey, everybody, I have found my familiar!" Showing the kitten on his shoulder, he adds: "This is my wolf, Frost! Frost, be a good wolf and say hello to the nice men!"
"Meow!"
Kirth Gersen |
The dwarf and hobgoblin are greeted with another flash of clashing colors.
Jaegr "Knock Knock" |
The dwarf and hobgoblin are greeted with another flash of clashing colors.
Jaegr -- don't forget your racial bonus to the save
Will Save I presume?
Will Save 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Kirth Gersen |
Will Save I presume?
Sorry -- yes, indeed.
Not for the first time in his life, Jaegr is grateful for his people's resistance to spells. A man or a goblin, he knows, would have been instantly stricken unconscious and blind by the force of the spell -- as it is, it merely gives him a mild headache that soon fades.
Jaegr "Knock Knock" |
Not for the first time in his life, Jaegr is grateful for his people's resistance to spells. A man or a goblin, he knows, would have been instantly stricken unconscious and blind by the force of the spell -- as it is, it merely gives him a mild headache that soon fades.
Jaegr, who was indifferent a moment ago shakes his head to clear whatever the Marshall cast at him and says, "Oh now you made a mistake! You've just brought the wrath of the mountain down upon you!"
It may not be my turn yet, but I'll roll now to not hold up anything if it is
Jaegr moves over to the Marshall and takes a mighty swing
Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Damage 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Confirm
Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Damage 3d8 + 18 ⇒ (5, 4, 5) + 18 = 32
Not sure if crushing blow counts with confirm rolls
Kirth Gersen |
Also adding +2 to Jaegr's roll for charging, not that it makes a lot of difference to a natural 20...
The marshal is taken aback by the dwarf's resistance to his spell and the incredible sudden boldness of his awesome counterattack. Before he can bring his sword into guard position, the huge pick catches him square in the face; he drops to the ground, head ruined. On closer inspection, he appears to be in a coma, and will clearly die within minutes, if he hasn't already crossed over. Everyone is stunned -- a second ago, he was a figure of such brooding force that it seemed certain he'd kill everyone in the inn, and still be back in town in time for dinner. Now he lies in a heap on the boards, blood seeping between the cracks and into the earth beneath.
A baleful, smoky flame, which had been kindling at the edge of the marshal's sword as he lifted it, flickers out as he falls.
With the wind picking up outside, the two traders, coming out just in time to see this, take off their hats and bow their heads for a moment, then waste no time in expressing their intent to provide company and employment for Jaegr for as long as he desires it, and swear to tell of this deed wherever their trading takes them -- how the dwarf from under the mountains upheld justice even against those who supposedly had the law on their side -- on the part of helpless, unconscious men. How even bandits got the benefit of mercy and protection. (It threatens to get a bit nauseating, to be honest.)
Jaegr "Knock Knock" |
Before he can bring his sword into guard position, the huge pick catches him square in the face; he drops to the ground, head ruined. On closer inspection, he appears to be in a coma, and will clearly die within minutes, if he hasn't already crossed over.
Jaegr will inspect him and see if his heal skill can do anything to save him. I'm going to assume that a "take 20" will take too long and will risk the roll, will also use my heal kit
Heal skill to try and save the Marshall's life if he still has any
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Kelsin walks into the barn, though Snort remains outside to scratch at some fleas. Walking past Jaegr he offers "Nice shot!" before walking up to the Marshal's corpse. His eyes glow with divine energy as he focuses on the Marshal's sword.
Jaegr says to Kelsin "Where I'm from resources can be scare and the victor of any battle gets to keep the fallen's possessions. But I am not in the deep. If you desire the sword you may have it. Also I would like it if you could also check out the rest of his possessions for anything else useful, or if he possible has anything on him explaining his actions here....it seems suspicious."
With the wind picking up outside, the two traders, coming out just in time to see this, take off their hats and bow their heads for a moment, then waste no time in expressing their intent to provide company and employment for Jaegr for as long as he desires it, and swear to tell of this deed wherever their trading takes them -- how the dwarf from under the mountains upheld justice even against those who supposedly had the law on their side -- on the part of helpless, unconscious men. How even bandits got the benefit of mercy and protection. (It threatens to get a bit nauseating, to be honest.)
Jaegr, not interested in fame, or having the story of a mountain dwarf spreading, cuts off the merchants, "OK that is enough. First, I didn't come in here to protect the bandits, I came inside the barn to protect you two fools from getting killed. The remaining bandit there is still a problem. We will need some answers from him, and the Marshall here may be the key to our answer. One look at the Marshall and what I did to him, and what I could do to the bandit next if he doesn't tell us everything he knows should be enough. And Dverge don't know how to bluff, so everyone will know I mean it."
"Oh and no spreading my story around about this. In Dverge society, grand deeds are never spoken, only recorded in official stone tablets in the historical archives. To do otherwise would be an insult, and I know you two to be upright polite men and wouldn't want me to be insulted....on purpose or by accident."
Bluff (Lie) on the last bit on why I don't want them to spread their story around, note that Jaegr was telling the truth about not knowing how to bluff, he just hopes they don't care enough to pry too deep
1d20 ⇒ 7
Kelsin Illstar |
From within the natural trance state of spellcasting, Kelsin speaks to Jaegr: "I've no desire for the sword, don't even know how to use the damn thing. I just want to know what kind of heat he was packing, what this guy really was. Soon as I'm done you're welcome to anything on him."
Jaegr "Knock Knock" |
From within the natural trance state of spellcasting, Kelsin speaks to Jaegr: "I've no desire for the sword, don't even know how to use the damn thing. I just want to know what kind of heat he was packing, what this guy really was. Soon as I'm done you're welcome to anything on him."
"Just check every pocket and item for anything useful. Id he even has a scrap of paper with a name, that may give us something to go on"
Wyvurn |
Wyvurn stands stunned at the events that transpired in the blink of an eye.
Just for fun: Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Will 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 With those rolls, I assume I was affected by whatever he cast.
Reeling from whatever magic the Marshal cast, the hobgoblin grips a hitching post to get his bearings.
"I owe you, Jaegr. Your quick thinking and iron mind saved us from what would likely be the same fate as the raiders. I would suggest that once we stop the Marshal from bleeding out and he returns to conciousness, that the rest of you make yourself scarce. He only saw Jaegr and I. If this gets ugly with the law of the land, it might be best if their only two outlaws amongst us."
Kirth Gersen |
When the shock of the event clears, the hobgoblin is still lying prone on the barn stoop. After a time, he groggily sits upright and declares, with eerie calm, "I'm blind." The other bandit is also up by then, and begins screaming words to the same effect until Wyvurn, gingerly stepping over the marshal's body by touch, then takes a long stride forward lashes out in the direction of the noise, smacking the bandit's throat soundly. The yelling stops immediately.
Kelsin gingerly touches the sword (the range of detect magic is "touch" in these rules, to avoid almost inevitable abuse) and shakes his head. "I don't like touching steel," he declares, pulling his hand back. "This thing dead; no spirit of magic within the metal. Maybe marshal was touched by fire demons."
Geoff is quick to apologize to Jaegr, assuring him that no offense was meant, and that they would not speak a word of this if the customs of his people so dictated. They do, however, beseech his aid in preventing "this black-clad psychopath" from killing the surviving bandit.
Either human physiology is different from that of dwarves, or else the marshal is too badly injured to respond; Jaegr guesses the latter, as the man's head is mostly caved in. There's still a faint hint of life there as he begins, but then it flees.
Wilbur offers meekly, "When this fella's sight comes back," he says, nodding at the bandit, "and he sees what happened to the marshal here, my guess is that he'll be in a big hurry to talk. I know I would be!"
Jaegr "Knock Knock" |
"I arrived late for the party, I see." He looks at the man lying on the ground, felled by dverge's weapons and the dead prisoner and draws his strange blade. "Now can we question the prisoner?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.
They do, however, beseech his aid in preventing "this black-clad psychopath" from killing the surviving bandit.
"Yes it is time to question the bandit. As for the bandit surviving", he says to the merchants, "that all depends on what kind of answers he gives to our questions...."
After sight returns to the bandit, and his head clears Jaegr addresses the bandit, "Now here are your options. Option 1" He points to the dead body of the Marshall,"or Option 2, tell us everything you know, answer every question we have truthfully, and if we are satisfied with your answers, you get to live and walk out of this barn a free man. If you don't....well this man in black can be...creative. Also I need you to know that he has magic that can tell a lie from truth, so I would start with the truth."
Jaegr looks at his companions, hoping they sense that Jaegr hopes they pay attention to the man's words to tell if they are true or not.
"First of why were you chasing the caravan all the way here, what were you really after? Second question, what questions were the Marshall asking you, what was he after? Does your bandit group have connections to this Marshall? Was he one of you or your leader? Remember think carefully when speaking and remember true...."
Bluff for detecting lies
1d20 ⇒ 11
Vanya Volkov |
The cat meows and then jumps from Vanya's shoulder and turns into a raven in the air, continuing to fly straight at the bandit. The raven lands on his head and crows. "Hmmm... It seems to me that my familiar is hungry... Tell me, do you need both eyes? Just wondering..." Bluff to intimidate 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Wyvurn |
Sensing the ploy his companions are trying on the raider, Wyvurn growls at Vanya and moves his eyes to the sound of his voice as his vision hs still not quite returned to normal.
"If you think your infernal pet will get all the choice bits, mage, you are mistaken!"
Kirth Gersen |
The bandit, once his vision clears and sees the remains of the marshal, is thoroughly convinced; with the other theatrics added to it, he can't wait to tell you everything he knows.
"We got us hired by this mean-looking half-elf in Kaisersburg, said a cross-land caravan would have a box in it he was willing to pay top gold for! Said it was, oh, 'bout two feet on all sides, and locked, and that if we opened it he'd eat our souls! Said, s'long as we got the box for him, we could keep whatever other spoils from the wagons, on top of the gold he was gonna give us."
He shakes his head. "Dunno about the marshal there -- we thought he'd arrest us for attackin' the wagons, but 'stead he just demanded the box, then got mad when we said there weren't none. Next thing I remember I'm here on the ground and all you fellas is threatenin' me!"
Jaegr "Knock Knock" |
Geoff and Wilbur shake their heads. "We didn't have a box that fits that description," Geooff says with some certainty. "These idiots must have attacked the wrong caravan."
Jaegr takes Geoff and Wilbur to the side out of ear shot of the bandit and asks them "Do you know of another caravan that may have left around the same time as you with a similar route, or another caravan coming along the same route as yours over the next couple of days?"
Kirth Gersen |
"Do you know of another caravan that may have left around the same time as you with a similar route, or another caravan coming along the same route as yours over the next couple of days?"
"Man," Wilbur says, "Everyone wants to get in on this new route, I suppose. When we were in Weimach, we heard about a bigger train headed northeast throught the mountains that was looking to try the pass. Had one gigantic mean-looking dude guarding it -- a big fella from Northwind I think."
Jaegr "Knock Knock" |
Jaegr "Knock Knock" wrote:"Do you know of another caravan that may have left around the same time as you with a similar route, or another caravan coming along the same route as yours over the next couple of days?""Man," Wilbur says, "Everyone wants to get in on this new route, I suppose. When we were in Weimach, we heard about a bigger train headed northeast throught the mountains that was looking to try the pass. Had one gigantic mean-looking dude guarding it -- a big fella from Northwind I think."
"I wonder what can be in that box that is so important. If we continue on our original plans, will there be a chance we could run into this caravan? I would like to warn them, and truth be told I would like to know what is inside it."
Kirth Gersen |
"If we continue on our original plans, will there be a chance we could run into this caravan?"
"Our new plan to sell the horses," explains Geoff, "sends us in the exact opposite direction. But we're open for suggestions. It bothers me that the town marshal seemed to be in on this, too. So I guess if you're interested in the box for some reason, heading east into Aramni or locally into town would seem like the way to go. Wilbur and I sort of want to rebuild our stake, which takes us west. Or I suppose a fellow who was already well-off could go on vacation anywhere."
Jaegr "Knock Knock" |
"Our new plan to sell the horses," explains Geoff, "sends us in the exact opposite direction. But we're open for suggestions. It bothers me that the town marshal seemed to be in on this, too. So I guess if you're interested in the box for some reason, heading east into Aramni or locally into town would seem like the way to go. Wilbur and I sort of want to rebuild our stake, which takes us west. Or I suppose a fellow who was already well-off could go on vacation anywhere."
"My instincts tell me to chase down this box, but I would not want to do it alone. I guess we better head back over and finish up questioning this bandit."
Walking over to the bandit Jaegr asks, "Now I need you to tell us one thing of interest that you know, but that we haven't asked you about yet. After that, you get to walk out of here." assuming no one else had more questions for him
Wyvurn |
"I agree with Vanya, we should go. Although I am loathe to admit it, I think what the bandit told is true. I encountered an attacked trade caravan before meeting up with all of you. It seems that whoever sent these men, sent out several raiding parties in hopes of hitting the right one."