Meandering Misfits

Game Master Braingamer


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Combat map

Casimir shakes off Gonan's spell, but Iluna manages to get a hold on his mind. Makes the save vs forced quiet, but fails vs lullaby.
He takes another blow from Andaris, then steps back. Casting a spell, his frame becomes more powerful and his skin toughens.

DC 17 Spellcraft:

Casimir cast aspect of the bear.

"Get off of me! I don't want to hurt you," Casimir snarls. "I'll let you go!"

Casimir manages to protect his mind from Iluna's attempt to force him asleep. "So, is that how it is? You're siding against us? Your family?"

Dice:

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 1 = 21
Will Save: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 1 = 13
Will Save: 1d20 + 6 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 1 - 4 = 21


M Aasimar Cleric 3, UnchMonk 1 (HP 28/28 | AC:21 T:17 FF:19 | F:5 R:5 W:8 | Init:+2 Perc:+12)
Effects:
Mage Armor

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

"A family of wickedness cannot support this gentle woman, Casimir. We cannot let you go, though I will leave you conscious if agree to come with us to the Baron. I'm certain he will spare your life and allow you some form of redemption if you tell him of your cult's actions."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Andaris casts Shield of Faith upon himself, then takes a threatening step towards Casimir, glaring.


Combat map

"How incredibly kind of you," Casimir replies sarcastically. "Maybe I'll just take Iluna back with me. Daerion does still want her back - he has questions she can answer, and would reward me handsomely."
No chance of him taking that deal (DC 36).

Waiting for an action from Gonan.


Male Human 3 Wizard (Fire Elementalist) (HP: 13/21 | AC: 12 T:10 FF:10 | F: 3 R: 5 W: 3 | Init +4) Fox Familiar Hero points:1

spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Gonan causes a bright light to flash at Casimir, hoping to blind and disorient him. casting flare


Combat map

Gonan's flash of light isn't bright enough to damage Casimir's retinas. Makes his save.

Casimir undergoes a transformation, his skin sprouting a brown coat of fur. He drops to all fours, snarling as he takes the form of a mountain lion.

Gonan, Iluna, and Andaris may act.

Dice:

Fort: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 1 = 21


Female Human Sorcerer 3 (HP 8/20 | AC:12 FF:10 T:12 | F:1 R:3 W:4 | CMD: 12 | Init +3, Perc +1)

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Iluna, realizing now what she missed before, tries again to submerge Casimir's conscience. Realizing he is drawing upon the animal portions of his mind to transform his body, she attempts to compensate for the ferocious, if not predictable bestial emotions. Casting Sleep again.


Combat map

The mountain lion splays out on the ground, instantly asleep.

Dice:

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 1 - 4 = 9


M Aasimar Cleric 3, UnchMonk 1 (HP 28/28 | AC:21 T:17 FF:19 | F:5 R:5 W:8 | Init:+2 Perc:+12)
Effects:
Mage Armor

Andaris judges the correct point along the lion's spine to deliver temporary unconsciousness - or, well, he guesses the correct location, as he has never seen a lion other than in illustrations. He fervently hopes his monk's training applies to animal forms, for Andaris does not wish to murder the cultist before bringing him to the Baron.

Non-lethal Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 3) + 8 = 15


Combat map

Andaris manages to knock out the sleeping mountain lion.
What do you do with him?


M Aasimar Cleric 3, UnchMonk 1 (HP 28/28 | AC:21 T:17 FF:19 | F:5 R:5 W:8 | Init:+2 Perc:+12)
Effects:
Mage Armor

Certain the druid's form will not regain consciousness for some time, Andaris ties him up, drapes the unmoving form over his back, and begins to walk back into the festival grounds, seeking Mihail or the Baron, whoever he feels is closer.

Andaris thinks if he knows anything about Razmir, and his cultists. He certainly was not a commonly known god in Andaris' homelands.

Kn(Religion): 1d20 ⇒ 16

"Iluna, I would minimize your involvement with these cultists, I assume worship of Razmir is not favoured in this province. You are certain you have renounced your own ties to this god and his followers?" Andaris has a sharp edge to his voice, as if actually angry at Iluna for even temporarily (and without choice) belonging to an evil cult.


Female Human Sorcerer 3 (HP 8/20 | AC:12 FF:10 T:12 | F:1 R:3 W:4 | CMD: 12 | Init +3, Perc +1)

Iluna's struggle with Casimir's mind comes to an abrupt end as he loses consciousness and gives in to sleep. With tremendous sigh, she falls to her knees, at the same time the now transfigured body of Casimir slumps over in the dirt.

Andaris wrote:

Andaris judges the correct point along the lion's spine to deliver temporary unconsciousness - or, well, he guesses the correct location, as he has never seen a lion other than in illustrations. He fervently hopes his monk's training applies to animal forms, for Andaris does not wish to murder the cultist before bringing him to the Baron.

Certain the druid's form will not regain consciousness for some time, Andaris ties him up, drapes the unmoving form over his back, and begins to walk back into the festival grounds, seeking Mihail or the Baron, whoever he feels is closer.

Thoughts:

luna flinches, imperceptibly, as Andaris strikes the beast feeling his resting mind go dark - like a spark in the night snuffed out. She makes no movements nor noises as Andaris, first binds the beast, and then slings it over his shoulder. It occurs to her that Andaris must be impressivly strong to do so, but the thought barely registers. Her own mind too feels blank, as if it were tied to Casimir's. She had forgotten what it felt like to forcibly invade the mind of another and to take control of their thoughts and consciousness. But to have done so with an aggressive mind... it was both alarming and exhilarating, and thoroughly, emotionally exhausting.

Why did he have to attack? she thinks, not only of Casimir, but of Andaris, and then of herself. There could have been a peaceful solution, if only we had more time, or had tried harder to come to an understanding. Casimir would not have attacked if he had not felt threatened. Andaris would not have had to attack if he hand't felt the need to protect me, and all of it could have been avoided if instead of approaching Casimir, I had simply turned the other way. At the back of her mind it occurs to her to marvel that Gonan did not use force, when she knew he was well capable of it. He could have opened with a salvo of incendiary spells, yet he chose restraint. She tries to remember to thank him for that later, but expects she will forget. The emotions of loss and regret that are foremost in her mind are doing their best to blot out all else.


Andaris wrote:
"Iluna, I would minimize your involvement with these cultists, I assume worship of Razmir is not favoured in this province. You are certain you have renounced your own ties to this god and his followers?" Andaris has a sharp edge to his voice, as if actually angry at Iluna for even temporarily (and without choice) belonging to an evil cult.

Tears begin to run down Iluna's face, and she chokes out one quiet sob, then another. She struggles for a while, trying to form words. Why? Why me? What do they still want with me? Would it have been better if I had never left?... Her heart speaks that she already knows the answer to the last: no.

"I haven't-" she sniffles, "I don't- I don't know that I ever did believe in the practices of the cult, that there could be an earthly power that could rival the heavens. I know there were others- *sniff* -others in the camp that didn't, that there were others who simply followed because they needed to follow something." She looks up pleadingly at Andaris, trying to make him understand without having the words to say exactly what the Brothers were to her. "When I ran away, I thought they were going to come after me. I thought I'd be running for the rest of my life, or until they finally caught me. And part of me wanted to go back, because they were my family, but I knew that I couldn't. When I ran into the forest, I was looking for a place to hide. I thought, 'maybe I would never be able to leave that place' for fear of them finding me. But instead, I was found by someone else. And he showed me that I didn't have to be afraid. That someone, or something more powerful than a power-hungry dissident cultist was guiding me, and that I could be in control of my own destiny."

She shakes her head, "you don't understand. Can you say of a man that he is evil because he strikes his child? Or that a wolf is evil because it must eat meat? Some of them may go beyond their original intent, but I do not believe that all the brothers are evil. Neither do I believe that their goal itself is inherently evil. They seek what they believe will give them salvation. They seek the security they believe they can gain from power. What the Shards are to the brothers is more than just a collection of artifacts: they are hope. Without hope, all we have is despair, and in despair we fall to ruin. I cannot condemn a man who forsakes all else to cling to hope," she looks sorrofully at the limp form of the cat slung over Andaris' shoulder, "even if he is misguided."


M Aasimar Cleric 3, UnchMonk 1 (HP 28/28 | AC:21 T:17 FF:19 | F:5 R:5 W:8 | Init:+2 Perc:+12)
Effects:
Mage Armor

Andaris pauses, gently squeezing Iluna's shoulder with his free hand as they walk together. "Oh, you are in many ways still a child Iluna. I am old enough to be your grandfather's father, and yet I feel I bear little more wisdom now than I had at your age. These men, these cultists, have of their own volition chosen the path of darkness. Obtaining power for them is an illusory hope, for should they succeed the dark power will turn on them and their labours only further enslave them to wickedness. Hope ever lies with the light and in the hearts of good men.

"You may have grown up with these dark brothers Iluna, but if I have learned one thing in my life it is this: a man may not choose where his journey begins, but only he can choose which path to walk. I invite you, beseech you, to journey down the path of light with me. Turn away from the shadows of your past, help me recover the shards of darkness and destroy them. Only this will allow some small measure of redemption to your dark brothers, though I doubt many will live to that day. Now, we must hasten before Casimir awakes, sleep on what I have said today."

Realizing Mihail's tent is the closest destination, Andaris hopes to meet up with Mihail there in order to explain the situation and seek an audience with the nobility together.

The author of this is fully aware that Andaris lecturing on evil/forbidden powers is entirely hypocritical. The character, for better or for worse, is not.


Male Human 3 Divine Hunter (HP: 21/21 | AC:17 T:13 FF:14 | F:3 R:6 W:4 | Initiative: +3 Perception: +9 | HP: 2

Kaid'an is woken up from his nap by Bagheera's purring. She spotted Andaris walking to Mihail's tent. The cat tends to like those that she has killed with. "Well, well what have we here?" Kaid'an says as he stand up. He sees the monk carrying something over his shoulder. "Come on girl, time to put on a nice smile and apologize for the greater good. Yelling at Iluna I can understand but I shouldn't have yelled at Andaris." He says to his cat.

Kaid'an starts walking over to the group and starts moving faster when it is clear that Andaris is carry a body. "Andaris, I know we didn't part on agreeable terms and for that I am sorry, but did you have to go hunting without me? Kaid'an has a stupid smile on his face but makes sure that he his voice is sincere when he apologizes. "However, from the size of your capture I can assume it went well?"


Combat map

Nice posts, everyone.

The party makes it to Mihail's tent without incident. They draw a few upraised eyebrows by a traveller or two still packing up their camp, but that is all.


Male Human Cavalier (Gendarme) 3 (HP: 23/31 | AC: 23 T:11 FF:22 | F: 5 R: 3 W: 5 | Init +1 Per +5)

Mihail sleeps contentedly, having had a long day.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 - 10 ⇒ (19) + 4 - 10 = 13

Unfortunately, his sleep is disturbed by a large group of peasants.

"What." Mihail's voice is terse, conveying his displeasure at having been woken. His eyes are bleary, his hair mussed, and he is only wearing a battered pair of breeches.

'Better have a damn good reason...'


M Aasimar Cleric 3, UnchMonk 1 (HP 28/28 | AC:21 T:17 FF:19 | F:5 R:5 W:8 | Init:+2 Perc:+12)
Effects:
Mage Armor

"All is well with us Kai'dan, and all is forgiven. This, however, is no time for pleasantry, please alert your knight that we must make haste to the Baron."

Seeing Mihail poke his head sleepily from his tent, Andaris speaks.

"Get ready, quickly. This is no lion, but a druid cultist of Razmir. He was one of those who interrupted the melee. We make haste at once to alert the nobility."

Andaris is clearly impatient, as he does not wish for Casimir to awaken early.


Male Human 3 Wizard (Fire Elementalist) (HP: 13/21 | AC: 12 T:10 FF:10 | F: 3 R: 5 W: 3 | Init +4) Fox Familiar Hero points:1

Gonan speaks up, trying to clarify for the still barely lucid knight.

"Sir knight, we have brought a gift, one that will bring you favour with your new master."


Male Human Cavalier (Gendarme) 3 (HP: 23/31 | AC: 23 T:11 FF:22 | F: 5 R: 3 W: 5 | Init +1 Per +5)

'The f*** do I need a lion cultist for?' Mihail contemplates sluggishly.

"Sir Eren might be a better choice to deliver this..thing...to. However, since you already woke me up, I suppose I shall have to get dressed." Mihail gives the group a grumpy glare. Withdrawing behind the flaps of his tent, he begins getting dressed. When he has finally equipped himself, he saddles Lanfarnesse.

"Let us be off. I have no desire to be out and about too late. I have an appointment with the armourer in the morning." Mihail adjusts his signature hat, poking most of his hair under it to hide the mess.


Combat map

The party heads back to the castle as darkness settles over the countryside, Andaris still carrying the large cat.
You hail the guards at the castle gate, one of which runs to fetch Sir Eren.

At his return, you are invited into the torch-lit castle.
"So you say this is one of the attackers?" Sir Eren asks without preamble. "What do you know about... him? Her?"

He signals to a pair of guards, who move forward to take Casimir from Andaris. "Take it to the dungeons. Magical precautions."


M Aasimar Cleric 3, UnchMonk 1 (HP 28/28 | AC:21 T:17 FF:19 | F:5 R:5 W:8 | Init:+2 Perc:+12)
Effects:
Mage Armor

Andaris bows in a modest Tianjing fashion, then replies, "Yes, Sir Eren, I know that he is both a druid and a cultist of Razmir. He and a band known to themselves as the 'dark brothers' disrupted the melee this afternoon. They claim to have stolen an artefact of dark magic from your court wizard, though I cannot attest to the veracity of his confession. You see, my friend Iluna was captive as a child in the cult, but has since freed herself. It is due to her connection that we were able to single out this druid and bring him here for questioning."


Combat map

Sir Eren sends a messenger to retrieve the court mage, who confirms that an artifact that matches the description of a "Shard of Darkness."

The wizard, introducing himself as Selicus, says that he recovered the Shard some months ago. He had performed some rudimentary examinations, but had moved on to other subjects. It seemed to possess little value, no implicit magical powers, and in fact was nearly unremarkable save for two points - it seemed to have some faint magical attraction to other identical fragments, and was wholly indestructible.

Selicus thanks you for your help. He is unsure what the Dark Brothers seek to do with the Shard, and will be far too busy in the coming months to do any investigation himself. The trinket seems harmless enough, he says, and has no further insight on the topic.

Casimir will be questioned by the Baron's men the next day, and is securely held in the dungeon.

You can ask any other questions that you have.
Additionally, everyone hits level 3. Congratulations.


Male Human Cavalier (Gendarme) 3 (HP: 23/31 | AC: 23 T:11 FF:22 | F: 5 R: 3 W: 5 | Init +1 Per +5)

"Excellent. Tomorrow we should take the time to adequately equip ourselves for an expedition to one of the outlying villages. The Lord Baron has asked me to investigate some problems of the monstrous variety that have been harassing a hamlet. I will need to visit the armourer for much of the morning, so we have plenty of time to acquire supplies. The hamlet is one day's ride from here." Mihail looks around at the group gathered around him. He sighs, palming his face.
"None of you have horses, do you?" he asks rhetorically.

"It might be prudent to purchase one. A good horse can save your life."


Combat map

As an aside, Mihail gains a point of honour for competing in the tournament, as well as another for levelling up. Additionally, he gains a third for being knighted into a knightly order.

Everyone: remember that with your level-up, you also gain a hero point. You have a maximum of 3 at once.


Male Human 3 Divine Hunter (HP: 21/21 | AC:17 T:13 FF:14 | F:3 R:6 W:4 | Initiative: +3 Perception: +9 | HP: 2

"Horses... yes, they would make travel much faster. Sir Eren could we use three horses for a travel to the hamlet. They don't need to be combat trained, they would be simply used for travel. Me and Mihail know how to take care of animals and we will be returning them. Just asking if we can borrow them."
Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15


Combat map

Sir Eren has a page show you to the stables, where you are able to pick out three horses for your journey, with the stipulation that you return them as soon as the problem is dealt with. Light horses, not combat-trained.

Anything else? You've got Sir Eren and Selicus the wizard here.


Male Human 3 Wizard (Fire Elementalist) (HP: 13/21 | AC: 12 T:10 FF:10 | F: 3 R: 5 W: 3 | Init +4) Fox Familiar Hero points:1

Gonan approaches the court mage with some caution, but with a spark in his eyes.

"Master wizard, would you have anything to aid a student of the magical arts? I would appreciate any help you are willing to give."


M Aasimar Cleric 3, UnchMonk 1 (HP 28/28 | AC:21 T:17 FF:19 | F:5 R:5 W:8 | Init:+2 Perc:+12)
Effects:
Mage Armor

Andaris makes his way to the stables, after everything is taken care of with Sir Eren. He selects a suitably sturdy and average horse.

He prepares his pack for travel, and so is ready to set out once again.


Female Human Sorcerer 3 (HP 8/20 | AC:12 FF:10 T:12 | F:1 R:3 W:4 | CMD: 12 | Init +3, Perc +1)

Iluna takes whatever opportunity is most suitable to mention that she already has a pony (what could be used as a pack horse, but if we're all riding then a pony would slow us down).


Combat map
Gonan wrote:

"Master wizard, would you have anything to aid a student of the magical arts? I would appreciate any help you are willing to give."

Selicus takes a moment to size Gonan up. "Alright, here's some advice," he begins. "The world is a dangerous place. Not every problem is worth risking your life over. Know what battles are worth fighting, and learn how to tell the difference quickly." Selicus's face grows grim. "Even a triumph may have a cost you can scarce afford to pay. Remember that, and you might live to pass the lesson on some day."

Selicus turns and stalks out of the hall. Sir Eren shrugs apologetically. "He's a serious fellow. Doesn't talk about his past much, probably for good reason. Sound advice though."

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The next morning, Mihail gets his armour fitted in town. That will cost 200 gp, and will take until noon. The rest of you may do whatever shopping you wish, or anything else that tickles your fancy.

Once everyone is ready to set off, the party sets off for the Delham. Sir Eren has helpfully provided you with a map, and you estimate that by leaving now you will reach the hamlet around nightfall.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

After hours of riding east, you reach the hamlet of Delham. The setting sun at your back paints orange the faded boards of a collection of simple wooden homes huddled together against the prairie wind. The border of the farming center is only partially delineated by wooden fences designed to keep animals in, rather than intruders out.

The rutted path you have been following leads through the center of the houses. The largest house in the village (though that's not saying much) lies on a slight rise, with the other houses sprung up around it. Small sheds lie mostly near the outskirts, probably storage for grain and fodder.

As you approach, you see a half-dozen men leave the house on the hill, armed with hoes, rakes, and pitchforks. One brandishes a crossbow, while a halfling sports a sling. Curiously, they do not seem to be focusing on the party, but are rather eying rooftops and the narrow gaps between houses.

"Ho there!" bellows a tanned farmer from the front of the group. "This place is not safe! Away with you if you value your life!"


M Aasimar Cleric 3, UnchMonk 1 (HP 28/28 | AC:21 T:17 FF:19 | F:5 R:5 W:8 | Init:+2 Perc:+12)
Effects:
Mage Armor

Andaris looks at the men, noticing their improvised weaponry and apparent lack of combat training.

"Hail, good men. We come well equipped to aid you and end the threat to this village. This is the knight Sir Mihail," Andaris says, introducing the cavalier, "appointed by your Baron Wylder to defend Delham and restore peace to these troubled lands."


Combat map

"Oh, thank the heavens! Quickly, come inside!" He beckons for you to follow him as he leads the way to the large house. The other men keep vigilant, though they are clearly frightened and untrained.

Inside, the house is packed with the inhabitants of the hamlet. Dozens of women, and children are setting up blankets for sleeping while the men stand in small groups, armed with farm implements. The windows are barricaded, and once you are inside a heavy wood table is returned to its place in front of the door.

The man introduces himself as Jobe, the reeve, before giving some background on the situation.

It seems that the trouble started two weeks ago, with some mysterious livestock deaths. The corpses didn't seem to be eaten, but were brutally mutilated. Over the next few days, more cattle, horses, and chickens were found in similar states - ripped to shreds, gruesomely displayed. About this time, the villagers started to have bad dreams, with dark, winged shapes flapping just at the edges of their vision.

Later that week, a boy went missing.

He vanished one night as he was walking to his home. For the next two days there were no further animal killings, but on the third day they resumed.

Seeking to halt the slow nightly slaughter of the hamlet's livestock, two men tried to stand guard over their animals. Only one survived - Rast, who hasn't been the same since. The other man was never found.
At this point, the farmers sent a messenger to the Baron, begging for help. They remained in their houses as soon as the sun went down, for the killings and disappearances all happened at night. More animals died.

Finally, only yesterday, another child went missing. This time, it was a little girl taken from her home. The community has now holed themselves up in the manor (such that it is) during the night, penned in by fear.

You've got the entire town in front of you. The sun is setting, and it will be dark in half an hour.


Male Human Cavalier (Gendarme) 3 (HP: 23/31 | AC: 23 T:11 FF:22 | F: 5 R: 3 W: 5 | Init +1 Per +5)

"Where did this girl go missing? Was it anywhere near the boy's last known location?" Mihail asks quietly, trying not to be rude. "Who was the last to see her?"

Mihail shifts slightly, still getting used to the fit of his armour.


Male Human 3 Wizard (Fire Elementalist) (HP: 13/21 | AC: 12 T:10 FF:10 | F: 3 R: 5 W: 3 | Init +4) Fox Familiar Hero points:1

Gonan listens intently to the description that Jobe gives to the party. Once Jobe finishes, he then wanders into the building, listening for snatches of conversation being shared between anxious villages, hoping to hear something of use.


Combat map
Mihail Dan Razvan wrote:

"Where did this girl go missing? Was it anywhere near the boy's last known location?" Mihail asks quietly, trying not to be rude. "Who was the last to see her?"

"From her house. Her parents put her to bed as usual, but in the morning she was gone. We found claw marks on the door, which had been opened. Her mother, Mara, is over there." Jobe points. "If there's anything we can do to help, let us know."

Gonan sidles through the people, hearing parents reassuring their children.
He overhears a group of men quietly muttering about their dreams, and how the hamlet can't survive like this.
A woman sits alone, murmuring prayers to Erastil.
A man slowly rocks in the center of the room, arms wrapped around his head.
Some folk blame various superstitions for the curse that has befallen their community - failing to drop the first lily of the year into the well, the inauspicious birthmark on a newborn calf, making butter on a Wealday during the full moon.

The arrival of help is the most common topic, however. Some ask Gonan what he's going to do about the situation, while others merely eye him hopefully.


M Aasimar Cleric 3, UnchMonk 1 (HP 28/28 | AC:21 T:17 FF:19 | F:5 R:5 W:8 | Init:+2 Perc:+12)
Effects:
Mage Armor

Andaris walks over to speak with Mara. He first extends compassion and prays a quick blessing on her and her missing daughter, asking for Erastil to guide her through this challenging time. Andaris is hardly familiar with Erastil, but hopes the sincere gesture will be taken well.

He asks her questions about her and her daughter. Was there any motive to target her daughter? Is she certain the attacker outside the town? Does her girl have any connection to the other victims?

Throughout the questioning, Andaris measures the woman's reactions and the certainty of her answers.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27


Combat map

You find Mara sitting alone, murmuring prayers to Erastil. Her husband was the messenger sent to Baron Wylder, but he has not yet returned.

Mara thanks you for your prayers and support. She reiterates what Jobe already told you, pushing through her tears. Mara does mention that her daughter's favourite laying hen had been ripped apart the day before, and her daughter was quite distraught over that.
Mara is quite certain that the attack was not one of the others - with a community so small, everyone knows everybody else. She can think of no motive for someone else to have done this. Mara's daughter was friends with the boy who was captured, but that is to be expected in a community of this size.

If Mara is lying, she is one of the finest actors in the land.

After she finishes answering your questions, Mara blinks the tears from her eyes. "You are a priest, yes? Are you going to remove the curse from Delham?"


M Aasimar Cleric 3, UnchMonk 1 (HP 28/28 | AC:21 T:17 FF:19 | F:5 R:5 W:8 | Init:+2 Perc:+12)
Effects:
Mage Armor

Andaris pauses, then smiles warmly, "Yes, I suppose I am a priest, though the gods of your land are strange to a man of the far East. I will do all I can to lift this curse and bring some small joy back to your homes in the wake of this trajedy. Thank you for speaking with me."

Andaris relays the discussion briefly to his companions, then decides to seek out Rast.

Should Rast be available:

Andaris approaches the man slowly, trying not to startle the man who apparently 'has never been the same'. Standing a few feet away, Andaris nods and says, "greetings, Rast. I am Andaris, a priest in the service of the Baron. May I sit with you? I can offer you healing should you need it, for I have heard you suffered in an attack on the village."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22


Combat map

Rast is pointed out as the man sitting in the middle of the room. His eyes twitch between the windows and door as he whispers to himself.

Andaris wrote:
"greetings, Rast. I am Andaris, a priest in the service of the Baron. May I sit with you? I can offer you healing should you need it, for I have heard you suffered in an attack on the village."

"The attack, the attack! Terrible, flapping wings. Black on black. The torches, Sten... torches gone out. The screams, gods above! And the face!" Rast cries out and hides his face in his hands. The other villagers give sympathetic-yet-annoyed looks that indicate this is nothing new. "No face. All gone. Coming to eat us all," he whispers.


M Aasimar Cleric 3, UnchMonk 1 (HP 28/28 | AC:21 T:17 FF:19 | F:5 R:5 W:8 | Init:+2 Perc:+12)
Effects:
Mage Armor

Andaris shows the compassion and concern he feels for this man on his face. He steps up to the man and casts guidance on him with a touch, hoping the divine power will guide him towards coherence. Andaris speaks softly, "I can see the trauma you have gone through, but please tell me what you saw that night. I can help you through this nightmare."


Combat map

Andaris Heal: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 = 8

Despite Andaris's counselling, Rast fails to snap out of his insanity. He smiles briefly at Andaris, but quickly fades back into frantic reminiscence.
Andaris does get a little more information: there seem to have been two of the creatures, Rast ran away while Sten, the other man, was taken. Rast claims to have seen winged figures with long claws, tails, horns, and no faces.

It is approximately 20 minutes until sundown. The anxiety in the room is palpable, as the hamlet prepares to pass another dreadful night, hoping that their rescuers can save them.


Male Human Cavalier (Gendarme) 3 (HP: 23/31 | AC: 23 T:11 FF:22 | F: 5 R: 3 W: 5 | Init +1 Per +5)

"So what should we do? Do we venture forth in hopes of finding these demons, or do we fortify this position?" Mihail whispers to the others, trying to discern the mood of his party.

This is the part where we decide whether or not to go outside tonight. Please vote.


Male Human 3 Wizard (Fire Elementalist) (HP: 13/21 | AC: 12 T:10 FF:10 | F: 3 R: 5 W: 3 | Init +4) Fox Familiar Hero points:1

Between the snippets of conversation snatched from around the room and Andaris' retelling of Rast's description, Gonan tries to understand what kind of terror they are dealing with.

K understanding: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Walking up behind Andaris, Gonan states confidently: "Just don't be scared! As long as you and everyone else is cheerful, they won't have any power. They're only creatures from your dreams that have come to haunt you while you're awake." Seeing the people's responses to this he looks to Iluna. "could you play a happy song or something, they don't seem to be understanding what I said."


Combat map

The nearby commoners reasonably begin to freak out after hearing that they are being attacked by nightmares that have come to life.


Female Human Sorcerer 3 (HP 8/20 | AC:12 FF:10 T:12 | F:1 R:3 W:4 | CMD: 12 | Init +3, Perc +1)
Gonan wrote:
Seeing the people's responses to this he looks to Iluna. "could you play a happy song or something, they don't seem to be understanding what I said."

"Oh, um, I could try something..." Iluna takes the harp from her cord and begins to strum a soothing tune, hoping to ease the peasants' distress.

Perform: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16


Combat map

The peasants calm down, especially when they remind themselves that the Baron sent these visitors to rescue them.

Gonan wrote:
"Just don't be scared! As long as you and everyone else is cheerful, they won't have any power. They're only creatures from your dreams that have come to haunt you while you're awake."

"What's that mean?" Jobe asks quietly. "Is it the things we've been dreaming about? The dark things with wings?"


Male Human 3 Divine Hunter (HP: 21/21 | AC:17 T:13 FF:14 | F:3 R:6 W:4 | Initiative: +3 Perception: +9 | HP: 2

"Gonan, friend, can you tell us more about this or these nightmares? Where do they come from and how do we stop them at the source."


Male Human 3 Wizard (Fire Elementalist) (HP: 13/21 | AC: 12 T:10 FF:10 | F: 3 R: 5 W: 3 | Init +4) Fox Familiar Hero points:1

Gonna looks to Jobe and quietly addresses his question, "You've all been dreaming of them? Yes, they are the creatures from the dreams. You have to rally your people. If there is happiness, their strength will weaken. If you can do so, you can help us to kill them."

he then turns to Kaid'an, "They come from dreams, but have clearly been affecting the material plane. If things are going missing and livestock is being killed, they are currently physical beings and can be killed like any other being. I don't know the exact source, but this will likely come as we investigate further."


Female Human Sorcerer 3 (HP 8/20 | AC:12 FF:10 T:12 | F:1 R:3 W:4 | CMD: 12 | Init +3, Perc +1)

Realization dawns on Iluna, but she continues playing her harp. Have I seen these things that haunt the dreams of mortals, these shadows of the mind? Surely I have seen the image of a nightmare with wings as black as death, but only in a dream. I do not think this knowledge will help now... But if this creature - or creatures - can hold a physical shape, then perhaps the nightmare can be slain...


M Aasimar Cleric 3, UnchMonk 1 (HP 28/28 | AC:21 T:17 FF:19 | F:5 R:5 W:8 | Init:+2 Perc:+12)
Effects:
Mage Armor

Andaris turns to Mihail, largely ignoring the tense situation in the room, and says, "we still have some light, we should explore outside until nightfall. Come, let us make haste."

Andaris walks out of the room, to the darkening outside. He picks up a short stick and casts Light on it in preparation.


Combat map

Jobe gives you some quick directions before you leave, pointing out some notable locations. "We've never been attacked during the day, so you should be safe while there's still light. Though they never attacked anyone inside until a couple days ago..."

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pasture
The pasture where Rast and Sten were attacked is not far from the houses on the edge of the hamlet. The animals are still tended during the day, and are currently bedding down for the night.

DC 14 Survival:

You manage to find the location of the attack. Scuff marks in the grass indicate booted humanoid feet, but claw marks mar the grass-covered dirt. One area has marks that look similar to the marks that a bird of prey leaves when it takes off, but there is only one such set.

DC 19 Survival:

You are able to track a set of footprints that return towards the town - probably Rast's. Multiple times, you come across places where he stumbled, and scrambled on all fours before standing up again. He seems to have fled in pure terror, running blind.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mara's House

Shallow scratches mar the wooden door near the handle. The door gives a small creak when opened, but if carefully and slowly pushed open it is silent.
The bedroom has two beds: a larger one for Mara and her husband, and a small one for their daughter. The straw mattresses are covered with rough woolen sheets.

DC 12 Survival:

There are claw marks in the dirt floor that mark the movement of two distinct taloned creatures. A lack of drag marks and the direction of the claw marks suggest the girl was likely carried out by a single creature.

DC 15 Perception:

Investigating the child's bed provides evidence of a brief struggle - while the bed has been made, faint scratches in the dirt floor reveal the presence of taloned creatures. On the ground you also find a bloody ripped fingernail, small enough to be a child's. Since Mara did not awaken the girl must have been taken quickly.

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