Coronei Amasartis |
Coronei purses his lips happily at the gratifying accuracy of his fire and then the attacks of the rest. He collects his arrows as he moves through the Trading Post with Rath.
"Me."
The elf follows the man and looks around the place. "Anyone alive?" calls Coronei once inside.
Pik |
Pik blinks and looks around, walking over to retrieve his dagger. Uh...alright. He shrugs and takes off quickly after Silvio and Kraz with a smile. This seems like the way to go. He slows down and follows the others in quietly.
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Monty Haul |
The party splits up to search the two largest buildings on the square. Pik, Silvio and Kraz head into the inn whilst Dorin, Coronei and Rath explore the trading post. The goblins each had a small bag, filled with an assortment of items from coins and minor trinkets through to a live chicken which flees in terror as soon as its bag is opened. All up, the party finds another fourteen gold pieces, twelve silvers and twenty coppers. There is also a finely made gold ring (worth 25 gold pieces). I’ve added those to the party treasure document that Pik set up.
Dorin, Coronei and Rath soon find that the front room of the trading post is a wreck. The goblins seem to have decided that the best way to search the place was to pull everything off the shelves, pile it in the centre of the floor and then rummage wildly through it. Many of the items are damaged or spoiled and it will take a long time to restore what was presumably a well ordered and reasonably well stocked shop. Any item from the player’s handbook worth 10gp or less can be salvaged, if anyone needs anything. If you want more than one, roll 1d4 to see how many are available.
The back part of the building contains a simple but sturdily constructed home for a single occupant. There’s two rooms, a functional living area and a spartan bedroom. Under the bed, you find a locked wooden box, emblazoned with the same symbol as above the door - a round blue shield emblazoned with a golden lion.
Meanwhile, Pik Silvio and Kraz enter the inn and are confronted with similar destruction. A large boulder has punched through the roof and top floor of the inn. It appears to have partially destroyed a few rooms upstairs before settling in the dining room having flattened a bed, table and several chairs. Picking your way through the rubble, you come across the body of a goblin lying on its back with a crossbow bolt buried in its chest.
Coronei Amasartis |
"Indeed, Rath. That is most likely."
Coronei pushes a toe through the mad pile of shop paraphernalia until it stubs against a full quiver of reddish fletched arrows. He picks that up and the sturdy broad dagger underneath.
He waves the dagger at Rath and Dorin, "do you want this?" and takes the quiver for himself.
When Coronei gets a chance to look at the 25gp ring, could we have a fuller description of it and any inscriptions to be found?
Silvio Callgari Pazzi |
"Such a waste. This looks like it was a nice establishment before it was ransacked by rowdier guests", Silvio says as he picks through the debris. The young noble's eye light up as he finds an unbroken bottle amidst the rubble. He opens the bottle and takes a satisfied swig. "Nice vintage. Not the best, but servicable. Do you want a drink? he says and offers the bottle to Kraz and Pik. "It is good to relax the muscles. Trust Silvio, he knows these things."
Once back outside he sets his sights at the keep. "Should we go directly for the castle? Silvio feels that we might find some answers there."
Monty Haul |
The two groups meet up in the square and head towards the northern area of town. Along the way you encounter two more goblins throwing stones at penned up chickens behind one of the households. These last members of the goblin raiders are swiftly dispatched by your group and a small handful of coins added to the rest.
At the break in the palisade you see that each end of the sloped, wooden bridge leading up to the keep remains intact. However, the central section has been destroyed and there is a ten foot gap in the bridge, around fifteen feet above the swiftly flowing Velashu river. Standing at the northern end of the main island, you see no sign of guards at the keep parapet.
It’s clear that the keep bore the brunt of the assault. There are many boulders strewn around the higher, smaller island and one whole quarter of the keep has collapsed. The front doors are closed, but there would be easy access through the caved in walls if you were able to cross.
In addition to the keep, you haven’t yet explored the mill, the graveyard, the watchtowers beside the drawbridge or any of the village homes. The gap in the bridge leading up to the keep could be jumped, providing you take a run at it – it requires a DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check going uphill.
Pik |
Looking up at the keep with a frown of consternation, Pik remarks, I'm not sure anyone could be hiding in there. At least, no one left alive. He looks around the town, Perhaps we should continue to search here? With a shrug he follows the others whichever way they go.
Silvio Callgari Pazzi |
"Silvio admits that the keep most likely has seen better days", the dashing rogue says studying the keep. "Still, the doors are closed. Perhaps something is hiding there. Still it doesn't hurt to check the rest of the village before moving on to the keep. After all, it is closer."
Rath Irreson |
"Perhaps it will not hurt to look around a bit more. Maybe we can find something to span that hole in the bridge as well".
The tall strange human begins to walk towards the graveyard. "Perhaps fresh graves might reveal that at least someone survived to inter the dead".
Coronei Amasartis |
Cornei pockets the fresh dagger and follows the rest to the broken bridge, he listens to the discussion but does not need to add anything since he agrees.
However Rath's comment evokes a careful look of appraisal. Not a fool that one.
The raven-plate ring Cornei puts back into the kitty for when they find the survivors.
Pik |
Pik shrugs and turns away from the keep to follow the others. There is an odd lack of bodies. On either side of the battle. We found one goblin dead in the...what was that, an Inn? But that's been all so far. He shrugs again, I suppose we'll find out eventually if we keep poking around.
Monty Haul |
Seeing no signs of survivors, the party heads back to finish exploring the rest of the village. The graveyard is nearest, unremarkable in most respects other than a single stone mausoleum set apart from the more modest graves. Above the sealed door to the crypt is just the name “Nandar”. There are no obviously fresh graves and no sign of survivors or raiders. Being furthest from the penned livestock on the southern side of the village, the graveyard is amongst the most peaceful and seems relatively unscathed by boulders.
From here you can see that the watchtowers are barely more than platforms atop the walls, a simple ladder providing access to each. The exception being the pair on either side of the lowered drawbridge. They both have peaked rooves and a mechanism for raising the bridge over the river.
Moving back into the village, you begin checking the village residences. The houses have suffered varying levels of damage from whatever befell the town, although most remain only mildly damaged. One exception has been almost completely destroyed and it is here you find the first casualty, a middle aged human woman lying crushed by a boulder in her kitchen.
The next house is of similar size to the rest, but is distinguished by locked shutters over the windows and a large lock in the door. The door itself is covered in runes or symbols of some sort.
Let all who enter this home without consent of its owner burn for ninety-nine years in the depths of Nessus and freeze for a thousand more in the icy wastes of Cania.
Further south are a couple more residences, the windmill and plots of crops and livestock.
Coronei Amasartis |
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Coronei spins back and raises his bow. "Movement in the Inn." Slowly he starts back that way, keeping an arrow trained on the ruins.
Silvio Callgari Pazzi |
"Such a dour fellow", Silvio sighs when the group stands infront of the building with the large lock and strange symbols on the door. "Promising torment, both by fire and ice, should someone be deemed a tresspasser. Silvio doubts that he was the life of the town."
Then...
"Movement at the inn? That sounds far fetched to Silvio's ears. As Silvio's good friend Kraz just explained, we where there a mere moment ago", the chelaxian proclaims, yet he still follows the group towards the sound.
Pik |
Pik kneels beside the poor woman. Ah, it appears we've found at least one poor soul that died in the battle. Suppose she's been left because the boulder was too hard to move? He shrugs and whispers an almost silent prayer to Pharasma as he stands.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Hrm? What? The half-elf looks almost startled as the others rush off. Gathering himself he sets off after them, blade at the ready.
Monty Haul |
Interrupting your exploration of the southern portion of the village, the group returns to the inn. Although much of the upper floor has been destroyed, it appears one or two room remain intact. As you draw nearer, you see a human woman in plain, brown robes clambering nimbly down from the rear of the building, dropping to the ground. Seeing you approaching, she stands with a smile, stepping out of the wreckage towards you.
"Praise Desna!" she greets you with some relief. "I thought you were goblins! I woke up in my room and found the village overrun with the little pests! I'm Kella, Kella Avellon. A traveller. I knew somebody would come if I just stayed quiet! Are you from the keep?"
Pik |
Insight: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
We're certainly no goblins, ma'am. A little too tall. Pik says with a smile. I'm just glad to see someone alive, he pauses a moment, But, you're not from around here, are you? Wouldn't happen to know what happened here would you? I'm guessing you weren't here during the attack.
Monty Haul |
Oh I was! she answers with a nod. It was incredible! An enormous castle floating on a cloud! As it came closer we saw giants on the parapets. They hovered right over the keep, hurling great rocks down, destroying the bridge and the keep.
After the keep was bombarded, the castle moved over the rest of the village. That's when everyone started panicking, the innkeeper took charge. Told us all to retreat. Apparently there's some caves nearby we were supposed to shelter in.
I ran up to my room, the last thing I remember is the roof collapsing. I don't know how long I lay there, but when I woke up everyone was gone and those goblins were running amok. I managed to shoot one with my crossbow, but there were so many. I figured I'd be best to hide and hope they didn't search the ruin upstairs.
Kraz Thadoom |
Insight: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 dang..
"Giants! I knew no dam gobos were responsible for the rocks.. So what were you doing here missy? Just passing through? Can you show us where these caves are?"
Pik |
Pik narrows his eyes, but his smile is wry as he responds good-naturedly, I can't tell if you're crazy, lying, or crazy. He laughs, At least you survived. He frowns slightly as he contemplates something, But...if you were here...I'm confused. Why did you think we were from the keep? The half-elf chuckles and shakes his head, You know, why don't you start at the beginning and tell us the whole story, so I don't have to keep coming up with less than clever questions. While his sword still remains in his hand, Pik is clearly relieved to find a survivor.
Monty Haul |
Well I'm travelling wherever Desna leads me, hopefully to the Mierani forest, although I've heard the elves there are not so friendly, replies Kella with the slightest glance towards Coronei. I arrived here two...three. Hmm, I guess it depends how long I was unconscious for. Not long ago, anyhow. I've been staying at the Nightstone Inn and planned on heading off soon.
The first I heard of the caves was during the attack, she continues in reply to Kraz's question, and I don't really know the villagers that well. Other than Morak the innkeeper and some of the others who are staying here. Well, who were staying here.
It all happened so quickly. I think the village was supposed to retreat to the keep, but since the bridge was taken out, nobody knew what to do. Morak took charge and called everyone to the Nightstone at the centre of the square. That's when I went upstairs and....well woke up earlier this morning.
She finished her summation with a shrug and a helpless smile.
I'm afraid I don't really know much more. I guess there could be survivors in the keep. Or if you were to hurry, perhaps you could find some sign of the villagers' passing? There was probably thirty...forty of them?
Coronei Amasartis |
Insight: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Coronei is able to lower his bow in time and smiles a little at the woman. Then listens to her story as he scans the sky. But mention of Mierani brought his mind into focus again and he pays more attention.
"They can be like others."
Then he shrugs.
"Or not."
Dorin Stonehammer |
Dorin moves closer to the woman.
What be this Nightstone yer speakin of? Somebody, mahap the Giants, musta' took it, leavin' the grave where we put the gobos. Let's be gettin' on their trail. You comin' lass?
Dorin makes for the squares center and begins to circle outwards looking for the trail of the escaping humans.
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
He is confident he will expertly track the group once he finds their trail.
Help me pick up the trail, eh.
Kraz Thadoom |
"I believe Nightstone is the name of the Inn we are standing in.. Or maybe that's what that huge depression was in the center of the square and perhaps the Inn was named after it?"
"Here let me help look for a trail.."
Perc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Pik |
That's certainly a story, Kella. My name is Pik, and we came to help out this town. Seems our story is...that we were a bit too late. He looks around them as he continues, You might want to stick with us. There are still worgs, goblins, and, I expect, even worse around here.
Pik chuckles as Dorin runs off, That's Dorin, he's excited to be fighting goblins, I think. His smile is genuine as he continues to curiously ask Kella questions, and will walk after Dorin is she follows, So, what made you go back inside the Inn? Didn't like Morak's plan?
Silvio Callgari Pazzi |
Silvio's eyes widen and his (already quite prominent) posture straightens. With a few quick paces he has materialized beside the survivor to bow and plant a kiss on her hand. "Silvio Callgari Pazzi, great sea captain and hero to all, at your service. It warms Silvio's heart to finally encounter a survivor or this horrible attack on our very way of life."
"Silvio echoes his good friend Pik's statement. We do not know what dangers still lurk on the battlefield. You should stick to us for protection."
Monty Haul |
Ignoring Pik’s final question, Kella allows Silvio to lead her with the group as you move out once more into the village square. “You’re most gracious. I feel much safer now that you’re here and I’m not alone.” indicating the freshly dug crater you used as a makeshift grave for the goblins, she confirms Kraz’s theory. “The nightstone was here when the town was built, I believe. A large menhir with some strange symbols carved into it. It was said that a scholar could only learn their true meaning by viewing them in the light of the full moon. Although I didn’t really pay it much attention. It just looked like a carved rock to me.”
It’s all but impossible to find any meaningful signs within the village, however once Kraz and Dorin cross the bridge and examine the less travelled land around the drawbridge landing it is very clear that a large group of people have recently moved through the area, accompanied by some carts and one or two horses. It appears they headed north, further upstream along the river. You would guess the trail to have been made around this time yesterday.
You have many potential next steps - follow the refugee trail north? Return to explore the keep? The mill and remaining houses? The locked building? Pick through the rubble of the upper floor of the inn? Something else? Kella is accompanying you so far (though she is reluctant to cross the drawbridge when the trackers are at work) so you can continue to speak with her as well.
Pik |
Kella, Pik asks curiously, you never answered my question. What brought you back into the Inn away from the others? I'm guessing it had to be important enough to risk...well, to risk everything. He shrugs as they continue on, We should probably search the rest of this town, and then the keep. There might be more people left behind like Kella here. Some might even be injured.
Monty Haul |
Oh..I don't know. I was just going to get my things. I don't really remember it all happened very fast.
Pik |
Pik shrugs, Fair enough. I imagine it was a rather traumatic experience all in all. Is there anything useful left in the Inn? Maybe we should check around in there first, then finish looking through the rest of these houses. He chuckles slightly, Heck, we might want to gather up supplies just in case those that fled need more.