A number of the good townfolk only look away momentarily before resuming the flow of conversation, not wanting to further discompose the pretty blonde.
Talia's son, Thomas, still young enough to be oblivious to social courtesy, "Just remembered who who was?"
Her attempts at spontaneous Invisibility failed, Pasara looks at Thomas. "Roaghaz kept talking about the 'great Lord Aeteperax' and I thought that sounded familiar but I couldn't place it. Just now I remembered I'd read the name in a history book. Aeteperax was the name of a great dragon slain more than a thousand years ago by Belhaim’s founder, Lady Tula Belhaim."
During the celebration, Sigrit will make a point of approaching each of her comrades at a point when they are alone for a moment. To each of them she says something along the lines of this: "I believe the three we rescued are owed some wages for their work. Would you be willing to give each of them a share of what we took from the kobolds? To give the Belathis something to begin to rebuild their business, and to give the lass money to pay for some classes in self defense... whether by bow and sword, boomstick, or magic. Ponder it overnight."
Sigrit will try to follow one of the departing people who seem less in a less-than-celebratory mood and intercept them outside of the Inn.
Akatsuki considers, then nods slightly, "The young lady is resourceful, courageous and seems to have character worthy of development. I think at least a portion should be held in trust for those things you mention, however, or those less scrupulous may be tempted to take advantage. Very well, I will participate."
Her attempts at spontaneous Invisibility failed, Pasara looks at Thomas. "Roaghaz kept talking about the 'great Lord Aeteperax' and I thought that sounded familiar but I couldn't place it. Just now I remembered I'd read the name in a history book. Aeteperax was the name of a great dragon slain more than a thousand years ago by Belhaim’s founder, Lady Tula Belhaim."
Aka's eyes narrow, "I wonder just how they might be related." she murmurs as much to herself as anyone around her.
During the celebration, Sigrit will make a point of approaching each of her comrades at a point when they are alone for a moment. To each of them she says something along the lines of this: "I believe the three we rescued are owed some wages for their work. Would you be willing to give each of them a share of what we took from the kobolds? To give the Belathis something to begin to rebuild their business, and to give the lass money to pay for some classes in self defense... whether by bow and sword, boomstick, or magic. Ponder it overnight."
"Please, it's 'slashystaff', not 'sword'," grins Pasara. "But seriously, I think this is a good idea. Any idea what a fair share would be for them?"
One eyebrow raises slightly as she considers, "Probably not, but so far I haven't found any components that are mithral-reactive. Sadly, the same is not true for glass."
Farmer shrugs. "Looks impressive at least," he says. When she pours the shots, he clinks his shot glass against hers. "Choices," is his toast.
Aka's eyes narrow, "I wonder just how they might be related." she murmurs as much to herself as anyone around her.
"Probably one and the same," replies Pasara with a shrug. "I think they're just worshiping the legendary Aeteperax. A sort of ancestor worship or something. They think they're all dragonlings."
"Umm. Hmm." Aka mutters noncommittally.
During the celebration, Sigrit will make a point of approaching each of her comrades at a point when they are alone for a moment. To each of them she says something along the lines of this: "I believe the three we rescued are owed some wages for their work. Would you be willing to give each of them a share of what we took from the kobolds? To give the Belathis something to begin to rebuild their business, and to give the lass money to pay for some classes in self defense... whether by bow and sword, boomstick, or magic. Ponder it overnight."
Sigrit will try to follow one of the departing people who seem less in a less-than-celebratory mood and intercept them outside of the Inn.
Willem, who had been sitting alone (with the possible exception of Bakuu) and nursing whatever grog they serve in this place, lets out a squeaky chuckle at Sigrit's request. "I save lives, not business. The bald girl is my concern, and should she seek me out, she'll learn the riddle of powder. I suspect she'll come soon enough anyway, and be instructed by him that knows." He sips again. "My share goes to her and none other."
Her attempts at spontaneous Invisibility failed, Pasara looks at Thomas. "Roaghaz kept talking about the 'great Lord Aeteperax' and I thought that sounded familiar but I couldn't place it. Just now I remembered I'd read the name in a history book. Aeteperax was the name of a great dragon slain more than a thousand years ago by Belhaim’s founder, Lady Tula Belhaim."Aka's eyes narrow, "I wonder just how they might be related." she murmurs as much to herself as anyone around her.
Thomas beams up at Pasara. "So you killed someone who was trying to bring back an ancient dragon?! That's so cool!"
Although you can't make out the question in the noise of the taproom, her companion doesn't see the need to whisper. "Bassy?" He looks around as well, "Don't see her. Maybe she already heard the story and is jotting it down?"
Farmer shrugs. "Looks impressive at least," he says. When she pours the shots, he clinks his shot glass against hers. "Choices," is his toast.
She smiles, "May they only rarely come back to bite you in the ass."
Xemne then proceeds to walk around offering the brew to those in the bar - starting with the group that rescued the 'wee mite'.
Thomas beams up at Pasara. "So you killed someone who was trying to bring back an ancient dragon?! That's so cool!"
Pasara smiles uncomfortably. "Um, I guess. I'm not sure that's what they were up to, but ok."
The town of Belhaim quiets slightly with the promised truce between themselves and the Blood Vow tribe. A number of villagers, mostly men with shoulders like oxen hired from Fisher's Row, work to clear the debris from the fallen tower and make entrances harder for adventurous children hellbent on emulating their newest heroes.
Bassy, town historian. And historical fiction writer - of moderate fame in Taldor and none elsewhere.
As the group settles in to a meal courtesy of Talia in the Wise Piper, the main door is pushed open by Lady Devy (just a bit drenched from sudden spring shower outside). She hangs the sodden cloak over a hook then heads toward where you were about to eat with determined purpose.
Just as she gets to table, she is intercepted by Talia's daughter, a steaming mug ready for the Baroness. Who pauses to take a cautious sip and smile at the girl before she turns on the group again. "Apologizes for interrupting your dinner, but since there was a chance that you'd take passage with the merchant train which I expect in town tomorrow morning, I needed to catch you all tonight."
She sighs and takes another drink from the mug, color returning as her skin warms. "Right after you found Hunclay's body we sent a raven messenger to his next a kin." She pulls out a leather document container and looks at one of the papers, "A cousin in Yanmass."
"Just a hour ago, we got her reply." A small chuckle, "Apparently she neither cares for her cousin nor our little middle of no where town. She would just like us to send the money for the value of Hunclay's belongings to her."
She looks to the east, as if she could see the fallen tower and the large manor house near it. "The problem being, with Hunclay dead we don't have anyone with the skills to search and catalog a wizard's home which has already been proven to be trapped."
"Except maybe Azmur but he hasn't been to town in quite a while." She pauses, pulling herself back on track. "So I was hoping that I could convince you to stay in Belhaim for a while longer. Go into Hunclay home, disarm any dangers there, and catalog his belonging so that they can be auctioned off."
She smiles, "May they only rarely come back to bite you in the ass."
Farmer definitely drinks to that. He downs the brew all in one go. "spicy"
"So I was hoping that I could convince you to stay in Belhaim for a while longer. Go into Hunclay home, disarm any dangers there, and catalog his belonging so that they can be auctioned off."
Farmer slowly nods along until she gets to this part, then he can't stop himself from grinning a bit. "As if we could stop Bakuu."
"I don't have any problems sticking around for that," says Pasara.
Willem strokes his whiskers thoughtfully and nods.
As she starts to see assent from the varied group of adventurers, Lady Devy's shoulders relax and the worried anxiety lessens in her frame. She takes a slower draft of her heated beverage and sits down on the bench seat behind her. A wide grateful smile, "Thank you."
A deep breath and the serious lines of long leadership comes back around the mocha colored eyes. "I am aware this may not be safe and since the heir apparent put the task in my hand, I was thinking of a two-part payment, if you think it is reasonable." A little chuckle, "The first is an eight thousand gold fee for your group. The second is a little more complicated. Since we will be auctioning off all of Hunclay's belongings, some of which may interest you, I'd like to invite you to participate in the auction, with the estate paying for half of your bid price."
"Does that seem fair to you all?"
"Eminently fair." Akatsuki agrees, "and with that I believe we have all the elements of a verbal contract." she tips her glass slightly towards the Baroness and nods to her with a smile. "Happy to be able to help. Though," she says with something of a self-deprecating smile, "I think this will be more along the lines of some of my companions skill sets then my own, I will aid where I can."
"Some of us will be more useful as mop up if a trap springs," Pasara nods, agreeing with Aka. "Healing, dispatching summoned creatures, et cetera. I'm sure I'll be busy with Fenyx afterwards, cataloging the magic items I'm anticipating Hunclay has stashed away."
"So I was hoping that I could convince you to stay in Belhaim for a while longer. Go into Hunclay home, disarm any dangers there, and catalog his belonging so that they can be auctioned off."Farmer slowly nods along until she gets to this part, then he can't stop himself from grinning a bit. "As if we could stop Bakuu."
Bakuu grins broadly. "Cataloging is a thing I do very well!" She takes a drink of whatever she's got in front of her and makes a face. After she heard what Farmer ordered, she asked for one of the same without giving it much thought. "And I'm very interested in his traps." Her voice is a little more strained now.
Lady Devy looks a Bakuu, a little concern showing, at the old timber of the bird woman's voice. "Does a week's time sound reasonable? I'd expect that there are some buyers from further away that may be interested, so I'd like to get out notices." A pause, "Or do you think it will take you longer than that?"
Farmer looks to Pasara and Fennyx. "How many hidden levels do you think that tower has? If it was your tower, I mean."
Bakuu takes another sip of her drink. Her voice gets a little more croaky. "A week should..." She pushes the drink away and looks at Farmer. "You're a stronger man than I, aye." She looks back to Lady Devy. "A week sounds reasonable to me, for finding hidden things is a beloved pastime." She clears her throat and reaches for water instead.
Bakuu takes another sip of her drink. Her voice gets a little more croaky. "A week should..." She pushes the drink away and looks at Farmer. "You're a stronger man than I, aye." She looks back to Lady Devy. "A week sounds reasonable to me, for finding hidden things is a beloved pastime." She clears her throat and reaches for water instead.
"You work your way up to it," Farmer admits. "...are you going to finish that?"
Pasara watches the movements in the crowd.
Just loud enough for her companions to hear she says, "沒有任何人看到老男人與微妙的衣服和暗灰色的頭髮開始遮蔽威廉？我們應該幫助他或你認為他可以照顧或自己？還是我在擔心什麼？"
Akatsuki's startled expression makes it obvious that she had seen nothing. She gives a quick glance to Bakuu before visibly relaxing, apparently deciding even if she would want too, she should not be the one to look into the matter. She shrugs her shoulders, waiting for any thoughts from her darkly feathered friend.
Bakuu, after hearing Pasara, shakes her head at the both of them. "男人與微妙的衣服和暗灰色的頭髮開, 我們他可以照顧." But she watches him all the same, until he disappears from sight.
"You work your way up to it," Farmer admits. "...are you going to finish that?"
She makes a face, and pushes the drink toward Farmer. "To your health!"
She makes a face, and pushes the drink toward Farmer. "To your health!"
Farmer downs it in one go. "What's left of it!"
Farmer looks to Pasara and Fennyx. "How many hidden levels do you think that tower has? If it was your tower, I mean."
"I, uh. Um. Gee, I don't know," stammers Pasara. "All I know is what I read in books."
Catching her breath, she thinks a moment. "If it were me, I'd think two, at least. I'd want a lab level, and probably a library level. Maybe a third to hide my magic stuff I didn't use on a day-to-day basis."
"But I'm really pulling that out of thin air; I don't think we should be basing any plans on my extemporizing."
"But I'm really pulling that out of thin air; I don't think we should be basing any plans on my extemporizing."
"Better yours than mine," Farmer says. "I never wanted a tower. Never thought about it."
"Fantastic. I can have one of my clerks draw up a contract if you'd like." She opens the water-proofing document satchel, drawing out the key you found on Hunclay's body just a few days ago. "But this should get you in the front door at least."
Although the kobold's corpse was taken away for burial, there is still a reminder of the horrible trap which had warded the wizard's home. The key turns easily in the lock though.
The front door open to reveal the grand hall of the manor house. The floor of this well-appointed entry hall is adorned with two expensive Qadiran rugs and decorated with several overstuffed leather sofas. Two dozen paintings with gilded frames hang on the walls, portraits and landscapes, all of exquisite artistry. To the north sits a large bird cage. Wooden doors open in the east and west walls, and an elaborate spiral staircase of iron both ascends and descends in the southeast corner.
As sunlight spills into the large room, a frantic tweeting starts up from the exotic birds in the large cage.
Farmer smacks his forehead with the palm of his hand. "I forgot about the lightning elemental in the tunnels."
Spellcraft DC 20:
"Hey, Fenyx. Take a look at the silver charm on the bird's leg over here. It's magic, but I can't quite work out what it's doing."
A)
B)
Spellcraft DC 20: 1d20+8
Spellcraft DC 20: 1d20+8
Bakuu, though very interested in freeing her pretty little cousins from their cage, has her mind on the traps at hand.
"Something strange in this space, here..." She pokes around in the area.
Bakuu's careful poking points out a ten-by-ten space directly behind the double doors. Although no sign of a trap door is visible even when the expensive rug is moved, Bakuu is quite certain that area of the floor is trapped.
Farmer walks over to the cage, avoiding the area Bakuu indicated as probably trapped. "Hey birds," he says to the birds.
Farmer nimbly avoids the area pointed out by Bakuu.
Inside the cage are five exotic and wildly colored birds whose screeching and singing grows louder as Farmer speaks to them. One, with the charm on his leg, starts to peck at the empty food dish.
Farmer peers through his fingers at the birds. "That charm is magical," he says. "I wonder what they eat. They look hungry."
Pasara stays well clear of the trapped areas until and unless Bakuu gives the all clear signal.
Farmer asks the birds, speaking slowly and loudly. "What. Do. You. Eat?"
Farmer asks the birds, speaking slowly and loudly. "What. Do. You. Eat?"
The bird with the charm tilts its head to the left. "Hello jackass!"
"Seedball."
"Seedball."
"Seedball."
Farmer doesn't see any containers or things that may contain birdfood in the main hall. However, he is easily able to make out three exits: Door to the west, door to the east and a heavy iron spiral staircase up.
Once people get into the room () they are able to examine both the artwork and the birds more closely.
And behind it, you find a small - almost inconsequential - lever.
"Hi bird," says Farmer. "Seedball, huh?"
Bakuu makes some frustrated noises after her fruitless attempts to figure out the floor trap. When she finds the lever, she calls out "Watch your step!", makes sure no one is standing on the trap, and pulls it.
Bakuu makes some frustrated noises after her fruitless attempts to figure out the floor trap. When she finds the lever, she calls out "Watch your step!", makes sure no one is standing on the trap, and pulls it.
Bakuu is actually able to dart over the trapped area. A few moments after she clears the area she indicated, the floor opens up in a 30-ft-deep pitfall. When the feathered rogue flips the lever (hidden behind a picture of Hunclay), the pit vanished - the trap deactivated.