Shattered Star

Game Master Zesdead

'Shattered Star' - Part 2, 'Curse of the Lady's Light'

...in which our adventurers explore the Thassilonian Chambers beneath the Lady's Light.

Party Health
Ziomarra Callinovo 46/46HP, 1 Hero Point, 1 Blessing of Desna
Josephina Annabella Whitehall 31/59HP, 1 Hero Point, 1 Blessing of Iomedae
Halli, 54/54HP
Teldon Moore 52/52HP, 3 Hero Points, 1 Blessing of Pharasma
Briana Kaddren 60/60HP, 1 Hero Point, 1 Blessing of Pharasma
Arsith D'Arabiane, 65/65HP, 3 Hero Points
Shadlah Broken-Earth, 63/63HP, 30NL, 2 Hero Points

Maps / Images
The Lady's Cape
Varisia


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Inactive

Sense Motive (Untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Briana gives Teldon a slightly puzzled look, as no one had disagreed with Arsith's suggestion. "Of course, that would be sensible enough - especially since I'm sure Mister Viorec would rather not have to deal with bad dreams or even night terrors from the rest of the little ones!"


Viorec casts a suspicious eye at Zachary, ”You folks sure he ain’t played you no mischief? Well I’m sure glad to hear it – last time we had strangers through here, young Zachary gone and telled them the Wolf in the Water had taken one of their pack mules. Zach and his friends had hidden it in the tall corn – ‘course they thought it terrible funny but them folks heading up to the plateau saw it different – I guess losing their supplies is like losing a bit of a lifeline. Anyways, it all got sorted in the end and I’m hoping after what the Mayor said to Zachary, he’s done learned his lesson”

At Briana and Ziomarra’s surprise about the pet stirge, Viorec smiles, ”Most city folks don’t understand these buggers,” he explains, “Lotsa folks here keep ’em as pets. They’re really kinda friendly once you give them a chance – ol’ Applesauce is like one of the family and lil’ Ornigaard dotes on the thing, thanks agin for helping to catch him. ‘Course every now and agin, one will go bad and we have to put it down… but it ain’t so often”

By now, a number of young faces, Ornigaard among them – intrigued by the adults talking have appeared at a door to the rear of the house and are listening in. Turning, Viorec reminds them that they’ve got chores to do and they quickly scatter. ”Ah, Old Man Wrinkles you say? Go on then Zachary, you tell the good folks ‘bout that particular story”

With a wobbling voice, Zachary speaks, “Yeah, like, yeah… Old Man Wrinkles he’s like 200 years old and he got so wrinkled from age and the sun that he don’t no longer got a face. Yeah, so has to drink blood like a stirge and he lives in the swamp… ‘course none of the grown-ups will admit he exists but he gone took a kid from here like about fifty years ago or something”. Zachary looks at his feet and mumbles, ”Anyways, that’s what I know – an’ it’s a good game to play anyway… No one ‘round here is fun no more”

Viorec concludes, ”Just a silly monster story to keep the children in line… don’t you go paying it no mind”

Stepping outside to stand in the sun with the 'strangers', Viorec asks, ”So what brings you to Ravenmoor anyway? I don’t suppose you’d be too surprised to hear we don’t get many visitors”


Inactive

As Zachary shares the story of Old Man Wrinkles, it takes some effort on Briana's part to not laugh. Though she could certainly see how small children would find such a story scary, she couldn't help but get a mental picture of an old man who was just one giant wrinkle - and the absurdity of it made it difficult to keep a straight face.

Bluff (Super Serious): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

While she manages to not burst out laughing, she is unable to keep from grinning as the boy finishes his story. "That is a good story, you know. No wonder your father doesn't want you to share it with the younger children - I probably would have had nightmares for weeks if I had heard a story like that when I was small!" Her grin recedes to a smile and she continues. "You know, there's nothing wrong with having some fun while you go about your business," she says gently. "You just have to use your head first," she taps the side of her own head with a finger for emphasis, "and think about whether it'll come back to bite you in the backside later, like hiding that mule or scaring your brothers and sisters."

Her good-natured advice given, Briana turns and follows Viorec and the rest outside into the warm sunlight. "We're here looking for a Mr. Elias Kyle," she says in response to Viorec's question, lowering her voice so that little ears hopefully won't hear. "I'm guessing that he was part of that expedition you mentioned Zachary and his friend hiding a pack mule from? Mr. Lupescu and Mr. Cardzi mentioned that he came through with some others a few months ago, heading for the plateau. He never returned to Magnimar and so we've been sent to retrace his steps and attempt to find him, or what became of him."


Zachary seems quite embarassed as Briana tells him Old Man Wrinkles makes for a good story, he mumbles something that might be a thank you before Viorec waves him away...

Elias Kyle you say? Yes, of course I remember him... Ain't no one made a scene at the Feast quite like that feller did... Got dreadful drunk and tried to sweet talk the Festival Queen. Between that and the rude songs, I'd be surprised to see him 'round here anytime soon", Viorec waves at someone pushing a wheelbarrow towards a field to your north, "Course, there ain't no way back down of the plateau back to Magnimar without coming through here so I suppose it's kinda inevitable we'll see him again one day... him and the rest of the expedition. Can't say I've seen him since they headed upriver back in Desnus. You want my advice? I'd head up to the mayor's place... Big house on the hill, you can't miss it... If your Mr Kyle's been back this way, Mayor Kriegler will know about it". As Viorec talks about the Mayor's house, he nods at the large building you saw from the other side of the river.

"If you folks don't mind none, I've got a few more errands need done before the festival... You folks will be around for that? Have you got somewhere to stay tonight? You know there ain't no tavern, right? Ravenmoor's too small, we don't get so many visitors and it don't sit right with some of the folks 'round here anyway"


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

can I get any kind of knowledge roll on wrinkly faceless blood-suckers?

Seeing his nervousness, Teldon looks for an opportunity to ask the boy about any recent mischief out of earshot of his father... He scowls some when no such opportunity presents itself, but his curiosity is quickly superseded by his interest in the creature behind Old Man Wrinkles as the boy begins sharing his tale. Armed with new information he again searches his extensive mental catalogue of creatures for a possible match...

knowledge (take 10): 10 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ 10 + 8 + (6) = 24 for religion or planes; 25 for nature, local, or dungeoneering; and, 26 for arcana

hmm... what if it's not actually a creature but merely a part of one, like the tip of great proboscis raised above the surface to feed... Now there's a terrible but unlikely thought...

When Viorec mentions accommodations Teldon answers, "I assumed as much. We have tents for ourselves, is there a place in or near the town where it would be acceptable to set them up?"


"If you want to camp up somewhere... and that is what most folks do when they come by these parts, you'd best be asking the Mayor. There's a couple o' places he might suggest - but if he goes offering you somewhere next to the Lampblack, you ask for somewhere different, right? The Wolf in the Water's a darn sight more real than Zachary's Old Man Wrinkles!!!"

Teldon - you have read of creatures known as the Ugothol - shapechanging creatures that, in their true semi-humanoid form, have faces wreathed in deep crenellations and whorls. Equally, you have also heard of hags that have lived for so very long, their skin becomes so wrinkled as to obscure their features...


Inactive

Briana nods in response to Viorec's advice on camping spots. "We'll be sure to do that Mr. Viorec. You'll likely see us at the festival later, assuming our being there won't upset anyone. I hope that it won't. I've never actually been to a proper festival before and they've always sounded like fun..." Realizing that she's rambling, her face flushes slightly and she offers an apologetic smile. "No matter, though. We'll go speak with your Mayor and see what he has to say about Mr. Kyle."


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Listening intently to the lad's tale, Zee thinks about the various tales that she's heard over her extensive travels...

A blood-sucking humanoid creature with a face so wrinkled it is unrecognizable...?

Knowledge (various): 1d20 ⇒ 10
Arcana +9 --> 19
Geography +4 --> 14
History +7 --> 17
Local +10 --> 20
Religion +5 --> 15


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Joanna sits and listens quietly, her unease refusing to go away.

Why? Why can't I relax? The people here seem nice enough.

She doesn't have an answer, and her uneasy feelings continued gnawing at her.


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

"Thank you sharing the story with us, Zachary!"

After being told by yet another villager to visit the mayor, Zee looks at her friends. "Well, perhaps we should seek out Mayor Kriegler and see if he would speak with us."


Ziomarra - your thoughts about what 'Old Man Wrinkles' may or may not be are broadly the same as Teldon's (Above).

Image of Viorec Korzha

Viorec wishes you luck with the mayor and, saying he does hope to see you at the festival, bids you farewell for now

The mayor’s house, a clapboard, saltbox-style house, is the largest home in town. Built on a barren hill, the building has a two-story facade that slopes down to a single-story rear with the large, protruding chimney of a centrally placed hearth. The house seems inviting, and much better maintained than Ravenmoor’s other buildings; your walk to it, around the back of the smithy and the village square, takes you past what must surely be the village stones that the elders had previously spoken about…

A large ring of black river stones and tall, stacked rock columns encompasses an open-air amphitheatre built against a steeply sloped sandstone outcropping. Stone benches sit nearby, while a misshapen wicker and corn-husk figure with mossy canvas wings looms over an altar stone at the far side.

Knowledge (Geography) DC20:
Many of these stone megaliths can be found in the Ravenmoor hinterlands—so-called “troll rocks” of popular local legend (supposedly fragments from immense rock trolls that succumbed to the petrifying light of the sun).

Taking a further look, slanted stone pews interrupt overgrown weeds and flank a central aisle terminating at a small raised dais. A stone altar sits upon this stage, and a life-sized wicker and corn- husk representation of Desna looms above, depicted in a kneeling pose, her mossy canvas wings spread wide and crawling with spiders.

Knowledge (Religion) DC15:
You get the unnerving feeling that this representation of Desna seems strangely crude and untended, almost as if it were more of an effigy than a proper object of love and veneration

There is no one around to talk about the stones and so, having seen as much as you can, you cross a small stream and climb the well-tended path that leads to the mayor’s house. As you climb, you hear a gentle ‘swish-swish’… a sound that reveals itself to be from a sickle being well-worked against tall weeds that have grown to one side of the building – the person wielding the sickle, a surly-looking young man, stops his work as he hears your voices. With the sickle, a highly polished tool, held to his side he calls out to you, ”Hey!!! I heard there’s strangers come to town asking all sorts of questions… what business have ya got here? Our village don’t need no out of towners poking their noses around… The mayor ain’t got no time to speakin’ to your likes anyway”. The man spits on the floor and stares at you…


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Kn. Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

As she looks upon the place of worship, Joanna's unease grows. The color drains from her face as memories of her lessons about the other religions on Golarion come back to her.

"I don't think these people worship Desna," she whispers to the others, her voice trembling slightly.

===The Mayor's House==

When the young man confronts them, Joanna steps forward.

"We mean no harm, we are only looking for man who passed through here and wanted to speak with the mayor about him," she says, trying to soothe the young man's temper. On a thought, she pulls the silver symbol of Iomedae that hung about her neck from under her vest and holds it up for him to see.

"I am a paladin of Iomedae, and on my word, we mean you and your village no harm," she promises him in a soft, earnest voice, trying not to let her unease show.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16


Inactive

Kn. Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

"I think you might be right," Briana murmurs in reply, her expression genuinely disturbed at the sight of the representation. "But if not Desna, then who or what?"

Mayor's House

"That's right," Briana nods in agreement. "We're just looking for someone and both Mr. Lupescu and Mr. Viorec said we should speak with your Mayor." Almost as an afterthought, she adds, "Shouldn't he be the one to decide if he has the time to speak with us?"

Diplomacy (Aid Another): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23


"A Paladin of Iomedae? Is that supposed to mean something - because the last time we had some other holy folk 'round here it was that expedition heading north... they had some priest of Abadar or something with them, didn't stop them running off with ol' Kharvoski's daughter did it? Oh no Miss, 'round here only the word of 'the Night Song' gets listened to... Everything else is just wind..."

And then, as Briana interjects, "Look, my brother's a real busy man... The festival don't just run isself now does it? So, yeah... I think I get to decide who sees him and who doesn't", the man's fingers curl around the handle of the sickle as he stands firm, "an' I say, that you folks is in the doesn't camp"

Image of Leonard Kriegler


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"It means that when my word is given, I will keep it, even if it means that I die. It means that I will not let harm come to any innocent that I can help, even if it costs me my life, sir," Joanna says, the insult making her tone hard and sharp. She stops and takes in a deep breath before speaking again in a more normal tone.

"We may even be able to help return the missing lass to you, with your brother's help, though I'm shocked that a priest of Abadar would do something such as kidnapping. Please, we are only trying to help, and if mere words will not sway you, then perhaps actions will. Would you be willing to believe us if I were to entrust my safety and well-being to you for our stay here? No weapons nor armor, just me and a change of clothing."

She looks back to the others, trying to reassure them silently before turning back to the man.

"Please, sir. We have been tasked with finding this man, and now that we know of it, we will find the missing girl as well. On my honor, both personally and as a paladin of the Inheritor, this is what I promise you and the rest of Ravenmoor. If the girl still draws breath, we will see her safely home."


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

taking 10 I can't fail any of those knowledge checks

As they pass by it, Teldon mentions that stone circles like the one outside the town are fairly common in this region. When the others talk about their concerns over the crude effigy of Desna he nods in agreement.

At the mayor's house he listens as Jo and Briana attempt soften his brother's mood. As things take a turn for the worse he opens his mouth to speak... 1 second too late as Joanna begins pronouncing oaths about rescuing a woman who's whereabouts, and even the actually details of her disappearance, are completely unknown. As she speaks he quietly facepalms.

so reckless... let's hope her brazen oaths at least gain us an audience... This never would have happened if we'd gone up to Lame Jimmy's place...


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Ah Paladins, making rogues, wizards, and rogue-y wizards facepalm since 900 AD. :D
Seriously though, I LOL'd when I read that.


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

At the standing stones...

Know (geography): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Know (religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Looking at the wicker symbol of Desna that's crawling with flies, Zee feels a sudden chill. He hand absently clutches her holy symbol and then she raises it to her lips.

"I think you may be right. Worshipping the Starsong at ancient standing stone circles is not an unusual practice-- I've done so myself many times-- but this idol seems a mockery of Desna, not an object of reverence." She pauses, and muses, "I wonder if the villagers realize they're being led astray..."

is there another deity that tries to co-opt and corrupt worshipers of another faith? Especially a deity that has animosity toward Desna?


Follower of Desna or Knowledge (Religion) DC15:
All of Desna’s followers know stories of the two greatest sadnesses that the goddess carries with her and of the two deities that hold most animosity towards her;

Ghlaunder’s Hatching: While wandering the Ethereal Plane long ago, Desna discovered a strange cocoon that pulsed with magic. Curious, she broke it open and released a mosquito-like being called Ghlaunder, which immediately attacked her. She easily fended off its attacks, but the resilient creature managed to escape before she could destroy it. Now Ghlaunder plagues the mortal world as a demigod of parasites and infection. Desna still hunts the godling and his cults in the hope of wiping them out or perhaps turning his power to a more positive end, just as leeches can aid certain ailments and maggots can cleanse infected wounds. Her priests teach this story as an example of how every life contains mistakes and bad choices, but it is better to live, make those mistakes, and accept the challenges they present than to hide away and do nothing.

Lamashtu’s Trap: In her earliest days as a goddess, Desna’s mentor was Curchanus, a mostly forgotten god of beasts, travel, and endurance, and Desna spent many nights listening to stories of his travels. Curchanus’s greatest enemy was Lamashtu, who longed for his control over beasts. Lamashtu set a trap for Curchanus, leading him on a strange wandering path into her realm, where she swarmed him with horrible monsters, finally attacking in the guise of a deformed jackal and tearing his beast- dominion from him. This wound was too great for the elder deity, and as his dying act he willed his power over travel to Desna. Since this theft, wild animals have treated mankind as invaders rather than a part of nature, and Desna still searches far and wide to find a way to force Lamashtu to surrender Curchanus’s stolen power.

The Mayor’s brother sneers at Joanna pious tones, ”That girl is long gone and the Lady of Gossamer only knows what happened to the poor mite… I’m tellin’ ya, them folks didn’t have good intentions… oh no miss, not at all. So ya’ll be forgiving me if I don’t take the word of some child playin’ at being a knight and her friends… Now, if I gotta say it one more time, I ain’t gonna be anywhere near as friendly as I have bin… ya’ll need to be…”
The words are left hanging though as the large oaken door at the front of the house swings open and, striding out into the sallow midday sun, out comes a tall, lean man with a severe bearing, a keen stare, and an imposing mien. Taking stock for a moment and then smiling warmly, ”You’ll excuse my brother, Leonard… he truly is well intentioned even if his demeanour does not always suggest as much. He’s just looking after me and, for that, I shall be ever grateful”; Leonard nods sullenly at the man. Thrusting his hand outwards in greeting, ”Welcome to our little village, the name’s Andretti Kriegler and I have the pleasure of being the mayor to our little spot of civilisation along the Lampblack. I heard tale that we had some visitors – I hope that you have been made to feel welcome and, if no-one has extended you the courtesy, may I invite you to our festival this afternoon? It promises to be the best one yet”

Closing the door behind him and asking Leonard to keep an eye on the place, the mayor naturally gravitates toward Joanna and, offering her his arm, suggests, ”I was going to take a stroll down to the festival fields and check how the folks are going – if you would do me the kindness of walking with me? And you can tell me more of your business here… something about that Elias Kyle fellow I believe?”

Image of Mayor Andretti Kriegler


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Kn. religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
All Joanna can do is shake her head in ignorance at Ziomarra's musings.

===The Mayor's House===

Something dangerous flashes in her eyes, partly at the insult he gave her, but mostly at his callous dismissal that the girl still lived and could be saved.

Fortunately, her temper was well heeled, though it did take her a moment to be sure she had firm control over her tongue.

"I see, Mayor Kriegler. I apologize for anything I may have done to aggravate the situation." she said turning her attention to the mayor. She gives him a small, but polite bow before continuing on.

"We can certainly accompany you, and I would be delighted to come to the festival," she says, taking the man's arm, more and more of the mannerisms drilled into her as a young girl beginning to show through. She was not lying, it seems, when she claimed to be of noble blood.

As they walk, Joanna explains their predicament, and what Leonard had said about the young girl disappearing.

"If Elias Kyle and his company did make off with the girl, I will find out what they did with her. I know that she's likely lost, but still, I can't just twiddle my thumbs while someone might be in need of help. Now that we know this, I think we have more reason than ever to find him," she finishes, her grey eyes looking into the mayor's blue ones.

"Please if you know of anything that might help us find Elias and the girl, I would be more grateful for that than you could know."


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

interesting... Teldon considers, it seems neither the mayor nor his brother wish us to see inside this house at all... I wonder why that might be...

He mimics the mayor's courtesy, extending his own arm to Briana. As they walk side by side behind Jo and the mayor he smiles at the sensation of her body so close to his, and the memories of holding her at night it invokes, but also listens carefully to the mayor's words and scrutinizes his body language...

sense motive (take 10): 10 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ 10 + 8 + (4) = 22


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Zee casually takes out her Harrow deck as the conversation bewteen Leonard and Joanna takes a bad turn. She also furrows her brow at a couple of his references...

'Night Song?' 'Lady of Gossamer?' 'Dream Tender?' These names trouble me. I have not heard these names for Desna before. And the use of the word 'Gossamer' in a title... Could the Gossamer King be corrupting this town's faith...? And, could those slightly-off symbols of Desna we saw earlier actually be symbols of Ghlaunder, Lord of Parasites? That would explain the wicker effigy in the stone circle that was crawling with insects...

At first tensing at the arrival of the mayor, she relaxes when he seems to defuse the sitiation with his brother. Putting her deck away again, she smiles broadly. "Mayor Kriegler, it is good to meet you. Thank you for the invitation to attend your festival! We have traveled far along lonely roads, and it will be very nice to relax with the good people of your village. My name is Ziomarra, and these are Joanna, Arsith, Nalathi, Brianna, and Teldon."

Zee follows the mayor closely as he leads them all to the fairgrounds. As if just making small talk, she says, "I have noticed that most of the people in town are followers of Desna, the Starsong. I am likewise a follower of the Song of the Spheres. I will say that I was surprised to see that you no longer use your church, and have moved your worship to a stone circle. Did something happen to the church? Most villages change their worship sites the other way around!"

Not sure if this is Bluff or Diplomacy... Let me roll once and you can take the appropriate modifier:

Social skill roll: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Bluff +3 --> 7
Diplomacy +4 --> 8 ...uh-oh!


Inactive

"Yes, it is nice to meet you, Mayor Kriegler," Briana smiles as Zee introduces everyone. She happily takes Teldon's offered arm and seems content to stroll along with him and the others. "As we said before, we certainly don't mean or want to cause any trouble here in Ravenmoor. We're simply here to do a job; Joanna can tell you more."

As they walk towards the festival grounds, she looks around with interest, taking in the surroundings.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11


As the mayor strolls with Joanna on his arm, his voice is warm and jovial, "My dear, you are a charm... I apologise once again for my brother's oafish behaviour - he always gets anxious around Festival time. So you are looking for our mutual friend Mr Kyle then? Yes, i'm afraid he caused quite the stir around here and of course we were all so very worried when we thought Kharvoski's daughter had headed upriver with the expedition. She was such a beauty...it was little wonder that she had been crowned the Festival Queen", Mayor Kriegler stops for a moment to look at the clouds gathering to the west, tutting slightly, he continues, "Now, not so many folks know this as it could have caused a bit of a scandal with the family but Miss Kharvoski didn't go actually upriver with the expedition. You must promise to be discrete about this but she's in Riddleport now... She turned her back on Desna and is in service to the Church of Abadar - her parents are so devout that they'd rather believe her abducted than have lost her faith"

And then, moving the conversation on towards the missing Consortium agent, "Now, you might have heard the stories that Elias Kyle came back through this way? He stayed overnight at Jimmy Petrovksa's place before crossing the Lampblack a little upriver from here. Leonard and I kept him away from the village to stop there being a ruckus... This was a week or so back so I guess he's far away from here now", the mayor stops at the stones and makes a show of kneeling before the figure of Desna, "So, if it's a comfort, he's safely down from the plateau and probably back in Galduria...if not beyond there by now. If you don't mind me asking, why were you looking for him anyway?"

Whilst the mayor is standing amongst the stones, Ziomarra takes the opportunity to ask about the derelict church yet somehow her tone sparks quite the reaction in the mayor. Kriegler looks briefly flustered before fixing Ziomarra with a steely gaze, "Don't forget you are a guest here in our village... The church was built to honour Desna yet, over the years, we realised the song of the stars was ever more beautiful out here amongst our stones. Maybe my ancestors should have turned the building into something more practical instead of letting it fall to ruin but we kind of like it there as a reminder of our past and what makes our village different". Gathering himself, the mayor smiles once more, "I apologise for my outburst, I can trace my bloodline all the way back to Iola Kriegler... I do tend to take certain things more personally than I should".

Teldon - there is something not quite ringing true about Mayor Kriegler's demeanour...

Briana - as you walk away from the manor, you can see that the majority of the houses in the village lie to the south, and are in generally good condition - apart from a large farmhouse near the foot of the hill which, with a collapsed roof, has been left to ruin.


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"My apologies if we have offended you, good sir, but my friend meant no disrespect, I am sure," Joanna says in an attempt to smooth over the unintended slight.

"As for Mister Kyle, I'm afraid that he never made it to Galduria, and if he and his band were accosted on the way, we missed the signs," Joanna tells the man, "we were tasked with finding him by his employer. Beyond that, we have to relationship with the man."

Joanna takes in a deep breath and sighs.

"Enough about that though. There will be time enough for our merry band to dwell on it later. For now, can you tell us more about the festival. My father often brought back stories and customs of the people in the lands he traded with, and I would like to add some tales of my own to his considerable collection."


Mayor Kriegler graciously accepts Joanna’s apology, ”Oh no my dear, it is I who should apologise for my brusqueness – your friend was merely pointing out a difference between our village and other places that she has visited in her travels.”

Taking Joanna’s arm once more, ”Shall we walk on up to the Festival Field? I can tell you a little more about our tradition. You see, Ravenmoor is a hard place to farm – even beneath the winged traveller’s...". Mayor Kriegler catches himself, "Sorry, we do tend to use more parochial terms, I mean beneath Desna's gaze, our citizens must work hard through the spring, summer and autumn to ensure we survive the harsh winter. The festival was established many generations ago to give our folk something to look forward to each month and to ensure that we remember our founders’ teachings. There are competitions, races, displays of produce… of course we also look for our festival queen… and then we will hold our feast. For as long as I can remember, we hold the festival on the day before the full moon of each month and different families are responsible for organising each one”, the mayor smiles, ”a little bit of healthy competition means it’s always a good day. Fortune has smiled upon you that you have arrived on the best day of the calendar – the festival always starts at three in the afternoon and, if the rain holds off, it looks like we are in for a great evening”.

Kriegler stops for a moment, ”Oh! You must forgive me, what a terrible host I have proven to be… Pray tell, do you have lodgings for the night? Would you do me the great honour of all staying at the manor this evening… and of course longer if you wish”

By now, Mayor Kriegler has escorted you to a large field at the north of the village where a handful of folk are putting the finishing touches on what would appear to be the festival grounds – there are trestle tables and small canvas pavilions dotted around the field and even a small stage in one corner. Centrally within the field, there is a wide open space encircled by benches – Mayor Kriegler, smiling at the folk preparing the field, points out, ”That’s where most of the competitions will take place…”


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"That does sound wonderful, and we have not made arrangements for any lodgings, so if my friends do not object, we would be happy to accept your offer," Joanna says with a smile.

When they arrive at the camp grounds, the growing unease in the back of her mind is forgotten for the moment. It may not be as grand as some of the festivals and balls she had seen in Magnimar, but the festival grounds promised that the afternoon would be anything but dull.

"What sorts of competitions do you hold," Joanna asks, her curiosity piked.

Feel free to chime in. I really am not trying to steal the show. :)


Inactive

Ninja'd!

As they walk, Briana gives the dilapidated farmhouse a curious look.

Odd...why did they just leave it instead of tearing it down? Surely some of the original building materials could be reused?

She opens her mouth to ask, but quickly closes it again as the Mayor gives Zee a rather steely look for asking the same question about the church.

Better not...perhaps Viorec or someone else would be willing to tell me more. I'll try to remember to ask at the festival...

"Yes, that does sound much better than another night of camping!" Briana laughs, nodding in agreement with Joanna. "Thank you very much."

As they arrive at the festival grounds, Briana watches the villagers setting up as Joanna inquires as to the types of competitions held. "Is the stage also part of the competitions or do you have musical entertainment as well?"


The mayor seems quite glad that you have taken up his offer, "Then that's settled, I'll send someone up to tell Leonard to get your rooms ready... You should go and make yourselves comfortable before the festival starts"

Beckoning to a small lad who had been struggling with a large basket of berries over to him, the mayor instructs him to, "Go tell my brother to get the guestrooms at the manor ready - his other errands may wait". The mayor turns back to you and answers the questions about the festival, "Competitions? Well they vary from month to month but as far as I know we'll be having a few races, raven fights - of course and I believe we shall even have a greased pig to wrestle". As you stroll towards one of the pavilions, Mayor Kriegler confirms that there will indeed be music, "...and a poetry competition I understand! Maybe one of you fine ladies would regale us with verses from your travels?"

Seeing a man putting the finishing touches to a striped pavilion - it's colours, maybe once vibrant, are now faded - Mayor Kriegler apologises, "If you would excuse me - I'm afraid I have some business with Mr Farvre that needs to be seen to... You've got a couple of hours until the festival so please feel free to take a look around at the village as you like - or, give Leonard half an hour or so, head up to the manor to freshen up"

As he leaves you, he bows graciously and once more states how pleased he is to welcome you to Ravenmoor.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

Teldon returns the mayor's bow and replies, "and we are grateful for your gracious welcome."

As soon as the mayor is safely out of earshot he quietly says to the group, "There are so many things amiss here that I don't even know where to start listing them... I guess I'll go chronologically as we traveled... the skull of the 'water wolf' was that of a malformed calf, but even the adults are concerned about the creature's threat so it must mask some other menace; there are too many people in town wearing bandages- that could be a coincidence, as the percentage has decreased as we've seen more people, but it could also point to a recent incident nobody is speaking of, or to more unusual religious practices; speaking of which, there are so many odd things about their religious observance that I can't help but wonder if they are intentionally being mislead by someone, or something... and why is there a ruined building just sitting in the town..." Pausing for a long overdue breath, he gathers himself and continues, "I'm sorry, I seem to have gotten a bit off course for a moment there... to finish more succinctly: the mayor's demeanor was that of a man who is not being completely forthright, he and his brother seemed very keen on ensuring that we were not allowed in to the manner right away--thus our little stroll--and, given what others have said about accommodations, our invitation to stay there seems rather unusual."

Affecting a large grin he concludes, "We should all try to fit in and appear to have fun at the festival, but keep your eyes and ears open, don't wander off alone, and be mindful of what you're eating and drinking, we may need to have our wits about us..."

"Now," he adds, returning to a normal speaking volume, "shall we go and speak with Lame Jimmy or are there other pressing matters with which we must deal?"


Inactive

"W...wrestling a greased pig? Um, that sounds lovely!" Briana responds, a bit of her noble upbringing showing itself in the forced politeness of her tone. "I believe I will sit that one out, however. Some of the other competitions might be more suitable for me...or perhaps simply enjoying the music."

Why in the world would anyone want to wrestle a pig or any other sort of livestock? Is that supposed to be fun?

"And did anyone see that old farmhouse on our walk over here?" she chimes in once the mayor has left them. "I thought the same thing as we did about the church...it seems very strange to just let it fall into disrepair instead of converting it to something else or even dismantling it for materials. Teldon's advice is sound, I think. We can still attempt to have fun at the festival but we need to be careful. And even though most of the people we've met so far have seemed really nice, there may be more like Leonard, that aren't so keen on us being here."

She coughs and raises her voice back to normal volume as well as she looks around at the group. "Not that I know of. I'm ready to go speak with Lame Jimmy if everyone else is."


Inactive

Rowenna looks up at Briana and the others, offering a large yawn.

All this walking and talking. When do we eat? Greased pig actually sounds rather tasty...


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Zed: Since Zee is a follower of Desna, I am assuming that she has some level of familiarity with Ghlaunder. If I've overstepped what Zee would know about the cult of Ghlaunder below by taking 10 on a Know (religion) check (15), please let me know and I'll retcon this conversation.

* * * Before the mayor departs * * *

With her question about the church angrily shot down, Zee also backs down. "Mr. Mayor, I apologize, and I meant no offense! If I may ask when you conduct your services to the Starsong, I would be honored to attend. Desna is an ancient deity, and I know that there are many sects that have their own traditions that trace back millennia. I think that it would be very enligttening for my own journey to learn how your village worships the Song of the Spheres!"

And if I am invited, perhaps I can learn what's really going on in this town...

* * * After the mayor departs * * *

Zee nods as she listens to Teldon's analysis. After he concludes, she adds, "My friend, I am in complete agreement. There is something very... 'off'... about how the people of this village revere Desna. The abandoned church, the mocking idols of Desna in both the ruins of the church and the stone circle, the strange titles they use for her... One title that the mayor's brother used greatly disturbed me... He refered to the 'Lady of Gossamer.' This reminds me of a story.

"When Desna was was a young goddess, before the world had fully taken its form, Desna was wandering the Great Beyond, looking for things she had never seen before. She came across a strange, pulsing cocoon. Ever inquisitive, the Starsong opened the cocoon to see what was therein. Out came a being like a great mosquito, which immediately attacked her. She fought it off, and it escaped, and became known as Ghlaunder, the Gossamer King, Lord of Parasites. The release of Ghlaunder is one of Desna's greatest regrets. The two have forver been enemies, yet Desna hopes that some day she will be able to redeem Ghlaunder, for not all parasites are necessarily evil. Think of how a chirurgeon uses leeches to heal. But I digress.

"Worshipers of Ghlaunder sometimes pose as followers of other faiths, attempting to corrupt these unknowing congregations like an infestation, slowing bending the worship away from the original faith to Ghlaunder. I am starting to fear that may be the case here in Ravenmoor.

"Teldon, I agree that we should act as the gracious guests in this town, and to take the mayor's word at face value for now. Let us all keep our eyes and ears open, and our guard up. Not all is as it appears in this town."

As Teldon breaks his conpiratorial tone, Zee does as well. "Yes, let us find this Lame Jimmy and see what he has to tell us about the missing Bronze Agent."


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

whilst still speaking in his conspiratorial tone...
Teldon nods in agreement as Zee speaks about religious matters. "I didn't want to jump to any conclusions," he adds, "but Ghlaunder came to my mind as well... swampland would be a natural locale for its worship, and that might explain, at least in part, the strange attachment to stirges..."

hearing no objections to heading to Lame Jimmy's...
Teldon holds Briana even closer than usual, still feeling thrilled by her closeness but now also feeling a sense of concerned protectiveness. He walks briskly as he leads the way to the odd man's house.


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Joanna walks along quietly, she knew a little of the other goodly faiths, but she'd never heard of Ghalunder, and what Ziomarra had told her had her worried.

This is looking worse and worse the more we dig into this. Iomedae, how deep does this go?


Inactive

Briana's eyes widen as Zee shares her story of Ghlaunder's release into the world and the insidious nature of his worship and she shudders at the mention of leeches and other such parasites. "But even if that's what has happened here, how does that relate to Mr. Kyle and his disappearance? Do you think some or all of the villagers are responsible? Some of them have seemed so nice..." she murmurs, looking rather disturbed by this new information. As they walk, she glances up at Teldon and squeezes his hand, suddenly thankful for his presence by her side for more reasons than those of the heart.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

As they journey toward Lame Jimmy's, Teldon gently strokes Briana's knuckles with his thumb in an attempt to reassure her. "There's not enough evidence yet to determine that..." he answers, "it could be that he discovered something and was silenced, or he could have been a convenient option for a sacrifice, or his disappearance could be unrelated to any potential cult activity... we'll need to learn more to make that determination. It's very unlikely that everyone in town is involved, most of them seem to be being honest with us, except the mayor."


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

"And, it is also possible that many villagers do not realize their faith has been subverted, and truly believe they still venerate Desna, even as their practices no longer please her."


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"I hope you're right, Zee," Joanna says, wishing she was more sure of what she needed to do.


Inactive

"I suppose you're right," Briana sighs, nodding in agreement with Teldon and Zee's points. "And I suppose we will find out, one way or the other. Nothing else to do now but visit Lame Jimmy and then see what the festival has to offer, right?"


With the village, which really is no more than the twenty or thirty houses gathered around the church ruins, almost completely explored - and with a few hours to kill, it seems that the next line of investigation is to find your way to 'Lame Jimmy' up at the Klodz farm. There is only the one trail heading north and, after receiving a sullen nod from a villager that it does lead to the farm, you strike out to the north...

About quarter of an hour into your journey, the grey clouds that have been gathering start to shed their burden...a depressingly cold drizzle that not only slowly soaks your clothing but also turns the edge of the dirt track into a boot sucking quagmire. It is quite a relief when you arrive at a signpost that directs you away from the main track, down towards the river and into the welcoming shelter afforded by an ancient wood; the light seeping through the foliage gives everything a green hue whilst the only sound is that of the rain dissipating in the highest branches of those old trees.

Knowledge (Nature) / Survival DC15:
In the fifteen minutes that you have been walking through the woods, there hasn't been a single animal noise... No birds... No foxes, deer nor rabbits... Nothing... With the sudden change in the weather, you would have expected to have seen some evidence of animals sheltering.

Low hanging branches hanging over the trail have the occasional butterfly winged fetish dangling from them - again they are crudely made and strangely unsettling - and, as the woods become more dense, they become more frequent...

...until, upon turning at a fork in the trail, you find they are no longer hanging from the trees but are lying in the dirt - each and every one, intentionally crushed...

Within quarter of a mile, you arrive at a gate opening into a large clearing - with a dark wood, clapperboard building squatting in the middle of the muddy space. The building looks to have been scorched by fire at some point and, across the roof - which is still broadly intact - hundreds of crows are perched. The silence is suddenly broken by a single 'caw'...

...which reverberates around the clearing before it echoes back a hundred fold from the multitude of oil-black birds...

The sign on the gate reads, in crudely charcoaled writing, 'Klodz'

Perception DC15:
All of the windows to the building are shuttered apart from one towards the far side of the clearing.

Perception DC20:
A trail of footprints lead to - and from- the opened window.


Inactive

Survival (DC 15): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

As the group trudges through the rain and the muck, Briana can't shake the feeling that something is off...and as they begin to see the butterfly fetishes hanging from the trees once more, it finally comes to her.

"Listen...do you hear that?" she whispers to the others. "Nothing. No birds, no insects, no animals. With this rain, there should at least be indications of the creatures that live here sheltering, but we haven't seen anything and I haven't heard anything either."

Her feeling of apprehension only grows as they turn at a fork in the trail to discover numerous fetishes lying in the mud, deliberately crushed. Given what Zee and Teldon had said about the strange manner in which the villagers of Ravenmoor seemed to worship Desna, she wants to feel optimistic as she regards the crushed fetishes. However, they only seem to add to the eerily quiet and foreboding atmosphere that the woods seem to hold.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

When they finally reach the farmhouse, she simply stares in amazement at the scorched roof and the multitude of crows perched along it. "What in the world happened here? Surely people don't actually live here in this shack?"


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

On the road...

Survival: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Zee pulls several scarves over her head in a vain attempt to keep her hair dry. After Brianna's comment, Zee whispers, "Yes... I noticed it too. This is unsettling."

Zee stops briefly to examine one of the butterfly-shaped fetishes.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

"More of these. They seem more like a mockery of Desna's symbol. Still, seeing them trampled om the ground does not reassure me."

At the Klodz farm...

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Zee seems to be distracted and caught off-guard by the cacaphonous murder of crows. She takes out her spell deck.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

perception (take 10): 10 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ 10 + 10 + (2) = 22

"I fear we are too late to speak with Lame Jimmy," Teldon quietly states, the softness of his voice making the words seem somehow more ominous in the still, soggy field, "one of the windows is unshuttered and there is a single trail of footprints leading to and from it... it's possible that the trail is actually from it and back, but given the scorch marks and proliferation of crows I suspect that Mr. Klodz recently fell victim to an arsonist."

His keen eyes scan the tree line around the clearing and then take on that far away look which often comes when he quickly runs through multiple scenarios in his mind. "The villagers are distrustful of outsiders... someone may try to lay the blame for this on us... we should look through the open window to see what we can observe, perhaps discover if the farmer still lives, but entering the house will likely make it harder to convince the people that we had no part in this... we can also try to follow the footprints back to their source but this rain will not help in that endeavor..."

Without really waiting for a reply, Teldon begins making his way cautiously across the open field towards the shack.


The moment that Teldon steps out into the open, a black cloud of birds - launching themselves with a rising screech - takes flight. The noise is, for a few moments, deafening - an orchestra of beating wings, rushing air and crow shrieks. Swirling and swooping around the burnt farmhouse, the murder of crows eventually dissipates and roosts in the trees encircling the clearing...

...an occasional inquisitive 'caw' sounds out but other than that, silence reigns once more...

Moving quietly towards the building, Teldon approaches the open window...

Survival DC15:
Even though the rain has started to fill the footprints, it is easy to see that they were made by a barefooted person.

Walking past the verandah and the closed door, Teldon arrives at the open window... All is dark and quiet within - and the scent of death lies heavily in the air...


Inactive

"But why would someone want to burn his house down?" Briana whispers, loathe to raise her voice. "None of this makes any sense!"

As Teldon carefully approaches the house, Briana gasps and jumps with surprise as the crows take flight, the cacophony driving her to cover her ears until the birds eventually settle into the nearby trees. "Well," she sighs as she lowers her hands, "if anyone is nearby, they certainly know that someone is here now."

Anxiously she watches and waits as Teldon inches up to the open window, waiting for some sort of sign or indication that it's safe to approach.


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"Death. Death stalks here, his eyes wild and wide. His maw glistening red," Joanna whispers, her grey eyes scanning the treeline.

"I do not like it here. I am afraid. I am afraid," her voice quivers, her shoulders hunch, "What folly we have committed in coming here, to where Death stalks."

Fight it!

Joanna staggers forward, pulling one boot from the sucking mud and placing down in front of the other. This place, this village unnerved her. Her courage faltered, and in this moment it took everything she had to keep moving.

Fight it!

Her legs tremble as her knees threaten to buckle. She looked to her friends, to Teldon leading the way. She should be doing that, but...

But...

The image of her step mother looms over her. Every ounce of contempt, of sneering satisfaction, rained from the woman's gaze. Hadn't she faced this fear, hadn't she conquered it? The paladin's steps slow as she Feels the world around her swim and churn.

"W-we should... W-w-we should run," she muttered under her breath, and in saying those words, she knew she'd lost her fight.

I realize that there will likely be consequences for this, GM. If Joanna has to do this without her nifty paladin powers, well, that might make things a little more interesting. Although, that's more up to the group than me, really.


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Ninja'd by Joanna. Editing post to react to her actions.

As Teldon approaches the house, Zee whispers, "Let me look through the Harrow for signs of magic."

Zee utters arcane words and then holds a Harrow card before one eye. Both the card and her other eye glow with a faint blue shimmer. She fixes her gaze toward the house, inching closer.

Casts detect magic, then approaches to within ten feet of the shack.

However, Zee does not get very far when Joanna's outburst startles her. With a look of genuine concern, she turns toward the young paladin. "My friend, are you all right?" Zee continues looking at Joanna through the Harrow, fearing her friend is suddenly under magical influence.


Joanna - Cool - yeah, nifty paladin powers may well desert Joanna for a while now... Let's see what happens next.

Ziomarra - There are no magical auras present here...

Suddenly the quiet within the clearing is broken... From somewhere within the roof of the farmhouse, a high pitched squeal cuts through the silence followed by the sound of something crashing to the floor...


Inactive

Briana also turns toward Joanna, her anxious observation of Teldon momentarily forgotten. "Run...? Joanna, what do you mean?" Briana whispers, her own eyes suddenly wide.

Teldon doesn't seem afraid...neither do Zee, Arsith, or Nalathi...but I've never seen Joanna like this before. Maybe she's right, maybe there's something out there just waiting to strike...!?

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Finding her friend's sudden fear dangerously infectious, Briana is briefly tempted to heed her words and run, but manages to shake off the feeling as she sees Zee holding fast.

No, this isn't like Joanna! Something else is wrong.

"Joanna, there's nothing wrong," she whispers gently. "It's just the spooky atmosphere, that's a-" her words are rudely interrupted by the sudden squeal and thud as something seems to crash to the floor from within the farmhouse, making the young woman jump with surprise.

Without thinking, she moves to stand behind Teldon, weapon drawn and ready to back him up should something come screaming out of the farmhouse to attack.

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