Raseri Whitescale |
Raseri looks over her shoulder when Tobais shows up. She shrugs at the hunter and steps aside so he can step up.
"I'd be honest here. If you don't want to fight us, then we're not going to kill you out of hand," Raseri tells the woman, though her eyes meet with Tobias' trying to gauge his reaction to her words.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Grandma Mable |
"Oh dear I am afraid my friends are not as patient as I am dear. Please come out. I really don't want you hurt. We just need to make sure you don't try to hurt us in return. Be a good dear and come talk to dear old grandma!"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Darrian Masters Dungeon Maestro |
Raseri and Mable get the sense that she is indeed telling the truth about not wanting to kill anyone. Both of you get a slight sense of sadness from her spoken truth.
Mable even picks up something more in her voice.. a slight quiver that shows quite clearly that the girl is scared.. very scared. Mable understands that if they push too hard she might react based on her fear... and well.. that could be quiet negative.
After Tobias speaks the girl's voice gets quiet for a moment as she mumbles to herself, "Dammit... So they took they place before they took me in... dammit."
She then speaks louder to make sure that she's heard, "I had nothing to do with harming them, who ever they were. As to being a bandit? No, I am here because I was unfortunate enough to be. They took me in for my skills and gave me shelter because of the trouble that those skills caused."
Geoff walks over and says "Ten-Penny.. just come out now. Rohkar tried to kill us but these folks saved us. You don't have to trust them, but trust that Charl and I are alive... and they probably won't kill us offhandedly." As he says that he gives Raseri quick sidelong glance and a slight nervous smile.
Raseri Whitescale |
Raseri slips the scabbard of her greatsword off of her back and and sheathes the long blade.
"You have my word that we'll not harm you. If that's not good enough, then trust in this. My clan takes our oaths seriously. Our word, once given, is kept, even if it costs us our lives," The young Ulfen warrior says as she steps into the room. Storhrid follows on her heels, the white wolf looking at Ten-Penny curiously, then at Raseri, who lets out a sigh at the look.
"I feel that you are telling the truth, and Storhrid here seems to like you. I am Raseri Whitescale. Well met," she says holding out her hand with a wry half-smile.
Tobias Johansen |
"The men here before your lot were Sentinels. Good men, and good for the land and its people." Tobias lifts his chin and drops the point of his sword. "Our quarrel is not with you, Ten-Penny."
Darrian Masters Dungeon Maestro |
Before you truly enter the kitchen, you glimpse the floor. Strewn thinly across it seems to be several sacks worth of flour, much of the particles of yet to settle.
As you round the corner you see a half-orc woman crouched behind some barrels. In her arms is a crossbow, its length resting on the barrel in front of her. She has you sighted as you enter the room, adjusting as you go across her vision. On a barrel next to her is a small dish with a dull red glow perched up on its rim.
She eyes you warily with your weapon sheathed before relaxing her aim with the crossbow slightly. She waits several more moments to judge your actions and relaxes visibly.
Though visibly surprised by your final gesture, she doesn't react much more than a mere flicker on her face and a slight flinching away.
"An Ulfen? Far away from home aren't you?" She says and then nods towards Tobias as he enters the room, acknowledging the sentiment.
She quickly tips a teacup over on the dish with the glow and those present realized that it was a good sized coal. You deduce that she quickly and purposely had the flour strewn across the floor and was planning to set the whole kitchen alight in a flash if she felt that your intentions weren't pure.
She sets the crossbow to the side, still keeping her hand on it. "And well met to both of you... now what? What is to be done here? To me? I know you are here for the Lady. She hasn't been harmed and I assumed she was here for ransom? Though if what you say was true and the sentinels did own this lodge... I don't know what Rohkar plans to do with her anymore..."
Tobias Johansen |
Tobias scuffs the toe of a well-worn boot in the flour, eyebrows raising slightly. "Very clever, lass,", he mutters, nodding approvingly. "Yes, we are here for the Lady, and to make sure Rohkar will harm no-one in the future. You've fallen in with a bad crowd, and we won't hold it against you, if you truly don't want to hurt anyone." Nodding to the crossbow, he adds, "How about you point that thing somewhere else, and tell us where your... associate is keeping the lady?"
Raseri Whitescale |
"Yes and no," Raseri answers with a grin as she notices the coal and the flour, "I grew up in Kalsgard, but in a way, the road is my home."
After Tobias asks, Raseri's grin grows ferocious.
"Aye, an' maybe ye can tell us where the filthy son-of-a-pig-whore's hidin' so we can teach him th'folly o' raisin' the dead fer his dirty work."
Darrian Masters Dungeon Maestro |
Ten-Penny nods and says "She's being held in the basement beneath that trapdoor over yonder. I had a chat with her every now and again when they had me bring her food. Proud woman that... smart too if our brief exchanges are anything to go by... But enough about that. Rohkar went down there just a little bit ago before you got here... there isn't anyway I can think of he didn't hear you, though I don't know why he didn't come help."
She politely points the crossbow at the ground but pointedly doesn't relinquish it.
Sorry about the wait. House sitting on short notice and there dogs kept me busy.
Tobias Johansen |
"Seems Rohkar doesn't care much to defend you," Tobias says grimly. "You stay out of our way, and we won't cause you any trouble." He offers a thick-gloved hand to the half-orc. "On my honour."
Grandma Mable |
All right dearies before we head to the basement, does anyone need some healing?"
Raseri Whitescale |
Raseri rolls her shoulders slowly, before twisting this way then that.
"Nah, I'm good," she says with a grin. Storhrid bumps her hand for a skritch behind the ears, which is promptly given.
Raseri Whitescale |
Raseri tries not to frown at Ten-Penny's blush, but it was hard.
After being shown the trap door
Once the door is open, Raseri and Storhrid are the first ones down.
Perception Ragnhildr: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Perception Storhrid (Scent): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Darrian Masters Dungeon Maestro |
It is very dark in what was once a small wine seller. It is obvious to you that the wine was taken from this a while ago and replaced with a small holding cell of sorts. Blankets for warmth sit in one corner, the remnants of a meal sit in another. Despite the bleak feel of the place it seems that the bandits kept it well cleaned and there is no indication that the lady had to use this place as a restroom at any point.
A woman, to whom you can only assume to be Lady Argentea, calmly sits in one corner as you descend into her prison. She appears to be fine if a little dirty.
She sits up and watches you with a slight weary cast to her eyes,"Who are you? I don't believe we have meet before... but who knows with all of Rohkars men milling about..."
She pauses as she gets a better look at you, "... You aren't one of Rohkars men?"
This seems to give her a quick jolt of joy that she hides quickly under the facade of her station... though she is slow to give up the small smile that appears on her face.
Rohkar is nowhere to be seen.
Raseri Whitescale |
"No, milady," Raseri answers with a bit more formality than she's shone since being kicked out of the pool of Ulfen guard hopefuls, "I have come to fulfill my shield-brother's oath. I am Raseri Whitescale of Kalsgard."
Storhrid merely pads up to the cell and sniffs curiously at Lady Argentea.
Grandma Mable |
Grandma smiles gently at the frightened child.
Its all right now. You can come out deary, its safe for you. By the way, have you seen this rascal Rohkar? We were told he came down here."
Grandma begins to carefully look around the room.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Darrian Masters Dungeon Maestro |
You don't see any indication that Rohkar or anyone else is down here. The "cell" also seems to be air tight save for the hatch you just entered.
The lady looks confused and says, "He was here a moment ago... then I heard noise coming from up above. He swore and rushed past me. I could have sworn he was headed for the hatch, but when I turned around to watch his passing he was gone."
Raseri Whitescale |
"Fjandinn norn," Raseri mutters before turning to the young noblewoman.
"Milady, if you have no further business here, the let us be rid of this place," she says, "I'm sure your guardsman would be delighted to see you again."
Tobias Johansen |
"Don't we need to teach Rohkar - what was it again? - the folly of raising the dead for his dirty work?" Tobias asks grimly. "This hunt may not yet be over."
Raseri Whitescale |
"Aye, but I've an oath to fulfill first," Raseri answers, "do ye think it be wise to take a lady along when there's no telling what kinds of nasty spells and curses he has up his sleeves?"
Grandma Mable |
"We don't want anyone following us all the way back to town deary. I think we need to make sure no one is left here to harrass us." Grandma says with a gentle smile.
Tobias Johansen |
"Come on, lass." Tobias lays a cold glove on Raseri's shoulder. "Amma is right. We need to make sure he won't follow us. The Lady will be safe with us." He whistles sharply between his teeth, nodding to the Lady, and Kaveri obediently stands next to her, head lowered. "Especially with him," he chuckles.
Handle Animal (defend Lady Argentea): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Raseri Whitescale |
Raseri looks like she's about to argue the point for a moment. Instead, though, she closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath.
"Both of you have a point," She admits quietly, "but my promise was to deliver her to safety. My word is as iron. I cannot break it."
Sorry for being difficult, but this is part of the character. She's stubborn and holds to her promises even if it will kill her. She's not the type to try and find a loophole either unless there are other circumstances. Now, if Lady Argentea were to order her to follow Rohkar and kill him before taking her back to town, that's a different story. ;)
Darrian Masters Dungeon Maestro |
I kinda assumed that's what you were going for when you made the check Mable. You have no clue how he could have gotten out.
The Lady, with an air that could only come from years of life within her station, says "Thank you for your concern, but as of yet I am unharmed. Rohkar should be stopped... I ask you as it begets my honor and the honor of my house and the responsibility we have to the people. I do think you would be able to protect me... you all seem quite capable."
Grandma Mable |
"I believe we still have his chest to investigate and the upstairs. Which would you like to look at first?" Grandma looks around expectantly.
Raseri Whitescale |
"As you wish, milady," Raseri says with a polite bob of her head. She then helps the young woman out of the cellar before doing the same for Storhrid.
The white wolf, seeing a new set of hands to pet her, bumps into Lady Argentea's leg.
Raseri Whitescale |
"Perhaps, but who knows how the minds of wicked witches work," Raseri replies.
Tobias Johansen |
"You'll be safe with us," Tobias reassures the noblewoman, flashing a toothy grin at Raseri. "We should look upstairs. It's likely he knows of our presence, and waits."
Where are Ten-Penny, Geoff, and Charl during all of this?
Darrian Masters Dungeon Maestro |
"You'll be safe with us," Tobias reassures the noblewoman, flashing a toothy grin at Raseri. "We should look upstairs. It's likely he knows of our presence, and waits."
Where are Ten-Penny, Geoff, and Charl during all of this?
Kinda standing around awkwardly. Geoff and Charl look a bit surprised about something and are looking around suspisciously. They also seem to be staying near everyone in the group, keeping their presence known while staying out of your way. Ten-Penny seems to be quickly sorting through a few items, of which you can't tell because of how fast she inspects them and how close she keeps the items to her person. She seems less frightened by everyone in general and seems to blush when you look in her general direction, but quickly hides it behind her "work" and mutterings.
Raseri Whitescale |
Raseri follows Tobias, seeing that Storhrid is content to extort head scratches and be close to Kaveri. As they climb the stairs, she whispers into the ranger's ear.
"It appears that I've happened across a pup in wolf's clothing. Should I be worried?"
Tobias Johansen |
"Nay, lass. She's a savage beast of the north, not a pup." Unfortunately for Tobias, he chooses to say this just as Storhrid yawns widely and snaps at her own tail. "Well, in theory, she is," he sighs, shaking his head as he makes for the stairs.
Can we get a map of the upstairs, GM?
Raseri Whitescale |
"Well, she seems to be content guarding our charge, even if she acts more like a lap dog than a guard dog," Raseri replies with a sigh.
Darrian Masters Dungeon Maestro |
"Nay, lass. She's a savage beast of the north, not a pup." Unfortunately for Tobias, he chooses to say this just as Storhrid yawns widely and snaps at her own tail. "Well, in theory, she is," he sighs, shaking his head as he makes for the stairs.
Can we get a map of the upstairs, GM?
...Whoops... sorry. I'll get thay up in a little bit. I didnt know if you guys were still talking/planning.
Raseri Whitescale |
Ragnhildr sees the door and waits for a moment to see if Tobias has a plan. Not hearing one, and ready to get this over with, Raseri kicks in the door.
Str: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Tobias Johansen |
Sorry, didn't see a post anywhere confirming that the map was up.
Standing behind Raseri, Tobias simply nods to the barbarian, ready to follow her in.
Grandma Mable |
Grandma Maple follows the others up the stairs whispering, I'm coming I'm coming.
Raseri Whitescale |
DM? Does the door give in to Raseri's demand that it be open?