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Kelindra Snow wrote: Kelindra is just going with the flow here. She is outside of her area of expertise.
At an appropriate moment, she will ask Pavel where the church to Corean is. She may be able to learn something from her brethren.
"Well... Corean's the official Mullis Town religion, but, well, they don't really have a church, at least they didn't the last time I came through. This is a frontier mining town, after all, so a lot of the citizens don't really hold with the Avenger. There's a shrine over that way, I think and there may be a priest in attendance. There's also a church to Tanil on the outskirts."
Pavel nods to Gal as he heads off.
"Sounds like we need to get in to this excavation when we're settled in, see what's going on."
Charisma check: 1d20+1=10
Fiddlesticks.
"That's a right shame. Have there been many casualties? What did these creatures look like?"
The big ranger frowns in thought.
"Well, talking to the guard is the first choice for a general idea. After that? I'm thinking we could split up to do a little legwork. Sell some of the weapons and armor we got out of those knobgoblins this morning and take the chance to chat up the clerk. Find stables for the horses and maybe Gal can get some ideas from the other horses, the dogs in town, things like that. There's a big half-orc population here: Mullis Town's mining operations thrive on half-orc laborers ever since they extended citizenship. Soll may be able to turn something up with them. Ivo and Branomonrik can probably go looking into rumors of ruins or strange sightings. Tavern and inn may have some merchants from out of town loading up ore and other goods: that's a good place to get a sense of things outside the Corridor. We need to arrange lodgings one way or the other, so we might as well head there, too. I might also get in touch with someone here on Vesh business."
He rubs the back of his neck.
"That's all I can think of. Let's keep the Barconius angle quiet if we can; we're sellswords looking to spend some coin and maybe find caravan work if anyone asks. Likely as not, whoever's up to no good already knows something about us, but that don't mean we need to be obvious. "
Pavel hails one of the guards before the gate as the group approaches.
"Hail! Watchman! I've not been in Mullis Town for a time: why is there so much security about? Has there been trouble?"
David
Pavel motions for everyone to slow down while approaching Mullis Town.
"Something must have happened since my last trip up the Corridor; Mullis Town's usually looks a little less forbidding than this. Keep you weapons sheathed and don't be smart with the guards, okay? Let's see if we can get some news."
I assume the party will then approach town.
Also taking the longbow and the arrows from the hobgoblins we killed.
Pavel will roll the equipment up in a few blankets to evenly distribute the weight. Either before the group sets out or during the day when there's a minute to stop, he'll ask if anyone wants anything or if they can tell if something's magical.
Pavel finishes packing up the horses and mounts up.
"All right, Mullis Town ain't getting any safer the longer we sit and mope. Let's move out."
Did the sword-wielding hobgoblin or the mage have anything on them?
"Thanks a lot, Kelindra. Sorry if we're soaking up all of The Avenger's good will. Still have a long day ahead of us, too. Well, dawn's here so it's probably a good time for all of us to grab a quick bite and strike camp."
Pavel pulls out a stub of charcoal and a little piece of paper, draws the tattoo as best he can. If no one else has searched the other hobbo, he'll look at him as well.
"Equipment's here if anyone wants to salvage it. Do we give this one a merciful death or keep him alive in hopes he'll come back enough to talk one day? I think I already know what to do, but let's at least get a consensus."
To Gal
"Need a bandage there, hoss?"
"Ah, blood and ashes. Guess we can rule out a simple shake-down then."
I'll head to the comatose hobgoblin and check him out, look for identifying marks or unusual equipment.
1d20+6=22
Gal wrote: At Pavel's curse, Gal turns around and sees the fleeing mage. His face a mix of rage and surprise he yells at the ranger "You're letting him escape to bring reinforcements?!" "Daylight's coming, they're not..."
After Gal charges off.
"Oy. Fine. Kelindra, do you think you can get Assia back on his feet before Gal gets back? I don't want him getting any "survival of the fittest" ideas about his best friend there."
Pavel curses at the fleeing hobgoblin.
"Chickens**t bastard!"
Then walks toward where Gal, Kelindra, Soll and Ivo have the other one covered.
"This lord of yours, he got a name? Maybe we'd like to pay him a visit."
On my turn, I'll draw my short bow and take a shot at the fleeing mage.
1d20+4=15, 1d6=1
Is it possible to pursue the fleeing spellcaster? Or has he escaped for good?
Pavel takes a look at the situation: dog pile on Mr. Chain, one guy on Mr. Spells, he goes for Mr. Spells.
Pavel moves to cooperate with Gin in taking down the spellcaster.
1d20+5=12, 1d10+5=9
Soll wrote: Looking down at the gash across his chest, Soll bellows in fury as he carelessly slashes his falchion 1d20 5=12, 2d4 7=14 at the brute in front of him.
Sorry for posting early, but I'm going to have a tough time getting online regularly for the foreseeable future. I'll try to keep up though :)
Soll's posted early.
Pavel throws Kelindra a rakish wink and a grin from the other side of their opponent.
"Thanks for the good vibrations, darlin'."
"Don't worry about me,"he says to Gin,"I think Bran could use a hand with that spellcaster."
The big ranger takes a savage slash at his opponent...
2-handed bastard sword, no power attack; 1d20+5=25, 1d10+5=8
Roll to confirm crit; 1d20+5=17
David, do you want to DM an action for Bran since it's been a few days?
Pavel kicks off his bedroll and rises, grabbing his sword.
"Gal, Kelindra, what's going on?! What do you see? Everyone, up and at 'em!!"
Going to size up these humanoids, try and figure what they are.
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20+5=14
Is it possible that I could hear Gal casting his spell and carrying on? If so, here's a perception check.
Perception: 1d20+6=20
I suggest letting the spellcasters sleep longest (first or last watch) to get their rest and we want someone with darkvision in the middle watch. Also, Pavel will quietly move to keep Branomonrik and Gal on separate watches. So:
1st-Gin, Ivo, Branomonrik
2nd- Soll, Pavel
3rd-Gal, Kelindra
"Surely you've heard of the Horsemen of Vangal? They're a blight on the Plains of Lede."
Pavel gets a far-away look in his eye as he recites information from his briefs in the Vigil.
"Bandits, see, they're easy to understand: they want something, you have it, they take it for their own use or sale. Horsemen, on the other hand, are zealots. Crazed followers of bloody Vangal, spreading mayhem and disease in his unholy name. Hell, they even imitate him, the way they fight with two axes from horseback, grow out their beards to be long and disgusting. They make nothing, they sell nothing; they burn, pillage, raze and destroy anything in their path. No mercy. No surrender."
"It's rumored that their leader is a man cursed by the dread god himself. He's been pronounced dead numerous times, only to ride out again at the head of a legion of horsemen. They've only ever united behind him; they got no command structure. I think the god's curse is more on us than on him. The only mercy, if you can call it that, is that they'll kill Titanspawn as much as they'll murder the Divine races."
He makes a sign to Madriel and shakes his head.
"Truth be told, I was a little nervous of what we would find in their back trail."
"Sure, man, no problem. I'll let you get acquainted."
Once Ivo's done rifling through the Horsemen's pockets, Pavel will enlist some aid from the rest of the party to move the bodies a few meters out of the road.
"Good work, let's get a move on."
Pavel curses, mostly to himself.
"Buncha zealot drama queens..."
I will approach the riders' horses in order to round them up either for later sale or use.
Wild empathy: 1d20+2=5
And he will likely fail, with hilarious results.
Pavel calls to the men trapped by Gal's entangle spell.
"Horsemen! Drop your weapons and you will be spared!"
Pavel fires another arrow from his short bow, preferably at an already wounded rider that is trying to free a companion.
1d20+5=22, 1d6=6
"Do as you like. I'll stay put. Could be practically anybody; this is a trade route, after all. "
Branomonrik Assia wrote: Branomrik had been silent most of the trip, mostly do to study and his sore backside courtesy of not being used to horseback.
Being careful is best, may hap someone should scout ahead and behind, just in case.
"I agree. Gal, I think you're a good choice to look ahead; keep those keen eyes open and that sharp nose to the ground. Who wants to watch our firm, voluptuous rear?"
Pavel keeps his eyes and ears open as the group pushes forward.
Perception: 1d20+6=22, Survival: 1d20+6=23
I'm assuming we're taking the most quick and direct route to Mullis Town, which would be the Cordrada Corridor?
"It's probably nothing and maybe I'm getting paranoid with all these prophecies and magic evil pillars and such, but none of you noticed any special attention back in Mithril, right? Nobody dropping eaves or anything?"
"Let's hit the road; Mullis Town ain't getting any safer."
Pavel mounts up and heads out.
Pavel nods to Branomonrik.
"I'm sure your input will be valuable. We'll see you when we see you."
He gives the necromancer a firm handshake.
How much time has passed since Gin departed?
Kelindra Snow wrote:
"Looks like I've made him uncomfortable," says Kelindra to Pavel. "You know I can speak before large crowds extolling the virtues of Corean and teach class after class on the holy scripture, but making friends has never come easy to me." She shrugs. "I'd better finish packing these saddle bags."
"Well, this'll be a good thing for you then. Getting out, meeting people outside of the "flock" so to speak. Mithril's certainly an amazing place from what I've seen but Mullis Town's got some things going for it."
Pavel glances between Kelindra and Gin, raising one eyebrow quizzically but refraining from comment.
"Hmm. Tell you what, you know the city better than me. We'll wait here for Branomonrik and Ivo. I assume you'll be looking in the watering holes by the docks, right? Look for him for thirty minutes then head back, all right? If he's too hung over to travel, we'll figure out what to do with him."
Kelindra Snow wrote:
"I'm not much good with a horse," she says to Pavel. "Perhaps you can give me some pointers?"
"Sure thing, though I have to confess: I'm more used to taking care of 'em than riding them. The army never got around to training me for cavalry. Just don't sit too rigid or you'll be sore in no time. Match her movements. Steer with your knees, try not to tug her head sharply unless you need a sudden stop. Watch for holes and stones, especially if you're moving fast: a broken leg is a death sentence for most horses and there are better ways to end a ride than with a concussion after being thrown. I'm sure you'll do fine; after a day or two in the saddle, you'll feel like you were born there."
He pats the mare's neck.
"While we're on the subject: I left the war horses for Mithril's cavalry. They'll need them more then we will, I think. So keep in mind that these ladies and gents haven't been trained for battle. You may want to assume they'll panic before they really do and just dismount if we have to face some serious trouble."
"They're probably tying up loose ends, saying their goodbyes and such. They'll be here soon."
Pavel rubs the side of his face.
"Can't speak for Soll, though. Kind of odd that he wouldn't show up for his reward from Barconius. Must have been pretty thirsty."
I got a 50 foot coil of it; I'm guessing at least one other person has some, too.
Pavel leads the horses (I'm assuming with Gin's assistance) to the gate, scarfing down some lunch on the run.
The ranger nods to Gal.
"Hey, that looks good. What's it gonna be?"
After offering his thanks, Pavel makes his report at the fortress and heads to the quartermaster, grabbing just the bare essentials: 5 light horses, saddles, bits and bridles, 2 tents, saddlebags and enough feed and rations to cover the trip to Mullis Town, with a day or two extra in case of delays. He'll pack them himself, keeping one load a bit lighter to accommodate Ivo and one other person.
Then he'll lead them to the gate and wait for the others to finish with their own arrangements.
"Right. Well, sir, I hate to ask but would it be possible to borrow some horses and supplies for the trip? Ivo and someone else could likely ride double and I doubt that Gal much prefers anything but his own two or four feet, so that leaves... five horses and sets of gear. I can probably get one from my own people, so four should do it."
Assuming Barconius agrees or at least gives a good reason not to, Pavel, unsure of the proper protocol, gives a quick bow and heads to Titanslayer Citadel to make his report and gather supplies for the road.
To the party: "I'll meet you shortly at the gate; glad to work with you again."
"I'll be there, assuming my superiors don't consider me too valuable a groom to lose; I passed through the Corridor before and I'm committed to this business. I'll also apprise the Behjuran Vigil of the situation, see if I can get word to the Mullis Town Vigil ahead of us. Won't hurt to have them on the look out, just in case."
Pavel clears his throat, hands behind his back like a kid called on at school.
"Well sir, the basic story is this: we found a group of kobolds performing a ritual around a pillar of shadows (which apparently attracts blood) using abducted Mithril residents. We put a stop to it, but it must have been partly successful at least: two of the captives unfortunately, ah... spawned... some snake monster. Out their guts. When we put those down, the pillar spoke, asking us what we wanted from it. We didn't really want anything, but it put an image of Mullis Town in our heads and said something cryptic about things coming to an end?
From there, we continued and found Beppo and his late comrade Turpik. They told us they were forced to work for some Dog Boys that were behind the whole thing. We ran into the Dog Boys, fought them and lost Turpik. They were fairly tough, so we retreated, intending to return at full strength.
I probably left something out; I'm sure any one of my comrades can correct me where my memory fails or give you a more in-depth idea of that gods-damned he colors a bit, realizing he's cursed in a temple, in front of Mithril's foremost paladin (beg your pardon, sir) pillar."
"Oh, yeah... he was in my backpack. Honestly, I'm as surprised as you are."
"Probably best if we don't keep Mithril's most famous hero waiting." Pavel clears his throat, embarrassed. "So, Kelindra, Gin? Um... how do we get to the temple from here?"
"Thanks, Ivo. Always a big help."
"Okay, these are all good concerns. We're not going to sneak Beppo around too much: too much room for misunderstanding, right? We'll keep all our cards on the table: Ms. Sarera will be notified of what we found, we introduce her to Beppo, explain he's going to help us out and we'll be keeping an eye on him. He may have been mixed up in this (willing or otherwise) but his aid should hopefully go a long way toward getting him on the straight and narrow. Everyone agreed so we can get out of this stinking hallway of dead people?"
Kelindra Snow wrote: Kelindra gently rests a hand on Pavel's arm. "You're right, he did help us." She pauses as if for the first time considering that the little creature has thoughts and feelings. "But we need more of a plan than just sneaking him into the City and turning him loose. Even if he's harmless, he'll be killed in a few seconds as soon as someone sees through his disguise." "Aye, you're in the right on that. As long as Ivo's willing to part with his cloak, it's a start. To be honest, Beppo, I can't think of much beyond, well.... keeping you around for the time being. Did you come here from outside the city? Do you still have kin somewheres?"
Pavel frowns, the turns to Kelindra.
"I don't feel great about smuggling him around under Mithril's nose. Do you... think your superiors would listen if we spoke up for him? At least enough not to execute him?"
"One way or another, let's get closer to the surface before talking more. And let's move these bodies a bit. I think if we get 'em closer to the trap Ivo pointed out for us, we may be able to confuse the trail a bit for whoever might miss 'em. We bring 'em over, set them up a little and then trigger the trap from afar. That way, the trap goes off, maybe whoever's left will underestimate us when we come back if they think we scarpered."
Oh, silly softskins. When will you learn? I guess most of the melodrama doesn't matter too much now and I know it's all in character anyways, so no worries.
"Well, if we can figure out what to do with our new buddy here, I suggest we knock off and head for the surface. I don't know about you, but I can think of a few things that don't involve catacombs that could occupy my time until we make another trip."
Pavel loses his patience. He keeps his voice low and even, all humor gone.
"First of all, you get in my face like that again, Gal, you had better be ready to lose a few teeth. I'm not someone you can bully around, so consider this the only warning you'll get. Seems to me you've gone off on just about half the people here and as much as I've tried to smooth things out, as much as I've tried to make nice and get everyone to work as a team, you're the one consistently in the way. So you know what? Do what you like. Be a spastic nutcase and I'll stop playing diplomat. What do I care, huh? Let's see how far you can push us before you get exactly what you want.
And if you think I care any less about those people than you do, that's your opinion. Wouldn't be the first time you've been wrong today. But that kobold died helping us out. He took the same risk the rest of us did and he payed a steeper price and maybe you don't believe in redemption but, by Madriel's merciful light, I do.
Go play with your dog-boy head. Probably the only friend you've made today."
Pavel walks away.
Pavel cleans and scabbards his blade, then hoists Soll up to a standing position.
"Easy big fella, almost lost you there.", he remarks to the half-orc.
"Getting out of here for the time being sounds like a fine idea. We can come back and finish the job at full strength. Should we bring one of these dog boys as proof that Mithril needs to toughen up the guard down here? Kind of strange that all this can go on down here with no one catching on until now..."
The big ranger rubs the back of his neck, his mouth twisted in thought, before addressing Beppo.
"Well, you held up your end pretty well, Beppo. It's gonna be hard getting you around safe, though. I'm for taking you on for the time being, but what do the rest of you think?"
"And is there some kind of kobold burial custom for your friend Turpik, there?"
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