|
The air grew still as Hamshanks rolled into a meeting room deep inside the Pathfinder Lodge in Absalom, his jowls flowing and his enormous axe clanking against his thigh. The man’s black eyes scanned the room.
“You lot?” Hamshanks spat. “Well, maybe you’ll surprise me."
"Your boat leaves in an hour, so I’ll be brief. One of the Society’s contacts in Andoran sent us an interesting little nugget this morning. A druid named Hemzel swept into Augustana’s Civic Library last week, demanding his right of research. Our contact learned that Hemzel acquired a lorestone from somewhere in the Verduran Forest. Heard of such a thing?” Hamshanks paused expectantly and spat again. “Of course not. Heard of druids, at least? And their crazy stone circles? Well thank Gorum for that. Lorestones are somehow connected to them—supposedly they can bestow you with all of the knowledge of the druids. We’d like to know how, so we want that stone and you’re going to get it for us."
“Unfortunately, the Society is not a friend to Hemzel. He’s the self-declared protector of the Verduran Forest inside Andoran’s borders and some of our more eager explorers have angered him and his little band of gnomes. He’s sworn a blood feud with the Pathfinders. Break out your skills of persuasion and get me that lorestone. Do what you need to—sweep the floors or plant some trees for the old man. Something nice—let him know we’re there to study and not to slash and burn.”
After their meeting with the eclectic Hamshanks, they have time to introduce themselves and shop on the way to their boat.
|
"So we just sail there, befriend this Hemzel and his gnome buddies, and get him to give us the lorestone."
Farlen smiles but shakes his head. "Not my specialty, but I will do my best."
Farlen, a tall, well-built man in his early twenties looks like he might be more at home swinging a sword rather than casting spells. He has white and blue robes and bright red hair that make him almost appear like a walking flag.
He turns to the others gathered. "Farlen Mizzul, here to help however I can. Pleased to meet you all."
|
|
A large Half-Orc, with worn out padded armor and an Ornate but wicked looking executioner axe slung on his back, meanders in to the room. He has a sunken face with black eyes, and he almost seems as if he's not even breathing. With an expressionless face, and a deep slow voice he says: "Do we know... if anyone else.. knows about the power.. of the lorestone, could we run...in to any troubles??? Solomon then turns to Farlen, and extends his meaty paw to the human.Solomon.....
|
"Greetings, Pathfinders!" bellows the man in Taldane. "My name is Vulf Sorgrim."
[b]"I, too, know little of druids or diplomacy. Perhaps, I could craft a token gift for this Hemzel," a large Ulfen man ponders aloud. The six-foot tall man is dressed far more warmly than the weather would suggest. Sporting long, reddish locks and an untrimmed beard, it would be impossible to tell where the man's hair ends and the furs he wears begin were it not for his blackened, smithing apron.
"Just what did the prior Pathfinder agents do to stir the Hemzel's ire?" he inquires. "We would certainly want to avoid the same, Torag willing, if at all possible."
|
The air grew still as Hamshanks rolled into a meeting room deep inside the Pathfinder Lodge in Absalom, his jowls flowing and his enormous axe clanking against his thigh. The man’s black eyes scanned the room.
“You lot?” Hamshanks spat. “Well, maybe you’ll surprise me."
Selfi the short elf girl raises a hand. "Why would we want to surprise you?" she asks in a rough approximation of unironic Taldane. Strapped to her back is a sword large enough that the slight elf could reasonably surf upon its broad blade.
"Greetings, Pathfinders!" bellows the man in Taldane. "My name is Vulf Sorgrim."
By way of introduction the elf waif says "Selfi... of the Forest People." while pointing to herself. She notes her companions paying particular attention to the human-blooded among them, assessing each in turn.
|
|
"Well, he thinks us to all be thieves because we want to explore the Verduran forest. Usually just yelling at us but he has used magic and a bit of stick smacking to get us out of there before." he replies to Vulf.
He then sighs at more questions, "Eh, most Pathfinder I get don't tend to talk. They break things. This one takes some delicate work...anyways get to that boat!" he says ushering the group out when they all arrive.
|
|
Hi all, I'm Corgrim Tailas. Sorry for the delay, Venture-Captain. I'm here at last to take the boat.
The man who spoke wears casual brown clothes, matching his beard, eyes and hair. He looks defined, if not overly muscular, and moves with ease.
So discretion and some a**kissing are adviced, I heard, so the druid gave us the stone?? let's hope he will be willing to talk first and not hit us with spells or clubs before.
|
|
He then sighs at more questions, "Eh, most Pathfinder I get don't tend to talk. They break things. This one takes some delicate work...anyways get to that boat!"
"I am good at the breaking of things" Selfi says with a winsome smile.
So discretion and some a**kissing are adviced, I heard, so the druid gave us the stone?? let's hope he will be willing to talk first and not hit us with spells or clubs before.
Selfi looks at Corgrim as if to parse his intent. Then she turns to everyone else for their reaction.
When there is none, Selfi shrugs. "Your 'civilized' ways are strange to me, Corgrim. Are we to take our breeches off now for 'discretion' or wait until we arrive?"|
|
The Pathfinders head out on their mission, purchasing any needed goods on their way to the boat which brings them up the river close to their destination but soon they disembark to finish the trek on foot. As the sun sets on the third day of travel in the Verduran Forest, the welcome sight of a puffing chimney—Hemzel’s home, according to the map—reveals itself atop a hill.
In the shadowy illumination of the night, smoke rises lazily from a chimney set atop a small, round wooden hut just over a steep hillside covered in thick vines and brambles.
“Too late, too late for Hemzel!” a high voice cackles from behind the hut. “Gire, finish them!”
Just after the voice finishes the call to arms, a log explodes into a torrent of splinters revealing a mass of spiders that pour out.
Atop the hut floats a small fairy with insect-like wings.
---
Combat Round 1: BOLD may go.
Vulg
Corgrim
Dwalin
Farlen
Swarm of Spiders
????
Solomon
Selfi
---
Active Conditions:
-The clay ridge surrounding the hut is covered in a mass of vines that is typically impassable but they can be slashed open with some effort or climbed (DC 10).
-Knowledge (Nature) to identify the creatures, both of them.
|
|
The Pathfinders head out on their mission, purchasing any needed goods on their way to the boat which brings them up the river close to their destination but soon they disembark to finish the trek on foot. As the sun sets on the third day of travel in the Verduran Forest, the welcome sight of a puffing chimney—Hemzel’s home, according to the map—reveals itself atop a hill.
On the hike there, Selfi says "So then do you just kiss them through the breeches?"
|
|
"Spiders, tons of them. I have a spell but it will require them to come closer. Get away for them so I can fry them."
Farlen moves across the path and grabs his amulet around his neck. " give me the spell I need."
reflex dc 15 for half
He will yell out any useful info on the spiders or fairy.
|
|
On the hike there, Selfi says "So then do you just kiss them through the breeches?"
I guess you took my words too literally, girl. No shame in that. We're not really kissing the druid's backside, even if you're welcome to try if you want. It means we are trying to find a diplomatic way to get what we need, using flattery, little lies, or deception, more than violence. Give the wizards some space, I do have some alchemic fire for this kind of situation if needed
|
|
Selfi quickly identifies the swarm of spiders as just that, as a swarm of spiders it is difficult to damage without using something that can hit an area. Farlen adds that mundane weapons won't be able to impact the swarm at all and if they start crawling on you there is a chance to Nauseate and Poison you.
The second creature is more difficult to narrow down for Selfi alone but together they can at least discern it is a type of Fae called an Atomie.
---
The fae makes a raspberry after the javelin soars past. It doesn't last long as the dart of of acid singes one of its wings.
"OW! Just you wait and see what happens to you...just like...just like the one inside the hut." she calls back but it appears her words falter as she continues the threat.
This fae, Gire, itself is horrified by whatever happened here.
---
The spiders begin to surge through the tangle of vines but Farlen is ready with a gout of flames.
After the smoke fades, the spiders are charred black dots mixed with the ash of the vines.
Gire, the atomie, says a quick incantation then disappears.
[ooc]Solomon and Selfi can go for Round 1, and others can post their Round 2 actions as well. I will run those after the others.
---
Combat Round 1 and 2: BOLD may go.
Vulg
Corgrim
Dwalin
Farlen
Gire (-7) (Invisible)
Solomon
Selfi
---
Active Conditions:
-The clay ridge surrounding the hut is covered in a mass of vines that is typically impassable but they can be slashed open with some effort or climbed (DC 10).
-Knowledge (Nature) to identify the creatures, both of them.
|
|
And what happened to the last one who was into the hut, pray?
Corgrim keeps his bow ready
Maybe I should have bought cold iron arrows.. Might be useful agaisnt feys. Wait a second.. We don't have to have some cold iron weapons, we just have to make her believe we have some.
We wish you no harm, but we do have cold iron weapons ready. So you better surrender right now.
|
|
Selfi rounds the hut but finds that the source of the voice is either long gone or also invisible.
Solomon yells out at Gire apparently further rattling her confidence.
"Fine! I am not doing anything anyways other than hiding from those big sticks you are tossing." she calls out, still invisible but supposedly no longer giving the group trouble.
---
As Corgrim sets her more at ease but her words do not do the same for the group, “Cyflymder said Hemzel was going to lead the humans to destroy the fey! So we pounced and surprised him. Cyflymder and his brutes tore the druid apart. His poor wolf friend too! So much blood!”
Following the call from Farlen, the ranger moves up to get closer to the hut and get into the hut.
Vulf is already on hand but only hears a ruckus start inside as he knocks.
True to her word, Gire does not further interfere but Solomon wastes no time in getting into the hut and splinters the door wide open revealing a grizzly sight.
The heat is palpable inside the primitive, one-room hovel. Tinder from the fireplace is strewn about, sparking the fires that now climb the reed walls. The room itself is in shambles. An eviscerated human body sprawls across the floor, and a butchered wolf lies against the wall by the front door. Puddles of blood surround them. The man’s hands are tied to a rough wooden table, upon which sits an ornate—but empty—box and a blood-spattered manuscript.
Flames begin to climb the walls, and a wicked looking human stands with and axe destroying the room.
---
---
Combat Round 3: BOLD may go.
Vulf
Corgrim
Dwalin
Farlen
???? (Green)
Gire (Invisible Atomie)
Solomon
Selfi
---
Active Conditions:
-The clay ridge surrounding the hut is covered in a mass of vines that is typically impassable but they can be slashed open with some effort or climbed (DC 10).
-Knowledge (Nature) to identify the new creatures.
|
|
Selfi continues to search out back but whatever was calling the shots has left little trace.
The rest of the group rushes into the flaming hut to discover more of the grisly scene. Vulf now face to face with a surprised part humanoid creature.
---
Combat Round 3: BOLD may go.
Vulf
Corgrim
Dwalin
Farlen
???? (Green)
Gire (Invisible Atomie)
Solomon
Selfi
---
Active Conditions:
-The clay ridge surrounding the hut is covered in a mass of vines that is typically impassable but they can be slashed open with some effort or climbed (DC 10).
-Knowledge (Nature) to identify the new creature.
|
|
Farlen recalls a rumor of creatures tainted by fey rituals, a way to enslave other races. These Unseelie warriors share traits with fey but they have a weakness to silver and a resistance to cold.
This resistance is on full display as the icy ray glances off the creatures skin.
---
It swings its axe down towards Vulf scoring a powerful blow.
---
Combat Round 3/4: BOLD may go.
Vulf (-9)
Corgrim
Dwalin
Farlen
???? (Green)
Gire (Invisible Atomie)
Solomon
Selfi
---
Active Conditions:
-The clay ridge surrounding the hut is covered in a mass of vines that is typically impassable but they can be slashed open with some effort or climbed (DC 10).
-Knowledge (Nature) to identify the new creature.
|
|
Solomon begins to heave out the body of Hemzel, away from the dancing flames.
Selfi on the otherhand begins to create a new entrance to the hut, shattering the windows frame and glass as she is greeted by a wave of heat.
---
Vulf swings hard but the unseelie warrior sidesteps the blow with a wicked smile.
"Can ya? At this rate we will both burn with the hut!" he finally speaks.
Corgrim attempts to strike from afar but sends it into the side of the hut.
Dwalin on the other hand takes advantage of the melee to sink his war-axe into the side of the warrior, he growls in pain as the wound begins to bleed.
The mass of bodies in the small hut make it difficult for Farlen to connect with his spells.
---
The warrior nods as he continues his contest with Vulf.
---
Combat Round 4/5: BOLD may go.
Vulf (-18)
Corgrim
Dwalin
Farlen
Unseelie Warrior(Green) (-10)
Gire (Invisible Atomie)
Solomon
Selfi
---
Active Conditions:
-The clay ridge surrounding the hut is covered in a mass of vines that is typically impassable but they can be slashed open with some effort or climbed (DC 10).
-Knowledge (Nature) to identify the new creature.
|
|
Vulf swings hard but the unseelie warrior sidesteps the blow with a wicked smile.
"Can ya? At this rate we will both burn with the hut!" he finally speaks.
Vulf winces from the pain and glances at the leaping flames. "I'm beginning to think you may have a a point." He winces again in having to agree with the assailant.
He pauses for a moment consider whether there is a more peaceful solution to this fight, but try as he might, he cannot see he and this miscreant working together as a serviceable fire brigade.
With a sigh, he utters a short prayer to Torag, then resigns himself to fighting his way to a tactical retreat in an effort to seeing the battle through.
|
|
Combat OVER, Status:
Vulf (-18)
Unseelie Warrior(Green) (-26)(Dying)
---
Vulf sounds unsure but his actions speak even louder as he crushes the Unseelie warrior into a heap on the floor, his skull cracked but still breathing weakly.
With the threat abated, the group has ample time to start putting out the fire.
The group is able to find an empty box, likely where the lorestone rested but next to it is a manuscript in an unknown shorthand similar to common.
Corgrim spots a something off with the bookshelf after the dust settles, revealing a treasure cache. Inside is a potion of barkskin +2, a potion of bear’s endurance, and two scrolls of lesser restoration.
|
|
Farlen can make out nearly all of the text but a bit eludes him. It appears the lorestone is keyed to druidic circles, and one lies several hours’ travel north from the hut on a lake island. However, a band of fey has recently been harassing Hemzel and threatening to destroy the
lorestone which he assiduously avoided exposing to sunlight via the lockbox.
|
|
"Well, we should try to find this island. Maybe the fey wanted the stone for their own desires and did not just destroy it. Either way, grab the box. We will need the box to protect the stone from sunlight." " Does anyone know anything of druidic circles? Perhaps we could bride Gire to help us with some alcohol. Does anyone have some to give away?"
Farlen makes ready to move out. He gathers his things and takes the bull strength potion and gives it to Vulf. "This may minimize the number of blows you will need to win next time." Farlen pockets the potion of Barkskin unless someone objects.
He turns to Selfi, "Perhaps your elven heritage will give you an in with Gire. I would ask her for her help, but humans and fey have a history of mistrust. Plus I am not blessed with a silver tongue." "It would be faster to have her guide us but is not a necessity." "We can hopefully follow the fey trail without her help."
Farlen lines up to move out with the group when they are ready.