Well done Beaureard! I did not realize the device was yet still functioning Daxur says peering over Beauregard's Shoulder at the contraption, turning to the Zevon "Zevon, let us help the poor woman back to the temple for aid !"
A gentleman walking your way yell outSTOP THEM THEY ARE ATTACKING MY WIFE CALL THE WATCH HEEEEELP!
To the woman "Is that indeed your husband, goodwife?"
As she opens her eyes and looks she wimpers yeees hee is
"Attention citizens! This civilian has been injured by the callous terrorist organization we are seeking. Please advise the temple she has been wounded as soon as possible!"
Engineer yells to the crowd, attempting to direct their action and prevent s minor riot.
bluff.
you see several people run off to seek help
To the husband "Come man, don't just stand there, help us bring your wife to the temple...she's been injured by the Laugher's infernal contraption !"
he says get your filthy hands off her I'll kill you if you touch her!
"Lets go, sir. Back to the temple with you." she says, gesturing in the direction of the temple.
Lumen hands over the clock, carrying the woman's severed arm as the group makes its way back to the temple.
"I'm going to find the bastard who sent a little kid with that thing and kill him slowly"she growls.
Korihor leads the group quickly back to the temple, keeping an eye out for any more threats. Upon arriving, she calls for Prienst Urikas. "And send someone for the Captain again, as well. He'll want to know the details." she sighs.
Turning to look at the rag-tag group, she snorts. "We are quite the merry little band of heroes, aren't we." She says sardonically. "We need someone to report this to the Captain. It isn't the Priestesses concern, but perhaps she can oversee the healing, if they can perform the miracle. It's quite possible they will not be able to." she scowls unapologetically. "I am going to continue on to the orphanage. I don't know if they are trying to keep us from it, or just retaliating for our interference, but we still need to sort out the disappearences and speak with the mother of the orphanage."
Korihor thinks a moment as acolytes of the Sovereign Host buzz about, helping to make a comfortable place for the injured woman to lie. Her husband stands a few feet away, on the balls of his feet, looking at Korihor. "Sit with your wife, sir." she says kindly to him, wiping her hand across the plane of his face. Addressing the rest, she continues. "We should disable this weapon, but not permenantly, if possible. Perhaps someone can help us identify who what or where this is from." She looks at her hands, and then shakes them out before clenching them in fists. "Who will stay, who will come with me, and who will research this organization and this item?"
Zevon looks if there is a hand cart (or something that can be used as a stretcher) available to help move the (unconscious?) woman and follows Korihor to the temple.
While Korihor remarks about the situation, he stands back and looks to the temple priests & servants taking care of the woman.
He then addresses Korihor.
”Korihor, you’re right. It’s quite frustrating only be able to react to the Last Laugh actions & attemps, particularly when innocent people get hurt. Unfortunately the trapped device is our only clear lead to this invisible organisation…”
Zevon continues, while counting on his fingers
"for me it's clear: one, I see no reason to stay here – we can always inform the Captain later. Two, investigating the Last Laugh may become dangerous quite fast – I don’t think it is a good idea to do this without backup of some kind. I am also not the right person for dealing with strange magics.
Zevon concludes:
"Besides I don’t think investigating the last laugh is the priority now – the missing children is: the longer we wait the more the trail gets cold.”
"so, option three it is: I’ll follow you to the orphanage. If we notice people following us we can try to lead them to a quiet alley and set up a surprise of our own. The alley between Magma & Lava av. where we first met the last laugh would be my first option" .
While Beauregard is clearly torn between appropriate protocols & further investigating the events which initiated this sequence, Zevon's words seem to resolve his internal conflict. "Yes, by her own words, the Last Laugh's clear goal in these encounters is to our efforts. Therefor, we only serve their purposes when we allow ourselves to be distracted."
"Yes I concur. Lets make haste to the orphanage, as it appears there are more than enough people attending to the unfortunate woman."
As you all start making your way to the temple citizens begin to help you with the woman.Zevon finds an empty merchant's push cart.Watch memebers egin to clear the way.the big guy that escoeted you to the captain saysboss says you all are trouble and you need to like mice not seen too much noise. gives you a big grin as you arrive at the temple steps Jenna is waiting for you, and hands you a parchment.Jenna saysits a clue I got through a scrying. I cant make out what it means.Hope it can help you. Anyone else hurt?
All SPOT CHECKS you notice the elves watching from the distance from time to time then vanish by the time you get to the temple.
KORIHOR AND ZEVON: you know Skies treasury an ex adventurer
Zevon continues, while counting on his fingers
"for me it's clear: one, I see no reason to stay here – we can always inform the Captain later. Two, investigating the Last Laugh may become dangerous quite fast – I don’t think it is a good idea to do this without backup of some kind. I am also not the right person for dealing with strange magics.
Zevon concludes:
"Besides I don’t think investigating the last laugh is the priority now – the missing children is: the longer we wait the more the trail gets cold.”
"so, option three it is: I’ll follow you to the orphanage. If we notice people following us we can try to lead them to a quiet alley and set up a surprise of our own. The alley between Magma & Lava av. where we first met the last laugh would be my first option" .
** spoiler omitted **
While Beauregard is clearly torn between appropriate protocols & further investigating the events which initiated this sequence, Zevon's words seem to resolve his internal conflict. "Yes, by her own words, the Last Laugh's clear goal in these encounters is to our efforts. Therefor, we only serve their purposes when we allow ourselves to be distracted."
the parchment
"Scrying you say? A most excellent idea Jenna! Please may we read the result of your divination?"
yes please do
Daxur takes the parchment from Jenna, fighting his curiosity he leaves the parchment closed, until a more private area for view may be obtained. Looking around, he sees a side chapel, unoccupied at the moment. Motioning the others to follow he goes into the chapel and sits on a bench therein.
very well just go to the post "the parchmnet"
Korihor listens quietly as Daxur reads the parchment.
"On cursory examination, it would appear we should seek our targets underground. Somewhere 'below cauldron' would suggest an avenue of inquiry."
"My only question would be what the question that lead to this scrying"
"Engineer #3 makes a good point. Without knowing the question asked, we likely will not be able to understand the answer. I would prefer to venture conjecture without all available evidence."
After reaading and pondering over the message,what is the groups next move?
Looking up from the parchment at #3 " A likely supposition,Engineer. However, forget not the two preceding clues....about the lock being the key and a curtain to look beyond...possibly clues to the path underground,...precious life bought with gold...some sort of healing magic perhaps ? But no, the dwarf binds them...bought with gold...bought with gold... slavery perhaps? Riddles vex me considerably!"
"The question....yes Beauregard, the question may indeed help us"
give me INT. checks please
yes
Snapping his fingers , Daxur says "Didn't Jenna say she was going to have more information for us? This must be what she was talking about."
After some thinking about the clues, Zevan says:
"Daxur, I think you're right about the slavery part. The below Cauldron part seems clear to me as well."
Zevon continues:
"now the other clues: we know the children disappeared from a locked & barred room: it seems we might question the "locked" part... Doors with teeth? might this be a warning for trapped doors?"
"beyond the curtain, malachite hold, half a dwarf - I need to think some more about these"
int check
As you analyze the riddle that Jenna gave you,what do you plan to do?