Pharris and Nicolai:
As you pass through the waiting room, which has a high window, Pharris distracts Kelly whilst Nicolai glances out the window – however at this angle little of the sky can be seen, and there is no sign of any winged predators.
At the guard chamber, the Padre summons the guard, who returns your weapons (with a slight look of suspicion). Kelly then bids you good day and Arton’s blessing and turns to leave, whilst the guard holds the door open for you.
Alton, Kajetan, Keildrithe and Laithe:
[spoiler]
Kajetan moves back towards Laithe and Keildrithe, “I am still in contact with Alton. He is back out on the street and hopefully headed towards us. I say we wait for him to join us, then we move down the alley. Maybe Pharris will be acting dramatic, and we will hear her. She can be quite loud when she wants to be. Either way, I believe we need to move soon.”
Laithe nods at the wisdom of the Keildrithe's and Kajetan's suggestions, though internally he worries about Pharris and Nicolai, hating to think they might be in trouble. "I guess there's not much for it but to regroup at the square and hope Pharris and Nicolai make it there. If not, then we can reasses and try and track them down."
Pharris steps outside as she replaces her clean greatsword.
[spoiler]
Kajetan moves back towards Laithe and Keildrithe, “I am still in contact with Alton. He is back out on the street and hopefully headed towards us. I say we wait for him to join us, then we move down the alley. Maybe Pharris will be acting dramatic, and we will hear her. She can be quite loud when she wants to be. Either way, I believe we need to move soon.”
Laithe nods at the wisdom of the Keildrithe's and Kajetan's suggestions, though internally he worries about Pharris and Nicolai, hating to think they might be in trouble. "I guess there's not much for it but to regroup at the square and hope Pharris and Nicolai make it there. If not, then we can reasses and try and track them down."
"Glad you made it back without incident, Alton. I hope the Artonites have no reason to detain Pharris and Nicolai, as they would us. We'll just have to hope for the best... But I agree, let's be off to Pardoner's Square... masks on!"
Our Group:
Kajetan et al:
Pharris and Nicolai:
DM/Nicolai
Pharris and DM:
He continues to stare at the sky, lost in thought, as Pharris asks him something about where they should go.
Dm/Nicolai
Our Group:
Nicolai and Pharris:
"Not sure what to do," mutters Keildrithe in response to Kajetan's queries. "Alton, what exactly did you notice behind the doors to the complex? Did you notice anything unusual? What were they doing with the dead?"
Pharris and DM:
Before she can reply, Nicolai whirls around a little too fast, stumbling, but catching his balance just in time. "Hey, did you hear that? I heard some noises coming from the alley. Let's go check it out!"
He immediately moves to get a better vantage point to see into the alley where he heard some random animal sounds.
Spot: 1d20+5 = 13 (subtract 3 from that if alley is shrouded in darkness)
DM/Nicolai
She will only then follow the bumbling man.
Pharris and Nicolai:
Nicolai dashes into the alley. It is a narrow, crooked street with uneven cobblestones and an open drain at its centre. Further down the street branches out into a maze of other narrow streets. Whilst there is no sign of a cat, a smallish dog stands at the base of a wooden staircase on the external face of one of the buildings fronting the lane, looking up and barking. As Nicolai enters the alley, the dog whines and races away.
Some distance down, another alley joins this one at an oblique angle, and connects with another narrow street running roughly parallel to this one. Given the angles of the streets, Nicolai can see right down to that second junction, and sees a small group of people standing there, talking quietly. Guess who?
Alton, Laithe, Keildrithe, Kajetan:
Pharris waves to the other four. "Look Nicolai, it's the rest of the band."
Kajetan sighs in relief at the sight of Pharris and Nicolai. He moves towards them and asks, "Where have you been? Learn anything?"
"Not much unfortunately; I had to leave before I could get far into the facility. They were taking the dead inside the building. When the bodies were being taken away, I heard someone say something about the bodies being taken to the preparation room. That's it.
Did you say that you thought you'd seen Atrek?"
He nods at Kaejatan and Pharris "Find anything interesting?"
"We only speculate that we saw Atrek. The man we saw wore a mask but seemed very interested in us. In addition, he was wearing new boots. Possibly to replace the pair Keilidrithe took. This could also be our own paranoia playing mind games with us. I have read books on the subject. Our psyche can easily tell us things we want to see and hear just as easily as displaying things we never want to see and hear. The mind is complicated like that."
Pharris thinks for a while at Kajetan's question then begins to smile.
"We were taken to see the bodies. Some had been attacked and some burnt. One had a strange wound, a welt with a hole in the middle and a maggot fell out."
"They also had a messenger arrive asking about the bodies. That could be your friend, Atrek. They seem to be missing some scholars or acolytes, I think."
She keeps glancing sidelong at Nicolai, waiting for him to join in.
"The man was very helpful but he warned me not to befriend Karands like Laithe when I offered his help with the investigations. I hope I didn't make a mistake?"
Kajetan listens to Pharris’s description of the wounds. Through all of his studies, he now finds it ironic that he never spent much time learning of anatomy. He did read a few papers on the subject, though.
“Pharris, did this messenger expect these scholars or acolytes to be amongst the dead? What did he look like? Was he wearing new boots?"
"The man was very helpful but he warned me not to befriend Karands like Laithe when I offered his help with the investigations. I hope I didn't make a mistake?"
Kajetan’s eyes go wide in surprise at this statement. Somewhat exasperated, he asks, “Did you mention Laithe by name? What else did you tell them? This could be very important,” the scholar finishes and starts pacing.
Nicolai shrugs and turns to Kajetan, "Relax, my friend. Laithe was not mentioned by name and the priest only made the assumption that Pharris and I were friends with 'Karands'. We did not admit to anything. I can't say that we saw the messenger, or anyone with new boots. Though I admit I was focused on other things," he adds looking up at the sky.
"I am not sure yet if it is relevant, but there's a large flying predator circling somewhere above the Church. I managed to glimpse it after leaving the mortuary, but I can't see it now."
Getting back to Kajetan's inquiries, he continues, "There were five bodies in total. Three of them were clearly victims of the fire, but two bore combat wounds and I believe Padre Kelly mentioned they were guards and not librarians. The facial wound with the maggot seemed like it was inflicted by a large stinger or piercing weapon. Would that be consistent with these demons were are chasing? In addition, both of the men were beaten pretty badly."
As an afterthought, he adds, "Who's Atrek?"
Nicolai shrugs and turns to Kajetan, "Relax, my friend. Laithe was not mentioned by name and the priest only made the assumption that Pharris and I were friends with 'Karands'. We did not admit to anything. I can't say that we saw the messenger, or anyone with new boots. Though I admit I was focused on other things," he adds looking up at the sky.
"I am not sure yet if it is relevant, but there's a large flying predator circling somewhere above the Church. I managed to glimpse it after leaving the mortuary, but I can't see it now."
Getting back to Kajetan's inquiries, he continues, "There were five bodies in total. Three of them were clearly victims of the fire, but two bore combat wounds and I believe Padre Kelly mentioned they were guards and not librarians. The facial wound with the maggot seemed like it was inflicted by a large stinger or piercing weapon. Would that be consistent with these demons were are chasing? In addition, both of the men were beaten pretty badly."
As an afterthought, he adds, "Who's Atrek?"
"Atrek is a rather vicious agent of the church that we encountered near Barg. He seemed to be Inquisitor Vorn's right hand man -- the one to do his dirty work. He attempted to ambush and kill us several weeks ago, as we sought to rescue an innocent lady by the name of Gosia Troskie from the town jail (she had been unjustly sentenced to be burned at the stake). Atrek also had a trained raptor of his own, which we suspect is the same bird that has been circling in the skies above us of late. With skill, a great deal of luck, and Kajetan's unexpected intervention, we managed to defeat Atrek and his men. I donned Atrek's clothes, weapons and armour (the suit of studded leather I presently wear once belonged to him) in order to better disguise myself and infiltrate the gaol to rescue Gosia. We left him and his men tied up in the cellar beneath Gosia's cottage, on the outskirts of town, but clearly they must have been released... and if he is in Lichford now, he must be in a most pissy mood. He will have only revenge on his mind... Nicolai, it might be wiser if you and Pharris distance yourselves from us... only ill-fortune shall visit you should you continue to travel in our company.
"As for the stinger-inflicted wound... Yes, if I recall correctly, the demon's tail did have a stinger...
"Now I must wonder... would it be safer for us to scatter, for the time being? Atrek's bird would have a hard time following us all, if that's what we chose to do... if course, splitting up will make it more difficult to imprison the fiends in the devil box..."
Keildrithe's shoulders sag as he sighs with despair.
"Strong we are as a group, my friend Keildrithe. We have now proven this many times. If Atrek is here, let us be on watch for him. He will show himself eventually. As you said, he wants revenge. It is personal. Logically, he will not bring the Artonites here in Lichford against us. By letting our paranoia get to us though, we are spending less time tracking this demon. The longer we tarry, the stronger it grows. We must assume that the creatures are near, and that it was it who attacked the cathedral. Let us worry about the demon for I believe that it is the bigger threat."
"Look, Keildrithe, my dear, you are not getting rid of me now that the fun has started!"
DM/Nicolai
The girl moves her longbow round on one shoulder to make it slightly easier to reach.
"We should move off this alley. The Kobold mentioned possible cult involvement with the demon. We could seek out more information regarding this. My other thoughts are to ask bystanders if anything was seen flying from the cathedral. I understand that after a few drinks, lips loosen a bit. We could use this same approach on any guards that were in the cathedral. Sometimes rumors spread after an occurrence of this sort. If we find out anything, we would just have to pick apart the falsehoods and exaggerations to get to the truth. What do you all think our next move should be?"
"Strong we are as a group, my friend Keildrithe. We have now proven this many times. If Atrek is here, let us be on watch for him. He will show himself eventually. As you said, he wants revenge. It is personal. Logically, he will not bring the Artonites here in Lichford against us."
"Thanks for the reassurance, Kajetan, but I wouldn't be so sure of that," mutters Keildrithe. "We embarrassed not only Atrek, but the Inquisitor and the entire church in Barg by rescuing their captive from right under their nose. I think the church, or at the very least the Bargian (Bargite? Bargish?) diocese wants us as badly as Atrek does... so why wouldn't he rile the local diocese against us? It would be in their interest to collaborate to capture and kill a group of renegade heathens that had committed a major act of defiance against the church... That having been said, I agree that yes, the demon does have the poential to become a bigger threat... and for some reason, I suspect that we may even end up working temporarily with the church on some level in order to put an end to this demonic incursion..."
"Look, Keildrithe, my dear, you are not getting rid of me now that the fun has started!"
Keildrithe smiles feebly at the young woman's enthusiastic response. "Fun? I fear that before long, the "fun" will become far from fun... But so be it... For all my worries, I am grateful that we will be able to keep counting on your sword... and bow... and, uh... charms..."
"We should move off this alley. The Kobold mentioned possible cult involvement with the demon. We could seek out more information regarding this. My other thoughts are to ask bystanders if anything was seen flying from the cathedral. I understand that after a few drinks, lips loosen a bit. We could use this same approach on any guards that were in the cathedral. Sometimes rumors spread after an occurrence of this sort. If we find out anything, we would just have to pick apart the falsehoods and exaggerations to get to the truth. What do you all think our next move should be?"
"When Pharris and I first entered Lichford last night, we were first directed to a tavern that is frequented by guards... the Minstrel, I believe it was called? I don't think it would be wise for our entire party to go there, but a few discrete and inconspicuous individuals might be able to learn a thing or two, if they listened quietly. The rest of us could try to learn things from commoners on the street, or in other establishments... otherwise, I wouldn't know where to start..."
"When Pharris and I first entered Lichford last night, we were first directed to a tavern that is frequented by guards... the Minstrel, I believe it was called? I don't think it would be wise for our entire party to go there, but a few discrete and inconspicuous individuals might be able to learn a thing or two, if they listened quietly. The rest of us could try to learn things from commoners on the street, or in other establishments... otherwise, I wouldn't know where to start..."
Laithe listens to the discussion with a growing sense of unease. Having to deal with demons on the loose was bad enough, but also having to be on the watch for Atrek and the church would make it that much more difficult. He felt his anger rising at the prospect.
"We also have to think about the kobolds and Devil's box still up on the hill. We need to get them somewhere safe - especially if we are being watched by Atrek's bird. But Kajetan is correct, we have lingered here too long; let us get moving. Why don't we make our way to the hotel Stonty recommended - we will need his wagon to retrieve the box anyway. We may need to split up to make sure we are not being followed but I'd prefer not to if we can avoid it. We should use a route that will take us indoors or under cover so we can shake the bird. Nicolai, perhaps you can lead us on an appropriate route? I can can fall back and track the group and try and make sure we are not being followed on foot. If we can catch someone in the act, we might be able to get some information."
Kajetan nods, waiting for Nicolai to lead, "On to Stonty's recommendation to settle in and get the cart? Then tonight, to the Minstrel to loosen some lips? My guess is, is that Pharris could use her charms on some of the guards and other patrons, and if need be," Kajetan gives a shy but smiling grin, "I could become her twin sister for a time. Maybe Keildrithe could offer a song to aid our endeavors."
"I can see what my people know. I have family here, so that might help a little. We halflings tend hear a great deal, so I'll ask around about Atrek and any cults. Discretely of course. Also, if we see a suspicious bird, perhaps we should try to bring it down? A well placed shot would probably kill it, and I've heard tales of mages who can share sight with their familairs. I don't know that Atrek has such powers, bu even if he doesn't it wouldn't hurt our chances to rob him of that advantage."
"On to the Hogfish, then, and from there some can carry on to the Minstrel, while Alton tracks down his relatives... Lead the way, Nicolai..."
Nicolai listens with interest as Keildrithe describes the run-in with Atrek, Inquisitor Vorn, and the raptor. "That might very well explain the presence in the sky. I agree with Kajetan, however. The demon box situation seems more pressing. I wouldn't want to leave it alone with a couple of knockers out in the woods for too long. And with the Church a little pre-occupied at the moment, I'd prefer not to announce our presence to this Atrek person."
Nicolai pauses and looks at Pharris questioningly. "Stefan? What about him?" he asks out loud. Then he turns back to Keildrithe, "I do know somebody within the Church who might be able to tell us more about Atrek and his plans. He would be no enemy of ours, but he's unfortunately away on a mission of some sort. I'm not exactly sure when he'll return, though it may be soon since he was appointed to the library."
His hand moves to the Artonite holy symbol hanging around his neck as he continues, "While it might help with the local clergy, I'm afraid this little trinket will do little to fool the Inquisitor, if he's here. From what I know of them, they are a shrewd and ruthless bunch..."
Glancing around at the rough-looking Karands in the company, Nicolai nods to Laithe. "The Grumpy Hogfish sounds about right. Follow me." He begins to lead the group to the tavern, stopping only when Alton suggests shooting the bird. He turns to stare at the halfling for a moment before saying sternly, "Do not shoot the golden hawk. His name is Wijk'An, and he is a friend. He will alert me if the raptor approaches."
DM:
Unless one of the others asks to take a secretive route, Nicolai leads them along a standard thoroughfare, figuring it would be better to know immediately that the raptor is following them if that's the case.
This will also allow Wijk'An a clear view of where they're headed.
Along the way, he looks up periodically for any sign of the raptor.
Spot: 1d20+5 = 23
"Just could your friend Stefan by connected with the fire and other problems surrounding this Church? I only heard you say a little but didn't you say he had disappeared too. I just wanted this sort of thing out in the open so we can trust each other more fully. These people hate secrets. It comes of being chased by an Inquisitor and his followers. It's made them a bit paranoid."
Pharris grins, "I am sure there is no reason for concern over your friend but perhaps everyone could be told the truth?"
"And I do not shoot familiars. It's regarded as unfair and foul play where I come from."
She follows the others and their conversations.
Kajetan, with owl mask on, follows Nicolai. Under his cloak, he grips his loaded crossbow. 'Well Kajetan, you are really in deep now. You come here in search of knowledge. You try to help someone in need. Then look what happens. Now your wearing an owl mask, holding a crossbow, working with Kobolds, chasing down Demons, and running from Artonites. With how things are going, you'll be married with children in a month', Kajetan shakes his head as he admonishes himself.
Nicolai:
Moving down the hill into the lower town, the group encounters more and more people once again wearing masks, and away from the cathedral there are again lanterns and ribbons hanging from building eaves and pumpkin heads in windows.
Nicolai leads the way down towards the river, and the Grumpy Hogfish.
Nicolai listens with interest as Keildrithe describes the run-in with Atrek, Inquisitor Vorn, and the raptor. "That might very well explain the presence in the sky. I agree with Kajetan, however. The demon box situation seems more pressing. I wouldn't want to leave it alone with a couple of knockers out in the woods for too long. And with the Church a little pre-occupied at the moment, I'd prefer not to announce our presence to this Atrek person."
Nicolai pauses and looks at Pharris questioningly. "Stefan? What about him?" he asks out loud. Then he turns back to Keildrithe, "I do know somebody within the Church who might be able to tell us more about Atrek and his plans. He would be no enemy of ours, but he's unfortunately away on a mission of some sort. I'm not exactly sure when he'll return, though it may be soon since he was appointed to the library."
His hand moves to the Artonite holy symbol hanging around his neck as he continues, "While it might help with the local clergy, I'm afraid this little trinket will do little to fool the Inquisitor, if he's here. From what I know of them, they are a shrewd and ruthless bunch..."
As the party walks towards the Grumpy Hogfish, Keildrithe continues to speak with Nicolai, from behind his jester's mask. "Fear not for the golden hawk, I believe that Alton was referring to Atrek's raptor when he recommended that we shoot down the suspicious bid. If you don't mind me asking, Nicolai, what is your relation to this Stefan, and what makes you think he would not become our enemy, as well? And why wear you the symbol of Arton around your neck? Your last statement concerning the Inquisitor suggests that you are not a member of the faith, but...???"
Turning to Pharris, the bard adds: "And where I come from, we have little compunction about killing familiars if they are in league with the enemy... no offence intended, Laithe. As for Atrek... if my worst fears have come to be, we don't need to announce ourselves to him... he probably already knows that we're here. Between avoiding him and caging the unbound devils, we have our work cut out for us..."
Nicolai sighs and begins his explanation as he dons his Nicolai mask. "Stefan is a friend from Atus . He was sent here on a mission for the Church and, as I've just found out, was supposed to be working in the library as a senior assistant. He's currently away from the town on a specific mission that I have no knowledge of, but he's expected back relatively soon."
"I was affiliated with the Artonites at one time in my life, and that's when I made friends with Stefan. I was never fully conscripted into the Order, and left without permission when I realized the truth of it all. Stefan is not a hardliner and was always willing to listen to my concerns without passing judgment. One of the reasons I came to Lichford in the first place was to tell him I left."
"As for the holy symbol, let's just say it's a handy way to get past city guards and low-ranking clergy. But, no, I do not consider myself a member of the Church and actually hold the Artonites in contempt. A Karand would be looked upon with suspicion regardless of his guise, but this symbol has helped me get out of tight situations and gain some information that would otherwise have proven elusive. For that, I'm willing to deceive a few people."
Nicolai walks in silence for awhile, then turns to Keildrithe again. "Well, it does not seem likely that any familiars will have to be killed. The raptor is off to the woods, presumably to hunt."
Nicolai sighs and begins his explanation as he dons his Nicolai mask. "Stefan is a friend from Atus . He was sent here on a mission for the Church and, as I've just found out, was supposed to be working in the library as a senior assistant. He's currently away from the town on a specific mission that I have no knowledge of, but he's expected back relatively soon."
"I was affiliated with the Artonites at one time in my life, and that's when I made friends with Stefan. I was never fully conscripted into the Order, and left without permission when I realized the truth of it all. Stefan is not a hardliner and was always willing to listen to my concerns without passing judgment. One of the reasons I came to Lichford in the first place was to tell him I left."
"As for the holy symbol, let's just say it's a handy way to get past city guards and low-ranking clergy. But, no, I do not consider myself a member of the Church and actually hold the Artonites in contempt. A Karand would be looked upon with suspicion regardless of his guise, but this symbol has helped me get out of tight situations and gain some information that would otherwise have proven elusive. For that, I'm willing to deceive a few people."
Nicolai walks in silence for awhile, then turns to Keildrithe again. "Well, it does not seem likely that any familiars will have to be killed. The raptor is off to the woods, presumably to hunt."
Nicolai senses Keildrithe fixing him silently through his mask. After a long silence, the bard speaks up: "Thank you for sharing all this with us... I feel a little more at ease. And I can't fault the wisdom that has led you to keep wearing the symbol..."
Nicolai senses Keildrithe fixing him silently through his mask. After a long silence, the bard speaks up: "Thank you for sharing all this with us... I feel a little more at ease. And I can't fault the wisdom that has led you to keep wearing the symbol..."
Laithe only hears parts of the conversation as the group moves through the crowds. He falls to the back of the group and does his best to try and determine whether or not they are being followed. He attempts to block out the unfamiliar surroundings and treat the city as he would a dense forest.
Turning to Pharris, the bard adds: "And where I come from, we have little compunction about killing familiars if they are in league with the enemy... no offence intended, Laithe. As for Atrek... if my worst fears have come to be, we don't need to announce ourselves to him... he...
Pharris turns hot anger flashing across her face. "If a wizard charmed you into a servant I would not slay you. The spells and materials burnt to make any animal a familiar is just the same. A charm. It has been perpetrated for centuries. And its all for the benefit of a weak willed wizard who cannot stand on her own two feet and FIGHT!"
Both her hands have turned into slashing claws and ... and she stops. "I hate magic!" she gasps.
Shoulders slumped, Pharris' eyes almost water, "hate magic." She finishes quietly.
Kajetan follows, looking intently around for danger, while listening in on the conversation. His eyes widen in alarm at Pharris's initial outburst. His face then creases in confusion as her anger fades to sadness. ’Very curious about this. Not a good time to ask though,’ Kajetan thinks to himself.
Laithe trails behind the rest of the group, keeping an eye out for any sign of pursuit, or anyone who looks suspicious.
It’s hard work. He doesn’t see any obvious signs of being followed … but he can’t be entirely sure – there are just so many people about. The way that Nicolai is leading is much busier than the quiet alley-ways near the mortuary. To more cosmopolitan folk like Nicolai, Kajetan or Alton, Lichford is hardly a crowded or bustling city – nothing like, say the teeming avenues and marketplaces of Atus. But to Laithe (and Keildrithe and Pharris probably share the feeling somewhat) this is far more people than he is used to seeing in one place, and he finds it distracting and difficult. The masks that many people are wearing here away from the Cathedral don’t help either; it’s hard to read people, and many of them are the same design. He spots a wolf mask a couple of times, but he doesn’t think on either occasion it’s the man he saw before.
Of course, he reflects, even if no one is directly following them, there is probably a whole different way to track in a place like this; simply by following along later and asking people if they have seen them. He looks around at the passing townsfolk, the merchants looking out from their shop-fronts, the mothers surveying the streets from their upper story windows … and of course, the band of adventurers sticks out here like a group of wolves amongst sheep. Few people here, outside of the soldiers, are armed or armoured, making the bows and crossbows that most of the group carry, Pharris’ greatsword and chain armour, Laithe’s spear and hide, even Kajetan’s morningstar quite conspicuous. Add to that Laithe’s wild demeanor, Keildrithe’s traditional Karandic garb and Pharris’ striking looks … people notice them. Especially when Pharris makes an outburst like that – about magic of all things!
By the time that Laithe comes to this realisation, there is little that can be done about it – for now at least; they are almost at their destination.
Nicolai leads the group into the lower town and across one of several bridges that span the river – this one made of sturdy, weathered timber, its posts decorated with worn carvings of fish and swans. The neighbourhood on the other side of the river seems poor but good-natured. Buildings are old looking, generally constructed of white-washed timber, their crooked upper stories overhanging the streets below. Buildings and streets are decorated for the Shackling as with other areas of town, but here the ribbons are faded and frayed, the pumpkin shells often several weeks old, or replaced by coloured stones or dog’s skulls. The people seem generally civil and even cheery, but are dressed in old and worn clothes for the most part. Many wear masks, but most look simple or home-made. There seems to be a slightly higher proportion of gnomes and other small folk on the streets here than elsewhere, and several other foreigners too.
The Atuscan follows a narrow street away from the river, past a series of tall row-houses, and over another small wooden bridge that crosses a narrow culvert flowing back towards the river. On the other side is a small open square, bordered on two sides by a large, ‘L’ shaped building – two stories tall, walled in stained timber boards, with a sagging shingle roof and half a dozen narrow stone chimneys. In one wing of the L is what appears to be a stable door, whilst in the other are several large ground level windows and a sign above an open doorway, showing a bizarre animal that looks like a fish with a pigs head.
“The Grumpy Hogfish,” says Nicolai.