It occurs to Nicolai that the creatures only briefly saw him earlier in the day, and then he was masked (albeit a mask that fairly closely resembled his actual face); they may not recognise him.
Clearly the kobold is too ignorant to recognize the similarities between the mask and Nicolai's actual face. Sighing, he digs into his backpack and retrieves his original costume, tossing it to where he thinks the kobold is hiding.
"I am a friend, see. The others are stuck in the city for a little while, but I came back to make sure everything's ok. Is Lumbie with you?"
There is silence for a few moments, then the kobold’s voice comes again, speaking heavily accented Thuringian as before. “We wait all day. Ssmothsskinss ssays they will come back for usss in a few hoursss. Many have been passing by, all day, very clossse.”
The diminutive figure steps forward out of the shadows, his disguise holding up pretty well to scrutiny in the low light. “Ssso we are going into human town now? Where isss the hairy one with the cart?”
Pharris gets Laithe to check the dog body. meanwhile she thanks the old man for his help and gives him a silver to go get a drink.
"Well, perhaps you can track from here?"
Laithe becomes agitated having not picked anything up from the crowd. But as Pharris returns and relays the information he eagerly follows them to where the alley housing the dead dog.
He nods absently at Pharris' suggestion, already surveying the scene for any clues or signs. Once he thoughly inspects the area, he will move over to the dog itself and inspect the body.
The cobbles that pave the street in this part of town are cracked and uneven, covered with years worth of dirt, grime and refuse. It doesn’t make for a particularly pleasant neighbourhood, but it does help Laithe in tracking what happened here.
It would seem that the dog chased a smaller animal – most likely a cat – into this alley from a larger street located several alleys distant, zigzagging through the narrow twisting streets. Given the tracks, and the state of decomposition of the dog’s body, this probably happened three or four hours ago at most.
It was about this point – not far from where the body lies – that the dog apparently caught up with its quarry. It’s a little strange though – the cat’s prints become a bit closer together, as though it slowed to allow the dog to catch it at this point.
Here there is a confusion of prints as the pair of animals dart about. Then, at some point during the fight the dog staggers away a few feet to fall down dead here. The first odd thing would be that the cat seems to have killed the dog. The second odd thing is that there are no cat prints (or indeed prints of any type, apart from the dog’s). However, Laithe does notice a partial print (obscured by the dog’s tracks) at the point of the melee of some small, clawed animal. He does not recognise what might have made the print.
Inspecting the dog’s body tells Laithe little more, except that the wounds do not seem severe enough to have killed it outright. It probably died due to poison. The puncture wounds (there is another one on the underside of the body as well) appear quite similar to the ones he saw on the horse (and Stonty).
Inspecting the dog’s body tells Laithe little more, except that the wounds do not seem severe enough to have killed it outright. It probably died due to poison. The puncture wounds (there is another one on the underside of the body as well) appear quite similar to the ones he saw on the horse (and Stonty).
Laithe relates his findings to the others. "We look like we are dealing with a shape changer, and it is luring animals (and possibly humans) in and then killing them. The wounds are consistent with those found on Stonty's horse which certainly points to the demon we are chasing."
He muses for a moment. "I'm not sure why they would lure a dog in and then kill it; they haven't exactly eaten it. However, if these things are that way inclined, perhaps we could make a lure of our own - I could possibly take on dog form and trot around the streets keeping an eye out? Might be worthwhile? In any case, we should all take precautions against poison - perhaps there is somewhere in town where we can purchase some anti-venom or magical assistance?"
"Nicolai would know about that. Could you sniff the creature back to its home as a wolf?" Pharris rests against one wall, hand casually above stroking her hair near her greatsword.
"I've heard stories, legends really, of creatures that devour the souls of others. Could that be what's happening? Maybe that's why there's no visible damage other than the sting."
"I have little faith in this. How about a trap? I'll be the bait and you can all come running during the night to save me. It's a bit like a hunt only the stakes are higher."
"Laithe could it be that the creature hunts in a certain area? I don't know, maybe a mile circle of its lair, maybe it sleeps nearby."
The woman grins at the thought.
"Nicolai would know about that. Could you sniff the creature back to its home as a wolf?" Pharris rests against one wall, hand casually above stroking her hair near her greatsword.
If this is still within 30 minutes of Nicolai's departure, and the query is passed on, he'll whisper directions to an alchemist if he knows of one.
The diminutive figure steps forward out of the shadows, his disguise holding up pretty well to scrutiny in the low light. “Ssso we are going into human town now? Where isss the hairy one with the cart?”
"The others are all still in town. There is trouble and the guards are looking for them. They don't know me, so I was able to get out. They should join us when it gets dark..."
"Maybe we should hide until then. Where's Lumbie and the box?"
"Oh, and what was your name again? I'm Nicolai."
"Nicolai would know about that. Could you sniff the creature back to its home as a wolf?" Pharris rests against one wall, hand casually above stroking her hair near her greatsword.
If this is still within 30 minutes of Nicolai's departure, and the query is passed on, he'll whisper directions to an alchemist if he knows of one."Nicolai would know about that. Could you sniff the creature back to its home as a wolf?" Pharris rests against one wall, hand casually above stroking her hair near her greatsword.
"Maybe we should hide until then. Where's Lumbie and the box?"
"Oh, and what was your name again? I'm Nicolai."
The creature grumbles a little, but accepts Nicolai’s answer, standing aside to admit him into the grove. “Lumbie, Chupo and the boxxx are within,” he hisses quietly. “And I am Rasspit.”
Hidden behind some undergrowth and tree trunks within the grove, the knockers have set up a small, makeshift camp. Lumbie sits dumbly, blinking in the darkness and seeming to hum very quietly to himself whilst rocking back and forth slightly. The other knocker, the wounded one, leans against the box, straight bladed smallsword in hand, and hisses softly at Nicolai as he enters the grove.
"I've heard stories, legends really, of creatures that devour the souls of others. Could that be what's happening? Maybe that's why there's no visible damage other than the sting."
Laithe shakes his head in uncertainty, feeling somewhat cold at the thought "It could be the case - I have some knoweldge of the hunting methods and motives of natural animals, but know little about things as unnatural as these are."
"Nicolai would know about that. Could you sniff the creature back to its home as a wolf?" Pharris rests against one wall, hand casually above stroking her hair near her greatsword.
Laithe shakes his head again at the swordswoman's question. "Sadly the wolf form does not also grant me the superior senses of the wolf. Though there might be some magic that will allow this" he adds, reflectively.
"As for the hunting habits, again I am uncertain. But we have found 2 kills in a fairly close proximity to each other, so it seems reasonable that the creatures are in the area, and it is a good spot to start hunting."
"On the question of using one of us as bait, I do think it is a good idea, but not until we secure some protection against poisons. I say we high-tail it to the shop Nicolai mentioned in the off chance we can get something tonight. We should then work on getting the box and Nicolai back into the city before we start hunting."
Following Nicolai’s far-whispered directions, the group hurries through the darkening streets towards Virrel’s Elixirs and Curatives.
They soon come upon a twisted street that begins to wind its way back uphill from the riverside district. A small girl wearing a mouse-mask and a ragged dress stands at the corner selling twindertwigs, whilst a little further up the street two drunks hurl slurred abuse at each other outside a small tavern.
Two doors down from the tavern is a narrow shopfront, with an old, green painted door. A sign above the door, written in Thuringian, presumably advertises the shop as Virrels; while none of the group present can read the language, the picture of a mortar and pestle on the sign indicates that the place is indeed an alchemists or apothecaries shop.
The door is closed, and the tiny window behind it dark. However, the candle of a jack-o-lantern shines from an un-shuttered second floor window, and a faint banging noise can be heard from somewhere within the building.
"Shall we get them to open up? It is late." Pharris looks at Laithe.
"Shall we get them to open up? It is late." Pharris looks at Laithe.
"We can certainly try" Laithe nods. He straightens his mask to make sure it covers his face and motions for the others to do the same. He then steps forward, knocks on the door 3 times and steps back, allowing one of the others to do the talking if they choose.
As Laithe knocks on the door, the faint banging sound stops, and a few moments later there is the sound of a bolt being drawn, and the door opens inwards a few inches, to the extent of a short chain the prevents it from being opened all the way.
“We’re closed,” says a pale-faced man with a straggly beard who peers out from the crack.
Pharris steps forwards, boldly displaying her figure. She smiles all friendly and concerned, "we need something desperately! now! can you help me?"
“Oh … er … I suppose it’s not that late …”
The door opens the rest of the way, and a dishevelled man of middle years in a soot stained, tatty robe stands before you, in the midst of a dingy, narrow shopfront, little more than a wide hallway, filled with shelves crowded with bottles, flasks and pots.
“How can I help you?” he asks, blinking.
Nicolai sighs as he surveys his new companions. It's going to be a long night if Laithe doesn't make it out of town.
Not inclined to chat up the kobolds at the moment, Nicolai's mind eventually turns to the mysterious devil box. He has a sudden thought and gets up to examine it.
Pharris waits until Laithe and her are inside. And anyone else that tags along.
"It's poison. We need an antidote or some form of protection. Can do?"
Pharris waits until Laithe and her are inside. And anyone else that tags along.
"It's poison. We need an antidote or some form of protection. Can do?"
Laithe stays close following Pharris' lead, allowing the woman to do the talking.
The man seems taken aback by Pharris and her direct and abrupt demands. He steps back, blinking rapidly, but recovers quickly enough. “Poison? But what type? Has someone been bitten by something, or eaten some spoilt food? Do you have a pure sample of the venom? Knowing the answers to these things would help me.”
Realising she is forgetting her manners, "master apothecary. I have been told you are a man of skill. I should have guessed there would be details."
Pharris brushes back her hair and opens the cloak a little to let the view expand. "I believe it is demon poison. It is serious and we believe it may be linked to the Cathedral fire and the horrible deaths of the library. There have been three killings to my knowledge, each with a small fatal puncture, about this big, maybe from some kind of sprite or imp?"
"Truthfully the Church needs help with this and we have decided to provide it. Now can you help us save the town from such a dire threat!" Pharris grips the man tight and gently breathes out her shocks finished.
Nicolai sighs as he surveys his new companions. It's going to be a long night if Laithe doesn't make it out of town.
Not inclined to chat up the kobolds at the moment, Nicolai's mind eventually turns to the mysterious devil box. He has a sudden thought and gets up to examine it.
The box is sized and proportioned as a roughly kobold sized coffin. It appears expertly crafted of rosewood, with iron trimmings. There is what appears to be a lock on one side, but with no obvious keyhole. On one side a series of small runes are engraved into the timber surface.
It is fairly light – about what you would expect an empty but sturdy wooden box of that size to weigh.
It is fairly light – about what you would expect an empty but sturdy wooden box of that size to weigh.
After remaining quiet for some time, Nicolai sits up and says, "Yes, I'm pretty sure it'll work! Raspit, I'm going to create a disk that should be able to carry the box. I'll need your help lifting it on."
Nicolai stands up and removes a small vial of silvery liquid from his spell component pouch. He begins to make circular gestures with his hands and begins chanting quietly. He unstoppers the vial and lets a single drop fall earthward. It never reaches the ground however. At a height of about a foot, the drop disappears and a 3'-diameter slightly concave disk of force materializes in its stead.
With Raspit's help, Nicolai loads the devil box onto the disk and then steps on himself.
He then lowers the disk to only an inch off the ground and bids Raspit to step on. "Might as well see how many of you this can carry." If it works, he'll motion for the other small kobold to step on. Then, figuring Lumbie to be at least as heavy as the other two, he'll try with just Lumbie, himself, and the box. If the disk continues to hold, he'll motion for all the kobolds to step on at once.
Once his experimentation is complete, Nicolai unloads the box and causes the disk to disappear, not wanting to draw any more attention than they already have.
Alton stands silently behind Pharris and Laithe, ready for any trouble that might break out. 'Can't be too careful after all, what with a daemone about.'
Realising she is forgetting her manners, "master apothecary. I have been told you are a man of skill. I should have guessed there would be details."
Pharris brushes back her hair and opens the cloak a little to let the view expand. "I believe it is demon poison. It is serious and we believe it may be linked to the Cathedral fire and the horrible deaths of the library. There have been three killings to my knowledge, each with a small fatal puncture, about this big, maybe from some kind of sprite or imp?"
"Truthfully the Church needs help with this and we have decided to provide it. Now can you help us save the town from such a dire threat!" Pharris grips the man tight and gently breathes out her shocks finished.
“Demons? Sprites? Imps?” The alchemist looks at Pharris as though she is mad. “I … don’t have any knowledge of such things. But,” he adds hastily, obviously willing to help the attractive mad woman who has him quite literally in her clutches, “I do have some general things which might help. Of course a sample of the venom or poison is best for preparing an antidote … but I can see how in this particular case that might be … er, difficult, so…”
He gently extracts himself from Pharris’ grip and turns to begin rummaging through the bottles and jars on his shelf. He soon returns with a handful of vials and small bottles and spreads them out on a bench in the narrow room, gesturing for the others to gather around.
“All right,” he says, holding up a tiny glass vial. “This is the most powerful general purpose antitoxin I have. If taken, it will give a body a very high resistance to poison of most types for about an hour. It is best taken before you … er, plan to be poisoned, although with a slower acting poison it may also provide some benefit if taken immediately after the poisoning occurs. It is very expensive, and I only have four doses of it,” he gestures to another three similar vials on the bench. “It would take me a week to make up any more. As I said, this is potent stuff, and I’m afraid that each vial will cost you twenty five gold royals – and no, don’t try to talk me down; that is practically at cost for me. A special price, given that you are … hunting demons and doing the Church’s work and all…”
“If that is too expensive, here,” he gestures to three small clay pots, “is more of a general restorative. If you eat the paste in one of these pots, it will give a general boost to the body’s health and well being for the space of two hours or so – it may help a little against poison, but is not near as effective as the antitoxin. Each dose of this restorative is five gold royals, I have three of them currently.”
“I have one last thing that might help.” He picks up one of three small wooden jars. “This is a thinning salve. If applied immediately to a wound it will thin the blood and cause it to flow from the wound more quickly. In the hands of a skilled healer, it can be used to draw poison from the blood if used quickly enough and in the proper manner. Each of one of these three jars of salve costs ten gold royals.”
Once his experimentation is complete, Nicolai unloads the box and causes the disk to disappear, not wanting to draw any more attention than they already have.
The kobolds are quite impressed by your demonstration, clapping and hissing softly. The disk can hold yourself, the box and Lumbie, or yourself, the box and the other two kobolds, but not all four of you at once.
He gets the biggest hug ever!
"Thank you, thank you, oh look at these. Can we have them all? Can we?" Pharris turns to the halfling and druid.
He gets the biggest hug ever!
"Thank you, thank you, oh look at these. Can we have them all? Can we?" Pharris turns to the halfling and druid.
Once his experimentation is done, Nicolai lies down on the grass to relax. He chats a little with the kobolds to try and build on their trust, and eventually steers the conversation to the devil box. "So tell me, how will Lumbie activate the device when we see the devil? Will we have to capture it first, or can the box trap him alive?"
He gets the biggest hug ever!
"Thank you, thank you, oh look at these. Can we have them all? Can we?" Pharris turns to the halfling and druid.
Laithe looks on in interest as Virrel run's through his inventory. He nods at Pharris, replying "I think the more protection we have the better".
He reaches for his purse, open's it and shifts through the contents. "I have around 50 gold in coins. which I'm happy to put towards the purchase." He looks to Alton and Pharris to see how much they can afford between the three of them.
Once his experimentation is done, Nicolai lies down on the grass to relax. He chats a little with the kobolds to try and build on their trust, and eventually steers the conversation to the devil box. "So tell me, how will Lumbie activate the device when we see the devil? Will we have to capture it first, or can the box trap him alive?"
“Lumbie mussst ssing the rhyme here,” says Raspit, pointing to the strange runes on the side of the box. “Devilss must be near, but need not be ressstrained I think,” he shrugs. “How near I know not – but clossse.”
Laithe looks on in interest as Virrel run's through his inventory. He nods at Pharris, replying "I think the more protection we have the better".
He reaches for his purse, open's it and shifts through the contents. "I have around 50 gold in coins. which I'm happy to put towards the purchase." He looks to Alton and Pharris to see how much they can afford between the three of them.
“I can contribute up to 30 or so pieces of gold,” offers Kajetan quietly. “After that, I will have few coins left, although I am still carrying those misshapen pearls you found. Still, resistance to poison sounds like a good idea in the circumstance. What shall we buy?”
Pharris nods vigorously and pulls out a handful of gold and platinum pieces. She opens her palm before Beuller and Laithe, at about Alton's nose level.
5 gold and 5 platinum appear. "I think the gold is worth less than the others. Is that right?"
Alton extracts a handful of coins from a pouch at his belt. "I can chip in a little coin too."
"And yes, the platinum is usually worth about ten times as much as the gold."
Keildrithe has 60 gold coins that he could contribute
Pharris keeps a firm hold on Bueller, as the others look over his pots. She twiddles the little hairs above his far ear. Pharris tries to sooth away any fears from Ferris.
"I'm not one for shopping," she adds.
Laithe nods: "I don't want to lose any more companions to these demons, so I agree the more protection we get the better. I say we take all of it - which would come to 155gp each I think." Assuming the others agree, Laithe begins gathering the coins to hand over.
Pharris hands over two platinum pieces and nine gold to Bueller. Then she gives him another little squeeze of thanks and smiles at the rest, "I cannot heal so someone else should have the thinning salves. But the antitoxin sounds useful and the other one, whatever it was called?, could be good, especially if I'm to be bait!"
Looking at the others she gets a little crestfallen, "do we help Nicolai now?"
“Lumbie mussst ssing the rhyme here,” says Raspit, pointing to the strange runes on the side of the box. “Devilss must be near, but need not be ressstrained I think,” he shrugs. “How near I know not – but clossse.”
Nicolai spends the rest of the evening trying to coerce Lumbie into practicing the rhyme. If necessary he'll offer the kobold some shiny coppers as a reward, and will even go so far as to promise him a magic show, using Mage Hand, Ghost Sound, and Light to perform simple feats.
Once he's able to get Lumbie to recite the rhyme, he'll focus his efforts on training him to say it on command. He'll even recruit the other kobolds to create distractions so that Lumbie gets used to reciting the verse with other things going on.
Lumbie seems quite taken with the bribe of 5 copper pennies. It’s enough to get him started on the practice in earnest at any rate. Nicolai prepares to settle in for what will no doubt be a looong evening.
Attempts to communicate with Lumbie soon prove to Nicolai that the oversized kobold does in fact understand the Atuscan tongue – fairly well it seems. He even seems able to speak it, but only does so very slowly and quietly.
The difficulty arises in that he does not seem to know much or any of the language spoken by the other kobolds – the language that the rhyme is written in and presumably must be sung in.
So a fair amount of time, before even trying to get Lumbie to sing or do so under distraction, is to teach him the correct pronunciation of the words. Baring magic, Nicolai must rely mainly on Raspit to do this, with he (Nicolai) acting as taskmaster … yes, it’s going to be a long evening.
Attempts to communicate with Lumbie soon prove to Nicolai that the oversized kobold does in fact understand the Atuscan tongue – fairly well it seems. He even seems able to speak it, but only does so very slowly and quietly.
Not that it will help with the draconic rhyme, but Nicolai will also test out his Thuringian to see if that helps him communicate more easily with Lumbie...