Age of Darkness

Game Master Mothman

Kajetan knows a lot about the Silver Weapons and explains it all to the rest of the group, please feel free to read the three spoilers on Silver Weapons.

He confesses that has no idea about the rat men being humanoids or not.

He also suggests that it might be worth someone going to the church and talking to them about the possible threat, the elder priest who took Pharris to the mortuary would be a good choice. He will volunteer if the group thinks it is a good idea as even though he is wanted, he does not tend to stick out as much as the others.

Knowledge Local: 1d20+7=13, Knowledge Religion: 1d20+6=26

Not bad, but I'm glad that IC loves Kajetan more! ;)

Nicholai looks at the gnome's stubble thoughtfully. "Actually, I don't know. I've never tried it." He grins. "But it should! Might require another casting with a certain tweaking of the third phrase,..."

He glances over at Kajetan as he works on 'cleaning up' the gnome's appearance, then leaves the final details to the Pharris, who obviously has much more practice than himself with fine makeup details. He watches her work without trying to hide his appreciative smirk, then coughs and returns his attention to Kajetan.

"Welcome back! The ability to make the invisible appear should be invaluable, especially if the recipient isn't aware that you can do that. And I believe that the rat-men, are still considered 'humanoid'." He shrugs. "At least they looked pretty humanoid to me! And the term is pretty general, I think we should proceed under the presumption that they are still affected by our magics the same as other folk, other than their annoying resiliency against damage, and have a plan 'B' in case we are mistaken."

He glances at the burnt-out hulk of their erstwhile new hidey-hole with a depreciating sniff.
"It's certainly not the Chateau der Maur, but it does meet all of our current requirements. Namely, a place that no one would think to look for us. Or anyone most likely."

With a smirk he pulls out the copper coin that he had enchanted earlier. It still glowed with the brightness of a torch. With a deft motion he flipped it up and caught it, slapping it against the back of his blue glove.

"Heads it is!" He says with a wink, and tosses the glowing coin into the burnt-out room ahead of them.

"After you!" Nicholai says with a grand, sweeping gesture to the others, Obviously intending that they should enter first.

Kajetan knows a lot about the Silver Weapons and explains it all to the rest of the group, please feel free to read the three spoilers on Silver Weapons.

He confesses that has no idea about the rat men being humanoids or not.

He also suggests that it might be worth someone going to the church and talking to them about the possible threat, the elder priest who took Pharris to the mortuary would be a good choice. He will volunteer if the group thinks it is a good idea as even though he is wanted, he does not tend to stick out as much as the others.

"Kajetan, based on what you've told us, I wonder if it wouldn't be easier to seek silver weapons among the local gnomes and dwarves... Alton, you have some familiarity with the local non-humans -- how likely is it that they would aid us?"

Hope everyone had a great holiday season and happy new year? Apologies about the lack of posting - it proved busier for me than expected.

"Kajetan, based on what you've told us, I wonder if it wouldn't be easier to seek silver weapons among the local gnomes and dwarves... Alton, you have some familiarity with the local non-humans -- how likely is it that they would aid us?"

"Stonty may be willing to help us in this respect, especially considering he has been directly affected by the threat. Perhaps with his aid we might be able to acquire a loan of a silver weapon or two, assuming we cannot afford to buy?"

At Kajetan's suggestion of approaching the church, Laithe frowns. "I would proceed with extreme caution in respect to the church, especially if the inquisition has followed us here as we suspect. Such questions may lead to unwanted attention. Though certainly if we are unable to acquire what we need through other means, then perhaps this will be necessary; or a raid on the catacombs..." He adds this last comment with another frown, indicating he would prefer to avoid this option also.

Arriving at the derelict building, Laithe follows Nicolai's coin into the building cautiously, looking and listening for any sign of danger. Spot check 3 + 8 = 11, listen check 4 + 8 = 12. hmmm, ended the year on a 20, started with a 3 & 4...hopefully not a sign of the year to come!

NIcholai shudders dramatically as Laithe enters the building.

"Yes. I agree we should take this tale to the church as a LAST resort. I'm not fond of grave-robbing, but I would rather do that than enter that Church again! While the conversation was almost pleasant, it still felt far too much like sticking my head in the lion's mouth,... When you know the lion is hungry!" He grins to take the sting from his words, but there is no doubt he isn't joking about this.

He purses his lips thoughtfully as Laithe prowls around the glowing coin.

"Yes, we have several other options now thanks to Kajetan's library-like memory. And with other agents looking for you already, I think avoidance is the better part of valor. If we get desperate,... maybe. If only my friend were in town,... I would risk telling him the tale, but I'm not really wanting to place my head IN that noose just yet."

"Meanwhile, what we really need is someway to pin down a small, flying creature who can change shape and seemingly turn invisible at will. I don't know how to cast Web or similar magics. If it can turn invisible at will, your revealing spell may only give us a few extra seconds to see it. We can't rely on being able to kill it in a few seconds, we need to be able to grapple it and hold it. A net maybe? Once trapped it won't matter what shape it takes or if we can see it or not. We can just beat on it with a stick until it stops moving!" He smirks.

She shakes her head in agreement with Laithe, "no churches..." The words tail off as the girl finishes her work with a few thin black lines to add to the gnomish cast. "No churches otherwise they are going to know we are here. One set of trackers and assassins catching us in the night is bad enough. The Church would make Lichford dicey."

Pharris grabs Nicolai in a tight embrace, "that's it! a net, why didn't I think of that. You know for a mage you aren't half bad."

"I wonder if the ratmen are part of the demon worship cult too?" she muses as the clinch finishes.

"Perhaps I have been misleading, my spell not only reveals the invisible creature, it also covers them in sparkling dust, it lasts only a few seconds, so we must be quick." he pauses to ensure they all understand before continuing. "The downside is that it is that the initial explosion of dust could blind those in the area, so I will need you all to not be in the area when I target the little vermin."

"I agree that a net would be a very good idea, maybe the fishermen have one we could buy?"

He then goes solemn, "the inquisitors paint the church in a bad light, but all of the clergy are not like them, many are good men." "We must be careful that we do not lower our selves to their level by assuming that all of them are enemies," again he pauses, "that said and done, we are hunted people, so we must be careful who we trust, but I can not get the idea out of my mind that righting this wrong aids the church and if they where aware of our actions they may feel different about us."

"Kajetan, based on what you've told us, I wonder if it wouldn't be easier to seek silver weapons among the local gnomes and dwarves... Alton, you have some familiarity with the local non-humans -- how likely is it that they would aid us?"

Alton shrugs "My uncle lives here; but I'd never been here before now. We can ask him; family ties are strong amongst my people, so he'd likely be willing to help. On the whole, we don't care much for the Church, so the non-human community would probably at the very least look the other way in whatever we're doing."

The burnt out house appears empty of inhabitants, although some cleared areas containing some ragged old bed-rolls and various pieces of refuse and waste indicate that squatters have slept here fairly recently – they do not appear to be present currently.

Only parts of the second floor and roof remain intact, and there does not appear to be any safe way up, the stairs having been burnt and partially collapsed, but the walls are for the most part intact, and the upper areas do not appear to be in immediate danger of further collapse.

A set of stone stairs leading down from what was probably once the kitchen give access to a small cellar, which also appears to be empty. The kobolds immediately take to this chamber, and settle in with the devil-box, Raspit softly coaching Lumbie in singing the rhyme.

---

Once inside and settled in, as outside the sun continues to rise, and the town wakes and goes about its business, Nicolai and Pharris get to work on Alton’s appearance, making him appear like a scruffy beggar boy. Pharris, a disguise check please. Various modifiers apply, but we’ll assume they all pretty much cancel each other out, so an unmodified skill check will do. Also, Nicolai may not realize it, but Alton is a halfling, not a gnome.

Laithe’s disguise, as a large hound, will of course be achieved by his normal method…

Either Stonty or Alton’s uncle might be good starting points in trying to secure silver weapons amongst the non-human population of the town … of course your point of contact for Stonty is the inn you fled an hour or so ago, and Alton never did quite manage to track down his uncle yesterday…

A net could probably be easily had in this town – there is some fishing done on the river, and there are other uses for nets too. Assume that a net of twenty square feet and of decent strength can be purchased from a store or direct from some river-side fishermen for 3gp (each). Of course, said nets could also be stolen for considerably less money…
Keep in mind though that a fisherman’s net or a cargo net are not the same as a fighting net of the type sometimes used by gladiators in the arenas of Atus – they may not be quite as effective or easy to use as those nets.
Fighting nets are quite exotic weapons in this part of the world, and will not be found easily or cheaply (if at all).

So, the plan from here? Who is doing what? Are Alton and Laithe heading back out in disguise to keep an eye on the building by the river?

Laithe does a quick scan of the derelict building and, finding no obvious dangers, signals the all-clear to the others. He is releaved to find no-one else is overly keen to approach the church, though nods in assent to Kajetan's words.

"You are of course correct my friend. Yruch is an example of that; a champion of the church, and yet a man who certainly did not see eye to eye with the Inquisitors at least, if not the church as a whole." For those who weren't part of the game at the time, Yruch was a Paladin of Arton who played in the game a while back, but has since departed.

Laithe's plan is to spend most of the day watching the building in preparation for the night's attack. Ideally he'd like company (Alton) but if it makes sense for Alton to try and track down his uncle, then he's happy to take the watch alone. The net is a good idea, and I think it is worth trying to track down Stonty regarding silver weapons, but definitely worth being cautious around the inn.

"Whatever we do, I think we should travel in pairs as a minimum, where ever possible." he recommends to the group.

Pharris grabs Nicolai in a tight embrace, "that's it! a net, why didn't I think of that. You know for a mage you aren't half bad."

With a light cough and swift glance at the others, Nicolai smirks a little and makes a pretense of straightening his cravat until he can trust his voice.

"My dear young lady, you wound me!" He declares.

"Under the right circumstances, I am entirely bad!" He confides sotto voice with a smile.

With a wink he follows Laithe into the building and retrieves his glowing coin. He holds it up and takes another look around.

"I'm afraid it will take more than a simple cantrip to get this place presentable again. But that's just as well. We wouldn't want to get TOO comfortable in here, would we?"

"WHat do you think, should most of us stay here and hidden throughout the day? And allow Laithe and Alton their reconnaissance? Personally I detest complete inaction, and think that our time would be better spent following other leads and gathering equipment. But I will defer to the majority in this, I think. Though I heartily agree with Laithe, and think that going about solo at this point in time, especially now with at least 2, if not 3 different groups of people after at least some of us, would be a major mistake!"

Disguise check 11+10=21

Pharris finishes up Alton turning him from a gnome to a boy, now she understands want they wanted.

"I'm not going to sit around all day, I'll get us a net. As for the silver weapon, maybe we should just wait and see how we do tonight. Everything we say sounds like we may alert the wrong people to us while we are meant to be resting, watching and hiding. A net is a different matter. Plus I can have a drink and chat in town to see what the news is?" she pleads with Laithe and the others.

"I'm not going to sit around all day, I'll get us a net. As for the silver weapon, maybe we should just wait and see how we do tonight. Everything we say sounds like we may alert the wrong people to us while we are meant to be resting, watching and hiding. A net is a different matter."

Nicholai nods in agreement with Pharris, frowning.

"Your right of course. Unfortunately I will require actual rest to regather my mystical strength." He pouts, looking around again. "I guess I'd better get comfortable after all." He sighs, and begins to unroll his sleeping blankets.

"A net would be good. Even if we can't throw it properly, we can carry it between two of us to catch the thing. Two nets would be even better. With a second we could lay a trap or block off doors and windows to prevent easy escape."

Plus I can have a drink and chat in town to see what the news is?" she pleads with Laithe and the others.

Nicholai looks up from his work at Pharris' words. He sighs again, obviously wishing he could go.

"Well, it would be good to find out the daily gossip. The barkeeps usually know what's going on before the local constabulary does. And you can obviously handle yourself." He grins in recollection of her dancing away from her last group of would-be suitors. "But Laithe is right. You can't go alone. At least take someone to watch your back."

He stretches out on his blanket, hands behind his head. "After all, it isn't as if watching your back is a chore!" He raises an eyebrow with a grin.

Kajetan smiles to himself as he listens to his companions banter, he settles down in a quite corner and gets his journal out to make the most of the daylight hours, scribbling away in silence, his tongue poking between his lips as he concentrates.

Nicholai sighs. Again.
He wiggles with frustration trying to make his pallet at least bearable if not comfortable.
Finally he props himself up on one elbow and loosens his cravat.

"It's no use." He sighs once more to his companion scribbling away in his book. "My body may need rest, but my brain is anything but tired! Perhaps we can conjecture to create some new spell tactics while we wait? We have been fairly lucky so far, but Mayhaps there are ways we can use our spells in tandem, complementing and aiding each other for greater effect than either of us can manage alone?"

He smiles, obviously enjoying the subject, or the sound of his own voice.
"After all, it so rarely that I get to openly discuss the use of magic. I think it would be an enjoyable way to pass the time as well as useful! Er, um, when your done there, of course." He stumbles to a halt as he notices a flash of annoyance cross Kajetan's features at the constant interruption.

With another sigh he settles back onto his pallet and gazes out a hole in the wall at the sky. 'Are you awake yet my lazy golden one?' HE thinks as he mentally reaches for his empathic connection to his familiar. Reaching down the mystic link he lets out the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding as the bird responds to the touch energetically. Sending a peaceful thought to calm the hawk's fears for his safety, he takes a moment to enjoy the feeling of the avian's exultation in freedom of flight.

'Safe. Hiding. Resting.' He sends empathically to calm any concerns the hawk might still have. "Watch. Guard. Alert." He instructs along the link, sending a mental image of the outside of the building he is currently inside of. Waiting patiently, he sends a confirmation down the link when he sees a flash of gold in the sky above the building. 'Yes! Here.'

Over the holidays I almost forgot about the poor, ignored bird! ;) We can discuss any possible strategies on the discussion thread if you like, instead of haveing to go thru the rigmarole of phrasing everything IC, just wanted to get it started in IC!

Wijk’An has been roosting in a copse of trees not far from the town wall overnight. Nicolai’s mental prod stirs the bird, who spreads his wings and flies in over the town, high up, below the wispy clouds that hang in the sky.

Nicolai receives an empathic burst of skies free of other hunters, then a ground below, crude images of buildings with many two-legged ground dwellers bustling about. There is an affirmative sense to the connection – yes, the hawk will keep watch.

Who (if any) is going to accompany Pharris in her net-hunting and information gathering?
Where do you plan to start Pharris?

"Laithe, my brother, is there anything you can do about this?" The bard winces as he turns and shows the bloody arrow wound in his back to the druid. "I too will need to rest if I am to recover some of my... gifts." With disappointment evident in his eyes, he adds, "I'm sorry that I won't be able to accompany you, Pharris my dear."

So we have Laithe and Alton scouting out the building (are you leaving yet?), Keildrithe, Kajetan and Nicolai lying low for the day (strategizing, resting and regaining spells), and Pharris heading out shopping (on her own it looks like, unless she wants to risk taking one of the Knockers, who otherwise stay in the basement).

"Nicoli, I would like nothing more than to talk with you about the ways of magic, I was only penning a letter to the church, but it can wait, I am especially intrigued by your companion Wijk’An as this art is unknown to me."

Kajetan will talk for hours on the subject, probably boring poor Nicoli to tears, but he does show a lot of interest in obtaining his own companion.

"Milksop magic chats mean I'm going."

Pharris storms out as Nicolai starts in about his wonderful magic.

She heads off to the nearest set of shops. The girl keeps a little hunched over and doesn't take her greatsword or bow. Now she only looks about six foot tall.

Her intention is to begin gathering information slowly and find a suitable chandler's for the net. Nearer midday, she will gradually move higher up towards the Cathedral and her old stomping ground. All the time wary of recognising anyone, Pharris doesn't spend more than half an hour in any one inn or shop. That is until she may latch onto something.

I have rolled a Gather Info check earlier and got a 22 but here's another if needs be. Gather Info 11+3=14

'Milksop Magic Chats' = Nice! ;P

I hadn't realized that only Pharris and the halfling don't have 'powers' of any kind. They are just bad-@$$es! Laithe also needs to rest to regain his spells, correct? SO he shouldn't spend too much time out scouting. Of course as far as I know there's nothing against him 'resting' in dog form. So he could watch the building all day from under a porch or hidden in the weeds and still 'rest' as it is described in the handbooks.

A brief look of hurt flashes through Nicholai's eyes at Pharris' words as she departs. But it is quickly replaced by a speculative look. "She is, something, isn't she?" He asks no one inparticular as he glances at Laithe tending the other's arrow wound.

He turns his attention back to Kajetan with a grin. "I don't know that I can tell you how to call a companion. We sort of, fell in due to similar backgrounds and just sort of,... bonded over time. I hear there is an actual ritual for accomplishing the same thing, but I don't know it."

LOL! Kajetan has all this book knowledge, and Nicholai is running on instinct and feelings. NIcholai will probably frustrate Kajetan to the point of magicide with his 'It just feels like,' and 'it comes when I call' before the mage bores the sorcerer with technical details and proper terminology!

Pharris:

Nicolai, yes, Pharris is certainly an enigma. Apart from other things, while she doesn’t appear to hold any of the usual Artonite fear or superstition of magic (in fact, she seems quite knowledgeable on the subject), she certainly doesn’t like it … you wonder why.

From what Kajetan and the others tell you, they don’t know her much better than you. They met her on the road a few days prior to meeting you, and do not know where she came from or what her business is.

You’re right, I won’t require you to sleep to regain spells – just low activity and rest for at least 8 hours. So if Laithe doesn’t do anything strenuous in dog form he should be ok – if he’s constantly pacing about that may not count as rest.

Speaking of which, Laithe and Alton – watching the building from the street (presumably where the front entrance is) or from the river-side (where the rat holes are)?

"Laithe, my brother, is there anything you can do about this?" The bard winces as he turns and shows the bloody arrow wound in his back to the druid. "I too will need to rest if I am to recover some of my... gifts." With disappointment evident in his eyes, he adds, "I'm sorry that I won't be able to accompany you, Pharris my dear."

"Forgive me brother!" Laithe exclaims, ashamed he had not thought to offer a look at the wound earlier. He hurries over and begins tending the wound, doing his best to ensure it will heal quickly and cause the bard little discomfort. Heal check 9 + 10 = 19

Once done tending it he whispers a quick prayer to Ehlonna and lays his hands on the wound to help it along a little further. A glow arises from his hands, as well as the faint smell of woodsmoke, as the wound knits together and begins to scab over. Cure Light Wounds, 5 + 3 = 8

"I'm sorry I don't have more for you at the moment, but hopefully that helps".

He turns to the others "Do any of you have any qounds which require attention? I fear I have little magic left to assist, but I can bind wounds and perhaps provide some comfort?"

After tending to wounds, Laithe will head out with Alton to watch on the buildings. I was imagining watching the front, as I presume they may come and go as people during the day? But perhaps the back is the better option. What does eveyone else think? Perhaps Wijk'An can watch one, and Alton and Laithe the other?

As I understand, Druids (and clerics), don't need the normal 8 hours rest to prepare spells. They take an hour of meditation every day in which they can regain their magic, with rest (or lack of) having no affect. Laithe typically meditates around dusk, so should be ready to go in the early evening.

He turns to the others "Do any of you have any qounds which require attention? I fear I have little magic left to assist, but I can bind wounds and perhaps provide some comfort?"

Nicholai grins sheepishly. "I'm afraid they managed to get me once during the fight. It's not life threatening, I hope, but it sure does hurt!"

I have a note that he got rat-attacked during the rat-fight right before I took him over. He is down 7 hit points. A knowledgeable use of the Heal skill would probably do wonders. ;)

"Forgive me brother!" Laithe exclaims, ashamed he had not thought to offer a look at the wound earlier. He hurries over and begins tending the wound, doing his best to ensure it will heal quickly and cause the bard little discomfort. Heal check 9 + 10 = 19

Once done tending it he whispers a quick prayer to Ehlonna and lays his hands on the wound to help it along a little further. A glow arises from his hands, as well as the faint smell of woodsmoke, as the wound knits together and begins to scab over. Cure Light Wounds, 5 + 3 = 8

"I'm sorry I don't have more for you at the moment, but hopefully that helps".

"Do not fret, Laithe, it looked worse than it was. Old Atrek's armour absorbed most of the impact. I feel as good as new now. Thanks be to you, and to the goddess as well..."

A brief look of hurt flashes through Nicholai's eyes at Pharris' words as she departs. But it is quickly replaced by a speculative look. "She is, something, isn't she?" He asks no one inparticular as he glances at Laithe tending the other's arrow wound.

"Yes, she is," mutters Keildrithe icily while glaring at Nicolai. He promptly averts his gaze, clears a spot in a corner, and settles down, preparing to doze.

Nicholai grins sheepishly. "I'm afraid they managed to get me once during the fight. It's not life threatening, I hope, but it sure does hurt!"

I have a note that he got rat-attacked during the rat-fight right before I took him over. He is down 7 hit points. A knowledgeable use of the Heal skill would probably do wonders. ;)

Laithe nods and moves over to Nicolai "I'll gladly take a look". He busies himself with cleaning and tending the wound. He quietly mutters a prayer to Ehlonna, and then another, which helps ease the pain of the wound.

As he works, he says "you will have to introduce me to Wijk'An, when we are finished with this business. From afar, he looks to be a magnificent bird".

Casts detect poison on Nicolai (for caution's sake; it was a rat bite wound after all). He then casts cure minor wounds, healing a massive 1 point of damage.

DM

After Laithe checks, heals and binds people’s wounds (he detects no poison in Nicolai’s system), he changes into dog form and he and Alton head out to keep an eye on the building.

It soon becomes evident that keeping watch from the river bank will leave the pair fairly conspicuous to anyone who happens by on or across the river (unless they hide uncomfortably in the mud amongst the reeds and rubbish). Up at street level, there is a narrow alley-mouth about opposite the building on the other side of the street; a ragged urchin boy and his large but scruffy dog lurking within the lane shouldn’t attract too much attention. Will I assume you do this?

If the rear is to be watched, the hawk may be able to find a good roost beside a chimney pot or on a tower roof across the river.

The building, from the street side, is a somber two storey affair, made of stained grey brick with a slate shingle roof. A few high, tightly shuttered windows are visible at what would be the upper floor level – there are none at ground floor.

No one noticed any entrances to the rear or side of the building (apart from the rat holes), but there is a front door to the street, with a faded sign above it, the words written in Thuringian.

Pharris:

Kajetan has a really big head wound on the back of his noggin, but he keeps quite about it, ashamed that he was ambushed so easily and was of no help to the others.

"Pharris confuses me," Kajetan admits, "I know something of the cultures of the world, yet she is an enigma, at times she is almost amoral, like an animal, I read a book once of a babe in arms raised by wolves." He looks thoughtfully for a while, "I am glad she is on our side, I would hate to see what she would do to someone who made her angry."

In his conversation with Nicoli, it is apparent that the ways of magic initially came easily to Kajetan, almost manifesting as his did, but as he sort to rationalise them and master his powers it actually became more difficult and he now has to put in a lot of effort to learn new spells. You could almost suspect that his minds need to be logical in some way has hindered his natural talent.

He does let it be known that he can possible bend the will of one of the rat men into thinking he is Kajetan's friend, he has also been working on causing flares of clashing rainbow colours that will possible blind, stun or even render unconscious those in its area.

Laithe and Alton:

Pharris returns at the end of the day, her face smudged and shoulders slightly slumped.

She goes and sits by her sword for comfort, dumping two large nets to one side.

"That was hard. The Lichford watch have been questioning everyone they didn't like the look of. I reckon my disguise was the only thing stopping them from testing me out there. That and the fact I left my sword. They have Hawthorn and are looking for someone who sounds alot like me."

Pharris begins the slow process of unravelling her plaited hair to give it a rest. Every few seconds a little sigh escapes her lips, "that's better."

"The gate guards are looking for some people that killed a Church official to the east as well. So far the rumours of dogs being killed in this area are just that, rumours, the watch have almost managed to quell any talk about a drunk or beggar being poisoned. Almost I did manage to get that out of one willing barkeep."

"Oh and those are your nets."

She finishes unroping one long plait and takes out a comb to tend the lush red hair.

"Most of the other stuff I heard, you already know. There is some bread and cheese, cold ham and weak beer, enough for everyone."

Pharris will bring back some food and water as well as the news. I have taken off 8 gold in total - DM.

Laithe nods and moves over to Nicolai "I'll gladly take a look". He busies himself with cleaning and tending the wound. He quietly mutters a prayer to Ehlonna, and then another, which helps ease the pain of the wound. "You will have to introduce me to Wijk'An, when we are finished with this business. From afar, he looks to be a magnificent bird".

"I'm sure he would like that as well. I think that bird likes to preen almost as much as he loves to fly!"

When Laithe finishes Nicholai stretches the shoulder cautiously, and smiles warmly at the druid.
"Much better, thank you. I'm sure it will be fine now. You are a multi-talented man master Laithe. Priest, tracker, healer. And it would seem that you are not alone in your talents. At every turn this group continues to amaze me with their multiple skills, abilities and cleverness in difficult situations." He shakes his head. "I'm beginning to feel more and more like a one-trick-pony!" He smiles.

He/I have just realized that since he joined the group there has never been any/much time (IC) for them to get to know each other. Just throwing in a bit for fun. I've forgotten, does a successful use of the heal skill actually 'heal' HP, Or just allow you to gain more than 1hp from a rest time? (I know that it does other things ads well, just wondering about that for now.)

When it becomes clear that it will be best for the daring pair to do their lurking in the front of the building, Nicholai gets Wijk'An to watch the back. Communicating his desire through repeated imagery until the golden hawk understands.

Nicholai appears not to have heard the bard's icy remark in response to his comment about Pharris. But Kajetan is close enough to see a flash of a smile pass briefly over the Sorcerer's features.

"Pharris confuses me," Kajetan admits, "I know something of the cultures of the world, yet she is an enigma, at times she is almost amoral, like an animal, I read a book once of a babe in arms raised by wolves." He looks thoughtfully for a while, "I am glad she is on our side, I would hate to see what she would do to someone who made her angry."

NIcholai taps his chin thoughtfully, then nods in agreement. "I agree. I am also glad she is on our side. Please remind me not to make her angry!" He says wide-eyed in feigned fear.

As they discuss magic, Nicholai is obviously only minorly interested in the 'technical' part of spellcasting, but listens with unfeigned interest in how Kajetan's powers developed. When he begins explaining the spells he has available in his books, Nicholai's grin threatens to stretch from ear to ear.

"Excellent! You're a veritable wharehouse of knowledge, and you have a library of useful spells at your command! I'm afraid that you've seen most of my tricks. But at least your revealing/blinding spell will allow us to continue the fight after the Imp turns invisible, and will allow me to target it with my mystic bolts. If you can blind some of the ratters with it at the same time, that's a bonus. My major concern is that the Imp may be resistant to mystic forces as the ratters seem to be resistant to physical. Capturing it by hand or net would still seem to be the best idea for ensuring it's destruction."

He muses a while, then asks, "If you could charm the first Ratter we run across, make it your friend, when the others attack we would have a surprise ally, at least for a bit. That might give us a few seconds of surprise which can only help. The ability to disguise ourselves and blend in as one of them would be even better as we might be able to get one of us inside with our new 'friend' before we strike."

NIcholai lays out his meager selection for Kajetan to mull over, bemoaning his lack of minor charms which might be helpful in a fight. "I have a lot of minor tricks I can do, including creating noises, and opening/closing doors and such from a distance." which might be useful for closing the windows to prevent the Imp's escape, or maybe 'closing' the net if it is laid on the floor as a trap? I'll have to read the spell description again "At least I'll be able to allow us to communicate if we split into two groups and attack from two sides." Or did I read right? There is NO 'back door' except the rat-tunnels?

Nicholai continues in this vein off and on with Kajetan and Keildrithe all day, tossing around ideas and plans. He sits up with undisguised pleasure as Pharris returns. He listens to the tale of her day's adventures at first with outbursts of admiration, then concern as she describes the obvious manhunt(s) going on.

"I'm glad you returned when you did! I think you've found out more than enough for one day! Your courage is undeniable my dear, as are your quick wits, but you took an awful chance staying out as long as you did!"

He looks between the nets, the food, and the amazon unplaiting her hair with unfeigned admiration and shakes his head. "Excellent work. Capital really. Though now I'm afraid that gaining help from any official quarter is now officially out of the question. They are obviously looking for at least most of us, for a variety of reasons. I think we are well and truly on our own. I alone may be able to approach them if dire straights force our hand, but as I have already been seen with the rest of you, even that seems unlikely."

He moves over to where Pharris is unbraiding her hair and holds out his hand. "Allow me to assist you brave lady?" He asks with his most charming smile, indicating that if she wishes, she can give him the brush and he will assist her with her lengthy locks.

Wow. So this is what happens when I lose my internet connection for a day.
Laithe and I are still on watch yes?

Wow. So this is what happens when I lose my internet connection for a day.

Laithe and I are still on watch yes?

Heh, sorry Arc. You know me, never write a paragraph when a novel will suffice! ;P

In this case, Laithe’s heal checks don’t have much game effect (he needs to be providing you with attention on and off through the rest period to help you recover more hit points). What it will do is stop infection or something setting in (which is something I’d be entirely likely to spring on you otherwise!).

No back door to the building as far as you can see. Just the front door and the rat tunnels. All the windows are high up in the wall, and most are quite small and/or tightly shuttered. One window (above the front door) is a bit larger, but it too is shuttered.

The day wears on. Pharris returns with supplies about two hours before sunset. By this stage, everyone bar Pharris has had adequate rest to gain back up to 1 hit point / level, and arcane casters have had enough rest to restore lost spell slots or prepare new spells – please note prepared spells on your character sheet Kajetan.

Laithe and Alton have seen no real change in the activity around the front of the building during the day – there is certainly no sign of hideous beast-men or invisible imps entering or leaving the building … nor anyone carrying obvious weaponry, or anyone who looks particularly dangerous or suspicious.

Nicolai’s empathic link with Wijk’An lets him know that the bird does not see anything larger or more dangerous than a cat at the rear of the building. The bird has to restrain itself from hunting any of the numerous small animals – frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, rats (normal sized ones – the hawk does not see anything approaching the size of the great rats that attacked at the inn this morning), but does not see anything that strikes it as out of the ordinary. However, by the time Pharris gets back, the bird is starting to get irritable and hungry, and its attention is beginning to waver.

At one point during the day, the kobold Raspit overhears Nicolai strategizing about how to deal with the Imp. “Pssht, sssmall devil,” he hisses. “More than one of those … two, perhapsss three. And the creature that killed Thissslip and ssset them free from the Box … but the worssst of all is the chainy Big Badnessss devil. Get him back in the Devil Box before he goesss big again…”

Nicholai realizes that he has been so involved in conversation, mostly with his fellow arcanist, that he has neglected poor Wijk'An. He sends positive thoughts down the empathic link to show his appreciation for the hawk's dedication.

'Fly. Hunt. Eat.' He sends down the empathic link, and immediately feels the surge of elation as the hawk takes to the air. Grinning n response to the Hawk's feelings, Nicholai looks outside at the setting sun, and sends just a hint of concern down the link before letting the connection go, to remind Wijk'An that he may still need his help, and not to go too far.

When the Kobolds mention that there are more than one of the little devils, Nicholai slaps his hand over his face in frustration. Slowly pulling it down his face until it looks like he's trying to remove his jaw.

"Three?!?! Oi! And here I thought that one was enough trouble!" He mutters.

"Ok, one thing at a time. We'll find the 'Big Badness' devil and put him back in the box." He assures the kobold. "But first we have to take care of the little devil,... or three, and his rat-faced shapeshifting friends! What about using the devil box itself to re-trap the Imps, are we ready to try? Is HE ready?" He asks, pointing a thumb at the Kobold muttering the rhyme over to himself again. "And do we know how close we have to have the box to a devil before we can put it inside?"

I presume that in the time Nicholai has been with them, they have explained ('offstage' as it were,) the details about the box, the Imps, etc. Do they know what the creature was that set the Imps free in the first place? And Then we have to deal with the chainy, BIg Badness?!? Before he gets big again?!? Sounds like we have a full dance card! ;)

At the question of whether Lumbie is ready for this, Raspit just shrugs. “Ready asss he’ll be.” His uncertainty is hardly re-assuring.

As for the rest, the kobold explains that to trap a devil in the box it needs to be within sight and at a distance of no more than about twenty feet … he thinks. All the devils were trapped in the box before, so it should be possible to do so again … but Chief Gnurka told Raspit that last time, while the imps were fairly easy to trap, the Big Badness was not. He also said that if you try to use the box too many times it might break, but Raspit does not seem entirely clear on how many times is too many, or what exactly constitutes a “use”.

EDIT:
The thing that set the creatures free was “like the imps in the box”, the kobolds have said.
The Big Badness is due to return to full size in … well you can’t exactly be sure, but based on the timeline and information the knockers have given you, perhaps 1 or 2 days.

+3HP added for rest and prepared spells are the same as yesterday:

Spells Prepared

Kajetan tries to get his head around how many "Imps" there are, am I correct in the fact that something like the creatures in the box released two other Imps from the box and also the little man in chains. That would give us 4 Devil/Demon foes, 3 small winged shapechangers and 1 shrunken man like demon. Is that correct in their understanding, are their any knowledge checks I can make to work out what they are and also what their resistances might be?

"It is safe for us to assume that we have seen a lot of black cats about, I would guess that at least one of our little demonic opponents can change into a cat, the first one you faced was a spider and a raven, so we can guess that they can assume multiple forms?" Kajetan surmises, "Although it pains me to say it, maybe we should attempt to kill or capture any small animal that we see in the area?"

+3 HP for rest, spell slots back to full! YAY!

NIcholai, obviously frustrated with the thought of trying to deal with multiple mini-devils simultaneously, nonetheless takes the time to thank Raspit for their efforts. Telling them that all anyone can do is their best. He seems sincere and not at all condescending in his praise. Even going so far as to give Raspit a formal, if small, bow and place an encouraging hand on Lumbie's shoulder with a smile.

NIcholai raises a trimmed eyebrow at Kajetan's suggestions. (WHile helping Pharris with her hair, IF she allowed him too, with a smile on his face.)

"Not a bad suggestion. I'm not one for the wholesale slaughter of innocent animals, but maybe,..." He sucks his bottom lip, his brow lowered in thought. "I wouldn't recommend carrying out any such actions without warning our friend Laithe about our intentions first! He might not take it too kindly. "

"We probably shouldn't start doing anything before we make our move. Anything we do early is likely to tip our hand. But afterwords,... We've seen what they can do, and how dangerous they are. We have to presume that any small creature we see could be one of the Imps in disguise, and deal with it appropriately. Fortunately we have Wijk'An to help us. They caught us by surprise and half asleep last time. This time it's OUR turn! But with my Golden Guardian awake, they won't find it so easy to escape us this time!" He declares with a twinkle in his eye.

ACK! I didn't realize that we were on such a short timeline for the 'Big Badness'. I have to go and re-read some posts! Do we even have a hint as to where the 'Big Badness' is hiding? Or are we hoping/presuming that it is in charge of the Imps, and is hanging around with them?

As the sky darkens, Alton slowly stands, stretching stiffly. "Well my faithful hound, shall we return?" he asks quietly, still eyeing the building curiously.

"No Nicolai, thank you but I can do this myself." She shakes out her hair before carrying on. Several minutes later the hair begins to almost glow.

"I need some rest, I am bushed." She looks about and sidles over to Keildrithe.

"Can I have a shoulder for a pillow please? The service and beds in these particular hostelry leave a little to be desired," asks the woman gently, and her almond shaped eyes looked a little tired.

As the sky darkens, Alton slowly stands, stretching stiffly. "Well my faithful hound, shall we return?" he asks quietly, still eyeing the building curiously.

Scruffy Hound-Laithe waits patiently most of the day, head resting on his paws, with one lazy eye cocked open keeping an eye on the building and its comings and goings.

Disappointed yet not overly surprised at the lack of suspicious activity, he gives a quick nod to Alton's suggestion, and rises to follow the halfling back towards the hide-out.

Arriving back with the others, he changes back into human form. "Sadly we gained nothing from watching the building. But with men that can change into rats and demons that can turn invisible at will, I guess there is little surprise in that fact."

He takes a keen interest in Pharris' news of the city, and thanks her with a smile for the offered food. "I must spend a little time in communion with The Lady. I will be ready to go by sunset. One thing I realised we haven't considered though is the use of sewers or anything to come and go from the building? If so, perhaps we could use them to enter the building unseen?"

Mothman, was there any sign of sewers running through the area - manholes, gutter grates etc?

Laithe has a quick bite to eat and then settles down in a corner a little way from the rest of the group. Closing his eyes, he tries to block out the less-than-desirable surroundings, and picturing a beautiful forest grove he used to visit from time to time, begins his communion with Ehlonna. "Lady, we need your aid this eve...."

"I'm sure he would like that as well. I think that bird likes to preen almost as much as he loves to fly!"

When Laithe finishes Nicholai stretches the shoulder cautiously, and smiles warmly at the druid.
"Much better, thank you. I'm sure it will be fine now. You are a multi-talented man master Laithe. Priest, tracker, healer. And it would seem that you are not alone in your talents. At every turn this group continues to amaze me with their multiple skills, abilities and cleverness in difficult situations." He shakes his head. "I'm beginning to feel more and more like a one-trick-pony!" He smiles.

RETROSPECTIVE

Laithe smiles in response to Nicolai's thanks. "You have already proved your worth to us in a short time. I count myself lucky to be with such talented people; yourself included. We will have to chat more, once this is all done. For now, I must go and keep watch on the building.

Also retrospective
Before Laithe settles in to commune with Ehlonna, he sits to talk tactics with the group, in particular the other spell casters. He discusses the types of spells he was thinking of requesting and asks their opinions.

Was thinking of taking: (1st level)Cure light wounds, faerie Fire, magic fang and (2nd level) Flaming Sphere, linked perception. This last one gives everyone within 20ft radius of Laithe a +2 to listen and spot checks, per ally in the area. So if there were 5 of us in the area, we'd each get +8 to our checks. Lasts for a minute per level, and I figured it might be good trying to deal with invisible creatures? It's from the PHB2. What do you think? Any alternate suggestions? Maybe more healing would be preferable?

You think you have it pretty right on the number of fiends you may be facing.

Kajetan, you (or anyone else) may make 4 separate Knowledge, the Planes skill checks if you wish. The first check (only) may be substituted for a Knowledge, Religion check, and any of them may be substituted for a Bardic Knowledge check. Others may Aid if they have the relevant skills.

As far as you can tell most of this town does not have a large underground sewer system.

"No Nicolai, thank you but I can do this myself." She shakes out her hair before carrying on. Several minutes later the hair begins to almost glow.

"I need some rest, I am bushed." She looks about and sidles over to Keildrithe.

"Can I have a shoulder for a pillow please? The service and beds in these particular hostelry leave a little to be desired," asks the woman gently, and her almond shaped eyes looked a little tired.

Nicholai nods his head in a small bow, still smiling as he accepts Pharris' gentle rebuff and carries on the discussion. Though he cannot hide the quick flash of irritation that crosses his features as she sidles next the the reclining bard. But in an eyeblink it is gone, and his usual self-confident half-smile is in it's usual place.

I definitely think that between the Fairie Fire and Glitterdust we have a good chance of finding the lil creeps and keeping them in sight. But I for one wish we could prep more healing. Though I have to admit that the group-enhanced spot/listen bonuses sound like a cool idea too. I don't know, Bonuses are always good, and all your spell choices sound great, and you can always trade off for a summoned friend to help, but we KNOW we are headed into a big smack-down, and one way or the other I feel we are gonna need patching up! ;)

Kajetan, just a thought, but since I have it too and cannot swap out my spells, unless you have a definite plan for them, you might want to swap out at least one of your Ghost Sounds for something else to aid in variety/effectiveness/offensive ability? Just a thought.

Nicholai tries to stroke his goatee into a semblance of fashion as Laithe and Alton discuss their thoroughly boring day.

"Wijk'An had the same success in the back. I was going to suggest that since this man-rat groups' activities are primarily nocturnal, perhaps we should wait, watch them tonight, and hit them after the sun comes back up, and they are going to bed after their night's work. But Raspit has reminded us that our hourglass is almost empty on the time we have left before the 'Big Badness' regains his full size. And if these little devils are such a pain in the @$$, I REALLY do not wish to tangle with a full-sized one!"

"Perhaps we could wait, watch for them to leave, sneak in while they are gone, and set up traps and wait for them to return???"

You think you have it pretty right on the number of fiends you may be facing.

Kajetan, you (or anyone else) may make 4 separate Knowledge, the Planes skill checks if you wish. The first check (only) may be substituted for a Knowledge, Religion check, and any of them may be substituted for a Bardic Knowledge check. Others may Aid if they have the relevant skills.

As far as you can tell most of this town does not have a large underground sewer system.

I do NOT have 'Knowledge:Planes', but I have Religion. Please use the following roll as either the 1st of the 4, or as a bonus to Aid another, whichever will help most,...

Knowledge:Religion roll 1d20+6=22