Vernonia keeps watching the exchange between the group and the orc.
The failure of the first attack does nothing to persuade Qalifa to stop attacking.
Zorza is not certain that the orc is any enemy of hers, yet she admires Qalifa's persistance. She half raises then lowers her bow several times as she struggles with indecision. "Is this orc our enemy?"
He is third in command of the genocidle hoard. That has destroyed nations and entire peoples. Of course he is our enemy.
Garwrath looks at Qalifa this time avoiding the attack, allowing the spear blade to pass him and then he lifts up his Sword to strike Qalifa for his frail attack. The Sabre, Sawtoothed glows green for just a moment as he strikes for the hand that wields the spear rather than a blow to the body.
Qalifa Hand is injured and drops the spear to the floor, a second later the shock of the blow causes him to fall unconscious but doesn’t continue to bleed as the acid cauterized the wound in a strange way. . As fast as Garwrath had injured the hand he brings the blade up to a standoff with the Halfbreed, knowing full well he could of made strike against him but doesn’t. His once opened guard is now ready for combat should more continue.
”I will spare the rest of you your lives this day, but cross me again and it will be your last, your groups attack have ruined your question Half-breed.”
The statement is very brief as he takes his move action and dives into the hole in the wall, which appears to be some form of tunnel that leads further underground. Garwrath doesn’t get far down the tunnel before the round is up.
Layla get up off the ground and grab my cat . She walks over to the corner and hide until further safety.
She watches the combat from afar.
She was concerned for her life.
She draws her rapier in case combat starts.
Zorza attempts to dress the wound on Qalifa's hand, but she fails to do it right. Qalifa is no better off. "Somebody help! He's still alive, only he's very badly burned."
(first aid)
Aerek mutters under his breath an old Kellid curse as he drops to the ground beside Zorza and attempts render aid to the fallen druid.
Frustration is beginning to settle on his features, but a call from Ruhk causes Aerek to calm down. He looks to the cat-woman, shaking his head.
He appears to be stable at the moment, but he needs to recover. We need to get him out of this place and take him to a holy one that can properly heal him.
"Coward!"
Who will help me get Qalifa away from this place?
As Zorza and Aerek help Qualifa, Thas waves the Kitsune girl to come her way. "Come quickly now, before the orc changes his mind about killing only the brave and foolish."
Zorza replies to Aerek, "Is no need for shouting. I am here. I will help." She gets Qalifa's arms while Aerek gets his legs. "Let's go. Bugs can wait." She starts moving toward the cellar doors.
Hung attempted to delivery a blow to the Orc but completely missed, and yet Hung could still see him further down the tunnel. Hung being the only one ready for combat and interested in pursuing Garwrath.
--"Round 1"--
Init
Hung: 20
Garwrath: 7
Furthermore, The rest of group is taking the time to make there way out of the cellar, carrying there fallen ally and meeting the new kitsune.
Thas appraises the situation, "Well, anyone have last words here for our brief acquaintance? I suppose acquaintances seeing Hung is getting himself killed too."
"I'll be right back, Kistune girl, still here with the others a mom sent. I'm going to see if this was in vain." Thas quickly dismisses herself to seek out the well dressed man in hopes that he has 200gp for her.
"Great news! Centipedes are gone," Thas says with a shrug.
"Garwrath!"
Layla says:
I'm on my way.
layla follows thasitalia to catch up with everyone else.
Hung charges through the hole to strike out against Garwrath, but Garwrath had other plans.
Garwrath had taking a penalty to his Armor Class because he was trying to escape; although, still avoiding Hung measly attack. His attention was not directly focused on Hung but with his hasted appearance, he didn’t have time to stick around and turned around to face Hung straight on anyway.
”Fool, you not very wise to attack someone superior to you. I will just have to show you why you should respect your Master.”
Garwrath turns after avoiding the charging attack and delivers a nasty blow to Hung directly to any area that was open, cauterizing the wound as the acid struck Hung. The swing was a wild one as he just spun around while speaking to strike down Hung.
At this point in time, Garwrath is free to escape further down the tunnel, and thankfully for Hung he doesn’t remove his head but leaves his corpse in the tunnel.
It appears that everyone is getting ready to get out of the cellar. Although Thasitalia makes it back to the Well dressed man to collect the reward. Upon finding the man he responds to her in a nobile way.
”Oh yes the matter of the 200gp, I will follow you to the cellar to in sure the task has been completed. Though I must ask, you are not the only survivor are you Miss?
The man says while following Thasitalia to the cellar doors.
"I didn't say I was the only survivor. We have wounded and the money will help get them to their feet again... Or buried properly." Thas says leading the man back to the cellar. "If you had actually had a wizard's eye spell wouldn't you already know all this already?"
Hung Dong limps back to the rest of the group as Garwrath escapes.
Finally having limped back to the others Hung Dong says
"Well that wasn't the best idea. How is Qalifa?"
"You live?!" exclaims Madam Zorza quizzically. "Qalifa is same. He sleeps. His arm needs mending." She continues to work with the rest of the party to bring Qalifa's body out of the cellar toward Thasitalia.
Thas continues leading the man back to the cellar...
Aerek rises from where he had been kneeling next to Qalifa and glares angrily at the half-orc. You would not last a day on your own in the wilds. Recklessness such as you displayed here this day would see you dead. Assessing one's prey is a skill you develop when you learn to hunt. And that is what I find the most troubling.
He then points down to the unconscious druid. He had to know attacking that filth would be folly. He had to, being a servant of the nature spirits. And yet he did so without hesitation. One must ask why? Because he was following your lead, Hung Dong. Your insecurities not only nearly got you killed, from the looks of things, but it nearly got Qalifa killed as well.
It is obvious that Aerek wants to punch the paladin in the face, but is restraining himself from doing so. Instead he turns and walks away, heading back the way the group had come.
The sooner he was out of this place, the better.
Androl continues to follow Thasitalia to the cellar talking briefly along the way
.
”Actually we do have a wizard eye in the cellar but I never said that I was the one who was able to see through it.”
Since the house was not far from the cellar the conversation was short as Androl and Thasitalia arrive back at the cellar. He walks into the cellar to assess the damage to his product and checks to see if the bugs are gone. He put his hand on the wall in a particular place near the entrance and the cellar begins to light up with simple light spell imbedded in the ceiling.
”Good, you have dispatched the creatures of the cellar. I must ask, where does this tunnel lead at the back? It appears to go on for some way.”
Androl moves about the cellar, though for some reason he stopped in a place for a moment longer than the rest.
”It would appear that everything is good, and so you shell be paid the amount of 200g. However, I do not carry that much currency with me so you will have to retrieve it from the Emerald Justice Bank, the local bank in the Walking Man. Here is a bank note for 200g.”
Androl hands the note to whoever takes it while giving a little nod to the group.
”Though it looks like I will have to hire some masons to repair this wall… oh and I am sorry for your injuries, but I don’t recall 7 people here when you arrived, is this one of your apprentence?”
Creatures-Encountered 14 Tiny Centipedes. CR 2:700 Exp
Encountered Garwrath, Level Epic Bonus: CR 4: 1200
Conditions: effects/Traps/etc: CR 2: 600 Exp
Completing Mission CR 2: 600 Exp
Bonus Objective CR 1: 400 Exp
Story Award: CR 4: 1200 Exp
Total Experience: 4700/7: = 672 Exp each
Limping up to Androl Hung Dong says
"And you didn't tell us there would be an officer of the Legion of Darkness in the basement. The girl was rescued from Garwrath, the officer in question"
Layla is broke and don't have any money, She need a place to sleep and rest. She turns to the people in the cellar and says:
Are you guys an adventuring group? If so, can I tag along. The orc took my money and I don't have any food to eat. Could you guys lend me a few coins and heal me?
"As soon as I have the money to lend you, you may of course have enough for room and board. You may even split the cost with me and share a private room. As to the healing, I'm afraid I can not help anyone with that. Qualifa needs it most, so let's gather gather him up and take him to a cleric or adept." Thas takes the back note.
"The hole reaches far beyond a centipedes nest. If you need anyone to explore it, you know where to find us, The Walking Man.'
Vernonia walks over to Layla and begins to look over her wounds.
"All my healing powers went to Hung Dung. What we really need is to get back to town and rest. By the way, how did you end up with the orc?"
"We would be happy for you to be joining us." says Zorza to Layla. "I have money for your food and lodging. I do not have enough to hire healer for Qalifa, but we will figure something out later. First let's carry him back to town."
Thanks for allowing me to join you all.
Layla follows the group to town and we rest.
I have questions about the orc myself, I don't know how I got here. I was knocked out by the orc and woken up just before the orc decided he was going to throw me down in here.
Layla was traveling through the woods and the orc got me by surprise. She was exploring the area in hopes to find shelter.
Androl Stops and listens to Hung accuse him of letting some random Orc in his basement, but waits professionally and then replies.
”Actually, I am appalled that you would assume I would have anything to do with an Orc in my basement in these critical times. While you might be a leader of your band of adventures I assure you I am no leader of any Army. I can only assume that the fowl creature came in through that tunnel in the back after the cave in.”
Androl points towards the tunnel.
”It may be in all our best interest if you checked it out before I have masons repair the hole; however, I don’t have any more currency for your adventure, should you decide you will not head down the tunnel to explore then I will repair the wall and be done with this problem. I believe someone else can handle the threat should there be one; after all, I am a farmer not a fighter. Although, I will mention that the local clergy may heal your friend, but often ask for payment or complete an assignment in return, of course that always depends on the injury.”
Androl waits for a reply then heads to the top of the cellar stairs, turns around and mentions:
”I believe a thank you is in order, so thank you, even with the accusations I still thank you for your service.”
Vernonia was listening though she was helping tend to the wounds of Layla. However, she is not in critical condition and alive and kicking but she is badly bruised with a nice size gash across her side, that apparently wasn’t deep enough to keep her bleeding, and fortunately clotted up.
"I don't think anyone is accusing anyone of knowingly harboring anyone from the Legion of Darkness. I'm sure Hung meant only to express his surprise and concern for discovering it for himself. Quite a surprise finding more than bugs down there to be certain." Thas says trying to soothe the offense. "If I stand to be incorrect in my interpretation, then I certainly then would object to him being my representative on the matter and future matters alike."
Thas is ready to return to town and get their comrade healed back up so they can all pursue the bandits issue tomorrow.
"Half-orc speaks only for himself," says Zorza, laughing. "We will be back to explore your cellar after we have seen to our friends' injuries."
She is also ready to return to town to heal the wounded.
Eyeing Androl wearily and grumbling Hung Dong limps over Thas and says
"Fine then let's go find this healer and get Qalifa back on his feet."
Looking at Androl he says
"With any luck we'll be back tomorrow"
Thas aids Hung with his limping if he allows on the return to the town, "Sorry Hung, I didn't mean to sound like I'm not with you on this. The man seems a little too unconcerned that any Legion member was in his cellar, but the rich blooded nobles need their egos petted constantly or they feel slighted for the lack of effort. I didn't think we needed more obvious enemies given our run of luck with close encounters with death on both of our little adventures together so far. I'm hoping things get better for us."
Androl looks to Thasitalia and with an intense response, Androl nods and says:
”It’s true that its odd to find a Darkness advocate in my basement, and I accept your apologize for the Half-Orc’s Outrage. You are welcome back to see what darkness lay ahead; I will at least provide you a Lantern to aid in your tunnel exploration after you return from the healer. Rest up, recover your injuries, perhaps it will be better to find task that are more within your capabilities."
His tone remains relaxed although easily spotting his stuck up attitude.
After your discussion with the noble farmer you head off to the healer. The church was easy to find, although much closer to the big tree in the center of Walking Man City. An old man comes out from one of the back rooms within moments after you arrive, a staff in his left hand supports his old frame from falling as he walks towards the group. A hilt of a sword is carved onto the top of the staff.
Of course, this elder man looks up his white hair flowing down his back dressed in a brown and white Robe. Immediately, you realize he is in fact an elf, very old one and for just a moment you question yourself whether or not he is one of the first elves who stayed back, but remember that would make him over a thousand years old and elves don’t live past 750 years of age, or at least never in recorded history.
In a crumbling old voice he speaks to everyone, though not really shifting his head towards any one person.
”Yesss… May Torag be your guiding light! How can I help thee today?"
He stands in complete silence after that waiting for your response.
Hands off a closed letter, but not sealed.
A few enchanted words are spoken and waves his right hand over the injured and he is healed. 10g = 20g or Assignment
"Surely a quest is in order. I'll see to the letter's immediate delivery. Is it a private matter? You haven't bothered to seal it? Thas offred.
Taking the letter and showing it away in one of her many pockets she addresses the other conscious members, "After I have delivered the letter, I'll see to collecting our payment from the farm and meet you all back at the tavern where we can discuss our next venture. Does that sound alright?"
"Do you want anyone to go with you?", Vernonia asks.
"I don't think it should take long, but anyone is welcome to come along if they wish."
I will accompany her. Aerek is quick to speak up, as does Ruhk, with a quick caw of its own. No point traveling alone when three can make for a safer journey.
"I will go along to make it three unless someone else wants to go.
Always eager for an opportunity to perform in a tavern, Zorza volunteers to take the formerly and currently injured party members to the tavern. "Come, Layla, Hung, and Qalifa, we go to tavern for resting, drinking, and listening. I play for you!" Once they arrive at the tavern, she offers to buy food and drink for any of the three who wishes it. Then she takes out her violin, tunes it, and fiddles for the crowd. If there isn't already a crowd, there soon will be.
(playing for money)
Always eager for an opportunity to perform in a tavern, Zorza volunteers to take the formerly and currently injured party members to the tavern. "Come, Layla, Hung, and Qalifa, we go to tavern for resting, drinking, and listening. I play for you!" Once they arrive at the tavern, she offers to buy food and drink for any of the three who wishes it. Then she takes out her violin, tunes it, and fiddles for the crowd. If there isn't already a crowd, there soon will be.
[dice=Perform (Violin)]1d20 + 6 (playing for money)
The very old man replies to Thasitalia:
”Private or not, the letter is still closed is it not?”
The old man rattles off to Thasitalia though not is a harmful tone but more of common sense reaction.
The group leaves and some head to the Tavern while the others make the delivery to Krong/Sacora granted at the Waywyrn Lodge all the same.
Sacora is their again, and looks to the group upon arrival as well as Thasitalia as she approaches her.
”Oh Dear, your group looks to have encountered some injuries, I hope there fall was not to great!”
Sacora looks down at the letter that Thasitalia hands her…
”A letter from the old priest, typical of him to send messages rather than visiting me in person; Gezze. Well…”
She pauses again while she opens the letter and starts to read catching her by surprise.
”What??? Krong has fallen ill and is at the Church, he needs a rare mushroom that only grows underground to heal him? Where would I find such a mushroom in this place, there no caves around here?”
Sacora face turns pale white, not to mention her outburst “What” comment startled a few customers at first, even breaking the music that Madam Zorza started up, though she continues on.