Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
As one Dire Bat scouts in the direction the creature is thought to be, the Red Widow, her familiar and the remaining Dire Bats remain, tense and alert. Pale Wing uses it's servitor ability to assist one of the Dire Bats remaining close to make a perception roll.
Initiative, Yaos:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Initiative, Pale Wing:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Initiative, Dire Bat, scouting:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Initiative, three Dire Bats, guarding:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Perception, one Dire Bat, guarding:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
Dire Bat Stats:
Dire Bat CR 2
XP —
N Large Aerial animal
(That is, Dire Bat with Aerial Template)
Init +2; Senses blindsense 40 ft. , darkvision 60 ft. ; Perception +12
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +3 natural, -1 size)
hp 22 [30] (4d8+4) [ 4d8+12 ]
Fort +5 [+7], Ref +6, Will +3
SR 7
Electricity 10
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., fly 40 ft. (perfect)
Melee bite +5 [+7] (1d8+4) [ 1d8+7+1 point electricity damage]
Special Attack Smite evil/good
STATISTICS
Str 17 [21], Dex 15, Con 13 [17], Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6
Base Atk +3; CMB +7 [+9]; CMD 19 [21]
Feats Alertness , Stealthy
Skills Fly +9, Perception +12, Stealth +4; Racial Modifiers +4 Perception when using blindsense
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Augment Summoning: Items in brackets [] represent the spell being cast by a character with the Augment Summoning feat.
Note- Yaos has the Augment Summoning feat.
Like Magnius, Alfred Ensbridge also hears a creature chittering closer and closer until at last, just as he rises from his rest, a massive Scorpion-- with eyes of fire, and Infernal-like horns-- bursts through the trees, having charged effortlessly through naturally rough terrain you created as a barrier among the trees.
Quickly deciding that the intellectual conversation of whether this thing is a small-Huge or a big-Large is quite academic at this point, and that it doesn't really matter if the Scorpion is small for a Huge arachnid or big for a Large arachnid: It's pouncing!
The faint smell of sulfur and brimstone wafts in the air around the creature as it reaches out with its massive pincers to grab a meal of so much softer and juicier meat than the Ankhegs on which it has been sustaining itself. And with its pincers grasping at its prey, it rears up its stinger to inject its first morsel with that special sauce it keeps in its pointy end.
Which PC?:1d3 ⇒ 1(in alphabetical order)
EDIT: That's Alfred!
CMB Grapple:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38 Stinger attack:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22 Stinger Damage if Hit:1d1 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 and Fortitude Save vs Poison
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
"Kill it!" commands Yaos in Auran to the Aerial Dire Bats, then switching to Infernal"Monster, you will not!"Yaos yells in defiance as she steps forth to catch hold of her diminutive friend Alfred, employing the Dimension Door spell, cast defensively, to move away from the gigantic scorpion.
Having successfully avoided an attack of opprtunity, Yaos uses the spell to move away 50 feet and behind some cover such as a tree, if possible.
The Dire Bat, scouting returns to attack the scorpion from the rear.
Attack, Dire Bat Scout:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Damage, Dire Bat Scout:1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 plus 1 point of electricity damage.
The attack roll includes a +2 for flanking.
Pale Wing conceals itself in Yaos's bedroll and remains still.
The idea is to remain unnoticed but still give aerial creatures the +2 to hit and damage from it's resonance.
I am going to roll the other 3 Dire Bats attacks now, but they will take place after Alfred acts. Again, I have included a +2 flanking bonus to hit in each case.
Attack, Dire Bat A:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Damage, Dire Bat A:1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 plus 1 point of electricity damage.
Attack, Dire Bat B:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Damage, Dire Bat B:1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 plus 1 point of electricity damage.
Attack, Dire Bat C:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Damage, Dire Bat C:1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 plus 1 point of electricity damage.
Magnius, with the fury of HellKnight wrath, slings his Infernal star into the tainted Vermin, plunging into its carapace and sizzling the flesh beneath with acid.
Three of the Dire Bats successfully damage and distract the Vermin with their electrically charged fangs. One misses.
And Yaos and Alfred Ensbridge whoosh out of existence to a spot 50 feet away, behind the tree line, leaving the mostly unintelligent Vermin salivating into thin air.
Magnius knows that the Vermin, for though blessed by Hell it is still just a really big arachnid, will have keen senses along with an Infernal resistance to fire. Naturally it is immune to most poisons, but it packs a wicked venom of its own and, other than that, is just big, strong and tough.
I would rule that the look Alfred gives to Yaos says, 'Not yet, get 'ready' After I get in one good shot on this Bastard!' or something to that effect. And Yaos therefore 'Readies' the Dimension Door until after Alfred gets in his own shot. ....Over the table I'm sure that's what would happen -- in about a split second.
But of course Alfred can correct me if I'm wrong.
The Infernally tainted venom screams in the Halfling's bloodstream, burning with brimstone and bile. A wave of dizziness precedes a feeling of nausea and Alfred musters the wrath to strike with his dagger.
Alfred is Sickened (-2 but still Hits) and
CON Loss:1d3 ⇒ 2
Slashed, pierced and bleeding the Fiendish Scorpion, not terribly Wise yet cognizant enough to know it's alone in the wilderness without any source of healing, and having just jumped into what seems a hornets' nest of food and lost its grappled prey, evokes a concerned countenance on its Fiendish facade -- backs up five feet (closer to the great sinkhole as an escape) -- and because it is afterall a Scorpion, stays true to its nature and attempts to grapple and sting Magnius Arvanxi. For it is a Scorpion and must stay true to its nature.
To Grapple The Magnius!:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28 To Sting The Arvanxi!:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 Damage if Hit:1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 and Fort Save vs Poison
Tactically you know that the modifiers for its earlier charge are gone.
Archaeologist Bard 8 HP 64/64| AC 23| T 17| FF 16| Fort +7| Ref +15| Will +10| Init +8 Perc +17 | Concentration +13| AL 7/8 L1 6/6 L2 5/5 L3 3/3
Yep, missed the casting of DD. I like the idea of stabbing it though so I'll keep it. Thanks for the save! Now to ranged attack!
This is not pleasant...
A bit wobbly, but with firm ground back under his feet thanks to Yaos, Alfred takes a stance and fires with his bow. As he fires he mumbles something about power infusing his arrows.
Numbers are a bit different. Forgot to incorporate my extra +1 luck on damage and to hit from fates favored.
Calling upon the power of his gods, the aspiring Hellknight infuses healing energies, which begin to close his wounds Swift action, Judgement(healing), for fast healing 2
He then smashes the scorpion with his morningstar, hoping to put the beast down 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 but being grappled causes his attack to fail.
Still a bit wobbly from poison and perhaps disoriented from the dimension door, Alfred's first two shots don't hit the Scorpion with enough force to penetrate the naturally tough carapace. The Archaeologist's third shot, though, viciously bites into the Fiendish arachnid.
Magnius, meanwhile, feels the venom burn in his wound but fights off the ill effects and calls out in Judgement of Hell to begin healing himself. Still grappled, his morningstar has no force behind its swing and bounces harmlessly off the Scorpion.
.
Remember Alfred you are suffering from the Sickened condition. Not sure if you included the -2 to your attacks. If you did, well, 19 still misses.
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
Yaos summons an aerial Lion directly above the scorpion, which proceeds to charge the scorpion straight down. She has the Dire Bats swarm on the scorpion from all sides while letting out a terrifying war cry "COWABUNGA!". If need be, Pale Wing will follow the scorpion to keep it in range of it's resonance.
The bats all have +2 to attack from flanking, which the lion lacks but has +2 from charage, it also has rake and pounce. All get +2 to hit and damage from Pale Wing's resonance.
Attacks:
Attack, Dire Bat Scout:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Damage, Dire Bat Scout:1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 plus 1 point of electricity damage.
Attack, Dire Bat A:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Damage, Dire Bat A:1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 plus 1 point of electricity damage.
Attack, Dire Bat B:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Damage, Dire Bat B:1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 plus 1 point of electricity damage.
Attack, Dire Bat C:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Damage, Dire Bat C:1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12plus 1 point of electricity damage.
Attack, Lion, bite:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Damage, Lion, bite:1d8 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 plus 1 point of electricity damage plus grab.
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
The relevant rules text.
"Resonance (Ex)
A wysp’s natural resonance strengthens the power of its element. The wysp grants a +2 competence bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls to all creatures within 30 feet with an elemental subtype that matches the wysp’s, and to the DCs of all racial spell-like, supernatural, and extraordinary abilities of such creatures (as usual, this does not include creatures assuming an elemental form).
Kineticists within 30 feet who share the wysp’s element gain a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls. The wysp’s statistics already include these bonuses."
It has nothing to do with if I summoned something. But it only strengthens the air element. I don't think you or Alfred qualify. Someday it will enhance an enemy. :(
Under the aerial assault of summoned cavalry, the Fiendish Scorpion falls, blinking in and out of consciousness for a moment until it goes completely insensate. It is alive, but unable to get up.
Blood oozes from its wounds and it's up to Magnius Arvanxi to deliver the coup de grace or not.
Magnius knows that this Vermin was augmented, long after hatching as a giant scorpion. Either in Hell or Cheliax, someone created this. Taking a giant Scorpion native to the Prime Material, he or she changed its nature and altered its form.
There is no way to determine whether this happened recently or several years ago. No way to know if it was curious experimentation or vile purpose. No way to know if the creator is alive or dead, finished or just getting started.
Searching the immediate area from which it came you find its scat, with only bits of Ankheg. Its trail meanders, aimlessly, purposelessly hunting, until it smelled your camp, when it came in a direct assault.
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
"Are you alright Alfred? You look decided ill?"asks Yaos, sounding concerned "I am of no use as a healer I fear."
Yaos then moves to carefully inspect the grievously injured giant scorpion. She has her conjured creatures gather around ready but still for the present, casually petting the head of the lion and Pale Wing as she thinks.
"This thing has been created I am sure of it. When, where or why I know not, but someone made it. Intriguing."
Taking another half day to search South where the hound-like tracks appear, circle a large area, and disappear, you find no more evidence of whatever creature it was, this close to the Anferita Wood. Keeping the information for later, you decide to head back to the new Barony of Varni and meet again with young Baroness Stella Spartaco.
Varni Tiny fort-village in the Badlands with newly discovered Gold Mine
.
Back at the half-built village you see that your followers, formerly of Westcrown and in the service of House Phandros, are not fitting in as smoothly as you'd have hoped. There is little arable ground available in this swath of land, little food & water for their chickens (let alone pigs & goats), and few materials with which they can build homes. Fear and tension are mounting.
They are hoping to produce enough product to sustain themselves and trade, but it will be hard. The native villagers are mostly sympathetic. Concerned about sharing precious water and the little bit of land here makes them somewhat standoffish, but they know the games nobles play and know that these villagers are in the same situation as they.
No one seems to even raise more than an eyebrow that you killed a big bug in the badlands.
.
And at the half-built Keep there is news.
Viscount Mogranzini Spartaco and his Tiefling wife Vidame Carnacella have departed back to Mog. Baroness Stella is alone once again to both be free from her father's eyes and out from under his shadow, but also isolated from his strength and support.
News from Castle Spartaco is that Count Vocaturo's younger sister and her noble husband from Corentyn (the Seat of the Archduke) will arrive soon. They were coming for the wedding but, unlike most other nobles who were planning to attend, their familial connection means that the former Spartaco Lady is still coming. ....And since her husband is from Corentyn, there is some concern that he will be spying the wedding situation on behalf of ArchHeathen Kettermaul Charthagnion.
Baroness Stella Spartaco is busy looking at sheets of numbers, accounting the books, and seems concerned.
Finally, it is confirmed that Baroness Stella has sent out a request for a diviner to practice his dowsing for more water.
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
DM Ray wrote:
Varni
Tiny fort-village in the Badlands with newly discovered Gold Mine
DM Ray wrote:
Back at the half-built village you see that your followers, formerly of Westcrown and in the service of House Phandros, are not fitting in as smoothly as you'd have hoped. There is little arable ground available in this swath of land, little food & water for their chickens (let alone pigs & goats), and few materials with which they can build homes. Fear and tension are mounting.
"I think we should move these people somewhere there are more free resources, if we can find somewhere there is water"says Yaos to her companions.
DM Ray wrote:
No one seems to even raise more than an eyebrow that you killed a big bug in the badlands.
"Well, that is rather disappointing" observes Yaos somewhat petulantly.
DM Ray wrote:
Viscount Mogranzini Spartaco and his Tiefling wife Vidame Carnacella have departed back to Mog. Baroness Stella is alone once again to both be free from her father's eyes and out from under his shadow, but also isolated from his strength and support.
Baroness Stella Spartaco is busy looking at sheets of numbers, accounting the books, and seems concerned.
"Stella! Great to see you." exclaims Yaos enthusiastically. Then observing the accounts and Stella's expression continues "Something amiss? Need a second opinion?"
Stella Spartaco Baroness of Varni in Gheradescci County
.
Sitting back from her chair and looking at her sheets of parchment with a sigh, Baroness Stella rubs her eye's, "No, I'm just hoping I get enough gold out of that mine this month to pay the royalties to Queen Abrogail, ArchHeathen Kettermaul and Count Vocaturo.
"Did you and Magnius Arvanxi find any evidence that the Bellflower Agents are nearby?
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
"No, no sign of them. In fact the only halfling we saw was Alfred. We found no source of water is useful quantities either. We did encounter and kill an infernal giant scorpion that has been killing Ankhegs."
Stella Spartaco Baroness of Varni in Gheradescci County
.
"Well, perhaps the Bellflower Agents were just after Francesco Phandros and his slaves." She seems only peripherally interested. Giant bugs and wilderness adventure are apparently not items of interest to the young Spartaco. Gold, on the other hand....
"I just sent a Silver Raven to Castle Spartaco with the numbers on how much gold we have and that it's heading there tomorrow." She feigns away the tone of solicitous greed, trying to sound casual. And she's good at it; she sounds disinterested: "If you three want to join the escort tomorrow, assuming you're going back to inform Count Vocaturo you didn't find the Halflings, the guards would welcome your presence. I'm actually going to our vault now to prepare."
She pauses for a response and begins to reorganize the papers in front of her, putting them back in their place. A twinkle of greed just manages to gleam from her eye in anticipation of going to her small vault.
Baroness Stella Spartaco has no concern in allowing you to attend her to the vault when she excuses herself.
You notice that while the outer keep and its wall are still under construction, the inner keep abutting the granite rise on which the structure is being built, is fully complete. Baroness Stella whispers a password at an interior door suppressing a magical trap and with her key opens it. Beyond is a well constructed vault, well into the natural stone, with several chests.
A Large Mud Elemental stands motionless as you enter but, Khorridaina, the wickedly beautiful and terrifying Bone Devil mistress, glides to greet everyone. It is clear that Baroness Stella Spartaco is somewhat nervous in the presence of the greater devil. "Ah, have you brought additional payment for my services, My Darling Baroness?" The Bone Devil grins as her words whisper out of her mouth at your presence with the Baroness. "Guard duty such as this is rather tedious and a few mortals to torture while I protect your gold would help pass the time."
Baroness Stella ignores the Bone Devil's verbal torment and attempts to muster her strong voice, "Just open the chests, Slave Devil." But it is clear the Baroness is frightened of Khorridaina's power.
The Mud Elemental stands silent sentry as the Bone Devil disarms the traps on the chests with the skill of an expert Rogue. A few magic items glitter from the chests as well as several pounds of raw gold, dug from the earth in the gold mine. The Baroness eyes the gold for a few moments, considering in her head the weight of the gold she sees with the numbers on her papers and the royalties she must pay Count Vocaturo, ArchHeathen Kettermaul Charthagnion and Queen Abrogail Thrune.
"Immediately prepare chests two, three, five and seven for travel to Castle Spartaco. The gold leaves tomorrow." From you vantage, this comprises 80-90% of the gold in the vault.
Late in the evening the escort arrives from Castle Spartaco to move the Barony's gold. A beast of a man, seemingly the size of a Hill Giant, and with a thick, wild beard that would make any Dwarf nod in acknowledgement, commands the guards. The man wears a Holy Symbol to Moloch and wields a wicked Falchion.
A dozen soldiers are with him, as is a thin man in gray robes, wearing a thin, patchy beard, indicative of a man who cannot grow a beard fully but doesn't bother enough with physical appearance to shave.
Baroness Stella selects two of her soldiers to accompany the escort and is again comforted that you are as well joining the escort. The young Spartaco seems concerned for the gold. It must make it to Castle Spartaco.
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
Yaos, quite used to infernal beings, responds to the Bone Devil's stated desire to torture her with a level stare, but speaks in response to Baroness Stella's commands:-
"Powerful, if verbose, guards set here Baroness. And that is a lot of bullion to be transported. Fear not, we will ensure it reaches Castle Spartaco safely."
Archaeologist Bard 8 HP 64/64| AC 23| T 17| FF 16| Fort +7| Ref +15| Will +10| Init +8 Perc +17 | Concentration +13| AL 7/8 L1 6/6 L2 5/5 L3 3/3
Instead of going with Yaos to attend Stella Spartaco, Alfred goes about town and talks with those who were apart of Phandros' entourage. He is trying to see who could be useful and who is willing to follow and serve himself.
Alfred will ultimately end by talking with Ennahvail. "What has been going on here since we left? There seems to be some unease and I would like to help with it."
"Well, there's just not much natural water and not much arable land. The people are stretched to rationing out each day's resources with no sign tomorrow will bring relief.
"The Lady Baroness did send for someone to find water, a diviner. Hopefully more water can be found in the ground. At least enough to support us who provide for the gold miners.
"The tension is just from there being more people than beds with permanent roofs, and more people than the well can quench. At least without Divine favor from the Nine Hells.
"But we'll make it work if you three want. This close to a gold mine has to be good, right?"
As Stella pours over the paperwork, trying to figure out payments, taxes, et el, Magnius offers a suggestion "We have all ledgers and documents from Francesco. Perhaps you could such information to your advantage?"
The aspiring Hellknight does not seemed phased by the bone devil's question. After all, in order to enter in to the Hellknights proper, you needed to defeat a devil in single combat.
"We will assure the gold is transported safely, and arrives at it's destination." He says with quite confidence.
Stella Spartaco Baroness of Varni in Gheradescci County
.
The mention of intelligence on House Phandros makes Baroness Stella extremely interested. Knowledge is power and the Houses constantly strive to gain advantage over each other in this way. The total 'real estate' of power in Cheliax is finite, and a House must take from one to add to theirs.
Another House lost power when Vocaturo Spartaco's grandmother took Gheradescci County. Another House was going to lose the alliance with Phandros when Baroness Stella was engaged to Francesco. Vocaturo took power from another House when he married Olivia Charthagnion from the Archduke's House. And Mogranzini lost power when he chose to marry a non-noble Tiefling instead of a Lady from another House.
If there is financial or logistical information in those ledgers and documents, and if they're as comprehensive and in detail as Francesco Phandros' reputation would suggest,....
"Well," Baroness Stella's face lights up in conspiracy in greed. Such emotions are so becoming on a young Chelaxian's face. "Glad House Spartaco is that you have come to us.
"Praytell, what in the Hells did Arvanxi and Battori do to lose you two?!" It is a rhetorical whisper of breath. The young Spartaco doesn't understand why you're really here -- she knows you must have some ulterior motive of course -- but House Spartaco is hungry with ambition. And the two of you may just be what Spartaco is looking for.
"And what do you want for the information? Obviously, House Spartaco can only pay what they're worth. ....And I assume you'll give me the chance to buy them before you let the Count know; otherwise you'd have mentioned them to him."
As she finishes her sentence you can almost see a revelation light up beyond her eyes. She seems to be figuring something out.
The bearded mountain-man guard, Holy Symbol of Moloch proudly displayed on his chest and falchion in hand, says little on the return trip to Castle Spartaco. He barely acknowledges you or the other soldiers guarding the caravan. He pointedly does not give a name -- or at least, one that you trust is actually his name.
The thin man, gray-robed and quiet, is more receptive to listening to you begin a dialog or create a rapport. But this man is not one to be trusted or allied to. He eyes everything and listens in from many feet away to whispered conversations; he is naturally curious and suspicious of everything, looking deep into your face as if he's trying to sense the motive of every word you say -- even when you're just speaking of the weather or who should take first or second watch. And he says little on his own. He is brief, succinct when answering questions. ....He carries at least two Wands, and like the mountain-man of Moloch, has other magical items on his person as well.
Both of these specialists, as well as the other soldiers, keep close to the gold in the wagon as they travel east, out of the wilderness badlands and back into the green of Gheradescci County.
"My companions and I have aspirations, that extend beyond just Varni, House Spartaco, and even Gheradescci County. That our goals, and yours align is no mere coincidence, and perhaps is a sign from the gods themselves. For the information in our possession about House Phandros' finances, our payment for escorting the gold and seeing it arrive safely, as well as our concurrent and continued support of yourself, Varni and House Spartaco, I ask that Yaos, Alfred and myself be made demibarons/baronesses. I also realize that such authority may rest with your father, and such a request should likely be made in person."
Archaeologist Bard 8 HP 64/64| AC 23| T 17| FF 16| Fort +7| Ref +15| Will +10| Init +8 Perc +17 | Concentration +13| AL 7/8 L1 6/6 L2 5/5 L3 3/3
Before departing, Alfred finds the five most willing and capable people from Phandros' caravan to accompany us as retainers. Assuming Ennahvail is one of them, she will nominally be in charge of the group.
On the trip Alfred would talk with those he could, trying to learn anything he can that would be useful, as usual.
Yaos casts a cautious eye over the precautions taken before the caravan leaves. She greets the guards with a few friendly words, then noticing the taciturn response from the two specialists does not speak to them further, confining herself to conversing with her companions and the common soldiers.
She sets Pale Wing on aerial lookout as usual. Red Wing is present, on the back of her horse, keeping watch.
Stella Spartaco Baroness of Varni in Gheradescci County
.
Stella Spartaco nods in confirmation to Lord Magnius' proclamation and request. Now it comes together. A new Barony, especially in a small House, would bring suitors of course. It's how Spartaco was able to get to a Phandros. "Well, it sounds as though we should get to know each other better. ....I'm going to Castle Spartaco with the caravan.
"And I'm not marrying either of you!"
Baroness Stella is intrigued. Your cards are on the table, so to speak, but hers aren't. Neither are the Count's. And she is pleased with this turn of events. All of it. She's nervous, a little afraid -- exactly how she should be. If there's no fear then the ambition is not grand enough. You could be valued allies. Or deadly enemies. But there's power here to be taken.
Nothing new or intriguing comes from the small folk.
Except to say this, Ennahvail is just starting to wonder if she can become more than a mere peasant girl with chicken feathers clinging to her sweat and crusted pig dung between her toes.
Alfred serves the Chelaxian nobles but he's different. He seems, hmm, equal to the Lord and Lady. And it's only a pretense that he's subservient to the Lady Baroness. She's sure of it. No one else has seemed to notice.
And he's just a Halfling. Lower than a servant. If he can do it, maybe I can, too.
Ennahvail's questions and conversations take a slight turn, on the way back to Castle Spartaco. She asks leading questions; she observes the nobility more than she stares at her feet.
The WarPriest of Moloch is easily as powerful in combat as Lord Magnius. And as a seven-foot Human who weighs 400 pounds, he's incredibly strong. (WarPriest-8)
The gray-robed Arcanist is also Human, and nearly as adept in arcane magic as a Wizard of your talents would be. But he is a wand wielder, as though he isn't a true Arcanist but an Arcanist who specializes in wand-craft and dueling with wands. (Arcanist-4 / Homebrew Archetype-2 .... CL:6)
