Sledge smashes the wall.
"Let's go. Zin, burn this place down. If it worships some evil octopus god, I don't want anything to do with it."
Sledge flails at the wall once, twice, thrice, but the inanimate object seems to weave and flow out of the way of his punches.
Jones chugs his Paragon Surge extract, enhancing his ability to detect unseen opponents.
Then he touches the wall.
The wall feels completely solid.
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"Let's go. Zin, burn this place down. If it worships some evil octopus god, I don't want anything to do with it."
"Tempting. It would certainly simplify the issue of eliminating the cultists here. But we have gathered no evidence of their heinous crimes that the townsfolk will understand, and letting Zin have her way with this place would destroy any chance of that."
"No, I'm afraid we have no choice but to continue searching. In any case, the marsh giant seems to have eluded us."
"Alright."
Sledge will listen continually to maintain tabs on its position.
The small staircases lead up a few feet to a more circular balcony area, with multiple paths to choose from.
F8 is a privy. If you need to relieve yourself, it is relatively clean, and the chamber pot is empty.
F7 is a spare bedroom. It is completely empty save for a bed frame (no mattress, or any other furniture).
F6 is a storeroom. At first glance, little of interest abides here. However, Darius notes that due to the scuff marks on the floor, a struggle occurred here, though it's impossible to determine who was fighting, how many there were, or even who won.
What catches the eye of everyone is a small saddlebag, incongruous in its new-ness compared to the rest of the things in here. Inside is a small crate filled with straw.
Jones examines it, and is surprised to note that the impression left in the straw is the same shape as that of the Seasage Effigy.
"So...our two riders came in here to trade off the Seasage Effigy. They had some sort of disagreement with the recipient - regarding their payment, if I had to guess - which escalated into a fight. Whichever side won, it's safe to say that they took the Effigy and fled."
Jones leans against the wall, rubbing his chin. "But why is the Effigy, an apparently non-magical trinket, so valuable as to spark such a violent conflict?"
He sighs, shaking his head. "Still too many unknown factors. We must investigate further."
" I believe it has little to do with whether the effigy is magical or not but the constant theme of trade for trade that makes this whole situation dangerous. Indeed we need know more and quickly.. the enemy has been warned and is preparing. And my theory on the women becomes more and more Grim. "
Darius moves to group towards the other portions of the building.
F5 is an outbuilding, what looks to be the remains of a carriage house and stables.
Inside is a piebald mare. It looks nearly starved.
F10 is a dining room, or what's left of one. The whole eastern wall has collapsed, destroying the chandelier and table. By stepping outside you can reach F11, which appears to be another bedroom (this one with intact beds, though they're wet, molded, and full of holes from exposure to the elements). The way the walls are slanted, you could climb up to the second floor here with relative ease if you wished.
The walls of F12 are still intact, though the ceiling has collapsed in, letting rainwater flow inside and pool in the center of the room. The only remaining intact piece of furniture sits in the middle of this puddle, a waterlogged settee that sits forlornly among the destroyed remnants of this house.
Darius sees the Horse and narrows his eyes, such a crude fate but this confirmed something. " Whoever came here.. didnt get to leave. I can guess why. This creature has been made to suffer unjustly.. however.. "
Darius sniffed at the mare ensuring it did not give off a strange scent, then detected Evil.. before pulling out 3 of his 5 trail rations for it. Assuming nothing happened, he would find an empty bucket to cast Create water for the beast.
The horse seems agitated, but is not evil or even unfriendly. Quite the opposite, in fact, as she trustingly eats the food right out of his hands. She nuzzles at Darius, trying to angle for him to pet her on the nose. She seems as starved for attention and company as actual food, she's clearly been left to languish for a while. Another day or two and she'd be dead.
Darius seems comfortable enough, petting her nose and inspecting her mane. He gives her quite alot of attention before breaking contact and looking to the group. " Hrm, we may need to figure out what best to do for this mare. Likely leave with her here then deal with the business at hand. Afterward find a good stablemaster assuming she will cooperate. "
He motions for her to stay here refilling the container and leaving on last ration. " There is more to explore "
As you approach the door you hear the sound of an infant's whimper, and then someone going "Shhh...".
Sledge will listen closely.
Sledge hears people being quiet.
Darius opens the door. Assuming it is unlocked.
Darius opens the door to find two priests of the Order inside. One holds a baby, while the other wears the robes of a Vicar.
He snarls at you as you enter. No diplomacy is possible, clearly.
Vicar Gosker (25)
Jones (22)
Darius (21)
Sledge (14)
Cultist (10)
Zin (7)
The Vicar stretches his palm out to you.
"Dagon! Strike down the heretics with your dark might!" he cries, and a blast of darkness erupts around all of you.
Darius snarls back his lupin muzzle curling up into a toothy menace as he tries to resist the darkness.
Darius resists the spell, " Your god has forsaken you as you will come to grips with the might of Sarenrae. " Grimoire lancing out and then wrapping around the man's neck before pulling back and going along his chest.
The spell is mostly diffused uselessly against Sledge's pectorals.
Sledge will then drop the cultist and be sure to be ready to catch the baby.
"I can only imagine the sort of rituals you planned to perform on this child." Jones sneers.
He approaches the Vicar and readies to skewer him if he casts another spell.
Sledge, give me a Reflex save.
Darius whips the vicar, eliciting another snarl of anger.
Sledge moves in and punches the other cultists twice in the face, spraying brain matter against the wall.
At the last moment he realizes "Oh, dead people can't hold things" and snatches the baby out of the cultist's hands before he collapses on top of the screaming infant.
Jones keeps his rapier trained on the vicar.
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Sledge will rip the baby in half and eat it.
Zin strikes him twice, but the Vicar still stands.
He snarls, steps away from Jones, and creates a cloud of fog that covers the room.
"Hah, of all the spells you could have chosen!"
Jones is easily able to navigate through the fog, even more so with his Paragon Surge.
He tumbles around the Vicar, flanking with Darius, and uses his other senses to find the perfect place to strike.
The Vicar drops to the floor.
Sledge continues holding the baby.
Darius looks over the two enemies and sneers, " What use did these foul creatures have for a child. Likely no good. However, now begs the question what we do with the baby. In no way is it safe to keep around here... but equally I dont believe we have anyone to trust with the baby. Zin is not the model maternal instinct, so Sledge you seem to keep the child calm for now. "
He starts looting the bodies.
This Vicar has the same gear as the last.