Tural hurries to his father's house, a shack located at the back of the village. A small garden surrounds the shack and is filled with a variety of herbs and mushrooms, some of which you've never seen before.
Tural throws the door to the shack wide open and heads inside, the others following him. On the ceiling hang many different kinds of herbs, some recognizable from the garden surrounding the shack. At the wall to your right there's a large table with a stool. On the table are a mortar and pestle, and a lot of pots and flasks containing a wide assortment of ointments, powders, and liquids in all colors. The far wall has a small hearth with a small kettle in front of it. At the wall to your left is a simple straw bed with another stool next to it.
On the bed lies a man whose abdomen is bandaged with strips of cloth. Blood stains are visible through the cloth. His breathing's strained and restless. On the stool next to the bed sits a man with a tender frame and suntanned skin. His hair's gray and receding. The moment the shack's door closes behind you and the sunlight no longer reaches inside, the latter man's skin appears to light up just faintly.
"Tural. You're back," you hear a deep voice that reminds you of moving boulders say.
The fragile man gets up from his stool and you catch a glimpse of the face of the man on the bed. It's the rider you met several days ago, who approached you with questions during Quorthos's watch. His eyes turn to you and you see both panic and fear reflected in them. The man on the bed doesn't appear to be able to move, even though he's not visibly bound to the bed.
The gray, balding man who just got up from his stool turns toward you. His face has a stern expression, which doesn't change one bit as he continues to talk. "Good to see you back here, son. How was your stay in Korvosa?"
Tural's father turns to the others who just entered his house. His expression continues to be stern. Were it not for his moving mouth, you may wonder if his face was cut from stone. "I assume you're Tural's friends? My name's Izas Ardas. Welcome in my village."
Izas grabs a piece of cloth from the corner of the bed and cleans his hands, which you notice are covered in blood. He tosses the cloth back on the corner of the bed after he's cleaned his hands.
"Want something to drink?" Izas asks you with a voice devoid of any emotion. Meanwhile the man on the bed starts hyperventilating.
Tural places his hand on his father's shoulder and sounds shaken.
"Thank the light you are alive..."
He sits down on the stool next to the sick man to calm his nerves.
"City's bad. Sickness is spreading through the city like wildfire."
He shakes his head to get back into reality.
"No matter, what happened here? And why is that man looking like we are going to cut him open even further?"
Baer waits outside, not wanting to intrude, but waiting nearby to be of service. She has not been introduced, nor has introduced herself. She wonders what part of plant protocol involves introducing new species into the local plant system.
Quorthos takes in the scene from the doorway, but his eyes narrow as he recognizes the man in the bed. He enters and bows slightly to the old man. "Greetings, Izas Ardis. I am called Quorthos, and I thank you for your welcome."
He steps towards the bed and speaks to Izas, but doesn't take his eyes off the wounded man. "This man passed us on the road a few days ago. He said he was heading for Korvosa. Please tell me he is not the source of the... trouble we saw outside."
"He is," Izas replies to Quorthos. "He and his men attacked the village. I pulled him off his horse, after which the animal ran off into one of the gardens..."
Izas nods in the man's direction. "He tried to cut me, but I pushed his weapon into his own guts. His men fled and I took him here, to patch him up."
A soft sigh escapes Izas's unmoving face. "One of the villagers killed the horse. Though it will provide us with meat, I regret the passing of an animal while we have plenty of food in stock."
Baer bobs her head in active appreciation for the Tural's dad's ferocity and tactics...and then his mercy.
I don't have that within me. But I appreciate it when it exists.
She casts Tural with a new eye, appreciating the potential of the young houseplant differently.
"Why did you save him? To show him mercy? Or to bring him to further justice? Why?"
"We should have pulled that man from his horse the moment he acted suspiciously."
Tural says as he walks over to the man. He lightly puts his hand on the wound and looks the man right in the eyes.
"Are they coming back and when?"
He asks in a over friendly tone.
"I thought as much," Quorthos replies to Izas. Somebody get me a rope...
Quorthos stays silent as Tural interrogates the man.
"I'm opposed to wasting life," Izas replies to Baer. "I will cure this man and show him mercy by letting him go. I can only hope he'll better his life when he leaves this place, realizing he's gained a second chance."
Izas shakes his head when Tural tries to question the wounded man. "I had to paralyze him with poison, to prevent him from doing stupid things while in my house. He'll stay like this for a couple more hours."
"Which brings me back to my original question. Does anyone want something to drink?"
Tural relaxes a bit and takes up on the offer of a drink.
"Do you still have that tea you you used to make? Would love some of that, calms my nerves a bit."
He settles down and waits patiently for his father to tell him what happened.
"Tea sounds good, thank you."
"I am opposed to wasting life..."
Baer nods, listening.
"Tea or water would be fine, Izas," Baer replies. "I am Baer, by the way. Thank you for having me in your home."
Baer edges inside to find a seat.
"Do you think this man will find another path?" Baer looks over and sniffs closely at the man's face. "Does he know how lucky he is to have your mercy? Have you asked him what drove him to the weakness that allowed him to think that hurting others for profit was okay?" Baer seems curious about the man's mercy.
"I have only dealt with dogs who needed to be put down. Mercy is not among my gifts."
"Tea would be fine Izas, I'd welcome a beverage after our journey."
Mavor says whilst he looks at the terrified man on the bed.
"Must be some strong poison, I wonder who he is more afraid of, us or Izas. He looked quite terrified at seeing us again, but I doubt being paralyzed while someone handles a sharp knife close to your guts."
When Izas comes back with the tea, Mavor thanks him and nods towards the paralyzed 'patient' of his.
"You reckon his mates will be coming back for him? Need any help with them if they do?"
Izas pulls some leaves off one of the drying plants on his ceiling. He takes the stool next to the bed and places it next to the one in front of the large table. "These are the only seats I have. Go ahead and use them."
While standing next to the table Izas places the leaves in the mortar and grinds them. He places the ground leaves in his small kettle and mumbles a spell that fills the kettle with water. Izas mumbles another spell that creates a flame in his hand, which he uses to light the hearth.
"I don't know if he will find another path," Izas then finally replies to Baer, as he places the kettle above the fire. "I've explained the situation to him, to make him feel a bit better. He's free to leave any time after he's no longer paralyzed, but I told him he's also free to stay. I will try to have a conversation about this with him once he's able to talk."
Izas walks back to the bed and sits on the edge. "I do not fear his companions. I do fear of what they could do to others. It also saddens me."
Baer sits and sips her tea, glad for the respite and instruction. She has nothing more to say.
Denario enjoys his tea as well.
"You fear the chance of retaliation on the common folk, like arson and murder?"
Quorthos sits and drinks the tea. "You have great faith in the ability of people to change their course, Izas. I'm not sure I would allow a thug like this go based on a promise, though."
Izas briefly looks at both Denario and Quorthos and shakes his head. "I am no seer."
He pours the tea in the cups and hands them out. "This man was abandoned once I pulled him off his horse. I doubt they'll come back here."
Izas drinks some of his tea and places the cup behind him, on the table. He then addresses Tural. "Have you returned for a brief stay? What have you been working on lately?"
After the last question Izas also looks at everyone else present. "You look well-armed. Are you working together in Korvosa? I don't care much for big cities. They're too crowded."
"To each their own, Izas.
It's got the good and the bad."
Baer has nothing mere to say and waits silently.
"We were only here for a cup of tea actually. We are on the way back to Korvosa."
He glances from the man next to him to his father.
"My skills in healing have greatly improved of late. My control skill still outweigh my healing skills but they seem to be growing. "
Izas nods at Tural. "That's good. You'll likely need good healing in a crime infested place like Korvosa."
As you drink your tea you hear the distant sound of a man yelling from outside, in the direction of the square. Izas places his cup on the table and runs outside, calling out to you over his shoulder. "We might need it now! Come!"
"It's the Jeffersons!" Leo yells as he spots you. "There are like a dozen horses outside the farm, with a bunch of men! I think they're being robbed!"
Leo jumps off his wagon and tries to calm down his horse, which is slowly freaking out from the yelling and weirdness of the situation.
"You're warriors, right? Can you help them?!" Leo asks you.
Izas moves over to Leo and the horse and places a hand on the animal's neck. The horse immediately calms down. Leo gives Izas a confused look, while Izas turns back to you. "Shall we go together?"
Baer has nothing better to do than stare at a paralyzed man, follows Izas.
"You guys coming? Mavor? Denario? Boy?"
Baer nods eagerly, readying her quarterstaff.
"I don't like robbers much. They make my tooth ache."
Baer begins to jog/run to the Jefferson's, wherever that might be.
Tural shoulders his pack and immediately follows.
"Why do you even ask? You should know me by now!"
On the way to the Jeffersons Tural refreshes everyone's wards.
Quorthos scowls and draws his big knife, following Izas. He intends that these robbers will not get away a second time.
"I told you, guys like that always come back to get their comrade back."
Mavor follows quickly after Izas, slinging the greataxe back from his shoulder into both his hands.
.....
"Let's see how our hand plays out."
You run down the road that led you to the village together with Izas, who easily keeps up with you despite his age. Once you're back on the main road to Korvosa, Izas points to a farm about half a mile up north. "It's there."
"That farm over there? That's where the cries for help come from? Let's get to their aid then."
Mavor would rush over to the farm, but will stop to look out if he sees any details about their adversaries, numbers and weaponry and such.
Quorthos continues towards the house without pause. He's already let this group go once, and people died because of it. It won't happen again.
Baer makes quick time going north. It doesn't *not* occur to her to go in stealthy, it's just not really her way. She can't be what she's not. But she doesn't go in loud and screaming, but isn't actively calm and measured.
She's not wearing loud heavy armor, nor does she have lots of overt weaponry to clank, so she's not quiet, not loud.
And furthermore, if others ask her to pause a moment so that they can sneak into position, she will deign to allow that. Otherwise, she is heavily swung club going directly at the faces of her foes.
* * *
Mavor would rush over to the farm, but will stop to look out if he sees any details about their adversaries, numbers and weaponry and such.
While Mavor looks, Baer takes a moment to armor herself a bit better.
Unseen, Baer moves in for a looksee.
Before everyone charges into combat Tural takes some time to prepare. He casts Enlarge person on Baer followed by barkskin and finally casts bless on the whole party.
"Baer, go make some paste of them."
Not sure if Quorthos is within range of the bless or not, as he doesn't stop while the others cast spells. He moves to a point where he can see the first of the horsemen and pauses to evaluate the situation there.
You approach the farm from the southeast and are soon spotted by two men on horseback. You notice another man near the east side of the building. Nine unmounted horses are tied to either a tree or fence east of the farm.
"Stop right there!" one of the mounted men yells at you, alarmed by seeing Baer grow large and disappeared from sight. "Don't come any closer!"
Surprise round:
Baer
Round 1:
Tural
Red
Baer
Denario
Green
Majenko
Blue
Quorthos
Mavor
Round Surprise! Init 17
Baer double moves up, not trying to stay quiet but trusting invisibility to keep her from being targeted.
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] damage.
or
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+5[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
Baer moves up without being noticed by the men.
Round 1:
Tural
Izas
Red
Baer
Denario
Green
Majenko
Blue
Quorthos
Mavor
Tural walks forward with an angry glare and tries to get in range of the horsemen.
"The moment you move closer to me my giant friend will squash you like the filth you are!"
He says loud enough for them to hear with a snarl.
Denario moves forward, flicking his wrist to let the sheathe drop a deck into his hand.
"Let's see if Baer flattens one before we get there."
"Right then, let's get to it. Let's see 9 squashed horseless bandits coming right up. You want anything with that Tural?"
"Hot sauce, maybe."
Tural moves forward and threatens the men.
Izas follows after his son. "There's no need for violence. I've told you lot before."
The horseman west of Baer turns slightly pale as he recognizes Izas. "You again! You'll pay for what you did with our leader!"
The horseman moves south and then charges Izas while drawing a lance. He doesn't realize he moves past Baer and leaves himself wide open to her.
Izas steps aside, dodging the rider's lance.
Round 1:
Tural
Izas
Red
Baer (May also take AoO on red during his charge)
Denario
Green
Majenko
Blue
Quorthos
Mavor
Quorthos gestures arcanely, and a fiendish hyena appears from the folds of space and attacks the blue rider's horse, trying to bring it down. He then moves forward.
Denario moves closer and throws a card.
Round 1, Init 17
Baer declines the AoO, letting her companions have a shot at one of the baddies. She does however, 5' step and begin to hammer on the other horseman despite Izas insistence on non-violence.
Non-violence wasn't going to get these goons off their horses. She swings her big quarterstaff with her long arms.
to hit; (flat footed because inviso)
damage.
to hit;
damage.
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] damage.
or
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+5[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
Denario moves closer and throws a card at the nearest enemy, but a gust of wind blows the card away.
Baer pops up near the farm and swings her quarterstaff twice at the enemy east of her, but misses both of her attacks.
The man east of the far moves over to one of the horses next to the fence and quickly mounts it. He then unties the rope that tied the horse to the fence. While moving he yells, "We're under attack!"
The enemy Bear attacked draws a lance and charges at her, stabbing her in her abdomen.
Quorthos uses his arcane powers to summon a hyena from another plane. The animal immediately attacks the rider who hurt Baer, biting him in his leg.
Round 1:
~
Majenko
Quorthos
Mavor
Round 2:
Tural
Izas
Red
Baer 11/29HP
Denario
Green
Blue -5HP
Majenko
Quorthos
Mavor
Majenko flies forward and tries to sting blue's horse.
He almost flies into Baer instead.
"Whoops! Sorry!"
Mavor charges red and attacks him with his drawn greataxe.
"RaaaAAAHHH!"
Round 2, Init 17
to hit;
damage.
Pot crit:
to hit;
damage.
Baer lashes out at the goon who attacked her.
to hit;
damage.
to hit;
damage.
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] damage.
or
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+5[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
Tural hops a step back and waves his hand towards the red rider. Immediately after he starts chanting in a loud and booming voice.
- Chant (Ex): A shaman can chant as a move action. Any creature that is within 30 feet that is under the effects of the shaman's charm, evil eye, fortune, fury, or misfortune hex has that effect's duration extended by 1 round. A shaman cannot select both this hex and the witch's cackle hex.
- Misfortune (Su): The shaman causes a creature within 30 feet to suffer grave misfortune for 1 round. Anytime the creature makes an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, it must roll twice and take the worse result. A successful Will saving throw negates this hex. At 8th level and 16th level, the duration of this hex is extended by 1 round. This hex affects all rolls the target must make while it lasts. Whether or not the save is successful, the creature cannot be the target of this hex again for 24 hours.