She was last seen at the Lucky Monkey, when would you all like to go see if we can find her?"I don't know for sure how committed we are to your hunt, Malcom, but we also have Jenya's request to check out the Lucky Monkey. No harm in doing both at the same time." Nowzai gives the nearby area a disdainful glance. "Besides, any time out of this 'city' would be good."
I understand Nowzai, but the she I was referring to is Triel, who if we are able to capture will help grease the necessary wheels to help get our companions released from probation. So we have more than one reason in common to continue on together.
** spoiler omitted **...
Thanks for the information Revis. You can count on my support against these demons. I'm departing soon to Sasserine to assist Jenya with an urgent matter. I'll check back with you when my return.
Lord Epik,
Danyell has return this periapt of Wisdom, will you take it? This artifact will aid your fight against evil.
Yes I will take the periapt, thank you Magma.
** spoiler omitted **...Thanks for the information Revis. You can count on my support against these demons. I'm departing soon to Sasserine to assist Jenya with an urgent matter. I'll check back with you when my return.
The party sets out later that afternoon, brushing by a knot of blue-boar emblazoned half-orcs as they exit the western gate and noting the extremely large line down the western slope of the volcano.
"Taxes at the gate now? Even for citizens?" complains one of the merchants in line. There are easily 100 people in line, complete with wagons, horses, families etc. It's not moving quickly. Thankfully, the party's way is clear down the mountain.
The road winds it's way down through volcanic basalt and long solidified lava flows. Eventually as you near the base, green growth begins to sprout between broken up black rocks and soon the path is flanked on both sides by deep jungle. The moisture in the air is palpable and the scent of rain is in the air. Seems Flood Festival just missed the rains, because within a couple hours, a light drizzle starts. Regardless of that up ahead and in the distance the howls and hoots of monkeys can be heard constantly.
The trip to the Lucky Monkey is uneventful and the party covers the 24 miles rather quickly, although it is well past sunset when you arrive.
The inn sits to the east of the road, partially surrounded by the dense jungle. The building is old and well used -- the chimneys stained with soot, the roof sagging, the wood siding weathered and stained with last year's mildew. a smaller stable stands to the building's side in a similar condition. The building's facade sports numerous carved wooden monkeys, many of whom are engaged in risky, death-defying stunts. as if mimicking them, several actual monkeys sit on the roof watching you. Some scamper into the trees and others resort to eating fruits or grooming each other.
Sounds of music and laughter along with the fine aroma of roast meat blow out of the open windows of the inn. Three horses are hitched up outside.
Wandering to the side of the inn, you peer into the well-kept stables that can house up to 24 horses, there are currently 3 inside.
Tavern tables cover the large well-furnished and lit room. Two hefty barmaids move through the few occupied tables serving the 12 current visible patrons. They’re laughing and joking and dancing in a strange foreign style without spilling any ale. A bard plucks at a mandolin on stage off to the east side of the room, while a young woman sings a local favorite quite well. Four fireplaces roar keeping the place well-lit, if not a bit too warm this time of year, but the thought of quickly drying off sits well.
At the long bar directly across from the entrance, a half-orc with close-set eyes, long face, broad nose and a shock of grey-blue hair serves up drinks sloppily. He grunts when you enter and a few of the patrons turn and look at you, but no one interrupts their business at this regular roadside stop. A large angry baboon sits in a cage at the end of the bar, hissing and spitting and the nearby patrons.
There are several open tables and many an open seat at the bar. It’s obvious you should seat yourselves.
Perception Roll = 25
These are some big monkeys....I was thinking they would be small and cute. We should probably be careful, they look rather mean!
Ahhh, now this is my kind of place!
Dalamus will enter the building and approach the bar. He will order a round of drinks for his friends and ask that they have a waitress of dinner.
While at the bar, Dalamus will scan the room looking for anyone that may resemble Triel
Dalamus go to the table near the fire.
i turn to Epik and whisper do you sense anything?
After hearing the complaining merchant, Nowzai breaks from the group to talk to him. "Excuse me, but I couldn't help overhearing. Did you say there's some new tax? Is that why the gate line is so long?"
Nowzai sniffs the humid air and wrinkles his nose. "Thought I smelled something there on the breeze. Gone now." He spends a few minutes looking over the details of the building's design, the carvings, and the perched monkeys. "Hrmph, they look mostly harmless," he mutters, turning to the others. "Did Jenya give us a description on this Sarcem person?"
- Perception
"So, while we are on our way, Nowzai, can you explain to me what other interest you have at the Lucky Monkey? You said that the cleric Jenya mentioned this inn as well. Who is Jenya and what are you hoping to find?"
- Perception(olfactory) DC20
- Perception(audible) DC25
As we get closer to the inn. "Blackened Body of God! Do you smell that? I refuse to eat here unless I know what is creating that horrendous smell".
"I assumed the name 'The Laughing Monkey' was just a clever name, I stand corrected. This seems fairly unsanitary."
I will move to the empty raised table at the far left side of the map of the bar that seats 8, keeping my back to the wall so I can watch the room. I will scan the room for Triel. I will also be on the look out for the halfling wizard sitting with a half-elf monk.
i whisper to Malcolm those tables with 8 seats are only have 1 entrance we would be trap inside.
ooc i am looking at the layout of the lucky monkey correctly?
Let take the table in front of the fire on our right.
i scan the room looking for anything that is out of place.
i will quietly point out anything i see to dalamus
"Excuse me, but I couldn't help overhearing. Did you say there's some new tax? Is that why the gate line is so long?"
The man looks surprised at your interest, but quickly warms to a sympathetic ear. "Yeah, it's robbery ... 1 sp per person, regardless of citizenship! Plus, my goods are going bad waiting in this line with all these disgusting people, and these half-orcs! What do they want? They're everywhere!"
Malcolm wanders around back towards what might be making that tremendous smell and finds a medium-sized compost heap about 100 feet away from the building under the jungle canopy, flies buzzing around it and waves of noxious green gas flowing off creating a small cloud trapped under the limbs and vegetation
Magma is correct as he points out the walls around the little private rooms. The rooms however have heavy curtains and are padded inside to help mask conversation.
The only red-head is the auburn haired barmaid hopping from table to table keeping the drinks flowing. There are no halflings or half-orcs. Honestly looking around, everyone except the bartender is human.
I will follow Dalamus to the bar and assist in the carrying of the first round.
Dalamus will go to the table that Magma has suggested with the drinks. "It is best to be near the conversations, you never know what kind of information you could overhear"
Epik will walk around the the Inn with Malcolm.
Perception roll
"Lets follow these drag marks." He will draw his sword.
Inside the Inn Epik will sit down next to Magma. He will detect evil on the patrons and the caged monkey.
Epik will walk around the the Inn with Malcolm.
Perception roll 1d20
"Lets follow these drag marks." He will draw his sword.
Nowzai replies to Malcolm as he follows him around the back. "Jenya is a cleric of St Cuthbert back in Cauldron. She hired us to find the orphans who had been kidnapped by Kazmojen for his flesh trade. She was also helpful to us after we were released from jail - a rare friend in that vile city."
After we round the corner, he retorts in disgust. "Oh my! What happened here?" He walks over to the drag marks, holding his nose to block the smell.
The man looks surprised at your interest, but quickly warms to a sympathetic ear. "Yeah, it's robbery ... 1 sp per person, regardless of citizenship! Plus, my goods are going bad waiting in this line with all these disgusting people, and these half-orcs! What do they want? They're everywhere!"
Nowzai shakes his head in disgust. "More taxes. Even in small chunks, they will bleed the city dry. Maybe that's their intent. One silver may not seem much, but for most it is a week's wages..." Nowzai trails off, thoughtful.
They don't want anyone leaving the city...
A chill runs down his spine. He shakes off the feeling and returns to the conversation. "Any idea where these orcs are coming from, or why they're here?"
The group forges forward following the drag marks for about 100 yards through the dense undergrowth, tripping over vines and stepping around fallen limbs. Looking down, there are swathes of a sticky red liquid in the plants. Up ahead, there's the distinct sound of crunching bone and gnawing of flesh.
Fifty feet ahead, behind some trees, two reptilian creatures are chewing on the remains of a humanoid body. One pops its head up and hisses at the party as it nears but then goes back to eating.
"Any idea where these orcs are coming from, or why they're here?"
"Damn horcs, who knows? They don't compete for business, I just don't like them ... they smell."
Outside the Lucky Monkey
i will follow Epik Axe ready. Edler, looking at the red liquid is that what i think it is?
Fifty feet ahead, behind some trees, two reptilian creatures are chewing on the remains of a humanoid body. One pops its head up and hisses at the party as it nears but then goes back to eating.
Nowzai's eyes widen and he freezes in his tracks. "What, or who, are they eating?" he whispers.
"Damn horcs, who knows? They don't compete for business, I just don't like them ... they smell."
Nowzai nods empathetically. "Indeed. Thank you for your time. Be careful, friend," he says before leaving to catch up with the others.
Survival will not .. however ...
You cannot tell what/who is being eaten without getting closer.
"Dinosaurs; specifically deinonychus... known for their speed, razor talons and ability to leap long distances," Nowzai explains in a low voice.
"I can't see anything about their victim. Should we shoo them off?"
After a few minutes of the party sitting and listening, the auburn-haired barmaid saunters over, "What'll it be boys ... drinks or dinner, too? Staying for the night? Talk to Tork, the bartender and owner. She looks down impatiently.
** spoiler omitted **
Intelligence check ...
"Dinosaurs; specifically deinonychus... known for their speed, razor talons and ability to leap long distances," Nowzai explains in a low voice.
"I can't see anything about their victim. Should we shoo them off?"
"The body requires a proper burial. We must slay the beasts."
Epik advances when the others are ready.
After a few minutes of the party sitting and listening, the auburn-haired barmaid saunters over, "What'll it be boys ... drinks or dinner, too? Staying for the night? Talk to Tork, the bartender and owner. She looks down impatiently.
"Water only for me. Yes, we'll need a room for the night.
Perhaps you can help us. Have you by chance seen a cleric or acoloytes of the church of St Cuthbert pass through recently?
Also, I'm curious, why do you keep a caged baboon in the bar?"
Epik will pass her a gold piece.
Perhaps you can help us. Have you by chance seen a cleric or acoloytes of the church of St Cuthbert pass through recently?
Also, I'm curious, why do you keep a caged baboon in the bar?"
She accepts the gold piece with a quick flash of her hand. "Rooms we got, Tork'll help ya with those. Water coming up for ya ... whatchyor friends want?"
To Epik's other questions, she frowns and thinks for a moment, looking up at the rafters and then says, "Yeah, I think so, hard fella, gray in the hair. I think he came through with some folks a while back and then stopped back through earlier this week. Seemed nice enough. Left a decent tip both times and stayed overnight with his friends. Different rooms all of them. I'd talk with the boss about it though," She thumbs her hand at the bartender.
"As for the monkey, Tork says it brings a little piece of the jungle inside. Adds flava! You like him? We call him 'Jiggles' onna 'count he likes to shake the cage when he gets all randy!" She throws back her head and laughs loudly.
We also need to see if that is the body of your priest friend.
I will draw my pistol and fire at the closest one.
To-Hit
Damage -
We also need to see if that is the body of your priest friend.
I will draw my pistol and fire at the closest one.
To-Hit D20+9
Damage - d8+1
hah son of a....
Nowzai will move up with Epik, firing his crossbow at Malcolm's target, and hitting a nearby tree instead.
As Epik moves forward reaching for his sword, and Malcolm reaches for his weapon, the paladin catches a gleam of something in the dinosaur's eye. It seems to still be tracking the party even as it eats. And there's something more, it's the gleam of ... intelligence?
Exploding from the trees to the north and south are two more of the creatures surprising you with their suddenness. With a high-pitched scream, the creatures charge teeth and claws flashing. The original two creatures turn towards the party as well, beginning a quick run, mouths open wide.
You've fallen into their trap!
Dino(white) stealth
Dino(blue) stealth
Dino(red) initiative
Dino(green) initiative
Dino(white) initiative
Dino(blue) initiative
Dalamus initiative
Epik initiative
Malcolm initiative
Nemoris initiative
Nowzai initiative
Magma initiative
Perception -
To-Hit - 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 (Against Touch AC)
Damage - 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
I am going to move myself in front of the Elder and attack the dino in White.
Initiative
Attack on White Dino