"May I ask where you got that sword that these fellows hate so much? I ask because the other items here appear most likely to have been taken from a Paladin. While it is unlikely he is still alive, we should consider the possibility that he is being held hostage somewhere."
Lirrathan lifts an eyebrow as he looks at Paritosh, "Really? You didn't listen when I told Bastion here? We found the sword off that chick I just impersonated. She had some letter about them taking it from some office or museum or some boring crap like that. It's got some historical name or purpose, or some old famous owner or something. All I cared about was that it said it was magic or special in some way. They were supposed to do something, I think that whole corruption thing the dumb-ass we just killed mentioned. All I know is that it can talk to me mentally, but other than that it doesn't perform all that much better than the sword I dropped just so I could carry this one."
He points to Arc, "Look, he's the one to ask about all the blah-blah facts of who's whatsit this was during what age, and whether their cousin's brother was the lord of Hoody-hoo and whatnot."
"Very well, so that's all perfectly clear to me now! Shall we evacuate the premises before those cultists return?"
Sir Bastion looks at both Lirrathan and Arcessentes, "Do you happen to recall the name or names that the sword told you. Maybe when we return to 'The Heart', someone there may know something?"
"If we are done here, we should head back to Defender's Heart with this chest and take a closer look at these papers. Maybe Captain Irabeth has other tasks for us."
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On Going Effects: Life Link (Paritosh)
Lirrathan nods, adding a chuckle, "Heck yeah. Let's take the money and run. Those two cowards will probably head straight for where the next group of backup is, and then they'll come back with some help. Let's leave them nothing to find."
Perhaps we should not leave them a body to raise, or animate either. Can we take the dead Tiefling? Arc make preparations to go.
I'll load the body and the cursed art thingy onto Rocinian.
"Some assistance please."
"Super!"
"Ha ha"
"Ha ha"
Jerk!
Wierd smelling horse!
Excuse me, weren't you just licking yourself? I hardly think you're to be trusted as to what is weird smelling or not!
My tongue has nothing to do with my sniffer. Not my fault you get stuck carrying the meat pack.
"Please! I saw you sniffing that other dog's butt back at camp."
Well how do you expect me to find out if there is anything good to eat around camp? Have you never smelled a dog's breath before? Silly horse!
Rocinian throws back his head and shakes it from side to side with a loud whinny.
Dogs!?
Paritosh finishes tying down the minotaur head and the red guy's body on Rocinian.
"He seems unusually anxious today. Sometimes I don't understand his sort. Do you have the same issues with Jokum?"
Sir Bastion kneels down to scratch Jokum behind the ears, "Not that I have noticed. He does his thing and I do mine for the most part, but Jokum has always been there for me when I needed him."
"Although he does seem to like... umm... Rocinian, wasn't it? Some animals seem to have a level of intelligence far beyond most others."
"Yes, Rocinian is his name, and a very stalwart companion he has been."
Once everything is loaded on to Rocinian, Sir Bastion suggests the following course of action.
"Why don't we check out the Topaz Solutions next. According to our map, it should be just on the other side of the breach we came through earlier. he says has he points back in the general direction of the breach, obviously not able to see it in the distance.
"We can drop off the evidence and items we have found here in the Tower, and any we may find in the Topaz, back at the Defender's Heart."
"If time permits yet today, we can head to Nyserian Manor to investigate that location. If it get's to be too late in the day, we could stop at Gwerm Manor and check on our friends there." A smirk comes to his face as he remembers when they left the Manor the other day.
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On Going Effects: Life Link (Paritosh)
A sound plan. the wizard agrees.
"Err, is there anything I should know about any of these locations? Apparently I had missed the prebriefing on this place, so I am hoping to be better informed for our future endeavors."
Paritosh pats Rocinian on the flank, "Come Rocinian, Sir Bastion is leading us on to our next appointment."
Paritosh pulls a plug of tobacco out of his saddlebag and bites off a corner. As he chews it down a bit, he holds the plug out to his comrades, "Anyone want so..." he takes a moment and spits, "want some? It's Chellish. The good stuff really."
The stuff will disease your throat and tongue. Arc cautions.
Paritosh nods.
"You know, I've noticed something about that. Around here, that's not really a problem. First, you gotta live long enough for it to get you. Second, this place is lowsy with Paladins just aching to show you their healing touch can cure disease. For similar reasons I am unconcerned with liver disease from excessive drinking."
Lirrathan merely shrugs at the plan, not a fan of laying out a course before him, he's okay with leaving that up to the uptight folk he's found himself with. When Paritosh explains the ability to act in excess without repercussions, thanks to the like of Bastion, his eyes shine. "You know Paritosh, had we not already spoken before now, I would say you're a genius. Sure, I'll try some of that tobacco." He gingerly grabs it, looks for an unbitten edge and nips off a piece.
He chews on it, a slight grimace on his face, his eyebrows raised in expectation of enjoyment to come. "Ugh, now what? I spit it out? It tastes awful, but so did my first drink. Is it supposed to get better?" With mention of it, he holds up a finger and pulls out an ornate silver hip flask, sloshes the contents a little in an offer for anyone that wants a pull. "Whiskey, anyone?"
Paritosh reaches for the flask, "whiskey indeed. Whiskey and tobacco are a divine combination. I've had tobacco that had been soaked in whiskey before drying. I've had whiskey that had been infused with the essence of tobacco. Both are too expensive, and neither is half as good as when you slam both flavors into your mouth and let them mix it up!" Paritosh shows a genuine gusto as he takes a sip from the flask, and commences to swish it around and virtually gargle the liquid before swallowing.
"Ahhh yes, now that's the stuff, now you were asking about how to properly chew the tobacco." Another bite into the plug and Paritosh begins to lead by example. "You see, this here chunk is a blend of sweeteners and a binding agent that hold the tobacco together. The less you know about the binding agent, the better. You chew it up, and when you get it sloppy and wet, you can either keep chewing, or push it down between your cheek and gum and let it set. After a while, you'll feel a bit of euphoria. The taste can be harsh at times, and most will spit the juices out from time to time, but I've developed an iron stomach and often will just swallow it right down. The juices I mean, not the plant. I'm not a horse," he pats Rocinian "no offense meant."
He tried feeding me that stuff once. Smelled terrible. Tasted worse. You might like it dog. It can't be worse than your butt.
Making your way north towards Topaz Solutions you see more evidence of the demons' attack. The gap in the wall sports piles of rubble, a terrible monstrosity broke through here and left devastation in its wake.
Coming close to the location, wooden sign above the door bears a carving of a bundle of orange herbs and flowers hovering over a beaker filled with
smoking orange liquid. The building’s windows are tightly shuttered, but the front door hangs halfway off its hinges.
The wizard pauses to listen for a moment.
I hear voices in argument inside. He points.
"Indeed, it appears three partners are having a disagreement. I hear no mention of demons. Shall we interrupt their squabble?"
Jokum's ears perk up, as he comes to a halt in front of Sir Bastion.
"What is wrong boy? Do you hear the voices also?"
Paritosh spits a gob of black junk in the direction of a small insect.
"Ahhhh yes, another one bites the dust."
Rocinian, I am glad I am not one of those foolish dogs that stand on three legs when they hear something. It would be crazy standing that long waiting on these humans to move.
What would you say you do here dog?
I say we run in and bite them in the legs, and toss them around like rabbits. I like rabbits! If they taste like cats then we know they come from the big hole. That do you... BIRD!!!
It doesn't take long for Lirrathan to realize that the taste doesn't make up for the sensation, and he just spits the big nasty gob of tobacco out. All during the walk he keeps ringing his mouth with his tongue and spitting more, the tsate and feeling ever-present.
Once they arrive at the building he perks up also at the sound of a squabble going on inside. He twitches like he's about to do something, then stops and says, "Well, I was going to try something, but I guess you would call it a plan, so I'll clue you guys in. I was going to run in, talking about how I'm being followed by some Iomedeans. What? It's true right? Maybe Arc or Nemril could go in with me, and we try to get them to come out and face you guys. You three to their front, two of us to their back, Bam! they're flanked."
"I appreciate your mention in it to us, so we were prepared. What role shall I take?"
Lirrathan looks at him, surprised by the question, "Duh, obviously the role you were just this side of south of being perfect to play. You're one of... I mean get to be one of those pesky, know-it-all, do-gooder, holier-than-thou, hand of the gods Iomedaens."
"Hmmm, yes, of course. I'll be honored to stand as such alongside Sir Bastion."
The conversation inside seems to be that of common looters.
"What should we do? We got plenty here, but all them damned demon lovers..."
"Yeah, not ter mention them brainless Crusaders...what's left of 'em ain't got much mercy."
"Why can't we jes' keep holed up here?"
"Idiot...you wanna get eaten by some underworld nightmare?"
"We might be able to negotiate with them? They seem to be more scared then not?" whispers Sir Bastion to the group.
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On Going Effects: Life Link (Paritosh)
"So we're changing the plan?"
They have possessions that do not belong to them. Perhaps we do not have to fight, but they should give up those goods. Arc whispers back.
"Perhaps we can talk them into telling us what we want to know before they attack us and force us to kill them?"