"I am just as happy to move in the darkness of night, I am less troubled by the darkness, and the coldest hours do not cause me discomfort... and there will be less prying eyes out who might take notice of a fiend"
"Ricca, you have been so helpful to us. I cannot express my appreciation enough! I see why Gorian sent us to you. What do we owe you for all of this?
Ricca, I also ask if you could give us a lesson in how to use all this equipment. What could we catch with these traps? Do you think a human could be trapped in this?
I think that should prove sufficient to pass through Belfurth in disguise.
Before we are being asked by anyone, we should have a common background story at hand?!
I have been thinking about my need for thespian skills and what makes a successful performance. We definitely need a story and background that we can make believable. One idea is that we play the role of hunters and trappers from Karcau. We have hired a guide to lead us in search of the prized eponymous monsters . . you know. . . . Wyverns!" Solaric grins. I say Karcau because it is a place that we are all familiar with. If anyone begins asking questions, we are more likely to have answers. Besides, the hunters from the city would be more likely to have such new equipment. Well, nearly everyone." Solaric remarks as he looks at what Zahur has done to his new furs.
I think we should travel as a group after Ricca. If people ask, we can tell them we are meeting our guide just north of Belfurth. Any other thoughts on the matter?
Gorian was one of my first friends after I left the northern wastes. I failed to save him from alcohol but you made it. I owe you more than just helping you with some equipment and guidance.
I can surely show you how to use the traps. Most are pretty simple, yet some of them can easily be used to catch humans as well. Especially snare traps and this jaw trap are perfect for immobilizing humanoids.
Your story sounds good. I don't think that will arouse too much interest, since it is quite common for people from Karcau to hunt in the north.
It' about noon as you're getting ready to leave the cabin, the sky is clear and a heavy wind coming from the east drives the clouds fast over the firmament.
As you are about to leave, Ricca, Shielding her eyes with her right hand, remarks
My people call this weather „At'a que Zora“, the celestial hunt. When you watch the sky carefully you sometimes can observe that clouds shaped like deer or other herd animals flee from clouds that look like predators. It's a good omen when the shamans observe such a spectacle just before a hunt, I wonder what it means for our cause.
About half an hour after you have left Ricca's home, the landscape changes and the forest remains behind. You are now again in a land of rolling foothills and Belfurth is already visible.
Only an hour or so later you have reached the small town. Belfurth consists of nearly 100 houses that are placed along two roads that come together in a large crossroad in the centre of the town.
The small wooden houses are skew-whiff, not very well kept buildings and the road is not paved and quite muddy most of the time.
As you pass the first buildings you notice an old man wearing a muddy hooded cloak. He sits crumpled in the dirt next to the road and murmurs something.
Too light...just too light...
You trot to the central crossroad and notice a larger wooden building. A sign hangs above the door on which in gilded, yet tarnished letters is written „Three Treasures“.
Perception Check
Solaric speaks up to the old man and asks, "I beg your pardon, good sir. What are you referring to?"
Perception -
Victoria has steered away from the strange man, to avoid him making too much contact and revealing her true nature.
Under the hood is a pale face with purple veins running criss-cross through it. The eyes are a milky white and you are sure he must be blind. Shaggy white hair frames the face.
As you adress him, he just looks up, but does not answer.
A passer-by, pauses as he notices you adressing the old man
Forget it, he won't tell you anything that makes sense. The old man is as loopy as one can be, heh.
Solaric discreetly takes out his holy symbol and gives the old man a blessing by casting guidance on the old blind man. "May the blessing of Iomedae go with you today and hereafter, my friend." Solaric also takes out 1 platinum piece and places it in his hands.
Perception Check
The old man caresses your hand and takes the platinum piece.
Under some boards that lie next to the man at the wall of the first house of Belfurth, the head of a scythe pokes out.
This is odd? What is this? Solaric reaches over and moves the boards to reveal the scythe head. "Are you aware of this blade at your side, my friend?"
As you walk over to the scythe, the old man scurries to keep it under the boards.
The passer-by, who stayed close, remarks dryly
The old fool believes himself to be a priest of Pharasma. Therefore he carries this harvesting tool with him all the time, heh.
Perception Check
In that brief moment before the old man covers up the scythe, does Solaric notice anything unusual about it?
"Have no worries, my friend. Your scythe is safely at your side."
No, the weapon is old and a bit rusty otherwise it looks like a normal scythe.
The old man's agitation ebbs away as he hears your soothing words and he returns to his former position.
Peception
"Hey Solaric, you make a friend there? He doesn't seem to have anything intelligent to say either. You two should get along fine!" Pitr grins widely at his own joke.
Pitr turns to a passer-by. "What's this 'Three Treasures Shop' sell?"
With a strange accent, you never heard before, the man replies
Ain't no shop, It's the only inn.
Pitr turns to the group, "How long are we staying? I figure I might as well have a real drink to wash the mead taste out of my mouth since we are in town. I might hear a thing or two as well."
Pitr ties up his horse, lights a smoke and walks up to take a look inside.
The inn is exactly what you expected:
It smeels of beer and the floor and the cheap interior are full of dark stains of various and "mysterious" origin...there are about 50 places on the ground level (mostly tables for six or eight persons), but since you notice stairs that lead to a second floor, there might be additional capacities. A great open fireplace keeps the room warm and drives at least some of the smell away.
A bald, fat bartender mops the floor in front of the bar as you enter. Though he has turned his back to you, he shouts
New te town, huh?
Besides him the room is pretty empty, only two other men sit at a corner table. Both wear furcoats and have longbows leaned against the wall next to the table. Under their table lies a large white hound that eyes you attentively.
Before you can either reply something to the bartender or choose a place to sit, the door swings again open and a good looking blonde woman bumps into you. More exactly her quite large boobs bump right into your back - as she notices her mishap, she giggles innocently.
Sorry sir, haven't seen ye, heh. Ye mus' be new to town, mhh?
"Yeah, and I'm liking it better and better." he grins around his cigarillo as his eyes get trapped in her cleavage. "Can I buy you a drink and maybe later you'll show me a bit more... of the place?""
The girl blushes....but only a very very little bit...and replies
Oh sir, you're quite an adventurous fellow, tee-hee.
she takes your hand rushes to the stairs and while hurrying past the bartender she shouts
We take room number three, until tomorrow morning!
the bartender just nods...
While you have already climbed half of the stairs, she turns to you and says
I hope you keep everything your looks promise!
Well, that was easy. Pitr thinks.
Sense Motive
"Guess it's really true what they say about farmer's daughters..." he observes tactlessly to his companion. He plans to come on down to at least get a beer afterwards. He should know by then whether it is an all nighter or not.
The girl pulls you further up the stairs and once you have reached the room, she strips to the buff faster as you could have counted to the room number. And yes, she is helluva of a farmer's healthy daughter...
Now wild trapper show me what YOU got!
Victoria watches the 'incident' with the 'farmers daughter', whilst Pitr might be a fast mover and certainly jaded, Victoria feels that this is all a bit fast even for his standards.
With that in mind she watches the wenches body language and demeanour to get a hunch or whether it gives her a bad feeling... the big breasted blonde isnt the only temptress in the room, and Victoria knows the game better than most...
Sense Motive =
Kirk enters the bar, following the Countess as she tails Pitr inside. Once inside, Kirk pauses a few moments to absorb their surroundings and view the flirtatious exchange between Pitr and the bar wench, then turns to the Countess and says quietly, "I hope we're not going to be delayed because of this." Then, "Hey, what do you think of those guys in the corner?" in reference to the men with the white hound.
Solaric joins the rest of the party at the inn. Once inside, he watches the incident with Jenarne and the young woman with obvious disapproval, but he holds his tongue. After the girl pulls Pitr up the stairs and out of sight, Solaric talks with Victoria and the remaining party members. "I'm not sure what you are all thinking, but to me this is completely scandalous! Has he no sense of responsibility or morality? Does he plan on committing to this young woman for life? What if offspring come as a result of this union? Is he prepared to help raise the child? I cannot see how anything good can come out of this."
Handle Animal to train Ricca's Pony
I hope that you don't mind my company Ricca, I am trying to get use to travelling and surviving in the wild, so I thought it best that I follow you along and not go into town.
I honestly think that your pony is the most hard headed pony that I have ever seen or trained.
@Zahur: Ricca laughs heartily
Oh yes, she really is an unfriendly beast. I gave my best to train her during the last three summers, but the only thing I got from it were bruises and bites...On the other hand, this filthy little pony is the most courageous mount I've ever seen. She fears neither fire, nor thunder, not monsters or dangerous animals...and sadly not even whips...
@ The rest:
Indeed, this girl's behaviour and body language were really out of place. It reminded you of an actress rather than of a lusty girl. Might be a trap.
As you all have entered the inn and Pitr has already vanished upstairs, the innkeeper turns round. His cheeks are rosy and large beads of sweat are running down his bald patch.
Umm, yeah... he glances to the stairs
welcome then, heh. Make yourself comfortable. Would you like something to drink or eat and do you also need a room?
"I cannot see how anything good can come out of this."
"Me either, in fact I suspect he's walking into quite the honey trap. She isn't what she appears to be, so if youd care to play along politely and just follow my lead"
Victoria fronts the Innkeeper, suggestively and provocatively.
"I need an upstairs room immediately, I have been on the road and it has played havoc with my appearance, I need withdraw at once with my ummm companion..." she glances sidelong at Solaric "...and wont need to be disturbed until, morning... not a peep"
She thrusts a hand towards the man expectantly and urgently.
Key in hand, she urges Solaric to politely follow...
Stammering and utterly impressed, the innkeeper hands out the key to room number two
S..su...sure M...madam!
Upstairs you find the door to room number three closed.
Perception
Basilli seeing what is happening with Countess and Solaric double takes and nearly chokes on his ale.
Sense motive
Totally misinterpreting their actions he beams his approval with a toast to the two, mutters something about "Strange bedfellows indeed" and continues his drinking at the bar.
Immediately looking at the door whilst signalling Solaric to prepare to barge through, Victoria places one ear against it, her Courtly skills of eavesdropping in full use...
Perception
When Solaric realizes that his friend, Pitr Jendarne, could be in serious trouble, the dark elf clearly follows Victoria's lead, takes her hand and follows her upstairs. Once upstairs, Solaric draws his longsword and prepares to barge through the door to room number 3 on Victoria's queue. "I am ready to enter at your word, My Grace! Do you hear anything happening?"
Now wild trapper show me what YOU got!
You hear a high voice giggling and a deeper voice (could be Pitr's but somehow sounds more "macho" than normally) emphasizing the feminine charms of its counterpart...
"Hmm sounds about right, in there, I cant shake the feeling it was a trap... let us wait a few more moments"
Victoria continues to listen.
As she does, her eyes look for any small gaps or holes in the wooden structure, Naga slips off her arm and onto the floor.
"Seek entry, my love"
My Grace, listen to that sound! The poor guy sounds like he is suffering greatly! Are you sure we should wait?"
"Seek entry, my love"
The small viper creeps through a tiny gap between two boards of the door, going to inspect the strange human doings...
Meanwhile in the tavern room:
A group of four burly lumberjacks enter and with lots of "Halloo" and "Hey" greet the innkeeper as if they were old friends. It takes only some moments until the men have found a seat at the bar and a target for their jokes - yes, it's you Kirk.
After some pointing at you and whispered sentences in which the word "half-orc" and "damn brood" are emphasized, the apparently strongest of the woodcutters walks over to you, spits on the ground just at your feet and says
T'is is no place for a friggin tusk face like ye. Leave now or we will turn yer lights off!
He clenches his fists, awaiting you to respond with an attack.
When Kirk realizes they are addressing him, or at least offended at his presence, he lets off an evil grin and walks toward the man in front. "You want me to leave, huh? Unfortunately, that won't be possible for at least a few more minutes: you see, we're waiting for an associate who just stepped upstairs, and it's very important." Kirk draws his shortsword out of its sheath with one hand, his other snaking to his belt to retrieve a dagger. He knows that, with four of them, he will need to attack quickly and brutally to scare them off, or take them down before their numbers overwhelm him. "I'll kill you, gut you, and leave you in the streets for the rats and vultures without blinking an eye, if I have to."
Intimidate
All colour drains from the man's face and his companions keep quiet momentarily
Umm...yeah...sorry mister...I just wanted...umm...to compliment you on your teeth, heh.
Embarassed and frightened the man returns to his companions who only whisper from now on.
Meanwhile upstairs:
Naga retunrs after about a minute
The humansss lie on each other and move awkwardly...I can't ssenssee any danger...yet, I hate ssuch missionsss...
Disgusted, Kirk leans forward quickly into the mans face as he's leaving, and snaps his teeth menacingly, making an audible noise. "Beat it, and wisen up a bit before we run into each other next, or our conversation won't end so merrily."
Then he turns back to the group with an obviously-faked shrug, and says, "How much longer, do you think? This place is full of idiots."
Victoria looks to Solaric, perplexed.
"All is as it should be, but I can't help the feeling that all is not right with this picture, call it womanly intution, call it a manipulator sensing their own kind, but something is up"
"I tell you what, we give him ten minutes, and then fetch him for some contrived duty. If I'm wrong on my instinct then I cause a curtailing of their tryst, If I am right I may be pulling him from harm. Either way he strikes me as a man happy to be pulled away before the awkward post bedroom goodbye"
My Grace, your intuition has always been exceptional. You have insight that others can only imagine. If you say something is wrong, then I am certain you are right. Perhaps she is a spy or even an assassin who works for Jarovich. Furthermore, it is our responsibility to help a friend in need. Pitr and I have had our differences, but when he realizes that we have saved him from a terrible fate, he will be most pleased with this decision. I will follow your lead, but wouldn’t it be prudent to make haste and pull him out this peril right now? Perhaps we should simpy confront the woman and put the questions of her motive straight to her. I am ready if you give the word.
"I agree with your prudent suggestion, however we know Pitr to be a slightly less refined individual of more...basic tastes. Should we be barging in on him indulging in his simple pleasures, he may see us as being judgmental against him and trying to enforce our more rigid values, I fear it would stress the sometimes uneasy truce between you, and cause him to trust me less. If we give him sufficient time to release his initial stresses of the day he may be more amenable to our sudden intrusion"
"Before I do what I am about to do, Solaric, I ask you to consider deeply whether you would be amenable to an act of harmless deception, a ruse to justify your sudden appearance?"
"It would have to remain our little secret..."
@ Zahur:
Ricca peers to the east and after a moment says
Zahur, can you see the mountains to the east? Normally they're obscured by mists, but today they are clearly visible. It's the Kronquist Ridge. Kronquist like the castle which lies many miles to the west. It divides Ustalav from the Worldwound and is a place, where dangerous monsters are said to lurk...I wonder why the Jarovichs build their home there centuries ago.
"Before I do what I am about to do, Solaric, I ask you to consider deeply whether you would be amenable to an act of harmless deception, a ruse to justify your sudden appearance?"
"It would have to remain our little secret..."
"My Grace, I have learned much from you already concerning the social graces needed for diplomacy and leadership. If you think a little ruse would help ease the situation, then I am willing to follow your lead. However, let me just say a short prayer before we enter."
"Oh great Inheritor, guide me in this moment in my every thought and action. Open my heart to your divine grace as I go forth and save a companion from certain peril. Let me play the role that you would have me play in the drama that is about to unfold. I ask this in your name."
Solaric casts Guidance as well as Touch of Glory on himself and then turns to the countess.
"Will you permit me to lay my hands upon you and infuse you with her divine glory?"
If Victoria is willing, Solaric will also cast Guidance as well as Touch of Glory on her just before entering.
"I will not require any enchantments just yet thank you. Just be ready to act, you'll know the signal when it comes..."
Victoria waits long enough for Pitr to have SURELY come to some 'satidfactory point in his negotiations'.
She then moves into the adjacent empty room , opens the window and leans out slightly, enough to get a glimpse at the windowsill of Pitrs room and begins to gesture towards it whilst uttering arcane phrases.
+++++
All goes dark in Pitrs room suddenly.
The horrible nightmarish form of some craggy rotting behemoth of Evil lurches into Pitrs window, a great and filthy unnameable voyeur, summoned deep from some unspeakable hell. Its salivating mouth and sleazy rubbery tentacles gently entwine the window as it makes suggestive and lurid motions with its huge slobbering semi-prehensile tongue. Who knows what it is, but its unmistakeable unearthliness and sinister appearance would remove any doubt of it having anything less than the most dire of intents. None of this is as disgusting as the puseous boils that stud its flesh, as though they were a thousand sea anemones crusted to a deep ocean rock.
Its hulking form of disgust fills the window frame in its entirety, and it appears to be trying to seek entry. Its large bulbous bloodshot eyes appear to be stuck between leering at the ccupants and trying to find a way in.
Silent Image
If there isn't a huge commotion in the next few seconds from Pitrs room, Victoria will let out a piercing shriek to signal Solaric
Everything went just so good-the girl is a bomb and really knows how to handle a man, yeah ok, she does claw and bite a little bit too much, but hey, Pitr knows how to handle that!
As you have just started round two of your little game of bronco taming suddenly Victoria's spell dooms any further joys.
The girl shrieks and kicks you with her knee in the groin and runs for the door.
From inside the room you firstly hear a female shriek, then a muffled groan (that must have been Pitr) which is followed by some turbulent sounds after which the door is torn open and the girl - totally nude - eyes you with horror and surprise.