You make it to a small rise of hills that you recognize and just on the other side, a few miles on, you can see the edge of Sarringallow. The now familiar mist comes swirling in thick, this time before darkness falls, obscuring your view of the town and making travel slow and treacherous.
“Let’s see if we can make it to town.”
Get to town.
The going is relatively slow as you battle both the thick mists and Noralia's relative immobility. Despite those obstacles you think you are making some good progress as you pass by a few familiar land marks. Then darkness really sets in as the sun falls below the horizon, and approaching from what you think is the direction of the town, you can see the now all too familiar green glow heading in your direction.
Continue towards town trying to be sneaky.
Despite your best efforts, the menace of the green glow appears to track directly towards your position as you slowly move towards the direction you believe the town lies in.
The air grows colder, and if its even possible the mist grows more dense, giving you the feeling like you are moving through heavy, dark waters. You sense movement in the fog bank ahead of you, as the sickly green hue tints the air around you.
Armas' cold dead voice cuts through the air-You have done well Nolaria with the aid of your new champion to get this far, but I think now is as good time a time as any to bring our little dance to an end. My guess is you hoped to find succor within the familiar environs of Saringallow. I'm delighted to inform you that you will only receive loss and pain. Save yourself the trouble and further distress; give yourself to me and I will spare your last companion.
Nolaria looks at you, trembling somewhat from the ailment that plagues her, and with a faint and fevered voice croaks out-If it will spare this one Armas, then I will submit.
A certain sense of tension fills the air....
“F$@% that! She does not submit!”
Ang puts himself between Armas and Nolaria.
Is he visible?
You can't see or sense Armas in the rolling mists. It rings out from a different location-So be it. If the offering will not be given, it will be TAKEN! At the last moment you do see the wo humans with malevolent green light in their eyes moving in to assail you.
The pair rush in before you can take action.
Creature 1 on Ang
If hit you take 2 points of STR damage (only once per round)
Creature 2 on Ang
If hit you take 2 points of STR damage (only once per round)
Assuming the -4 strength from prior battle has been healed otherwise -8 strength.
Can Ang take -2 strength from each creature each round for a -4 total per round or just -2 total per round? Assuming-4.
-42
-4 str
Smite evil on creature 1.
The previous STR damage has healed; your guess is that these creatures are not fully developed and your paladinic righteousness has a significant part in counteracting any ill effects that would otherwise cripple normals.
You only take the STR damage once total per round, so you are currently at -2 STR.
Your first stroke slices into the foe, dealing good damage. Unlike previous wounds, this one does not start to mend.
The weakened Nolaria casts protection from evil on you.
Creature 1 on Ang -27
If hit you take 2 points of STR damage (only once per round)
Creature 2 on Ang
If hit you take 2 points of STR damage (only once per round)
-42
-2 str
-13
-2
Your blade lashes into the first foe twice; it's looks badly damaged.
Nolaria casts prayer.
A ray of coruscating energy flashes out from the fog in your direction.
Creature 1 on Ang -82
If hit you take 2 points of STR damage (only once per round)
Creature 2 on Ang
If hit you take 2 points of STR damage (only once per round)
-15 str
-35 hp
Ang collapses to the ground under the weight of his equipment.
The eerily-eyed menaces move forward, baring their fangs and preparing to strike some final blows. However Armas' voice booms out in the still mists bringing the pair up short-Bide your time minions! I will claim my prize before you have yours.
The green glow in the mist intensifies and a figure stalks out from the darkness; Armas is revealed! As he gets closer you find him to be altogether disappointing in visage, looking more like a scribe or librarian then he does a dread lord of the night.
He seems to glide towards Nolaria and as he does another glittering ray flashes from his hand, striking Nolaria and taking whatever remaining last strength to resist she may have had from her. He easily lifts her unconscious form, clearly he is much stronger than he looks, and moves towards where you are pinned by the now crushing weight of your equipment.
With a sad voice-You have been a noble foeman Ang. In another life I may have looked up to you and worked to further your efforts. Now, however, I'm afraid I must leave you to the tender mercies of those that follow my call. Farewell Ang; I'll instruct them to be gentle. He looks at the two nearby creatures and seems to communicate to them without talking. They nod silently, and Armas and his green glow, recede into the dark surrounding mists.
Once the hint of green is completely gone the two creatures move forward nervously, almost like they are afraid that Armas will return and take away their newfound morsel. After a few moments they grow more confident, and move towards you with dark malice in their eyes. Teeth sink into the exposed parts, draining blood and energy. You feel your life slipping away as they slather their maws with your blood.
A blast of intense light flashes around you, incinerating the creature you wounded and badly burning the other. You feel no heat and sense no rush of wind, but the caustic blast forces the surviving foe to flee into the darkness, the mists now dispelled.
Through heavily lidded eyes you can see a spectral image approach out of the dark; it appears to be the form of high priest Ildris Ruvarra. His face looks wracked with pain and anguish and does not appear to see you lying on the ground.
“Ildris! Armas took your daughter!”
You appear to startle the apparition for a moment before it responds forlornly-I know. I had sensed Nolaria's presence but came to late to save her. That task will have to fall on you.
“I can’t even stand right now, let alone rescue anyone. And I wouldn’t put your faith in me to save Nolaria, Armas easily bested me. Though for what’s it worth I will try. What happened to Saringallow and to you?”
I must put my faith in you; there is no one else. Armas has been working towards this moment for weeks if I guess correctly. Only over the last several days has he taken an active role.
I had been investigating the disappearances of several citizens of Sarnigallow as well as multiple murders that had occurred. All at night, all with no witnesses and little or no sign of struggle. Two nights ago, while investigating, I was set upon by creatures such as you just fought. They hurt me badly, but I was able to destroy a few and drive the rest off.
I made my way back to the temple, only to find it aflame. I joined with those trying to save the structure, and just when I thought we had the flames contained, Armas struck. He drove off or slew those around me and after an ugly fight slew me as well.
Armas didn't just kill me, however, he cursed me. Cursed me to haunt the edges of Saringallow, never allowed to enter, only to watch and listen as he killed and tortured those that I have spent so long ministering to.
I can't go with you, but I will help and guide you as much as I can. Take this. he hands you a simple amulet bearing the sigil of Erastil. It will ward you from the fell touch of the creatures, preventing them from sapping your strength. Ask me any questions you may have and I will do my best to answer them.
"Thank you for the amulet. Where can I find Armas? Any ideas on how to catch him without his creatures about? Does he have any weaknesses?"
As you accept the amulet, you feel your strength return in full.
Armas has taken residence in a large manor at the heart of town. Across the street from the temple, ironically enough. Your best chance of defeating him will be during the day. The place is sure to be full of traps and minions, but his force's strength will be less during the day. As for weaknesses the only thing I can think of would be his pride and lust for my daughter. He told me before I died that he was going to restore the strength of his family's name and that having Nolaria for a bride would be a fitting first step. I think he was a mage of some power before he transformed into his current state.
Is it day or night? How long to get to the manor? Does Ang think he can rest or does he need to go immediately?
If possible: Head to manor during morning after resting.
It is the beginning of the evening with darkness having fallen just about an hour ago. It would take about 30 minutes to get to the manor and the heart of town. Ang's guess is that Armas is no longer concerned with him and that his minions have already finished him off. There is a chance that the wounded creature might make its way back to Armas and report.
Ang will move in case someone comes back to look for him, skirting the edge of town and moving 90 degrees. Then he will try to find a concealed area to cast Keep Watch and rest for the evening.
Ang finds a relatively secluded place in the fields surrounding the town and settles in to rest for the night. Your watch passes without incident.
Head to the manor where Armas has taken residence.
Keep an eye out for enemies.
As the sun rises you make your way into Saringallow. You feel a strange sad energy from the citizens as they start their days and where before you felt studied as an outsider by native eyes, now you feel a blend of hostility and fear at your foreignness.
You make your way to the building that Ildris' spirit described and also see the burned out shell of the temple of Erastil where several people work at searching through the debris. The two-story structure is a large and luxurious urban manor with some limited grounds surrounding it. The exterior is in excellent repair and well maintained. However, people walking by seem to unconsciously steer clear of it often times crossing the street as to not to walk in front of it.
How many entrances? Front? Back? Any guards? Anything else of note?
There is one main entrance; the door looks very stout. Around the back there is a rear door as well as a servant's entrance. Both look solid, but not as formidable as the front door. You don't see any guards, but there are a handful of men in the vicinity that seem out of place and not working or passing through like everyone else on the busy street. All the shutters are closed and the curtains are drawn.
How many is a handful? Are they human? Any servants coming and going?
Retcon: before approaching house use hat of disguise to alter appearance to look like a local
You note three individuals that seem to be conveniently stationed watching the manor but trying to blend in. If you weren't casing the building you would never have noticed them. No one enters or exits the building while you watch.
Does Ang think the 3 watchers are guarding the place or have some other purpose? Are they able to see all the entrances from their positions?
Make a sense motive roll to get a feel for the watchers. Two appear to be watching just the front, but the third is in a position to see both front and rear.
After an hour or so of watching the watchers, Ang feels they are very clearly guarding the place. It doesn't seem to matter much, because passers-by continue to mostly avoid the building without even noticing it.
Is there a market nearby where Ang can buy a case of wine or something relatively heavy?
If so, get the wine and bring it to the back entrance and knock.
Being in the heart of town you find ample market supplies and haul your cask towards the back door.
Make a DC 20 Will save.
You feel some type of resistance as you move towards the manor; something pushing on your mind urging you to go in a different direction. You are able to overcome the psychic pressure and make your way to the back door and knock. The sound of your knocking seems absorbed by the wood of the door, barely giving off a sound. There is no response.
Try opening the door.
Look for anything helpful and what is the guard doing that can see the back?
The door is securely locked. The guard watching the back door appears to be signaling someone (or something) as he moves towards your position. He will be to your location in 2-3 rounds.
Activate divine bond +1 and keen.
Knock on door again.
“Hello, delivery here!”
There is no response from beyond the door and your knocking seems dull and dead, almost as if the wood was absorbing your force and there was absolute silence beyond it.
The approaching man calls out to you with a warm voice-Excuse me sir, may I help you? The house does not accept unscheduled deliveries.
Detect evil on him as he approaches.
“Are you with the house then?”
The man does not detect as evil.
Yes, well, sort of. The lord of the manor has hired a few of us to keep his privacy secured. He keeps a strict delivery schedule and never has any during the day.
“What time should I return to properly deliver this then?”
The man looks at you and the cask dubiously-Probably best you just leave it with me. I'll sign for any paperwork you have. Who did you say you worked for again?
“Thanks! That’s even better, makes my job easy.”
Put down the crate and leave.
Take a roundabout route to the Witch, make sure no one is following.
The man stares at you with a bewildered look in his eyes as the two other guards move in from their previous positions. Clearly they aren't used to heavily armed and armored warrior-types making deliveries of wine casks. You note the three men talking heatedly to one another, but no one appears to follow you back to the Witch.
Note: Had used hat of disguise to look like ordinary townsman.
Note: Had used hat of disguise to look like ordinary townsman.
Good call. I missed that (as usual). It wouldn't have changed the response that much, just probably a little less suspicious/hostile. No retcon.
Get some food and drink at the Witch.
See if Ang can overhear any useful info: