Túrion was only slightly surprised by the creatures sudden appearance. Retrieving one of his Rods from his Belt, he gestures with his other hand, speaking a short incantation in Sylvan as his cloak flares up.
Noting the sudden presence of a fiend and her master jumping into action, Nelly starts her own assault against the creature, trying to move into a flank with one of the others.
Nelly strikes the hare quite skillfully but she is just so powerful and kills it instantly.
Nelly begins rushing back to Turion.
The fiend stabs Turion as he casts the spell!
Nelly bites the fiend but it seems to somewhat resist her. Together, she and Turion knock it down onto the table. But seeing it's wings flapping, that might not help much.
(She is not a spoiled city dog. We do not play fetch. We hunt. We kill and eat. Her interpretation of "subdue" is to not use lethal force, but still decisive force.
I will definitely suggest repeating that with a Boar :P)
: Certain attacks deal nonlethal Damage. Other effects, such as heat or being exhausted, also deal nonlethal Damage. When you take nonlethal Damage, keep a running total of how much you've accumulated. Do not deduct the nonlethal Damage number from your current Hit Points. It is not "real" Damage. Instead, when your nonlethal Damage equals your current hit points, you're staggered (see below), and when it exceeds your current Hit Points, you fall unconscious.
and
If a creature's nonlethal Damage is equal to his total maximum Hit Points (not his current hit points), all further nonlethal Damage is treated as lethal Damage. This does not apply to creatures with Regeneration.
So it takes 3 nonlethal, which is the total maximum hitpoint. Then it takes the remainder(10) as lethal damage.
BUT: he is still at 3/3 HP for lethal damage, despite the 3 nonlethal it took earlier, as per the bold of first quote. So he takes 3 lethal damage to go to 0/3, then another 7 pushing it to -7/-9My point was that nonlethal damage is, for effect, based on current hit points.(e.g. if it exceeds your current hit points, you fall unconscious) but it does not "sum up" with lethal damage(if I knock a healthy man out, a single stab will not kill him any more than it would if he was up and healthy - unless I coup-de-grace him).
As said, I believe it won't really make a difference. The Rabbit will likely have a brain aneurism by the time Nelly makes it back here. I'm just somewhat angry, once more, that there is no proper way of handling such a situation. I mean, that's only her natural unbuffed strenght and the only attack she has, I could not have done less - only meta and go for the grapple :/ But I'll roll with it, no worries :D - I only hope that the judges saw she only pawed it and it's still twitching as she runs back - and did not savagely kill it messily - I mean, at least there's no bite marks, right? :P
In your first post on the matter you also have 3 + 10.
Also, yay Natural 20 on stabilize!
Kazador stares in a mixture of awe and confusion as the fiend materialized. He had heard of outsiders, but had never seen one before. To have actual proof of their existence before him was not something he had ever seriously considered to be a possibility, for they were creatures of myth and legend. But when it attacked, his training took over. His craft was war, and when anything proved to be hostile his training took over. His runic hammer lashed out, his reflexes sped up by the potent magic of his helm.
The hare struggles mightily for its life in Nelly's jaws and manages to survive! When Nelly brings it back intact, pelt unharmed, and alive with great speed, it doesn't take the judge long to tally up her score and declare Janus and Nelly the victors of the haring.
Fyrtor is momentarily stunned as the demon appears, he'd expected something might happen, but not this. He curses as it strikes Harold, and then Tuion. As Nelly and Turion bring it down he moves to strike with his father's blade.
(+2 flanking?)
(+ +2studied?)
(+2 flanking? +2 Studied?)
(+ +2studied?)
[Ooc]I'm not sure if Fytor will be able to sneak attack it or not, but if he canhe'll be much more effective. Also keep in mind his sword is cold iron, if that matters)[ooc]
(+2flanking?)
(+2studied?)
That is indeed a confirm! 13 points of damage.
to identify, noting that if he fails by 5 he has false knowledge. I think this is free? if he has knowledge he'll pass it on, loudly! Holding off on shouting till I know what he has to shout about!
As per plan, grab the book and run. Technically his goal is to protect the book, and will provide it full cover, but if he drops to below 8 hp I think he'll concentrate more on protecting himself.
Not sure if he needs a standard to grab the book if he already opened it or not.
If he does: standard to grab (fighting defensively, I don't think a book's CMD is that hot), move for the stairs (may provoke)
If he does not: withdraw to the stairs.
Harold's mouth opens in shock as the suddenly appearing blade strikes home, then snaps shut. 'New trigger glyph? Good one, too.'
As per his plan he snatches the book, hunching over it to protect it from the fiend as he bolts for his pack at the foot of the stairs. 'Was that poisoned? I hope that tingling is adrenaline...' Once there he glances back to watch the unfolding melee, mouth opening to shout, then holding. 'They keeping it quiet on purpose?'
After Turion and Nelly knock the fiend down, Kazador and Fyrtor combine to finish it off. It disappears in a puff of sulfur and black smoke, banished back to the lower planes. Harold scampers away as a precaution, identifying the hostile as a salikotal devil (Harold knows the full statblock and lore).
A few moments later, you hear an insistent knock on the door. A neighbor calls out "Everything all right in there?! Sounded like some crazy fight or something!"
Janus casually strides to the door and opens it:"Hej, everything is all right, yes! Why, thanks for checking! It was just a friendly sparring match between 2 of my friends who disagreed about the effectiveness of headbutting in actual combat. Apologies if we got a bit louder - the lady of the house has a previous engagement with a friend, and we may have had a bit to drink. We'll try to keep it down."
Pausing a moment, he offers:"Or do you want to have a drink with us? Get to know each other? I'm afraid we're not fully stocked, yet, but my buddy there makes a mean cup of tea!"
Not making a big deal of being declared victor, he asks the judges if he may purchase the hare used: "It managed to survive, and thereby allowed us to win. In return, I would like to nurse it, then set it free outside the city. It earned that second chance."
He nods to the hunter with his impressive animal that likely came in second place, but does not seek to enter conversation with them. Instead, he takes half of his won coins and distributes the 100 gold among any kids or teenagers who decided to come to watch the Haring, possibly with their own animals in tow.(and if some promising youngsters that did not have "daddy" pay the entry fee are around, he'll cover them as well so it at least turns out zero-sum for them)
He was, of course, wondering if the lord present intended to contact him but until he would do so, he could as well do something worthwhile.
Fyrtor lets Turion handle the caller at the door and moves to see to Harold's wounds. "Damnit I wish Mel were here. Here, this should take care of most of the pain."
Kazador willed his hammer to change shape once more, and as he did so his armor shimmered as it cleaned itself and took on the form of regular clothing. Looking presentable once more he opened the door a crack.
”Sorry ‘bout that. Was moving furniture and dropped it, shoulda been more careful. I’ll try an’ keep it down.”
"That's a Salikotal devil!" he whispers, handing the book to Fyrtor. "Look it up! An infernal assassin. If it'd been able ta concentrate, instead of havin' to fight off you three.. or if we'd not been ready for it... This is bad."
Having given the Saliharion to Fyrtor he turns his attention back to the journal "Might not have long 'fore someone knows we killed it. Gotta read this now! Stand ready!"
A man of about thirty dressed in a plain frock nods to Janus, satisfied with his explanation. "Just keep it down." The Kaz promptly contradicts Janus and the man looks confused between the two of them. "Wait... was it a headbutting contest or were you moving furniture?" He now looks suspicious.
Baron Jonathan Cust, sponsor of the haring and one of your targets, approaches with a smile. "Well done, indeed! Your hound moved with speed but also single-minded focus!" He chuckles. "It's almost as if she could think like a man!" He tosses Janus an extra pouch, a small one. "That's for producing an impressive sight worth seeing. Do you think you could train any of my hounds to take orders like that? That would be a marvel when I go hunting."
Char moves quietly up to the side of the building and listens but can't make anything out. She does, however, spot a (likely locked), ground floor window. Peering carefully through the window, she sees it leads into an empty back room.
"Drop the act, Kaz. You were not dropping furniture, you were throwing it. At your sparring partner. Because you were angry he dodged your headbutts."
Túrion smiles at the man apologetic: "As said, the argument turned into a sparring match, and that turned a bit loud. And yes, we got furniture involved. Please do not tell the lady - nothing broke except some vials and she doesn't need to know if we manage to replace those before she notices..."
A gesture common enough in regular dogs, but not something she would do for just anybody:"It is fate that brought us together, it seems. I came to this city in hope of working as an animal trainer - I figured the new model army may need someone to take care of theirs - or, even better, to find employ with a lord - I admit it was one reason we took part in the haring, hoping to get someones attention."
Indicating the streaks of grey in Nellys fur, he continues:"This girl here has had a lot of experience, and I reared her since she was a puppy! I will have to see your hounds. Not all animals are born with the same capabilities - same as with us humans - but I am confident I could train them to the peak of their potential, if you'd employ me. If you'd like to discuss the possibilities, I would be happy to come take a look at your hounds at whatever time is convenient for you!"
I'll have to take a page out of mom's book instead.
Reaching into her haversack, she produces the bag of jewels she bought as easily-portable cash. She pulls out a single, small, nicely-cut diamond worth about 50 gp, and tucks the bag back into her haversack. Just in case, she gently tries opening the window to confirm that it is in fact locked.
Pressing one sharp tip of the diamond against a window pane, she presses firmly and slices a rough circle in it. She follows up with an X across the circle. The diamond makes a whispery rasping noise as it bites into the glass.
With that done, she tucks the diamond into her belt pouch, wraps one hand in her cursed cloak, and applies firm, steady pressure against the weakened pane.
I hope this doesn't make too much noise, she thinks.
The man shakes his head and rebukes the both of you "Just keep it down, ok?" Then he walks back to his nearby residence.
You successfully cut through the window and push the pieces of glass inwards but they shatter loudly against the floor of the back room. You hear steps moving to open the door to the back room.
Fyrtor shakes his head confused, then looks in the Saliharion as directed.
Fyrtor tries to make his way through the book quickly, but the extra notes and his unfamiliarity with what he his looking for leave him struggling. "Harold, what does it matter? It was a demon, we killed it. You said something like that could happen."
Harold looks up for a moment, then heads back down into the journal as he mumbles on. "I was expectin' an imp. Maybe a hellhound. Got an infernal assassin. All your dedication is mud if it kills you 'n' drags your soul to Hell. This is serious security. Doubt we killed it, either. Sent it back, maybe. That buys us time, maybe enough time, but that's a bad enemy to have."
”Can it come back? That is, by it’s own will? Thought them otherworldly beasties needed cultists or whatnot to bring them here.” He asked, looking at the book warily.
You slip away quietly into the night, evading any pursuit.
Harold and Janus confer and are quite confident it was a summoned devil so it is not truly dead. It won't be able to be return unless specifically summoned.
I daren't try to eavesdrop again. They'll be on their guard. But sooner or later he'll leave. Perhaps I can get a glimpse of the person he was meeting as he does. If I am very lucky, they may even leave themselves to report to someone else, and then I can follow them to see where they go.
She grimaces. But I may have already used up my luck for the night. We'll see.
After deliberating a moment, she takes out a potion and swallows it. The darkness fades into sharp black-and-white clarity as it takes effect.
Sure would be handy to have this all the time, she thinks. These potions are expensive.
As she waits, Char suddenly hears a masculine voice, apparently from right next to her.
"... will be awfully cold tomorrow," it says.
She whirls toward it, one hand going to the dagger at her side.
There is no one there. The street is empty.
She pauses, tense, scanning for any sign of the speaker.
Nothing.
A shiver runs up her neck, setting the little hairs on end. You're losing it, she thinks to herself.
Thoroughly unnerved, she moves carefully to a different observation spot and resumes waiting.
You wait for about half an hour then a thickly set man of about thirty ushers Davis out the door, nearly shoving him. Davis begins hurriedly walking away, glancing about nervously.
Char watches Davis as he passes, trying to get a sense for his emotional state.
She lets him go, reasonably certain that he's going home. We know where to find him if need be, she thinks. She returns her attention to the linen shop, waiting to see if there is any further activity worth noting.
"Ok, that's good to hear. Now, let me take a look at that cut." Fyrtor then casts a spell that causes Turion's wound to close up and mostly heal.
"Harold, what did you find out from the book? Did you figure out who Johnathan is communicating with?"
Harold raises a hand "Memorisin'" he grunts, without looking up "Gunna need a lead box to put this in pretty soon."
"Not necessarily. They won't give us any more information via this. Unless you mean to provoke them by saying hi and seeing if we can lure them into making a mistake, there is little reason to keep it."
Túrion moves to look at the writing as well - figuring 4 eyes would retain more information than 2, then adds:"I share your doubts that we'll be able to use this as evidence - if they erase the contents, we may as well get rid of the physical object."
Davis clearly seems anxious. Several minutes later, a tall man with a scar over his left eye, a dirty face and hands, and plain clothes with some holes in them walks out of the linen shop.
Having deciphered the command word and fought off the infernal guardian of the book, you begin reading the pages, both those written by Davis and the messages he has received. He has been communicating with someone (the handler) who doesn't identify themselves but has been giving Davis clear instructions. You determine several key facts:
Davis has been directed to keep a small portion of the stolen funds and give the rest to "the shop." Apparently, Davis knew what this location was without having to be told in the book as it isn't clarified there.
The handler explains to Davis exactly how to steal the funds and often has to explain slight adaptations of the plan in excruciating detail for Davis, who doesn't seem to be much of a criminal mastermind. Davis keeps a bag of holding concealed by a permanent greater magic aura on his person. He waits until a large treasury transfer is about to be made then steals an amount of funds small compared to the transfer but large by non-royal standards. There is often an audit after the transfer but the transfer itself involves several steps and employees so the audit has difficulty determining what is responsible for discrepancies.
Davis' handler writes with an air of authority and often threatens Davis if the clerk doesn't hold up his end of the deal or makes mistakes. The threats range from private revenge against him or his wife in the night to the public punishments for treason that would be executed upon him if he were found out.
It doesn't look like the same man that let Davis in. Char doesn't detect any disguise.
Char follows the man for a fifteen minutes until he ducks into a seedy-looking tavern where load dice games and drinking songs are clearly occurring.
Char uses her self-imposed delay to cautiously circle the place, checking for back doors, in case going into the tavern was merely a pretext to emerge on the other side. She makes a note of the tavern's name or sign, as well.