Clarabibulus Flingflopsparkfizz |
Semus, assuming you get out ahead of the ogre and are using local knowledge to try to lose him, remember you get a one time in the next hour +1 to a mental role or save from the fizzy pop.
Serenatholos |
"Of course we are. I have my bow out because I quite clearly enjoy stabbing people with daggers, and blood is quite clearly all over my hands." He sighs, wishing that for once things would just go his way in times of trouble. Well, whatever. "I apologize, honored cousins. My temper has seen better days. In any case, I think it would be wise to establish facts before throwing accusations about, don't you?" Seren smiles gently at them. "I assure you, I did not stab that man from fifty feet away. There was another, whom I attempted to stop, both with magic and a warning, but he was too fast. Wearing a black cloak, naturally, so as to obscure his or her identity." No doubt they'd disbelieve him. That was just how these things went, after all. He wondered idly whether the man was strong willed, or a fellow elf. The latter thought made him wince. No doubt they would declare whomever it was a dark elf, if such was the case.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 = 16 Oh, that's right. I think I'll use that on my roll.
High God of Krynn |
The three men look at Seren and then each other and then sheathe their blades. "We believe you." Says he head elf in elven, "This is our brethren, Wylin Swiftfox. I know not who would want to kill him but I appreciate your efforts in trying to capture the man. I suspect he might have been a dark elf by the name of Aranol. Only he would have a grudge enough to murder Wylin in cold blood. We shall take his body and make sure that it is delivered properly for the burial rites."
As the men get closer you can see they're Silvenesti elves but look sickly with pale white skin and an ill look to them. They seem to want to keep under their robes as though the light of the sun makes them uncomfortable.
High God of Krynn |
Semus is easily able to duck, dodge and tumble about evading the clumsy large arms of the Ogre as he crashes into various obstructions along the way and trips several times trying to catch the nible Kender. Eventually the commotion attracts a few squads of Dark Knight soldiers who are able to subdue the Ogre although a few get knocked out by the massive fists of the Ogre in the process. They tie up the Ogre, lock him in irons and then put him on a wagon and take him toward the Dark Knight stronghold.
Semus Cloverleaf |
Semus chuckles by himself for a bit and finds a quiet corner to rest for a few moments. After he catching his breath, Semus heads to the wounded crow, stopping by a street vendor to buy something to eat along the way.
This would go well with some of that fizzy pop..., on second thought, almost anything would!
High God of Krynn |
The woman raises an eyebrow at Drake when he mentions Star Eyes, she then says, "Ah yes. Such a reagent is quite rare indeed. I keep a small stock in back for special order. Please follow me sir and I will show you what I have."
She lifts up the divider plank and leads Drake into the back through a door behind the counter. Drake enters a small storage room area as she closes and locks the door behind her. She looks to Drake and says, "You know the password so I assume you are the agent sent to retrieve the package. Who is it you serve?"
High God of Krynn |
She says, "I see, the Knights of Solamnia are lending aid to the Legion. I suppose we need to accept any help that we can get. I suppose you are here to retrieve the intelligence package. I shall retrieve it. Wait here."
She leaves the storage room through a side door. A few minutes later she comes back out with a tightly sealed package. "Here is the intelligence package. Agents of the Legion and myself have spent many months receiving intelligence on the Dark Knight numbers and operations. This package is of the up-most secrecy. By no means must this package fall into the hands of the Dark Knights. You must defend the package with your life and see it is delivered to Legion Fortress at Ak-Khurman safely. Can you do this?"
Clarabibulus Flingflopsparkfizz |
Clara is impressed and very curious to hear about this rare reagent. While Drake is in the back she looks around for anything she could use...but mostly she's mad with curiosity.
Star eyes. Star eyes. Does that ring a bell? Could it be something my fizzy pop is missing? Surely I need to learn more!
When Drake returns, maddening seconds later, she cranes her neck looking for it, almost bouncing up and down.
"Star eyes? That MUST be rare. I've been studying alchemy for twenty years now and don't think I've heard of it. Does it have another name? Is love to check it out myself!"
Serenatholos |
"A dark elf, in Pashin?" Seren scowls at the thought, though his eyes are filled with sadness as he notices the marks of the illness on the Silvanesti. His mind quickly goes over what he's heard of Aranol. "And a grudge, you say...? This does not make for good hearing, my friends... But then what does, these days?" He runs a hand through his hair, hoping that the Silvanesti know something about the criminal gang. "Do you know if he has any connections to those Nerakans who are led by the criminal Pegrin? Or perhaps you have heard of Derg?" He closes his eyes for a moment. "Bandits, perhaps cunning and useful allies for the dark elf?"
Bardic Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
High God of Krynn |
One of the elves says, "Derg, yes I have heard of and seen the man. He's a bloody half-breed mongrel that's what he is. Seen him with a bunch of rough and tumble humans in town. And as for the Nerakans they're all criminals in my opinion, evil the whole lot of them I tell you. As for Aranol working with the Dark Knights, its possible but unlikely. The Dark Knights hate all of elvenkind. Aranol likey targeted Wylin as he was the one who exposed Aranol's crimes and had him exiled in the first place."
Serenatholos |
"What crimes were these? If you prefer not to answer, I understand completely..." Seren asks quietly, eyes gentle.
High God of Krynn |
The elf replies, "Aranol is a thief. He committed numerous acts of grand larceny and other evils in the city of Silvanost. The punishment for such crimes was branding as a Dark Elf and exile from our lands. I shant speak further of that forsaken one except that I'll put a knife in his gullet if he ever shows himself again.
Seren as a Qualenesti elf knows that the criminal justice system of elves is very strict. Being branded a dark elf and exile is a common punishment for crimes. While they might try and reform those who do petty crimes, grand larceny is an unforgivable offense. Indeed if the laws in Qualenesti lands were like that, image how the Silvanesti react to crime.
Datura Oleander |
Datura is as irritated as Seren sounds. More Silvanesti, laying the fault on their cousins without even looking at the facts first. Two unarmed and bloodfree elven cousins standing beside the victim of a vicious knife wound. Seren handled it quite well, though, so while she spoke he did what he's good at.
He coaxes Awd over and has her take in the odors of the area, starting around the corner the man took of down. While she does it her way, he uses his own practice and expertise, looking for all the telltale signs of another's passing. As they talk he simply adds, "If you want to put a knife in him, Awd and I may be able to arrange that." He mentions, pointing to where he thinks he may have found something
Survival to Track (<= linked) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Awdrithicus |
As Datura looks around the area, Awd's filament-thin receptors, test the air for the odor. First she was distracted by the blood and meat on the ground, but Datura showed her where the trail of blood he wanted her to follow might lead. Instinctually she hungered at the thought of wounded prey. She didn't realize that it was the hunter she was hunting.
Track by Scent (also linkied) 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
High God of Krynn |
Datura and his Awdrithicus try and follow the trail left by the man. Indeed Daturna follows the scent with the aid of the plant creature until he sees his prey took a cunning path across some rooftops where the plant creature cannot easily follow and track. The trail's path leads eventually to the gates of Pashin and into the desert to the east. Unless Datuna and his friend are going to chase him outside of town in unfamiliar terrain, he's efficiently gotten away.
Datura Oleander |
After a complex path through the city's highs and lows, Datura concedes that the man is making his way out of the city with haste. "Well, it appears he is on his way out of the city, heading east. I'd be willing to follow him, but I already agreed to help on another task by one of your brethren. If he's running out into the desert, he may not be coming back. I don't know."
High God of Krynn |
Datura, this actually takes a while to complete the chase. By this time the Elves have wrapped their dead friend in a blanket and taken him away so this efficiently is your action before your planned meeting outside the Wounded Crow.
The elves proceed to take out a blanket and wrap their dead colleague up with it. They then proceed to carry him off. One elf says to Seren, "Thank you for your efforts to catch the killer at least. May you always walk the way of Eli."
Serenatholos |
Seren will be going with him, and I don't mind if it takes the rest of our time. He'll have to decide.
Seren blinks, tilting his head. "You already found something?" He sounds most impressed, and indeed, is rather impressed. The Kagonesti druid was already proving his worth, after all, and he was sure that would continue to be the case. "We should probably inform our... companions, including the good mage. Do you suppose you can keep track of him if we go to find the others?"
In the meantime, though, he sighs, struggling to figure out how he can help the sick Silvanesti, but shivers and pushes the thought aside. "And may Queen Illumini watch over you..." He says softly, shaking his head. "I see..." He responds to Datura.
Drake Steelwind |
Indeed, my lady, I will guard the package with my life, and you know what they say about a Knight of Solamnia and his word. *wink*
Am I supposed to see the contents of this package and be privy to its information, or should it remain sealed until it reaches the Legion post at Ak-Khurman?
After getting her reply, Drake exits the back room and is bombarded with the gnomes questions. He then chuckles and squats down to eye level with his little companion and whispers
Can you keep a secret my friend?
If she says yes, he will continue with
There are no Star Eyes, that was just my way of letting the nice shopkeeper lady know that I needed to speak with her privately.
With that he stands back up and ruffles her hair playfully
Well, unless you have purchases you wish to make little one, I'd say lets be on our way.
High God of Krynn |
Kludia says, "The package should be unopened when it arrives at the Legion Headquarters. The less you know of its contents the less chance that the information will be gained by the Dark Knights. In fact it would be better if you didn't tell anyone that you have this package. If you have any traveling companions they also should not be trusted to know about the package.
High God of Krynn |
Terevalis looks around for wizard stores and finds absolutely nothing. The closest thing is the Alchemist Shop, Old Omar's Oddities in the town and even then it only has reagents and potions. He also could go the the Bazzar and shop around with the many dealers and hope to find something of a magical sort. The best source of magical items and scrolls would be the Dark Knights but they wouldn't be to keen to sell to elves.
Datura Oleander |
Datura is a little confused by what Seren is suggesting, "What about our other mission, shouldn't we take care of that first? I mean, I could try tracking, but every hour we wait the trail grows harder to follow for both of us."
High God of Krynn |
Indeed there is a temple in the town. The temple of the stars, the most ancient building in Khur. It has a mix of constructive techniques in its design, with a mix of carved stone, sandstone and other materials. The inside of the temple proper has multiple shrines, each to one of the Gods. Even Paladine and Takhisis have a shrine there. As for the head priest, he is an aging Khurish man with the colours and holy symbol of Zilivan, although there is also a number of acolytes who tend to the various shrines, most of them mystics or clerics of Zilivan.
Serenatholos |
Seren sighs, wondering why the Kagonesti cannot see what is so clear to him. "Yes, Datura, we should take care of that first. But the two events could be connected, yes? Aranol was cast out for grand larceny. Now think, dear cousin, who have we already established is stealing and selling elven artifacts and goods on the open market?"
He waits patiently for the wilder elf to make the connection.
High God of Krynn |
Terevalis enters the temple and sees a large number of parishners praying to the various Gods at different shrines. The effigys of the gods are generally their human manifestations with their respective holy symbols marking each of the shrines. Terevalis spends time doing quiet conteplation to the Gods of Magic feeling more centered afterwards having shown his respects.
As the players have got all their side-actions finished we'll move to the next stage.
A few hours later the party gathers outside the Wounded Crow tavern. They soon find that a makeshift stage has been built and a large crowd of people consisting of a mix of Khurites and Nerakans have gathered. The Khurites of the crowd are overly excited, chattering in Khur. Those who understand Khur hear that the Hearld is about to show himself and are looking forward to hearing his tales.
The Nerakans look to be mainly civilians although there are a few Dark Knight soliders at the outskirts of the crowd observing the gathering carefully. The Nerakans seem more reserved about the event showing curiosity rather than actual admiration for the hearld
When the time comes, the Hearld comes onto the stage. A man probably approaching 70 walks onto the stage. He is balding on the top of his head, but white hair still hangs out the back of his head. He has a trim well kept beard and he is dressed in a fairly modest white robe. There is a weathered looking eyes as though he has seen very much in his life. There are cheers from the crowd as he goes onto the stage. He raises his hand and speaks with an Abasasinian accented common. "Thank you, everyone. May you please hush your words so I may weave a tale for thee."
With that the crowd quiets down to listen. The Herald begins to speak.
"I am known as the Herald. The Memories of Krynn are mine to know and share. In my dreams I have lived many other lives. I have lead men into battle on the side of good and evil. I have fought on dragonback and weilded the mighty dragonlance. I have lived, loved, and died a thousand times. This eve, I shall share some of my tales with you."
The crowd begins to shout, "Tell us of Huma!" A Khurite yells.
"Tell us of Raistlin and the Dark Queen! Tell us of lord Ariakan's fall among the minions of Chaos!" A Nerekarian yells.
The stern gaze and hand motion from the Herald silences the shouting and he says "I have another story for you this afternoon." The Herald intones, "I will tell you this day of a young girl named Mina and of a great war, once fought not over the control of Krynn but of the souls of its people."
Hearld's Tale: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (6) + 24 = 30
The Herald weaves a gripping tale of the events of the war of souls. His lyrical words flow as he tells events in grand detail and the skill that only a master bard such has himself could tell.
While a majority of the crowd is gripped in excitement from his tale, the Nerekarians do not seem to be taking kindly to his words. While he is very honest in his Oration the Nerekarians take offense. They yell out taunts and geers and some start flinging rocks and mud at the Herald. In turn the Khurites inflamed the words of the Herald over the sins of the Dark Knights during the War of Souls start to get very unfriendly towards the Nerekarians of the crowd. Things are getting out of hand, FAST. What are the you doing in response to this?
Datura Oleander |
Datura sees all the commotion build up, and he can't seem to get why. If these humans want to pummel each other over a story, he's more than willing to let them, but they shouldn't take it out on the teller. Stories of the past are to inform, enlighten, and hand down knowledge to the generations following. The old man didn't decide what happened, he just passes it along.
He decides to move towards the stage, ideally to be close enough to protect the old man should someone attempt to harm him over the telling of the actions of Mina. He is comforted to see that the human, Drake, seems to have the same idea.
Terevalis Unctio of House Mysti |
Terevalis will look around to see if anyone approaches the Solamnic or the Kagonesti in a menacing manner and if need be will wallop them upside the head with a quarterstaff. (Holding a prepared action).
High God of Krynn |
The old herald seems somewhat dazed as he gets struck with a hail of stones one of that hits him in the head (dazed the first round of combat). Fortunately Drake is able to jump onto the stage and wade the hale of chucked objects that bounce harmlessly off his armor although leave him somewhat dirty. Suffice to say the Khurites of the crowd do not take well to the Nerakians assaulting the beloved Herald and the tensions hit a boiling point as Nerakians and Khurites engage in a massive brawl in the streets. In the meantime a group of six Nerakians from push their way through the crowd and start moving to try and assault the herald himself only to have those willing to block for him. These men look like commoners but they are extremely angry and willing to attack anyone who gets in their way to the Herald. You will have to deal with these thugs before you can make an escape.
As these thugs really aren't much of a threat to PC's I won't have this as a map battle. They're attacking you unarmed with fists but all of them have improved unarmed strike so count as armed when they attack.
Thug Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
In addition the Dark Knight soldiers are getting organized seeing the riot break out. The soldiers will blow their alert horns this round and/or draw their cugels and prepare to do some riot breaking activities. In 1d6 ⇒ 5 rounds reinforcements will arrive.
Serenatholos |
Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Round 1 Action:
Seren, noticing the thugs growing closer to the elderly man (who probably was younger than him, come to think of it...), steps back, frowning, and draws his dagger. Hopefully, the Dark Knights wouldn't attempt to throw them in prison for defending an old man's life? Well, they probably would, at that... Especially with Nerakans on the other side. "Come now, my friends... Surely this does not have to end in violence! If the Dark Knights come, they will have no mercy for the lawbreakers, you know." He hoped.
Readying the following action for when one gets close enough:
"Back, Nerakan scum!" He slashes at the closest one's thigh, assuming that there is one in melee range only to swiftly reverse the attack, using his pommel to club at the man's temple.
I can't find whether Feinting is a free action or something else, so disregard the attack if it isn't.
Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Attack: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (1) - 4 = -3
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 nonlethal.
High God of Krynn |
Seran moves to engage one of the thugs and while his bluff catches him off guard is successful a non-lethal strike with the dagger fails as he does a clumsy blow that totally misses the mark. The thug seeing him take a swing says, "Ha just like a panzy elf! I'll show you how a real man hits!" and turns to engage Seren to sock him one (If he gets to act on his init)
Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 Non-Lethal.
Terevalis Unctio of House Mysti |
Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Attack to bonk someone upside the head 1d20 ⇒ 8
Damage if applicable 1d6 ⇒ 3
Clarabibulus Flingflopsparkfizz |
initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Oh my heavens! Clara exclaims. She sees no real upside in wading into a brawl so instead she backs into the shadows as best she's able.
stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
She'll have her dex mutagen ready in her hand, and she'll ready a (move) action to chug it and take Total Defense, which together would put her AC at 25.
------
Back at Omar's Oddities, Clara was a touch crestfallen that Star Eyes wasn't real, but believes Drake. She poked around the shop for a bit but couldn't afford anything interesting, and so after a minute or two was ready to walk back to the Inn with Drake.
High God of Krynn |
Perception Check: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
While it is difficult, Clarabibulus being a small sized Gnome fails to attract any attention from the rampaging crowd or the thugs and she's able to slip away into the shadows through ducking through a few legs and squeezing through gaps. She has successfully gotten to safety.
Datura Oleander |
Initiative 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Seeing all the ruckus, he is actually reluctant to get involved until the thugs bring the fight to him. He keeps his back to the stage to make it harder for any of them to surround him. Looking to Awd, he doesn't want her to attack, just help keep him safe. Luckily, she has adapted enough to that without command.
He decides it would look bad if he pulled weapons, but that didn't stop him from using the divine grace of Chislev to aid him. Cautiously he begins to cast, avoiding provoking anyone, or getting jostled. He speaks a prayer in sylvan, "World Mother, please grant me the strength of the very stone beneath our feet." As he does this, he pulls a small chip of granite from his pouch and breaks it, holding each half in a clenched fist.
Stone Fist, Casting Defensively 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Awdrithicus |
Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 convenient, since she goes when she would have anyways, only when someone threatens Datura.
Awd pays no real attention to all the noise, and really has no clue what it is all about. What she does recognize is that there may be danger for her tender. She is more than willing to lash out at anyone that tries to harm him.
Bite anyone that attacks Datura 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11, likely misses, but just in case 1d6 ⇒ 4
High God of Krynn |
Actually that is a hit these men don't have armor on. The flower lashes out and bites the arm of one of the men. It sprays blood and he screams in pain and then quickly withdraws from the fight on his turn frightened of the biting carnivore flower. The one on Datura still proceeds to attempt a punch on him.
unarmed strike: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
The punch glances off the hide armor of Datura
Drake Steelwind |
Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Drake doesnt leave the Heralds side, pulls his greatsword, and announces, This man is under my protection, be forewarned, anyone who attempts to harm him will feel my wrath. I suggest you all walk away now.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Ready an action to attack anyone who moves to attack me or the herald with non-lethal damage, here are the rolls, if applicable
Non-lethal attack: 1d20 ⇒ 20
damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11