I use spell craft to see what spell it is that the old man cast
[dice=Spellcraft]1d20+8
I need to wait to see what the spell was before committing to any actions
Guidance.
Rennec will use his move action to load his cross bow and his standard to fire it at the young woman with the bow.
Rennec will also call out to Celebnen "Celebnen, it looks like they will soon need another body to help hold Elrich back, with the armour enchantment I've given you you should stand up in combat quite well there"
I'll give Celebnen until tonight and then update. Any further delays and i'll GM bot to make combat flow quicker
Celebnen feels the force slowly wrap abouts his body and moves forward keeping his blade in guard position.
The Training Exercise
Combat Round 2
Offense
Elrich closes the distance, moving to Slot 2 and slashes at Telthes.
His blade clashes across your scale mail, dealing no damage.
The old man casts another Guidance spell on the archer then moves to Slot 3.
The archer fires a shot at Telthes.
The arrows trails too far to the left.
The twins position themselves to flank Telthes, each of them attempting to slash at him. This leaves the Male twin easily flanked however.
The female twin misses but the male twin's blade catches Telthes in the leg.
A considerable blow!
Defense
In defiance of the wound, Telthes easily slashes at and drops the Male Twin to the ground. Let it be a lesson that Telthes is not easily felled.
Re'Tulan fires an impeccable shot.
The arrow pierces straight through her leather armor. She gasps, drops her bow and collapses to the ground.
Cydfrid makes a playful gest of a strike and misses. The sylph twin is far from amused, especially since her brother now lies bleeding to death.
Rennec's bolt goes wide and Celebnen moves forward to Slot 2, keeping a strong defensive posture.
Other
Two bystanders rush onto the field and remove the fallen from the training exercise. They are treated and slowly recover, hobbling over to keep watch as the rest of the exercise continues.
END OF COMBAT ROUND 2
Rennec will use his move action to reload his crossbow and then use his standard to fire at the Old Man in the back.
Telthes howls in pain, barely still on his feet. His next attack is a savage hack at the second twin. Manoeuvring so that his allies can flank if necessary.
Damage
Rennec will use his move action to reload his crossbow and then use his standard to fire at the Old Man in the back.
[dice=Light Crossbow]1d20+3
[dice=Potential Damage]1d8
I actually just plumb forgot about the extended reach. Telthes, an attack of opportunity is yours to roll.
AOO
Cydfrid, seeing the male sylph twin in the ground, drops his sword and raises her hands towards the female sylph twin.
"I Yield!"
He quickly turns towards the male sylph and spontaneously casts Cure Light Wounds on it (exchanging Enlarge Person).
After that he smiles at the female sylph, pointing at his sword.
"Can we continue?"
"I am going to go for their caster now" Re'Tulan communicates to the team as he aims another shot.
Celebnen watches as the arrows flies by him and heads for the human in the back.
Celebnen moves around Elrich intent on striking down the human behind Elrich, he fails to see that Elrich might have already calculated this action.
As he ignores Elrich's blade, unaware if it evens hits, he attacks the human.
The Training Exercise
Combat Round 3
Offense
The Sylph Twin recovers and attempts to strike Telthes, hoping for a finishing blow just as Telthes himself surges forward.
She suffers Telthes' assault but grins as her blade catches into his skin.
Elrich takes advantage of Cydfrd's pause to heal to push forward and attack him. Celebnen's movement also grants him an attack of opportunity.
Defense
Rennec's bolt goes wide, as does Telthes' attack of opportunity. However, his riposte slashes a wide arc into the Sylph's armor. She is visibly wounded.
Cydfrid graciously aids the fallen twin recover, earning him cheers from the bystanders.
Re'Tulan's arrows thuds into the old man's armor, hitting the target but not wounding him.
Celebnen dodges past Elrich's assault and maneuvers towards the old man. A single strike lays him low.
Other
Telthes remains standing but gravely wounded, Rennec is unharmed as is Elrich. The Sylph Twin is close to passing out as well. Celebnen lingers on the brink and Cydfrid is certainly out for the count.
END OF COMBAT
"That's enough for now Knights!"
A booming voice echoes across the training yard and a towering giant of a man strides onto the field. At his voice, Elrich drops to his knee as does the Sylph, indicating the fight is over.
"That was a tremendous display of potential recruits. You'll make fine Knights."
He dismisses the crowd and a silver armored healer moves forward to restore the fallen to consciousness.
The giant prepares to head back inside, the bells ringing for supper.
Elrich and his group moves forward to block your path.
"That was fantastic!"
He is visibly thrilled to have had the chance to fight you.
"We would love for you to join us at our table. I'd love to hear more about you. If you wish to of course."
As the wave of warmth passes over him he feels his the torn skin mend itself together. The pain while not unbearable still causes Celebnen some discomfort.
Your skill in the arena was commendable Elrich. While I do not speak for the others I will join you at your table to hear of your tales as well. No doubt you have been here longer than I and whatever knowledge you might impart would be useful.
Cydfrid looks for the sylph twins.
"Seems like you are a great team. I hope you feel good already. What are your names?"
He eyes the female charmingly.
That went rather well. Cydfrid seems to have lost it for a moment, but no harm done
Hanging his crossbow from its sling across his back, crossed with his staff, Rennec stretches a bit, slightly disappointed in his marksmanship, but happy his spells helped out.
In reply to Elrich,
"I would be most pleased to join you with Celebnen. The fight was quite a learning experience as I have little experience in combat with my companions. Your side did well in the fight also, as I doubt you were expecting Telthes' size, Celebnen's agility or Re'Tulan's skill with a bow."
"It is unusual to see other elementally touched warriors in your ranks."
Re'Tulan is noticeably excited and rejoices "Excellent! We did a good job. Thank you for testing us!" But what will father think?
Re'Tulan heads inside and prepares for a meal as instructed.
Elrich leads you to all to the supper hall and you all seat yourselves together with your sparring partners.
In response to Telthes' question
"Indeed, Sil and Laja are the only Sylph within our ranks and I believe you are the first Ifrit. As I'm sure you know, the politics of the elementborn often clash with the Order. Not all see Garagun as a threat to be slain."
A hush falls over the hall as one of the Seneschals steps forward.
"Today, we welcome new Knights to our Order. The Seneschals now believe we are enough to begin preparations for our final plans. As such, I'd ask that none leave these chambers until we are done. May you burn bright and never falter. We are the Flame."
The man steps back and is replaced by a powerfully built young woman, likely in her late twenties. Her bronze skin and deep black eyes speak of a foreign ancestry.
"That's Lady Nithya. She's one of the four Seneschals in charge of the order." Elrich whispers this softly.
"Knights, as you know, the dragon Garagun still slumbers. However, many of his Scions, including his two offspring are still alive and awake. Garagun's Worldspell ties him to the Vale of Ash as well. We cannot permit this any longer."
"Though we are but four dozen Knights, as of today, our Crusade begins. We will send Envoys to the king and queen, we will retrieve our founder's caches and we will slay the beast."
"Expect a letter of marque indicating your mission in your dorms. As for our newest arrivals, I'd ask that you meet me in my quarters before you turn in for the night. We have need to speak."
"That is all."
Elrich is the leader of his group. He's a Cavalier.
Sil and Laja are both Sylph Rogues, the former male, the latter female.
Taryna is an Archer Fighter.
Rohne is a Cleric.
They have no Arcane spellcaster on their group.
Cydfrid tries to keep near Laja.
"Lady Nithya seems like a capable warrior. How long have you been a member of the order?"
He does his best to be charming and attract her attention.
"The seneschal mentioned 2 offspring, are they full blooded dragons or half-breeds?"
Interested in the conversations around him Rennec mainly listens without speaking, choosing to wait until meeting with Lady Nithya to get he answers he seeks. However he does look to Elrich and ask a question.
"Elrich, what do you know of the types of missions we will embark on? With only four dozen knights will we be mainly seeking out new allies in the beginning or is there no need for that?"
"Have you ever seen a dragon before Elrich? I have read about them in my mother's books. Is there anything I should do to prepare? I have never hunted such a beast before."I hope father and mother are not worried about me.. Re'Tulan seems lost in his thoughts for a moment as he speaks to the other members of the Dragonsbane, but quickly refocuses and listens to his comrades.
Celebnen listens as the others speak to Elrich. He remains quiwt awaiting this audience with Lady Nithya. At the thought of avenging those who had died because of Gagnon's selfish rage he could feel his own anger coming up. Doing his best to maintain himself he stand up.
Shall we meet with Lady Nithya now? More answers to our questions would come from her and what it would determine the purpose we serve the order.
Cydfrid: "Me and my brother have been here for a little under a year now." She seems to open up slightly and if you have any further questions she'll likely answer them.
Telthes: "Full blooded offsprings unfortunately, though I wouldn't doubt that Garagun has sired half bloods."
Rennec: "Each group will be given a long term objective. I know for a fact that me and the rest of my group will be stationed at a much smaller outpost out near the Splinterwood and have been tasked with making it usable once more. I know a few others have been sent north to try and recover a weapons cache of the Order and one group is being sent on a diplomatic mission to the king and queen of the Vale."
Re'Tulan: "We have a long way to go before we are ready, and no I have not seen either Garagun nor one of its brood. I plan on being there when the time is ready however."
===
Later after supper, you make your way to the Lady's chambers. She politely invites you inside and has you seat yourselves around a large oak table.
"Greetings Knights, it's good to see new faces around the hall. Lord Valse has spoken to me of your bravery and your exercise out in the yard spoke of your strength and skill. As Tharic may have told you, initiates normally pas a gauntlet of sorts, and this time your mission will stand in its place."
"While my more veteran Knights will be sent on varying missions, there is a small matter that has come to my concern. A day's ride from here on the southern point of Candle Lake lies a small hamlet by the name of Saint-Ballard. One of our local contacts has not been heard from in at least a week and I've begun to worry. Though it has happened before, rumors of monstrous activity in the region of Candle Lake lead me to believe something may have happened."
"I ask that you head out to Saint-Ballard, locate your contact if possible and if not, determine his current whereabouts. If the hamlet itself is in peril, please come to its aid. As a precautionary measure, I've seen fit to send supplies to your room. When you return, your mission will be compensated as is due."
"Any questions so far?"
"should we let the locals know of our mission?"
Should be an easy enough mission so long as nothing is amiss
"I do have two questions, what types of monstrous activity has been reported, and will we be given horses to make the journey? I only ask about the horses because you say it is a days ride, but would probably end up being two days walking and it seems we should arrive with all haste, given your concerns."
Cydfrid tries to make small chat, trying to "make headway" with the Sylph. He will also ask about the missions she has participated in, on one side to make her talk about her (which girl doesn't like that) and on the other to learn about her team, the mission the order are invested in and the behaviour that is expected for him (and his companions) now.
---------------------
"What is the name of the contact? Where can we look for him? Does he has a recognizable feature? How can we make him know we are members of the order now?"
Lady Nithya you have acknowledged that you lost contact with your agent before? How long did it take for your agent to resume contact with you and where did they go? In case we need to look for this contact that would be a valid place to begin. Also in what manner does agent contact you? By way of bird, letters, arcana?
"What sort of monsters have you heard about my Lady?" Re'Tulan asks the lady as he thinks about what he can remember about the Candle Lake area
"Worry not, the mission is not secret. Feel free to investigate as openly as you wish."
"Your contact is Sir Richmond Thews. He should be staying at the local Church though with his absence of communication I doubt he'll still be there. Sir Thews has always communicated by way of messenger birds as do all Knights of the Order. His longest absence was five days, and he usually reports every three days. It's already been more than a week at this point. I still recommend asking around Saint-Ballard, inspecting his chambers at the church and then tracing his usual daily patrol around the Candle Lake area. He should be easily recognizable by his Order insigna as will you be."
"And fear not for the day's ride, we have means of sending you by carriage. It's a rickety thing but better than walking the distance. As for the monsters, a local lizardfolk tribe inhabits the estuaries of Candle Lake and a clan of Ogres live in the hills. Though they have not been of any particular trouble of late. I fear we are dealing with something more."
"Has there been any other word from the village?"
"Did Sir Richmond have a room here by chance? Maybe some personal effects. Looking over them will help me track him, if I may."
"The village is most likely safe. Any large scale attack would have been reported quite quickly. Sir Richmond did indeed have a room here, though it was one of the guest rooms. You're free to investigate there."
On that note, she wraps up the meeting. In your room you find that each of you has received a potion of cure light wounds. As well, a note states that you may acquire a masterwork version of either a weapon or armor you possess. For those who would rather, they may instead opt to obtain three 1st level scrolls of any spell in the Core Rulebook or Advanced Player's Guide. The three scrolls may be different.
As well, your carriage has ample carrying space. You are expected to depart the next morning after breakfast.
As for the guest room you easily find it with some help and are free to search as you will.
Each PC may make a Search check.
"Looking at the room is a good idea.
Going along with the others, Rennec takes the opportunity to help search the room with the others.
Celebnen heads to the room with others and starts to look around for any clues.
Re'Tulan looks through the guest room. Looking at what size boot Sir Richmond might have worn and trying to get an idea of his scent.
Your combined efforts spent searching the room yield the usual forgotten items of crumbled parchment, ink stains, a forgotten stocking... but a paper tucked away between the bedside table and the wall gives the following clue.
A rough sketch of Saint-Ballard and the surrounding countryside, a small woodland copse circled. The words Palvar written beside it.
Palvar is one of the early founding members of the Order.
Do you share this information with anyone?
===
Soon you are on the road again, rickety wagon speeding you off so to speak.
You arrive in the early evening and are dropped off at the local church.
The town is quiet but people walk about, heading to the inn or home.
Where do you begin your investigation?
"I suggest we start at the Inn, ask when the last time anyone saw him"
If no one knows who Pavlar is, Cydfrid will ask, casually, Laya, without mentioning the paper.
==================
Cydfrid looks around town.
"Sounds like a good idea."
"I have never road in one of these before. Its not a very agreeable form of travel. " Re'Tulan says as he bumps along."I agree Telthes, we should start at the Inn."
Happy that the carriage ride is done with, Rennec replies to Telthes suggestion.
"Yes I agree as well, the inn is the place to start. We can at least get lodgings there if there is no information to be had"