The young man narrows his eyes and is silent for a few moments, then he lifts the hook and pulls the massive door open further to admit you all. From further inside the shop, you hear a alto curse in a harsh language
"By Torag's left arm, boy, how many times have I told you not disrupt the currents?!"
and the pinging sound of metal on metal stops abruptly.
"Mistress, these folk are the professor's," the large young man answers, gesturing for you to hurry so that he can replace the door.
There is another curse, and abruptly a loud screeching sound as hot metal is introduced to cool water. A number of bangs and a clash later, a relatively tall dwarven woman wearing a thick leather smock and several faded tattoos on her impressive arms appears from further in the building, dabbing at her massive brow with a soft cloth.
"Go on, Vlade. The good Lord knows we've practiced enough shoes in our day. You'll not need my supervision to continue," she says to the boy in Common and jerks her head in the direction she recently quitted. She looks to you next, her brown eyes evaluating each of you. Her eyes rest on Uriah, and then widen briefly. "Now then, I hope that you have interrupted my droll employment with something considerably more exciting?" she says. "Was a b*tch to get those damned fires stoked this morning, winds whipping and changing at will."
Arkadi, still in charming mode, bows to her. "Excitement, Mistress, is not something we lack. We have secret cults, frightening haunts, ghastly children's rhymes, and dark secrets that linger in the shadows. What we find ourselves short on is facts. Facts are the tool to pin a mystery to the ground and force its exposure to the light of day." He flashes the smile again. "As one of the wisest elders of the town, we were hoping you might supply us with some."
Sandman beams at Jofra. "It is a pleasure to meet you Ms. Jofra! Kendra has been saying you are one of the wisest people here in town! As Arkadi was saying, would it be too much to speak with you and get some of of your thoughts on a few things we have discovered?"
Diplomacy
Jofra smiles faintly at Arkadi, and inclines her head in a nod to acknowledge the Sandman, though her eyes linger considerably longer. She, however, sighs. "Whelp, can't say as I've anything better to do than gab," she says with an air of complaint. "Was hoping to drum up some business, like the lead walls we put in over at the Professor's or," her eyes slide to Uriah's pistol again, "some work with arms. What manner of facts be ye interested in?"
Jofra gestures to a corner of this reception area which is devoted to displaying her works, leading you away from the door, and the source of air for her forge.
We seek account of Harrowstone and other strangeness about town, be it related to fell forces or perhaps extreme depravity. Dark topics to be sure but if the Professor was a client perhaps you can imagine why his ...people...would be looking into such thing?
Arkadi shrugs. "I've no idea. It isn't a ward against any sort of monster I know of." He follows after Jofra to the more remote corner. "Did you hear from the Professor why he wanted such an odd thing, Mistress? I would wager that it relates to the events of his death and what lead up to it. Which, as it happens, is one of the other things we're seeking facts about. Stories passed from one generation to the next twist and change, but you where there when Harrowstone stood and when it burned."
Uriah goes along silently with the group, but spends extra time examining the forge area.
Sandman leans up against the wall and listens to the conversation. If a question comes to him, he will ask, but for the moment, he is all ears.
"Father used the lead in his laboratory to bar divination magics," Kendra answers, slightly flushed. "It... was security."
Jofra shrugs. "Can't say as I've any talents with magic. Can be as the lady says," she says. "As for the prison, I don't know much. It was built when I arrived. I did some minor works for the warden and his boys, same as any who liked to eat in the town. Watched it burn, too," she admits and shakes her head sadly.
"There was a riot," she recounts, "and it and the boys, the warden and his wife burned. I take it some thing musta gone wrong there, weren't no reason or no place for the lady. And would be a damn s&&#e prison if it weren't able to keep them animals contained in that event. Lem, he said could disable the lifts..." Jofra spits a curse in Dwarven.
"That place is a mess. Ain't seen but the outlyin' buildin's, and they just as soon crumble if ya look at 'em wrong. You plannin' on takin' that?" she asks Uriah and nods to his pistol.
"Yeah, not surprised you noticed this. Take a look. Be careful, it belonged to my father. It's not loaded, don't worry."
Uriah takes out his pistol and lays it out for Jofra.
"I've been told it won't do me much good in the prison."
Jofra handles the pistol carefully, laying it on a display case and taking a good long look before she slides behind it, ducks down and picks up lock box. From a throng around her neck, she produces the key, then opens it, pulling up on the lid to show three different compartments displaying several components you recognize belonging to pistols and finally a completed one in the final compartment, resting on a bed of satin. It certainly looks very shiny to your eyes.
"Been buildin' 'em for years," she says. " 'Course, not many of the hicks here can afford 'em. Last time I showed any was for that arrogant c*ck Heathmount," she grumbles. "Aye, but fer the chance to disable the firing mechanism on that piece. Pegged him for the type to shoot at bottles, way he spends money."
"Well what does something like that cost? Do you have any ammo for firearms that are particularly harmful to the undead or ghosts?"
Yes of course divinations...obviously if he thought he was up against a cabal of some sort.
Levelle pauses while Sandman asks after the firearm issue then asks in turn, When was this work done for the professor? The wall lining I mean? And you said the warden and his wife were there when the prison burned...did you know them well at all?
Jofra looks at her display with some amount of pride. "This model is 1300 crowns. Ain't none all that special, bit more polished than the rest, but any with the coin to buy it can call it theirs. Last call I had fer makin' ammo was with the warden, for his piece, and none if it were anything like you describe. His were more of the intimidatin' shot than the killin' shot."
Jofra looks to Levelle. "Did the work for the good Professor some month before he moved in, bout... 10 year ago?" Jofra answers, looking to Kendra for confirmation on the time table, then shrugs. "Crafted the warden's piece and his bullets, but couldn't call him or the lady friend. She wasn't frequent in town, and him lesser still. The lads vouched for him bein' a good man."
"Well I tell ya Miss Jofra that is a mighty fine piece of hardware. Reckon I can't afford nothing like that, but I think the Padre is on to something. How much do you think it would cost to make ammo that could hurt ghosts?"
Who ever thought I'd ask such a question?
"I can craft the shot, sure, but... specializin'? Seems to me that you'd need see the priests if you've problems with undead," Jofra says, her eyes narrowed. "Why exactly you lookin' in to the prison again?"
Levelle look overto Kendra to see how "comfortable" she seems to be with Jofra.
Levelle shrugs ever so slightly. In his final correspondences and thoughts the Professor believed a danger to the town was manifesting at the prison. Given that he died there it only made sense for us to investigate...
Sense Motive
"As Levelle says, we believe there might be a danger to the town, and it's roots dig deepest in the prison. The Professor spent a great deal of time, resources and ultimately his own life on researching here. I know we are outsiders, but If you could think of anything strange or dangerous about the prison, or even in the area, it could help us in up rooting this seed of darkness that the Professor has been digging for. Any clue, advise or info would help and be most appreciated."
Diplomacy
No bad vibes. She's being as frank and helpful as a dwarven craftsperson with no stat block because the GM is lazy can be expected to be.
Jofra sighs. "Listen, they say the place is haunted 'round here. Have since it burnt. Now," she pauses and looks at each of you, "I hardly be in on the know seein' as it's pretty obvious that I don't really belong. I keep mah nose clean, pay mah rent on time, and I do my job with courtesy. I ain't got no beefs with these folk.
"Seem to me, though, eh, that if you don't want yer young pokin' about dangerous places, you make up all manner of stories," she continues and gives a decided nod. "It be news to me the Professor was interested, so it may be as you say. And if that be the case, I be real careful about who you go runnin' to with that sort of tale. Way I heard it at the tavern was there plenty of folk who won't be bothered none to smile at ya, if you get mah meaning."
"Aye well, not too many friendly to outsiders in these parts. I thank you kindly for your information, it'll come in handy if we're to stick around for a while."
Seems we'll need to talk to that wizard after all if I'm to fight ghosts with my gun.
Levelle looks over to Arkadi who has been silent but presses on. Yes we are probably not well thought of after the violence at the burial. Hopefully some of the townsfolk will see we mean Kendra here only good and perhaps bring our skills to aid in whatever way the locals see fit while we are here. Looking over the storefront Levelle tilt her head, Would you care to guess who might be more...friendly with us?
"If it be you and the lady there, you might try Councilman Muricar," Jofra suggests.
Kendra blanches almost immediately, and pulls at the cuff on her gloves to avoid making eye contact. "I do not believe that that will be necessary," she demurs.
Jofra throws her head back and laughs, then begins closing the box displaying the pistol. "Can't say as I blame ya, Lady," she says. "Look," she continues and rests a broad hip against the counter. "Folk here ain't got much, and ain't too eager to understand much more. Lookin' for an ally, I say visit the Laughing Demon. Zokar's son ain't what you'd call learned, but he ain't dim neither. Posts what counts for news 'round here." Jofra shrugs. "Spend money. Not in charity, mind. Everyone feels a little more secure with coin weightin' their pockets."
Waits to see if anyone else has anything to say or ask of Jofra.
So strange didnt see Aria last post till now.
Levelle nods as Jofra imparts her wisdom, Thank you for the information. We appreciate your time. May we call again if we have other questions?
Arkadi blanches slightly. "Drinking? In public? But..." His objections trail off and his bows his head. "We asked your advice, and you've given it. I suppose we'd be fools to seek it out and then ignore it. Thank you for your time."
"Aye. And bring some coin wit'cha the next, and I'll set out tea and cakes," Jofra jests and laughs, mild grumbling sound.
Jofra leads you out the door, presumably and you surmise from the sound, adjusting for the amount of air that pours into the forge at your exit. Without, in the town center, a little boy sits on the steps of a rather large gazebo, its focal point, a crude wooden flute in his hands. A disgustingly filthy and matted stray approaches him, and though any person with sense should clear the mutt away and reduce the risk of contracting disease, the young boy reaches a chubby hand out and scratches behind the animal's ears. Behind the pair, on the dais is a series of progressively higher stands arranged in a semi circle, likely to host a band. As you approach, the boy appears quite dower, you suspect that he was hoping for some entertainment, and all he was afforded was some queer comfort from the mangy dog. The little boy sighs, and then bring the flute to is lips, and begins playing a tune.
Little boy song
Stirge Stealth
Dog Perception
After a few moments of the song, the dog falls back on his haunches, the fur on his back rising and he begins growling and barking.
If you make this DC, you see that there are three tiny flying creatures with long, barbed proboscis and barbed legs descending upon your position, likely they were hiding in the rafters of the gazebo.
The creature before you is a Stirge. If you make higher than 11, I will let you know what else you know.
"Hey there lad, I don't think your dog likes that music."
Uriah backs away from the dog.
"Why is all the music in this town so odd?"
Levelle catches the creatures wheeling towards the group. Stirges! Beware! After the last incident the wizard brings up her hands and casts her spell of armor as fast as her hands and lips will allow.
Perception
"What? Where?" Sandman asks as he looks around for whatever a 'Stirge' is.
Init
Needing no warning, Arkadi snaps into an alert defensive posture and draws his weapon.
Kendra Perception
Kendra Kn. Arcana
Rolling Intiative (except where otherwise rolled)
Arkadi Spektor
Uriah Hays
Kendra Lorrimor
Levelle Mahe
Stirges
Surprise Round
Having effectively gotten the drop on the party, the tiny insect like creatures buzz and begin their assault on the two closest targets, Uriah and the Sandman, while the third hovers above the child while he plays.
and , and
Uriah and the Sandman are stabbed with the elongated proboscis of the horrible pests and you can see as their life blood is sucked from their bodies. The creatures barbed legs close around their victims, locking their arms in place as they seem intent on continuing to feed.
Kendra looks on, horrified, "Stirges... suck their victim's blood," she says, the information now mostly moot. She casts to protect herself.
Arkadi looks on in horror as the unnatural creatures latch onto his companions. He barks out, "Someone stop that boy's fluting, it seems unnatural." If the stirges have already been dealt with he sees to that himself, otherwise he'll ready his faith and make a slash at the nearest one.
Round 1 Init 18
HP = 11
AC = 16
+3 Fort, +5 Ref, +3 Will
Ammo:
..Paper Cartridges 10/10
..Black Powder 8/10, Firearm Bullet 8/10
Weapon Equipped = None
Speed = 30' (20')
Grit = 3
Status Effects = -1 Constitution
Uriah draws his kukri and attempts to cut the foul creature off.
"Gahh! Dear Goddess! Giant Mosquitos!"
Sandman tries his best to brake free...
Cmb
Round One (thus far)
Uriah's attempts to cut away the stirge fail, and he is hopelessly caught in its vaguely, and terrifyingly, intimate embrace as it feasts upon his life's blood. Sandman struggles within his, but fails to find purchase.
Kendra fires a bolt of magical energy at the stirge hovering above the child, hitting it square in the torso and melting away a good deal of flesh. Unfortunately, the damage is mostly surface, and while disgusting, does little to disable the threat.
Arkadi steps forward to assist Sandman with his enemy, and cuts the foul creature in twain. The proboscis is jarred in the act, sending another thrill of pain through the cleric's body, but as its weight falls away, so too the offensive projectile, with some aide from Arkadi.
Levelle nods to herself as Arkadi indicates the boy as a threat. Unsure that the boy or some fell force may be at play Levelle is reluctant to do harm to the boy...too much.
Levelle plants her feet and swings her arm out and back towards her, much like a wave crashing to shore as she speaks words of power.
A wave of water erupts behind the boy and pushes him forward.
Levelle's Hyrdraulic Push manages to bull rush the little boy off his perch on the gazebo, sending him face first into the cobblestone below, and breaking his toy flute.
"Owwww!" he groans, and begins making keening noises as a prelude to sobbing.
Round 1 Summary
Uriah and Sandman are attacked and drained of blood by the stirges. Uriah struggles to kill the creature, but his blade does not find purchase. Sandman does not break the intimate embrace of the insect, but Arkadi is able to kill it. Kendra injures the third stirge, hovering above the child, and shortly thereafter a wave of water summoned by Levelle's magic knocks the poor kid over in full view of the town.
Round 2
The stirge that was humbly listening to the boy's song seems in a frenzy now, having been scalded by Kendra's magics and now assaulted by the furious cries of a young boy. It sweeps down and attacks the boy.
The young boy's cries turn shrill and painful as the stirge's proboscis plunges into his side. The stirge embracing Uriah manages to keep his grip, and drains another point of Con from his helpless victim...
Round 2 Init 18
HP = 10/10 (11)
AC = 16
+3 Fort, +5 Ref, +3 Will
Ammo:
..Paper Cartridges 10/10
..Black Powder 8/10, Firearm Bullet 8/10
Weapon Equipped = None
Speed = 30' (20')
Grit = 3
Status Effects = -2 Constitution
Uriah continues to attempt to cut the creature off of him.
On her initiative Levelle will throw a force missile. First priority is boy's stirge, Uriah is second.
Arkadi winces at the result of Levelle's spell. "...I'm getting too paranoid." Angrily he slashes at the one still clinging to Uriah.
Round 2 continued
Kendra summons her offensive magics again to assist Uriah with the pest, but they strike the ground and simply go inert. Uriah's strange bent blade manages to cut the offensive creature, and a foul mixture of its viscera and his blood spill from it, but it stubbornly continues to cling to its victim. Levelle's missile of light slams into the stirge tormenting the boy, and punches a hole into its chitin, dispersing disgusting arcane gore across the empty stage. Arkadi's mighty swing hits nothing, likely concerned that if his strike misses, he will harm his companion further...
Now free, Sandman draws his morningstar and if he is within range, he attacks the last remaining Stirge. otherwise he moves up to it.
Melee: Morningstar | Damage | 20x2
Swinging at the beast, Sandman barley avoids colliding the morningstar into Uriah's head...
Round 2 Summary
Uriah manages to strike the offensive insect creature currently ensnaring him, but does not break free. The Sandman's swing goes wide, proffering no assistance to him. Levelle ends the threat to the shrieking child Arkadi's mighty swing cuts the air near Uriah. It is clear that he desperately intends to assist his companion, but simply cannot hit his target.
Round 3
The lone remaining stirge continues to cling to Uriah for dear life, and he takes a third point of Constitution damage as yet more of his life blood is sucked from him. The sack containing what has been drawn thus far, cut free by Uriah's strange crooked dagger, swells and pulses.
Kendra's summoned magics strike the remaining stirge in its wings, causing it to shriek and rear back, pulling its proboscis from Uriah. Unable to fly it falls to the ground like a stone. It's legs twitch as it attempts to scurry away, but it does not seem as though it is able to move.
Kendra's eyes are wide with fear. There is perspiration on her brow as she looks between the injured Uriah and the shrieking child. "I... I helped," she says in a small voice.
Uriah steps on the creatures proboscis and viciously cuts it apart with his knife. Wiping the blade clean, he looks to the others, his countenance pale beneath the hat.
"Glad my travels took me south, never thought this jungle chopper would serve me so well. Of course I've lost a lot of blood so who knows."
Please roll a d100 in spoilers. You want better than 10.
Congratulations to you both, you managed not to catch the disease that Stirges carry.
Kid
While Uriah crushes the stirge beneath his boot, citizens begin pouring out of the various businesses lined up in the town center to investigate the child's shrieking. Miraculously, the mangy dog that was barking earlier trotted off, leaving only the stirge carcasses and the solution humanoid blood makes in their bellies to smell disgusting. From the direction that Kendra tenatively identified as holding the town hall, you recognize a certain portly character gallantly waddling towards your position, Councilman Vashian Heathmount, but he is quickly overtaken by a elder and handsome matron with wings of white in her dark hair. Kendra kneels beside the boy and begins speaking to him softly in Varisian, from her tone and inflection likely asking him to bear up. The elder matron settles near Kendra and the boy, observing, but Councilman Heathmount is scarcely the type to abide in silence when his own voice could be heard.
"Now what is this all about?" he demands. "Assaulting our lads in the Restlands weren't trouble enough, now you pick on the slightest of us? Explain yourselves!"