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Prothero continues to root about in the burned out ruin, saying quietly to the others, "Don't look now, but directly off my left shoulder, about fifty feet away, there are five rough-looking men watching us. In that little stand of trees. They've got weapons out." Shifting to another spot in the wreckage, he says, "We can pretend we've given up and walk casually in their direction, to see what they do, or we call out to them and ask what they want."
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Speaking a little louder than necessary, maybe just loud enough to be heard be observers, "Looks like it could be dangerous ifin we were ta be stayin' here. Pur'aps we should be mindin' this here warning 'n get outta town whiles we still can."
Looking defeated, the bard starts slumping his way in the general direction of the group of men.
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"We could simply try to talk to them. For all we know, they think we are looters. " Archon puts his spear away, and steps closer to face the aproaching group with his hands free.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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No clue, no tracks, no leads. So, being lost, Carina's instinct is to do what to she always does for answers: Ask the Harrow. She kneels briefly to sweep a spot clean so she can do a reading. But before she can start to pull out her cards....
"Don't look now, but directly off my left shoulder, about fifty feet away, there are five rough-looking men watching us. In that little stand of trees. They've got weapons out." Shifting to another spot in the wreckage, he says, "We can pretend we've given up and walk casually in their direction, to see what they do, or we call out to them and ask what they want."
That stops her cold for just a moment before she stands back up and slides in besides Solstice. "Oh, we'll be blamed no matter what," she responses, preparing to flip her wands into her hands. "The locals always place the blame on outsiders if they can."
Link to Map
Thugs: 19
Carina: 18
Hjort: 17
Zero: 16
Archon: 11
Prothero: 10
Spackle: 8
Solstice: 6
As the thugs approach, the boss completely believes that Spackle is ready to leave. He can't let that happen though. He gives the others the order to attack. The red thug throws his axe at Prothero, and misses. The yellow dressed thug throws his axe at Zero and connects . Both blue and green miss their targets of Spackle and Carina.
Thugs: 19
Carina: 18
Hjort: 17
Zero: 16
Archon: 11
Prothero: 10
Spackle: 8
Solstice: 6
Hjort moves forward and attacks Zero with his longspear. ”Ye be Pathfinders I know you are. Who else would spend so much time looking at a place where there’s nothing left.”
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Prothero glances at the stone walls around them, remarking, "Funny looking copse of trees..." He shrugs his great bow off his shoulder, slipping it into his hand and nocking an arrow in one smooth motion. Raising the bow and sighting briefly - perhaps too briefly - he lets the arrow fly at the nearest thug!
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Redrawing his weapon where he stands, Archon looks at the thugs fead in the eyes and says boldly "Are you stupid?!? You are outnumbered and obviously out classes. I will offer you this one chance,. . . DROP YOUR WEAPONS NOW and you will not be slaughtered here and now!"
While the offer of mercy is sincere, and his tone cold and stern, Archon does not intend to actually murder them unless forced to.
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Solstice moves to a more protected location and readies an action to hit the first thug in range that attacks any of us with an Ear-piercing scream. If that means being in AoO range she will cast defensively.
; DC 19 (converting damage using her bloodline arcana to fire) or be dazed.
"That would be the sensible thing to do, please. We are peaceful, by preference, if allowed!"
Thugs: 19
Carina: 18
Hjort: 17
Zero: 16
Archon: 11
Solstice: 14
Prothero: 10
Spackle: 8
Zero steps forward and sends a fist flying at Hjort. He just barely misses as the thug ducks the punch. Pothero lets an arrow fly, and it whistles past the thug in yellow’s head. The thug just grins.
Archon and Solstice try to talk sense into the attacking group. It falls on deaf ears. ”You’re worth gold dead. We’re here to collect.”
The thug in red moves up as he out his battle axe, and swings at Prothero. Solstice’s spell goes off, and the thug’s will isn’t strong enough to resist. He takes a point of fire damage, and is dazed for one round.
Yellow moves up drawing his battle axe, and swings at Archon. His attack hits hard, and does a lot of damage. .
The thug dressed in blue does the exact same thing the other two. This one attacks Zero. His axe strikes the Oread .
Green moves up to Spackle. He is not creative and attacks the gnome with his battle axe. He smirks as the attack hits the bard .
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Carina sighs in resignation as she releases the wand she has in hand to land at her feet. "Very well," she says, as she pulls one of her many scarves from her waist and extends a hand forward with the scarf over it, "If you insist that your songs be short, far be it for us to argue."
With a shake of the scarf, which causes a discordant chiming noise from within, Carina swiftly chants a spell, and causes an explosion of glimmering light to envelop three of the thugs
Thugs: 19
Carina: 18
Hjort: 17
Zero: 16
Archon: 11
Solstice: 14
Prothero: 10
Spackle: 8
Carina’s spell goes off enveloping three of the attackers in glittering dust. The sparkles do not improve their appearance. The two thugs bend to Carina’s will and are blinded by the dust. Hjort manages to shake off the effects. He takes a step back at stabs at Zero with his longspear, and connects .
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Solstice backs up a bit and attempts to daze Hort with an Ear-piercing Scream
, DC 19 Fort ST for half damage and to avoid being dazed.
Thugs: 19
Carina: 18
Hjort: 17
Zero: 16
Archon: 11
Solstice: 14
Prothero: 10
Spackle: 8
Zero lets a series of attacks fly at Hjort. His first strike misses, but the second hits hard. The third strike also finds it’s target (29 Damage).
Seeing Hjor about to drop Solstice switches her attack to the green enemy. He does not make his save, and is dazed (3 Damage).
The thug in red’s daze ends, but he’s still blinded. He takes a swing at Prothero when he hears the bowstring twang right next to him. He misses with his attack.
Prothero lets an arrow fly at Hjort, and drops him with the first arrow (15 Damage). He lets his second attack fly at the thug in yellow, and hits (10 Damage).
Archon swings at Blue as he comes in his spear range and misses. Then he steps back, and attacks with his longspear. His attack hits hard, and finds just the right angle to impale the thug in blue (44 Damage).
Spackle lets flames fly at the thug in green, and sets him on fire (9 Damage).
The thug in yellow takes a step back in the direction he hopes no enemies are pulling out a potion of cure light wounds and drinks it (6 Healed).
The thug in green is dazed and on fire. He stands there burning.
[/dice]
The yellow thug stands there weaving back and forth. He takes a step back and drops bleeding out.
The red thug gives up, and the green thug is screaming while beating at his clothing and hair. He manages to put out the fire. "I give up. It ain't worth burning to death over some gold."
You can interrogate the survivors who don't know a whole lot. They were hired by Hjort, and don't know who hired him. A search of Hjort's body reveals two notes in a pocket.
Pathfinders, and if you see them, kill them. Any in your crew who
can prove to me they dealt the killing blow on those murderous
demons earns a 100 gold crown bonus.
Hjort Fastaxe
Capture at least one Pathfinder, preferably an expedition leader. Bring him or her to me separately, and I will reward you an additional 100 gold crowns.
Runa White
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Zero ties the two thugs up, leaving those who are better with words to interrogate them. He then takes a moment to write something down. "I forgot to mention, but if I require healing or upkeep, I'll make a gesture-" the oread arranges the fingers of his left hand to resemble a thumbs-down, "-like so. I could use some now, if you would be so kind."
He also holds out a thick wand carved from rowan wood. "Here, you can use this on me, so as not to drain your own resources."
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Carina calmly re-tucks her bladed scarf around her waist, then bends to retrieve the wand she dropped. Upon returning said wand to the wrist sheathe it came from, she walks over, and riffles though the leader's pockets.
After a moment to read the notes, she holds them up to the others. "This is interesting. 100 crowns for a kill, and 100 crowns for a capture, for someone that has a serious grudge against the Society. I wonder who caused this vengeance streak... In any case, we have a couple names at least: Runa White and Hjort Fastaxe. Maybe we can ask around about them and find us a further lead or two."
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"Wish I could help you with that wand, Zero," Prothero says, noting with some regret that his arrows have killed the person who might be able to explain the notes, "but I'll keep an eye out for that hand signal, so it doesn't get missed in the heat of battle."
With a nod to Carina, he says, "Looks like we should ask around after Runa. I think I heard one of the thugs call the dead one Hjort, so I don't think he can tell us much."
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"Don' be worryin' 'bout all that now Statue. I kin use yer wand on ya. Sol, ifin ye would be so kind? Thank ya lass. Now then, I believe this is what yer looking for."
"You just say when now..."
"Cayden's keg but yer a sponge o' this magic!
Handing the wand back to the oread, "You may wantin' ta be savin' some fer later boyo. Meanwhile, I think I'll be usin' me own ta top meself off."
Trollheim is a large city with high, secure walls and a sprawling, frozen network of small neighborhoods and districts, many of which contain their own defenses.
Many of Trollheim’s market districts are unruly, smelly, industrious, and busy, while residential districts are generally neater, calmer, cleaner, and more secure from Irrisen invasion. It’s frowned upon to cause trouble in residential neighborhoods, and the wide streets therein are largely crime-free. Skagni’s burned out home is on the far western outskirts of on such outlying district.
There are five people you meet who can give you the information you seek.
Arvida Bergthor, female Ulfen saga scholar and serious alcoholic.
Kadlin Helge, female Ulfen warrior.
Ludin Swordsmith, male Ulfen retired swordsmith.
Rafarta Rannveig, female Ulfen city watch guard.
Thorngrin Brightbeard, male gnome outcast.
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"Ah, I have seen those wands before, Solstice. They seem to work better overall, though some have ethical problems with their use for whatever reason. Their loss, I suppose. My thanks.
"As to potential informants, I have no massive preference. Per my instinct, Ludin and Thorngrin seem most likely to want to talk about such things. Arvida as well, but I'd be less inclined to believe what she says."
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Looking on with slight disapproval, Archon asks "For the record, I would appreciate it if that,. . . implement," eyeing the wand of Infernal Healing, "was not utilized on me, even if I fall. I have no soul, not the way you do, but even still, it's corruption is tedious, afflicting the soul and spirit even as it "heals" the body. I would rather perish, than risk it."
Utilizing his own wand, he heals some of his wounds , and takes a moment to make some notes in his journal, copying the notes they had found as well, just in case. At worst, it will help with reporting.
"I suppose anyone with any grudge against the Pathfinder Society saw what just happened, and we should keep that in mind while we are here. With luck, any potential allies we might have, though doubtful, might also know we are here."
"I suggest we first seek a rom at the inn, a temporary base of operations, where we can plan our next step. Someone knows something, we just have to find them and how to get that information. I do agree, the Gnome and the swordsmith seem the best options to start with."
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I don't particularly like guards. Will be avoiding her. I'll leave the gnome to spackle. Gnomes are too wacky. Can't relate to a female warrior. That leaves the swordsmith or the sage, neither of which I would have much of a connection to. Well, lets see what a pretty face can do.
"I'll try to chat up the swordsmith. I'll start with flattery and see where it leads. But first, I agree, is getting a room and dumping our travelling gear."
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Carina eyes the infernal healing wands wearily. "I'm of the same opinion as Archon,"she states bluntly. "One shouldn't use the gifts of devils, especially in desperation. I have a curing wand of my own. Archon, may I pass it to you, in case I need it?"
Thinking about the possible contacts in Trollheim, she shrugs and says, "Let's just start at the top of the list and work down. Splitting up sounds dangerous right now and maybe one of us will notice something that the other don't. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Holding his hands up in a placating fashion as he slids his wand back into its wrist sheath, "Oy now, relax! Yer reactin' like I wus roastin' live puppies er somethin'. Ain't nuthin' ever been proved this little stick kin corrupt a whole soul. But, I be hearin' yer concerns. Rest assured, ifin yur needin' some healin', we will use somethin' thet won't leave a stain." Muttering more to himself, "Not like yer god couldn't wash it out in the afterlife." Then with a chuckle, "Though the idea o' him beatin' a soul full o' soap on a rock in the river is quite an image."
After consulting the list, "Havin' a base o' operatin' 's a solid plan. Gonna get dark afore too long. Given the reception we jest had, Ah'm thinkin' we should stick tagether as we chat ta these local notables."
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Carina eyes the infernal healing wands wearily. "I'm of the same opinion as Archon,"she states bluntly. "One shouldn't use the gifts of devils, especially in desperation. I have a curing wand of my own. Archon, may I pass it to you, in case I need it?"
"Certainly, though I have other means to heal as well. In the future, should we need it, I can heal us all at one time."
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Prothero concurs with Carina suggestion, saying, "Indeed, let's just proceed in orderly fashion - and Spackle's right. Well, perhaps not about the wand, but about sticking together. If we can't look at a burned down house without getting attacked, who knows what'll happen if we start making further inquiries?"