Chretien is able to quickly slap John's hand away from the chain before he can take it off.
Nilasa's ghost(the dead Half-elf from two days ago) steps out
before you can go in. She puts a hushing finger to her lips, then points out into the night and says,
“The man who killed me is coming. His face is scarred, so he hides behind many
faces.”
Then she raises a featureless black mask to her face. When she puts it on
she fades away, as does the curtain. The air is suddenly thick with the stench of burnt engine grease.
Angus will says a quick prayer and get himself ready for combat
The stars overhead seem to streak in lines as time stretches out, and then tothe north, down by Parity Lake,
Johnathan
standing between two factories, watching two tongues of flame leap from one
to the the next, like a pair of burning dragons. Screams erupt from the people
trapped inside, the conflagration consumes the factories, and the charred
buildings collapse to reveal tomorrow morning’s sunrise. A blackened sign sits in
the ash, saying “Sechim’s Alkahest & Etchings.”
Then the vision ends with a snap, and you’re again standing on the
black peak of Cauldron Hill.
Nevard, still looking to the stars, gives a
knowing hum. He points up at a red star.
“Jiese, the plane of fire, is brighter tonight than usual. Its light reflects off the
lake. You saw it, didn’t you?” referring to Johnathan.
It’s still unclear whether you’re awake or dreaming when a man cries
out for help from the dark beyond the ring. It sounds like he’s been set
upon by monsters, but Nevard shakes his head and warns you not to
step out of the ring. The screams last for hours.
"Yes, sir," Johnathan says humbly, a bit dazed.
Porter is visibly upset with the events unfolding, but he does his best to at least try and keep his demeanor. For a while his focus was on Nevard and Jonathan and the interaction between them, but not being very knowledgeable on the subject his gaze drifts off again towards the bizarre creatures running in circles.
Agnus remains withing the ring as he watches the events unfolding. what goes on between the two skyseers is beyond him
Everyone except Angus
moving through the crowd of monsters perhaps a hundred feet away,
on the other rise. Somehow less feral and wild, more deliberate in its
movements, one would almost think it’s a man, but the monsters aren’t
accosting it.
"oh, what now? When will this cacophony of madness cease?" Cretien says, looking at the rise in the distance.
Nevars says to Johnathan "You should have a magnificent vision when you sleep next. I have been doing this for eighty odd years and my vision manifest themselves quickly. Although I do expect a second dream tommorrow night as well."
Angus hasn't seen anything, so unless something breaks in the circle and starts attacking...
Johnathan glances at the approaching figure, but heeds Nevard's words and doesn't leave the circle. He continues stargazing, listening to Nevard.
"Careful Falko, these evil spirits can manifest themselves in strange ways. If it can enter the circle alone then OK, but do not go out for it" - Porter states readying his weapon.
"but we cant let him mess up the circle."
Probably a trap
Perception 15 or 10 for those with Darkvision
Johnathan is completely enamored by the stars.
"Oh great, some of the blood has been disturbed. It seems as if fate itself were conspiring to railroad us into oblivion. Be on your guard."
Almost imperceptible above the cacophony of spirits, the party hears
the crack of a sunrod against stone. A brilliant glow lights up the mountaintop,
shedding bright light in a 20-square radius. All the monsters
surrounding the ring of blood turn to look.
A humanoid figure holds the sunrod, its body inhumanly angular, its
skin featureless and black like a silhouette. It sprints to the near edge of
the other rise and then hurls the sunrod. The glowing beacon arcs and
then hits right in the center of the camp. As one, the monsters surrounding
the blood ring lock eyes on the party and attack.
Initiative: Cretien , Johnathan , Angus , Porter , Falko , Nevard , Lion , Shadow Mites , Death , Crawler
Round 1
Crawler, Porter, Nevard, Death, Mites, Johnathan, Lion, Angus, Falko, Chretien,
A crawling skeleton moves into the underbrush into the circle.
Porter
Johnathan casts Mage Armor.
Porter quickly grabs the sunrod and throws it outs side of the circle.
Nevard moves to Angus and imparts his Insightful touch ability...
Death moves double towards the light source.
The four mites move double.
Johnathan casts Mage Armor.
Lion moves toward the sunrod
Angus
Round 1
Cast Shield of faith Stand here guarding the back of the party.
AC 21
Cretien directs his turret to shoot at the most threatening physical monster
Cretien will move to the barrel and splash some blood on the mechanus, then order it to attack the enemies that broke through the circle. If he still has a move action left after that, he will grab the sunrod and either throw it or cover up its light, whichever is easiest.
The turret fires a bolt at one of the creatures and misses.
From across the hill you hear a loud yell "Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The other critters take off chasing the sunrod and the dancing lights.
Nevard says, "We should probably get down to my Nephew's Factory, and prevent a fire!!!!" He then says to Johnathan "Tomorrow night you should have the most vivid Skysight you have ever had!!!"
Nevard picks up his gear and says, "Son, something foul is afoot for this very morning upcoming... Ask Johnathan, he has seen the same as I."
Johnathan nods quickly but says nothing, still looking a bit terrified and defensive.
Nevard looks at you and shakes his head, "I have received several visions this night - I must meditate on them, but I believe they will offer us a path forward for Risur. In addition, I received a vision that may guide you to a fire at a factory tonight, just before dawn. You too received this same vision, Johnathan, and I believe it is your destiny to thwart this disaster. You have six hours before dawn: time enough to climb down the hill, make any last minute preparations, and save many lives."
He shivers, and looks around. The Cauldron Hill Spooks are being drawn to the places where you threw the sunrod like moths to a flame, leaving a path clear to the way down. 'Do you feel that?' Nevard says, looking up towards the stars. 'Like something gazing down on us?' Then a shooting star streaks across the sky and he shrugs and, as casually as if he were recommending a coat for cold weather, says 'overall this seems like a good time to leave: I've seen enough and need to rest to understand what it all means. But I owe you five a favor - when you are ready for an audience with Gale, I will set it up for the day after next."
"I am certainly ready to be gone from this place, if even to replace this chill with the warmth of a factory fire" Cretien says, trying and failing to make a joke while packing up his turret.
You descend Cauldron Hill in the pitch darkness, feeling yourselves relaxing more and more as you get further away from the haunted peak and the terrible events of the evening feel distant and unreal. It's about one in the morning when you reach the back gate of the Mayor's manor - locked. A young wary guard greets you hesitantly, you but lets you in after she ascertains you aren't monsters, fumbling the lock.
As you move into the manor grounds a squad of heavily armed Risuri soldiers in green and black night operation uniforms - swords drawn and defensive totems strapped to their shields - challenge you. 'You - put down your weapons and get on your knees now. All of you - yes you too old man - down right now or we shoot.' Three guards at the back move forward, crossbows aimed to main. 'I'm Lieutenant Dale of Home Division Four. You have two seconds to comply - any attempt to talk back or arm yourselves will be met by lethal force. We will ascertain if you are undead spooks in disguise in a moment - if you are just stupid tourists you will not be harmed; though you will be arrested for trespass.'
Knowledge Local 15 or Porter 10
A split second before Nevard says "'Do you feel that?'", Johnathan breaks down in sobs, covering his head. His eyes are wild, panicked. He refuses help from anyone, jerking away from them if they try, but moves steadily down Cauldron Hill. When they are faced by armed guards, Johnathan complies meekly, eyes distant and reddened.
Well, no taking these guys on. he thinks to himself.
Chretien complies, setting his weapon down and slowly lowering himself to his knees. Once he has complied, he states, "Check us swiftly, if you will, but I don't imagine arrest is on the agenda tonight. We are RHC, and working on a case. A time-sensitive case."
Perception 12
Angus simply comply until the guard have done their checking