Varian smiles. "That would be quite the coincidence, yes? But Professor Lorrimor traded in such coincidences, didn't he. And often got himself into some trouble." Varian's attention wanes for a moment as he appears lost in thought. He hadn't quite answered Sophie's question, though at a minimum it seemed like Varian knew of Lorrimor.
"Quite impressed that you've traveled to so many centers of learning, Pontia. Ustalav has a lot to teach as well . . . only the lessons come from experiencing the bizarre and unexpected. As for me, I am an esteemed fighter! But not one of those big, strong, and horribly dumb brutes. I know some tricks well beyond a typical warrior's understanding."
Eventually, their meal concludes and Varian invites the group to retire to the modest space he's been renting in town. It's a single room, simply furnished and clearly not a permanent living space, but it seems likely Varian has been in town a bit longer than the others. There's a table and not enough chairs, and a collection of handwritten notes that Varian quickly gathers--though not before it becomes apparent that at least the topmost notes are about the Whispering Way. Also in the room are a few minor curios and trinkets of a historic or archaeological nature. Varian sits on his bed and invites the others to the chairs.
"I'd figured it was just Vivian investigating the activities of those mysterious riders, and that I might give her a hand. I hadn't expected the whole lot of you. But if Vivian trusts you, then I do too. The riders you're seeking changed horses and moved on to more remote parts. I hadn't realized that they were with the Whispering Way, though they looked strange for sure. I take it you think the same?"
Oh yes, they serve the Whispering Way. I suppose you know everything that can be known about this cult, considering the information you have here. How long have you been in town? Did something odd happen, before, during or right after the riders? And generally speaking, what can you tell us about the place? I'm not familiar with the town, just heard a few tidbits here and there, and there is nothing like hands-on experience.
"Do you think they had allies here? Is there anyone else we should speak with before we take up their trail?" Sophie asks, and then begins nosing about among the curios and trinkets.
Varian shakes his head. "I don't know as much as I'd like. Certainly don't know of any allies here. Seems like they came just to change horses and move on."
Varian pauses for a moment, putting a finger on his chin as he thinks about his next decision, before he continues. "They probably went next to Illmarsh, at the fringes of Ustalav. But I think that's not their final destination. There’s some other village or town down there that only the musties know about. They call them the “Neighbors down bay,” or just the Neighbors for short. No one outside Illmarsh knows exactly where these Neighbors live and none have ever been seen around Thrushmoor. But I think the trail might ultimately lead there."
The half-elf opens up his hands. "That's all I really know. What about you? Do you know what these riders are up to? And do you have room for a swordsman by your side? Whatever the threat may be, far better to face it in numbers."
"That's all I really know. What about you? Do you know what these riders are up to? And do you have room for a swordsman by your side? Whatever the threat may be, far better to face it in numbers."
Niculaie shakes his head. "For as long as we have chased them, I don't think we've gotten a glimpse of what their real goal might be. Most recently, we spent the last several weeks hunting them through werewolf country, where they tried to meddle in lycanthropic tribal politics in order to gain monstrous allies, as well as blood and power for some kind of ritual. I believe we stopped them in time."
"As for whether we could use your blade - and your brain - as we pick up the trial, I can't speak for anyone else, but I think your assistance would be welcome. We did have a warrior, Silas, who was traveling with us until recently, but ..." -- the bard glances at Vivian for a moment -- "... his road forked away from ours."
Clearing his throat awkwardly, he continues. “Vivian, I thought you heard that only one of the riders went on to Illmarsh, and that the other stayed in Thrushmoor at least to start?”
"Neighbors, hm? That sounds interesting... We'll have to look into that when we get there,"
"As to your other question, boy, I've seen enough. We could use your help, and you ours."
"Thanks for having me--you won't regret it!" Dom gives Vivian a wink as he says this.
He double takes as he realizes what Niculaie is saying. "Wait a minute--we have a rider still here? That changes everything. A real target!"
"One stayed here, as far as we've been able to tell. The two had an item to trade, something called the Seasage Effigy, and we wanted to learn what they'd traded it for, and with whom."
"Then unless we have a specific lead on the rider who remained behind, should we focus on tracking down the Seasage Effigy and work backwards once we find it?"
Pontia nods. "I don't have magic to scry for it, though. Varian, if you had a description of the item could you trace it magically?"
I think I know where they could have changed horses, there aren't so many stables in town anayway. But I would advise caution-yes, I know, I really sound like my mom now-because the last rider could stay behind to lay a trap or an ambush. At least that's what I would do, and I think our foes are even more devious and dangerous that I am.
Varian nods. "Right-first stop is to investigate the town stables."
You find the stable that Vivian refers to.
An old hay wain stands just inside the livery stable, its wooden side boards near bursting with the load of straw it bears. One of its wheels is missing, and the wagon leans heavily to one side. A bent old man kneels beside the wagon, struggling to fit a new wheel on the empty axle.
Varian begins to survey the scene, both in the normal realm and in the magical realm.
Niculaie looks around at the others, then decides to try the direct approach. "Ah, good afternoon, sir. We are looking for an ... acquaintance of ours. He and another fellow were traveling together and rode their horses hard for several days, perhaps they stopped here to change mounts? The man we are looking for was supposed to remain here in town; his companion was to continue on, perhaps to Illmarsh. Perhaps you remember them?"
"And while we're here, I'm sure we could give you a hand with that wheel."
Better safe than sorry.
Trusting in Varian's keen eyes, and recognising his detecting spell, Vivian nods to the half elf before using another of her rarer tricks, calling Pharasma's name as the fountain of knowledge.
She scans the place from the entrance, her hand on her sword
We should have planned this better. We could have tried to detect the magical taint of undeath... This is the Whispering Way we are hunting.
Sophie casts enhanced diplomacy on Niculae as they approach, and then scans with detect magic when they arrive.
Casting detect evil and detect magic is considered a hostile act by most, and this man is no exception. He pulls out a dagger and reacts.
Niculaie pulls his small accordion from his shoulder and immediately begins to play an ancient Shory funeral march, singing along with the haunting melody.
"Perhaps we should be certain about your suspicions before we launch into combat with this man?"
As the threat of combat arrives, Varian feels the spirit of battle come over him. It takes force of will for Varian to repress that spirit and see whether Niculaie's music has its effect such that combat can be avoided.
"Don't draw your weapon when surrounded, mister!" Assuming his hostile nature continues, Varian will attempt to disarm the fellow.
If he succeeds, Varian ends up holding the dagger. He doesn't have any other weapon drawn yet.
Varian reacts quickly to disarm the man and picks up the dagger. Meanwhile, Niculae starts singing a soulful dirge.
Viv and Pontia still up.
By the prickling of my thumbs, something evil comes... but which way does it come from?
Vivian looks around-and up-looking first in places giving potential for hiding
where would I hide for an ambush? Somewhere where I wouldn't be seen from the entrance, but not too far from dagger-wielding man...
Spread around the cart! Beware! There might be a foe hiding behind!
Pontia (botting) starts casting, and suddenly a large hole appears under the wagon, dropping it into a 20' deep pit. "We can pay for any damages later."
As the wagon hits the bottom, two undead creatures crawl out of the hay in the back, but don't really have a way out of the pit.
The man growls. "You really are the biggest pains in our collective ass..."
He quickly pulls another dagger from under his cloak and swipes at Varian.
(no crit)
Pontia casts another spell, trying to weaken the visible enemy with dolorous words that seem to weigh on the listeners' ears.
"Undead!" Sophie shrieks, and then casts chain of perdition near the man, attempting to trip him.
The man is prone, and seems loathe to get up.
. Varian is stunned as he is weakened by some grievous poison. He grows angry.
"Enough from you--prepare to die!" Varian draws his rapier and stabs the prone foe.
;
;
Varian feels weaker (1 Str dmg), but it doesn't prevent him from stabbing the man. He was hopeful it was a vital stab, but alas the man was able to twist ever so slightly and avoid the worst of it.
"Foolish boy! We need to take him alive! " Sophie screeches
Vivian puts herself in an advantageous position, ready to strike the man if or when he gets up. She trusts her companions to take care of the ghouls if they manage to get out of the pit
Surrounded, fool. And one of us would have been enough to outwit you, it seems. So put your weapon down
With the mask he is wearing, it is hard to see that he is shaken, but you know it is true.
Niculaie stops singing for the moment, although the last notes of his hypnotic refrain linger in the still air of the stables, they are quickly drowned out by the clash of weapons and the frustrated groans of the ghouls, trapped in the pit with the cart and hay.
Moving to make sure he is standing next to Pontia, the dhampir pulls the remnants of a used-up wand from his pouch.
"I think you'll enjoy this," he says, and casts a spell he has only recently learned. The old wand disintegrates and a shimmering, blue and gold radiance surrounds him, washing over Pontia as well.
If the prone man tries to attack her, Vivian nearly dances around him
Can't touch this.
Vivian manages to avoid the man's swipe, and watches as he tries to get up.
He then tries to withdraw to a better position.
Vivian reacts instinctively as the man tries to get up, and her sword plunges deep in the foe's body.
Maybe too deep...
Varian AoO before man moves away
;
Varian flicks his rapier at the fleeing foe.
. The poison continues to sap his strength. "He doesn't deserve to live," responds Varian to Sophie. But as he charges the fleeing foe, it appears that Varian is going for the man's legs, notwithstanding his words.
;
Sophie moves the chain 30ft. towards the man and then swings it at him again and steps 5 feet closer.
Niculaie starts a new bardic performance by singing the mournful opening refrain of an ancient dirge from Irrisen, before the Winter War, then follows it up by pulling bit of wax paper smeared with butter from his spell pouch and flicking it towards the fleeing cultist. An oily sheen spreads across the ground in front of him.
He is not caught by the chain, and feels the grease appear at his feet. He manages to retain his footing, however, and keeps moving - but more slowly and carefully.
Sophie takes another 5' step closer and moves the chain again before trying to use it to trip the man.