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In the late afternoon Agriver will stop by the inn and retrieve some clean clothes, take a bath, and give his old clothes to the establishments staff to have them laundered.
”I miss this, I know Robin and Yon don’t understand the draw to some of the luxuries – but some of them certainly feel like necessities.”
Walking downstairs Agriver manages to give a hand to no less than two of the workers at the establishment as he smiles on his way out into the busy dusk streets of the fort.
”I wonder how Sir Malscher is doing?” the paladin thinks to himself as he spontaneously decides to visit the Red Shield. ”What a time to not have my armor, the other knights will be in field dress no doubt. Oh well, the time spent at Rillin’s will be worth the wait…”
Agriver walks the winding streets past the apothecary once more, stopping in briefly he buys a potion of water walking. Then he continues on his way until he is once again looking up at the worn sign for the Red Shield Tavern which sways gently in the wind.
His stomach grumbles for dinner, and his mind yearns for some of the mulled wine.
Davon refuses to tell you "i'll get the treasure on my own someday when i'm bigger!
Ilyana wishes Robin a safe journey, and closes the door to break the awkward silence
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Agriver enters the Red Shield Tavern and is greeted warmly by the proprieter Embra Morsk "Welcome back Sir Rall! The adventuring treating you well? Quiet night here - sit whereever you please."
She moves about the tavern serving the guests including 9 hellknights at various tables. Malscher is not currently present, but Sir Karn Kerromick is and he is with two others.
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”Good evening lady Morsk, I trust all is well?”
Agriver toward the table where Sir Karn sits with his fellow knights and motions to the empty chair, after he receives a nod from the knight – the paladin will sit.
”A round for the table please, mulled wine for me if you would.” he says motioning to Embra. He then stacks a mix of coins, some from Taldan, some from local, and a couple that were found in the spire as payment on the table.
”Hello gents, to those I am just meeting now – I am Sir Agriver Rall of the lady Iomadae.” he then nods warming to Sir Karn.
”What is new in the keep? How have you been? Any idea if Sir Malscher will be around this evening?”
Karn greets Agriver with a smile "Well met Sir Rall! Please do join us. I've read your party's report on the goblin infestation. Well done sir."
The men toast Agriver with the fresh ales.
"I assume your return means a fresh report? I look forward to reading it. Keep that scribe around - he writes a good story haha."
"Sir Malscher should be returning in a couple days from extended patrol. As for the keep, it has been quiet. Some movement in the woods of late but nothing out of the ordinary. Easily creditted to adventurers travelling in and out."
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Yon sits and listens to each of his companions speak at length of their trip down the spire, adding a few odd words to maybe emphasize, maybe boast, and definitely give accolades to Rbuod, from time to time. He also pays a little more attention when Agriver and Spyridon speak.
Eventually, when Yon gets a moment to speak with Royst alone he philosophically says, ”The spire is like a berry bush. Full of thorns. And full of riches. Unlike a berry bush, it ain’t so quick to get the reward, and it’s pretty quick to scratch. And it hurts more. Saying that, he scratches at his stubble, ”See...? I cast all my spells when they were needed, but I needed more… something a pearl of power could do… Do you have any you could sell, or know where one can be found around here?”
Abernard considers for a moment. "the best place to shop is Daggermark. But here in the Fort... try the Chancery . They are a makeshift wizards guild with workshops. Run by hellknights of course."
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"The Chancery? Guess I'll have to chance it," He chuckles at his pun, "if I don't want to head back to Daggermark." After a brief pause he says to himself more than Royst, "You say more hellknigts, maybe I'll bring Aggy, he seems to get along with them pretty well."
Yon continues, ”Before I go, another thing..." he had meant to bring this up earlier in his discussions, but it just now returned to his thoughts.
"I think The Society is getting their worth out of me, down there.” he pauses for a moment and thinks about speaking like a tower-born, like Agriver, ”I know, I joined to do just this and make the Echowood safer, but there is something that will help me, and I think your contacts can find it faster than anywhere in town here.” He gives Royst a look that says, don’t think I’m crazy for asking… and continues, ”I don’t like metal armor, never have, it just doesn’t fit like a skin should. But I need something better than this tattered leather, something like Dragonhide, and in the form of breast plate would do well.” After a moment he remembers what Spanky would say, ”Please.”
Abernard shakes his head at Yon's pun.
At the mention of dragonhide, he looks perplexed and turns to his desk and rumages some notes. Why seemingly searching he asks "dragonhide breastplate you say... little pricey. Quite rare. Let's see.... I might know of one set of such armor in town... but it is too expensive for the voucher i received from Shaine. Perhaps the owner would be willing to part with it for some extra cash as well."
He fishes a letter and pulls a second piece of paper writing out a message and handing them to Yon. "Take this to Embra Morsk at the Red Shield Tavern. Her son is a well known adventurer and he left behind a suit of magically enchanted green dragonhide breastplate. She's put it in storage for years and probably would part with it if talked into it. Take some cash to help negotiate."
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Taking the note and remembering the name and place, he says, "Thank you." to Royst, and heads out of the house with his most trusted companion at his side.
A little while later, Yon heads back to Juliver’s with Rbuod. ”Good morrow, Salle!” He says to the craftsman, who returns the greeting in kind. He then attempts to exchange awkward pleasantries for a few moments, before the rough working tradesman tells him to shut it, and get to the point already. With a sigh of release, Yon brings Rbuod forward.
”We did some field testing.” he says, as the hole from the pit spikes stands out on the flank, ”I knew you made this for the dogs of the watch, and didn’t expect Rbuod or his kind to ever wear such. But it’s done wonders. Mostly…” he turns the wolf around to the other side to show off some things in specific.
”Here, and here” he says pointing to where the clasps bind not under the belly, but around the side, and closer to the legs, ”see how it’s pulled his fur out and worn a patch down to the skin?” he pauses to let the woman look closer, ”He’s still a growing boy, you know… Maybe you could use some of the buckles off a horse’s saddle.” Yon laughs at the thought.
”Of course, knowing that, maybe you could add a little more to the length? And hopefully patch up this little spot." he says, finally pointing to the spike pit trap hole. ”And anything else you can think up too. Maybe magic? This should cover it. Turns out saving the Echowood is good business,” he says tossing her a bag of 1000 gold. ”Dangerous business… but good.”
The leatherworker agrees to the adjustments. Salle and two assistants take notes before removing the barding. "Give us two days. It'll be ready."
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After taking the time to make sure that Ilyana's cottage is well stocked with firewood and game, he heads back to meet Yon at their campsite.
The next morning, at Abernard's, he pulls Agriver aside, only to be told that the paladin is busy. "Got a problem that I think you'll want to help me with. The tanner, just outside of town is abusing his workers... by which I assume I mean slaves. Now, I ain't rightly got an opinion on slaves... most are right good folks, and most slave-owners are not too bad, either. But, it ain't right abusing folks that are under your control. I think we oughta go take a little visit, and let 'em know our opinion."
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After Agriver indicates that he is busy until the next day, and Yon is no where to be seen, Robin gathers Vala and Spanky together. "This is probably more a job for us, than the paladin. There's someone who needs roughing up, so it ain't really for the lawful types.
"You see, there is a tanner just out of town that's been abusing his slaves. I ain't much for being the savior of all the downtrodden, but I can't abide no one abusing people under their control. Just ain't right.
"What say you two to payin' him a visit? I think we can teach him a lesson or two."
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Vala searches town for a forge to utilize. Likely guesses - the armory.
Walking up to whoever is behind the desk "Mind if I buy some time on your forge? I have an idea I want to test out."
"Also. I have this mithril chain shirt. Mind enchanting it for me? Magic." Vala says, putting a coin purse on the table.
Vala hunts down a training grounds. Anything that will suffice to practice some skills. Finding the Dojo she asks for permission to train.
"Robin. Sounds important. But. I have some stuff I need to take care of today - maybe we can check in on those folks tomorrow?"
Rillin Nadinghad is brought from the back room to discuss Vala's request for forge time. After hearing a little about this "invention" Rillin responds "Here is not the best place for that. However, Daldar Serragon runs the Ironworks just downhill from the dairy farm. I would talk to the dwarf ironsmith Hurmarsk Firehammer. He can help you out.
As for your armor, that won't be a problem. Give us a day or so to bring in another enchanter. Couple requests all at once - nice for business." She smiles and takes the coin purse.
Vala is led into the priory and given a brief history lesson about the Stalwart Fist monks who took up residence to provide support to the pilgrims of the Mendevian Crusade. Vala is introduced to Sister Khedra, the female dwarven monk who is head of the priory. She offers a brief sparring match to test Vala's skills. Vala does ok until the monk feints her into an open position and connects a stunning fist to the chest, collapsing Vala to one knee.
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Vala shakes it off, standing up with determination and excitement. Reverence even. "Wow. Could you teach me how to do that?"
Vala proceeds to spend about 8 hours a day for the rest of the week training and improving her martial skills.
Vala packs a quick trail lunch and heads to the Ironworks that Rillin mentions. Vala walks in. "Name's Vala. I'm looking for Hurmarsk Firehammer. He around? Rillin Nadinghad sent me your way. I have an idea I want to test out, and I need use of a forge to do it."
"You are undisciplined, but you have a fierce spirit. We must start on your self control and balance. We can teach you these things."
Vala quickly learns what Khedra means as she learns the arts of defensive fighting and feinting.
Hurmarsk greets Vala and listens to her idea. They quickly agree to work together on the project.
Vala's planning pays off as she combines her affinity for mechanical devices with Hurmarsk's smithy expertise. Between the two of them, they complete the project in 3 days.
"I will continue to manufacture these and we'll enjoy the rewards! We must have a drink later to our success!"
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Spyridon spends his day after his bow work relaxing. He heads to Royst's and finds a nice book to read through - a primer on the Infernal language.
Heading to the market on a break, he spends his money on some fine pens and paper. While his reports as of now he feels have been adequate, he begins to think that he should start preparing for his explorations in the Spire to be recorded in a much more permanent and professional manner.
As he breaks his new pens in, he adjusts to their style by penning a letter back to his teacher - which he then proceeds to destroy, sighing to himself. He changes pace and ends up writing a very finely scripted shopping list for himself -
Spyridon has an obviously unhappy look on his face.
"While I don't agree with it, the Hellknights have strict rules on their slave keeping. I'd have to do some research, but I'm not sure what you speak of is illegal." Spyridon thinks, his fingers on his chin, trying to recall some lost bit of information. After a few moments of futile recollection, he looks back at Robin. "That being said, even the indentured have basic rights. If you were to suggest something that is parallel-but-not-quite-within the law, I would be on board."
Spyridon recalls that while hellknights believe slavery to be a lawful form of restitution, their laws do grant slaves basic rights, such as food, shelter, and protection from excessive corporal punishment.
However, citizens are forbidden from "mob justice", and anyone acting as a vigilante will be harshly punished.
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"Sure we can wait. Those slaves ain't goin' anywhere. Just hope they all survive."
"Well, I am not saying we should go in and kill the man. I am more saying we talk to him. Get him to stop beating his slaves. Tell him that we will report him to the authorities if we don't see that he's done anything about it. Maybe infer we'd do a little more. " He shakes his head, thinking about the sorry shape of the slaves.
"I am not saying we storm in there, and threaten to throw his carcass into his own tanning solutions... but those slaves did seem to be in a right bad way."
When the conversations is over, Robin will go talk to Abernard. "So, I was thinking, I should get my bow here enchanted. Is this something you can take care of, or should I make my way to Juliver’s Arms? Or is there someone better for doing this sort of thing?"
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Spyridon nods as he thinks. "Letting him know we're aware and would like to check on the welfare of the slaves seems like a good solution. I imagine the threat of the Hellknights would carry more weight than our own threats anyway." Spyridon looks at Vala and Robin in turn. "I'm not terribly intimidating myself, but I'm sure I could prove our awareness of the law if I had the two of you backing me up."
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"If that's what we're gonna do, maybe we oughta have Yon and Aggie along. After all, if we're gonna 'bring the force of Law' with us, might as well have the pally, if you know what I mean." Robin replies.
'Didn't wanna bring the whole gang, but it looks like that's the way Spanky wants it?'
"He's got Hellknight contacts, anyway. Could help our cause."
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"No, no. Too much involved. A few people letting him know 'We've seen, we're watching, we're willing to report you' should be good. And if he decides to mess with us, well, we're well within our rights to defend ourselves." He shakes his head.
"Keep the others out of it - if a simple reminder of the law will keep him in line, we don't need the trouble the paladin might bring."
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Yon continues on his shopping excursions for the day. Making his way over to the Red Shield Tavern. And is mildly shocked to find Agriver there, and making stronger friendships with the local Hellknights. Pulling up a chair, Yon says to the paladin, "Agg-" *cough "Agriver! Didn't expect to see you here. You got business here too?"
Yon tries to determine which of the people in the tavern is Embra Marsk. He sits on the edge of his stool, his sweaty hand damping, and crumpling the corner of the letter from Royst.
Eventually he determines who Embra is, picking her out of the crowd, and the gets up and heads her way with the grace of a golem. Holding out the letter in front of himself he says, "Lady Marsk. I am Yon Li'l, and I have a letter from Abernard Royst about buying a piece of your collection."
Yon crosses the threshold of the Chancery, a little more comfortable in a business than he has been before. Surrounded by magical knick knacks he browses the shelves until he comes across someone manning the store, at which point he says, "Good day, (sir or madam). I'm looking for a certain type of magical item that can help with my spell casting. D'you have any pearls o'power here?"
Yon heads with Rbuod, and some more sausages out the North gate. Greeting the guards again, "like a tower-born." Then comes to the clearing once more. Ties the same squirrel pelt to the top most branch of a small bush again, and tells Rbuod to attack.
He then steps to the other side of the bush and yells, "Flank!" at the wolf. Soon after, "Good boy!" as he tosses a piece of sausage over.
Then he takes a step to his right, and yells, "Flank!" again.
... The two continue to drill the Flank maneuver for sometime, in the moonlight. All the while Yon feels he is being watched. Once they run out of sausages, Yon rolls out a soft blanket on the ground and meditates. Holding images of the flowing of rivers, and the drowned in his mind as best he can, before they all flow away.
Embra Marsk is a lovely woman to speak with. Having asked about one of her son's adventuring tokens, she invites Yon to sit with her as she tells an amazing tale about the green dragon he slew to harvest the hide. She agrees to the exchange of vouchers and gold for it. "I hope it serves you as well as it served him."
This building includes a chapel dedicated to gods of law, a good-sized library, arcane workrooms, and the Fort Inevitable offices of the Order of the Gate.
Recognizing Agriver, Signifer Oritian Hast welcomes you both to the Chancery. He speaks as a very articulate and learned man. "I see. You have come seeking magical objects of power and worth. They can be hard to acquire this far away from the larger cities. You have come to the right place!"
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After learning where to get his bow enchanted, Robin spends a good deal of time wandering around Fort Inevitable, getting the feal of the town. He tries to be a little more... sociable.. when he can, but cannot help himself to find himself a street over if a Hellknight patrol comes by.
Surprisingly to this woodsman, he finds that he has an affinity for the civilized areas... even though he still grates against the rules. He is astounded by the variation of the buildings in Fort Inevitable... he had always thought that towns would be drab and boring areas, but he learns that there are a lot of variation in what people have done, even in this Hellknight controlled town.
He makes his way to Juliver’s Arms, to check out the weapons he has. Trying to be subtle, Robin looks at the greatswords, poleaxes, and such, staying away from the bows for the moemnt. "So, I was wondering," he asks Juliver, when approached, "Do you folks enchant weapons, or are you only about selling new ones."
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While he is talking to the owner of Juliver's Arms, he notices a particularly nice looking falchion on the rack. He makes his way over to it it, picks it up, and takes a few demo swings. "Yes, that will do. I'll take this as well."
He then thinks about some of the troubles they've had in the Emerald Spire, and picks out a silvered light mace, just in case. He reminds himself to suggest to Vala that she do the same!
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Smiling warmly at the shop keep Agriver raises his hand in a fist as per the traditional greeting. ”Sir Hast – it is good to see you, I trust all is well.”
Post greeting he will place a hand on the druids shoulder and introduce him. ”This is my friend Yon Li’l and he is a woodland priest of Hanspur who is helping us explore the Emerald Spire. We are working with the Hellknights to map and report on our findings. With any luck the treasures we pull from its hold will help bolster the economy and defense of Fort Inevitable. Can you please honor the standard discount that has been graced unto me by the Order to him as well?”
The paladin will walk around the shop at Yon’s side and pay attention to what divine items draws his eye. As he watches the druid pick up a pearl and place it back on the satin pillow, he will also pick it up and roll it around the palm of its hand.
” Signifer, what can you tell me of this gem that Yon is interested in? It feels warm to me, and I can feel a faint hum within it. Is that a rose hip pearl? My family used to buy gems like this in Riddleport – but this one seems…. Special”
As he listens to the shop keep he will walk near an assortment of rods on similar pillows. ”What are these? What do they do? Curious objects sir… curious”
Agriver will look over at Yon and give him a sly wink and then goes back to learning about the merchandise.
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Yon returns to customary silence while inspecting the pearl. Making note of how both Agriver and Sir Hast speak to each other. Standard discount?! Speaking Tower-born is good for the purse too! he thinks.
Yon nods as Agriver mentions the warmth of the pearl, and wonders what must go into how it's made. However, he does note that the pearl itself... "This pearl itself could have come out of the rivers nearby. Robin and I found a few of these in the craws of river oysters, while in the wilds over the years. However, the magic itself, if you look closely, is where it gets that 'Rosehip glow.'" Turning his head up from his inspection to the merchant, he asks "What's the price?"
Robin heads to the weaponsmith and is introduced to Tsador Ironmaker, a brutish half-orc. He is a surly, foul-tempered man, but sells the best weapons in the Fort. He also contracts out the enchanting and will get that done.
Sir Hest will give some descriptions of the items asked about. pearls of power and belts of constitution etc.
Yon wakes up in the middle of the night to find Rboud gone - which is not suspicious in and of itself. He does come back a few hours later.
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Yon roughs up Rbuod's fur, when the wolf returns, as if to say, "Didn't I tell you to guard me? Oh well, it's good you're back." The two then return to the fort and find the others.
By the end of the week at fort, Yon and Rbuod have both spent much of their time outside the walls. Feeling confined by the stones and timbers protecting the citizenry. However, when it's time to make way back to the spire they enter Royst's abode and plan the excursion with the others.
The many hours Yon spent buffing the armors shows. The dragon scales look like they are still part of the living creature, and the leather barding on Rbuod shines along side him.
Upon alerting Agriver, and speaking with the Hellknights, you are asked to provided witness testimony to any crime witnessed. Having not seen one occur, you are asked for evidence.
The group is turned away with the information that the hellknights will "continue" to look into it.
The party spends 5 nights in town. Purchases and magical upgrades were completed, and a large amount of exploration was completed. Vala spent every day disappearing early in the morning, appearing late in the evening sweaty and freshly bruised.
On the morning of the 6th day, the party sets out to the Emerald Spire. They encounter no enemies on the route, and find Vala's alarm trapped undisturbed. They make their way down to the ladder in the spider lair, and traverse down to level 3:
Broad stone stairs open into a small, irregularly shaped chamber lit by oil lamps. To the east, a short flight of steps leads up to a sturdy door set in the middle of a wall and flanked by arrow slits. To the north, a wide gate of iron bars blocks an archway leading to a larger chamber filled with the eerie green glow of the Emerald Spire.
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Agriver walks down the stairs slowly tightening the straps on his full plate and adjusting his gauntlets.
"Vala, as you have been in the front of the group and given the number of traps we have seen recently – I asked some of my new friends in the keep to provision a potion for you.” the paladin hands her a light blue bottle with a grey stopper.
He then motions for her to lead on as he rests his greatsword over his pauldron once more.
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Yon lights up his way finder, and casts light on a buckle on Rbuod's armor. Shirak! "Can't know we won't find ourselves outside this lamp light somewhere else." Smelling the burning oil from the lamps, he says, "You think someone here is refilling these, or it's magic?"
Casts detect magic and looks around.
The party observes as Vala checks the portcullis. There is no chain or discernible lock visible from here.
As she turns the corner towards the door, two crossbow bolts fly out from the arrow slits!
But both miss as the party hears cursing from that direction.
Party Effects:
Light source: Yon, Rboud
Initiative Round One Bold may Act
Vala
Outlaw
Outlaw
Robin
Yon
Rboud
Spyridon
Agriver
Moving in on the iron-banded door, she finds it is locked.
"Who are we? You are entering our home and you have the audacity to demand our names? Foolish little girl."
Vala can see the men moving just a little as the glint of crossbow bolts are seen.
Party Effects:
Light source: Yon, Rboud
Initiative Round One Bold may Act
Vala
Outlaw
Outlaw
Robin
Yon
Rboud
Spyridon
Agriver
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"Heus Spanky, ita est cor eius et multiplicabo uti possumus ad hoc aptatum nobis contra ostium An putas quod moveatur ratione unus est? Possemus ostium iusti fiunt, et a tergo. O quam ignorant Azlanti spero." Robin asks in the language that Spyridon has been teaching him, likely butchering the syntax, but getting close enough. He waits for the bard's response.
"Hey, Spanky, is there a way that we can back up and use the spire to get us to the other side of the door? Or do you think that only one person can be moved with that token of yours? We could just bypass this door, and get them from behind. Oh, and I hope that they don't understand Azlanti."
"Si autem non, vos can fortasse satis Vala fascinant eos ad ostium aperire?"
Vala sees no reaction from the enemies due to the Azlanti speech.
Party Effects:
Light source: Yon, Rboud
Initiative Round One Bold may Act
Vala
Outlaw
Outlaw
Yon
Rboud
Spyridon
Robin
Agriver
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"Yea, we have the audacity to ask! You live beneath Goblins, Giant Moonspiders, and the Undead! Who does that?" Yon says stepping back behind the safety of the corner.
Continuing his banter at the men behind the arrow slits, he says, "Men who build walls to protect themselves from those monsters, that's who. Well, I've got a question for you: Do we look like Goblins, Moonspiders, or Skeletons?"
He quickly grabs Rbuod by the scruff and pulls him over to safety too.
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"I suppose we could have experimented with them a bit, I don't know the limits of it yet."
Spyridon steps up behind Agriver.
"Please! Give us but a moment to speak! We simply seek to investigate and learn about these ruins, we mean no harm! We come from a far off land as scholars, learners! Let us act as the intelligent beings we are and discuss your home and how we do not mean to disrupt it."
Spyridon's fascinate appears to have no effect.
Party Effects:
Light source: Yon, Rboud
Initiative Round One-Two Bold may Act
Vala
Outlaw
Outlaw
Yon
Rboud
Spyridon
Robin
Agriver
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Agriver winces and looks down at the crossbow bolt lodged expertly between the creases of his full plate, and looks at the shadowed recesses where the rogues are hiding.
”Impressive.”
The paladin moves down and blocks one of the arrow slits with the bulk of his form, angling slightly as to deflect the projectiles.
”Iomadae,show mercy"
The poison in Agriver's veins... and continues to sap his dexterity.
Having no other targets, the Outlaw shoots Robin.
The other Outlaw shoots Agriver.
Party Effects:
Light source: Yon, Rboud
Initiative Round Two Bold may Act
Vala
Outlaw
Outlaw
Yon
Rboud
Spyridon
Robin
Agriver
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Yon looks around the corner as Robin runs ahead. Rolling his eyes as his brother does something foolish, again. Happy with his place where he isn't getting hit by crossbow bolts, he struggles to choose what next to do.
Soon enough he rushes up to the fray, and prepares to help Agriver with the poisoning.
Rbuod continues to follow faithfully the last order he was given, and stays at Yon's side as they rush in together.