AC 19, 23 on AoO; 25/46 HP
BAB = +6/+1 (level 6)
ToHit = 1d20+10
RHit = 1d20+10-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
LHit = 1d20+10-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
THit = 1d20+5-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
Throw = 1d20 + BAB + Dex
Fort+6 (+4 vs inhaled and contact poisons, +2 vs. disease)
Reflex+7
Will+4 (+2 base/wis, +1 headband)
Initiative +2
CMD = 23, 21 if flat footed
Flexibility Slots: 5/6
Shirt Slots: 10/10
"Isn't it obvious? Big guy like you, barely feels a thing when we slip our hands in."
Mortimer looks more hurt by this remark than he was by his actual wounds before he was healed by Ascaria.
I feel things. I do.
Mortimer shakes his head ruefully, but otherwise remains still, and likewise lowers his voice. "You'll probably want to remember to steer clear from us then, as we are apparently of some interest to 'them'. But before you go -- can you give a clue as to who 'they' are? A place? A name they go by?"
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“Archer, might you stop the Glitter Effect?”
”Sorry, I can’t get rid of it, but it will only last about a half a minute. I can stop plinking grows at you, though. Sorry about that.”
Round 2, Init 7
Noting that diplomacy has won against the pickpockets, but lost against the beast, Tynan turns his attention fully in that direction. The crackle of electricity next to him, and the smell of ozone filling his nostrils, his thoughts turn dark.
It would be so easy to just walk into the next bolt... but Ascaria would just fight to bring me back. Again....
Tynan shakes off his morbid thoughts, and moves quickly to cover behind the beast's wagon, attempting to conceal himself from its many sets of eyes.
Hourpen teeters on the brink, thankful to be pulled back a bit more. He follows Tynan's example, vanishing and taking a wide path toward the creature.
Mortimer spars words, not fists. Tynan, Solrisa and Hourpen begin to circle the uncaged beast, while Eri fires two arrows into the female thief. Ascaria bleeds for his buddies, then heals both baddies and buddies alike, after seeing the archer ply his trade on the south side of the lawn.
The still-injured thief turns to Ascaria, then Mortimer, then her partner. She flicks her head, and he takes off just ahead of her, still glittered. She turns back to Mortimer. "You looking to stick your hand in a vipers'nest, be my guest. 'Sodden Hold'. Don't know where it is, myself, but that name comes up every once and awhile." She runs without looking back.
The remaining Guard retreats, possibly trying to obtain reinforcements, possibly looking for a change of undergarments...
The three-headed beast takes wing again, this time cutting off the second 'tamer's' retreat, where he proceeds to snip off the only head the man has. A shame he doesn't have more...
"Not nice hu-men. Now they are dead. Do you want to be next?"
Round 3, Init 11
AC 19, 23 on AoO; 25/46 HP
BAB = +6/+1 (level 6)
ToHit = 1d20+10
RHit = 1d20+10-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
LHit = 1d20+10-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
THit = 1d20+5-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
Throw = 1d20 + BAB + Dex
Fort+6 (+4 vs inhaled and contact poisons, +2 vs. disease)
Reflex+7
Will+4 (+2 base/wis, +1 headband)
Initiative +2
CMD = 23, 21 if flat footed
Flexibility Slots: 5/6
Shirt Slots: 10/10
Mortimer strolls into the square to check out the "parade".
Round: 4, Initiative: 21
Weapon Equipped = Mort’s brush
Conditions = Bless (4/60r)
Life Link (6)(100’) = Eri, Hourpen, Mort, Sol, Tynan
Channel Energy (7/9) (DC: 19)(Avoid 6) (3d6+1)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, reroll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (3/3)
Melee Attack: BAB +4, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +4, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 6, Concentration +12)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Mending, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (7/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command
Second (18): (6/7) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Pilfering Hand
Third (19): (4/4) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Neutralize Poison
Ascaria grimaces a bit as Hourpen and Mort both heal a little.*
Ascaria moves up a bit to try and capture the injured (though likely dead) guards and handlers (though I think the latest biting is too far away). He channels energy to heal everyone he can reach - excepting the chimera. He carves out the evil beast who lied to him…
Round 3, Init 5
Solrisa pauses, trying to decide what to do.
If Rae were here, she'd have already started more fighting. But...
Solrisa's lips squish in hard thought.
"Ascaria, that nice guard from before told us to get guards instead of hurting things, right?"
Ascaria looks at Sol carefully and looks at the random bloodshed of the last few seconds.
He speaks slowly, "Sol. This thing lied to me. It has no intention of playing nice. We need to drop it. I still think we should, you know, knock it out."
"So go get it!" he smiles back, knowing what an unleashed Sol will do to the beast.
"So go get it!"
Solrisa looks back at Ascaria and cricks her head, smiling at the goofy gnomeling.
"Oh, you're so silly, Ascaria. I know it's evil, but the guard said we should get them, right? They should handle things like this."
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Round 5, Init 22 AC:17
“If you find yourselves targeted again, subdue your attackers.”
”I am going to cast my Rae spell. It does nonlethal damage and that’s what the guards told us t use if someone or something had murderous intent. Do you remember? It’s almost like Rae is telling you to attack. Look.”
With that, Eri lets fly and admonishing ray.
AC 12 or 17
CMD 16
BAB +3
Defensive casting = 13 (@5th)
Spell Penetration= 5
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
b]Orisons[/b] DC:14(Acid Splash, Create Water, Detect Magic. Mage Hand, Spark, Message, Prestidigitation)
First Level: DC:15 (5/7 per day) (Feather Fall, Grease. Gravity Bow, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, shocking grasp)
Second Level: DC:16 (3/5 per day) (Admonishing Ray, Glitterdust, Gust of Wind)
Weapon equipped = +1 Composite Long Bow
+7 or +5/+5
+8 or +6/+6 within 30' with +1 dam
Solrisa looks back at Ascaria and cricks her head, smiling at the goofy gnomeling.
"Oh, you're so silly, Ascaria. I know it's evil, but the guard said we should get them, right? They should handle things like this."
Ascaria laughs, "Sol, I don't think that guard is coming back out of a sense of self preservation, and the other may already be dead. If you don't want to help, fine, but the rest of us are going to attack that thing. Stand and watch if you prefer."
He chuckles and focuses on the task ahead.
Uncertain and dithering, Sol delays until after the beast goes, her shield is at the ready.
AC 19, 23 on AoO; 39/46 HP
BAB = +6/+1 (level 6)
ToHit = 1d20+10
RHit = 1d20+10-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
LHit = 1d20+10-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
THit = 1d20+5-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
Throw = 1d20 + BAB + Dex
Fort+6 (+4 vs inhaled and contact poisons, +2 vs. disease)
Reflex+7
Will+4 (+2 base/wis, +1 headband)
Initiative +2
CMD = 23, 21 if flat footed
Flexibility Slots: 2/6
Shirt Slots: 10/10
"I think Sol was referring to the 'nice' Guard that didn't arrest us at the Crooked House. Turns out, I don't think that Guard was all that 'nice', but it was definitely nice not to be arrested." Again. "Best to err on the side of caution. Protect the little people, and here try only to subdue." ... as long as we have to endure this -- accursed town.
He stands there, waiting to see what the Beast's next move will be.
Tynan moves behind the nearest merchant's stall, and once again attempts to conceal himself.
Mortimer readies to deal with the developing events of Thrune Square. Tynan repositions, falling into the shadow of a merchant's tent. Solrisa delays, expecting military intervention shortly. Hourpen gives the beast wide berth, circling to the south, and making his preparations for a powerful strike, should the beast show its true self. Eri steps up within 35' and admonishes the terrifying creature, demonstrating to the maiden how to treat unleashed monsters justly in Egorian. Ascaria hurts and heals some more, maintaining a zero sum game for all injured parties, save the beast itself, of course.
With Eri's encouragement, er, admonishment, the three-headed creature has all the provocation it requires, closing on the archer, and savaging him with goat teeth.
"Die you die you." Its other heads look around warily, as the creature begins to understand that several of you have remained, where others have feared to tread.
Round 5, Init 5
Solrisa follows, taking the 3headed beast from behind.
"The guards are late! I'll do what I can!" she cries aloud.
to hit; (-PA,+flank,+dragon,+bless)
magic damage.
to hit; (-PA,+flank,+dragon,+bless)
magic damage.
AC=24(27) (10 armor +1 dex +1 NA+2 shield) +3 dragon
HP=52/52
Right hand = long sword
Left hand = shield
LoH 0/5 used
Quick Shirt 0/1 used
The Dragon Invoked 1/2 used
Breath of the Dragon 0/1 used
[ dice]1d20+11-2[/dice] to hit; (-PA)
[ dice]1d10+5+6[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+6-2[/dice] to hit; (-PA)
[ dice]1d10+5+6[/dice] magic damage.
Hourpen closes the distance after casting a spell, attacking as soon as he is close enough.
, , , . Target is staggered for 1 round.
Round 4, Init 11
AC 19, 23 on AoO; 39/46 HP
BAB = +6/+1 (level 6)
ToHit = 1d20+10
RHit = 1d20+10-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
LHit = 1d20+10-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
THit = 1d20+5-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
Throw = 1d20 + BAB + Dex
Fort+6 (+4 vs inhaled and contact poisons, +2 vs. disease)
Reflex+7
Will+4 (+2 base/wis, +1 headband)
Initiative +2
CMD = 23, 21 if flat footed
Flexibility Slots: 4/6
Shirt Slots: 10/10
Knockout: 0/1
Mortimer moves up and tries to look all -- something.
for
Round: 5, Initiative: 21
Weapon Equipped = Mort’s brush
Conditions = Bless (4/60r)
Life Link (6)(100’) = Eri, Hourpen, Mort, Sol, Tynan
Channel Energy (7/9) (DC: 19)(Avoid 6) (3d6+1)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, reroll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (3/3)
Melee Attack: BAB +4, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +4, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 6, Concentration +12)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Mending, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (6/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command
Second (18): (6/7) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Pilfering Hand
Third (19): (4/4) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Neutralize Poison
Ascaria grimaces a bit as Eri and Mort both heal a little.*
"Pounce of Kittens Sol but that was a nice hit! Careful though, we don't want to kill it if we can - remember?"
He moves back and to the side a little, keeping the big Mort between him and danger. He considers his options, and simply casts a Cure Light Wounds on himself.
"Nope," Solrisa answers Ascaria. "This is a bad thing that needs to die now."
Round 6, Init 22 AC:17
Eri takes a 5’ step and looses another admonishing ray.
”Sorry I can’t play oopsie topsie with you, Sol.”
AC 12 or 17
CMD 16
BAB +3
Defensive casting = 13 (@5th)
Spell Penetration= 5
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
b]Orisons[/b] DC:14(Acid Splash, Create Water, Detect Magic. Mage Hand, Spark, Message, Prestidigitation)
First Level: DC:15 (5/7 per day) (Feather Fall, Grease. Gravity Bow, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, shocking grasp)
Second Level: DC:16 (2/5 per day) (Admonishing Ray, Glitterdust, Gust of Wind)
Weapon equipped = +1 Composite Long Bow
+7 or +5/+5
+8 or +6/+6 within 30' with +1 dam
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"Nope," Solrisa answers Ascaria. "This is a bad thing that needs to die now."
”Sol, you can’t be this, this… binary. We’re a team, and that means we make decisions as a group.”
”Think about it - we stun this thing and we have options. Kill it and we don't. Look, the guards warned us not to kill again and someone owns this thing - they may want it’s value out of the killers.”
”Think a moment Sol, just stop and think, don’t kill it if we don’t have to. Just down it and let's talk about our options.”
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Round 6, Init 7
Tynan rushes from his hidden position when he sees the rest of the group surrounding the beast.
"Listen to Ascaria, Sol. The last thing any of us needs is to be imprisoned in this town. We still have our mission to stop the worms."
Mortimer tries to brain one of the brains, but manages to throw a fist between them instead. Tynan closes from the rear, readying to assist the others on the other side. Solrisa brings a dragon's strength to the beast's flank, injuring it deeply. Hourpen comes out of invisibility, planting a fierce cut in the creature's other side. Eri admonishes the creature yet again. Ascaria hurts and heals some more, reserving communal healing for what little damage remains.
The staggered beast wheels around, unable to unleash hell upon the maiden, so it breathes instead. Both Solrisa and Tynan are hit in the lightning that erupts from the dragon's head.
"Hu-men cruel. Hu-men die."
edit:
Reflex
Solrisa ducks under her shield, putting wood between her and the blast.
Round 5, Init 7
Instinctively, Tynan dodges the blast of electricity. He steps to his left, and makes a flurry of attacks using the pommels of his swords to subdue the creature.
HP:28/40
Saves:Fort 5, Ref 9, Will 3
Round 5, Init 11
AC 19, 23 on AoO; 44/46 HP
BAB = +6/+1 (level 6)
ToHit = 1d20+10
RHit = 1d20+10-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
LHit = 1d20+10-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
THit = 1d20+5-2 (-2 to hit, +4 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
Throw = 1d20 + BAB + Dex
Fort+6 (+4 vs inhaled and contact poisons, +2 vs. disease)
Reflex+7
Will+4 (+2 base/wis, +1 headband)
Initiative +2
CMD = 23, 21 if flat footed
Flexibility Slots: 4/6
Shirt Slots: 10/10
Knockout: 0/1
Given the current debate by the party regarding the Beast's fate, Mortimer makes his intention clear by re-attempting to subdue. He draws from recent experience.
"Some Humans are cruel, but we're not like that. Lay down, big guy, we don't want to kill you."
for
If the beast collapses into an unconscious heap, Mort steps between the Beast and Sol. Otherwise, he tries to hit it again to knock it out.
The blow Mortimer levels proves enough to sink the creature into unconsciousness, while Tynan reinforces it with a single, well-placed blow of his own. The Square grows quiet, then louder, as folks return to witness the aftermath.
Charred bodies by the stand, and unconscious chimera make for quite a sight. Guards eventually return to sort out the debacle. Performers with the traveling troupe are made to pay restitution on the spot, but not before they quickly hand off two potions of resist energy(electricity), taken from the fallen forms of the 'tamers'. They manage to secure to unconscious creature onto the cart, and are escorted directly from the Square, and presumably directly from the city itself. What happens once the chimera regains consciousness, who's to say.
For all the buzz, Solrisa, with the help of Ascaria, is able to place Telakin and his unpinnable crew to the River District. This, combined with Mortimer's extraction of a name, 'Sodden Hold', may be enough to locate a residence or shop, considering the River District is largely commercial river business. There was also a key retrieved from Ox, the shape-shifting assaulter at the Crooked House. The way looks much clearer now, should you choose to seek an audience with Telakin.
Solrisa watches as the chimera is carted away, uncertain if it is proper to lock up rather than immediately execute the irredeemably evil. She shrugs, letting it go and smiles back at the sun smiling upon her. She smiles at the rest of the group, looking from face to face.
"So...do we want to finish our shopping and see if we can figure out how to make amends to Telakin? I don't know what we did to make him mad at us, but we should go apologize," Solrisa says cheerfully, already looking forward to trying to smooth things over.
Weapon Equipped = Mort’s brush
Conditions = Bless (4/60r)
Life Link (6)(100’) = Eri, Hourpen, Mort, Sol, Tynan
Channel Energy (6/9) (DC: 19)(Avoid 6) (3d6+1)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, reroll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (3/3)
Melee Attack: BAB +4, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +4, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 6, Concentration +12)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Mending, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (6/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command
Second (18): (6/7) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Pilfering Hand
Third (19): (4/4) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Neutralize Poison
Ascaria takes in some damage from the lightning bolt (10hp, healing 5hp each to Tynan and Sol). He then channels to heal (excluding the chimera - let it sleep off it's pain!).
"Sol, I suspect this guy wants to kill us, and we might just have to do the same to him before it's over. I'm not sure he'll be happy just talking, but it's totally worth a shot if we get the opportunity."
"Yes, let's drift by today and head out tomorrow. I think our things (Mort's armor, other purchases) will be ready tomorrow anyway, and we might as well be prepared."
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Solrisa smiles at Ascaria.
"Oh, Ascaria, stop being silly," Solrisa chirps. "First, he probably wants to kill us because we won't apologize for whatever we did." She glances at Mort because people often want to hurt him (like in Diamond Lake) and is trying to remember if they did anything recently to draw the ire of more people.
"Secondly, we're not supposed to kill things in this town. You just told me that, didn't you?" Solrisa earnestly asks the question because she doesn't remember what of the many people yelling at her not to kill the chimera said what.
"We'll apologize and I'm sure we'll work things out."
"We'll apologize and I'm sure we'll work things out."
"I admire your optimism Sol, and sincerely hope you're right. If we keep disabling our foes rather than killing them we'll get out of this town alive and un-imprisoned. That's my goal."
Once it is clear to Mortimer that Solrisa is happy to let the creature go unconscience and bound, he stands down, brushes the dirt distributed by the fracas off of his armor and starts looking over the carnage to see if he can locate an orphaned short sword.
He absent mindedly listens to the chit-chat and his ear catches on "shopping".
"Those thieves took my brush," he disgruntledly mutters. "' gonna need a new one -- or two."
" I don't know what we did to make [Telakin] mad at us, but we should go apologize"/
"I'm not sure [Telakin will] be happy just talking, but it's totally worth a shot if we get the opportunity."
"First, he probably wants to kill us because we won't apologize for whatever we did, Secondly, we're not supposed to kill things in this town. You just told me that, didn't you?"
Mortimer's eyes narrow in internal focus.
"We didn't do anything to Telakin to apologise for, 'Risa," he says, hissing slightly when saying the second syllable of her name as he thinks about the Shapeshifters. "But we should definitely track him down. He's likely to put up a fight, but we need to locate who it is who hired him to come after us in the first place. After my 'parley' with the thieves, I suspect this guy is first rate, and may likely see us coming from miles away. Just -- everyone -- be on your guard."
"Those thieves took my brush," he disgruntledly mutters. "' gonna need a new one -- or two."
Oh! Right! Ascaria looks surprised, and holds up Mort's brush. "I took it back!" he says mischievously.
He leans in a little as he hands the cold iron bristle-brush back to the big man, "You know you might have more hair if you used something less, well, less stiff."
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"We didn't do anything to Telakin to apologise for, 'Risa," he says, hissing slightly when saying the second syllable of her name as he thinks about the Shapeshifters. "But we should definitely track him down."
Solrisa looks at Mort, a puzzled look on her face.
"Clearly, we have done something, Mort," Solrisa confirms completely correctly, "Unless someone is just trying to randomly kill us. And if the reason they want to kill us is something we can apologize for, we should."
Solrisa thinks more, remembering something. Her face breaks into a smile.
"Sometimes you have to apologize just because," Solrisa explains. "Like sometimes when Mommy brings back two scary dolls from Ustalav, one yellow and one blue, and it's your turn to get first pick and you take the blue one but that's the one that Rae wants and she cries and gets very mad and then you have apologize and apologize and say you're very sorry many times until is willing to talk to you again. And then you have to give her both dolls because you did something wrong that you didn't know was wrong."
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"I took it back!"
Mort looks at the gnome in genuine surprise. Well, of all things...! Yes -- that IS my brush! He takes it back in wonder. So that's what flew past my head as I was running after the thieves!
"You know you might have more hair if you used something less, well, less stiff."
Now with a look of bewilderment, Mortimer regards Ascaria, then at the cold iron brush in his hand, then back at little Ascaria and his little crop-mop of bushy bright golden hair.
"What was that? Did you get hit in the head, li'l buddy? I comb my hair with a comb when it needs it. And there's plenty of it, mind you. Maybe too much." He rolls his eyes up to look at his forelock. He then holds up The Brush.
"This," he announces reverently and with some authority, "is not for hair -- it is a cold iron paint brush."
He continues after a brief pause," I've never actually met one, but I've heard that Monks use these to write letters and words on their fannies in fancy script. It's called Colliegraphy, I think -- but you can also hit baddies in critical spots with the pointy end. Or throw it at them."
With a fancy twirl of the brush, he secures it inside the haversack. He then pulls out a grooming kit, retrieves from it an onyx comb and starts running it through his hair.
He immediately snags it on a tuft of thick dark-metallic hair, and the comb breaks. He regards it with a lifted yet wearisome eyebrow and sighs.
Huh. Guess I can't put off that hair cut any longer.
"Clearly, we have done something, Mort," Solrisa confirms completely correctly, "Unless someone is just trying to randomly kill us."
"Naw -- I just meant it's not personal to --", he considers the logic of her reasoning and abandons further attempt to explain his thought to her. He lets her finish.
"Like sometimes when Mommy brings back two scary dolls from Ustalav [...]"
That's just wrong. No, that's different. Can't let that go.
"That's different, Solrisa," he says empathetically," That was just Rae crying and making loud noise out of selfishness to get what she wanted. Taking your right to first pick wasn't wrong. You didn't do anything wrong, the blue doll should have been yours to keep, in my opine. That would have been the point of first pick -- that would have been fair, you see."
He looks down regretfully securing his broken comb in the kit in the backpack. "Let's just go," he says, a slight touch of annoyance in his voice.
"I still wonder if that pregnant cult priestess isn't behind these attacks... she certainly would have plenty of cause to dislike us, especially after we took down their cell in Diamond Lake." Tynan shrugs, and stick close to the others for their shopping foray.
"I still wonder if that pregnant cult priestess isn't behind these attacks... she certainly would have plenty of cause to dislike us, especially after we took down their cell in Diamond Lake." Tynan shrugs, and stick close to the others for their shopping foray.
"Oh.... OH!" Ascaria thinks back. "Very good call. Didn't one of 'em say they were working for a woman? We should totally have asked if she was pregnant..."
"Good call."
”She certainly would have plenty of cause to dislike us.”
Eri grins and pats Sol on the back and says,
”I don’t know what you’re talking about. You are the nicest group of stone-cold killers I have ever met! Should we sneak by the place in groups of two? One big group or should just the sneaky sneak?”
"Very good call. Didn't one of 'em say they were working for a woman? We should totally have asked if she was pregnant..."
"Well, just because she was pregnant when we met her doesn't mean she was when Telakin met her. But I agree, Kendra seems like the most likely suspect."
"As far as the approach goes, I think some sneaks need to do some sneaking to see if this 'Sodden Hold' is even the target we should be seeking." He rolls his eyes at the unintended alliteration.I really don't want to deal with a pregnant woman.
Solrisa is super happy that finding the right person to apologize to is a priority. She follows the team on the walk by of the Sodden Hold.
Then she returns home for dinner, sleep, bath, & breakfast in some order.
The group slowly starts to travel in the direction of the Riverside District. From Thrune Square, and a somewhat slow hour's walk, and you find yourselves roughly three miles southwest of your chimera encounter. The neighborhood becomes somewhat darker, as you pass through Devil's Dance, where occasionally you set eyes on rogue imps flying from rooftop to rooftop. Even they seem to travel in pairs. For safety.
As late afternoon settles in, the streets become denser surrounding the taverns, brothels, and common houses, where conversations grow louder and more patriotic for the 'true land', for the 'most powerful of all nations', and the voices compete for most clarion of calls.
The setting sun casts many more shadows compared to earlier in the day, allowing the subtler party members more opportunity to avoid unwanted gazes.
There are plenty of patrolling guards, which seems to comport with the activity of the local businesses just off the waterfront. For your party's number, you become unsure that you aren't attracting eyes or discouraging unwanted attentions from smaller gangs. Every once and awhile, you see a young boy or girl quickly leave their doorsteps to duck into a smaller alleyway, their eyes darting over their skeletal shoulders.
How do you proceed?
Ascaria looks at the nature of the district, and begins to wonder if this is a good idea.
"Look, we can't stealth as a group, and we stick out like a sore thumb around here. I say we abandon this for today, and come back tomorrow when we have our gear. I don't want to get sucked into something we're not ready for..."
He wonders about Hourpen and Tynan, "Maybe Hourpen and Tynan could slink around and learn something, but perhaps they'd get noticed too - and we'd be too far away to really help them unless we tag along anyway, and, well, I think that way lies conflict."
He starts walking back to safer districts, "Come on. Let's come back tomorrow when we're ready. I'll buy us all a round at the pub."
Ascaria heads back to their home away from home.
"Yes, I agree -- I had no idea this city was this big. Despite that, I feel like a big fish in a small bowl," Mortimer grumbles. His voice lightens, and he adds. "Besides, all this walking around has made me very tired and hungry! Grabbing some grub and a good beer sounds ... " he trails off, searching for the right word, " grand to me..." He frowns and rolls his eyes again upon the word on which he finally settled.
' too tired. I should really just be quiet.
"That's different, Solrisa," he says empathetically, "That was just Rae crying and making loud noise out of selfishness to get what she wanted. Taking your right to first pick wasn't wrong. You didn't do anything wrong, the blue doll should have been yours to keep, in my opine. That would have been the point of first pick -- that would have been fair, you see."
Solrisa shakes her head.
"Oh no," Solrisa says, vehemently disagreeing, her smile briefly failing. "Rae was my big sister, she would never do that. Never ever. She was a very good big sister. Eventually, I got the yellow doll too. Rae had accidentally broken it when she accidentally tore the head off then accidentally burnt the hair off with a candle. Even though it was a little bit accidentally broken, I was still happy to have the yellow burnt one. But that was only after I said sorry many times." Her smile returns to her face as she remembers Rae.
* * *
Solrisa walks with the party not noticing all the skulking and lurking going on about her.
"Look, we can't stealth as a group, and we stick out like a sore thumb around here. I say we abandon this for today, and come back tomorrow when we have our gear. I don't want to get sucked into something we're not ready for..."
"Oh, I'm not very good at hidesies-seeksies," Solrisa says with a smile. "Rae always seemed to find me though I hid and I hid. But she's a good looker."
She consents to return.
"I feel like we have been accidently pushing our luck a lot in this town. Let's not do it on purpose this time. I'm ok with heading back to the shaky safety of the hotel."
"Rae was my big sister, she would never do that. Never ever. She was a very good big sister."
"'Rae was' your big sister? She still IS, you know -- she's not present with us here -- but she's still out there -- being your big sister. Nope, can't change that. A great, ov'r er -- protective big sister at that. Always will be. More mature and grown up than little Child Rae, who wouldn't speak to you because of a doll," he says hastily in an attempt to redact the horrid thing he just said about Child Rae and hoping to assuage the objecting Sol's vehemence. Not in the face!
He listens as she continues, his face transforming from the desperate agreeable apologetic expression to something resembling abject horror.
"Eventually, I got the yellow doll too. Rae had accidentally broken it when she accidentally tore the head off then accidentally burnt the hair off with a candle. Even though it was a little bit accidentally broken, I was still happy to have the yellow burnt one. But that was only after I said sorry many times."
What are the odds? That's a lot of 'accidents'. She saved a doll from her sister, but had to beg to do it... I've heard of this sibling rivalry thing. ' didn't know it could be ... this weird...
Still slightly appalled, he shakes his head and bravely ventures forth, "That was long ago, Sol. Rae didn't have any such accidents like that as long as I've known her, right? No, now-a-days a fine big sister to have if ever there was one," he concludes, hoping he sounds more convinced than he feels.
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"Hourpen and I can scout a bit while the rest of you make it back to the inn." Tynan looks at the wary residents, eying such a large group. "Besides, we'll likely draw less attention with smaller numbers. We'll meet you back there shortly."
Once the others have departed, Tynan motions for Hourpen the gnome to follow him away from prying eyes.
"You should use the hat to take on the appearance of a dwarf... just to throw off anyone who might have been watching us. I'll see what I can do on my own."
Tynan quickly flips his reversible cloak from the gray side to the brown side, and raises the hood. He uses some dirt from the litter strewn alleyway to slightly darken his complexion, stoops a bit, and prepares to walk with a slight limp.