GM Rednal's Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

"He certainly sounds like the kind of guide we could do with," Shutai murmured, aware that they were not exactly in a position to be picky. Besides, she wouldn't mind a few...words...with a group who would leave a woman battered and bruised like this. It sounded like she had been alone, and the 'brave' warriors many.

Glancing at the others, she murmured, "No guide means we turn back here. Shall we visit this...Longthews?"

Aleksson nodded. "Yes. A man quick to violence might hide something." He didn't seek to jump to conclusions though, and however unlikely it was after a week, he minded the path to Asvig's farm, looking for tracks to see where Ulf may have been taken from the trail.

Survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

"Yes the more persistent we remain the sooner our enemies will make their move. Let us go visit Longthews."

Hearing you talk, Uksahkka nodded slightly, then took another deep drink from her cup. "Phaw! A' leasht thish shtuff's shtill good." she mused, her words sounding noticeably more slurred than before. "Thewsh'sh men're a pre'tty rou' lot. I'd shuggesht goin' when it'sh dark, m'shelf. 'Sh either tha' or shmackin' a lotta facesh."

Shutai looked at the others. She, herself, had no objection to going in the dark, but he didn't especially observe honour. The others might feel it was more morally questionable rather than sound tactical advice.

"Going in the dark? We are not trying to surprise attack them. We are simply going to investigate and try to find your friend. We will go now."

He looks to the other two to see if they agree.

"Indeed. If another fate befell him, we will miss the signs under cover of night. Either way, we prioritize clues and dialogue."

The frontal approach it was. Asvig’s farm lies a 2-hour walk (1-hour ride) southeast of the city in an area of lightly forested and marshy hills. Like many of the steadings in the area, Asvig’s farm is a fortified house of sod and stone where the landowner and his retainers can gather for common defense against the dangers of the wild.

A ring of short wooden posts driven into the ground surrounds the farm and its outbuildings, spaced every 30 feet at a distance of 60 feet from the farmhouse. The road to the farmhouse passes between two of these posts. These “animal posts” are topped with fancifully carved lion heads that are obviously the work of a woodcarver who has never actually seen a lion before (which, in fairness, is true for most just about everyone living in this land). The craftsmanship, however, is of good quality, and gold and red paint highlights the seams and creases in the wood. In addition, runes have been carved running down the length of each post.

At site of the runes Taka will be cautious and point them out to Shutai.

"You check that one I will check this one. Wouldn't want to engage a trap if this is some magical warding and not decoration."

[ooc]Using Detect Magic, SpellCraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Aleksson meanwhile, examined the posts and the ground surrounding for traps of a mundane variety.

Perception (Trapfinding +2): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

Following the others, Shutai kept an eye out on the approach to the walls.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Aleksson didn't find any mundane traps, but he did find some smudged runes that looked like they'd been drawn in the dirt, then somewhat shoddily erased. The posts, meanwhile, had a definite aura of conjuration magic - not, alas, anything Taka could decipher.

"Conjuration... Could be a simple alarm, could summon guard pets. Let us call for someone first before we cross. LONGTHEWS! He calls out. A few times.

If no response is given back he will begin to approach with caution not knowing what the ruins may do.

Aleksson waited patiently for a response.

Shutai tilted her head at Taka's shout, and started looking out for the most likely response - armed men with large clubs or swords.

There was no immediate response from the farmhouse - but there was a response from the posts a Taka first stepped past them. Both of them flashed brightly, and when the light died down, what looked like two leopards with faintly twisted forms were standing in the road, growling loudly.

Init (Leopards): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Init (Aleksson): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Init (Shutai): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Init (Taka): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Everyone's faster. XD They're a Move Action away from you.

Shutai stared at the not-quite leopard things. She'd seen better wood carvings that the person who had called these creatures, or maybe these were a different breed. Regardless, this was hardly the way to warmly invite guests into your home, and certainly not the action of someone with nothing to hide. Perhaps the guide was still here, held against his will...

Still, weakining the strange cats seemed a wise move.

Ray of Enfeeblement: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Strength Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Dang, nice damage roll Shutai.

Animus Gained: 4
+1 Maneuver at combat start: 1d4 ⇒ 1 | eldritch shield

Aleksson slipped a foot back back as he drew his bow, feeling the raised hairs on his arms as he built up a static charge. A glyph of grounding was latched to his allies at his call:
⧼ ⧼ 土 ⧽ ⧽
He then knocked an an arrow, focused the energy into weapon, and fired for the other leopard that hadn't just been weakened by Shutai.

Spark Strike
-1 animus for +1d4 damage
Mwk Shortbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Piercing Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Electricity Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 3) = 8

Maneuver Gained: 1d3 ⇒ 3 | temporal burn

Earth Glyph: Aleksson, Shutai, and Taka gain +3 to CMD for 4 rounds

"Summoned creatures. Be on guard this could alert others."

Taka studies the one closest to himself and bolsters his defense.

Move: Study Target
Standard: Mage Armor

Current AC: 23

Fort DC 15 Halves: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

The leopard hit by the spell managed to avoid the worst of it, but it was clearly weakened by the spell regardless, and Aleksson fired an arrow at the other. It charged towards him a moment later, raking out with teeth and claws alike.

Bite (Aleksson): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 for Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Claw (Aleksson): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Claw (Aleksson): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 for Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Free Grapple Check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Unfortunately for it, it didn't manage to actually grab ahold of him... but those were some rather nasty strikes.

Meanwhile, the other one was darting in at Shutai, albeit somewhat weaker than its friend.

Bite (Shutai): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 for Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Claw (Shutai): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Claw (Shutai): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 for Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Grapple Check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Gasping as the creature chomped down, Shutai reached out one hand, the fingers glowing with a dark, violent pulse.

Concentration Check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Touch of Agony (Touch Attack): 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 2 = 23
Non-Lethal Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

If Touch of Agony connects, and doesn't fizzle, the creature will take 1d4 non-lethal damage for the next 4 rounds.

Stopwatch
-1 animus for +2 to d20 rolls
Autohypnosis vs DC 20: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 2 = 27

Animus Gained: +2

Given that I take a 5' step to avoid the bite and that's the end of the charge, my success means I avoid all attacks?
The creature's bite and claw grabbed at Aleksson's armor, and in instant, he was paces back, out of range. He released his bow from one hand to free his blade with another, and stepped forth to strike, charging his blade with the residual temporal energy that still hung where he was seconds before.

Temporal Burn
-2 animus for +4 to d20 rolls
Mwk Wakizashi (+ animus): 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 4 = 14 blehhh
Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Untyped Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 4) = 15

Maneuver Gained: 1d2 ⇒ 2 | minute hand

Earth Glyph: Aleksson, Shutai, and Taka have +3 to CMD for 3 rounds

With Shutai wrestling with the beast Taka moves to flank and help.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 7 + (4) = 16

Dodging is dodging. XD *Totally writing that strategy down for future reference, though*

Shutai managed to hit the beast near her with a jolt of energy, although that wasn't enough to send it off to sleep. Aleksson's actual attack was... less effective, but Taka managed to step in and, with one heavy swing, cut down the beast assaulting your most magical teammate. That left just the one pursuing Aleksson, and it looked rather incensed about his dodge as it ripped out at him.

Bite (Aleksson): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Claw (Aleksson): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 for Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Claw (Aleksson): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 for Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Nodding her thanks for finishing the thing off and shaking life back into her hand, Shutai glared at the remain creature and hurled a frozen attack at it. If it enjoyed the cold weather up here, perhaps it would get on with this.

Snowball (Touch Attack): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 3, 3, 5) = 21

Taka then closes and flanks the remaining one with Aleksson now that they were engaged in melee.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (1) = 12

Animus Gained: +2 (maneuver initiated last round)

Recoiling from the blows, Aleksson struck out twice in the space of a single attack, hoping to finish the beast in a combined assault.

Mwk Wakizashi (+ Flank): 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 = 19
Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Minute Hand
-2 animus for +4 to d20 rolls
Mwk Wakizashi (- Maneuver + Flank + Animus): 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 4 = 21
Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Maneuver Gained: spark strike

Earth Glyph: Aleksson, Shutai, and Taka have +3 to CMD for 2 rounds

As it happened, Shutai's snowball was quite sufficient to finish things off... and the bodies of the two creatures simply disintegrated as the magic that had given them life reclaimed their physical forms. Alas, the wounds they'd caused still remained... but the way ahead did seem to be clear now.

"Not keen on visitors." Aleksson looked to Shutai, touching at his scratches. "My wounds aren't deep, but a touch of magic would be a boon."

"This welcome does not give me hope of the well being of the one we look for. Remain on guard as I foolishly called out already and the summoning could have contained an alarm of sorts as well."

Taka takes a moment and pulls his wand

"Save your magic Shutai."

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Shutai
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Shutai
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Shutai
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Alekkson

"Here this will only last a few minutes so we should hasten our search."

Taka then will cast pro evil on the 3 of them.

"This will ward summoned creatures from striking us and help our defense a bit. Now are we ready?"

Taka takes point assuming the others are ready and begins advancing toward the house.

Wand goes from 32 to 28 charges

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27

"Thank you, Taka. Let us be about our business." Laughing softly, she added, "I certainly think we might be on to something. One does not call up summoned creatures as guards simply because the neighbours are a rough sort."

Approaching closer to the farm itself, your keen ears were able to pick up some cheerful-sounding noise coming from within. It sounded like there was some sort of party going on in the main building, and the rugged northlanders certainly knew how to party hard. The fact that only the main building was lit added to this. The main building was a sturdy-looking stone structure, consisting of what looked to be one large hall and three extensions for, presumably, various functions.

Shutai gestured to the others that it might be wise to look around first. If the whole farm was in there, and they acted with the hostility they seemed inclined towards, taking on an entire Farmhouse full of drunken Northmen might be a poor idea.

Aleksson nodded, and re-affixed his shield to his left arm before scouting across the farm grounds.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 20 vs. traps

Taka nods agreeing and approaches cautiously with the others.

Steath: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

As the others look back at him he simply shrugs as each step he takes seems to find a twig to break.

"I am not made for sneaking about."

Following the others, Shutai whispered, "You are helpful in other ways. And they are quite drunk, from the sound of things."

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Percfeption: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

At the very least, the loud shouts from inside were making it quite hard to hear anything like twigs breaking... although make enough noise and sooner or later, somebody would definitely notice. There didn't seem to be any traps on the farm grounds, magical or mechanical. You did, however, find two doors in the extensions of the main building. One lay right past what looked like some kind of wool-working room (and seemed to go into the main hall), while the other entered into a sturdy extension in the main building. Both were on the north side of the house, opposite the road you'd entered from. There were no windows in the house, probably because trying to keep the heat in otherwise would have been an awful task even at best.

Aleksson only mildly winced at Taka's crunchy footsteps, and indicated the extension with a nod.

Taka advances with the others. He nods toward the door to the extension, but follows the lead of those more sneaky than him.

Shutai shrugged. The extension was as good a destination as any. She followed along.

Sneaking up to the door of the building's extension was easy, and from inside, you could hear several voices - two male and one female - that sounded like they were engaged in.... well... something that polite people would probably refer to as "relations" without providing much other detail. The door didn't seem to be locked, though.

Aleksson now regretted that they did not wait for cover of night, as he blushed a shade that'd beg a wellness check were he not as young as he was. He stared as his feet as he waited for someone else to give the group direction.

Shutai smiled, thinking, It's nice to see...well, hear...someone seeking Arshea's blessings. She had to stifle a chuckle at Aleksson's face. She murmured, "It doesn't sound like anyone is being held against there will in there. Shall we check another place?"

Taka nods.

"We are not here to assault the place, we just want to find out what happened, but be on guard."

Taka follows as they go to the wool-working room.

The wool-working room was pretty much exactly as it had looked from further away - a roofed chamber with one side open to the air, piles of wool in various stages of being worked, and a door heading into the main hall. Listening close, it sounded quite boisterous inside.

"What is our next move? Do we enter and cause alarm? Try and talk our way out. These north man seem quick to violence so no matter our choice do not let your guard down. While it gives up any strategic advantage this would be my choice as we are not certain if these men are enemies."

"Without proof, I see no other option but to talk. We cannot simply attack them because they used summoned beasts to guard their gates, nor the words of a single woman deep into her cups. But we need that guide, or else is for naught." Shutai shrugged her thin shoulders. "But we have two choices. I can make myself look like one of them, and ask questions. And I can use Charm Person to try and improve the situation. But if the person resist, it will likely cause a negative response."

"Let's speak to them. I am clumsy with words, but we shouldn't be hasty with weapons." He reached into his pocket and felt around for the earth elemental gem. "And if they'd rather fight, we'll be ready for that too."

Remember that spellcasting is quite visible, and Charm Person won't stop anyone else in the room from noticing you tried it. o wo/ You may want to include that detail in your plans.

Normally true, but Shutai can use Charm Person as a spell-like ability twice a day, which means it won't have the normal somatic or verbal components. I is cunning!

Shutai looked over to Taka, to see his opinion.