Dorabeth continues to wring her hands, glancing again at Steve. Well, you know...elves are tricksters. Most of 'em are infertile, so they steal children and they musta stole away poor Thalia, for...oh...I just don't wanna think about it.
Merton clears his throat and tries to make small talk. Sauerton is quite a nice and safe town. This is quite unusual for something of this sort to happen. I just don't know who would want to do this. Thalia is so nice and innocent and well her father, the mayor, has received a huge surge in popularity, turning what was going to be a rough election into what looks to be a landslide. Merton scratches his head.
His rivals in the People’s Council had been criticizing his failure to keep the countryside and town’s perimeter safe from wildlife dangers coming out from the Verduran Forest, but nobody is willing to entertain their criticism of a man whose daughter is missing! Demrick pauses in thought, then says. It’s funny. Anytime things seem to go badly for an Andares, there always seems to be a silver lining or convenient turn of events. Hopefully his luck holds out for this dreadful ordeal.
Merton is stopped from continuing with his idle chatter as the door to the drawing room opens. A tall Taldan man who has aged gracefully with curly, graying black hair—opens the drawing room door for another man, saying, “I thank you again for your concern, cousin Sander, but the services of the Eagle Knights are not called for here. Surely you would not risk Thalia’s safety in such a bold manner.” He pauses upon noticing the party. With a hint of exasperation, he says. Greetings Captain Merton, to what do I owe this visit?
He then turns his attention to the party. And whom may I ask are you lot and what are you doing in my home?
Tercio takes the letter and opens it, taking his time reading it and occasionally glancing at the party. He finishes reading the letter, folds it crisply and nods to the man called Sander before saying, "Welcome to Sauerton Pathfinders. I hope you find your visit amiable, but I am afraid you've traveled all this way for naught. I do not require any assistance and implore you not interfere. I do not want to risk something happening to my daughter."
Tercio shakes his head slowly. I do not know yet. There has not been a ransom letter or anything of that sort. He turns to Xenobia. I do not doubt you are qualified, but sometimes a situation requires a little more...tact and discretion than the Pathfinder Society is know to typically use.
Tercio shakes his head and holds his hands up. I do appreciate the offer and thank the Society for their offer, but I really must insist that you Pathfinders stay out of this affair. I will handle this my self and don't want to risk any harm coming to my daughter. Now if you'll excuse me, I have pressing matters to attend to. Dorabeth will show you out. Captain. He finishes with a curt nod to the halfling, as he exits.
As Tercio leaves, Dorabeth turns to the party, still wringing her hands. Oh, Master Tercio is such a strong-headed man, won't take help from no one. I am just worried sick about Thalia though, if there is any way I could help.... She pauses, thinking. ...if I could sneak one or two of you up to Thalia's room, do think that would be helpful...maybe you could find some clue or something?
With Dorabeth's aid, Andrazi and Brutus sneak up the stairs and enter Thalia's room.
Thoroughly searching the room, the two uncover hidden notes indicating that her family—including her father Tercio—may have conspired with other powerful political families to form new dynasties within the ostensibly democratically elected seats of government around north and central Andoran.
The trio then pad softly back down the stairs and return to the parlor. Captain Demrick gives the two a questioning look as the reenter. Are you folks done here? Shall we leave.
"Wawk, wawk, wawk!"
Captain Demrick scratches his head in thought for a moment then says. There is an old, abandoned villa that burnt this past season and hasn't been repaired. Perhaps that is what your looking for. The halfing proceeds to give you detailed direction on how to find the villa than says. Please make haste so as to keep any conspirators from knowing of your independent investigation or my complicity in aiding you and ignoring the mayor's orders. I am afraid I'll have to leave you know and return to my station, good luck. With that, the Captain turns and heads back toward the center of town.
When Lady Moxana Sauer, the last scion of the venerable Sauer family of Sauerton, chose exile over the loss of her title, she and her family performed one final act of spite before fleeing to take refuge among distant relatives in Cheliax: They set fire to her family’s beautiful villa and nearby crops, then sowed the land with salt. Ever since, the area has been considered cursed and suspected of being haunted by the spirits of bitter nobles. None of the locals dare approach.
As the party approaches the burned out villa, seeing this barren stretch of land is a sharp contrast to the surrounding fields of well-tended grapevines. At the center of the waste, at the end of an ill-kept path, sits a large stone villa in the old Chelish style that has partially collapsed as the result of fires long-since extinguished. Rotted timbers and soot flank scorched bone-white walls, and collapsed piles of blackened wood are all that remain of additions to the north and south ends of the main hall. Rain-slicked bare earth extends approximately three hundred feet away from the house in all directions. The door to the house stands slightly ajar.
Once the party gets within sixty feet of the villa, you hear.
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"Such shoddy workmanship! If this old man were going to your nice house, he'd fall in that hole!" Steve wags his finger. He also focuses on not getting hit this round, dropping prone and full-defensing. While on the ground, he will draw the scroll with 3 CLWs on it.
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Meanwhile, that damned bird runs off for its life. My AC vs ranged attacks is 13+4+4+cover maybe, if my logic is right.
Steve falls prone, curling up into the fetal position while getting a scroll ready.
The men in the villa begin laughing out loud. Look there, he's like one of those goats that fall over from fright! Ha..Ha..Ha They then begin firing crossbows.
One of the bolts flies true, plunging deep into Brutus' side.
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Steve will stand (which incorporates a vast number of gross sounds) and move right behind Andrazi and will point to a spot in front of the steps. "Right there! See that? I tell you, you kids these days and your engineering blunders. Elven technology wouldn't just fall in like that!"
Bird will continue to try to hide somewhere. If he has to stay on the map, he'll keep with Steve, I guess.
Andrazi moves forward, drawing a blade, but staying clear of the edge of the pit.
Brutus charges forward and smashes a fist into one of the crossbowman's face.
The man rocks back on his heels, but takes the punch like a champ!
Xenobia moves forward and blesses the party in their endeavors.
Steve stands up and moves to stand behind Andrazi, while pointing out faults in the villa's construction!
The men in the burnt out husk of a villa seem to be reloading their crossbows.
The man on the north side drops his crossbow and moves toward the party, while drawing a scimitar.
The punched man drops his crossbow and draws a scimitar, slashing at Brutus, drawing even more blood from the half-orc!
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Steve stands up, again with many gross pops! He looks at the blinded guy and scrunches his face real tight, except for one eye.
He then steps back to the cleric and laughs heartily at the guy who got Tricked. "Baw haw haw! You got sand in yer face!"
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Brutus unleashes a barrage of punches, caving the man's skull in and killing him outright.
Andrazi kicks sand in a man's eyes, causing him to cry out as he loses his ability to see.
The sand in the eye man's shoulder's seem to slump as he feel misfortune fall upon.
Xenobia attacks the blinded man, rapping him sharply across the head!
The crossbowmen fire again, once again putting a bolt in Brutus!
The blinded man wipes the sand from his eyes and swings at Andrazi.
The swing goes wide as sand and misfortune thwart him!
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Steve double-moves to the square southeast of the punchadin, using him as valiant cover against the crossbowmen. "Ohhh, those buggers in the building sure are mean, shooting at me. Be a good lad and punch 'em in the kisser for me, eh?"
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Edit: Steve is just trying get out of Line of Effect for bolts; preferably around the south end. Figured I'd add that since Brutus is all move around-y.
Andrazi deftly slides his blade into the side of the sandman!
Steve does what Steve does!
Xenobia smacks the sandman again, Causing him to stagger back!
Brutus tries to headbutt one of the crossbowmen, but the man dodges the blow!
The man outside throws down his blade and throws up his arms. Surrender! I surrender.
Suddenly a young, olive-skinned man wearing a long, woolen red coat steps into the room Brutus occupies. He carries a lowered blade in one hand and the end of a long rope in the other. Cease this at once! What is the meaning of this? Why do you attack us? He demands in a thick Galtan accent. The two crossbowmen lower their weapons in obvious deference to the red coat one.
The apparent leader shrugs. We are here as a part of a contract to secure the property of out client. If a group of four heavily armed... He pauses, glancing at Steve. ...well, at least three well armed individuals were heading toward your position, what would you think? Just defending ourselves.