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Last round of combat:
DM was correct Vojtek gained 5hp
<~crap
Out of Init:
Drop link with Vojtek, Link with Ali, Ali gain 5hp
Edward strides over to Ali as he feels the transfer flow into her. He reaches down and brushes the silky red hair from her face. He offers his water skin to her as she sits up.
Well for someone who didn't engage the enemy in martial combat, this battle sure was a tough one for me. I'm pretty sure it was much harder on you all. Ali, Kappi my apologies for letting you fall I will strive to do better in the future. I am dedicating myself to Apsu. Her Will will lead my path, my deed and my sword. This I vow from now until eternity.
He then kneels next to Kappi and offers him some water from his water skin.
Kappi is thankful for the water and certainly suffers no ill will toward the Oracle. The lad figures everyone did the best they could, if anything Kappi figures he should have more scouting to realize how many bad guys were waiting for them.
He picks himself up and first goes to retrieve his spear and two thrown axes. The sidekick goes in to find his hero handling the situation very poorly with the half orc women.
The skinny gawky teen figures he is a lot less threatening looking then the blood spattered barbarian. Be at peace woman. We mean you no harm.
Diplomacy
Kappi doesnt realize that two of his retrieved weapons are still covered in the blood and gore of the recently killed. Perhaps it doesnt make the best impression to stand there holding a bloody tomahawk.
Vojtek turns to the boy appreciatively, knowing his approach is none too subtle usually. The bararian assumes Kappi will succeed since the woman-orc will clearly witness the blood of her enemies on Kappi's blades. The north man nods approvingly at Kappi. Well done. he intones.
I remember that scene clearly. Holding out a hand covered in the fresh blood of Unkis.
That movie had some pretty brutal tomahawk melee.
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Edward hears Kappi speak to a woman, so he steps into the room and finds the blood splattered and dripping barbarian and the youth speaking to a half orc. Her terrified face tells him all he needs to know since the syllables in "at piece woman" mean something entirely different in the half orc language.
Stepping in front of the blood bathed lads, and switching to her native tongue of Hallit Please you don't have to run, it's cold out there you will freeze if you leave like that. Stay and join us, my name is Edward
thanks, Ed. My ending up on my bee-hind isn't something I blame YOU for. I did learn a lot, thought...well, thanks for the help!
The half-orc, clearly stuck while trying to escape out the window, looks at Vojtek, then at Kappi, with significant fear. She tries to hold her hands aloft but loses her balance. Oof! No connection to Rohkar! Just here to cook for humans. No need to kill!
Edward's arrival and words do little to reassure her, she squirms and tries to wriggle out the window again, but appears hopelessly lodged in the small window.
Each of the nine raiders carried a shortsword and shortbow, along with 8gp each.
Rohkar had a fine suit of studded leather armor, a light crossbow, a very nice shortsword and cloak, and a dagger. In his backpack is a two vials containing a liquid, one containing a different liquid, a ring of keys, a book, and a set of thieves' tools. He also had a pouch with 15gp.
Detect Magic for the items
Which, if any, items are Masterwork?
Ali holds up the cloak. Oohh, this is nice!! So is this blade. These, though... she picks up one of the vials and gently shakes it ...I'm no alchemist so I can't make heads or tails. Anyone?
What about the book?
"The cloak would benefit any of us, but I vote Kappi. The rest of us are either hale enough, or have magic to aid us. I make no claim on the rest of the combat gear."
Alchemy checks. I'll take 10 if I can (giving a 20). if not.
Vial 1:
Vial 2:
Vial 3:
"You there half-orc. I'll let you live, but tell me all you know. What is upstairs? Who is upstairs? Lie not."
One vial is greenblood oil; the other two are oil of taggit.
The book requires use of read magic.
This is a spellbook containing the following spells: alarm, chill touch, expeditious retreat, feather fall, identify, locate object, and ray of enfeeblement.
The book has an inscription inside with a name on a page that is mostly torn out. Perhaps it was stolen?
The half-orc looks at Davosh with desperation in her eyes. They call me Ten-Penny Tacey, she says. I steal things sometimes, but I am no killer like Rohkar. He lives — lived — upstairs. Keeps some blue thing in a cage up there. And keeps some woman downstairs. I bring her food now and then. Kinda fancy lady, think he was going to ransom her.
"Ohhhh spellbook!"
Not finding anything particularly interesting in HER story, Davosh and Liska look at the book.
Without an interruption to turning the pages. "Maybe we should go downstairs first. "Blue thing in a cage sounds fey-like to me."
Davosh has no qualms about poison. He'll hold them unless someone requests them. Where was this book found again? That was a cleric we killed.
Chill Touch I can learn
The young rogue is clearly shy about taking the fine magical cloak.
He does show some interest in the vials though, seeing the practical use in combat.
Kappi looks like he wants to ask something of the Tacey but is uncertain or perhaps shy. Either way it looks horribly awkward as he starts to open his mouth to speak then stops. Even his body language has him moving from one foot to the next. He leans over to Vojtek and the two whisper a short conversation. The wiry barbarian nods an emphatic "Yes".
The Varisian spends a moment fixing his head scarf then finally speaks. Uhmm... Tacey. Do you think, umm... You mentioned something about cooking for the people here. Perhaps you could cook us something while we finish going through this place.? It would be a good show of faith that we trust each other to share a meal...
After that tedious action, the lad looks to the others. Shall we finish this place? Upstairs or downstairs first?
The young rogue casually flips his favorite tomahawk in hand. At Davosh's suggestion, Kappi and Vojtek start to head downstairs. (They take a moment to round up the party).
It's a Cloak of the Yeti.
Tacey remarks that a hearty rabbit stew is already cooking over the fire and is happy to cook for your party, with the condition that she be allowed to go free and live. With that agreement in place, and with Vojtek and Kappi's help, she is able to extricate herself from the window and begins to move about the kitchen.
Ali and Davosh finish dragging the raider corpses outside and cleaning up the main room. Davosh notices a curious lump under the bearskin rug in the center of the room while trying to get a bloodstain out. Beneath it, he sees a trap door in the floor.
It's a Cloak of the Yeti.
Thats pretty cool
I say we head down first.
With the party gathered and ready, Kappi opens the trapdoor.
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On another note, when going over my character to level, I was supposed to have 6 first level spells, so I have one left.
Before gathering at the trap door
Listening to the group talk about the spoils of the battle, Edwards ears perk up at the mention of poison.
Excuse me friends while we sit and discuss the dividing of the loot. I will forgo any monetary gain, and any of the other loot if I could take the 2 vials of poison. Any objections?
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After that discussion/actions the trap door is found
Edwards excitement at rescuing the lady is visible in the lad's face and eyes. He immediately rushes over almost knocking Kappi over when Vojtek places a hand on his shoulder. Slow down let Kappi work ya don't wanna set a trap off and kill the lady or us do you. Edward is about to rebuff the big barbarian until he sees the smirk and playful eyes that Ali is casting his direction ones that say challenge him daring him to continue on the reckless path.
Realizing that his eagerness is out of place, Edward waits for Kappi to do his magic. Then as the door opens, he is the first in the hole.
But somebody should take the short sword +1 and the studded leather +1.
After Kappi opens the trapdoor he lets Edward through first since apparently rescueing damsels in distress is his thing. The rogue and the barbarian hop down after the paladin/oracle.
Edward, then Kappi and Vojtek, descend the wooden ladder leading into the cellar.
A half-dozen boxes and barrels take up the majority of this underground cellar. A rough blanket lies spread on the floor in the southeast corner next to a bowl of half-eaten food, upon which sits a woman of some twenty-odd summers, wearing dirty clothes that were obviously once quite grand, her arms wrapped about her knees. She is clearly wounded, though whether this is from brutality or incidental is unclear. She looks upon the three of you in some wonder, but remains silent.
You identify the random tidbit of information supplied by Yuln in post #141 (which is a smashing post with some lovely acting, and in which there are hardly any swallows, though I think you can hear a starling...)
The young rogue lets Edward handle the lady rescue.
Kappi keeps his tomahawk ready in case of any hidden threats. He pokes around the basement looking for anything good.
Perception
In a slightly too-loud aside, Vojtek says, "it is definitely her, I can clearly see her third nipple."
Vojtek offers her his cloak, his prized polar bear skin cloak to be sure, and asks her rather insensitively if she plans on finishing the bowl of food before her.
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Edward moves forward reaching for his water skin. My Lady we're here to rescue you. Rokar is dead, but there still might be enemies around. Please take a moment to gather yourself so we can lead you out and get you to safety. He kneels and offers her the skin to drink from. He makes sure to hold her gaze and let her see the honest offer of succor and comfort they are offering.
Edward life links with Lady Argentea and some of her wounds heal . She looks up at the offer of a waterskin and hesitates, a flicker of hope shining in her eye. She licks her lips and asks, Here to rescue me? Her voice is refined, if somewhat raspy. And who, may I ask, are you ruffians?
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Lady Argentea my name is Edward Wyn Fell. The one in the white cloak is Vojtek Wartooth, and the other young man is Kappi Matarito. We have more friends upstairs. As to why we are here, your house guard Yuln, and a council member of the Heldran Village sent us to find you. Now lets continue this discourse upstairs so we can get you ready to travel, and we can finish our business here at this inn.
"Eh? Did you find her?"
Davosh and Liska break their concentration to go down to assist.
"Pleased to meet you miss. We have questions aplenty, but you look rather ragged, and not at all noble like. Let's get you fed and cleaned off. Then tell us your story."
Ali shakes her head at Vojtek's quip, rolls her eyes at Davosh's sally, and moves to the lady. Here, My Lady, let me help you get cleaned up. She then goes to find a room, and maybe even some water, to get the presumed Lady as presentable as possible.
Ali shakes her head at Vojtek's quip, rolls her eyes at Davosh's sally, and moves to the lady. Here, My Lady, let me help you get cleaned up. She then goes to find a room, and maybe even some water, to get the presumed Lady as presentable as possible.
"And cover up that third nipple, it is exceedingly frightening to me."
Ali gives Vojtek the head-tilt-with-stern-eyes-wide-and-mouth-pursed look that means Shut it you stupid male!!
"What?" Vojtek turns to Kappi questioningly for support. "What did I say?"
"What?" Vojtek turns to Kappi questioningly for support. "What did I say?"
The teenage boy's olive skin begins to blush. Uhm... You arent supposed to talk about a woman's... ahh... The lad brings his hands up to his chest and makes a cupped shape with both hands. You know... ahh... bosoms or you know... The lad blushes even more as he goes from cupped hands to making a thumb and fore finger tweaking motion.
Edward's second Diplomacy roll, including Yuln's name, convinces Lady Argentea of your true intentions and she visibly relaxes, showing legitimate gratitude for your rescue. She graciously accepts Ali's offer (and just as graciously ignores Vojtek's remark).
In short order, and with the elf's help, she reemerges from the side room as something resembling the noble woman she is. She politely accepts an invitation to dine with the party, identifying Ten-Penny with a smile as one of the few raiders who showed her kindness.
As conversation drifts to her former captors, Lady Argentea dismisses Rohkar as a common criminal, but describes the winter-touched fey you have encountered with considerable detail, and mentions both a fierce winged blue creature with the power to breathe clouds of frost, and the name of one Teb Knotten, whom she has not met but others referred to with some reverence.
Davosh shakes his head at Vojtek, even though the warlock is no more skilled in the savoir-faire of dealing with nobles.
Knowledge Nature on the fey beast:
Knowledge Local on the name "Teb Knotten":
"Lady Argentea, we need to get you back to Heldren. I also want to know more about this winter-in-summer. I suspect our ancestors have led us to this storm for a purpose. If it's caused by interlopers from the First World, then I think we're in for a more chaotic and strange ride than I first suspected."
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Kappi, Davosh what I'm about to do will probably irritate you, and for that I offer my apologies before hand. My morals will not abide with the use of poison. I feel it's use in combat is unjust and cowardly, which boarders on, if not crosses over into being down right evil.
During this time, Edward has opened the flue on the fireplace stepped back a few feet, and throws the 2 vials of poison breaking them into the fire. He gently fan's his cloak so all the smoke and steam goes up the chimney.
I try to live my life as a bastion of good, and have high standards for it. I know that others aren't like me. They are unable, unwilling to hold themselves to a difficult value system, or just have a different set of values, but I wanted you to understand why I did what I did, and know that evil acts will not be tolerated in my presence.
With that said Edward listens to any retorts, and responds in a calm cool nature. He also at this time is concentrating to see if he can feel any evil around them. Especially upstairs.
Now that that's over, our first order of business should be to get the rest of this domicile checked out. Pointing to the upstairs.
Then after all is clear, I suggest we rest the remainder of the day, and get a good start out in the morning back to Heldren. Also I think we need to repair that broken window and shutter before it drives us nutty.
"Let us explore this house and rest if it is secure. We can return to Heldren when the sun shines once more upon the breast..." Vojtek stumbles for a moment and glances at Davosh, fearful of incurring the displeasure of the ancestors "of the new fallen snow." Vojtek finishes lamely.
Davosh's blue eye is gimlet after Edward's actions. Speaking out loud, yet still to himself, "Note to self, call dibs on the poison before the saint gets it." Then, quieter, "Also note, don't trust him to use offensive magic.".
"Ha, brave Vojtek, worry not. They approve of our undertakings. Let us check upstairs. I fear not all of the danger has been cleansed from this place. Besides, now I need new treasure to to make up for the stuff that was just wasted."
Kappi, Davosh what I'm about to do will probably irritate you, and for that I offer my apologies before hand. My morals will not abide with the use of poison. I feel it's use in combat is unjust and cowardly, which boarders on, if not crosses over into being down right evil.
During this time, Edward has opened the flue on the fireplace stepped back a few feet, and throws the 2 vials of poison breaking them into the fire. He gently fan's his cloak so all the smoke and steam goes up the chimney.
I try to live my life as a bastion of good, and have high standards for it. I know that others aren't like me. They are unable, unwilling to hold themselves to a difficult value system, or just have a different set of values, but I wanted you to understand why I did what I did, and know that evil acts will not be tolerated in my presence.
With that said Edward listens to any retorts, and responds in a calm cool nature. He also at this time is concentrating to see if he can feel any evil around them. Especially upstairs.
Now that that's over, our first order of business should be to get the rest of this domicile checked out. Pointing to the upstairs.
Then after all is clear, I suggest we rest the remainder of the day, and get a good start out in the morning back to Heldren. Also I think we need to repair that broken window and shutter before it drives us nutty.
[dice=Assist Davosh Know Local]1d20+6
[dice=know Planes for the fey beast]1d20+5
"What is evil about poison? Seems like its how you use it that matters. My blade is not evil, is it?" Vojtek looks to Davosh for the Ancestors' input.
I have poisoned vemin in my father's and grandfather's home, have I been an evil man?" Vojtek wonders if Edwin might have solved the mystery of the White's rampages.
"Nay, you're not evil Vojtek. You speak true. Assassination is evil, but a poisoned blade in a stand up fight is no different than a magus sending the power of lightning through it. Truthfully Edward is likely bound by a code, but that shouldn't affect us."
I'm ready to go upstairs.
"Let us explore carefully"
Ooc- pbp is unique in that when the aspiring paladin decides to destroy the treasure it might be a couple hours before you can say 'yo hold up!'
So Joe would you and DM TS mind allowing a 'hang on a sec' moment? Vojtek might be more eeffective and just as Good with poison... I'd like the chance to talk about it first.
At Edvard's destruction of the poison, Ali gives a bit of a start, mumbles something about ...worth good coin... and listens to Vojtek and Davosh. She nods her head. Yeah, what they said!
...is no different than a magus sending the power of lightning through it...
And I can do that now!!
Kappi jaw is hanging open in shock at Edward's actions throwing the vials into the fireplace. He at first isnt comfortable speaking up about it, but after Davosh and Vojtek's words he feels able.
In a soft voice, Um Edward, I think I understand your intolerance of deadly poison. But at least one of those vials held a substance that could render a person unconscious for a few hours. That could have been a good option to capture someone without having to kill them.
Ready to go on to the upstairs, Kappi is ready to lead the way.
The young lad asks for a minute. Then stealthfully he creeps up the stairs scouting things out.
Stealth
Vojtek prepares to follow Kappi by standing at yhe foot of t he stairs with his blade out. He continues talking in the same tone of voice he was before. He moves furniture around a bit, pulling out a chair for example, in an effort to cover any noise Kappi makes.
Take 10 aid another +2=12
Ooc- Hopefully we get a retcon ruling and the poisons are *just* about to be destroyed when...
And sorry guys I like moving along as much if not more than anyone but I'm afraid if we don't set this straight now (i.e. nip it in the bud) we are going to regret it.
I will concede that we can move the plot forward as long as we can revisit what I see as a key scene in the forging of this group's party dynamic. Maybe as a flashback. Keep the poison both intact but out of play, and destroyed (both until we check on it... Vojtek's Uncertainty Principle) until after the discussion is role played.
I will concede that we can move the plot forward as long as we can revisit what I see as a key scene in the forging of this group's party dynamic. Maybe as a flashback. Keep the poison both intact but out of play, and destroyed (both until we check on it... Vojtek's Uncertainty Principle) until after the discussion is role played.
Upstairs, an L-shaped table with many chairs takes up most of the floor space in this loft. A second smaller table sits near the entrance, and several windows look over the snowy grounds of the lodge.
In the southwest corner, a large map hangs on the wall, opposite another door in the northeast wall. Behind that door is a musty storeroom, filled with dozens of small boxes, bottles, and papers. A small iron cage sits on the top shelf, emanating a flickering light like that of a candle.
Kappi signals Vojtek from the top of the stairs.
The young continues his sweep till he is certain the upstairs holds no hidden badguys. He then slows down and starts a more methodical search. He of course pays attention to the strange iron cage.
Perception