Nakoma backs up and waits to see how Zirelle's spell works.
Ruined Sitting Room - Surprise Round
15 Red Centipede (surprised)
15 Green Centipede (surprised)
11 Zirelle
11 Baldek
6 Nakoma
5 Zan
Knowing the bugs have gone into hiding, Zirelle bends down and unleashes a sheet of flames from her hands, trying to roast them in their hiding place. The flames are only partially effective since the debris allows the centipedes some hiding places.
Nakoma moves out of the way.
End of Surprise Round
Ruined Sitting Room - Round 1
15 Red Centipede (1hp dmg)
15 Green Centipede (3hp dmg)
11 Zirelle
11 Baldek
6 Nakoma
5 Zan
Smoking and angry, the centipedes both move out to attack Zirelle, and while both come close to striking her, the sorceress is able to twist and turn enough to prevent any damage.
Zan tries to slash at the centipedes.
Unable to reach the centipedes in melee combat, Nakoma hooks her starknife onto it's holster on her belt and draws her shortbow.
Zirelle moves over, stepping over some of the rubble, to let others get by into the battle.
She aims a glob of acid at one of them
(Assuming that one isn't in melee, but the map isn't up to date with everyone's positions, so if I am wrong, subtract 4.)
If it hits:
Surprise Round - concluded
Baldek hears the roar of Zirelle's fire, and moves into the room to investigate. Zan also rushes into the room to check out what has happened.
End of Surprise Round
Ruined Sitting Room - Round 1 - concluded
Stepping aside to allow room for the others to get into melee, Zirelle cannot cast without provoking an attack, so she delays.
Baldek rushes forward and slams his hammer down atop the Red Centipede, squashing it with a sickly Crunch/Squish sound.
While Nakoma switches to her bow, Zan's scimitar finishes off the other centipede in a quick stroke, ending the fight.
End of Combat
With a nod at the others, Nakoma puts her bow back over her shoulder and moves to inspect the rubble.
"Far less disturbing than the undead rats." Zan mumbles to himself.
"Most things are," Nakoma replies dryly.
Zirelle goes up to see if there is anything in the loft.
Shouldering her bow once again, Nakoma peers and prods through the debris and rubble under and around the loft, but finds nothing of interest.
Undaunted by the encounter with the centipedes, Zirelle ascends the stairs of the wooden loft. Most of the loft is still standing -- the only remnant of the building's destroyed second floor. The roofless chamber is completely exposed to the elements,and filled with soot-covered debris, fire-damaged furnishings, and charred wooden beams. A large, soot-covered brass statue of a goddess with a longsword in one hand and a kite shield in the other stands precariously on the northern edge of the platform above the rickety flight of stairs.
"If we lasso that statue of Iomedae once we get up there to keep it secure we can let the Iomedeans know if they want to salvage it. It might be best to let me head up first to do just that, if we all go up there at once it might unsettle it and cause it to come crashing down." Zan peers up at the statue.
"Perhaps it tells us the Iomedeans were poor craftsmen," Nakoma replies with obvious bitterness. Clearly she holds the local church of Iomedae in poor regard.
She makes no move to head up to the loft.
Zan carefully starts ascending the stairs, watching out for any traps or anything that might disturb the statue or ruins of the building.
Not sure why Zan thinks he should go first when she is already up here, but not wanting to argue the point, Zirelle moves aside to make room for Zan to pass her.
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While the statue is on the edge of the steps, its not in immediate danger of falling on anyone. It is covered with soot and grime from the fire, but otherwise seems little worse for wear.
There is little else of interest in the loft.
Zan secures it never the less with some rope as he calls down "Nothing up here that I can spot. I think that's everywhere here. Let's take a break before doing anything else."
Why don't we just go back to town? Better to take a break there, tell people what we found, and then get ready for our dinner tonight.
Nakoma nods. "Yes, we are done here."
She slowly starts making her way out of the chapel and back to Trunau.
That and Such is a what passes for a general store in Trunau. Crazy Jess Meeson is the owner and she's been known to buy and sell items from passing groups of traders or adventurers. The shop is an eclectic mix of dry goods, weapons, artifacts, and foodstuffs. It's the most likely place to sell mundane items.
Jess's husband Gorkis Meeson is the town's only apothecary. From his workshop in the back of the store he crafts potions and curatives, both magical and mundane. He will be interested in any magical potions or alchemical items.
Trunau is lucky to play host to a magic shop as well. The dwarven councilwoman, and wife of Sara Morningstar -- Agrit Staginsdar opened the House of Wonder when she settled down here. You should be able to purchase spellcasting or sell magical items here, as Agrit is well known to want to examine unknown magic items and increase her knowledge of the arcane. She has even been known to help identify items for free with hte right sweet talk.
Last, the Trunau Countinghouse is a full-service bank and sanctuary for Abadar's commercial patrons. It is run by Lessie Crumkin, a kindly single woman, who has aspirations to be a guardsman someday. She will likely trade in the valuables you have brought (jewelry, gems, and the like) and store gold for you, if you like.
Zirelle takes some time when they get back to try to determine the values and functions of the things that they have found.
locket
comb
unholy symbol
onyx gems
noble's outfit
steel scroll tube
beat up scroll tube
After appraising what she can, she casts detect magic and then tries to identify the remaining items with her spellcraft.
thick amber fluid
potion
wand
2 scrolls (I have a +1 to decipher scrolls)
Zirelle takes some time when they get back to try to determine the values and functions of the things that they have found.
[dice=Appraise]1d20+2 locket [
[dice=Appraise]1d20+2 comb
[dice=Appraise]1d20+2 unholy symbol
[dice=Appraise]1d20+2 onyx gems
[dice=Appraise]1d20+2 noble's outfit
[dice=Appraise]1d20+2 steel scroll tube
[dice=Appraise]1d20+2 beat up scroll tube
After appraising what she can, she casts detect magic and then tries to identify the remaining items with her spellcraft.
[dice=Spellcraft]1d20+6 thick amber fluid
[dice=Spellcraft]1d20+6 potion
[dice=Spellcraft]1d20+6 wand
[dice=Spellcraft]1d20+7 2 scrolls (I have a +1 to decipher scrolls)
Trudging back to the city gates and leaving some of the mysteries of the Plague house behind: what does Skreed mean? Who was digging in the basement? Why? Who held poor Othdan captive?
The group is weary, wounded, and weakened, but they did recover Rodrik's real hopeknife and have some proof that the suicide was staged. Taking the loot from their adventure to This and Such, they look to sell soem of the extraneous gear for coins or perhaps to trade for new items of use or value.
It is past the noon meal, having spent all morning delving in the ruined chapel. The group looks ahead to dinner with Sara and Agrit and whatever revelation Sara has for them. Hopefully, some much needed rest first...
Zan, were you going to alert the guard about what Othdan said? Maybe someone should be there to meet the guy who was coming back to feed him.
Zan nods. "I will... I would rather we be there ourselves though but we're busy."
Zan will inform the guard about the mystery half orc who had been holding Othdan hostage in hopes they will be there to spring a trap.
With the Grath family out of commission and Omast Frum otherwise spoken for this evening, the leadership of the rest of the militia is suspect at best. Zan tells the story of the Plague House and the corporal on duty nods along promising to send a patrol out that way, but you're not sure if his heart is in it or not.
Zan comes back to the others not looking too pleased "They're promising to send a patrol out that was but... lets be honest that falls short of what I was hoping for. Do ye think we could get away with only one of us going to that dinner while the rest lay in wait. I'd hate to let a good lead like this get away."
Nakoma considers Zan's words. "You might be right."
Despite her words, she's clearly still weakened and slow from the spider's venom.
More food for me that way; I don't mind.
Zirelle clearly intends to go to the dinner; she doesn't mind if no one else comes with.
"I think we could do with calling in some back up, I think I might know someone. Pretty handy with a polearm. Nakoma you could leave him and me take the brunt of the aggression, it'd be good to have your healing abilities on hand of course. I know you're still tired from the spider bite so you can decide whether to engage or not yourself."
Loking at Zirelle he adds "I'm sure you can manage dinner without us. I don't think I'd be adding much to the conversation but I'm curious to see what you can find out."
After a bit more hesitation, Nakoma nods. "Very well."
Turning to Zirelle she adds, "Best of luck."
And to you Zirella says to Nakoma. Be careful not to further injure yourself.
After selling their gear at That and Such, the party retires for the afternoon to their quarters to try to get some much needed rest. Baldek invokes the spirit of Torag to heal Nakoma's wounds, and after hearing the clanging of hammer and tongs in her head, she feels much better, if still a bit sapped from the spider-venom.
Distressed by the guards inability to lay a proper trap for whoever is coming to the Plague House at night, Zan and Nakoma plan to go back and catch the intruder. They do go looking for a bit more help, as Baldek has had second thoughts about staying in Trunau, and begins packing up his smithy, headed for easier pastures.
Zirelle is determined to keep the dinner date with Sara and Agrit, and chooses to remain in town rather than return to the run-down chapel.
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Zan wishes Baldek luck in his travels and a safe journey.
Seeing more than ever they need some extra help Zan seeks out Acacius, knocking on his door .
"Acacius, would you be inclined to spend the start of the night in some creepy ruins helping Nakoma and me catch an evil half orc kidnapper... there's an odd tale we can fill you in on."
Zan is wearing a fine new chain shirt rather than his simple parade armour Acacius would have previously seen him in.
Acacius is at a loose end.
His last master, the retired giantslayer Snorri Ahlberg, insisted that even hard training and the odd run-in with local troublemakers would only bring a youth so far. That he needed real experience, to be blooded, in order to make something of himself.
The notion that Snorri was trying to get him away from southern Lastwall for his own good never occurred to him.
And so Acacius had said his goodbyes, his parents looking on with a mix of pride and doubt.
And so he ended up in Trunau, on the frontier. And now he's stuck waiting in this inn room and training at the temple of Iomedae. He doesn't know what to do now, no one is telling him. And he doesn't want to charge off into the wilds by himself.
A knock at his door. And the words of..who was it? Zan, yes! He was friendly. And Nakoma seemed a decent sort. And this sounds like something to do!
Acacius steps up to the door in a loose shirt and pants and opens it with enthusiasm. He covers most of the door frame even bereft of his armour. His black hair is tied off so as not to interfere in combat. His soft brown eyes are set in a tanned face, with well-treated scars and a tattoo of the emblem of Lastwall on his right cheek. And he is visibly enthused.
"Hello once again Zan. And yes, yes I would indeed! Give me a few minutes to affix arms and armour, and I will join you. I would hear of this tale you speak of."
He immediately begins to put on a well-cared for suit of scale mail. Many weapons lie around the room, all in good condition.
"We don't know all of the details but you might have heard Rodrik one of the best investigators in the militia apparently killed himself. But we've been doing some digging and Rodrik was killed because he had started uncovering something. We're not sure of the exact nature but mysterious crosses or sword symbols have been painted around town."
Zan will help Acacius donning his armour"We think they are related, possibly as markers to highlight locations for an attack. There's a mysterious man with a crossbow and a bunch of half orcs claiming to be merchants involved somehow. But a young local was kidnapped by some half orcs, they locked him up near where they were digging. They were trying to uncover something but seemed barely interested in gems they had uncovered so it's not just money."
"So when this half orc captor comes back we'd like to capture him if possible so we can get some answers... at worst case we kill him it still unbalances whatever plans are going on. This dig site is in the basement of a building called the Plague House. It's an old Iomedaen building in town." Zan tightens a strap and pats the other man on his shoulder "Any questions, because we've got plenty."
Acacius is grateful for the help. While he is quite skilled at donning his armour, this gets things moving more swiftly.
He listens intently and speaks up afterwards, hesitantly at first.
"I am unsure of that symbol, though it is uncomfortably similar to Iomedae's holy sword. Perhaps it is a deception?"
He pauses for a moment, sounding more determined.
"Kidnap and murder cannot be allowed to stand unopposed. And this digging and conspiracy bode ill for the town. I will aid ye in any way that I can. I am skilled with these weapons and if nothing else, I can block our foes' path of escape."
He holds his polearm with one hand, his Lastwall sigil shield on his back, and other weapons strapped to his person. It is clear to the perceptive that Acacius is more comfortable and used to being in armour than without. He is more quietly confident than before.
"I am happy to leave when you are."
With the money she just got, Zirelle scours the town for a really nice hopekife (that she can afford). She has it engraved, and then wraps it up and has it sent to Lastwall.
When it is time for dinner, Zirelle cleans herself and her clothes with prestidigitation (reminding herself that she should invest in another, nicer, outfit), and makes sure that she arrives on time.
---
Nakoma leans against the doorframe while Acacius dons his armour, still weakened by venom.
"We're grateful for the aid, Acacius." Holding out her hand for a handshake, Nakoma introduces herself. "We've only met in passing. I'm Nakoma."
"Some nasty wildlife had been setting up shop in there... and some undead rats. Nakoma got bitten by a huge spider and Baldek has decided Tranau might not be the healthiest place to be. I can't say I blame him. Getting your help seemed like a good idea." Zan starts heading towards the door.
Acacius proffers his hand to shake.
"It is a pleasure to meet you properly, Nakoma."
Listening to Zan, he nods and replies.
"I am honoured to be of service to the people of Tranau. I would see the enemies of Lastwall driven from here and then driven out of the north entirely."
His eyes blaze with intent for a moment at the last part, and then he begins to move. He turns to Nakoma, leaving his left arm free and near her.
"Do you require any aid, Nakoma?", he asks quietly and earnestly.
Nakoma's eyes narrow at the acknowledgement of her weakness. But, noting his subtlety, her gaze softens.
"I'll recover," she replies quietly, not taking his arm.
She stands tall as they leave, attempting to keep her pride in tact despite her slow pace.
Acacius immediately changes his stance, his left arm back by his side.
"Certainly. Let us proceed."
His own pace is slowed by the sheer weight and bulk of his armour, so Nakoma may not appear as slowed as she might.