Now Roland scratches his hair in frustration. It was hard to convince people that he was the good guy, after all. "Yeah, and the girl is wearing manacles and chains. Oh, we also got and old crippled man for sacrifice! Oh my we are so evil! Whatever, keep sulking around if you want." He was about to turn around and come back, but he made another quick question before that. "What happened to that barn?" He points at the collapsed property in the hill.
As the group approaches the farmers Tessandriel keeps an eye out for anyone that may been lurking about. She hates surprises.
"The next time you accuse me of being in league with a devil or an evil cult, you had better be attacking me because I will not stop until you are dead!" Tessandriel's eyes glow with a fire at the man's statement.
Her bow is readied but not aimed.
Just as Gromff decides its probably best not to poke this proverbial stirges' nest Roland walks up and starts poking. All he can do is throw his hands in the air, exasperated. Then Roland opens his mouth and things take a turn for the worst. Why did the durned feel the need to talk so much? He walks up to Roland pulls him back to the group. "Ye durned fool. Ye don't joke about such stuff to people scared out their minds," and for good measure he whacks him on the back of the head. Or tries to at least. "We dinnae even need to go through here. Now if devils come a searchin they know where we be headed. Meldara's likely to return their childurn anyway. That was her mission. Now let's get out o here afore ye make things worse."
Minmax seems please with his little excursion, even tough he's being lectured by the not-so-tall dwarf. "Guess what?! There's a dragon cult nearby! That explain our sight today, but not much why wouldn't it melt us with acid..."
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Catcher stomp near Roland saying "Yeah durned fool. Cant ye konw the difference between a joke an' serious talk! Get out afore ye set 'em into killing us!" says the mage, then she turns to the townsfolk and says "We are sorry. We wanted only to help and most of us don't take lightly being accused of being in league with demons. We'll leave you alone. May Pharasma smile at you." the young mage says urging the others to leave.
Edit
"May Pharasma slime at you."
Aersensi tugs on Catcher's clothing, and looks up with glossy eyes. "I'm sleepy Catcher. I'm hungry too."
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Catcher pick up the girl and whispers ”I’ll see what I can do about that, lean on me if you are too tired. I’ll wake you up when the food is ready.” and then turns to the villagers ”Before we leave, can you sell me some fresh food? All I have is dried rations. I don’t want this child eating that, if it can be avoided.”
Roland looks at the collapsed Barn in a distance.
"Want me to go there again to buy some fresh food from the stupid farmers? Cause I think we should try to get to that place to at least get some cover, for now."
You hear one of the younger farmers, though a grown man still, pipe up with, "Oh for Pharasma's sake! I believe you. Come closer quick-like, before anyone sees that child. Marm's got a turkey roasting as we speak, gonna be real good eatin'."
The old man who denied you previously shakes his head, but nods in reluctant agreement when you draw nearer. His hard look melts when he sees the child sleeping in Catcher's arms. "Was just trying protec' my family, you understand."
Before long you've all walked to the main farmhouse, and suddenly the air smells less like soil and manure and more like roasting meat and frying onions. You're asked to leave weapons in the front room, you're offered their barn for sleeping and they can resupply you with rations if you so desire.
When you sit down for the evening meal, one person at the table stands out from the rest. He is not human; he's a blonde-haired green-eyed handsome halfling with a twinkle in his eye. He has a special disarming demeanor about him. He certainly does not look like a farmer though.
Over dinner it is easy to see this family is still reeling from the loss of their little Nancy. They say the ogre and his men came through the community two mornings ago, with a caged-wagon filled with young children. They kidnapped their little Nancy and left a bag of silver where she stood playing in the yard. The farmers didn't hardly have time to react before she was loaded into the wagon and the transport
was on its way.
The Halfling looks over the newcomers with open interest. This crew surely looked like they knew how to have a good adventure, by the looks of them. Some of them were still sporting small wounds!
He cocks his head to the side, shrewd eyes noticing their rings. Rings that matched his own. He stands up, grinning from ear to ear as they shuffle in.
"Miro Ammar, wandering singer, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance!"
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Catcher will gently wake up Aerseni "We are here dear child. Good food and good folks..." Then she says to the halfling "Ah, sing us a pretty song! "
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Roland is still grumpy about with them not believing in him the first time, but his mood is slowly improving. "Yeah, I see blind people everywhere. I used to be a farmer like you, bet then I took a spear to the throat."
He leaves his weapons at the entrance without further comments, and when he sits at the table he goes easy on the food for now, for fear of having trouble in his partially wounded neck. He nods to the happy halfling and wastes a moment thinking about what the ring on his finger would mean, then speaks up. "Name's Roland."
He opened his mouth to ask him something, but instead prefers to focus on more important subjects, since his mind is planning something. So he addresses the girl's parents. "Good thing you didn't have the time to react. Or we would be speaking to corpses now. Say, how far are we from the main road leading to Sweetwaters? And in what direction did they take the children?"
His grin decreases a bit, only because of the effort of holding it so tight. He waggles a finger at the wizard, shaking his head. "Singing is for after supper, my dear. We would not want our hostess' fine cooking to grow cold while I entertained you, would we?"
Miro's eyes widen a bit at the barbarian's coarse, blunt way of speaking. Even further they go at the word of taken children. It seemed he had perhaps found a bit of what he was seeking.
"Roland, are you chasing these children's captors?" Excitement lights up his already luminous emerald eyes.
Gromff leans over to Roland while they eat, he is still not sure how things got to this point but better to nip it in the bud early. "Think ye could stop talking fer 2 minutes? We don't know these folk. We don't know if there be any working for the devils. And Meldara's taking care o childurn anyway. I don't mind a good nights rest so I can pray to Moradin for spells o healin but let's not cause an avalanche afore we can git out o here." Let's just see what we can find out about the dragon cult or whatever. Ain't heard nothing about that yet. Might be a new enemy to watch out fer.
Rant done he turns to Miro to answer. "Nay. But we got our own to worry over," he says nodding to Aersensi. "Though I'm more worried about that green dragon that flew by us earlier."
Roland opened his mouth to reply, but then the dwarf came all mad to whisper to him. He takes a confused look to the farmers, scanning them quickly, but turns once again to Gromff to whisper back.
"Sure, sure, I got you. I'm pretty sure the devils would put some people working for them in all the farms nearby, so, you know, instead of planting crops they would kill any adventurers that eventually crossed by enemy territory, yeah, sounds likely. Oh, even more likely since that they tried to shoo us away before killing us, yes, yes, I see."
He shakes his head, disapproving the lack of trust from the dwarf, and after Gromff speaks he gives a different reply to the halfling, who seemed so interested in that option. "Unless the kids are on our path, then it could happen. How's this dragon cult related to all this?"
Tessandriel reluctantly puts her weapons in the front room and makes her way to the back.
"That aroma smells wonderful! I'll have two helpings if they have enough to spare."
Upon entering the main dining area she notices someone different from the other farmers.
"Interesting ring. Looks quite similar to ours, even with the markings. Hmm."
"I'm Tessandriel." she says simply as she sits down to eat.
"A pleasure, Tessandriel. Our host and hostess have prepared a wonderful meal, have they not?" The Halfling turns his head slightly to regard the large man, his brow creasing in confusion. He ponders this a few moments, then just shrugs, deciding to go down that road of inquiry.
"Dragon cult? I know of no such thing...is that your destination?" Again, unabashed excitement is evident, that grin plastered back on his small face.
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Catcher then look at everyone present and says "Don't need to be afraid, he is a good boy!" she says putting her hand inside the clothes, near her chest and picking up a small snake "I din't forget you! I swear!" she says to it "Let's eat!"
In response to several questions, various family members respond with,
"Pleasure to meet yall. Yep the road over yonder leads straight to Sweetwaters, but I'd be careful, if I'z you. The road is used by evil soldiers and collaborator merchants. It's dangerous to travel these days.
North is where they went with the little ones in that cage-wagon; north on that same road you is askin' about. Us farmfolk don't have the means to fight back against evil like that ogre and his men. Tomorra' we're gonna meet with the community and try to raise money and hire us some help, get us back our kids. Yall ain't interested in the job is ya?
How's the dragon cult related? As if the red-devils wahn't bad enough, now we got a drag-in cult comin' around? Couple weeks ago we had some men in black hoods come 'round asking if we wanna join up in their new cult. They says we'll be free of our farmwork forever, all's we gotta do is join up and give our youngest child to this dragon!! They didn't stay long, mind', we chase'd 'em off the land real fast like. They ran back up the road, headin northward just like that ogre and his cage. Don't know if they is related or in cahoots, but I can't help but wonder since they just come and took our young'ns."
"oh my heavens!...she gotta snake! Put that critter away bafore someone gits bit!
Yall saw a dragon? Green one??"
Roland laughs. "Ok, let me get that straight. You've seen devils, ogres and dragons, yet you are afraid of a tiny purple snake that travels along a little girl?" Yes, by little girl he is referring to Catcher.
"Yes we saw your green dragon, but it wasn't much interested in us. I don't think we can take on that quest, right folks?" He looks to Gromff, then Tess and Catcher, waiting for an answer.
Tessandriel kicks Roland and glares are him.
"You are just making it worse. Be quiet!" she leans over and says a low voice.
Being ignored by one party member and asked to be silent by the other two finally does the trick. He lifts his shoulder, making a face that clearly means whatever and waits until the others can make things better.
One could even think that he does not mind about their next step.
Miro chuckles at the young woman's teasing taunts, his skin thick enough to not be baited. "I guarantee I will leave you with no doubt as to my skill, my lady. What was your name, again, I'm sorry?" He asks slyly, not knowing if the omission had been accidental or not.
His grin returns at the barbarian's words. "A dragon? Truly? So which is it, my friends? Are you off to free kidnapped children, or to face a dragon? Or both, even! Such deeds seem worthy of song, some would say..."
The family mother spoons out everyone shares of baked apples and cinnamon. "Best be hearing a song soon, it is nearly bed time for all."
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”Oh, my name? Silly me! It is…” but she is distracted when the snakes tries to flee from the table, to hunt and eat ”hey, who said you could do it?” she asks the snake, but it only ignores her and continue, leaving the house to feast. ”Damn that little one, he never listens!” and then she resumes to eat, paying attention to see if Aeserni is getting her more than fair share.
(To know anything about the local dragon cult)
Miro chuckles as the young woman starts arguing with a...serpent. Miro is aware of wizards and their familiars, but the one-sided lecture is still amusing.
After dinner, he looks around for a moment, then just shrugs and stands on his chair. He starts to sing a song that flows slowly at first, but builds up steam as it goes. It starts with the fall of Mylosis, properly mournful, then continues to the forces of Light continuing to struggle against evil. The song ends on a hopeful tone, noting that Light ultimately banishes the darkness.
Catcher,
The child appears to eat like a normal child, but she is well behaved and eats her fair share.
Walker on the other hand seems distant and unconcerned with his food.
Miro,
Nothing specific about a cult, but...
Naturally the people could not let this go on forever so they devised a plan. They sent word for the greatest alchemist in the land, a human named Garmogel, who brewed up a sleeping draught more potent than had ever before been conceived. This potion was placed surreptitiously inside of a pig and was given to the hungry dragon in tribute.
The greedy arrogant dragon devoured this pig, and the draught with it, and slammed to the ground with a mighty thud right there on the spot, fast asleep.
The commoners acted quickly, as they had been prepared for this. They built a dome over the dragon made of brick, mortar, and earth. Years went by, and the dragon's dome became a grassy hill.
Several villages claim the legend as their own, so the validity of the story remains unknown. No one wants to prove the veracity of their village's claim for fear of waking the dragon.
They narrowed down the likely areas where the dragon may rest to what are now known as the outskirts of Sweetwaters, or the small mining community of Granite Quarry, just west up the river from the larger city of Sweetwaters.
They were never able to conclusively prove the veracity of the tale, however.
Roland puts his feet up in an empty chair, crosses his arms and waits until they are finished so he can go to bed. He enjoys the music and the tales battles long past, but says nothing about it.
Miro, feel free to make a second knowledge roll for the History check, to see if you can reach the DC 22 spoiler.
Miro ends his song, standing atop the chair to await any forthcoming applause or praise before he sits back down. "The pleasure is all mine...what was your name again?" He chuckles at the game that seems to be going on here.
He has something to bring up to the strangers, but would rather not mention it in front of the farmers to possibly exacerbate their loss.
Gromff keeps quite for most of the meal. He still didn't trust any of these humans to not run off at the their earliest convenience to tell the devils in Sojourn. They had a lot to gain by doing so, namely their children. But he does notice the ring the Halfling bares and he sees it as a sign from his god that this was an ally. I strangely placed one but one nonetheless. When his companions can find some time alone, that's when they will be able to talk.
The halfling's song ends and the farm family politely applauds, though their minds are clearly elsewhere. Their smiles are thin but prudently polite.
Outside in the night the sound of barking dogs erupts. The barks continue and sound insistent. A couple of the men stand up and go to the door. One of the men, with a concerned look on his face says, "Somethin' out there's got them riled up good."
Catcher, positioned at the table near a window, notices a pair of frightening red-glowing eyes in the darkness outside, staring intently through the window and moving closer ever so steadily.
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"Oh, I don't know what is happening to me today. My name is Ca..." but the girl stops looking intently at the window. She moves closer to Aerseni putting herself between the child and the window while Calling out for the barbarian "Roland! Window! Now!" she says nervously.
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At Catcher's cry Tessandriel is immediately on her feet and quickly heading to the front room for her weapons.
Once she has them she heads outside while searching for what made the wizard cry out. Her bow is readied as she moves.
Miro laughs as the girl offers a syllable, then stops. The halfling starts at the young woman's cry to the large man. He, being much shorter than the others, could not see out the window, but the context had been clear. Danger! Trying to hide his excited grin, he follows the half-elf out the door, grabbing his small sword as he passes it by.
Roland pushes himself up and takes a quick look at the window before running to the front door. "It's Grogmurt and his hound! Time for a little payback!" He grabs only his Earthbreaker, leaving the other weaponry, and moves outside slowly, absorbing the scene.
-It is engraved with this rune.
-Counts as a Ring of Protection +1
-Miro calculates his Bardic Knowledge as if he were two levels higher.
-Add 1 to the number of spells known (Table 3-4, CRB pg 37), for each spell level.
Tessandriel with bow readied, Miro with a smile and a sword, Roland with his hammer...all go outside to get a better look, in hopes of meeting this new malevolence head on.
In the extreme darkness of the evening, it is difficult to see any details, however there are several things noticeably apparent--
-there is a rotten stench in the air, smelling of wet dog and putrid flesh
-there is a pair of glowing red eyes that turn toward the group as they emerge from the farmhouse
-whatever this is, it growls with a deep rumble. It sounds...big.
There is more than one enemy outside this farmhouse.
There is more than one enemy outside this farmhouse. You hear 3, maybe more, sets of animalistic footfalls and growls.
Initiative Rolls
Initiative:
Group 1: Tessandriel, Gromff, Catcher, Miro
Group 2: Bad guys
Group 3: Roland
"There are at least 3 creatures out here!"
Miro dons his shield, thinking to put a little extra protection between him and whatever is out there. He then starts to sing, a fast-paced tune that stirs the blood of the others, encouraging them on to great acts of bravery and daring! He also steps a little closer to Roland and Tessandriel, just in case.
As quickly as a dwarf can Gromff springs from the table and grabs his Morningstar and shield from where they rest nearby. He follows the others out into the darkness where his darkvision easily pierces the night. Out o spells, wounded and innocents nearby. I'm up to the task Moradin but even a dwarf's stubbornness has its limits.
Holy light emanates from the ring on his finger, suffucing him with holy light and power.
"This will help!" says the mage, as she cast a light spell in her dagger and throw it outside.
Rules as written, you cannot. But I'll allow it. It's not game-breaking or unreasonable. Sometimes the action sequence in PF can be frustrating.