Dorial kneels in front of Jeva, handing her a piece of bread. "Hi Jeva, could you tell us where the others are? We came to find the missing children and make sure they're all safe."
Othoe eyes the young maiden briefly.
He turns to the group, "Her injuries are healing so she must have been attacked some time ago and left for dead. Or perhaps she vanquished her foe. Either way the fey were certainly here and may be close still."
While Dorial talks to the girl, Othoe walks over to the remains of the orphanage and looks around. He'll cast Detect Magic as part of his search.
He's careful not to disturb too much - partly because he doesn't want to get dirty, and partly because he doesn't want to stumble disrespectfully over a stack of bodies in the blackened building.
"I...I dont' know how many got out. I was outside when it happened, cuz I was bad." She sniffs a little and begins to cry.
"b--b-but s-sometimes...I s-s-still hear them."
"Sounds like there was more going on here than we know. Perhaps the Mistress was the disguised deviltrix? Either way we'll learn little else here. Which way did the people who did this go, Jeva?"
Nimeon begins looking for tracks leading away from the wreckage.
The girl begins to bawl louder. "I d-d-don't KNOW!!!!"
"Here, here"
Chrystosm gives the child a hug, then pulls a boiled sweet out of his pocket, scraping the fluff off as he does so.
"There you go. Grab a hold of your Auntie Dorial's bread and you can have a candy sandwich - the finest sandwich in all creation! No-one's going to hurt you now, so more tears, eh?"
He smiles at the girl.
The girl snatches up both, but eats the candy first. Finally, she looks at them and whispers. "Will you go down stairs with me to see?"
"To see what, dearie?" Simon looks nervously at his companions.
Kast turns his attention to the child.
That ain't good.
I bet it's my ass climbing into the cellar to check it out.
Kast grips the Iron Quill with steadfast resolve.
Soldiers investigate.
"The noises, from the basement. I think, s-s-someone might be trapped in there. but I'm scared..." she says...
Kast moves forward to address the child.
"Show me. Show me then stand back, way back. We defend our own in this town."
"I'll come with you", volunteers Chrystosm.
On hearing the lass speak of a basement, he searches harder in the rubble for a basement stairwell or trap door. Unless it's obvious, it eludes poor Othoe.
Did I find anything in my previous search?
Nimeon stands watch as the others head into the rubble.
Simon joins the basement expedition, though his knees shake weakly as he moves forward.
Dorial follows the others inside while Nimeon stands guard outside.
The child flashes a tremulous smile at Kast, then points inside the burnt out shell. She moves behind Nimeon and peeks out around him as the others head into the building.
Othoe leads Kast, Simon, Dorial and Chrystosm to the charred trap door in what once must have been the kitchen area of the large home for orphaned children. A large padlock, lays nearby.
The door, warped and twisted by the fire, remains surprisingly sturdy.
Dorial follows the others inside while Nimeon stands guard outside.
[dice=Perception]1d20+11
Black, charcoal and gray layer what is left of the building. Most lighter things burnt to ash, and most of the upper floors are nothing but kindling or worse, with huge gaping holes spilling what is left of beds and chests into the floor below. Most of these fall apart with a touch, though with the crumple of one, a small skull and tiny doll tumble onto the floor; even hiding in the chest didn't save the poor thing.
Kast grumbles at the locked door and turns to the party.
"Can someone get his open? If we do it my way, it may take a while." ...and damage the Quill.
"Don't you worry, child. But you may want to stay back. You should watch...because you should know that there is nothing out here that people working together can't defeat."
Kast smiles and returns his attention to the trapdoor.
"Allow me!"
Chrystosm flexes his fingers, removes a suspicious-looking collection of metal objects from his pocket and goes to work on the door.
Chrystosm looks at the lock, then smiles, reaching down to pull the lock away without a problem.
Kast smiles at Chrystosm. "Good work!"
I like that guy. Pretty handy how easily he opened that.
Kast casts light at the end of the Iron Quill and enters.
Othoe leans down and opens the trapdoor. He then steps away from the hole to let Kast's light in.
I wonder what's down there? Likely bodies... Othoe frowns at his thoughts.
A puff of ash and soot billows up as the door pulls open, the warped and twisted wood creaking and splintering with the force needed to yank it free.
The girl nudges nimeon shyly. "I should be closer. Will you go with me please?"
Nimeon looks down at the little girl...
He steps back and knocks a cold iron arrow.
Kast halts his progress down the cellar and turns to the foes that Nimeon, no doubt, sees.
"Where!? Who!?" Kast spins about, looking for trouble.
I knew it was a trap.
Perception
With a clammy grip on his morningstar, Simon turns his attention to Nimeon, hoping he points him towards the threat.
Chrystosm draws his rapier.
"A trap?!"
He looks frantically about him
Dorial:
Kast:
Nimeon:
Othoe:
Simon:
Jeva:
Chrystosm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Jeva: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Dorial: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Nimeon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Othoe: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Kast: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9
Simon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
The girl jumps at Nimeon's sudden violent outburst, her frail frame begins to thicken and crack, wracking pain bringing a howl from her lips....Howaaahve it Yoawahrrr Waaaayyy!. A thick red fur begins to sprout, flowing down her limbs like syrup and her hands curl and gnarl, claws sprouting from her fingertips... (full round action, still going on at the top of the round)
Round 1 Init 17
HP = 32/32
AC (N/T/FF) = 20/14/17
Weapon Equipped = None
Arrows = 49/49
Silver Arrows = 50/50
Cold Iron Arrows = 50/50
Speed = 20'
Lay on Hands = 1/1 (1d6)
Smite Evil = 1/1 (+2 hit, +2 damage, +2 AC vs. target)
Status Effects = None
"Othoe! I think we have a werewolf here. A child werewolf."
Nimeon quickly steps back a little farther and swaps out his cold iron arrow for a silver one. He prepares to fire if the girl steps towards him.
Not a child! Can this be cured?
"Ohhh...", groans Chrystosm.
"Hold on - I'm coming!"
Plumes of ash rise up as his feet hammer down rapidly into the broken, blackened ground, racing to help his companions battle their newest foe.
Chrystosm takes off across the floor, forgetting all about the fragile nature of the burnt out husk. Huge plumes of ash and grime swallow his step. Boards creak and break in his wake, holes open up behind him, though he fairly flies across. His companions will not have it so easy.
Round 1, Initiative 14
Weapon Equipped = none
Conditions = Endure Elements
Arcane Bond = 1/1
Pearl of Power (first) = 1/1
Force Missile = 7/7
Wizard Spells Remaining:
0) Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost*, Spark
1) Comprehend Languages, Grease, Magic Missile* w/ Topple x2
2) Flaming Sphere*, Glitterdust, Knock, Scorching Ray*
Othoe jumps off the house foundation and moves around the edge of the house. When he can see the girl again, he tries to injure her using a pair of Magic Missiles w/ Toppling Spell.
He eyes the creature before him and tries to identify it.
Kast, seeing Chrystosm's agile movements and knowing he could never replicate them while also hearing the creaking, decides to take the easy way toward the werechild.
He moves to diagonally to 'safe' ground then move around the building to help Nimeon.
Soldiers doubletime.
Simon double moves with cinder dance, following Kast's steps to safe terrain, to get as close as he can to the weregirl.
Round 1 | Initiative 17
Hearing the warning, Dorial carefully moves through the building to find the werewolf engaged with Nimeon.
"Let's see how well that fur burns."
A ball of flame leaps out of nothingness to land at Jeva's feet.
hp: 29/29
status: n/a
Equipped: n/a
Available: club, dart x3, light shield
Wind Blast (Su): 7/7
Wild Shapes (Su): 2/2
Spells:
0) Detect Magic, Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink
1) Entangle x2, Bristle, Obscuring Mist, Whispering Wind (Domain)
2) Bull's Strength, Burning Gaze, Wind Wall (Domain)
round 1 summary
Nimeon shouts out a warning and draws a bead on the poor waif. The girl, shocked and hurt, begins to howl and gnash her teeth at the betrayal.
The others, at the very verge of descending down into the blackened basement, turn instead and rush to his rescue. Chrystosm tears off across the fragile floor of the building, leaving gaping holes behind him.
Jeva, feeling her wild side, steps up to Nimeon as he threatens her with his bow and knocks it from his hands!
Dorial moves and summons a ball of flame to torment the girl, but Jeva easily avoids it.
Nimeon, disarmed of his beloved bow, draws his longsword for the moment.
Othoe hops the five foot drop to the ground and moves until he can see what's going on. He fires two missiles at the bipedal wolf thing attacking Nimeon and tries to knock her off her feet, but can't seem to make it work.
Kast limps as far as he can to reach the new threat. Simon follows Kast, passing him up at the end, but both fail to reach the werechild.
Chrystosm: ........ 21
Jeva: ................. 17
Dorial: ............... 17
Nimeon: ............ 17
Othoe: .............. 14
Kast: ................. 09
Simon: ............... 04
Round 2, init 21
Chrystosm skips gracefully over the last few feet of broken ground, landing on tippy-toes behind Jeva and slipping his rapier between her shoulder-blades.
I gave you a sweetie! And *this* is how you repay me?! Faugh!
Round 2, init 21
Chrystosm skips gracefully over the last few feet of broken ground, landing on tippy-toes behind Jeva and slipping his rapier between her shoulder-blades.
I gave you a sweetie! And *this* is how you repay me?! Faugh!
1d20+8+2
1d6+1 + 1d6
A horridly sick whimper pours forth as Chrystosm blade adds to her wounds from Othoe's vicious magical missiles.
"arhyouuu Too?!?!" she cries and for a moment, the little girl is there in her eyes, but only for a moment before the wild and feral beast takes over. She snaps, biting deep into Chrystosm's hand, and tries to yank him off his feet. He's faced worse, though; yanking his arm free, he stands his ground.
Round 2, Initiative 14
Weapon Equipped = Dagger
Conditions = Endure Elements
Arcane Bond = 1/1
Pearl of Power (first) = 1/1
Force Missile = 6/7
Wizard Spells Remaining:
0) Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost*, Spark
1) Comprehend Languages, Grease, Magic Missile* w/ Topple
2) Flaming Sphere*, Glitterdust, Knock, Scorching Ray*
Othoe edges in a little closer and plucks her with a Force Missile.
"What have you done with the children?!"
Othoe slings another missile at the shewolf, bringing another yelp! from her.
Round 2, Init 9
Kast moves up 20' and slashes at the werechild with the Iron Quill.
to hit; (power attack)
cold iron damage.
Soldiers slash.
Know Nature/Arcana (werewolves)
Kast limps up and swings widely, missing his target completely.
Kast growls twice: once for his lazy swing and another for knowing little about the werechild.
Simon strides forward, morningstar swinging, but a terrible knot in his stomach knowing it's a child as well as a beast.
Round 2 | Initiative 17
Dorial moves forward while causing the ball of flame to leap after Jeva.
hp: 29/29
status: n/a
Equipped: n/a
Available: club, dart x3, light shield
Wind Blast (Su): 7/7
Wild Shapes (Su): 2/2
Spells:
0) Detect Magic, Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink
1) Entangle x2, Bristle, Obscuring Mist, Whispering Wind (Domain)
2) Bull's Strength, Burning Gaze, Wind Wall (Domain)
Round 2 summary
Chrystosm closed and attacked the werechild, doing significant damage, and she returned the favor, biting his hand.
Dorial shifted closer and moved her sphere, but the child's reflexes are too quick for her. Nimeon tried to hit Jeva but missed as well.
Othoe shot her with a force missile. Kast limped up and swung but missed. Simon danced up close, but missed with his morning star.
Chrystosm: ........ 21
Jeva: ................. 17
Dorial: ............... 17
Nimeon: ............ 17
Othoe: .............. 14
Kast: ................. 09
Simon: ............... 04
Begin Round 3