Jade Regent, presented by DM Hamied - Campaign Thread

Game Master Hamied

Seeing no threat in her immidate area, she rushes over to the boar-riding monster attacking Ameiko, striking the boar with her sword.

Using 1 ki point to increase her movement 20' (now 50') she has enough movement to reach L13. She is now behind the boar, and it is flanked, so I assume I get my sneak damage?? I also get +2 to hit for flanking and +1 hit/damage for Friend Trait, I believe.

Attack-Melee: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + (2) + 3 + 1 = 8

Ameiko is represented by M on the map; Sorin is the one threatened by the boar (he is represented by O). You still get the +1 trait bonus because Ameiko is threatened by the combat in a general sense. This will not normally be the case when I'm running the NPCs in combat, but with Ameiko, Sandru, Shalelu, several archers and a whole lot of monsters, it seemed more prudent to have NPCs contribute to the overall battle, but be removed from the combat.

Setomi rakes her blade across the boars flank. It lets out a grating squeal and nearly bucks its rider.

Another volley of arrows flies from the caravan, dropping several riders still closing on your position.

Goblin 1 is dead, and its dog has fled.

Goblin 2, seeing the other rider felled by Almar, barks a command at the goblin dog, now without a master. Handle Animal - 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4
The dog that Goblin 2 is riding attempts to bite Almar. Attack = 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
If it hits, it deals 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 points of damage, and Almar must make a DC 12 Fortitude save.

Goblin 3 moves to F13 and slashes at Lisabett. Attack - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
If it hits, it deals 1d4 ⇒ 3 points of damage.
It's dog attempts to bite Lisabett. Attack = 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
If it hits, it deals 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 points of damage, and Lisabett must make a DC 12 Fortitude save.

Goblin 4 is dead, and its dog does not respond to the other goblin's command. The dog snaps at Almar's horse. Attack = 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
If it hits, it deals 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 points of damage, and the horse must make a DC 12 Fortitude save.

Goblin 5 breaks off from Sorin and rides wide around Setomi, coming back behind the ninja and ending its movement in M13. This will provoke an Attack of Opportunity from Sorin, but not from Setomi.
The goblin attempts to stab Setomi. Attack - 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 (Flanking)
If it hits, it deals 1d4 ⇒ 4 points of damage.
It's dog attempts to bite Setomi. Attack = 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 (Flanking)
If it hits, it deals 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 points of damage, and Setomi must make a DC 12 Fortitude save.

Both attacks against Setomi are critical threats.
Confirm rolls:
Goblin - 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
If confirmed, it deals an additional 1d4 ⇒ 4 points of damage.
Dog - 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
If confirmed, it deals an additional 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 points of damage.

Varisian Road

Lisabett is up next.

Are there any indications that more goblins are on the way or does this appear to be it?

Almar will have to pass a ride check of 20 in order to attack, right?

Ouch!!! down to 3 hp

There are more waves of goblins, but there will be no new combatants this coming round because of the archers.

As for the Ride check, yes. You will need a 20 in order to attack, but alternatively, you could dismount as a move action (or a free action if you make a DC 20 check to fast dismount).

The goblin dogs are nasty enough without criticals! I hate to say it, but I still need a Fortitude save from Setomi.

Okay, then no reason not to make the AoO on goblin 5

Same modifiers as before except the smite doesn't affect the goblin.

AoA 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 16
Damage 1d10 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 9

Oops..missed that....here it is.
Fort Save: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Lisabett five-foots to F11 and casts Ray of Frost targeting the Goblin at E7

Lisabett Ranged Touch Attack 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 if it hits she will deal 1d3 ⇒ 3 damage and the target is dazzled by sparkling starlights for 1 round.

Raziel notices that both Sorin and Setomi are injured by their foes, and need healing. Since everyone has moved away from him, he realizes he needs to move to where they are, even at the fisk of being attacked by the goblin in front of him.
He moves to next to Lisabett, and calls upon Sarenrae's powers for a channeled healing.

AC 16, 16/16 HP
Move back and over to G11, only giving the goblin and dog in J9 an AoO.
4/5 Healing Channel, excluding the goblin at E7 and Murdrul: 1d6 ⇒ 5 healing to everyone else (friend and foe) within 30'

I might be busy later on today, so I'll post Almar actions in advance, please see they are put in the correct order of actions. Almar attacks the goblin in front of him with his rapier, I decided to keep it simple, can you tell me what kind of checks I should have done if I decided to move Almar to J15 and shoot the Bugbear? Thanks

Ride check:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Attack roll:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage roll:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

I should know better than to make an attack before an AoO is resolved! Sorin's attack will negate the goblin's attack against Setomi, but not the attack of its dog.

Light retcon: The goblin rider gives a command to its dog to sweep around and attack Setomi. Sorin's glaive parts the rider's head from its shoulders, however. The dog's teeth sink into Setomi's side, but the goblin's headless body on the beast's back poses no threat. Setomi can give herself 4 HP back; the goblin attack is negated as it is very dead.

Lisabett's ray hits the goblin squarely in the side of the head. It squawks in confusion and pain.

As Raziel moves to Lisabett's side, the goblin and dog near him attempt to attack him:
Goblin - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
If it hits, it deals 1d4 ⇒ 1 points of damage.
Dog - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
If it hits, it deals 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 points of damage, and Raziel must make a DC 12 Fortitude save.

Critical threat from the dog!
Confirm - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
No crit.

Raziel invokes Sarenrae's light and positive energy washes over those nearby. Sorin and Setomi both feel their wounds begin to heal, but the latter sees the gash she left in the boar's flank begin to seal up as well.

Goblin 6 is visibly disturbed by Raziel's display of holy power. He turns his dog and runs north. The escape attempt fails when one of Shalelu's arrows finds the fleeing goblin, however.

Goblin 7 breaks off its attack and rides in a wide arc, heading about twenty feet north then looping back to F10. The goblin rider attempts to slash at Raziel. Attack - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
If it hits, it deals 1d4 ⇒ 1 points of damage.
His dog attempts to bite Lisabett. Attack = 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
If it hits, it deals 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 points of damage, and Lisabett must make a DC 12 Fortitude save.

Goblin 8 is utterly confounded by Lisabett's magical attack. He attempts to ride his dog right through the rider beside him. The dogs collide and begin to fight.
Dog 8 attacks Dog 9. Attack - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
If it hits, it deals 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 points of damage

Goblin 9 dismounts in a panic and attempts to run away. Sandru's blade cuts him down in his retreat.
Dog 9 attacks Dog 8. Attack - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
If it hits, it deals 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 points of damage

Goblin 10 spends its turn lighting a torch.

Almar's rapier pierces the shoulder of the goblin in front of him. The monster cries out, but remains astride its mount. If you make your Ride check successfully (with a move action), your horse has two move actions that you can dictate. It has a 50-foot move.

Murdrul spews blood on Sorin's armor as he swings his greataxe at the paladin. Attack - 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
If it hits, it deals 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 points of damage.

Sorin falls to the ground, dying (-5 HP). Murdrul lets loose a ferocious war cry and spurs his boar mount forward. The beast charges the caravan. Setomi gets an Attack of Opportunity (non flanking) against either Murdrul or the Boar. Attack (vs. the caravan) - 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
If it hits, it deals 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (6, 2) + 9 = 17 points of damage to third wagon.

The three archers standing in the wagon go flying as the boar crashes into them.

Round 3:
Sorin
Setomi
Goblins (1-5)
Lisabett
Raziel
Goblins (6-10)
Almar
Murdrul

Varisian Road

Sorin's turn is first. He is dying, and must make a Fortitude save to try to stabilize. Also, Setomi should roll for her AoO if she wishes to take it.

As the boar begins to ride away, the huge goblin-like beast still on its back, Setomi takes a swift swipe at the riders' back.

AoO-Melee: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 Darn!!
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Crits are always nice, but sometimes they don't end up mattering...

As the boar slams into the caravan, Murdrul flies from his saddle and into the wooden frame of the wagon. The bugbear's lifeless body falls to the ground, revealing a long, bloody slash across the back.

The goblins shriek in terror and rage at the death of their champion.

Varisian Road

Sorin is up next.

Thanks for clearing that up. Can you also point me to the rules for mounted combat? I want to check them, as I'm considering improving Almar's combat effectiveness with a mount: he's a pretty decent rider himself and with a trained horse he could be quite the threat. Thhanks in advance

Fort Save to stabilize: DC 10 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 5 = 6

The pool of blood under Sorin continues to slowly spread.

Drops to -6 hp

------------------------------------

The rules for Mounted combat are on 201-202 in the Core Rulebook. If you want to be better with non-combat trained mounts then Handle Animal (p.97+98) with a good bonus is fairly essential.

You could almost certainly find a combat trained mount in Sandpoint.

Varisian Road

Setomi is up next.

Ok..my post from last night got eaten....I will repost.

Spinning after her attack on the goblins' leader, Setomi faces the goblindog that attacked her. With blinding speed, she strikes the animal twice.

Using 1 ki point, Setomi activates her Ki Attack Speed ability

Attack-Melee: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Attack-Melee: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The dog is able to avoid the first swipe of Setomi's blade, but the second attack strikes it across the chest. It yelps in pain.

Goblin 1 is dead and its dog has fled.

Goblin 2 yells something to the other attackers.

Goblin 3 screams as it turns its dog and tries to follow, but it rides too close to the now rampaging boar. The beast takes an Attack of Opportunity against the fleeing goblin's dog.

Boar: Attack - 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
If it hits, it deals 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (6, 2) + 9 = 17 points of damage.

You hear bones crunch as the boar catches the dog with its snout. The beast goes flying, and so does its rider. The goblin falls right beside Setomi and lies on the ground, unmoving.

Goblin 4 is dead, but its dog is still alive, and still keenly interested in Almar's horse. It attacks his mount again. Attack - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
If it hits, it deals 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 points of damage, and the horse must make a DC 12 Fortitude save.

Goblin 5 is dead, and its dog attempts to flee having been badly hurt by Setomi. The dog withdraws, disappearing off the map.

Varisian Road

Lisabett is up next.

Just so I make sure that I understand this correctly, as we are in combat, Lisabett cannot use Wild Empathy to calm the boar because it takes a minute to do so, RAW.

Lisabett screams in wordless rage as the boar begins going berserk. She takes a step back to F12 and pulls her nature magics to her lips and summons the power of the winds to buffet the goblin at F10 with her Storm Burst.

Lisabett Ranged Touch Attack 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 if it hits, she will deal 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 non lethal damage and the goblin takes a -2 penalty to its attacks next round.

Raziel steps to where Sorin is on the ground. Praying to Sarenrae, Raziel's hand fills with healing light, and reaches out to Sorin.

AC 16, 14/16 HP
Fort Save vs Goblin Dog: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
5' step to H12.
Cast CLW on Sorin.
1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
That should put him at 0 hp.

I think that ruling on Wild Empathy is well-reasoned, and I stand by it. With Murdrul dead and virtually every other goblin dead or fleeing, however, I'm willing to end initiative following the boar's turn if you'd like to make the attempt. Know that considering the animal and the circumstances, the DC is rather high.

A forceful blast of wind hits the goblin and it falls from its dog. It bounces on the ground with a soft thud and is still.

Raziel's healing energies flow over the axe wound in Sorin's shoulder, mending flesh and bone as they bring the paladin back from death's door. Sorin regains consciousness, but is very weak (staggered and prone).

Goblin 6 is dead and his dog has fled.

Goblin 7 is unconscious. His dog, frightened by the localized storm, flees, disappearing off the map.

Goblin 8 attempts to stop the two dogs from fighting, but the beasts turn on him, pulling him from his saddle and mauling him. He cries out.

Goblin 9 is dead. His dog continues to attack Goblin 8.

Goblin 10 lights his torch and tosses it atop the first wagon. He then rides north before Shalelu's arrow catches him in the neck.

Varisian Road

Almar is up next.

Almar tries to kill the persistent dog off, so he can deal with the boar directly

Ride check:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Attack roll (if ride check suceeds):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Damage roll (if hits):1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Edit: seems like Almar wasted a decent attack...

With the failed Ride check, I will take brief control of your terrified horse.

The horse fights its rider and runs away, withdrawing to Q,R,24,25.

I forgot to roll its Fortitude save earlier; it was hit last round.

Fortitude save (Horse) - 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

The dog begins barking frantically. The boar turns and charges it. Attack - 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
If it hits, it deals 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (6, 3) + 9 = 18 points of damage.

The dog's broken body goes flying through the air. The boar stamps its hooves and snorts.

This will end initiative for now, but combat may start up again depending on how your group chooses to approach the boar. I know that Lisabett expressed some interest in using Wild Empathy; now would be an appropriate time to do so. Of course, other courses of action that the rest of you might take could either aid or hinder her attempt.

Sorin groggily looks up at Raziel. "Thanks...so focused on bugbear...never thought the boar would be such a threat..."

Lay on Hands: self 1d6 ⇒ 6

He staggers to his feet. Well, that was humbling. If necessary, he'll help Raziel with any cleanup and healing tha might be needed (though his healing is limited to 3 more uses of Lay on Hands).

If he passes by Ameiko: Oblivious to the fact that she is likely completely unscratched, "Ameiko, are you alright?

If he passes by Shalelu: Looking at Lisabett's attempts to pacify the boar, "It's not likely to attack her, is it? Would it help if we fed the dead dogs to it?", he asks rather doubtfully.

If he passes near Setomi: "I saw you move around the battlefield; my apologies for thinking you were just a cook. It never occured to me that you had monk training. It's nice to have you along." Sorin has likely never heard of a ninja outside of one of Ameiko's stories and likely wouldn't make the connection even if he thought of it.

Setomi bows to Sorin as he comments on her abilities. "Your work with that glaive was truly impressive! Are you feeling better? That boar took quite a chunk out of you." She walks with the paladin as the gather with the rest of the group to watch Lisabett calm the boar.

As combat is now over

Recognizing that the boar is in a worse place now for having killed a dog, Lisabett spends a round casting Speak with Animals and addresses the boar specifically in conjunction with Wild Empathy.

Lisabett Wild Empathy 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 hallelujah.

Almar tries to calm down his horse and to get back to the others

I guess the goblin dog has run away, right? If not Almar will try to hunt it down.

Ride check:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Shalelu does not respond to Sorin's question. She watches the boar intently, her bow at the ready.

The boar stamps it's hooves menacingly as it snorts. For a moment, it looks as if it may charge Lisabett.

"Sorin!" Ameiko runs up to the paladin and gives him a fierce hug.

Sandru puts a hand on Sorin's shoulder a moment later, but his eyes are on Lisabett. "That was a damn foolish gamble, Shalelu!" He calls, not taking his gaze from the young Ulfen woman. "Anybody else hurt?"

"Arm's broke, but I got the worst of it, seems." Belor Hemlock emerges from the broken wagon that the boar charged. "Snapped a good bow too. How many did we kill?"

Lisabett Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Lisabett rubs her lips together and regards Sheriff Belor, shirking Sandru's stare for a moment. "The animal was worked into a frenzy by the blood," she says, "Desna's grace spared him, and me, I expect," she continues and smiles, a dimple showing in her scarred face.

She ducks her head and looks to the caravan. "I should calm the horses," she dismisses herself and begins walking towards the first in line.

Perception check:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

"Well done everyone! It was a gamble but it paid off... that bugbear was somesort of chief, eight? Well, now he's a very dead chief... as they say, no pain, no gain... And speaking about pain, if I'm not mistaken I smell fire and smoke... Look! The first wagon is on fire!!!"

With Almar bringing it to your attention, you all notice that smoke is rising from the front wagon.

Sandru groans in desperate frustration and rushes towards it.

If you wish to assist, you can make a CMB check to fight the flames. Water will greatly aid with the check, though there is no ready source on the caravan itself.

While the others are distracted by the fire, Setomi will move to where the bugbear landed and search the creature.

Sorin is visibly starled by Ameiko's hug but can't help wincing in pain as two of his ribs seem to want to shift places.

Upon hearin Almar's cry, he rushes over to the wagon and, seeing no water, begins to try and smother it as best he can.

CMD check: fire 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Lisabett will cast Create Water to douse the flames however many times that it is require to staunch them.

Sorin is able to contain the flames with his efforts, and the water from Lisabett's magic quenches them.

"Thank you!" Sandru coughs, waving his hand in front of his face. "That's at least one wagon I won't have to replace."

"The inconvenience is worth breaking this band of goblins, Sandru." Shalelu appears from around the wagon. "And if it appears he will survive, I will say the same of Sorin's." The elf's eyes flash at you, but her attention goes quickly to those few goblins that have fled. "It is good for a few witnesses to survive. That is why I wanted it to be an attack on a caravan that brought about this result. They will be more hesitant in the future."

Sandru looks up at Shalelu, his face grim.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Sandru." she continues when he does not answer. "Now if you don't mind, I'd like to harry them on their retreat. I said a few witnesses. Well done, friends." Shalelu gives a deep bow, allowing half-smile at Lisabett as the mounts. She gives her horse the command to run, an arrow already nocked on her bow.

Lisabett puzzles after the Elven woman for a few moments, then excuses herself and makes rounds with the animals. Between combat and the fire, she expects that the horses are quite riled, and will take extra care to handle them.

Lisabett Handle Animal 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

In truth, she agreed with Shalelu concerning Sorin's actions, breaking formation to charge the greatest threat alone when there were archers who could have assisted with weakening his mount at the very least, had he stopped for a moment and assessed the situation. He cut a fine heroic figure, but endangered them all.

After calming the horses pulling the wagons, Lisabett attends to the party's animals, and finally to her mare, drawing her around a bit and giving her fresh water and some feed from her hand. Happy to have spared the boar an untimely and meaningless death, she sings an old Skaldic row about the joys and perils of the hunt, from a time before they knew the terrors of the witches of Irrisen.

Lisabett untrained Perform Sing 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Raziel does his best at putting out the fire to the wagon, but seems more concerned with healing the wounded.
He times his healing channels for when the wounded are close together (going as far to ask the wounded, including the Sheriff Belor, to gather), and uses his spells to cast Cure Light Wounds on those that need more attention.

Here are the rest of my healing channels.
1d6 ⇒ 3
1d6 ⇒ 1
1d6 ⇒ 4
1d6 ⇒ 4
12 points of healing to everyone.
Let me know if you need more healing.
I have 2 CLW spells left.

Gathering up the items from the bugbear, Setomi heads over to Amieko and shows her the strange device.
"Amieko! I am glad that you made it though alright. I searched the big goblin-thing over there and found this weird device. Do you know what it might be?"

Almar helps with stopping the fire too. After the threat is over he moves towards Sandru:"What now? Are you ready to move the caravan? I need to go north quickly and the goblin threat seems to be definitely over"

12 HP should top everybody off save Sorin.

The frightened horses calm with Lisabett's attention. Oddly, Almar's horse, wounded by the goblin dog, is the most serene. The bite is a severe one, but Raziel's healing washes it away as if it was a mere stain.

Ameiko looks at the device that Setomi has presented to her.

She holds up a strange metal device with a wooden handle on one end and a series of rotating cylinders on the other.

Knowledge Engineering:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Almar takes the object from Ameiko's hands and examines it for a brief moment with an increasingly puzzled frown spreading on his brow:"Thanks Ameiko... Let me see... This is odd. This seems to be a pepperbox... a pretty advanced type of gun if you will. I have seen the like once or twice, but it really not common at all, even back in Alkenstar. It's extremely strange to see one of these here... where did you find it, exactly?"

"Alkenstar...?"

Sorin's face shows weary exasperation at hearing Almar.

"So, just like the fireworks, we have another unusual item, far from where it should be, in the hands of creatures who should have no possibility of possessing such."

"Apart from the effort it must have taken just to get such items here, why give them to goblin-folk? They're certainly capable of causing a lot of havok with them but what long term gain is there in the spending the amount of money and time is must have taken to give it to them? There must be a plan or reason, with someone behind it more intelligent than goblins, but I admit I just can't see it. And what makes here and now so special?"

Sorin ponders a moment longer.

"I suppose it could just be a big distraction, " he suggests doubtfully, "but it's an extraordinarily complex one if so."

"I do not believe it to be a simple distraction, Sorin," Mother Koya's words precede her appearance from around the wagon. "I have puzzled over recent events. Desnans do not subscribe to fate, yet I cannot deny that I have felt a calling to some vital purpose, and one which I fail to understand."

"Mother Koya!" Sandru runs to the old woman and embraces her tenderly. "When I did not see you with them...I dared not ask. I feared..."

"And you should fear, Sandru." Koya's eyes are gentle, but her voice is firm. "You know I am not one to dwell on the evils of the world, but evil has been done. I can make little sense of the circumstances, but I do know one thing. The one responsibly for the atrocity in the cave must be stopped, and we must be the ones to do it. Almar is willing, as am I. Who else?"

"To end such evil as this, I will stand with you," Raziel immediantly replies.

"And Sorin, the two incidents may be tied by fate, but not by a single actor. The fireworks were from an older shipwreck, as you read in that note. This... pepperbox, was it... sounds like it is connected to the man that Almar has chased."

"And you still look injured, Sorin. Do you require additional healing?"

Still examining the pepperbox Almar answers to Sorin's questions:"I would be lying if I told you I know if this is somehow significant or not, but I can attest to the fact this is really strange. Alkenstar does not sell this type of gun to outsiders... I can think of only one person who could have smuggled these out of the Duchy, and that's the same person responsible for the abbatoir in the cave... I subscribe Mother Koyas's words: you may think me just an obsessed madman, but the beast I'm hunting is very dangerous and very real, and its evil needs to be stopped before it does something REALLY bad... and no, you haven't yet seen the beginning of it"

She smiles back at him. "You are wrong, Sandru. I will travel north."

"As will I!" Ameiko can keep silent no longer.

"Ameiko!" Sandru wheels on the Tian woman. "I do not even know what you are doing here! And you've brought Setomi here, and sent her into combat."

"And she has more than proved herself!" Ameiko snaps back. "As I will."

"The both of us have had that chance. You remember how that ended."

Ameiko stares hard at Sandru for a moment.

"I will never forget, Sandru." She says in a deathly quiet voice. "Nor will I return to the Rusty Dragon until I have seen this through."

Hearin the exchange between Ameiko and Sandru, This is an unusual little drama. Not what I expected to hear from either of them.

"Sandru," Sorin says quietly, "if Desna is truly guiding Mother Koya's sight, and that she was led here would indicate that she is, then it is not our place to say whether she goes north or not." Sorin pauses, uncertain whether to continue for a few seconds but ultimately does so.

"As for Setomi, I thought it odd to bring a cook at first as well, but you must have seen her fight...she's clearly had combat training and Ameiko...well, I'm surprised to hear you object to her presence, to be honest."

Turning to Ameiko, "I don't understand this talk of a need to prove oneself but, nevertheless, I think we must return to Sandpoint before heading north. My half brothers uprooted themselves from Sandpoint without a thought but I doubt they ended up the better for it. There are affairs to be set in order and I myself have some...important personal business...that I would make sure is taken care of if we are to leave for any extended length of time. A night's rest is needed in any case and no time is lost doing so at home."

When Sorin has a moment alone, he will approach Mother Koya.

Lisabett listens quietly to the conversation, but offers not a single word. She has no desire to return to Sandpoint, or to meet the phantom that Almar pursues, but she knows she must travel north. She mounts her mare and speaks softly to her in Skald while she pets her mane, riding along the side of the caravan watching for Shalelu's return.

Setomi stands silently beside Ameiko as she speaks. She nods to Sorin as he mentions her abilities. She does not speak, as there is no need. If Ameiko is going, then so will she.