"What the!"
After Vaugn
"Torches in my pack but no fire or oil."
Rendel wil move foward adn attempt to get the torches from creel's pack.
Vaghn calls out, sounding slightly panicked, "Ah, I do not believe stamping our boots is going to be sufficient for this task! May I suggest a swift and immediate withdrawal my friends?"
Creel removes a torch (or the bundle of three if he can) from his pack and hands/tosses it to Rendel.
"You heard Vaugn. Rendel take (this/these) and fall back to the gate. I'll hold the swarm here to buy you some time."
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round 1 summary
As your group looks up, alerted at the last minute by Madeline, the oncoming swarm of beetles flows over the first three members of your party. Smith, Madeline, and Creel to their best to fight off the things, with Madeline and Smith stomping and swinging madly, but ultimately, in futile attempts. Vaghn, for his effort, retreats, easily outpacing the beetles. Creel, covered in beetles, fiddles with the straps of his pack just long enough for Rendel to pluck the torches from within. As Creel moves away from the swarm, he lights one, swinging it in a wide arc to cover the groups retreat. Dortlin, standing in the back, looks on dumbfounded.
round 2
The beetles, daunted by the sight of fire, move away from Creel and focus on Madeline and Smith - both of whom are still standing in the swarm. Both Madeline and Smith take automatic damage. Smith suffers points of damage and Madeline takes points of damage. Both need to make two DC 12 Fort saves.
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Determined, your group watches while Madeline remains in the swarm, attempting to fight them off. As she swings her weapon to and fro, she manages to connect with the beetles, but fails to do damage. Then, as some of the beetles swarm up and over her face, you are all but positive that she has ingested some, her face turning green as she swoons back and forth.
"Damnable woman, move!"
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Madeline, failing to move out of the swarm, sways to and fro as Vaghn leaps forward, snaps his whip at her, and yanks her back a full ten feet! Smith, his hammer in hand, shifts his gaze toward Vaghn and pivots - it appears he may follow.
Madeline, on 20, you go.
Vaghn, you follow next on 17.
Rendel, you follow him on 15.
Dortlin, you follow him on 8.
Smith follows Dortlin on 4.
Creel closes the round on 4.
Madeline does little more than fall prone under Vaghn's attention. The good thing being she falls prone outside the vermin swarm.
Smith does his best to combat the bugs attached to his Mistress...
Creel moves to help form the line with Sir Rendal. Grabbing a torch if one is lit stomping if not.
"Good work Vaugn. Now get them out of here!"
"My apologies, Frl. Peshtussle, for pulling you so abruptly, but you seemed rather overwhelmed. Perhaps we should get those bites seen to. And the rest of us can see about acquiring some oil flasks..."
"Do we ecen have the funds for some alchemist fire? Perhaps we should return to the box and see what cna be retrieved for our use?"
"I could manage torches, oil and maybe a few tindertwigs. Not alchemist's fire though. You?"
Madeline does little more than shiver and shake after the onslaught of the beetle swarm.
Though her colour and composure remain good, in light of the wounds she has suffered. She does offer Master Vaghn a smile of thanks for his timely rescue.
Watching the swarm retreat
"Well that could have gone better. Is anyone hurt?" Creel asks ignoring his own minor wound.
"I saw a general store in the village. They should have oil and torches, been meaning to stop by there anyway. How about we split for a bit? Sir Rendal, you and Mme Peshtussle collect what was in that box. Mr. Vaughn and I will head for the store and bring back something for those bugs."
Madeline coughs weakly at Creel's question, even as she sags and leans against Smith who's arms encircle and support her wilting frame.
Creel turns to the wounded Madeline. "Well, they did a job on you."Creel smiles as he kneels at her feet and removes a half dead beatle from her blood soaked boot. "Excuse me. Helps to see the wound." Creel unlaces and folds down the soft leather of her boot revealing an angry and deep pincher wound. The blood is flowing freely. Little pulses follow the half-elf's heartbeat. "Not good."
"But it could be worse. Now I think I remember this...."
Creel's voice trails off as he bows his head over the wound.
"Light without.....light within....gutering torch....edge of a blade...noonday sun."
At his words much of the pain fades. The blood slows and stops as the wounds close. A feeling of energy and resolve fills Madeline's enervated frame.
Smith lowers his Mistress even as Creel kneels to survey the wounds. At Creel's gentle ministrations, Madeline gives a slight hiss from the pain of the bug being removed from her skin.
"My...thanks..." Madeline manages weakly.
Smith stands protectively over his Mistress...seeming unconcerned about the rents, tears and leaking viscous black fluid from his form.
"First, we need to retrieve the contents of the box and figure out its fate. Second we need plenty of oil and torches. I must say I did not expect them to deploy such guardians. Quite clever in a way."
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Your group retreats from the fields of Harrowstone with little problems, marching as quickly as you can back to the Lorrimor Estate. You reach the house just short of noon, discovering Kendra on the front porch, reading a book. When you walk up, she immediately gets up, a little started at the sight of Smith and Madeline, and says, "By Pharasma's Hand.... what happened? You two look horrid...". She then rushes down to help, bringing your group into her living room.
"I'll get some warm water and clean clothes for bandages.... and please tell me this wasn't the townsfolk.." She then disappears into the kitchen.
"What? The townsfolk? Why would they harm Frl. Peshtussle?" Vaghn seems genuinely confused, then continues. "But no, these are slicer beetle hatching bites. It was incredible seeing so many of them, especially because they are not even native to the area! It is a good thing for Ravengro that not one in a thousand of those things will reach maturity; there is not enough food for them up at Harrowstone!" He realizes that no one is really listening to his impromptu lecture and comes to an awkward halt. "Er, if everything is in hand here, I believe Hr. Creel wanted me to accompany him to the general store..."
Madeline gratefully wilts upon the lounge that she is lead to...Though Smith seems stoic enough to simply stand beside his Mistress and await further developments.
The strange creaking and rusty squeaking noises...as well as the odd shifts in Smith's gait as he led Madeline back to the manse though was definitely...odd..
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Kendra replies, "Oh, well, uhhhh.... considering how that awful group gathered at my father's funeral and demanded we bury him elsewhere, I thought maybe they had worked up their courage to assault you once again. It seems, however, they have not. I suppose that was just what I expected might happen. Perhaps I'm just being cynical."
Kendra sighs slightly, adjusting a bit of hair as she does. She bites her lower lip for a moment and then continues.
"It's... it's... it's just this town. Everyone is so close-minded about everything. I can't get over it some times. And now we have problems with Tharnik. When I saw Madeline, I just... well, I just assumed the worst. I'm glad I was wrong and everyone is okay."
Seeing that Madeline and Vaughn are taken care of Rendel retrieves the contents of the box and checks his own funds. Perhaps it would be enough. He knew he'd have to trade in his crossbow at some point if arrows were going to insist on coming into their possession. Turning to Creel he says. "I've about 12 gold on me. Not sure how that will help us. You?"
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Kendra overhears Rendels comment, looks at Madeline, and then frowns. When she's done helping Madeline, she disappears upstairs. A few moments later, she returns with a leather satchel, which she hands to Rendel.
"I know my father willed each of you a fair share of platinum for your service, but that's nearly a month away. This isn't much, but it should help. If you need more, you might secure a loan in town." She says.
Madeline gestures and Smith leans closer to hear his Mistress' words.
He nods upon straightening and walks out of the parlor and up to Madeline's room. Upon returning he has a small leather case in his palms...Though the gleam of his 'claws' poking from the ruined ends of his gloves are disturbing still...which he offers to any who would/will take it.
Upon relieving him of the ouch/case its contents are revealed as small sleeves which in all contain 50 Gp.
"It is part of the moneys saved with which to maybe start an endeavor." Madeline explains weakly from her position of recovery upon the lounge.
Seeing that Madeline and Vaughn are taken care of Rendel retrieves the contents of the box and checks his own funds. Perhaps it would be enough. He knew he'd have to trade in his crossbow at some point if arrows were going to insist on coming into their possession. Turning to Creel he says. "I've about 12 gold on me. Not sure how that will help us. You?"
Kendra: 35
Rendal: 12
Creel: 20
Madeline: 50
Vaughn:??
.
Current group operating funds: 117gp plus what ever Vaughn adds to the kitty.
Creel looks at the sudden outflow of gold before digging into his pack and adding some coins of his own.
"Well with these funds we could afford some fire. I am inclined to stick with torches and oil though, cheaper and nearly as effective. Tindertwigs and maybe a lamp or two would be a good investment. I'd hate to run out of light in the prison."
Creel removes his armor before heading into town. Walking around like you are looking for a fight is not the best way to make friends. He does bring the sword and shield though.
Vaghn looks sheepish. "I am afraid I forgot to pack money when I left the University. I donated the last few crowns I had on me to the church." He accompanies Creel to the store.
Madeline does her best to restore and refresh herself after the harrowing day's events while Vaghn and Creel tend to their purchases.
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Kendra smiles, offering each of you a place at her table.
"My that is a fine suit you have there. Your own work?"
Vaghn smiles politely and looks about as Creel makes his purchases.
Kendra, done tending to Madeline, leaves the living room and enters the kitchen. After about an hour, she peaks out from behind the door and announces lunch is done. "I've made something simple for all of you and, if you don't mind, Madeline, something for your manservant to bring to Tharnik, as well. It's not much, but should suffice. I hope all of you like rabbit stew."Kendra smiles, offering each of you a place at her table.
Madeleine smiles and thanks Kendra warmly, though her voice is but a pale shadow. She directs the squeaking and juddering Smith to seeing to Tharnick's needs. Then, after the full meal, retires to her rooms to rest and recuperate after the days traumatic events.
[ooc]Cast Rejuvenate Eidolon:
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"Yes, yes.. ve've had this armor for almost two decades and, vhile our hearts demand ve keep it vell-serviced, I think one day ve might part vith it. Maybe." The woman says. Then, she smiles, waiting.
"Indeed, such was it in the land where my parents met as well. People distrust that which they rarely take time to understand." She says quietly and semi-philosophically.
"I shall try my best to have Smith blend in, but at the moment there are other -seeming more pressing things- that must be tended to." She again squeezes Kendra's arm in thanks and retirees to her room and the labours to which she must attend.
[ooc][smaller]Happy to leave this scene as a wrap and 'fast forwards' to catching up with the others on the morrow. Also hoping Smith takes some decent care with our NPC in the basement. :)
"We are here to buy some rather more prosaic supplies, unfortuneatly. We need about a dozen flasks of lamp oil and the same in tindertwigs if you carry them. Oh and a couple of lanterns and say a half dozen torches, for emergencies."
Creel glances around the shop checking to see if they have a bow for sale.
Rendel hangs out at the door arms crossed and looking outside deep in thought.