Quint holds up his hands, palms out toward Vorsirion. "Not me! If nobody wants it maybe Oleg would buy it from us?"
"I've heard stories about wizards using ash from a lightning struck tree to cast their lightning bolts. Maybe there's something inside? Is it hollow?"
Quint taps on the trunk to sound out any hollows.
Raven kneels down to examine the tree, but finds nothing. She seems rather... distracted. "I got nothing," she says, and stands back up again.
Raven takes a look at it, nods, and takes the spear.
A thorough observation reveals that a section of earth there has been
disturbed. Burried 10 feet in the dirt, you discover a small cache of items wrapped in a soiled, heavy leather cloak:
A masterwork dagger
A wand of burning hands (CL 2nd, 4 charges)
A silver ring worth 75 gp, and
A spellbook. Unfortunately, rain seeping down into the cache has damaged much of the spellbook but five of the spells (identify, mage armor, reduce person, silent image, and unseen servant) remain intact.
Finally, wrapped in smaller, more water resistant pouch you find a folded piece of parchment that seems to have fared better through the elements than the spell book.
"My dearest Erik,
I know that you say that you are only going away to provide for me, so that we can leave behind this city and make a life anew beyond our parents and their plots. I beg you, stay here. We can find a better way than the life you would lead. But should you leave, know that my heart will be forever yours."
It seems that the note has been folded and unfolded repeatedly.
[ooc](Obligatory)
"I'm sure any of us could use the dagger, but as for the spellbook, it's just a worn old book to me. I feel bad, this man wanted to provide for his family, and obviously missed them. I wonder what fate he came to."
Still puzzling over the exact nature of the cache you found, the party makes its trek North West, towards Oleg's Trading Post. Nearly a day away from the safety of the Trading Post's walls, amidst your exploration you see a large campfire from the distance across the (blessedly) flat plains, near a small trail that leads directly to Oleg's.
Moving cautiously towards the sign of life, you see a half dozen men that have the look of mercenaries idling around the campfire sharpening weapons, cleaning a deer, or seeing to their horses. All of them have sigaldry that is immediately recognizable as the same that adorns Raven: the mark of the Flame's Fury mercenary company.
The battle hardened men move to attention at your approach, clearly no strangers to the road as they brandish swords or bows, though they relax a bit when they recognize Raven. Raven herself only recognizes one, her superior, Ilago.
The grizzled mercenary holds lowers his bow at the sight of her, calling out from near the fire. "Ah, Raven! And the band of adventurers that are forging the frontier! Come join us at the fire, there is much to discuss. Word of your deeds are traveling like the Flame, and we have business to discuss."
sense motive
perception
"Be aware, there's a concealed pit about 3 or 4 steps ahead, between us and them. I'd wager this is a trick of some fashion."
Alamina whispers to the party, making sure her crossbow is loaded with an enchanted bolt.
Raven's mood visibly brightens when she sees her comrades in arms. She had been more solemn than usual the past couple of days, and as readable as a pillar of stone "Ilago! Never thought I'd see you again. Thought for sure you'd be scared off of the front lines ever since you took that mauling from a troll." Raven gives Ilago a wolfish grin, as close as anybody can get Raven to a friendly smile. "Any news from headquarters? I hope those weasels in Legal didn't write me off as dead already. Although my mother and sister could use the money, I still want to collect my paycheck! And what brings you 'round this neck of the wild?"
At Alamina's warning, Raven shakes her head. "'Mina, I know Ilago. Man can be a bit jumpy, cowardly even-don't know how he ended up so high in the ranks, honestly-but he wouldn't kill a fellow Flame's Fury warrior. There's a code. Don't raze, don't pillage, don't rape, don't kill unless on contract, and most of all, don't raise steel against another corpsman. Simple as that. Probably set the trap to catch a deer, or maybe it's a makeshift cell to let a captured enemy stew for a bit before interrogation."
Seeing familiar faces has somewhat quelled whatever demons were plaguing Raven, apparently, and she asks Ilago with the ease of comrades, "Heard that somebody put Serlaga the Butcher out on contract, and that she fled through here on her way to the River Kingdoms. You got one of her lackeys in there?" She gestures vaguely at where Alamina had told Raven where the pit is.
Raven is desperately hoping that this isn't happening. She knows that Ilago is planning on trying something, but simply doesn't want to believe it, doesn't accept it as possibility. Her bond with the Flame's Fury, and the promise of returning to base camp after this whole ordeal's over, is what's keeping her going. This last betrayal may be what pushes her over the edge.
Ever since that ordeal with Kressle, Raven's been growing a bit more coarse, more callous, more cold. This peaked when Raven cut of the Stag Lord's head, forced the bandits to surrender, and threatened to kill them all if they even toed the line.
Sense motive
intelligence
"I am sure there is a reasonable explanation here. One of the members of your mercenary band wouldn't break the accord and invite dishonor and death on him and his band. So, why don't we have a little chat, well away from that concealed pit there, and settle this misunderstanding."
Raven nods. "Of course."
Ilago's grin flickers just a moment when there is mention of the pit trap, but it is almost immediately replaced. "Ah... that. We killed a Trapdoor Spider here; figured it would be a nuisance to travelers coming to Oleg's." That does appear to be plausible, and those with woodscraft can spot the telltale signs of the spider, however that does change the fact that it wasn't immediately pointed out.
He continues to stay where he is. "Word of your deeds is already spreading; there's a full on fervor to settle the Greenbelt that has caught the ear of many people in places high and low." He makes a show of grimacing. "And yet, it seems that your little group has almost achieved too much, too fast. You've made some powerful people quite upset by upsetting the delicate balance of power in this region, and those that have interests that border it." He (tries) at least to look generally apologetic, as he continues. "Raven, girl. You've done well, and yet, I can't allow you to return to Oleg's. Have a contract to that effect, in fact." He nods to his satchel at the camp. "There are two ways we can do this. First is the easy way. You and your crew never make it back to Oleg's. We pay you the full of your contract, and you make your way to a new life. Somewhere else, Mivon, say? Maybe even Taldor. Regardless, you disappear, like so many in the Stolen Lands." He makes a show of hands as he nods at Raven. "Your family would be provided for, of course." Then he glowers.
"Or, the hard way. You and your crew never make it back to Oleg's... and that's that. Your family would still collect your pay, of course. Wouldn't want to break tradition, and all that." There is a nasty look in his eyes as he looks you over. "What'll it be?"
Raven tenses, clearly getting ready for a fight, her hands slowly reaching for her constant companion, Harbinger. "Ilago... you don't want to do this. What about the code?" She asks, her voice an equal, yet somewhat oxymoronic, mix of hard steel and desperation.
"It seems you have chosen a dark and foolish path, Mr. Ilago. I believe you would be best served forgetting this 'contract' and pursuing another course of action. There has been too much lost in this land already, no need for further unpleasantness."
|
Vorsirion tenses as the mercenary threatens them. He watches with interest as Raven seems to be in a state of denial.
Kill them...take no prisoners...kill them all...
The elf places a hand on his sword's pommel. He was not about to leave this place. Not when the voices still wanted him here.
"You are a fool," the elf sneers at Ilago.
We can't just flee because he says so. What we've done here shows promise. Abandoning this would mean it wouldn't take long before things move back to the old state with bandits ruling the land and other dangers abound.
Elvara shakes her head in dismay. "We've already battled enemies far more powerful than you. No need to add your names to the list over those we have defeated. We aren't just leaving like you want. I'm sure there is a third option besides fighting. This land is big and wild and there is room for us all to live here. Help us against the bandits and other untamed forces rather than fight against us. Do you really want people like the wretched Stag Lord to rule? Freedom is within your grasp if you just think about what you are doing for a moment."
Despite her words, Elvara doesn't trust that things will end peacefully and she puts a hand on her scaled companion to form a protective barrier of glowing scales around her.
Clearly the situation didn't really sit well with a couple of the men; one grizzled veteran pulls spat and another sheathed his sword. "Ilago, I ain't going to die for this fools errand. Keep your blood gold." The two move back from the main group, causing Ilago to go red from embarrassment and rage. The remaining four are a strange allotment of mercenaries: A brutish half-orc in blue with an earthbreaker, a white hooded and cowled man that nervously tosses a dagger in one hand while holding a rapier in the other, a big, green cloaked man who has the look of a northern barbarian shouldering an axe. And Ilago, bow in hand, his red flame visible.
"Scum! You'd take her side over mine! You're not fit to wear the flame! As for you..." Ilago turned towards the party. "It seems we'll have to do this the hard way..." At his signal, the remaining men spring into battle!
Their initial ruse failed, there is no surprise on either side. The quickest is the man palming the dagger, which he shifts astride the pit trap and flings his dagger at Smexy! In his haste, the dagger flies wide.
Alamina casts bless over the party.
"I feel bad about this, Raven, but we gave him every opportunity to avoid his fate."
Smexy surges forward at the words of Ilago, directly towards the pit! "Missstakess" She hisses while she moves. However her body stops short of it, but her neck does not. It lunges forward to take a bite out of the half-orc, aiming to drag him into the pit to make the odds more in favor of the party!
The mercenary Smexy grappled finds himself yanked off his feet and dragged into the pit trap! He struggles to find purchase, but can merely grasp at tufts of grass before tumbling down thirty feet with a meaty <thump>
The downed bandit attempts to reclimb the rough walls, to little avail!
Ilago weighs his options, and takes sight at the summoned monstrosity, firing a pair of arrows!
One shot lances out perilously close to the Eidolon!
Elvara starts a hissing chant and moves sensually, almost as if dancing. Suddenly a glob of green goo appears under one of the bandits. "Take him out while he is down!" She exclaims.
In all of your travels with Raven, you have never seen her not calm during a battle, with the notable exception of the fight with the Stag Lord. Her strange serenity during the carnage adds a quality of surreality to the fight, as the normally gruff warrior becomes a pool of still water while others let the battle rage take them.
Not this day, apparently.
Raven roars, yelling at the top of her lungs, an incoherent scream of rage and hurt. She slides to the side, then charges at the nervous man in white.
But as the melee erupts, Vorsirion is gone for a moment, and in his place is a female elf, her maw open to reveal large fangs and blood trailing down her chin. She moves with incredible speed toward the battle.
Best laid plans, battle and all that, Elvara causes Blue's feet to fall out from under him in the midst of a sudden grease. Raven, heedless, charges at the white cowled mercenary, her rage fueled swing connecting and rending a grievous wound. The hapless mercenary falls to the ground at her feet.
The downed blue attempts to stumble up and leave the grease behind, wedging themself forward with his large club. With a loud roar, he ambles towards Vorsirion.
Smexy grins at the mercenary falling into the pit, then slithers around it to get at the one firing arrows her. She bites down at him and tries to trap him in her jaws.
Alamina moves forward, ending up next to Raven on her left. With a grimace, she flicks her hands towards the archer Smexy is engaged with, casting hold person on him.
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, F/DF (a small, straight piece of iron)
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Target one humanoid creature
Duration 1 round/level (D); see text
Saving Throw Will negates; see text; Spell Resistance yes
The subject becomes paralyzed and freezes in place. It is aware and breathes normally but cannot take any actions, even speech. Each round on its turn, the subject may attempt a new saving throw to end the effect. This is a full-round action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. A winged creature who is paralyzed cannot flap its wings and falls. A swimmer can't swim and may drown.
DC 15 will save or be paralyzed.
"This need not have happened, and I wish you had chosen a wiser course of action. The blood spilled here today is on your hands, Ilago, not ours."
Quint had unlimbered his bow when he began reciting the tale of a brave hero on his journey home being waylaid by a group of bandits.
Now, he lets fly a shaft toward the green-cloaked man.
[dice=Shortbow w/bless, inspire courage, & Point Blank Shot]1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1[/dice]
[dice=Reflex Save]1d20+2-2
[b]The mercenary Smexy grappled finds himself yanked off his feet and dragged into the pit trap! He struggles to find purchase, but can merely grasp at tufts of grass before tumbling down thirty feet with a meaty <thump>[b]
[dice=Damage]3d6
The downed bandit attempts to reclimb the rough walls, to little avail!
[dice=Climb]1d20+4-7
[dice=Climb]1d20+4-7
Alamina's stern, almost divine rebuke of the mercenary leader leaves him immobile, grappled, bit, constricted, and peppered with arrows. His day suddenly got a lot worse. Also in the department of "bad days", the mercenary down in the pit continues his failure to ascend out. You can almost hear him wishing that they'd done a better job of clearing out the nastiness left by the spider's lair.
"Surrender now and we'll treat you fairly. There are still an option for you to live!" Elvara shouts out as she moves forward. She prepares to daze the man if he shows any signs of resistance.
"We should bind Ilago before he can escape the spell." She comments while keeping ready to daze the man.
Raven takes a moment to viciously bisect the man she just felled with the tip of Harbinger, before moving on to Ilago, fury her eyes.
Elvara is horrified to see Raven slaughter the already unconscious man. "Raven, no need to slaughter them. He was already unconscious. Please regain yourself. They are only doing what they believe to be their job. Now let's secure them so they can't fight back." Her words are still mostly calm though. She's not the one in the middle of the bloodbath, even if her eidolon is. Her attention remains on the bandit held by Smexy though, waiting to see if he surrenders.
"To be fair, they did just betray her, Elvara. I don't relish the bloodshed, but like I said, this is on that Ilago man. His foolish decision led to their demise, no more, no less."
The blue mercenary is heavily injured between Quint and Vorsirion's blows and appears to consider surrendering, before Raven's execution of the downed bandit. He shouts out something incomprehensible and fixes his sight on Raven...
His blinding fury apparently allows him to shrug off Elvara's Daze as he steps over the remains of his companion, bringing his earthbreaker to bear on the aptly-named Slayer
The half-orc's voice rings out "Honorless dog! You are chaitel, butcher of the defenseless!" Even those that don't speak Orcish to translate the phrase 'chaitel' can sense the scorn and meaning of his words.
Red gets a new save vs Hold Person (DC 15).
Seeing Raven get cut badly, Alamina directs her gaze towards the blue clothed man.
"Flee, save yourself."
Alamina casts cause fear, DC 14 or become frightened for rounds. If he saves, he is shaken for 1 round.
Unsure what Alamina's spell might do, Quint looses another arrow at the blue bandit.
[dice=Shortbow w/bless, inspire courage, & Point-Blank Shot]1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1[/dice]
Smexy moves to flank the half-orc and lashes into him with tooth and claw. Holding onto him with her bite so she can better lash into him with her claws.
The half-orc's eyes widen in fear, then go blank as they roll up and he falls unconscious to the bevy of blows from the party.
Ilago can only stare as his body is held motionless, his face stuck in a sneer as his eyes dart around rapidly, assessing how badly things are going for his squad.
Green continues to try to climb out of the hole, presumably re-considering his life-choices of wearing medium armor. He only manages partial success, and makes it to the halfway point.
"Raven! Stay your blade, there need not be any further death here today!"
Alamina moves next to the angry slayer and tries to calm her a bit.
"They are defeated, and none of us are seriously hurt. That should be enough, no?"
"Listen to Alamina, Raven!"
Quint readies his bow for hostile action on the part of the opponents.
Vorsirion sneers at the red-clad mercenary, and his visage becomes that of an undead monster.
"Flee!"
The target must be within 30 feet of you, and it can attempt a Will saving throw to negate the effect. If the target fails the save and has a number of Hit Dice less than or equal to yours, it is frightened for 1d4 rounds. If the target fails the saving throw and has a number of Hit Dice greater than yours, it is instead shaken for 1d4 rounds. This is a mind-affecting fear effect.
Elvara readies herself to daze anyone who takes further action against the party. Elvara smiles at Alamina. "Good to have you on my side Alamina."
She then turns her attention to Raven. "If we kill them all we also won't be able to find out who ordered this contract. He did say they were following a contract, so it's bigger than just this group. Now, let's find some rope."
While the rest talk Smexy snakes her way around the captain, quickly pinning him down in case he manages to escape the spell.