"I agree we have nothing to hide. There is a creepy vibe. I am not optimistic for what we will find."
Buffing herself with mage armor, Flaith looks around. "This is not a good sign, not at all. There is no clue why anyone left... and still they are gone. But have faith."
As they ride, Lucius looks for a chance to speak to Govannon privately.
Sure, Govannon will peel off if he senses Lucius wants to talk. Not too far away, but far enough for privacy.
"Dear brother Baron, I will be upfront, a quality I'm sure you've noticed I tend to avoid. During the festival I had my agents gathering ...information on our guests. One, instead, observed you and the elven lady. Of course I don't judge you or anyone else their pleasures, and I thus understand how important this mission is for you, even more so than the others. But worry not, your secret is safe with me. In truth, as a gesture of good faith...I...I would like to offer you a secret of my own: the most important one I have."
"My baron," Govannon keeps his voice low, "Who I spend my time with is my business, and I should hope that you've plenty to do other than to pry in my business." He says it with finality as if that's all he has to say in the matter.
"But it is not much of a secret I suppose. Or won't be for long." he grins lopsidedly.
"I shall keep your secret as long as you'd have me do so. What is it you want to tell me, and how can I help?" he says with curiosity and sincerity.
"Ugh ...this is difficult for me. I did not mean to cast aspersions. Just note the possible political problems. I am not blackmailing you. I sense you are just. So I will tell you this; I know the Carnifex wasn't here because I am the Carnifex."
The group arrives at the edge of the empty appearing town un-accosted, the only sight they have seen on their approach of any life so far being the flitting around of many, many crows and ravens and other scavenger birds flying about here and there.
The first building they arrive at is a fairly new, but poorly built home. The clapboard walls have large gaps and its roof sags alarmingly. Behind the cottage sprawls a mud-filled enclosure and a covered shed. The smell of decay and filth emanating from this dwelling is horrendous.
Opposite this building is, in stark contrast, a fairly well kept and modestly furnished home with simple accoutrements. A quick scan through the window makes it clear that a very small family lived here, likely just a young couple with no children as of yet. The home appears to have been abandoned for several weeks in the midst of normal activities...
"Wha' in tha' belly o' Rovagug 'appened 'ere?" Dolgrin mutters. A moment later, the sound of boards being rattled or falling can be heard on the far side of the poorly built home to your left.
Lucius puts his fingers to his lips when he hears the sounds. He starts creeping forward, trying to figure out what he heard.
Weapon Equipped = Scimitar
Conditions = Banner (+1 morale to att/dam and save vs fear w/in 30’ of Galendir), Ablative Barrier (35/35, 1/7h)
Scimitar: Attack: BAB +5, Str +3, Magic +1, Focus +1 Damage: Str +3, Magic +1 Crit: 18-20
longbow (20 cold iron, silver blanch): Attack: BAB +5 Damage: Str +3
Arcane Pool (su/swift): (6/6)
Fly Hex (su/std): (7/7m)
Healing Hex (2d8+7): No one
Pearl of Power (first) 2/2
Magus (Hexcrafter) Spells Memorized (Caster Level 7, Concentration +10 (+4 defensively))
. . 3rd (16): Dispel Magic, Haste
. . 2nd (15):
. . 1st (14): Burning Hands, Frostbite, Frostbite, Grease, Shocking Grasp
. . 0 (13): Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost, Spark
. . At Will (self only): Feather Fall; Once a Day: Levitate
- - -
He takes a long draw and rides a long a while soaking it all in, ”So if you’re the Carnifex, and you obviously weren’t here during Dolgrin’s troubles, who is acting in your stead? Seems like there are layers of mysteries to solve here in Dolgrin’s realm. Makes me wonder what’s just under the surface back home!” he smiles.
”Look, your secret is safe with me, but I’d tell the Queen at least, and probably the other Barons. You may have trouble with Dolgrin as you two don’t see at all eye to eye. But we’re all equals here. Might wait until the current business is concluded and we’re ready to find your copy-cat though so it doesn’t fester. Though that might cramp your style on this trip. Hrm...”
He leaves it off there, glad he doesn't have to make that tough decision.
- - -
When the party hears a noise, Govannon draws his scimitar and dismounts, but makes no other move that might ruin Lucius’ sneaking.
Galendir draws his blade as well. He begins moving forward with Lucius so he is not alone if something strikes.
Galendir places a hand on Lucius shoulder. He nods toward the group and starts to walk back.
Assuming they make it back he will quietly communicate.
"There is a giant boar. We should kill it it's feeding and looked aggressive. I wouldn't want it surprising us."
"Agreed. It's REALLY gross."
Govannon nods, scimitar out. He spits a smoke on the ground and follows the others to the boar.
Flaith looks at the menace and remembering her uncle Robert, who was utterly eviscerated by a boar and looks at the others.
With a few quick gestures she enhances her armor.
"Cannibalism is crass even if you are delicious."
Since Lucius got its attention Galendir steps forward preparing for its charge.
Status: Performance 23/24 Panache 4/4 (regained with crit if Parry worked)
The crossbow bolt from Lucius causes the massive boar to flinch and squeal. It wheels it’s head around and notices you all for the first time, raking it’s cloven foot in the muck prepared to charge...
Flaith quickly casts haste on her companions.
Govannon, now with extra jitters (thanks Flaith!), will delay until after Galendir to see what he plans to do.
With the aid of the enhanced speed Galendir is able to dart forward charging the creature.
Status: Performance 22/24 Panache 4/4 (regained with crit if Parry/riposte worked)
Round: 1, init 15
Weapon Equipped = Scimitar
Conditions = Banner (+1 morale to att/dam and save vs fear w/in 30’ of Galendir), Ablative Barrier (35/35, 1/7h), fly (1/10r)
Scimitar: Attack: BAB +5, Str +3, Magic +1, Focus +1 Damage: Str +3, Magic +1 Crit: 18-20
longbow (20 cold iron, silver blanch): Attack: BAB +5 Damage: Str +3
Arcane Pool (su/swift): (6/6)
Fly Hex (su/std): (6/7m)
Healing Hex (2d8+7): Nobody
Pearl of Power (first) 2/2
Magus (Hexcrafter) Spells Memorized (Caster Level 7, Concentration +10 (+4 defensively))
. . 3rd (16): Dispel Magic, Haste
. . 2nd (15):
. . 1st (14): Burning Hands, Frostbite, Frostbite, Grease, Shocking Grasp
. . 0 (13): Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost, Spark
. . At Will (self only): Feather Fall; Once a Day: Levitate
- - -
Govannon nods, takes in the scene, and gestures - summoning flight (fly hex). He then takes to the air, flying over Galendir and the boar to come down just above the mud on the other side. Ideally in flank with Galendir. He has 70’ of movement to work with thanks to the haste and flight.
Galendir rushes forward, shouldering through the rickety fence with a heavy thud! It falls away into the muck with a splat, and he begins sludging his way through the thick mud as best he can.
Meanwhile, Govannon lifts off into the air and flies past the boar to the far side of it.
The boar, meanwhile, squeels and charges at Galendir! The swordsman is able to, despite his horrible footing, bat the boar's tusks aside and counter with a vicious slice across it's flank, opening up a massive wound and causing it to begin bleeding profusely.
A moment later, Dolgrin sloshes through the muck, his own speed also bolstered on the wings of Flaith's spell, and delivers a powerful cut into the pig on the other flank!
Boar Damage Taken: 56
Lucius hesitantly fires into melee. "Ew, get it get it get it!"
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The second bolt from Lucius' crossbow is enough to bring down the wounded beast!
__________
Govannon laughs as the boar falls before he can lay his own blade upon it. "Well done you three, well done! Let us hope we best every foe here so easily. Look, while I'm flying, I'm going to look around a little from the air - see if I see anything. Won't be but a short time."
He barely gets the words out before he shoots up into the air to get a birds eye view of the area. He has 9 rounds of flight, so I figure he goes straight up ~70' or so to get a good view, then flies over the river and spends a round or two looking around a bit before flying back. Here are a couple Perception checks for the short trip.
3: The acrid stench of a tannery hangs faintly in the air from this modest building. An outhouse stands across the yard in front of the building. Out back is a fenced enclosure with three horse hides stretched upon it.
4: This large, two-story building partially overhangs the river bank. A wagon sits at the loading dock with a pair of barrels on its bed and another waiting atop the loading dock itself. A sign above the front entrance shows a barrel and a smiling dwarf.
Govannon flies back and reports a couple of buildings sighted, but no people or anything moving really.
He lands on his horse and proceeds forward, "Shall we do a ride through of the town and then start with house to house searches? Or do you want to start with the Baron's residence or keep or whatever he's got. Start at the top?"
He'll go along with whatever the group suggests, having no clear ideas of his own other than haste.
Flaith ponders for a moment and shrugs."While I think that the best clues are to be found in the keep, a slow, methodical approach sounds wiser."
"Sure thing my Queen." Govannon jumps back down off his horse, draws his scimitar, and begins a house to house search starting on this side of the river.
Assuming the interiors to be dark, he tosses his Ioun Torch over his head to provide light so he can see into the dark corners. His search is quick - he's really just looking for people at this point, not loot - but he's thorough, glancing under beds and the like.
He's taking-10 on perceptions for a 17.
The first two houses are more homes. As you search the brewery, Dolgrin pops a sampling port off of one of the fifteen barrels in the wagon and takes a test sip. ”Ah! ‘Cheerful Delver Stout!’ I was ‘opin’ ta meet tha brewer o’ this ‘ere ale,” he says, his tone turning sad towards the end. ”Still, tha stuff is too good ta let waste ‘ere...” he adds as he records the barrel...
__________
Searching the tannery, you all eventually make your way to the back, where you notice the horse hides. You all can tell they are strangely incomplete above the withers.
Govannon shrugs at the 'horse' skins. He knows there's something odd, but he just can't put his finger on it.
Presuming the river is easily fordable, Govannon does so and continues the search. Across the river he turns north (left) and enters the next row of buildings.
"I mislike this." Lucius reloads his crossbow.
Galendir continues along with the others keeping his eyes peeled.
"Your instincts are not wrong Lucius. No struggle, just nothing. A bit eerie."
The group ties off their horses and begin making their way across the fjord cautiously. The ground slopes steeply downward to the river bank, where the river runs wide and shallow, though it is muddy with the runoff of recent rains to the south. The opposite bank rises at a gentler slope into the town proper.
As you make your way across, you are all caught by surprise by the water to the east erupting in a churn of muddy activity as a creature the size of a horse lunges from the water! The lower part of its head is covered with tentacles, and it has a pair of large, crab-like claws! It lashes out with one and snatches Lucius with it! As it squeezes, the nobleman cannot help but scream out in pain as he feels several ribs snap from the pressure!
__________
Lucius curses and grunts in pain. Daggers spring into his hands and he stabs at the thing crushing him.
The creature continues to squeeze down on Lucius, causing him to cry out once more in pain as he fights the creature for his life!
"T-t-t-ast-t-ty Morsel!" it chitters before turning and vanishing beneath the murky water once more, Lucius in tow!
The water churns on the surface still as it slowly tries to calm...
__________
Round: 1, init 8
Weapon Equipped = Scimitar
Conditions = Banner (+1 morale to att/dam and save vs fear w/in 30’ of Galendir), Ablative Barrier (35/35, 1/7h)
Scimitar: Attack: BAB +5, Str +3, Magic +1, Focus +1 Damage: Str +3, Magic +1 Crit: 18-20
longbow (20 cold iron, silver blanch): Attack: BAB +5 Damage: Str +3
Arcane Pool (su/swift): (6/6)
Fly Hex (su/std): (6/7m)
Healing Hex (2d8+7): Nobody
Pearl of Power (first) 2/2
Magus (Hexcrafter) Spells Memorized (Caster Level 7, Concentration +10 (+4 defensively))
. . 3rd (16): Dispel Magic, Haste
. . 2nd (15):
. . 1st (14): Burning Hands, Frostbite, Frostbite, Grease, Shocking Grasp
. . 0 (13): Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost, Spark
. . At Will (self only): Feather Fall; Once a Day: Levitate
- - -
Govannon takes his AoO as the creature flees as quickly as it came.
Without a thought, Govannon takes a deep breath and dives into the water after the Baron and the monster. He swims as quickly as he can (full round action to move half speed: so 15’ - I think I’m still 5’ away).
Flaith quickly casts grease on Lucius, to help him escape the grapple!
In that case she will cast enlarge person on Govannon.
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Galendir attempts to dive down and in a moment all his grace and ability disappear as he belly flops and just sort of floats on top of the water.