Govannon gives the cat some food before heading back out to the group. He reports what he found, and heads to the next building (#14).
"Nothing here but a cat. Must be scared to leave 'cause it's half starved and most cats I know manage just fine with their own hunting skills. So this one isn't hunting for some reason."
This giant barn has both a cargo door on the front and a smaller door on the side where a lean-to abuts the structure. The strong odor of barley and other grains wafts through the seams in the clapboard walls. As you open the door to the building, you learn that it is a large grange for storing grain. But, it is also not unoccupied. Thousands of field rats seem to have moved into the building. And the moment you open the door, they move to defend their territory!
HP: 39/59 | AC: 21 (f19/t11)
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):
. . 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.
Then his training kicks in, and he reactively casts Burning Hands on the swarms and away from the party. In the back of his mind he wonders if he’s better off with his blade.
He, of course, casts defensively.
vs DC 16
He then retreats out of the swarm area. ”Everyone break it up a bit so they can’t overlap us!”
Flaith feels the sting, but knows her abilities.
"Burn them and get some fire damage?"
Galendir simply withdraws moving away from the swarms.
Waiting till the others have moved out of the area of effect and colleteral be dammed Flaith casts Fireball.
"DUCK!"
Lucius gets the heck out of the way.
Most of the rats are slain in the fiery onslaught from the spellcasters. Dolgrin sends several large swaths flying as well, scattering them to the winds.
6 Damage
Galendir manages to cut enough of the remaining rats down to cause the last of the swarms to disperse. The granary, however, is quickly becoming an inferno...
Govannon looks at the fire, "Don't look at me, I usually just start these things."
He looks for buckets for water or dirt - anything to help control the blaze. He's fine if the granary burns down, but he doesn't want the whole town to go with it. Still, he'd rather the granary didn't burn down so he does what he can to put out the fire.
Galendir does what he can to assist, which isn't much besides buckets of water assuming they can find buckets.
Lucius likewise is good for little more than manual labor in this instance. "Don't any of you magic types have a water spell?"
Flaith shrugs and looks sorrowful. "Well we have to support them if this burns down. Well then it would have been hard to eat the grain anyway."
The sturdy wooden walls of this house have been staved in at several locations, and the heavy door has been battered down.
Unlike the other houses in town, the front door of this one has been broken down. A small yard adjoining the house and surrounded by a lo picket fence hods the smashed remains of many clay vessels and statuettes.
However, everyone but Flaith is able to spot a hidden door. Nestled in a cushioning bed of straw is an elegant set of flagons and platters, hand crafted and chased in platinum. It is clearly quite valuable due to its
fine craftsmanship.
This modest cottage is neatly kept and has curtains hanging askew in its windows.Based on the bolts of cloth around the house, it is safe to assume this once belonged to a tailor.
This long, low building partially surrounds a yard encompassed by a split-rail fence. A sign above a wide, barn-like entrance shows harness for a horse and a blacksmith's anvil. Despite the abandonment of the village, it appears that many mounts and a great deal of livestock were left behind, trapped in the livery and yard. A half-dozen horse
carcasses, decomposing and ravaged by the crows that continue to pick at them, lie sprawled in the yard.
"So that's it? Just abandoned? No clues? This is all very strange. They wouldn't have left horses and livestock to just die. Something had to take them, but what?"
Govannon shares Galendir's concerns, "I agree - it doesn't make a lot of sense. We've searched most of the village but," he gestures up the hill to the fortification, "I bet we'll find something there."
He moves up and pushes open the door with his blade. If nothing jumps out at him, he advances inside with his ioun torch lighting the way.
The moment Govannon opens the door, the massive number of crows all begin cawing and swarming over you all!
Flaith moves back, preparing to throw a fireball at the crows!