Round 3, Init 22
On his turn, Kyson will give up trying to draw his scimitar.
How does everyone else do it so effortlessly?
Instead, he will draw his wand of CLW while encouraging his friends to surround and beat on the chieftess before she can get back up.
Round 3, Init 7
Tempted to kick the ugly frog while she's down, Khaz instead opts for slashing at her once more with her sickle.Poor thing, I never understood what 'too ugly to live' meant before.
Round 3, init 5, HP 21/24, AC 16
All hail Madam Sparklebum! Now there's a goddess for you!
Putting aside blasphemy to concentrate on the task in hand, Sekathral moves to take advantage of the frogbarian's predicament.
Before she has a chance to get back to her feet, the frogwoman is mercilessly slain by the group, who all pile on, leaving a handful of carcasses strewn around the room.
The frogwoman's two axes radiate as magical.
Both are +1
Silvio is about to grab the nearby table and tip it over the she frog, when Sekathral sneaks up behind and pierces the beasts throat with his rapier. With a nod Silvio approves.
He surveys the room and gives another nod of approval. He retrieves a handkerchief from his trouser pocket and dabs at the single pearl of sweat that has manifested on his forehead. "Even more foes vanquished. Silvio belives that this is manor will soon be clensed from all unsavory influence!" he proclaims, takes a dignified moment to catch his breath and then continues to search the house.
Kyson will follow Silvio out the door, worried that his dripping blood will cause more stain to the carpets. Kyson still has the wand in his hand.
Kyson will retrieve his scimitar (which he did manage to at least half-draw from its sheath) before scurrying along after the Great Sea Captain and Hero To All.
Moving on from the private dining hall, you enter the ballroom, which is empty other than a long dining table, empty buffet table and a few well-worn chairs.
The servant's quarters, which hosted only poor Kora, are also empty, as is the storage section next to them, and the kennels, where you freed the dogs.
Next to that, the study sits unused, much as it has since you first came to the manor, and the statuary, where the marble-floord room contains many fine sculptures of Vanderboren ancestors, long-dead friends and important personages. A partially-finishes statue of Lavinia's parents, Verik and Larissa, stand in the center of the chamber. Their visages are incomplete from the nose down, so that their eyes stare outward toward the viewer, with no mouths to speak the secrets of their lives and deaths.
Crossing the entry way again, you check the last few rooms. The library is also empty, though embers continue to glow in the hearth on the north wall, as is the gallery, which once held dozens of works, though now most of the frames stand empty save a few exotic landscapes and a portrait of Lavinia's parents.
The final three rooms seem to be as empty as the rest of the house now -- nothing in the washroom and privy -- though you make a gruesome discovery in the last area of the house, the hidden armory. The walls of the stone-floored room are lined with weapon and armor racks, many of which are empty. Still remaining on the walls are a silvery bastard sword, a light crossbow, a glowing dagger, a suit of studded leather armor, a light steel shield and a small wooden coffer.
The wooden coffer lies on its side, the lid open and its contents (several potion vials and a pair of boots) strewn on the floor. Slumped on the ground nearby is what appears to be a recently slain dwarf.
"Poor bastard" observes Sekathral.
"Is he one of theirs or one of ours? Still, it looks like there aren't any more of those bloody frogs, so can I have a smoke?"
Without waiting for a reply, he starts to skin up, sticking one substantial flayleaf joint in his mouth and tucking another behind his ear to save for later. He refrains from lighting it for the time being, instead inspecting the armoury.
"'Spose all that stuff belongs to Herself", he says, in a regretful tone of voice.
He actually appears to be breathing shallowly, Zstelian. He's got several wounds, though none look that bad.
The dwarf wakes with a start, and reaches for his scimitar before he seems to realize you're not frogpeople.
"Wha? Huh?"
Kyson will try to help the dwarf as much as he can, even trying to identify his wounds as they are healed.
Heal check
Khaz waits uselessly. Finally, she begins to clean up the spilled coffer. "What's all this, then?"
"Let's have a butcher's"
Sekathral lops over and inspects the coffer
"Thank you for the axe Zstelian, I'll enjoy setting it into some frogmen."
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"Ha, I knew someone musta softened up those frogmen." Dargon says in admiration of the effort put in by the fellow dwarf. "Glad to see they couldn't take all the fight out of ya."
Silvio extends his hand to the dwarf in greeting. "Silvio Callgari Pazzi, great sea captain and hero to all at your service. It is always nice to meet those who's life Silvio has saved. Are you aware of any more frogmen around the manor?"
"I got no idea. We tried to hold 'em off in the courtyard, but they got Brunthus and scattered us. I tried to get some healin' potion Kaskus replies, pointing to the bottles, "but the case was trapped. Was sure I was a goner."
In addition to the glowing dagger and other weapons, their are four nice potion bottles, and a nice pair of leather boots.
Kyson nods to the dwarf but realizes that there might be more trouble in the manor.
"Let's grab this stuff and keep moving. Silvio...we have more to explore. Maybe more damsels who need us."
Kyson grabs the boots and follows those who leave.
Sekathral takes the glowing dagger, explaining "I'll ask her before I keep it. Honest", then follows the rest out. He seems mildly preoccupied.
"Khaz, what would you do if someone came up to you and called you a damsel? I know what I'd do if someone came up to me and called me a swain, or a jolly tar. Unless they were trying to give me money at the same time"
Sekathral takes the glowing dagger, explaining "I'll ask her before I keep it. Honest", then follows the rest out. He seems mildly preoccupied.
"Khaz, what would you do if someone came up to you and called you a damsel? I know what I'd do if someone came up to me and called me a swain, or a jolly tar. Unless they were trying to give me money at the same time"
Her delicate eyebrow draw together for a moment as she answers, "I'm fairly sure that's not anything I'm ever going to have to worry about Sekathryl." A shadow of something crosses her face before she forces a smile, "Nor you either, I imagine."
The rest of the manor appears to be empty -- though you can see signs of the fight in the gorgeous courtyard as three frogmen bodies are piled next to a dead badger -- meaning you seem to be safe for the rest of the night, after which the massive cleanup will begin.
Her delicate eyebrow ridges draw together for a moment as she answers, "I'm fairly sure that's not anything I'm ever going to have to worry about Sekathryl." A shadow of something crosses her face before she forces a smile, "Nor you either, I imagine.
"Hope not", grunts Sekathral. "I'd make a crap woman, anyway"
As if to prove his point, he breaks wind loudly, exclaiming "F*** me, that was a beauty" afterwards, then addresses Zstelian and Kyson.
"Pardon me. You lads'll know this - why's this dagger glowing? Have we got any other good stuff?"
He holds the dagger out towards the pair hilt first, attempting to light the joint in his mouth with the other hand.
Her delicate eyebrow draw together for a moment as she answers, "I'm fairly sure that's not anything I'm ever going to have to worry about Sekathryl." A shadow of something crosses her face before she forces a smile, "Nor you either, I imagine."
"Lady Khazmia, you make a good point. Should we find a damsel left in this manor, perhaps you should be the first to approach her. In the shocked state of the damsel she could relate to you, thus feeling safer.", Silvio says obviously not really paying attention to the conversation. "Sometimes Silvio's intense masculinity and stunning good looks can be overwhelming. In such situations it would perhaps be better if the rescued lady had someone to relate to."
"Lady Khazmia, you make a good point. Should we find a damsel left in this manor, perhaps you should be the first to approach her. In the shocked state of the damsel she could relate to you, thus feeling safer.", Silvio says obviously not really paying attention to the conversation. "Sometimes Silvio's intense masculinity and stunning good looks can be overwhelming. In such situations it would perhaps be better if the rescued lady had someone to relate to."
"Yes, Silvio, I"m sure that would be best. We wouldn't want to frighten her with all the overwhelming manliness in this party. " Oh Silvio! She shakes her head ruefully. and tries to come to terms with her place as the Damsel first contact representative.
With the manor clear, Kyson finally begins to breathe again (which is easier for the lack of weight and cohesion of his rusted armor).
"We saved the damsels?! All of them?" Kyson seems really excited.
Finally! I can go home! No more exploding pirates. No more angry gnomes. Just books. Lots of books.
Kyson chuckles at the thought.
Kyson will help drag the bodies of the frogjerks outside, while collecting all the loots in a big pile (he will later cast Detect Magic and slowly begin to identify them).
The glowing dagger is a +1 keen dagger while the boots are boots of striding and springing.
The items taken from the pirate and frog priest in Lavinia's room are the previously mentioned +1 scimitar and +1 leather armor, and potion of sanctuary, as well as a belt of giant strength +2 and headband of inspired wisdom +2. There's also a wand of cure light wounds with 7 charges.
The frog that you fought in the basement had a +1 greatclub, as well as a dose of salve of slipperiness and a potion of cure moderate wounds.
Dargon takes advantage of down time to check on his shop and to make a few personal purchases. And some time in the middle to procure a keg of wine, in which he offers Kaskus, Sekathral and the rest of the gang to partake.
In between drifting into random dwarven conversation with Kaskus, Dargon tries to get Kyson to admit how much more fun this is than scribbling in books.
"There's as many damsels as there are women young priest. It's just a matter of coming across them in a time of need. Of course you'll find just as often that it's not frogmen they need rescuing from but " Dargon pauses as he looks around then finding a picture of the Vanderboren couple he points and continues "boredom."
Lavinia has little time -- for which she apologizes profusely to Zstelian -- over the next few days, as she sets about planning Kora's funeral, having workers help clean the manor, hiring new servants and secreting herself in her study. When she does emerge, she seems energized, a bright smile crossing her face unlike any previous times you've seen her.
Liamae, on the other hand, seems more than happy at Silvio's attention, apparently having forgotten their first interaction. She lets the Chelaxian wine and dine her -- insisting on Eleder's best restaurants -- and rewards him ... repeatedly .. for his rescue and attention.
Kaskus partakes in Dargon's keg, but seems distracted, not participating in the dwarf's efforts to convince Kyson of the joy of adventuring as he continues to mourn his slain badger.
After a couple days pass, you get word that Kora's funeral will be held in three days, when she'll be laid to rest in the Vanderboren plot.
Sekathral does as he always does when freed from any irksome duties, namely vists a couple of his favourite ladies of the town, goes to see Brilliant Chang to see what he has in the way of exotic intoxicants and attempts to corrupt Kyson. He will almost certainly get horribly drunk and disgrace himself, probably end up in jail and no doubt embarrass himself thoroughly trying to solve his companions' problems the only way he knows how.
"A drink and a shag. All you need is a drink - several drinks - and a shag. Several shags. Come on, you boring bunch of ****s!"
"A drink and a shag. All you need is a drink - several drinks - and a shag. Several shags. Come on, you boring bunch of ****s!"
"I'm fairly certain that's not the case, at least for me. Now, I'll leave you gentlemen to your ahhh, gentlemenly behaviors, and go see a man about some new hairpins for Kora's funeral."
Kyson spends the next few hours (after the cleansing of the manor), somberly helping clean and re-fortify the manor.
By nighttime, Kyson is tired and spent, but still manages the energy to sort all the treasure and loot into a few piles. We works happily contented to scribe down the contents and divvy the piles appropriately.
His contentment comes from the knowledge that his work here is almost done...and he's about to go home.
I've done it! I've done things! Lots of things! I can go home soon.
Kyson smiles and laughs giddily to himself.
Soon.
While going through the loot, Kyson holds up the black skeletal leotard, casts Detect Magic, and tries to discover what they are all about.
Spellcraft
The leotard does not radiate magic. It's likely some sort of costume, part of the festival that was going on, and a simple way to make the wearer look like a skeleton at night.
Kyson sleeps well that night but still arises for morning prayer at sunrise.
He looks around to see if Sekathral had decided to join him, but is only mostly saddened when the elf fails to show.
Nonetheless, Kyson gives his full attention to thanking and honoring Sarenrae for the sun, its warmth, and the good it provides to the world.
You bless me, Sarenrae...and I serve you and your light.
Smiles at the sun and feels the sun smile back.
Then Kyson goes back to bed.
* * *
Upon second rising and subsequent breakfast, Kyson will find a quiet spot for some personal reflection, scribing, and material work while waiting for Lady V to release him from service, trying to keep busy until he can return.
I'm going home soon!
Kyson hums happily as he scribes his scrolls for the day.
Later in the day, Kyson will take to Mending his rusted armor, happily polishing it back to its full protectiveness then buffing it shiny with an old scarf he found.
When finished, Kyson will realize what the scarf is from and look around to be sure that Khaz didn't see what he was using it for.
Gazing at the acid burns to it but judging by the colors and delicate weave, Kyson mends it back to wholeness as well.
He will then hand wash it completely clean in the laundry room, all the while humming happily.
I'm going home soon!
Kyson will take the washed, whole scarf and leave it folded on Khaz' bed when she isn't looking.
She always looked nice in that scarf.
Kyson will walk away whistling...already having a full good day.
Khaz returns to the place where she bought her hat and scarf, one long destroyed and the other damaged and mangled in her hand. it's so hard to have nice things. The merchant says he may be able to repair the hat, but though he offer her several, including "this nice one in green", none look as good as the other, nor suit her nearly as well. She leaves without her hat, which will take some days to repair, and without her scarf. Shopping has never been more wretched.
Without her hat, the second looks and disapproving stares seem to follow her, and she finds herself double checking her tusk caps to make sure they are in place, smoothing her hair, and dabbing at her nose with some powder. Nothing seems to improve the day; finally she gives up, and never makes it to the other merchant to see about hair pins. It would just be too painful.
At least at Lavinia's, my mood will match the place. Poor Kora. I should get some flowers.
Returning back to Lavinia's, she heads to her room, the better to spare the others her darkened mood, pulling up short as she sees the folded scarf upon the bed. But he said there were no others like it in all of Eleder!
Bouncing on the bed, she scoops it up, burying her face in it and inhaling, as if she could breathe in its beauty by scent alone. Checking it over carefully, she is astounded at how much like her own lovely scarf it appears.
"They could be twins! And all this time, I thought Silvio was off with Liamae, being Silvio. Where on earth could he have found it?!?!"
Liamae, on the other hand, seems more than happy at Silvio's attention, apparently having forgotten their first interaction. She lets the Chelaxian wine and dine her -- insisting on Eleder's best restaurants -- and rewards him ... repeatedly .. for his rescue and attention.
Kyson pauses outside the door to Silvio's room, his hand clenched to knock, but hesitates because of the sounds happening therein.
That's odd. Sounds like their wrestling! I bet Silvio is a good wrestler! Or maybe Liamae is giving a good massage as a reward for Silvio helping me rescue her! A warm up massage!
Kyson listens at the door a bit longer before deciding not to knock after all.
Later, I'll ask her when I'm going to get the reward that Silvio got. She better not be too tired either.
Kyson walks away whistling, knowing that he's going to get lots of rewarding soon enough.
* * *
Kyson, still whistling, goes to Sekathral's room, looking for the elf.
"Hey Sekathral! I missed you at sunrise prayers this morning! Should I come wake you up tomorrow so you don't forget?" Kyson asks with a chipper smile.
Khazmia runs out of her room, clasping the beautiful scarf tightly and hurries off to thank Silvio, running into a happily whistling Kyson on the way.
Smiling brightly, she greets the young scribe, waving one end of the scarf at him, "Kyson, have you Silvio? Look what he did! I didn't think he'd be able to but he found me another one! Isn't it beautiful? The color is so close, and the weave is amazing...I have to go thank him. Is he in his room, do you think?"
She realizes she's bubbling, and a princess should be more sedate, but she is just so..very...happy with her new scarf!
"Yep! I think I just heard him in his room! Just go on in!" Kyson says cheerfully, and continues whistling along, something nagging at his mind.
"Thank you, Kyson. Who knew he had such taste?"
The happy half-orc heads down the hall to Silvio's door, fluffing and straightening her skirts as she goes. Kyson's whistling gets caught in her head, and she takes it up, humming as she approaches the room.
"Silvio! I just wanted to..." She knocks and opens the door in one motion, her voice dying in her throat as blood surges into her cheeks.
"than...k you? Uh, I'll just go, shall I? Yes, that would be best. No no NO! Don't get up, err off err... uh.., truly, just stay where you are..." Shaking her head to stop her staring, the the stunned young princess Hurries from the door as if hell itself is on the other side and rushes back to her room.
Kyson, still whistling, goes to Sekathral's room, looking for the elf.
"Hey Sekathral! I missed you at sunrise prayers this morning! Should I come wake you up tomorrow so you don't forget?" Kyson asks with a chipper smile.
Sekathral turns to Kyson as the boy walks into his room. He is sitting up in bed, counting sunflower seeds into the outstretched palm of a halfling-sized and very obviously feminine gerbil.
"One hundred and ten, one hundred and eleven... Why can't you take gold like all the other girls?! Eh? Oh, it's you. Ch'chirr, Kyson. Kyson, Ch'chirr."
The gerbil waves her other paw at Kyson, flexing her body and winking at him seductively as she does so.
"Oh, leave it out, love. Anyway, knock yourself out, mate - come and wake me up by all means, assuming a) that I'm trancing at that point and b) that I ain't got company"
He clears his throat and glares pointedly at the young priest.
Until Kora's funeral, Dargon spends most of his time mourning in the way he knows best. Although, except for with Silvio who is always busy whenever Dargon comes by, he carves out time to participate in his friends activities as well.
Grabbing a smoke with Sekathral, praying with Kyson, shopping with Khazmia, and retelling fond memories of the Vanderborens with Zstelian.
Stopping whistling in abrupt revelation, Kyson spins on his heels a few minutes after walking by and speaking with Khaz, finally realizing what thought had been nagging him.
"Oh yeah! That was my scarf!"
Kyson returns to whistling and goes to find Khaz.
"Oh Khaz! I forgot to tell you that I fixed your scarf when I fixed my armor. I even cleaned it myself!" Kyson smiles and beams proudly.
My gift before I go back.
"I know how much you liked it. I hope you like it again."
Kyson goes back to his good mood and walks away whistling.