Alia would not put it beyond the ratling to have an ace up his sleeve, and carefully advances towards him, staying aware of her surroundings for possible dangers, trying to take the same path he did.
If she manages to approach Vernon, she will speak up:"So what is it going to be? Surrender and trial, or going out fighting?"
Alia will attack him.
normal nonlethal cold
In case he attacks with the Crossbow, that's also an AoO probably.
"Luna, back up Alia! I'll try to drop the anchor!"
Scarlet runs up to the anchor (35 feet away, but she has 40 movement) and tries to life over the railing.
As she lifts the anchor, she can feel her body temperature rising rapidly. "Make it count, girl."
Celyne tries to stay out of the way of the real combatants... and when the duration of the spell is over (2 rounds), she picks up Vernon's dropped weapon.
Can Zokon pursue him if so he does jumping over/around things as he moves, if he can make it to Vernon he will attack.
Beyond the longship a number of piers jut out into the river blocking the scows path. Down near the end of the nearest one a group of a dozen children line the dock fishing under the supervision of the Erastilin alter lad you saw from the day before at the Lodge. He returns Numalar's wave obviously uncomprehending the danger he and his charges are in.
Alia inspects the door as a heedless Zokon crashes through and into the tight tangle of midcastle, whose every surface seems cluttered with bric-a-brac and down the rickety stair. His sword though goes wide though, tangled in snarl of small low-hanging animal cages filled with screeching rats, and squirrel-sized roaches.
Laying bound and gagged under a hammock in the corn is small scruffy-looking man, whose eyes are wide with terror.
Vernon like the cornered pack rat he is snaps his huge incisors at Zokon--teeth large enough to take off a person's hand at the wrist.
Meanwhile Scarlet wades through garbage to reach the anchor which she dead lifts with a grunt and drops over the edge.
The scow continues until the anchor chain runs out and then comes to a sudden jerking halt.
Round 7
The bold may act!
_________________
__ Zokon -3 hp
__ Numalar
__ Posh
__ Scarlet -13 hp
__ Alia -2 hp
__ Celyne
__ Luna -7 hp
__ Vernon -13 hp plus -4 non lethal
__ The scow
Celyne just concentrates on keeping her balance when the boat comes to a sudden stop mid-stream, and Luna does the same... once the boat is stable, Celyne slips down the stairs and looks around at the situation. "Oi, what's this? who are you? why are you tied up down here?" She moves to the side of the terrorized looking fellow and waits for an answer before actually doing anything...
Celyne, gets as close as she can and calls down deeper into the hold. The panicked man calls madly back through his gag: "Mff! Wummy owo urr! Pwhees!"
Posh grabs the dock and climbs.
He gets to the point he's about to pull himself up.
Round 8
The bold may act!
_________________
__ Zokon -3 hp
__ Numalar
__ Posh
__ Scarlet -13 hp
__ Alia -2 hp
__ Celyne
__ Luna -7 hp
__ Vernon -13 hp plus -4 non lethal
Zokon stabs at him with his steely sword
But he only just nicks the beast..
Scarlet feels the heat overwhelming her and has to release the energy. Steam escapes from every part of her body, and she feels incredibly exhausted.
Scarlet grabs the punting pole and tries to steer the ship to the shore, hoping it doesn't crash into the kids.
"C'mon, Scarlet! We ain't done yet!"
...she'll cast burning disarm on him...
Alia strikes out at Vernon, who had clearly made a decision to resist to the end...but the cramped quarters, the hostage on the floor, and the Ranger beside her made it difficult to target the twitching wererat.
Zokon nicks the rodent rogue who is still wily enough to dodge Alia in the close confines.
Numalar races back.
Posh takes a dive.
Celyne ponders future options.
Scarlet punts and the scow comes to a complete stop.
The young anglers on the dock realize their one time danger and raise a cheer, while the alter boy makes a gesture you saw a lot of in Erastil's Lodge.
Maddened Vernon snaps his frothing incisors...
...but Zokon is swift as well.
Round 9
The bold may act!
_________________
__ Zokon -3 hp
__ Numalar
__ Posh
__ Scarlet -13 hp
__ Alia -2 hp
__ Celyne
__ Luna -7 hp
__ Vernon -15 hp plus -4 non lethal
Scarlet wipes the sweat off her brow.
"Okay, haven't heard from em. I hope Vernon didn't do something else stupid, eh Belia?" She looks at the unconscious ratmaid, then starts moving towards the cabin door.
"I stopped the boat. We done with Vernon yet?"
Celyne points down into the cabin... "I'm trying to stay out of the way, as I have nothing that can help right now, and Luna would just be in the way as well."
Alia pokes in Vernons general direction again...while she believed to have had the resolve to end this, she finds herself reluctant to actually kill the wererat.
Her unwillingness to kill translates into a complete miss with her attack, and Alia hopes that Zokon would take this burden off her-
Somehow they are moving and maneuvering around each other in the tight confines and Zokon tries another set of maneuvers and attack
Since I believe most of the others are simply waiting for this fight to be finished and things to be wrapped up, I'm taking the liberty of pre-posting another attack, for next round after Vernon's turn.
I think that should hit, and further think it should be enough to knock him out.
Alia's icy blow sends Vernon down to the cabin floor.
With Algie the gap-toothed rat-catcher rescued and the scow's hold revealed to be a literal rat's nest, there's plenty for the local authorities to clean up.
Algie's friend Mung offers you each a free meat pie for you efforts, and word your heroics spreads through the Coppers until later that evening folks are nodding in appreciation and buying you drinks at the Winding Wyrm. Among them Caraduck Thorpe and Mr. Weston, guild master of the Ratcatchers'. Mr. Weston almost seems polite, and Mr. Thorpe arranges for any of the items that he did not have in immediate stock to be brought to the Winding Wyrm.
There is of course the little matter of Kressle and company's hanging at sunset, in the town square officiated by Lord Magister Lebeda. As well as any other errands you wish to attend to before leaving.
Back in the Greenbelt, there's herbs to collect for Ol' Bokken the hermit, kobolds to quell, mysterious fey 'mites,' the dread Stag Lord, and of course the spring festival at Samuel Renault's farmstead northwest of Oleg's which is due to starting on Sunday the 13th of Gozran. That's just--in 3 days!
Still, for one evening at least you can rest.
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Still, for one evening at least you can rest.
Once we are finished with the scow, Numalar will finally use prestidigitation to get tidied up, now that he knows he won't be dealing with sewage any more today. :)
"Well, my friends, I'm glad that's over with. Back to the tavern - the first round's on me!"
Numalar will visit the tavern as soon as the "official" stuff is taken care of, but then he has a couple errands:
1. He will see if he can drop in on his old magic teacher, Arthiel Savaylas, at the Golden Hand Academy of Magic in Restov. He wants to pick his brain about the strange magic circle they found on the way back to Oleg's from the Bandit Camp. Also possibly about the spell that allowed the charters to be copied magically. If Arthiel doesn't know the answers maybe he can sneak a peek in the library.
2. Numalar will attend the hanging if it is convenient, not because he particularly wants to watch (though he thinks it would be hypocritical not to be willing to see it) but rather just in case Kressle has some escape plan in place - friends in the crowd, or something like that. If that is the case Numalar wants to be around when it happens. Numalar will invite along Zokon and anyone else that might be interested.
3. He will try to get Mr. Thorpe to find a good riding dog for him - I'm guessing we will be able to afford it after the new loot is in.
4. He will inquire with his Varisian friend Zelara Osztolykan about the possibility of getting a holy symbol tattoo. Not sure if we can afford it yet but will find out if it can be done at least.
5. He will write a letter to his old maidservant at House Garess, Liana Korloff. I'll write up a PM with the details. Will ask around in the caravan markets to see if he can find someone to deliver it (or perhaps the temple of Abadar might offer such a service).
After that Numalar returns to the tavern in the evening to find that the rumors of their actions have spread. Numalar is happy to recount tales of the adventure to all comers.
In these stories, Luna leaps 40 feet onto the deck to attack Vernon, Scarlet turns into a fire giant who crushes the cockroaches and despite terrible wounds (healed by Celyne) rips the door off the scow's cabin, after which Zokon and Alia enter the dark hold to do battle with Vernon and the hordes of creatures he had down there. meanwhile Posh cleverly dives under the hull to disable the device that would have allowed Vernon to scuttle the scow.
And Numalar helped a little too. :)
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At the tavern:
"Well done, everyone. Not only have we righted a wrong and saved the city from a foul fate (pun intended), we have also gained a certain stature here. A good reputation is more valuable than gold. Things will be easier for us here in the future. So here's to a successful quest! May it be the first of many!"
Numalar raises his glass in a toast.
"Cheers!" he says as he drains his cup.
Numalar sits back down and his eyes scan the group.
"We should spend the rest of the day gearing up and then head back to the Stolen Lands. I had originally thought that we could turn off the road and explore the plains between here and Oleg's. We can cover ground quickly on the plains. But if we wish to catch the Spring Festival at the Renault Farm, we will need to head straight back. Not only should it be fun, but the contacts we could make there might be valuable to us later."
"What do you folks think?"
Scarlet sees Alia run her rapier through Vernon, and she knows the fight is over. "W-wait! Don't kill him. Please." Scarlet exhales, then focuses to dismiss her large size.
"It isn't easy being different. I know what they did, but..." Scarlet fights back her tears. "Damn, I can't forgive 'em. Maybe we can get famous and ask them not to be hanged..."
Scarlet seems uncomfortable around the cheers and shouts. Normally when there is this much attention on her, she is fleeing from an angry mob. Still, it does feel good to stop the plague and help innocents.
---
Scarlet resigns herself to taking a bath, and she enjoys Mung's meat pie. "Mung, this pie tastes like victory. If you hadn't spoken up, who knows how much worse this would have gotten." Scarlet takes a huge bite, savoring the flavor.
Scarlet focuses on her food as Numalar recalls tales of their incredible heroics. It's not that she hates the attention, she just thinks her deeds weren't extraordinary.
"A festival in three days, eh?" Scarlet smiles. "Hopefully it's a bit quieter out there. We can buy some equipment before we leave and then get over there."
Alia, having stabbed Vernon, turns to Scarlet in surprise:"Don't worry, he's just unconscious for now. I can't quite bring myself to killing people consciously...even ones as bad as him. But make no mistake, I think that would actually be a mercy to them. If the magistrate decided to hang even the bandits who might not even have killed someone, then these have no chance to survive. Worse yet, considering the stink in this city, the citizens would probably demand their head regardless of the magistrates decision...do not get your hopes up for their survival...if you want to do them a mercy, deliver them to their gods now...I couldn't do it.", walking past Scarlet out onto the deck of the scow, and jumping back to the pier, leaving the others to deal with Vernon, Belia, the bound man and the bodies on the boat as they see fit.
--
Alia will outright refuse to be there at the hanging. To her, it's still wrong that anyone but Kressle herself should pay with their life. While she considered facing this event, she feels that it would only make her bitter, and a farewell would not help them when the noose is placed around their necks.
--
In the evening, she will sit and drink for a while, not really comfortable with the amount of attention they get. Especially not if someone references the hanging(and how these brave heroes brought in those bandits, too). Leaving the spotlight to those who seem to enjoy it more, she excuses herself:"I've got to look after the kitten we found in the sewers...I'll be ready to depart in the morning. No way am I going to miss Esme's performance at the Renault farm. We can make it if we move along at a steady pace and don't waste too much of the morning stocking up supplies"
Celyne, having picked up Vernon's fallen rapier, evaluates it to see if it is masterwork or magical... hoping for one or the other so her companions can upgrade their equipment with some cash inflow from its sale.
She avails herself of the baths in town and joins Alia for a quiet drink, not wanting to watch the hangings either... rough business that and not to her liking... "Need any help with the kitten? I know cats pretty well if you do. And departing this place in the morning sounds good to me, too... I've had enough of human civilization to last me a long time I think."
"I'll do away with the murdering pair of them if you wish, no sense in them possibly inflicting their curse on a poor guardsman.. at the least we need to tie them up securely and muzzle them."
Zokon will find rope and tie the pair of them up and fashion rope muzzles so they can't bite
"Thanks for the pie Mung, A fight like that gives me a hunger like you wouldn't believe"
Zokon loses himself in chowing down on the pie.. savouring every bite his body is starving for.
"No worries. No worries friend. Eat up. " Mung shouts loud enough for the crowd to hear. "Terms and conditions apply o'course."
"Need any help with the kitten? I know cats pretty well if you do...."
The much-scratched guardsman with the sack of obviously struggling grey cat poised over the river says: "Sure. It's all yours." He says holding the sack away from his face.
At the tavern:
"Well done, everyone. Not only have we righted a wrong and saved the city from a foul fate (pun intended), we have also gained a certain stature here. A good reputation is more valuable than gold. Things will be easier for us here in the future. So here's to a successful quest! May it be the first of many!"
Numalar raises his glass in a toast.
"Cheers!" he says as he drains his cup.
"Cheers." Naleksa smiles warmly.
"May I join you?" She says nodding toward the seat next to Numalar.
Vernon
masterwork studded leather
masterwork rapier
heavy crossbow (10 bolts)
gold hoop earring (20 gp)
Belia
Belia is one of those weird rangers that fights with her own natural claws and teeth.
masterwork studded leather
Hidden in the scow's cabin
+1 mithril shortsword
As Small weapons are at a premium, I will allow you to decide whether this weapon is actually a Medium-size shortsword or a Small longsword. Whatever you choose, the choice is permanent.
She avails herself of the baths in town and joins Alia for a quiet drink, not wanting to watch the hangings either... rough business that and not to her liking... "Need any help with the kitten? I know cats pretty well if you do...I've had enough of human civilization to last me a long time I think."
"I'd appreciate your help, Celyne. I don't have much experience with animals. And this one seems very...lively. Maybe Luna could get her to calm down? Does it work that way with cats?"
----
Previously: Alia, not prideful or conceited about her looks, but still trying to life up to the standards she sets for herself, appreciates the small silver hand mirror not so much for reasons of vanity, but because it seems so finely crafted, and it's presence in the middle of all the trash is a fine reminder that the most positive things can sometimes be found in the places you would expect them last.
"Huh. Vernon had a good set of armor on him." Scarlet rifles through the spoils. "Anyone mind if I take it?"
"Hey Numalar I know that wood, the knife handle I mean, it's quite distinctive, comes only from a variety of titanic mangrove found only in the area around the Mwangi Expanse in Garund far to the south. That's a sweet find."
Alia, having stabbed Vernon, turns to Scarlet in surprise:"Don't worry, he's just unconscious for now. I can't quite bring myself to killing people consciously...even ones as bad as him. But make no mistake, I think that would actually be a mercy to them. If the magistrate decided to hang even the bandits who might not even have killed someone, then these have no chance to survive. Worse yet, considering the stink in this city, the citizens would probably demand their head regardless of the magistrates decision...do not get your hopes up for their survival...if you want to do them a mercy, deliver them to their gods now...I couldn't do it.", walking past Scarlet out onto the deck of the scow, and jumping back to the pier, leaving the others to deal with Vernon, Belia, the bound man and the bodies on the boat as they see fit.
Posh smiles at the comment about not being able to kill someone so bad, but his smile fades as she points out the most likely outcome for these poor souls.
--
Alia will outright refuse to be there at the hanging. To her, it's still wrong that anyone but Kressle herself should pay with their life. While she considered facing this event, she feels that it would only make her bitter, and a farewell would not help them when the noose is placed around their necks.
In another life, that would've been you. his thoughts echo for a moment.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
She avails herself of the baths in town and joins Alia for a quiet drink, not wanting to watch the hangings either... rough business that and not to her liking... "Need any help with the kitten? I know cats pretty well if you do...I've had enough of human civilization to last me a long time I think.""I'd appreciate your help, Celyne. I don't have much experience with animals. And this one seems very...lively. Maybe Luna could get her to calm down? Does it work that way with cats?"
Posh having returned from a much needed bath after his second involuntry swim of the day makes it way over to Alia and Celyne to sit down with the two with a sigh.
"Maybe for our next fight I should just jump in a puddle or carry a boat with me just in case." he jokes in an attempt to help lighten the mood before attempting to strike up a discussion. "Celyne, I've often heard the beauty of Kyonin and what a wonderful land it is, but I have also heard that there are many Elves there who aren't too friendly to the other races. What can you tell me of your home?"