Our War-Torn Souls Suffer Still (PF E6 Eberron Campaign) (Inactive)

Game Master Dreaming Warforged

Ayla just continues to stare at the bugbear, waiting for Vrykkas to continue.

Vrykkas nods and sizes up the bugbear. "Pity. She has strong bones. She would have made a suitable servant. Very well, I will refrain from raising her corpse if she speak truthfully. And I can promise a suitably painless death. Death is my purview."

Estelle would have followed Lethe into the Kitchen with the unconcious Bugbear, as she intended on questioning him "her" way.

1d20 ⇒ 2 Fortitude Save

And promptly rushes to the door to empty her stomach. She had seen worse of course in the war, but somehow seeing it in this peaceful setting hit her very hard...She stays outside...

Obviously relieved, the bugbear opens up: "We were told to hang around in the woods east. My boss is an hobgoblin named Kalag. He runs mercenaries in Atur. He got us in for this job. Paid us all with coins this time. All wrapped nicely for each of us."

Your search has provided two nice leather bags of 10 crowns each, while the leader has 20 crowns in a similar bag. (A handsome sum for Karrnath!) Appraise please.

"Kalag paid us and told us to wait for someone to come and give us our orders. A rider came yesterday evening from here, gave us a drawing, the name of the hotel and told us to either find the item on the drawing or where it's hidden... The rider was a female elf..."

Sense Motive.

Searching her (Perception and Appraise) easily produces the drawing. Knowledge (engineering, arcane, religion and/or planes).

Rabbit listens in, uneasy with the proceedings and hopeful that it will still end before torture is really engaged.

Appraise 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
K: Planes 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
K: Religion 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Sense Motive 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Sense Motive 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Appraise 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Knowledge: Religion 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Lethe deciding the Kitchen is unsuitable for interrogation instead takes the other bugbear upstairs.

Already rolled Appraise, above^: 18
(new Appraise, if needed): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Perception for female bugbear: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Knowledges:
Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 (+2 if applicable to humanoids)
Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 (+2 if applicable to humanoids)
Planes, untrained: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 (+2 if applicable to humanoids)
Religion, untrained: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 (+2 if applicable to humanoids)

"And what, pray tell, were those orders...?"

Does any of the bugbears' gear appear to be wet, or water-stained (leather, especially) from the rain last night?

If Estelle is asked, and brought back into the house...she would wander back in on her own in five minutes or so.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 Appraise
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 Sense Motive

Ayla continues to silently watch...

Appraise 1d20 ⇒ 4
Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Sense Motive 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Knowledge (Religion) 1d20 ⇒ 12 (Untrained)
Knowledge (Planes) 1d20 ⇒ 12 (Untrained)
Knowledge (Arcana) 1d20 ⇒ 1 (Untrained)
Knowledge (Engineering) 1d20 ⇒ 8 (Untrained)

Ayla, Viyko and Vrikkas have a clear feeling that the bugbear is is truthful, but not telling the whole story...

You notice the way the coins are bound together as peculiar, but can't really figure more. That's the new appraise roll.

On her person, you find, hidden in the lining of her vest, a small garnet, probably her total fortune, worth 50 crowns. Btw, bugbears are goblinoids, not humanoids. I sperated them (see profile).

The drawing is crude, but done with a bit of skill.It shows what looks to be a sponge shaped like a folded deflated ball. The drawer has taken the time to color it in dark blue. Vrykkas can tell it's not an object normally associated with a cult.

The bugbear looks at Viyko: That's it, go, find the device and take it from you, then go back to Atur."

Viyko, looking at the drawing, is pretty sure that the fold in the sponge is meant to hold something.

None of you has ever seen such a thing. Beside sea sponges living in the sea, though they don't have that shape.

"I lost my patience when you stalled earlier, goblin, doing so again is not wise. Elaborate and stop beating around bushes. Omitting information is still lying..."

Finally saw the Favored Enemy list, apologies. I thought based on your previous statements that only Giants were no longer humanoids.

After Viyko finishes his word, Ayla punctuates it.
"~SPEAK!~"

The bugbear obeys to the threats and commands: "It' just that she looked like an elf, but I've played with many, and I am pretty sure she wasn't really what she looked like."

She appears truthful.

What next?

"The drawing, the device you try to taunt about, your orders... everything. This is not a time for games."

The bugbear is fearful, her voice more nervous: "That's it, that's all I know. I got the drawing, got told to bring it back in Atur."

Viyko casts spark on the log and picks it up.

"Listen precisely and with care... Firstly: What were your exact orders to be executed upon arrival here, and what led you to the inn? Secondly: what did you mean when you told me, 'That's it, go, find the device and take it from you, then go back to Atur? Thirdly: Where in Atur were you supposed to take this device, once you procured it? Lastly: What details do you remember about your mysterious pseudo-elf?"

Viyko approaches with the smoldering brand. "Quickly now, this log really want to burn you, and I'm not sure how long I can keep it at bay..."

Ooohh... I had a "duh" moment, ooc. I read "that's it, go, find the device and take it from you, then go back to Atur" as some sort of ominous threat. Like, "that's right, go and find the device and take it from you, then head to Atur." I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out what she meant by "take it from you." Oy.

So... Pretend Viyko wasn't as dumb as I feel, on that note, and instead he asks, "Secondly: What made you think we had this device?"

"~It does not seem to want to tell us all it knows. Shall we help you with ritual, Vrykkas?~"

Having no taste for torture of any intelligent Species, Estelle steps outside to wait out the others.

The taunts and threats seem to have the bugbear cowering. You feel she has said all she knew and that further pushing might lead her to try anything.

She finally says, in a defeated voice: "Please! That's it, I've told you all I know. No, wait! The elf, she had a big gold ring. I remember Fred mentioning it! She just told us you would have the thing on the drawing."

What next? Atur? Thronehold? Dolurrh?

"I think it's time to wake the other one up."

Viyko tosses the log in the fireplace, and looks to the party. "You all can do what you want with her, but I'm sure the local magistrate, and Madrigue's family, would like this one alive for questioning and public execution."

If the bugbear complains, I'll kick her unconscious. (1d3+1 nonlethal until effective)

If Lethe ties the other bugbear up, can any of us aid another? She still never told us where in Atur they were to meet, and lots of folks have gold rings...

She did mention her boss as the "place" to bring back the item. To save you some time, Fred doesn't remember anything else. Shiny is what he remembers.

"Right. Kalag. I vote for heading there after we search around here for this mystery object. What do you want to do with the bugbears, comrades?" Viyko asks the party.

"~Haaaah..." Ayla lets out a breath as she take off her mask.

"Ayla would end their life. Now. They have no more to give, but attempt escape. We not want them loose again." She says, looking at the carnage, waiting to see if any object.

"I have promised her a quick death. I cannot back down from that promise. She has kept her side of the bargain. I will keep mine."

Can we assume successful coup de grace actions, and spare the gory effects of poor damage rolls and high saves?

The two bugbears are swiftly and cleanly executed.

The party now stands at the center of the inn, with four bodies and a lot of blood... It's early morning outside and the town, through the windows, is slowly waking.

Korth and Thronehold are West, while Atur is East. Segelios is about haflway between Korth and Atur.

"Maybe we leave now? Ayla no like get caught in town investigation." She says, looking at the mess of the Inn.

I agree. We'd best move on quickly.

"We're heroes of the last war, and friends of Dalvan ir'Tolvek. We just saved the town from murderous bugbears. If we run, we lose all that, and possibly become fugitives. I'm okay with that, as it's more incentive to travel, but can you all live with that?"

If the group insists in leaving, he votes for Atur, as we would head there with the caravan anyway to go south, and then he takes a few minutes to cover tracks that would implicate their involvement. Not much he can do about the obviously military executions, though.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 to identify track that need to be snuffed out. (+2 vs those of us that are humanoids)

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 to hide/destroy evidence of their presence.

Perception (reactive): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Perception (taking 10, due to no distraction): 20 (+ any aid another attempts)

Feel free to discuss. These are important questions (towards Atur or Korth, fleeing or reporting). By the way, you have no quick getaway at the moment. You were waiting for a caravan, possibly a river one. I'll keep an eye out and move the story when I feel there is enough of a consensus.

Estelle returns to the room after not hearing the Bugbear's rough voices for a while. Though she blanches at what has happened, she understands that it was probably necessary...probably being the key word.

"Well we'd best drag the bodies out of here and start cleaning up". "We'd probably also try and find a next of kin". "Somebody must mourn the bodies of the fallen". "We were guests here, so we can't leave it in this condition".

With those words Estelle heads behind the bar to look for some rags, and cleaning supplies.

"If you wish I'll go inform someone of the tragedy here".

"If you wish I'll go inform someone of the tragedy here".

"Yeah best do that I'm not running out of town like some criminal."

Viyko nod in agreement with Estelle and Lethe, and is glad some of the group share his sentiment. "Those who wish to leave can, but I'll stay with those who remain to clean up and explain things." Viyko pauses and looks to Rabbit and Ayla. "Besides, weren't we undertaking a mission to set things right?"

Rabbit's face flushes with embarrassment.

Yes, we were.

Quietly, she sets to help with the clean up process. She will use the create water and mending orisons to best effect to help, but she won't shirk the harder work.

As she is about to set about cleaning Lethe sends Tika with Estelle to get the watch or whoever else is in charge of the law round these parts.

Guards are soon to arrive, followed by the captain of the watch and Lovotnek the mayor. Events are explained and the news of the terrible fate of Mardigue and the valiant stand of 'Dalvan's Chosen' spread like fire through the town.

Townsfolk shudder at the sight of the bodies being carried out and applaud as you step out. A young girl presents flowers to Tika: "You were BRAVE!" Tears and smiles can be seen as the town is torn between loss and victory.

It all tastes like the War they're trying to forget...

Atur or Korth then Thronehold? With your new reputation, you'll have no problem getting on the next caravan.

Viyko looks to the others, raises an eyebrow, then cracks a brief, half-smile as if to say 'I told you so.' He pats Tika on the shoulder and lets her play with Ivan while he drinks some water and waits for the group to discuss things.

Sorry, used to getting into bad situations when we are the only ones alive after a blood bath within a town. Especially in Ebberon.

"Doesn't matter to Ayla, She go where you all go."

"Korth sounds like a better choice to me." Lethe says whilst not really sounding all that sure if it is a better choice or not.

Tika remains quite seeming to be quite flustered at all the attention she had just gotten.

"Korth?" Viyko ponders, trying to give it serious consideration.

"If we want entirely to avoid our would-be assassins' boss, and whoever hired them, then Korth would be a better option. If we want to find them, then Atur is better... We can find Kalag, at the least, for more information; perhaps pretend to be looking to hire him to gain an audience. Atur, I believe, is also a quicker route to Thronehold."

Viyko looks to the rest of the group.

Map of Karrnath
Viyko, you might want to reconsider your post after a look at the map. Segelios stands between Korth and Atur, pretty much at the northernmost point of the Karrn river.

oops, don't know why I posted that last sentence.

Revised:

"Korth?" Viyko ponders, trying to give it serious consideration.

"If we want entirely to avoid our would-be assassins' boss, and whoever hired them, then Korth would be a better option. If we want to find them, then Atur is better... We can find Kalag, at the least, for more information; perhaps pretend to be looking to hire him to gain an audience. Atur is a little out of the way, but I'm not too keen on people trying to murder me."

Viyko looks to the rest of the group.

"Should we let this trail go cold while we pursue Dalvan's quest? He did leave it unresolved for this long already..."

While it's obvious Viyko wants to go after your attackers, it's also clear that he'll go to Korth with the group if they decide it's the best course of action.

I tend to think we should go after the boss first, if we know enough to try. As you said, Dalvan's trail isn't going to get any colder, and we don't want new assassins dogging us the entire tire we are trying to fulfill his wishes.

"Ayla agree, she has to watch her back enough nowaday."

I'm leaving some more time for discussions.