"Now," Jogen says with a bit of authority "we still welcome you to share camp with us this night, but if Zamir shows himself or any of his wannabe bandits. We 'suggest' you stay out of our way." he finishes his statement with a large, devilish smile.
Jagen pipes up to Golgolgoldenheim Somundane "Your man there knows how to season a stew. Very Good, never caught your name." Jagen directs the question at Nuethro.
"Yes. Yes, indeed, I can certainly see that it would be most wise for us to stay 'out of your way'." responds the old man. "It is true what they say, 'Too many alchemists spoil the potion.' We will undoubtedly be taking our leave of you as soon as possible...so that we do not further hinder you going about your duties of course."
The one who referred to himself as Golgolgoldenheim Somundane goes to place a pointed hat upon his head, only to realize that he doesn't currently have one handy. He utters an inaudible curse, wondering how much longer it will be until the hour passes.
"As for the stew-maker,' the man continues, "I suppose that my travelling companions may have some redeeming qualities. Still, while I myself have not yet sampled his wares, I doubt that they surpass the flavors that can be produced by a well-timed casting of prestidigitation." The bald man wiggles his fingers in a mock gesture mimicking a spell.
“Admittedly, just between you and me” the elderly man says leaning in closer to Jogen and speaking in a loud whisper, ”Our common band of little more than bladebearers, fistswingers, and shieldslingers is hardly as capable a lot as you. I mean, you saw how our “flighty air-ess” bandied about our choice merchandise for all to see.”
The man closes his eyes, lowers his head, and shakes it. After releasing an audible sigh, he continues, ”I, and I alone, am the only one of us capable of ensuring that our cargo ends up in the hands of its intended recipients. Yet, it appears day after day that my job is hindered by the useless weight of these additional millstones that our employer has saddled me with.” The “not-a-mage” points to the nearby Pathfinders. ”Why, indeed, it was rumors that that monster and thief, Zamir, was operating less than a day’s journey out of that ‘rotting heap of fish bones and farm refuse’ that they call ‘Padiskar’ that prompted me to push our wagon of goods this far afield of that gods-forsaken town. If you wish to catch Zamir, I suggest that you quickly head in that direct and do so post-haste before the monster makes his lair anew where the victims are more plentiful and the potential for his profits still greater.”
The old man peers at the bounty hunters, trying to determine whether he has convinced them to head leave for Padiskar in haste or whether they will be remaining with the party and, thus, be a possible hindrance in his plan to get the false artifact to Zamir.
As the sun becomes all to non-existent and the moon begins to rise in the distance, "As pleasurable your company is GolGol we must rest for this evening." Jogen speaks to the other men of his group and they begin to settle in for the night. "Jagen you take first watch, I'll take second, You third Radiger and Amos your forth. Jagen you have the fifth spot again." he finishes with a point at the other two men designating there watch times. Jagen hrumph as his brother gives him the crumy end of th stick again. "Feel free to rest if you will we can keep an eye out for you. " Jogen seems sincere enough when he offers to watch over your group as well.
The night goes on snores and other sounds can be heard all about that camp. Thakur's men are rather noisy sleepers but nothing a good bit of wax or cotton could prevent.
First, watch the man man the watch first.
The Night watch continues through the night many of wilderness noise and snores fall on everyone's ears as the nights watch begin:
Those on the first watch, Jagen and GolGol, sit idle as the night darkens further. Jagen pulls out a small deck of playing cards offering for a simple gentleman's hand to pass the time of the watch. GolGol has no idea why he loses every single hand. It seems that all the luck is with Jagen this evening.
GolGol and Jagen wake the next in line and they tcuk themselves in for a restful night. Stonelance and Jogen sit vigilant through the night looking about ever watchful. Not a word is said between them as the conclude there parallel vigil.
Radiger and Nuethro watch as the moon moves through the sky over head. Many of the animals have gone to sleep this evening and not a sound can be heard as the moon continues to move along.
To Mei's annoyance Amos spends the entire watch sharpening his scimitar, picking it up occasionally to give it a flourish in the air. Just before the Bloodrager looses her cool however she sees that her time has come up and she goes to wake Blossym.
The morning light begins to brighten the sky and Jagen begins preparing a hearty breakfast for everyone asking for assistance from Blossym when he is able. The morning wake up call brings you all to seared Potatoes, Pan Biscuits and some sort of Gravy.
The night goes on without anything out of the ordinary, or did it. As Mei is packing up she notices that a few pieces of humanoid hair on the ground are not hers nor are they from anyone else in the camp. Stonelance sees some random foot prints on the ground near the wagon leading off into multiple directions, and the box where the False Scepter had been is empty!
Jogen greats the party "Its seems we may have had some visitors last night." he points to some of the signs of others in the camp while everyone slept. "I have checked my gear and have found nothing has gone missing. I due hope Zamir's Bandits did not make off with anything of importance of yours." as the Thakur Agents pack camp and set off the bid you farewell and safe travels reminding you to stay out of their way should you meet again with Zamir present.
Nuethro looks throughout the entire wagon and to no avail does not see the Fake Scepter anywhere. While he does this Golthwur Strath, a man who loves the sound of his own name even in his head, pulls the faux Wayfinder from his pocket and opens it. Sure enough the needle does not point north rather it is pointing southward. Upon closer inspection it seems to be bouncing slightly as if the point it is following is moving about. The Wagon Driver bids you fairwell as he has accomplished what he has been paid to do. The Wagon heads off back the way you came from.
You follow the Wayfinders direction as Captain Mihir ordered, The path you seem to begin following seems to be a little used game trail. As you travel down the pay it is fairly easy and your direction being set you need not worry about being lost a this time. Just after mid day you continue along the trail bushes and debris litter the nearby hillside with the remains of the outer walls of an ancient stone structure visible above the folliage and reaching a height of about fifteen feet. The shattered stone remains of a taller building are visible inside the walls.
Everyone but Mei notice that there seems to be men stationed just behind the crenellations, They each have a bow in hand and a quiver on their back. They seem not to have noticed your group yet.
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Waking up and finding out that she slept through potential action and killings, Mei sours a bit.
"Seriously? You are going to have to work on your perceptive qualities a bit!"
"Apparently."
"You know, with what our experience with pathfinder monks and their codes of dealing non-lethal damage to avoid unnecessary death, and all. This could have been some monk trick to avoid combat all together..."
Mei looks at Nuethro sideways for a round or two.
"We'll give him the benefit of the doubt this time. He did, earlier, openly verbalize that he hoped it got rough."
Having missed the action earlier, Mei is in the mood for something crazy,
"I think I have a better way!"
She bows respectfully to the wizard,
"Oh great Golthwur, Master of Incantations, could you spare a shot of Mage Armor on my inferior defenses? I offer a gambit that will draw any deadly fire away from your regal being-one you will, in all likelihood so adeptly criticize later?"
She bows respectfully to the wizard,
"Oh great Golthwur, Master of Incantations, could you spare a shot of Mage Armor on my inferior defenses? I offer a gambit that will draw any deadly fire away from your regal being-one you will, in all likelihood so adeptly criticize later?"
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"Oh great Golthwur, Master of Incantations, could you spare a shot of Mage Armor on my inferior defenses? I offer a gambit that will draw any deadly fire away from your regal being-one you will, in all likelihood so adeptly criticize later?"
Later!? Where criticism is due, what reason is there to delay its provision?[i] Golthwur wonders. [i] This mortal frame of mine has precious limited time as it is before its inevitable appointment with Pharasma. Until then, why tolerate anything less than greatness if it be not necessary? At least it appears that she is at least… beginning to appreciate my brilliance.
”My dear,” speaks the arrogant mage with a dismissive tone, ”there is no need to utilize a living target to draw a diversion. Why risk harm and bloodshed, even if the threat of such were to be greatly diminish due to my able plying of craft? “ Though Golthwur also notes mentally that he has prepared but only a single casting of the spell for the day and that he most assuredly intends to employ it to protect his own hide, he chooses to forego any reference to this fact.
”Indeed, I have prepared an Inventory of Illusions and a Catalogue of Conjurations to provide all the distraction we need. A well-placed casting of ghost sound coupled with a silent illusion should provide a glamor capable of either masking our approach or creating a diversion, whichever seems more prudent. Likewise, an obscuring mist could easily confound any archers and mask our entry. Both could readily be employed should a two-pronged approach be deemed preferable.” speaks the wizard. His demeanor is now more that of a professor than an adventurer—confirmation that he has spent far more time wrangling with theory within the confines of tower walls than practicing his craft out in the world proper.
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"Well... distraction or not, we are likely going to have to get up close and personal with these guards. My fear would be that an illusory distraction may give them time to alert whomever is inside the inner structure," Blossym quips as she assess the situation.
"Perhaps, I could turn invisible and make it inside... If anyone should come down from the walls, I'll assail them. Golthwur could make a distraction on the far side of the outpost from where we stand now... when they turn to look, Mei and Nuethro come through that crumbled section of the wall..." she says pointing towards the section of the eastern outer wall that has collapsed. " ...With Stonelance providing cover if any of the guards expose themselves between the crenelations to take a pot shot on the pair." She looks at the aged human. "That is what you were suggesting, correct Golthwur?!? You are so wise an knowledgeable! I think you may be rubbing off on me," she continues with a knowing wink at Mei.
It is just passed Mid day the Sun begins to come down from its zenith. Blossym, Mei and Nuehtro use the cover of the trees to sneak up the embankment towards the crumbled section in the northern wall. Stonelance folliwng behind keeping an eye on the two archers on the north and eastern walls. Golthwur moves up towards the western wall huffing and puffing along, it seems all his years spent studing and learning in his ivory tower gave very little time for the occasional cardio workout. Once he is in place he hears a swallows call. Thinking to himself Of all places for a Swallow to inhabit it choses this place?! raising his eybrow he further contemplates Swallows are not even endiginus to this area of Golarion either. of all things..." hearing the swallows call again with a bit more forcefulness he starts Oh the Signal!!
Golthwur begins the incantations and motions necesary to create a distrubance in the area. An uninteligible shouting sound comes form the South Western Corner. The Archers there start suddenly from the sound and both head to the crenelations and begin looking around for where the sound came from. At that moment Golthwur thinking highly of himself and boasts within his own head It's said that those layabouts will not be able to witness this miracle of magic aptitude I have accomplished today. The Detail of the image I am producing with my arcane knowledge is spledorific! The way the man runs from the small tiger, the shine of the claws it produces. The way the man trips over the little root of the tree, yes a Manzanita tree thats it. The entire time Golthwur is describing the image in his head he doesn't realize that all the detail he pushes into it causes the image to clip and shift which each 'change' and expressed detail.
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Marveling at his own illusionary creations, Gulthwur thinks, Good show, old man! Good show! What skill! What flair! You are truly Golthwur Strath, Viceroy of Visions, Imam of Illusions, and Governor of Glamours!
Indeed, so pleased with his handiwork is the wizard that he unthinkingly gives himself a spontaneous ovation and lets loose with a short, yet audible clap.
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Mei hears the great intelligent, but not so wise one applaud his almost perfectly executed facade,
Big surprise on that one huh?"
"Yeah, this is much better than the plan brewing up in my noggin...sure!"
Mei enters a controlled rage
Mei summons the winds of her breeze-kissed heritage to surround her, and bolts back the wizard's way to give the archers a better target.
Even though the wizard claps for himself in congratulations, the Archers never notice him. More enthralled with the illusion before him.
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Golthwur, being Golthwur, delays in climbing the walls. Instead, he makes his way to broken gate and begins to move some of the rubble.
If he thinks himself detected, Golthwur will cast obscuring mist.
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Upon seeing the wizard retreat unabated back to the party, the bloodrager's jaw about hits the ground,
"WTF...it...worked...!?"
"You seem somewhat...dis-Mei-ed. Just be happy we don't have a pincushioned wizard, or self for that matter!"
"I guess. I'll give him this one. Unbearable how smart we will all be hearing he is later!"
"No doubt. Let's get going, we don't wanna miss the party."
Still convinced there will be fire to draw once they start get going Mei moves around to the front.
Golthwur is able to locate the pebble the Paracountess had sent him for. Everyone moves into place with all the distraction the great pognificator was able to conjure. As the Archers look about it is only then the notice it is almost to late. As they turn about they see Mei Standing on the ground before them and begin to shout out an alarm when the Archer in turns and Sees Nuethro standing right next him.
Golthwur
Stonelance
Nuethro
Blossym
Mei
Golthwur
Stonelance
Archers
Nuethro
Blossym
Mei
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With battle now in progress, Golthwur hikes up his robes and then runs forward over the rocks and debris in order to get out of the view of most of the archers on the wall.
Then, spying only one archer within eye-sight, he cries to the archer, "Behold, mortal, before you stands Golthwur Strath, Arcanist of Ambushes and Sage of Sieges! Prepare to be smitten! To punctuate his words, the wizard hurls his quarterstaff at the archer above by means of unseen magics.
The wizard applauds his precise, though still quite soft, hit to the archer's face, until his staff returns to his hand. Then, realizing that his opponent is not down , Golthwur races towards the other corner of the keep, hoping to avoid a retaliatory strike from the archer.