KiraelTrifle takes a swing at a wolf and misses while Mithradaties casts armors up. Meanwhile Frag gets ANGRY and literally bifurcates the skull of the lead wolf. The body slumps lifeless to the dirt.
Saki dances around the edge of the fight and cleaves mightily with her glaive; his formerly grey-white fur is now a bizarre gold streaked with deep red.
Skybek to finish out Round I!
Round I Update
Ober: Slashes to great effect
Wolves: Move to defend, bite with less effect
Trifle: Swing and a miss
Mithradaties: Mage armor
Frag: rage and wolf-murder
Skybek:
Saki: [glaive attack!]
Skybek's axe makes a sickening crunch as the dwarf lands a solid blow.
Round I Summary
Ober: Slashes to great effect
Wolves: Move to defend, bite with less effect
Trifle: Swing and a miss
Mithradaties: Mage armor
Frag: rage and wolf-murder
Skybek: axe-to-wolf charge
Saki: glaive-to-wolf dance
The party's bravado leaves one dead (very dead) wolf, two nearly dead blind wolves, and one blind and wounded wolf.
Ober to take us into Round II!
Round II
Ober takes another swing, blades slicing deep into the wolf's flank and dropping the creature to the dusty road.
The two remaining wolves, both badly injured, try to shake off their glitterdust:
FAIL
SUCCESS
One wolf succeeds in regaining sight; both attack in a last act of desperation.
HIT
DMG 6
MISS
The still-blinded wolf manages to connect with the warpriest, drawing forth another river of blood, but the second wolf is no match for the Paladin's formidable defenses.
Round II Update
Ober: Kills a wolf
Wolves: Bite Ober
Trifle:
Mithradaties: [axe attack]
Frag:
Skybek:
Saki:
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Saki pushes back the wolf with the pole of her glaive, not appreciating the snarling fangs so close to her even if they had trouble penetrating her powerful armour. She's nevertheless surprised by the beast's tenacity and agility, resulting in a rather weak counter-attack, the curved blade of her weapon slicing through the empty air above the wolf's head.
Trifle, Mithradaties, and Saki all take valiant swings at one of the wolves, but this bugger is a crafty dog with newly returned eyesight and manages to dodge all three--although Trifle's only barely.
Round II Update
Ober: Kills a wolf
Wolves: Bite Ober
Trifle: Swing and miss
Mithradaties: Swing and miss
Frag:
Skybek:
Saki: Swing and miss
Frag, Skybek, and Ober are up next! Can you finish them off?
Skybek's battleaxe crashes into the wolf's spine, crushing it into the ground.
One last wolf still standing. Frag and/or Ober!
With a final burst of anger Frag cuts down the last wolf.
The farmer, clutching his precious cow, turns to thank you. "Thank you, brave gentlefolk! I really don't know what's become of this town. Wolves and beasts everywhere! It isn't safe anymore... ever since the bloody mayor's been elected, he's kept the guard busy preparing his gaudy parades and doing favors for his friends, with no time to guard the commonfolk against dangers like these." He looks lovingly at his cow. "But thankfully you were here! I cannot thank you enough."
Thalia sagely chimes in, "As Benedict has taught us, it is dangerous for a leader to focus on politics over the needs of the people."
The door to the cornershop opens, and a short young man in apprentice's clothes steps out into the street. "Hey there! We sell healing potions if you'd be needing any!" His eyes glance around to make sure no one is mortally wounded, preparing to make a joke, when his eyes alight on Thalia and widen in quickly-suppressed surprise. "We get more... business... when there's trouble..." he says in a flat, stunned tone.
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The farmer, clutching his precious cow, turns to thank you. "Thank you, brave gentlefolk! I really don't know what's become of this town. Wolves and beasts everywhere! It isn't safe anymore... ever since the bloody mayor's been elected, he's kept the guard busy preparing his gaudy parades and doing favors for his friends, with no time to guard the commonfolk against dangers like these." He looks lovingly at his cow. "But thankfully you were here! I cannot thank you enough."
"Ach! It was nothin!" Skybek replies proudly. "We're just glad tae help oot when we can! Ahh didnae realize that the mayor was tae busy tae help his oon townfolk! Well. be sure tae tak care o' yer cow. We'll dae what we can tae offer oor assistance tae the toon!"
Skybek looks around to see if there is any evidence of where the wolves came from.
Once the company has left the presence of the farmer, Skybek asks Thalia, "Thalia, mae pet, dae yae have any right tae rule if something should happen tae yer da? Ahh'm not suggesting that anything happen tae him, but Ahh'm wonderin if there is anything that can be done tae help oot these poor folk who dannae hae much? Ahh suspect that yae wid make a just and kind ruler!"
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Saki breathes a sigh of relief when the final wolf goes down, but as she listens to the farmer while cleaning the gore from her glaive's blade, she can't help but feel disturbed by the events in Sauerton. Political corruption, abandonment of one's own child, and a lack of protection for one's charges... She frowns darkly. This was not the country she had come to love.
At that point, the apprentice arrives, and Saki immediately notices his apparent shock. Someone was certainly not expecting to see Thalia here... Stepping forward, she offers him a small smile and a nod of her head in greetings. "You frequently sell healing potions to those attacked by wolves, is it?" Saki asks pleasantly, her many years of practice allowing her to deftly hide the suspicion in her voice. "Perhaps you know something about these attacks, sir, having seen the aftermath so often?"
"That said, I don't believe we require any potions at this juncture," she adds, keeping a careful watch on this apprentice for signs of discomfort or other suspicious behaviour.
Thalia and the apprentice reply simultaneously. Thalia says to Skybek, "Why, we would go through an election of course! There is no lineage by birth in Andoran. But hopefully that shall not be necessary..."
The apprentice replies to Saki a bit nervously. "I don't know, I'm just told to advertise our healing potions. But if you're not needing any, I guess I'll go back inside then..."
He's clearly nervous, and it's clearly because Thalia is here.
"Um. My boss?" He seems confused by the question and points at the sign swinging in the breeze above his head, which reads Koriana's Exotic Tonics and Remedies. You don't get the sense that a shop selling healing potions also advertising said potions to injured passersby is in the slightest bit unusual. "Are you sure you don't want to buy one?"
"Right then," the apprentice says flatly, heading inside the shop and leaving the door open for you to follow.
This shop is spacious and lined with rack upon wooden rack of exotic herbs, spices, tonics, smoking paraphernalia, and a smattering of glass vials of brightly colored liquids. More such vials stand in display inside a glass-fronted countertop. Strange and smoky odors waft from a back room past a mostly closed door.
Upon entering you see the apprentice knocking on the back door for a moment, glancing hurriedly back at you over his shoulder. Through the door steps a middle-aged half-elf woman with platinum-blonde hair, grey-green apothecary robes, and a huge set of goggles resting on her forehead.
The woman looks the lot of you up and down for a moment before cordially asking, "Welcome to my shop. I am Koriana. What remedy or tonic might you be looking for?"
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The woman looks the lot of you up and down for a moment before cordially asking, "Welcome to my shop. I am Koriana. What remedy or tonic might you be looking for?"
"Ahh'm wonderin if Ahh can look at yer selection o' pipes. Ahh'm lookin fer somethin o' gud qualitae tae smoke wid. Yae ken, somethin that is sturdy and willnae break. Ahh'm also wonderin if yae hae ana tobbacky frae Galt?"
"Yes, of course. We have a fine collection." She shows you an array of pipes, including some glass specimens that are very heavy indeed. "As for Galtan tobacco, we do have a small selection. Trade with Galt is... difficult, you might say."
When Frag enters, she turns to him, saying "Good day sir! I must ask that you put away your weapon in my shop, or else clean it outside. Although I can offer you some very soothing--but cheap!--oils to wipe down the blade." She smiles politely.
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Saki follows the others inside the apothecary, rightfully suspicious of the strange apprentice and his nervousness around Thalia. She pointedly positions herself in front of the young Andoran girl, keeping her glaive in one hand (albeit not aggressively so) should anything come to blows.
Koriana... The paladin frowns, taking the opportunity to eye up the woman as much as Koriana is doing to the group.
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"Yes, of course. We have a fine collection." She shows you an array of pipes, including some glass specimens that are very heavy indeed. "As for Galtan tobacco, we do have a small selection. Trade with Galt is... difficult, you might say."
"Ahh suppose trade must be richt difficult. Ahh dannae mean tae be tae political, but Ahh'm curious, dae the gray gardeners help er hinder the process? Dae they get involved in affairs outside o' their homeland?"
Koriana nods politely to Ober before responding to Skybek. "The Gray Gardeners are the source of much of the turmoil in Galt, of course, and inhibit production within Galt. But they do not venture beyond the borders, so trade is not affected in that sense. Would you like to try some of Galtan tobacco?" Again, she smiles politely.
You are not quite sure what to make of Koriana... she does not seem particularly nervous, even at the presence of Thalia, but something about that smile...
The apprentice, on the other hand, is still clearly uncomfortable. He stands just behind his master and keeps glancing back and forth between her and Thalia.
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Ober removes a small wand from his bag.
"I apologize," Ober states as he taps his wounds with the wand. "In the struggle with the wolves, I was wounded."
He then looks at Koriana intently.
"My grandfather used to smoke Galtan tobacco, said he developed a taste for it before the revolution. My father, smokes it once a year on the anniversary of grandfather's death. I asked him once how he got it. Said there was a Taldoran man, Nik...something or other, who frequents Galt and Andoran, that picks some up for him. I can't remember his name, but anyhow, I've often been tempted by the sweet aroma to try it. How much for a sample?"
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"The Gray Gardeners are the source of much of the turmoil in Galt, of course, and inhibit production within Galt. But they do not venture beyond the borders, so trade is not affected in that sense. Would you like to try some of Galtan tobacco?"
"Aye, Ahh'd be very interested in smokin a bowl. Dae yae hae a pipe that Ahh can try?"
Koriana smiles broadly, eyes alight with amusement. "I am happy to provide a sample and a pipe to try it out with, for just one small silver..."
You get the sense that Koriana is humoring you for her own amusement.
"A stingy dwarf, who would have thought!" Koriana says playfully, as she prepares the pipe. "You are welcome to smoke in here. If you have some questions, I might as well prepare some tea... would anyone like some?"
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"No, no tea," Saki says, striding forward with a roll of her eyes. "This farce has gone on for long enough."
"Korina. We have some evidence connecting you with the kidnapping of Thalia Andares. As an ordained member of the Shelynite church, I must insist on you submitting yourself to my companions and I for further questioning on the matter."
"Oh, evidence you say?" Koriana chuckles. "I'd rather this not turn to uncivilized violence," she responds calmly, eying Saki's glaive, "so perhaps I'll get that tea after all. Although you may think I enjoy profiting from healing injuries inflicted in this neighborhood, I consider it unprofessional for customers to get those injuries inside my shop. Let's talk--just a moment."
Koriana bows and opens the door to the next room. You see her step into a half-workroom, half-laboratory sort of space and the clink of china soon follows. Meanwhile, Frag reports no bogeys in sight.
Quickly returning, Koriana sets a tray of tea on the counter and invites you all to drink, picking up a cup herself before continuing. "We all have our goals. The elder Andares did not hire you to investigate, so what is a band of Pathfinders hoping to acquire here?"
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"To put it simply," Ober says taking the tea offered. "An army, or at least the gold to finance one. The Worldwound is growing ever more dangerous and Mendev's line is growing thinner daily. The Society recognizes the danger that the Demons present, even from far away Absalom. Andoran has been relatively quiet in her assistance to the Crusade and the Society's pockets, while deep, still have limits. Our hope was to arrive in Andoran, provide our assistance in rescuing Thalia and by doing so, win some favor with a powerful new ally. Of course.."
Ober pauses to take a sip of the team.
"...the best laid plans of mice and men."
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Skybek lights up the pipe and tries this Galtan tobacco while he listens to the others in such a civilized manner. Finally he adds to the conversation.
"Our hope was to arrive in Andoran, provide our assistance in rescuing Thalia and by doing so, win some favor with a powerful new ally. Of course.."
"Aye, but tae find oot that corruption is at the heart o' the matter daesnae dae tae much tae inspire this pathfinder. We were hopin yae could shed some light on this matter with Galt and the Gray Gardeners."
Koriana nods sagely at Ober's words. "Of course, of course. A noble cause, to join the line and push back the demons. What a strain that must put on the Society's purse! I certainly understand your noble ambitions in seeking to aid an Andoren Consul."
She pauses, sipping gently at her tea.
"So let me make you an offer. I can guarantee that your purpose here will be fulfilled, and you shall receive ample financial support for your cause. In exchange, you must surrender the girl to me." Koriana's face is calm but determined as she sets her cup back in the saucer and looks up to await your reply."[/b]
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"Can somebody help me oot here? Ahh just dannae understand why the Gray Gardeners, or the Green Gardeners or why anyone atool wants tae kidnap dear Thalia. She seems so innocent. Why is she so important tae all o' these factions? Mebbae Ahh just dannae understand politics, but Ahh fail tae understand how the Pathfinder Society will get lots o financial support by us surrenderin oor principles and condemnin her tae life in prison or some such nonsense. Ahh think Ahh'm missin somethin here.
Koriana looks back at Skybek with continued surprise. "I never thought my simple ruse would work so well! For tricking some Galtan revolutionaries looking for work, perhaps, but Pathfinders? Tsk tsk. The Gray Garderners don't give a fig for the girl, and I doubt they even know who she is."
She sips her tea quietly, still awaiting your reply to her offer.
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"Alricht, Alricht, so yae tricked me a wee bit, let's not linger on that point. But noo that yae've cleared that up that yae're nae frae Galt, can yae tell me what yae dae want Thalia fer? What are yer intentions with the lass? Ahh'm still nae understandin why yae're willin tae gie plentae o' financial assitance tae wage a war in the worldwound just fer this young lass!"
"Oh," Koriana delights, "it's not my money. I'm simply the intermediary, but I can make guarantees. The girl has been causing trouble!"