”No guests at the moment,” Addas says as she walks towards a cozy room dominated by a large fireplace, gesturing for you to follow her. Assorted Qadiran rugs cover the floor as tables and upholstered chairs sit invitingly before the fire. ”So you should have the place to yourselves for the night, unless a few more guests come in before dark.” The innkeeper smiles at Polanko as he mentions your trade. ”Oh, how exotic! We see some dwarves stop in from time to time, but none since last spring. Do you have any flagons with you? We’ve one or two that are getting a bit worn out.” As best each of you can tell, she seems to be telling the truth about being ignorant of any dwarves around lately.
Thin Eugenia comes out with several bowls of stew, followed by Tarsi and a ladle as she quickly fills up a cup for you and the sisters. The three woman eat politely and describe the Grey Revelation. The baths are down at the end of the hall. Your larger room will be on the left. Behind us are the more basic rooms for you. she says looking at Aurus with a smile. We may get a shepherd or two for dinner before nightfall, but they’ll be over in the common room: this little den is for overnight guests only, to keep you more comfortable.
--
Outside, Hudor poses a question to Rosh. The boy declines to take the offered coin and looks uncomfortable at the sorcerer’s attention He looks at Hudor for a moment, the gives a very brief shake of the head before leading him and Smiler towards the stables. As they walk into outbuilding Hudor sees that a fairly-expansive smithy is set up to the west end. One corner of it has a small cot set up and a neat pile of clothing. To the east are a number of stalls for horses and other animals (or gorillas as may be), some of which are occupied with steeds and mares.
Smiler pulls at Hudor to go look at, sniff, or touch a couple of things while taking a walk but mostly behaves himself while out.
Outhouse is right by the entryway dear. Addas says to Polanco.
As Hudor returns, the Grymble sisters welcome him and offer some food, but explain the bath location to him as they eat.
The three sisters eat for a bit and then move back and forth around the area as you rest for a while, doing various chores and occasionally asking if you need anything. As the sun drops and the sky darkens however, the three of them turn in, retiring to a room just off the guest den.
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Kevan has a bowl of the excellent stew. "You kow that we were harrassed by a dragon-like thing on our way up? Do you have many of those around here? I had never seen one before. It was just a bit after we paid our toll to the Razmiran official."
Later Kevan has his bath and is just finishing redressing when Polanco shouts about a lead. The priest appears with mess of wet hair and his beard still dripping water. "What do you mean?"
[dice=Perception]1d20+2
Kevan has a bowl of the excellent stew. "You kow that we were harrassed by a dragon-like thing on our way up? Do you have many of those around here? I had never seen one before. It was just a bit after we paid our toll to the Razmiran official."
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+6
Addas and her sisters look concerned as Kevan mentions the dragon thing. "Oh no! The faith barges tend to keep the River fairly clear and safe, but there's still beasts and dangers out and about. I hope none of you were hurt or delayed too much."
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In the witching hour you gather together and move aside the tub, throwing open the trapdoor. A wooden ladder descends down into a cluttered room a single everburining torch in a scone provides dim lighting as you climb down, but Polanco's gem illuminates the L-shaped chamber.
Crates and bits of furniture are stacked up against the brick walls. One or two are open to show that packed inside are some linens and tableware, as well as a variety of men and women's clothing that spans a wide variety of regional styles, shapes and sizes.
Two oaken doors stand on either side of the room: one to the east, and one to the south.
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Polanco goes to the bath last, satisfied to let everyone else go before him.
He gets his knickers back on and goes to wake everyone.
Upon finding Colleen he bends over and gives her a mighty slap "Wake up wench, we have a lead!
"I'M UP!"
Her foot automatically kicks upward.
"Sorry mate, my leg just does that."
Colleen listens at the door.
Listening at the door, neither Hudor nor Collen hear anything beyond.
Carefully testing the handle (to find it unlocked), then cautiously cracking the door open, the two of them see a large yet almost bare room. Before them. The only feature present is what looks like faint bloodstains scattered around the dirt floor. At the other end, the room curves to the left.
Polanko crouches and examines the blood on the floor. The stains are dried and brown but its hard to make out much more as the dried fluids have seeped into the dirt floor.
Hudor casts a warding spell and peeks around the corner. Two more wooden doors are set into the wall.
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"Well i was kind of hoping to find the wine cellar down here. I'm rather disappointed to find no booze at all so far. Well there are more doors ahead so i can live in hope for now. Come along Smiler, this blood has me worried now."
Volar cautiously walks down the corridor while holding his breath and straining his senses to pick up any sign of where the blood came from or what caused it to be spilled.
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Aurus too, had opted for the bath, but by the time he had gotten out of his armor, Hudor was already asleep in the water. He bathed quickly and quietly, and by the time Polanco was rallying the troops, Aurus was unabashedly air drying in his room. The paladin seems unconcerned at the indignity, just saying that it will take him a few minutes to get dressed.
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As the party wanders around the basement, Aurus looks at the blood splatter with a bemused look on his face.
"I dunno, it's not wet? Can't be too old or we wouldn't see it, right?" Seeing the sorcerer wandering ahead, he hustles a little to catch up. "C'mon, Hudor, let the armor do it's job, he says, grinning cheekily. He prepares to open the door on the left side when given the 'all clear' by someone in the party.
Opening the door, you see another long corridor, with five ironbound oaken doors set along the hallway's sides. At the far end, you see a rickety side table and chair set against the north wall. A set of keys lies on the table, alongside a browned, half-eaten apple, stale crust of bread, and dull paring knife.
Slowly entering the hall, you hear coughs, and what sounds like a moan through some of the doors on the left. Unfortunately, the doors are locked.
Aurus and Hudor (and the rest) cautiously proceed down the hallway towards the hooked keys. Your feet crunches softly against the dirt as you move, the light continuing to illuminate spare walls and locked doors.
Suddenly, one segment of the wall swings open! Lurching out from behind it are two hideous...things. They resemble roiling waves of flesh, and amid the fatty surge wriggle half-formed limbs and a dripping tumorous face..
Uourhgouhgg they moan as they surge towards you!
Initiative
Polanko
Volar
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"Ewww these things are disgusting!" says Volar as moves up behind Aurus, taking his spear off his pack as he does so.
He says a few words of natural divine magic as he places a hand on the Paladin's shoulder.
"Go get 'em, Aurus!"
He gives a whistled command to Smiler to guard as he points towards the Half-elf.
Smiler lets out a grunt of recognition as he reluctantly moves up next the Aurus as he is instructed.
"Oook!?!"
The ape clearly isn't sure about being too near to these horrid unnatural things.
Polanco moves forward and delivers a hefty blow at the closer fiend. The creature seems to retract at bit at the force of the swing, even as the dwarf’s hammer gets caught somewhat on its sloughing skin.
Volar blesses the paladin as his companion protect the rear party members. Meanwhile, the other creature heaves itself forwards to strike twice at Polanko before the dwarf can retreat.
for
for
Initiative
Kevan
With the invocation of Cailien, a sense of empowerment, bravery, and a bit of tipsiness fills your thoughts. It especially helps to distract Polanco from his pain for a moment, as the flesh-fiend's counterpart also lands a claw that rakes across the dwarf's skin.
for
for
Initiative
Hudor
Aurus, guidance'd
Colleen
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Understanding what they are facing, Hudor informs his companions. "These are Lemures. They are weak but tough to hurt. If you have weapons made with silver or good-infused, that will hurt them. Also fire is worthless against them."
Knowing his cold rays won't hurt them that much, Hudor draws his crossbow and fires at the closest Lemure, hoping not to hit Smiler in the process.
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"Huh? I always pictured lemurs as a lot smaller with big eyes and more hair."
With her free hand she draws her rapier and move to the fore to engage the monsters.
Hudor snipes and Aurus and Colleen engage, but in the tight quarters their strikes miss their marks.
Initiative
Polanco -4hp
Volar & Smiler
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Polanco smirks as he stands shoulder to shoulder with Aurus this is kind of pathfinder the dwarf enjoyed most.
He drops his waraxe when he hears the word 'devil' and draws his yellow wooden...paddle looking things with sharp edges. They call this here a TAIR BOOT YAY, its made o' some kind of magic wood that counts as silver, pretty darned handy dinnae you think?
He then proceeds to slam it into the Red Thing
The swap of weapons seems to embolden the dwarf, as his spiked club slams deep into the lemure. It sags and splits and sludges onto the dirt floor, crumbling into a fleshy ooze.
Initiative
Kevan
Kevan's mornigstar sinks deep into the lemure. Moaning, it responds by striking back at the cleric with its claws, one of which digs deep.
for
for
for
Initiative
Polanco -4hp
Volar & Smiler
Kevan -4hp
Hudor
Aurus
Colleen
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Polanco shuffles forward.
Having seen absolutely NO evidence that this yellow stick is silver so far as monsters are concerned he continues to wield it with vigor. Them Ekujae sure do know how to make weapons, eh there Colleen. He says he name literally just because she walked past him
He them tries to slam the bladed club into the next poop monster.