Red Blessing : Stars and Shadows

Game Master Nimon

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Miikae runs to calm Sands down, noting his distressed state. What is it Sands? Where's Muziel? Still alive I hope." She pats him and tries to calm him before reequipping herself with shield and weapons. When they are alone she tells the others, "Let's go find out what trouble Muziel has got himself into. Be on your guard, Sands seems to be telling me it's not going to be very safe." She straps her shield on and this time, mounts Sands, going first. "Let us go first, and expect the worst. Be prepared."

"Take me to Muziel," she says to Sands.
Ride: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

I'm assuming my weapons are clear of whatever substance Muziel put on the others seeing as mine were on Sands the whole time.

Gathering his weapons, he takes care to check his musket and pistol twice over before slinging or holstering them. With Miikae declaring trouble, he looks down the street toward the marketplace. "Only say to expect the worst when its entirely reasonable to expect to die. For Muziel, too. He can't have been mutilated too badly yet... lest they got his head." Pervince gulps, holding his hand to his throat. "Lets hurry."

I hope all is well with everyone posts been a bit less of late.

The party comes to a market square and they see Muziel. You all approach Muziel and he declares flamboyantly Ha! You have fell into my trap! Now I shall destroy all of your weapons!

Roll Initiatives
Venrich 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 Ha! even with cunning initiative!
Unseen enemies 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Was off for the weekend, they tend to get tied up sometimes by folks it seems.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Sensing (against the odds) Muziel's motives, Pervince pulls his gun out as though offended by the threat to destroy it. "Muziel! You'll not have MY gun!" Meanwhile, he glances around, looking for what Muziel might be acting for.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Do we see Venrich?
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Miikae doesn't understand, but with Sands strange behavior from before she is suspicious. This doesn't seem like him at all. "What is going on Muziel!" He had all the weapons so he may be serious, she pulls her scimitar out. I trusted you...

Miikae Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Sands Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Approaching the situation in the market, Karrick stares at Muziel flatly thorugh the smoked lenses of his goggles when it looks like betrayal might be in the air. Fortunately for Karrick, the whole thing just seems off given what he knows and has seen of Muziel. Glancing down at his cold iron kerambit that are slathered with the odd oil, Karrick plays it off with some aplomb as he drops one of his knives with a clatter to the street, while attempting to hide the other one in his hand from view to give his opponents the impression that he's unarmed. At the same time, Karrick turns and unsheathes the knife he had tucked into his bracer that was given to him by the group.

In the chaos of the ambush, he scans the market quickly, looking for both a route of escape based on his knowledge of the city's layout and where the ambushers are. All the while, he's trying to minimize his presence and slip away undetected so as to turn the ambush on the ambushers.

_____________________
So I'm going to cover all my bases here:
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 (Attempting to sneak away from the group to ambush the ambushers if he can find them)
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 (Sense motive on Muziel, obviously)
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 (Knowledge to know of the best escape routes or ambush points in the location based on knowledge of the city)
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 (Scanning for attackers)
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 (Hiding one knife and his drawing of the other to appear unarmed)
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 (If he can find anyone to shiv in a dark alley, here's the attack roll for it)
 + Damage: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 (weapon damage)
 + Sneak Attack: 1d8 ⇒ 3 (sneak attack, if available)

Ha Karrick rolled everything, but what I asked for. That's ok ill do your initiative. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
You can not see Venrich. Those with Darkvision will get a chance once they are in range.

Initiative So Far
Miikae and Sands 17 Currently confused by Muziel's betrayal
Pervince 16+ Sees past the ruse and can do one action.

Lol, I'm fine with some bad acting to try and signal the party.

Spend a hero point. Muziel quickly downs a mutagen. His skin hardens and he appears more bestial in nature. +4 Dex, -2 Wis, +2 Natural Armor

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 Is it possible he already knows where the hidden assailants are since he's been hanging about?

Holding a bomb in his hand, he makes a show, as if to hurl a bomb at his compatriots. Suddenly he turns and throws it - at someone almost next to him! Muziel is targeting Venrich, standing 10 feet away.

Bomb vs. Touch AC, point blank: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 and 4 splash damage to any adjacent enemies. **Edit**I always forget the save - reflex dc14 for half splash damage.

"Look out, it's an ambush! Even more will come from the sewer!" Muziel offers a warning, knowing he would draw the ire of his now-enemies nearby. He hopes they will not be his last words.

"I knew it." Pervince aims for one of the 'merchants', a disgusted expression upon him. "Despicable, disguising as innocents!" He pulls the trigger. Cra-POW!

Musket (vs flat footed, touch): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Initiatives and actions for Surprise round

Muziel 17+ Muziel you have a better idea of whos who in the area so I will let you hit a group of them 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Miikae and Sands 17 Currently confused by Muziel's betrayal
Pervince 16+ Sees past the ruse and can do one action. He Shoots and kills one assailant.
Unseen Combatives 16- Silent positioning
Venrich 14+Activating Judgment
Karrick 14-Can act in surprise round

Gah! I knew I forgot something!

Without a word, Karrick slips away from the group and changes out his knives with a shearing sound of steel on steel. Ducking behind a cart, Karrick waits for a moment until no one is looking in his direction, then rolls out into the street and quickly hurries behind a stack of crates and wares, finally climbing up atop a few of the crates while ducking behind the ones stacked on top. He turns his knives around, holding them backhanded as he creeps along the crate tops, closing in one one of the false merchants.

The nickname Karrick had given her clearly chaffs at Kera. She says nothing however and just listens to him speak. He had such a dark view of the world that she frowned.

”In your mind everyone is out to get you and that simply isn’t true.”

With a shake of her head Kera returns to the table and continues her meal. When presented with the lovely gift Kera can only gaze on it in amazement for a moment. She then tells Samuel to thanks the men for her and that their gift is greatly appreciated.

While gathering and rearming herself Kera notices Sands charge toward them slightly out of control. Miikae is quick to clam him but she is worried because Sands was to be with Muziel. Upon finding him, with the group, she raises an eyebrow at his words.

Sense Motive 1d20 ⇒ 9

She is clearly stunned by his words and take out her Bastard sword and readies her shield. Then things happened very quickly. Muziel was yelling about an ambush and people where attacking. Quickly Kera moved into the fray.

Initiative 1d20 ⇒ 14

Muziel 17+ Muziel you have a better idea of whos who in the area so I will let you hit a group of them 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Miikae and Sands 17 Currently confused by Muziel's betrayal
Pervince 16+ Sees past the ruse and can do one action. He Shoots and kills one assailant.
Unseen Combatives 16- Silent positioning
Venrich 14+Activating Judgment
Karrick 14-Can act in surprise round
Kera 14-- Confused by Muziel's "betrayal" HA roll different numbers you guys!, I have never seen so many double initiatives. JK.

Those of you that were temporarily confused by the situation have quickly recovered and now realize that Muziel is trying to help you when he said

Look out, it's an ambush! Even more will come from the sewer

Round 2

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 An attacker attempts to sneak up on Karrick, but is easily detected by his Mutated vision. The attacker uses his pistol on Karrick 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 to hit touch 1d6 ⇒ 3 Damage

Venrich leaps from above the party and screams The Woman! Get the woman, we must feast on her goodness! as he attacks Kera.
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 at this point you are still flat footed since you did not and can not act in combat yet 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Damage from a Bec de Corbin as the Strange Mutant attacks you with his hands and his limb that has now grown catches his fall. Those with Reach weapons can take an AoO against Venrich.

Never mind the sewer. That crazed mutant was already in their midst and it seemed Muziel was still on Miikae's side, strange as this situation was. Well Muziel could be dealt with later, for now Kera needed help.
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 4 = 13

She directs Sands to Attack the mutant beast formerly Venrich and prepares her weapon to strike down on his hideous form.

Round 2

"Careful, Venrich is mostly sane!"

Muziel hurls another bomb at Venrich. I'm assuming he hasn't engaged Kera at this point, so no friendly fire.

Bomb vs Touch AC, point blank: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
4 splash damage on a miss, reflex DC14 for half.

Muziel then draws his bow while moving within 10 feet of the sewer, if possible. While moving, he glances for signs of movement, and to see whether he could block it somehow (maybe just by standing on it?) Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

If he thinks it's possible, he will end his move standing on top of the sewer cover, assuming it's solid and not grated.

Caught off-guard by the ambusher who apparently noticed his attempt at stealth, Karrick takes a glancing blow from the pistol. Snarling, Karrick leaps down from the stack of crates atop the attacker to cover the distance between them, both blades out. As he lands, he rolls forward and comes up with a slash across the figure's midsection.

__________
Move Action: Close distance to attacker who shot him
Standard Action: Attack target
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
 + Damage: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Round 2

Gripping the handle of the rifle and leaning it against his shoulder, he calmly un-holsters his pistol. Closing one eye as he aims at Venrich, he almost mutters to himself. "Its hardly sane to be killing sane people." He fires both shots in quick succession.
Using Focused Aim
1st shot, vs touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
2nd shot, vs touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Today was not Kera’s day. Once her confusion about Muziel had cleared Venrich, clearly near insanity from his mutation, was screaming about eating her. Before much could be done he was on her causing her great pain. She cried out but it didn’t stop her from bringing forth her sword.

Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

If that hits

Damage 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Round 2 Recap
Muziel 17 Throws bomb at Venrich
Miikae/Sands 17 Mounted melee with Venrich
Pervince 16 Shot Venrich
Nidal Combatives 16-One spots Karrick and fails to kill him
Venrich 14 Attacked Kera
Karrick 14 Dispatched his failed assassin while positioning to counter flank
Kera 14 Melee with Venrich.

The Bomb and gunshots seem to wound Venrich, he is not wounded by the melee so far. I think your horse does get reach, I see in the core that it is large so I will give it to you.

*******************************End of Round 2***************************

Round 3

Venrich takes a 5' step back to get full use of his large weapon and attacks Kera again with no regard for his own safty.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 If that hits 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

No longer stealth Karrick sees two more attackers coming for him. These are armed with more traditional Nidal weapons. One has a spiked chain, the other a mancatcher. The one carrying the spiked chain attempts to trip Karrick 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 and fails/Take AoO The other uses his mancatcher as intended 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Touch attack if that hits 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1 Grapple No AoO from this attack as he has reach

A few more men reveal them selfs to shoot at the party with pistols at close range, though they are clearly not well trained in them.
1d20 ⇒ 15 Range touch vs Miikae if hits 1d6 ⇒ 1
1d20 ⇒ 12 Range touch vs Muziel if hits 1d6 ⇒ 3

Handle Animal to attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 not sure if I have to keep doing this or not?
Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Hoof 1: 1d20 ⇒ 5 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Hoof 2: 1d20 ⇒ 5 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Miikae attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 = 21 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Frustrated at missing Venrich Miikae again nudges Sands to attack and at the same time she slashes diagonally down towards his head. In the back of her mind she feels a slight pain in her leg as if grazed and she looks down to see blood from a shallow wound. -1 hp

Handle animal is a free action for your companion. I am usually a pretty rules light GM, that being said I think even still you only have to do it if you are pushing your animal to do something it normally would not do unless it was trained. Like attack something it was afraid of or something like that. For the remainder of the combat you are good on the Handle animal checks for attacks.

Slinging the musket unto his back, Pervince begins reloading his pistol. He keeps calm, deliberately making each move.

"Give up Venrich! There's more for you than to meet your end here!"

When you say Venrich is "not wounded" by the melee, do you mean he's getting hit but he just soaks it up (damage resistance)? Or is he just dodging/deflecting the weapons with his armor?

Going up to the sewer, Muziel sees it is quite still, and thinks no ambush is coming from there. "Sewer is clear!"

But there was plenty to worry about in the immediate vicinity. Muziel looks for a cluster worthy of bombing, and spots a couple of men engaging Karrick. Spinning away from the man firing a pistol at him, he moves close to the man with the mancatcher before chucking another explosive flask - hoping to catch the spiked chain user in the blast radius.

Bomb vs. touch, point blank?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 The flask slips from his hand, landing astray in a random direction...miss direction: 1d8 ⇒ 4 +/-1; the bomb lands behind its target and to the left; I'll let the DM decide if anyone else gets hit.

4 damage for the splash, DC14 reflex for half.

I mean he has an AC greater than 19
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Venrich is slightly wounded by the fumbled bomb, since he is using a reach weapon I will say that he is further from the party so they are out of splash range.

Kera couldn’t take much more damage from Venrich. She looked in bad shape but didn’t plan on stopping her attack on the man. With a battle cry she attacked.

Will take a five foot step (or greater) to get into melee with Venrich

Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Confirm Crit 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

I do believe that confirms...I hope

Damage 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 & 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Curse you woman! Venrich spits out the words followed by blackened blood as he falls. Nice Kill Kera, and I will give you a Hero Point for surviving that relentless onslaught from a foe hell bent on killing you of an opposed alignment.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

The rest of Venrich's men lay down their arms and surrender with his death. Please Lord Muziel, he told us you were with us. We do not wish to continue this fight against one of our own.

Items of Intrest on Venrich
MW Agile Breast Plate
MW+ Elysian Bronze Bec De Corbin
MW Cold Iron daggers x2
MW Silver Battle Aspergillum w/holy water
Strange Scroll Case with a seal on it

Wooo! Go Kera!

With Venrich slain, Muziel is left "in charge" of the surrendering Nidalese. Though their loyalties seem unclear, perhaps some would still place their faith in the name of Lord Vyktor. Surveying the men, he beckons them to gather together.

"Do you serve the Midnight Lord? I do, and so did our Lord, Vyktor Von Zol. He was a formidable champion of Zon-Kuthon, and he was assassinated in his own tower. I and these agents have sworn to find out the truth about his death, and yet you strike out against us!" He stops abruptly, looking in the eyes of each man in turn. "You will be punished for your crime. But I am not without mercy. Aid me in my task - help me find Lord Vyktor's killers - and I will protect your interests, perhaps even reward you for your loyalty to our late Lord."

Muziel hopes to persuade these people to offer information - either now, or after he figures out how to deal with them. Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Two of the combatants had pistols. Are we able to make use of them?

Seeing the fury of Kera's final attack impressed Miikae. She quieted Sands and dismounted, letting him know it was all over for now. She ran over to the wounded woman, "Let me heal you Kera."
concentration: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
CLW(Kera): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

concentration: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
She casts Detect Magic on Venrich.

"Let us take everything of use and dispose of this disgusting sight." she says standing over Venrich.

Yes, any other weapons you encountered you may keep. Nothing else is master work, the pistols are Reidford mass produced pistols that can be broken down to their core components to fix a broken weapon. The Mancatcher and Spiked Chain are both cold iron, but not master work. LE types love them some cold iron

The Nidal men are clearly confused by this turn of events and are truly frightened that they may have gone against the Midnight LordI will follow you Lord Muziel, please forgive us he tricked us! Is said in some form or another by the remaining 10 members of this ambush. There is no sign of the promised Ratfolk that were to secure the sewer exits, you assume they retreated deeper into the sewer.
Almost forgot, there is a chance at a unique Alchemical discovery from this corpse if you so wish to take a sample of Venrich's mutation*Edit Gathrix Darkwine is among one of the dead, Karrick dispatched of him after he failed to sneak upon him.

THANKS!!! The dice were finally friendly to me

”To oblivion with you Venrich…”

Kera managed in a horse voice as the mans life blood poured out of him. With a sound of pain she fell to one knee, her tower shield digging into the ground helping to hold her up. The tip of her sword bit into the ground as she tried to keep hold of it ready to continue the battle if she must.

It seemed such things were not necessary as Muziel as his kinsmen well in hand. She was glad for that as one more blow might have her in the same shape Venrich was in.

”Thank you Miikae.”

She said with much gratitude. Any healing would be a help at this point considering how close to death Venrich had put her. Standing, after being healed, Kera nodded to Miikae’s words.

”Agreed…whole heatedly.”

Taking her eyes from Venrichs body she scans the area for Karrick to make sure he is well. No doubt he is but she just wanted to make sure.

Holstering his pistol, Pervince takes a moment to re-arm his rifle right away while slowly moving closer to Kera. "Nice swing there. But if you focus on defending yourself next time something like Venrich decides you have to die, I'll double up on putting them down before they get you. That goes for anyone, myself included! Fair enough?"

Stepping to the corpse of Venrich, Pervince double-checks that he is dead dead. He handles the search of the body. After laying the items in line for anyone to take as they find useful, he remains mindful of who takes what.

"If you trust me to handle the coin, I will sell what we don't need tomorrow before we go to Martel and split it among each of us. Does anyone want to accompany me or have me purchase anything?"

The gun-scrap will probably be useful, as Pervince does not have quick clear (which means some Mending or scraps will be needed). One merchant was put down and then there was Gathrix Darkwine, does that give us 2 pistols for scrap, not counting the guys we're letting live?

Just as Venrich was slain and the Nidalese men surrendered, Karrick winds up and smashes the one nearest to him across the face with a closed fist, knocking him back with a furious grunt of effort. Then, relenting, he takes a step back and looks down at the graze on his shoulder from the gunfire.

"We need to get out of here," Karrick intones as he closes in on Kera, briefly laying a hand on her shoulder as he looks down at her injuries, "the entire gods damned Nidal embassy is going to be coming down on us after this." Bending a knee, Karrick glances at her wounds, then looks away and runs a hand over Venrich's breastplate armor, rapping his knuckles on it with a resounding ring. Instead of taking the time to undress his foe, Karrick simply hoists the man up over his shoulder to carry his corpse.

"Come on," Karrick sharply notes to Muziel, then jerks his head to an alleyway. "Maybe you all don't care, but I'm getting off the street."

As an aside before he departs, Karrick smirks at Kera. "See you at home, Pip."

_____

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Karrick is going to grab Venrich's corpse and take him back to Kera's apartment house to lay low. He's going to enter through a window like last time. While initially I planned on this being selfish for wanting to haul off with the agile breastplate armor, I realize it also gives Muziel a chance to study Venrich's mutation with proper time. :)

As Pervince spoke Kera gave him a look that questioned his sanity.

”Pervince…I was defending myself…”

She holds out the shield that is nearly as big as he is.

”Venrich, while no doubt insane, was a good fighter. I saw my opening and I took it. I am not the kind to stand back and use firearms…sorry to disapoint.”

She was not about to stand down so they all could take pot shots at foes. Kera was, and always would be, an up front fighting. Much preferring the feeling of steel in her hand to that of a black powder gun. Nodding to Karrick’s words it is clear Kera agrees with him. His hand on her shoulder is comforting in a way she had not excepted. It seemed the rouge had a few redeeming qualities. She is unable to contain a chuckle as Karrick takes the body, which was turning into his MO.

”Yes lets go back to my home and regroup. I trust you Pervince but let us talk of such things at the house.”

It was getting late and they could all use the rest. At Karrik;s smirk and word Kera makes and annoyed face. His pet name for her was not faltering and that fact he called HER house home was grating. With a soft sigh she just shook her head and lead the others back to her home, though not Muziels new gang of followers.

Sure 2 pistols and about 300 gold in silver pieces. If you want to disarm the men you could get more. By the way, what are you going to do with the men?

Muziel talks to the men to see whether they have information on Lord Vyktor's death. He also wants to know what those Hellknights are doing in the embassy.

In case they need persuasion to talk, Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

As he is talking amongst the embassy men, he almost fails to notice the remainder of the party pack up and leave. Only a sharp word from Karrick draws his attention.

"Wait, Kera," says Muziel as she is about to lead the party back to her house. He moves closer to her, trying to keep his voice lower so that the Nidalese men don't hear. "We need to have these men detained, so they don't report Venrich's death back to Grachius. It doesn't have to be long, just bring them to Reiford and hold them a few days for disturbing the peace in time of martial law."

yes I was thinking disarm the rest of them too.

Miikae stays with Muziel helping with the detaining of Venrich's men. Stowing all the confiscated weapons and loot in a spare sack she has. "You sure had Sands spooked," she says to him, "I have plenty of rope if you need..." indicating the men. When she notices Karrick gone again and sighs.

"Sands was very friendly," replies Muziel nervously. He reaches out as if to pet Sands, then remembers the snort he gave when Muziel tried to make him carry the weapons. "Well, he didn't bite, anyway."

Muziel takes the rope and binds each prisoner with it, forming a long line. "We will have to take each of you to the local authorities due to this incident," he explains to them. "But the protection of Nidal will mean that your stay is brief." Muziel only hoped the stay wouldn't be too brief, or Grachius would find out what happened too quickly.

If that is your wish Master Muziel even though I am confused by this evenings events, I know you favor the Midnight Lord. One of the men say to you as he submits to being imprisoned, his peers follow his lead.

Kera stops as Muziel had requested and turns back to help him with the new “prisoners”

“I’m not sure we should take them to Samuel’s. He isn’t all that friendly to the Nidal.”

Where else could they take them? There was no way they would all fit in her humble home. This did seem to be a problem.

"Reiford is still subject to the law," replies Muziel to Kera. "He's not the brightest candle, but I think he knows better than to create a diplomatic incident by mistreating prisoners." He shrugs. "But it's up to you, Deputy."

Just reporting in. Karrick has no stake in the current discussion and will likely take Venrich to Kera's alone even if the group takes the others to Reidford's, simply so he can freely investigate the corpse before handing him over to "authorities". Sorry about the blood on your carpet Kera :<

I will assume everyone that wanted to weigh in on the subject has then, So it sounds like the fate of the criminals will be up to Kera. If there is anything else you would like to do in town, go ahead and post it, other wise I will assume you will all be sleeping in Kera's house and will depart for Martel in the morning.

The next day is quiet. Most people remain in doors and those that do venture out have a singular purpose and do not talk with others.
A messenger comes in the morning for Muziel.

Kera nods to Muziel and escorts the prisoners to Reiford. With that out of the way she will lead the group home so Venrich can be examined and they can all sleep. If Pervince is still up for it she will accompany him into town to sell the items off Venrich and get supplies for the trip.

Before the morning...

When the group arrives at Kera's home after dropping off the prisoners to Reidford's, they come in to a macabre scene. Venrich is laid out on the coffee table under the light of a pair of oil lanterns. A fire has been stoked in the hearth, and Karrick crouches down in front of it with his knives, turning them over in the fire before setting them down to cool on the hearthstones. When the group enters, he looks up over his shoulder to them, firelight reflecting a metallic green color off of the back of his slitted eyes.

"Hope you don't mind," Karrick rumbles from where he's crouched, perhaps ready to apologize for draping a corpse over Kera's furniture, "I started a fire." No, of course he didn't.

Rising up from the fireplace, Karrick motions to a heap of belongings on the sofa. "That's everything he had on him, 'cept his clothes." Not included in the pile is the suit of dark-toned breastplate armor that rests propped up beside the hearth. It doesn't even appear that he's leaving it up for discussion, he's just taking it.

"We need t'get out of town by morning. Our little massacre isn't going to go unnoticed, and whoever sent them after us is going to know what's what when they don't show up in the morning." Walking over to Venrich's corpse, Karrick crosses his arms over his chest. "I don't think anyone saw me bring him in. If they did..." Karrick shrugs, not really sure how to follow through on that thought.

Taking a moment, looking at the body, Karrick grows quietl, then looks up to Muziel. "So why'd they try and kill you? An' why didn't you try and kill us?" There's a subtle tone of distrust, or perhaps a need for reassurance.

After the situation with the prisoners is resolved, Muziel makes his way back to Kera's house. Once there, he can't help but notice Venrich sprawled out on the table. He was definitely going to take a look at that - but Karrick had asked a good question - why indeed didn't he try to kill the rest of them.

"Listen, all of you," he says, drawing everyone's attention. "You probably figured this out by now, but Grachius is not happy that we're investigating Lord Vyktor's death."

He takes out a note - the one he received from Gathrix. "During our little stay at the embassy, I had a little talk with Grachius, and told him I'd be working for him. I'd never really do such a thing, of course." That wasn't quite true, but he did know better than to trust Grachius. "So while you guys were all inside, Grachius gave me this little gem - a sworn statement that all of you were responsible for Lord Vyktor's death!"

Muziel sets down the official note by Grachius I.

Muziel gives folks a few moments to examine the note, if they are so inclined. "I daresay the witness Grachius would have offered was probably Venrich, who seemed to be in league with Grachius for some reason. I'm not sure what the evidence against us would have been, though we do have those sawtooth sabres in hand."

"Anyway, I'm not sure the plan would have even worked, since Reiford doesn't trust us Nidalese. But I was surrounded by my countrymen, and they could've taken all your weapons, so I needed to figure out how to weasel out of the situation and get your weapons back. So I, um..." Muziel hesitates. He didn't like the look Karrick was giving him, or the fact that Karrick had so many daggers now. His voice becomes softer, almost a whisper. "So I told them that I was going to sabotage your gear and give it back, and that it would be a good opportunity to ambush you."

Muziel continues quickly. "But that really wasn't supposed to happen at all! I was just going to tell you that we needed to take another path and avoid the ambush altogether. And your gear was perfectly safe."

He looks toward Kera, who almost died due to his plans. "Kera, if I had known, I would never have let things happen the way they did." He really felt remorseful, although it was perhaps more motivated by the thought that he might get in trouble for his scheming.

* * *

Assuming Muziel (a.) survives the night and (b.) learns about what Reiford had to say, he will do the following:

For the rest of the evening, Muziel decides to focus on his studies. He jots down the Ant Haul formula provided by Grachius. He then studies Venrich's mutation, trying to understand its unusual speed. In the morning, if he is able to go shopping, he will purchase the following:

7 Flasks of Alchemist Fire
6 Flasks of Holy water

After he reads the note, he will say: "We need to get out of town quickly. And we need to make sure Grachius doesn't figure out where we're going, because he sure knows we're here."

Listening to Muziel's story, Karrick looks down to the corpse on the table, then shifts his weight from one foot to the other as he looks back up to Muziel. "Grachius is half right." Karrick intones gravely, "I'm gonna' be responsible for a Nidalese diplomat's death." Only after giving a long enough pause to leave Muziel's fate in question does he offer a crooked smile. "His."

Relaxing entirely, Karrick shakes his head and snorts out a laugh as he turns his back to the others and walks over to the fireplace again. "Maybe there's somethin' about my name that makes people want t'blame me for murders I didn't do," another snort, this time a derisive one, "but who'm I t'buck tradition?" Kneeling down beside the fire, Karrick picks up the now cooled-off knives and slides them into the sheathes on his lamellar vest.

"Grachius is already dead, he just don't know it yet." Turning around, Karrick crosses his arms again and looks squarely at Muziel. "Objections?"

Pervince turns up a smile at Karrick's cruel humor. "I like your enthusiasm, but let's not get too excited about more murdering? We'll just end up the next assassins to get the Red Mantis all uppitey about the situation here."

He tinkers idly with the Watts gun a moment, then looks to Karrick. "But at this rate it'll be a matter of self defense. The law, good Reiford, has a good idea what side we're on. Let's hope he survives until we return."

______

In the morning, Pervince will go to sell the excess. In the process, he'll restock on food, buy a war trained riding dog and saddle, and a few cheap items of small consequential value.