Rise of the Runelords

Game Master jimibones83

Upscale?! Blue will do what he normally does. Look for companionship to crash with for the night - he likes rough trade - or, if unsuccessful, trudge back to the stables and sleep in an empty stall.

Vire will continue to be a patron of the White Deer Inn.

Ah I forgot where are my manners, Vire will also continue to pay for both Vanea and Eloviel's rooms if they desire as well.

Eloviel will stay there as well then, but Vanea may have other plans though... ^^

@Vire In that case it will be 15sp per night for 3 rooms. This post will assume 2 more nights, so that's 55sp total, counting the first night, to you and you will be current.

Over the next couple of days most people in town treat you all pretty well and everyone seems to know your names. Free food and drink are a common occurrence. You recieve 70% market value from Sevah at Sevah's Armory for the weapons you stripped off the dead goblins. Unfortunately she has no use for stinky, poor quality goblin armor.

Three days after the goblin attack, as your gathered for a late breakfast at the White Deer, in walks Sheriff Hemlock. "There they are," He says. "All of ya's in one place too. Couldn't be luckier." He walks over and sits down at the table with everyone. "Let me introduce myself to those of you who don't know who I am. My names Belor Hemlock, I'm the sheriff of Sandpoint. I'm sorry to interrupt your breakfast but I was hoping I could get you all to help me out with something."

Gold paid, also updated his gear section to be a bit easier to reference.

Vire had taken to stealing glances at Vanea whenever he could manage it, and being interrupted in one of his newfound favorite activities caused him no small annoyance.

"What is it you need Belor?"

"Wow! You're a tall drink of water on a thirsty day, aintcha? Would you like to join us for breakfast, sheriff?" Blue indicates a space free across from him.

"Well, I've already eaten but I do have a favor to ask." The sheriff pulls out a seat and sits down to continue. "As early as it is, Father Zantus has already made a trip to see me. Apparently Ezakien Tobyn's Valut's been desecrated and the door hangs open. I figure maybe there's a goblin trapped inside somehow, but Father Zantus fears the worst. I've got guards, but who better to take on a ride along than Sandpoint's newest hero's."

Vault?

Perking up a bit, Eloviel says with a smile"Oh, you flatter us. Your guards has done very efficient work to keep the rest of the town safe, thanks to your efforts. Do not think it escapes notice."

Diplomacy to improve Belor's attitude if not yet 'Helpful': 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"Hero is description better suited to Vire though," winks softly at his direction "but I would like to help out nonetheless... Has the Vault been like that since the goblin attack?"

We may not be the first in there if that's the case...

Vire can't help but blush to these words, and his mood seems to brighten.

"I'm afraid it is you who flatter me, Eloviel. I am far from in fighting form after having spent so much lax time here at home. Had it been anything more than a goblin or two, I might have been no help to you at all."

Vire seems to ponder for a moment before continuing.

"Still, accomplished goblin slayers are we four. If anyone should investigate it might as well be us."

Vire looks down at his unfinished breakfast.

"After breakfast, right?"

During the couple of days before the sherif comes to us-if possible!- Vanea will try to get an appointment into the theatre for an audition, teach the basics of Calistria's faith to Vire (wink wink nudge nudge), and get him to pay for nearly everything, like good quality clothes- the kind were you look more naked wearing them ^^-, perfume and so on, nothing too much expensive(don't honestly know if a diplomacy roll should be needed agaisnt a PC, if i must roll let know me); and lastly find if there is any brothel or ladies of the night in Sandpoint

Smiles to her serving nights-and-days

I wonder what I'll do if I was Vire-less...

Sorry, couldn't do any longer without making this joke.^^

@Eloviel "I can't say for certain yet but Father Zantus does believe so."

@Vire "That you are, and I see no harm in finishing your eggs first. If it's been in it's current state for the last couple days then a few more minutes aren't likely to hurt anything."

@Vanea It's 3:30am here, I'll get back to you on that tomarrow:)

Natalia just finished with her morning work at her mother's.
"See you later.", as she headed off, ending up at the tavern a minute after the sheriff.

"Good morning everyone.
Oh? Sheriff, to what do we owe the honor?"

"I see... If that is the case, then I'd like to have a look into this Vault sooner than later." Eloviel then proceeds to wolf down her toast with less grace than usual. Seeing Natalia arrive, she waves at her with half the toast still being chewed.

I wonder who this Ezakien is and what's the history about this vault... I believe I heard or read his name somewhere. There might be something valuable inside that someone must be after.

After finishing her toast Eloviel will ask the sheriff the following:
1. What can you tell us about the person whom the Vault is named?
2. Is there anything special kept inside the Vault that could cause special concern?
3. Do you know what kind of traps or guardians are inside that we should be aware off?
4. May we speak with Father Zantus?

@Jimibones Feel free to roll Diplomacy for me if any questions would require so. :)

Blue seems lost in the sheriff's resonant voice. After three days of healthy sleep (or whatever he's been doing with his nights), most of his color has returned (though who can tell the difference between pale grey and dusky grey?)and his wounds are healing nicely.
"So, pardon my asking, but who is, was, this Ezakien Tobyn? A town hero? The founder of Sandpoint?" Blue asks, self-consciously loosening the strings on his chemise before piling some eggs and chives onto his trencher.

Blue looks over at the sylph full of wonder. She seems to be a person who quickly gets to the heart of the matter.

"Ezakien...Ezakien...I'm trying to think back, I know I've heard of him. But from where?"

Knowledge History(Untrained): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
Knowledge Nobility(Untrained): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Knowledge Local(Untrained): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

"Perhaps it will come to me on the way, let's be off?"

Also as far as Vanea's item requests, if she wants it, Vire will try to provide it for her.

Although Vire
You cannot make an untrained Knowledge check with a DC higher than 10. So sadly the 15 will be negated :/

Natalia tries to remember any history on constructions of any Vaults.
Kn. Engineering: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

"It's been a few days now, sheriff. Didja find any leader of the goblins? Didja capture any alive? 'ave you found out what could've possessed 'em to attack a town full of people? Are you attached?" Blue slips that last question in innocuously with a raised eyebrow.

I know Natalia but growing up in the town could provide a unlimited on knowledges regarding the town, much like a library does. It all depends on how the GM wants to run things :)

The sheriff gladly answers Eloviels questions. "Tobyn was the head of our previous church. The church burned down a few years ago and claimed his life. The vault itself has no name though. It's just a small tomb that houses the remains of our previous churches priests. There has never been any reason to trap it or charge guardians with it's protection as there's nothing of value inside, but you can certainly talk to Father Zantus."

He then turns and looks at blue."Unfortunately we didn't identify a leader. The couple we did take alive seem to know very little. Those are good questions." He seems to sidestep Blue's final question with a bit of humble class.

"No response clearly means 'no current partner'. This is obviously something the sheriff would prefer to discuss one-to-one. Let me think... how could I arrange that?"

"Once we've done you this... 'favor' you've asked for, we'll 'ave to put our 'eads together and see if we can't find a way to get be'ind this goblin incursion. Sometimes you 'ave to take a strong 'and with goblins to get any sense out of 'em. By the looks of those arms of yours, you've got what it takes. But first, let's look into this tomb... No valuables, you say? Only the late priest's body. Let's 'ope some cultist freakshow isn't planning to raise 'im under their control. I 'ave a particular loathing of the undead."

"Quite the dramaticist aren't we Blue? Cultists? Like Belor already said if it's anything at all it won't be anything more than a stray goblin or two. Let's not waste the time of good father Zantus. The day is still young let's be done with this and on to more exciting things."

Hearing Blue's last question to the sheriff, Eloviel grins but only slightly, in an effort to not seem too obvious.

Bluff to not be noticed: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Seeing Vire get ready to stand up, Eloviel will excuse herself to quickly grab one last drink of milk from the kitchen before they leave.

This is very exciting! Somehow much more so than some stage performance. Hopefully it wouldn't be just a couple of boring goblins. They won't catch me unaware this time...

After you finish your meal and gather your things Hemlock leads you to the cathedral. Zantus takes you all to the vault but then the sheriff asks him to return to the church.

All but Natalia notice multiple goblin tracks around the vault.

Vanea feels confident that the tracks belonged to 6 goblins and a medium humanoid.

As you all approach the vault, the sheriff peels open the door.

2x2 is a 5' square on this map

The Desecrated Vault

"Indeed the dead have risen!" Blue shouts and moves into position, drawing his longsword as he does so.
Thank you for placing Blue right next to the sheriff. As it turns out, he IS a handsome one! ;-)
Vault

Skeleton 1 charges blue while the other steps to attack him.

Map

Spontaneously, Vania answers Blue with a wicked smile

I guess some of us are aroused too!

Talk to Vanea: free action
"Obviously, those boners got up when they saw you.", teasing smirk.

Jolt the left skeleton: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Dmg: 1d3 ⇒ 1

"You girls think this is a laughing matter?" Blue looks at them in consternation. "Here, have a humerus!"

Giggling over the exchange, Eloviel adds "These guys must have been waiting forever just to see some 'action'..."

We cannot compete with that kind of skinny girls, that's sure.

Hemlock races in to strike, slaying one of the skeletons while the other attempts to strike at Blue.

Map

I might be busy tomorrow so, just in case her turn comes up before I can respond. Please move her forward a few steps (10-15ft from the melee) to act as below:

Looks like I made it to my turn.

Eloviel will step forward holding the shortbow but closes her eyes momentarily in concentration, in search for inspiration to fill her voice. As she opens her eyes, a song will burst forth with a a beat to match the warriors' swings of combat and a melody that will hasten their steps.

Despite being sung in another language, her song quickly Inspires Courage to her fellow combatants.

Updated Map

Eloviel

Jolt the skeleton: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 1 = 20
Dmg: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Vire charges down the last remaining skeleton.

Charging Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Slashing Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5) + 3 = 14

Map

Natalia shocks the skeleton but Vire charges in to take the killing blow. The sheriff give a nod as he sheathes his sword and begins to look around.

Natalia helps searching.
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Vire takes 10 on Perception, 19

"Those boners didn't last very long, eh girls?"

Natalia didn't turn around, but said it anyway.
"They weren't impressive."

There's a robe lying in the corner. It appears that it use to have several patches on it but that they've been removed, the less faded cloth underneath revealed. But most importantly, Ezakien Tobyn's remains are missing!

"Of course it's cultists! Damn you Blue."

"Hey check this robe, i think it might have been patched in the past, but those parts have been removed."

Is the robe magical in nature?

@Natalia There's no way to tell without casting detect magic

Examining the deep claw wounds in his arm from the skeleton and biting back a few choice comebacks aimed at Vire, Blue replies, "So the former priest's body has been taken? And the robe you're studying, did he wear it to his grave? Or was it left behind by his desecraters? Who were in these other caskets?"

"Maybe there's lingering magic in the area that will givr a clue... what do you think Natalia?" Eloviel asks with a finger upon het upper lip.

The sheriff scratches his head and says, "I'm not positive, but it doesn't look like anythin I've ever seen the clergy wear. As for the other caskets, they also belong to priests of the past."

"Well, it's probably much too late for this, what with Father Zanthus and us traipsing all over the place, but let me see if I can find any tracks. At the very least, perhaps we can find out if the late god-man walked out on his own two animated feet or not."
Blue searches the ground and plants in front of and to the sides of the vault. He takes his time, assuming there's no rush. While he's tracking, the others see a very different side to him. Gone is the flirtatiousness and awkwardness they've seen from him to varying degrees, replaced by an intensity of purpose that reveals how deeply this is his element. He occasionally mutters to himself in frustration. "Filthy towns." or "Must man manipulate everything? Can nothing be left in its natural state?"
Take 20 on Track yields a 26 after deducting for the daylight and urban setting

Vanea waits until Blue finishes his tracking

Do you want me to cure your wounds now or later?