The boar is extraordinarily slow. The boar is within charging range for all of you, and you could move to within 30 feet for purpose of spells, SLA's, abilities or ranged attack. You would have to double move or charge to get within melee.
Feel free to take your actions.
Varak hadn't been much of a hunter after taking up the task of learning the faith, but he trusted his companions enough for the task. Once Ren had spotted the target, it was far easier for the lizardfolk to allow instinct to take over. Moving to stand on his horse, he'd leap off and charge in after his prey, looking to follow in and assist Orz in similar fashion.
Still thinking of this as a hunt rather than a combat, Lackspell simply reloads and fires...
To his surprise he hits!
Chrona, you and Aldern sit back and enjoy.
The boar is clearly injured, but man oh man is it mad! It's charging at you, Ren, as you're the source of most of it's pain at present. Varak and Orz will both get attacks of opportunity as it passes. Resolve your attacks first, gang!
Lackspell will repeat last round's actions ... move action to reload and then standard to fire.
Sadly, this bolt sails over the boars head and off into the bushes.
Sorry, Lackspell, I wasn't quite clear. I meant for Orz and Varak to resolve their AoO's first, then the boar will go, then you guys :)
Ah ok sorry ... getting ahead there.... well when it's his turn he'll be missing :)
The AoO hits but does little damage,.
Varak would also swipe at the boar with one of his razor sharp claws as it tried to escape the pair of reptiles.
Varak's mighty claw rips a chunk out of boars hide and it begins to bleed profusely! It continues it's charge for a couple of steps before starting to lose momentum and eventually it falls, dead, several feet in front of Ren.
Aldern Foxglove claps enthusiastically.
"Wonderfully done! An expert ambush! The beast had no chance!"
Aldern continues to be effusive in his praise. He particularly compliments Ren's archery and Chrona's coolness. After a moment, he suggests returning to Sandpoint with the boar. The fresher it is, the better for Ameiko's cooking. Plus it will give you a chance to invite notable townspeople.
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Ren is quite generous with her thanks to Praetor, Lackspell Varak and Orz.
Thank you all so much for your help! If you had not all saved me, I don't know what would have happened! That big beast was charging right at me.
She gives each both the men big smiles, a thank you handshake to Varak and pats Orz on the head.
You are surely getting an extra piece of boar from my plate tonight she says softly to the little dinosaur.
Then still smiling she mounts back up and waits for the rest of the group to collect the boar and be ready to ride.
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"Well fought, everyone!"
Praetor unsheathes a dagger and goes to work cleaning the boar. "Don't want it to spoil on the ride home!" He opens the animal from pelvis to sternum and removes its innards. "Here Orz, a treat! GAH-HAH-HA!"
Praetor lifts the very large and very dead boar up onto his shoulder then rests it on Ren's horse just behind the saddle. "Ren, you can do the honor of bringing it back to town," he says with a big smile. "I'm fairly certain Chrona would be none too pleased with a bloody pig in her lap, and I'm not so sure Varak would be able to keep himself from eating it! GAH-HAH-HA-HA-HA!"
You are able to prepare the boar and get it ready for transport. Are you ready to return?
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"Well done! My, I scarcely believe such an ugly thing would taste as good as it does. Ah yes, I appreciate your, umm, courtesy Praetor. Let's be off and start this beautiful fire! We have festivities to prepare!"
On the ride back Chrona will ask Aldern about the details of this town meal, like the sources of local spirits, what sides will accompany the boar, what sweets will be served after, and who will be performing music to dance to.
Varak could only chuckle as Ren shook his hand, happily returning it and giving a grin and shrug at the young paladins energy, admitting it would be quite has to fight down his instincts when it came to eating. The boat had been a fair catch and it tasted far better than any goblin. The joy that came from the praise of his friends and the pride of the successful hunt, outweighed the feeling of annoyance towards the noble who seemed more focus on the females of their group. Again though, he'd swallow it down for the journey back. "It was a hunt we can be proud of! I hope you all can enjoy every bite of this pig!
The journey back is pleasant. The sun is shining and Aldern excitedly comments on all your prowess. Chrona, Aldern tells you that he has left such details to Ameiko, as he has no doubt she is well suited to such tasks. Such planning is, after all, beneath him.
Most especially, he compliments your quiet bravery in the face of the charging boar. You seemed ready to simply stare it into submission! Aldern is suitably impressed.
You return to Sandpoint and the Rusty Dragon. Ameiko is there and appraises the boar with raised eyebrow.
"Not bad! I should be able to make a rather fine dish from this...perhaps my mother's curry," she says as she begins to ready her tools to fully butcher the boar.
It will take several hours. Ren, if you wish, you may aid Ameiko in cooking. This will effect the quality of the meal. You can either aid another or you can make your own skill check, representing perhaps a side dish of your own creation.
The rest of you have several options, some already known to you and some suggested to you by regulars at the Rusty Dragon.
Varak, if you wish to help the feast, you may make a Survival or Knowledge Nature roll. This is less to hunt anything as there will be plenty of meat, but you will be able to find some local herbs to help supplement the dish. Based on your roll, I will provide a bonus to Ameiko and Ren's (if she chooses to cook) rolls.
Praetor, if you wish, you can continue to work with Jareth. That will be a Diplomacy roll. I am treating this as kind of a side quest and your Diplomacy results with Jareth will from now on be part of an extended skill test. The end result will be determined by how much time you have spent with Jareth and the quality of your rolls.
Varak, there are still people injured from the attack on Sandpoint. If you would like to lend your skills as a healer, you may go to the Cathedral and help the injured. If you choose to do so, make a Heal check. Any healing spells spent in this endeavor will add a cumulative +5 modifier to your roll.
Lackspell, you may use Craft: Alchemy to create a special alcoholic concoction for the evening. The drink and people's reactions to it will depend on the result.
Chrona, if you wish, you may make a social roll (your choice, but the type of roll will color the consequences of the result) to continue to schmooze Aldern.
Anyone may make a Bluff, Intimidate or Diplomacy roll. This roll may attract extra or unique guests to your event this evening.
You may only choose ONE of the listed options. Lackspell could not, for example, create a beverage and attract guests.
I will not be listing DC's; I will simply adjudicate results.
What he is aiming for is a lightly spicy and strong of taste to match the flavor of the boar meat without being too strongly alcoholic. He's not a big fan of big drinking, so he's aiming for something that's nice to drink but only gives a polite buzz. :)
Varak will spend his time as he always does, walking the paths of Sandpoint, eager to see what new treasures and people lie ahead. He happily informs his companions that any who wish to join him are of course welcome. Upon learning of those still injured on his walk, he will most assuredly make his way to the cathedral. Not seeing any need for his casting of spells this day, he will give up all three healing spells to heal those that are injured.
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Praetor unloads the boar, then heads to the guard tower to speak with Jareth. He drags a chair across the stone floor, then sits silently for a few moments. His half plate is still stained with the boar's blood - a fact he does not bother to mention to the goblin, deciding instead to let the goblin's mind run.
"Hello Jareth." He sits for a moment, allowing the silence to hang over them. "How are the guards treating you? I imagine they want your blood after that little stunt your kind pulled. Some of their family and friends are wounded or dead because of you."
The paladin spits on the floor beside him. "The people of this town want your head, Jareth. I get foul looks just for coming down here. But I'm feeling different about you, like there might be some reason you're alive. The Dawnguard is big into atonement. Do you know what that is? Doing good deeds to make up for the bad ones. I want you to think about that, Jareth. When I see you next, I want you to tell me what you plan to do to atone for your deeds."
Before the goblin can answer Praetor stands, drags his chair noisily to its original spot, then leaves. Just before he closes the door, he says "There's to be a feast tonight. I'll send good meat for you. And an ale, too."
He returns to the inn and goes upstairs to change out of his half plate. He keeps the sword on his back, then heads downstairs to socialize until the feast is served.
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After changing out of her dress and back into her good outfit (plus an apron and second dagger) Ren is happy to help in the kitchen. She works quickly aiding Ameiko with the cooking of the boar and the preparation of all the fixings for the feast.
She's still in makeup, and actually humming happily to herself as she works away in the kitchen.
This turned out to be a wonderful day!
Since he is in the kitchen, she of course imposes on Lackspell to taste some of her creations before getting final approval from Ameico.
"Many as...different as you might shirk healing those in need, given how I'm sure some may react to you. But instead, you fight for our town both in combat and in peace. I cannot thank you enough, but I'd like you to have this. I had intended on using some of the charges to heal those in need, but since you have helped, there is now no need. I rather suspect you'll have need of this in the future."
He offers you a Wand of Cure Light Wounds, fully charged.
Lackspell looks a little startled when Ren asks him to taste her cooking.
Goodness! I'm not much of a cook, I hope she doesn't think I'm going to have much to offer....
But then his eyes widen as he tastes her cooking and a smile breaks out over his face.
Ren, that is absolutely lovely. I had no idea you were so talented a cook. And I think your creation is going to go really well with what I've mixed up. It's not so delightful as what you have made, but I think the two will go well together.
He offers Ren a little taste of his brew.
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Ren smiles as she brings her dishes over to Ameiko for plating and serving.
Well it seems like we will have at least one happy diner tonight.
When she returns to get the next dish she tries a sip of the offered drink. She thinks for a moment the says.
Oh Wow! Mistress Ameiko you MUST try this. It is sweet, crisp and smooth with a very fruity finish. Master Lackspell you say there is alcohol in this? Hmmm. I can not taste any. How is it made?
On hearing all the ingredients of the drink she looks down at her cup.
If that much alcohol is really in here... Mistress Ameiko you are going to have a bunch of Very happy patrons tonight. Particularly the women, this will sneak up on them.
Then she steps close to Lackspell and smiles up at him:
Can I please have just a small glass more to sip while I cook? This is far too good not to enjoy right now.
Lackspell blushes as Ren steps close to him ...
Goodness, it's ah ... it's very warm in the kitchen isn't it?
But then he looks both surprised and delighted as she asks for more.
Oh! You like it? That's wonderful... of course, of course you can have some more...
He pours her another glass.
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As they arrive into town Chrona watches as everyone hustles off to responsibilities or other interests. She let's Aldern's help take her horse if they are around and smooths the evidence of sitting in a saddle out of her dress.
"Well, it appears to be a beautiful day Aldern. Are you tied up with prior commitments until the feast or would you care to walk and speak to the people with me?"
If he accompanies her, Chrona will avoid talking about her past and background. She'll keep things in the present or on him, often noting the fresh flowers that are out, items that are beautifully crafted, or smells that are enticing. She does this bit as a test how freely he psends his coin as well as to further feel out the man's tastes. She's curious if he has the fine eye for culture and authenticity that befits a true nobleman, or if he was perhaps raised outside of the courts and is not the real deal.
His eye and manner are quite discerning. Aldern wastes no time on lesser items or pleasures, and if you express interest at a thing (within reason), he has no qualms about buying things to please you. All in all it is a rather pleasant day with a handsome, rich noble who is obviously interested in you.
The day flies by as you all make your preparations. Eventually, night falls, and the Rusty Dragon attracts not only it's regulars, most of whom you've become acquainted with in recent days, but several notables. Mayor Deverin is in attendance, as is the Sheriff, Father Zantus, and most of the merchants and gentry.
The atmosphere is festive, and once the inn has a goodly amount of people, Ameiko taps a glass, getting the room's attention.
"Thank you for coming! This boar, and this fine libation, have been provided for us by the same people who saved so many of us from the Goblin attack. Let us gives thanks for that, and for this, to the Heroes of Sandpoint!"
There is a roar of approval from the crowd. Smiles abound, and people begin to help themselves to the food and the drink. Compliments abound, and several of the townspeople engage you in small talk as they move to eat.
"Thank you Father Zantus. It's the teaching of my master and of Lord Apsu that guide me to protect any I can. Mindless destruction and wickedness cannot be tolerated. I will use your gift and my own to help here and wherever my path leads after," he said, happy of his with the human priest. Although his friends couldn't join him this day, he was excited for their shared feast
Varak attends that night, dressed in his best robes for the evening. He grins wide at the approval and friendliness of all those in attendance, and even wider at the toast in honor of him his friends. He sat close with the others, whispering thanks to both Lackspell and Ren for their cooking.
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Before the dinner, Ren changes back into her fine dress and jewelry.
This time she leaves behind her bow and quiver, but attaches an obvious dagger on her Girdle.
Even a lady must carry one knife right?
Then under what she is starting to think of as her "Lady Persona" she heads downstairs to face the crowds.
Remember, Play the part, and they will never see you.
The crowd of course makes her nervous, but applying some hard learned lessons on hiding who you really are, she manages to adopt what she believes is a graceful persona that matches her outfit though most of the night.
Excluding of course the time that she did grab hard unto Varak's hand when Ameiko focuses attention on her group and the cooking.
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Praetor spends his night toasting and feasting and making small talk with the townspeople.
Surprisingly, he does not overdo it. With all the important people about, he has the self-awareness to avoid drinking more than a glass. Plus, his preferred drink is typically a bit harder. He sends a mug down to Jareth.
The paladin spends his time talking to Varak. Something about the lizard priest makes Praetor comfortable. Peaceful, but dangerous. A good heart, too. I barely know him, but I trust him more than the rest of these ragtag friends.
He also speaks with Mayor Deverin and Sheriff Hemlock. "This is a wonderful town you have here. Beautiful and spirited. Shame to see it terrorized by goblins... So, how many guards do you have at hand? Is there any regular training regimen?" In the end Praetor does his best to reassure them both that he and his new friends will do everything they can to protect the town and eliminate any potential threats.
Praetor, you and your allies have clearly won the trust of the Mayor and the Sheriff. Hemlock speaks.
"We have about seventy guards. There's normally four or five at any given entrance to the town, and the rest patrol or wait at the barracks to be called in case of emergency. Truth be told, since the Late Unpleasantness, there's not been much for us to do. The odd Goblin raid, to be sure, but nothing like what we faced a few days ago. Never more than ten or fifteen at a time. We do train regularly; formations, with a focus on shields for defense and polearms to keep foes at bay."
They continue chatting companionably, and the mood at the feast is pleasantly mellow. Everyone is drinking, eating, and having a good time when, suddenly, someone slams the tavern's door open and bellows out a sharp-tongued command in a strange language.
The new arrival is a middle aged man with a sharp nose, richly dressed and finely groomed. People in the crowd clearly recognize him, and suddenly, most people in the room become quiet and suddenly very interested in their meals.
He begins to look around the room, clearly searching for someone.
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Arkon is back in his furs and leathers and he is sitting in the common area and he finds himself relaxing in an urban environment
"Hmmmm. who would thought .. " he muses to himself giving Orz an absentminded scratch on the head..
He even partakes of Lackspells drink... "One won't kill me... I hope.."
When the man enters the inn.. Arkon looks him over.
Lackspell, still dressed in his finery has been, for the most part, having a pleasant evening. He's had a few people come up to him and talk to him, complimenting him and thanking him either for helping with the town's problems or for providing the evening's drink. If the sudden attention of comparative strangers makes him uncomfortable he does his best to hide it, and he can clearly see that the rest of his group are getting rather more of the attention than he is, which is something of a relief to him.
He had been having an interesting conversation with Farmer Grump, who claimed to have seen the Sandpoint Devil, a subject of some interest to Lackspell, when someone standing nearby, Lackspell didn't even notice the person talking at first, suddenly asks So, tell us what happened out on Chopper's Isle...What did you find out there?. Suddenly, he is transported back there. In his mind's eye he sees again the darkness, the body of the child and the horror of the demonic thing.
His heart rate suddenly speeds up and he has trouble catching his breath as the memory takes hold of him. The animation that was on his face when discussing the Sandpoint Devil falls away and he seems to lose focus on those around him.
What did we find? The island... we found ... we ... Although still audible to those around him, his voice has lost much of its strength. We found ... we found ... then, after a long pause, almost in a whisper... Ren?
Then the door slams open and Lackspell is saved from the fallout of his lapse as all eyes are drawn to the man entering the room. Lackspell's reaction is a little slower than everyone else, but he too looks at the man, a wrinkle of puzzlement furrowing his brow as he neither recognizes him nor understands what his is saying.
The man's wrinkled face alights on the six of you, and he makes his way over to you. He is walking with a cane, though by his gait you can tell it is decorative rather than necessary. He thrusts his cane out, indicating all of you.
"So, the newfound 'heroes'," he says with a sneer. "Your foolish antics against the Goblins put the townspeople at risk! Brandishing weapons, flinging about magic...leave it to the trained professionals! There's a reason my taxes help support our blasted guards!"
Varak was happy to help Ren through her brief fright, and greatly enjoyed his conversation with Prawtor. It had been a rather fun night and certainly enjoyable, the warpriest giving Chrona a little nudge and a wink, a secret message to awe the audience as she had with the children not to long ago. However, the sudden appearance of the old man would surprise them all as he slammed the door.
He would not say much, even when subtly insulted as meddlers and putting the town in danger. He'd only eye the man, quietly considering his words and letting him share and think what he felt. His tail did strike against the floor once in annoyance but he was quick to reign that in check as well.
Already slightly off balance, Lackspell gasps and takes a step back at the older man's open scorn.
Try as he might, he cannot muster any arguments against the accusations.
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Praetor stares with contempt at the wealthy man that scolds them for defending Sandpoint.
Quickly calming himself, but still zesty over the stranger's accusations, Praetor speaks up. "Foolish antics?" He scoffs. "Ser, the people were put at risk by the goblin raid, not our actions to defeat it. If you doubt that I suggest you take a stroll through Father Zantus' cathedral, see the wounded for yourself, then visit the graves of those slain by the goblins. Do that, then come tell my friends how they put these fine people at risk."
Praetor pauses for a moment, but continues before the man has a chance to interrupt. "And fear not Ser, your taxes were hard at work. The guards of Sandpoint fought brave and well against the goblins - they were simply outnumbered. My friends and I recognized their need and acted." He turn to those at the feast, to his friends, then back. "Why don't you ask the fine people of Sandpoint if they felt at risk by our actions?"
Suddenly realizing his defensive tone and the loud volume at which he spoke, Praetor relaxes. His chest deflates as if he'd breathed fire out his lungs. He awaits a reaction from the newcomer, and expects it to be sharp as a blade's edge.
Calm your tongue, Initiate. You do not know this man, nor his standing. This is not the night or the place for starting trouble.
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Ren is shocked by this strangers words, and looks at the man in shock.
Is he really suggesting that we should stand by and allow the children to be attacked? Because we do not get paid to protect the town?
As she works up the courage to say something Praetor gets up and says things better then she ever could.
The crowd cheers appreciatively at your words, Praetor, but the man is not cowed. He snorts derisively and indicates all of you.
"Really? This is what we want? Fah! Just what we need- a filthy band of vagrants to attract even more trouble to town."
He is clearly about to continue, when suddenly, Ameiko pushes her way through the people to see what the commotion is about. She is carrying a ladle still half full with curry. When she sees the man in front of you, she glowers at him and crosses her arms. He begins to speak in the same language as before, and she answers him in that same language. The speech begins to get more heated, and before long the two are veritably shouting at each other.