Vank turns and strikes at the creature barely drawing blood with his sword, while Nadine withdraws along the edge of the brackish pool. The damage must somehow have distracted the large predator because its jaws closes in thine air well clear of Vank.
[ooc]Weren't they were both standard actions?[/dice]
Stepping out of the way of the jaws and around the beast (to make easier for others to flank) he swings.
He swings well wide.
Safely out of harm's way, Nadine twirls her fingers. "Ebete!"
Stanislav seems to be focused on some rocks on there trail, I guess.
Robert steps up and stabs with his knife.
to hit; damage
Stanislav moves to within 10' of the frog and slices at it.
Unluckily for the escapees both Robert and Stanislav misses their attacks. However their luck turns as Nadine magic causes the large toad to sway for a moment allowing you crucial time to strike.
Round 2 begin, Vank you are up.
Vank smiles at Nadine in the dark "You are very good at that, I'm glad we are fighting together."
Vank swing his sword heavily trying to make the most of the toad's slowness and flank with Thomas.
And true to his intentions the beast falls dead back into the pool.
Standing by the dead creature you can choose to try and track it or continue towards the house by Old Moor road.
[b]I wonder if it has some sort of den.[/dice]
"I does a toad have a den? It'll be hard to follow in this marsh." Vank starts looking out of curiosity.
Nadine grimaces with disgust as Stanislav bursts the toad with his sword. But the lady smiles shyly at the Hobgoblin's praise. "Robbie helped me learn it. A simple thing, but very useful when one has limited resources. Others might overlook such a small advantage, but now they're all dead aren't they?"
"Somehow I seriously doubt they do. I think we should continue."
"Right, we can't follow it back any way." Vank says continuing on.
"Let's get on with it, gentlemen. I do not want to be mucking around in this mess all day."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Indeed. It would hardly do to keep our ladies waiting, eh?"
The ground turn more solid beneath your feet as you put Branderscar further and further behind you. At some point you reach actually solid ground and find your self standing on a road running along the moor. Looking for some direction you spot a small light way up the road. Approaching you see a large imposing manor alone on a small hill. The light is from a lantern standing on the porch. The stone of the walls is tempered by sun and rain, plants grows on the walls. A large wrought iron fence encircles your sanctuary.
You find the door open and the mourning lady from Branderscar waiting for you just inside. Her piercing green stair scan over you, her platin blond hair and pale skin is now matched by a diaphanous white gown.
“Dearest, you took long enough,” she says pitilessly. “We were beginning to wonder if you’d ever make it. Oh, and you brought friends. The master commands all of you to appear before him but before that, you must be made presentable. Slaves!” She claps her hands. A
dozen young attractive men and women all wearing very traditional servant’s livery appear quickly, their heads bowed. [/b]“These people are our guests,” [/b]she commands imperiously. “See them to their rooms. I want them cleaned, dressed and refreshed. Quickly.” There is something in that last word that sounds like a threat. Certainly the slaves take it that way, hustling to perform their duties.
The slaves are as addled and enchanted as the sergeant was.
Interesting. Thomas thought to himself as he was taken to his room by two of lady servants.
Stanislav allows himself to be taken care of. Ware the wound here. he says.
sense motive
Robert allows himself to be guided by a comely female slave, openly ogling her as they go.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Nadine glares at the woman and glances down at her own dirty, disheveled peasant's dress. She rolls her eyes at the woman's words and stubbornly crosses her arms. She cocks her head to one side and gives a mocking smile. "Oh thank you. " You swear you hear the next words, but cant be certain. "Stupid tart."
She looks at the collection of slaves and rolls her eyes again at the men ogling the young women. She points to a small red headed girl. She was more cute than beautiful. "You. Do you have any brains? Come with me. I swear I should have kept Irena."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Vank mutters to himself as he is lead away "We are presentable..." Then continuing his muttering in goblin "Dumme Menschen, das blut unserer Feinde bringt ehre auf uns und Verbündeten. Ich habe genug, nur sagen Sie uns, warum sie hatte uns erfasst dann befreit und werden mit ihr."
The women leads Thomas up the stairs to the first floor in silence. Turning left down the hall way they stop in front of the second door on the right and steps aside after having opened the door, presenting a small but well fitted room. Over the roaring fire in the fire place hangs a pot with boiling water and a lavish bath tub stands near by. Within an arms reach of this stands a small table with a chair. A goblet of pure water waits to quell your thirst. A wardrobe stands close to the turned down bed.
A slave leads Stanislav up behind Thomas and leads him to the opposite room, while another one leaves when he indicate his wounds. The rectangular room is dominated by a large oaken desk standing before the window with a matching chair. A wardrobe and bed clings to opposite walls while at more modest bathtub awaits before the fire. While water also awaits you, the servant you saw disappear before arrives with another goblet handing you a glass of red wine, looking closer you see herbs mixed with it.
The slave walks in front of Robert showing no visible signs of noticing his interest. They walk to a door a little further down the hall than Thomas and Stanislav. This room is spacious with a large double bed next to the window and a wardrobe at the end. A large bathtub fit for more than one waits by the blazing fire. A small table stands next to it water already poured.
Either the woman doesn't hear Nadine or she ignores her. The girl pointed out looks a little bewildered but dutifully steps forward. She follows a polite step behind Nadine and when they reach the landing she indicates for Nadine to turn left to a room opposite Robert. Like Stanislav's this room is rectangular but only a small elegant table stands by the window with a couple of chairs. The wardrobe and bed are also slightly more feminine. The bathtub is decorated with flowers wrought in metal. The girl holds a crystal glass with water towards Nadine.
The slave stops and look at Vank as he speaks, clearly not understanding the hobgoblin. When Vank says nothing in a word he understands he leads on to a room even further down the hall. A larger room with the furniture placed along the walls and a bathtub in the middle.
"Ah...now I can feel better." Robert sheds his soiled clothes and gets into the tub gladly enough.
"Slave. Pour some water, then wash and service me."
Once clean ans satiated, Robert looks for clean clothing before instructing the slave to bring him back to speak with the master of the house.
Looking about the room, Thomas thinks to himself, Rather cozy, isn't it? Turning to the two women who escorted him up here, the young rogue says, "Thank you, your assistance is long required." With a gentle wave of his hand, he added, "You're dismissed." Once they were out of the room, he immediately began searching for anything suspicious. Having found none, he went to the small table, lifted the water glass, and took a slow whiff. Nothing. Still, it seems strange that someone would help us accomplish the impossible without reason. Thomas drank the water, disrobed and poured himself a hot bath. When he finished that, he went to the wardrobe and looked for some suitable attire. Finding a dark green shirt, black pants, knee high black boots, and a black belt, the man couldn't help but think, Now this is more like it. Before getting dressed however, Thomas quickly wiped the grime off of the cloak and laid it by the fire to dry. Only then did he dress himself.
Looking the slave in the eye Stanislav first sips at and if he gets no indication not to, consumes the glass of wine.
When they arrive at the room he ignores the slave and starts searching the room. He first checks the windows to see if they are locked and as a possible escape route. Then looks through the furniture for more appropriate clothes and if find them will check if they seem to tailored for his size and build. Then he'll close the door and lock it before washing. Once clean and back armed and armoured he'll go in search of Grumblejack.
Nadine surveys the room. "Well, it will do. Better than my last accommodations, at least." She turns back to the girl and accepts the glass. "Water? I suppose it will do for now. Next time, tea and watered wine, my dear. Now, what's your name?" Nadine deposits her crossbow and bolts near the table. She goes over to open the wardrobe. "It would seem peasant's clothes are no longer appropriate. I should have something more fitting my station."
"Now, my dear, I require several things of you. First, information. Who is that blonde woman? From her manner, she appears to run this place. Also, what in the name of Asmodeous are we doing here?"
"Second, a bath and new clothes. A dress in blue or dark red will do. Something modest, yet fine. I will not go looking like a pauper in her presence again."
"Third, a sewing needle and thread. I need to fulfill my promise to Robbie."
The woman brings you a glass of water as requested. As you swallow the first mouthful you fell the cold slightly mineral water caress your thirsty throat and realises how much better this is than what you have had in a long time. Once she notices that you turn your attention towards the bath she find a sponge and begins to wash you gently, removing the soil of Talingarde. Once done she finds a towel and dries you off.
Overstepping where? If you want it no problem with in the next 3 days in game you should have it.
The servant looks back at you with an almost blank expression void of most personal features. Carefully sipping a small amount you feel a delighting warmth course through your body. Taking a few larger sips you feel the warmth intensifying to an almost uncomfortable level before slowly disappearing taking some of your wounds with you.
The slave wait without saying a word or expression as Vank finds the window open and the climb manageable should it be required. The wardrobe contains cloths of different sizes and colour all in a sturdy quality. Once done washing and dressing Vank walks a few door down the hall to the room with the most noise. Opening the door he see an almost panicked grumblejack yelling at two slaves standing in the far side of the room. he doesn't seem pleased with water for drinking or bathing.
The girl is silent not answering your questions. Looking carefully she doesn't seem to harbour ill will, she just doesn't speak. Opening the wardrobe several different dresses great you. All in fine wool, but different cuts and colours. At your request for thread and needle she bows and leaves only to return shortly later with a basket with different threads and needles. She waits for you to indicate that you want to bath.
Vank considers intervening but decides that would be rude without invitation and so watches to see what happens next.
Sitting in his room on the edge of the bed, Thomas gently touched the left side of his face. All of the images of every wizard he has killed flashed before him, causing his anger to rise substantially. I hope our 'benefactor' isn't a wizard, or they won't live through the night. Quickly moving to the wardrobe, the rogue cut a suitable piece of dark cloth, made sure there was a hole big enough for his eye, and covered the scarred portion of his face. This will have to do until I can find something better.
Stanislav revels in the healing draught. Quite happy to be healed he sends his servant for food and wine. Bring good food and better wine and I will dismiss you for the night, IF I am pleased. He then strips down and bathes, cleaning both himself and his gear. After which he dresses in the finest clothing he has access to, rearms and armors himself, and awaits his refreshments.
Nadine stares at the girl. "You can understand me, but not speak? Can you nod yes or no?" She rolls her eyes. "I should have known better than to think that tart would offer any assistance which she wouldn't control entirely. Tell me, can any of you speak?"
"Fine, let's start with the bath." Nadine readily accepts the girl's help in disrobing and cleaning her in the tub. It's been weeks since she's been clean and the water turns filthy. Rising from the tub, she walks over to the wardrobe, dripping water everywhere. She takes a towel from the girl, absentmindedly, patting herself mostly dry.
"This one will do. Blood-red. Oh, and it has adorable little gold flowers down the side! A pity it's not in something finer than wool, but it will do for now." She dresses into the new garment. She frets over the places where the dress doesn't fit quite right, but overall it's a good match.
Though her hair is still wet, the transformation in remarkable. The small woman now looks quite respectable and it is easy to see her as a minor lord's wife. She smooths out the dress, fingering the embroidery, and humming to herself.
"Now, leave me. I have some things to discuss with my son. I assume, the harlot will summon us at some point. Ensure I am not disturbed until then."