Tales from the Feralwood

Game Master Kobash

The woman nods politely with each introduction, but her lips never smile and her eyes are calculating. Her gaze seems to linger on Myhm and Teena.

"You would do well to take some instruction from Shanee." She says to Stroud when he is done. "I sense he is quite educated in etiquette. Now, I suppose I must introduce myself."

To the group, she says, "I am Mistress Alhari, third wife of Gefen of House Forturi. Is it true that you wish to settle Stroud's debts? The sum is not insubstantial."

"And what, pray tell Milady, is the scope of Stroud's debts?" Troxell asks in a skeptical tone. "And of further interest to those of us traveling in his circle, how did he acquire these debts?"

"1000 gold with interest and penalties based on the delivery of damaged goods."

"Say we were to help Stroud settle his debt to you, would that curry any favor with your house? We are searching for information and would we willing to help him out with that in exchange."

"What my friends here are trying to say is....After we settle Strouds debt, which we intend on doing even though it is much larger than we were led to believe, We would like to enter into negotiations about other business you might be able to help us with."

Shanee looks around

"But first is there any wiggle room on the interest rate. It does seem a bit excessive. Maybe a "good faith" discount for future business. Maybe a discount for introductions in other cities. Maybe there is something I or we could do for you. I myself am a fair entertainer if you were throwing a party."

Stroud stands quietly and in awe realizing that living a life as an indebted slave to Gefen may not be in his future after all.

Myhm does not like the look from the woman at all. Like an animal sensing poison or danger, he unconsciously takes a few slow steps backwards.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"You come here with an outstanding debt and ask for additional favors?" Alhari allows herself a laugh. "Let us not waste time. I can see you are here on business beyond Stroud's debt. Tell me what it is you seek and then we shall haggle on the cost."

Stroud removes his ring and bag of gold pieces.

"Before we discuss their needs, I would like to be free of Gefen's debt. Here is a beautiful ring worth 500 gold pieces, and a bag of 196 gold coins. That's 696 gold Alhari."

He turns back to the rest of you and says, "Can I borrow 304 gold pieces my friends?"

Myhm hands Stroud his bag of rations with random loose gems and coins at the bottom.

Teena will happily cover the rest.

With a sniff that seems dissappointed in the lack of haggling, or perhaps annoyed that her leverage over Stroud is gone, Alhari has a guard take the payment.

"Now then, what favor would you ask?"

"WHERE"S DOVAN?!, Myhm was about to blurt out but presses his lips shut and waits for anyone else to answer Alhari.

"We have been looking high and low for this Dovan fellow. Rumor has it he's in this town and we aren't leaving until we get a sit down with him. We'd be obliged for any help in making that happen.

"Well now that you know what we would like why don't you and I sit down with a good drink and discuss the terms of an agreement."

Shanee smiles broadly and readys himself for what he is sure to be a stimulating negotiation and adds.

"That is if you can help us"

Troxell continues to quietly observe the transaction, having nothing to add with his charismatic companions taking lead in the negotiations.

Alhari listens to your request with a thoughtful expression. At Shanee's suggestion she nods. "Excellent suggestion. I need to bring this request to my husband and his spymaster, but if you would wait here I will have some refreshments brought up."

Stroud's eyes narrow subtley. He studies the woman, not trusting her intentions.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

sense motive: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28

Once the lady steps outside, Teena asks in a whisper. "Can we trust her, or is she bringing trouble back with her?"

With a nod, Alhari leaves the room to speak with her husband.

Stroud's eyes light up at the mention of snacks!

"Tea would be lovely Alhari!"

Shanee smiles broadly "Excellent I'll entertain while we wait"

He then pulls Teena over twords one side of the room saying

"Come dear I will need some inspiration" and whisper in her ear as he give her a kiss on the cheek "Play along and be ready somethings up"

Once set up he starts to sing

preform sing: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 35

Tea and Marascari coffee are brought in shortly and you are left to wait upon word from the Master of the House. Shanee begins a song...

Of the four guards left to watch the two entrances to the room, two of them begin to nod along to the words, their eyes almost glazing over. The third narrows his eyes and glances at the fourth.

Shanee, how will you make the suggestion?

Ten minutes pass...

Shanee's serenade of the guards seems to have swayed two of them quite well. At first standoffish, they soon become almost friendly. As time passes one of them steps closer to Shanee and whispers a warning.

"Look, it's probably not my place to say it, but I think you should know. The House of Forturi is no longer under Gefen's control. He made a bad deal that caught the attention of Irovetti and was arrested a few weeks ago. Mistress Alhari has been handling our business, but under the eyes of Irovetti's agents. She's probably reporting to them right now."

"My little buttercup has the sweetest smile...", tea in one hand and coffee in the other, Myhm was well into the third verse. Completely hypnotized by Shane's music, he continues to nod and half sing along in deep baritone with mistaken lyrics. "Dear pretty butterfly won't you play awhile..."

When Shanee tells the group about the warning, Teena immediately perks up. "Damned big city politics. We need to get out of here now! We can't fight the whole Irvotti family, doesn't sound like.". She gets up and is ready to rush out of the room.

When Shanee finishes his song he announces "Well gentlemen it has been a pleasure but we did not think this would take so long and we have other engagements.

He bows slightly and continues.

"Do not worry we can show ourselves out"

and then whispers to Teena "We need to get out of here troubles brewing"

Stroud, understanding the way Marascar works, with it's intrigues and shifting loyalties, immediately stands and heads for the door.

"Let's blow this Baklava stand!" He keeps his hand on the hilt of his Scimitar ready to draw at the first sign of danger.

"I must say, this situation is completely unsurprising." Troxell says dryly as he follows the others out and away from the potential ambush.

Deciding to get out of House Forturi before something bad happens, Shanee and Stroud lead the group toward the door heading back toward the exit. Two of the guards in the room make to intervene, but the two others under Shanee's bardic influence get in their way.

"You idiot! Get out of the way!"
"I know we're supposed to keep them here, but I feel like this time is an exception. Let's just let them go."
"That singer must have done something to them! We need to raise an alarm!"

Stroud pushes open the eastern doors. Beyond them is a short hallway leading to a balcony with a double staircase that descends to the first floor. On the balcony stands a group in mid-discussion - three more enforcers for House Forturi, the Mistriss Alhari, a man in dark gray cloak with an ivory mask concealing his face, and another slender, dark-haired man with tattoos on his left arm and under his right eye.

Mistriss Alhari turns to regard your sudden intrusion, focusing on Stroud and his hand upon the hilt of his blade. "Beware Stroud. Turn upon House Forturi at your peril."

The Tattooed Man blinks and cries "Oh sh!t! That's Myhm, the Ent!" Turning, he dashes up the stairs.

INITIATIVE
Dovan
Shanee - UP!
Troxell - UP!
Forturi Enforcers
Stroud
Masked Man
Xerexis
Myhm
Teena
Alhari

The combat map has been updated.

Troxell casts Barkskin on himself and steps away from both sets of angry guards, "I'm unsure of the situation here. Should we let loose our full powers on them, or just try to subdue them?"

"Unleash! They will not be kind or merciful with us friend Troxell!" Stroud yells as he goes for his Scimitar! He knows the Assassin's reputation, and prepares to bring his full ability to bear against him!

Shanee steps in front of Stroud
"Hold on now we do not know what this is about this man could be another client and we have done nothing wrong. We are just here to find someone to deliver a package to and settle outstanding monetary accounts."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34

The enforcers in the hallway seem unsure in the wake of conflicting intentions from Shanee, Troxell, and Stroud.

INITIATIVE
Dovan
Shanee (attempting diplomacy)
Troxell - Up!
Stroud - Up!
Forturi Enforcers (deferred)
Masked Man
Xerexis
Myhm
Teena
Alhari

Stroud delays waiting to see if House Forturi will negotiate!

The Masked Man steps up next to Alhari and retrieves a strange weapon from under his cloak - a hooked dagger with a long cord attached to a metal ring. His form begins to waver and blur like a mirage.

The House Enforcers await orders.

INITIATIVE
Dovan
Shanee (attempting diplomacy)
Troxell - Up!
Stroud - (delay)
Xerexis - Up!
Myhm - Up!
Teena - Up!
Masked Man (ready action)
Forturi Enforcers (delay)
Alhari

Troxell cast Barkskin and moved in my previous post.

::Hitchcock zoom::

Everything slows down as Myhm's irises expand to edge of the coronas, turning feral and absorbing as much light as possible upon recognizing the man at the end of the hall..."ddddDDDDDDDDDOOOOVVVVAAANNNN!!!" His chest suddenly feels like it's burning under the spot where the Shalm's mark lays. He is suddenly moving fast, very fast, barreling down the hall like a lose mammoth on fire.

CMB Overrun double move 50'x2, Rage, Powerful Build, Auspicious Mark: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 14 + 2 + 2 + 1 + (5) = 29

Nice Map. I left the icon at the 50' mark, though he goes the full double move to chase upstairs.

Teena was preparing to wait and see if Diplomacy answer, but when she hears Myhm's bellow, she springs to action. "Dotn kill him! We need to speak with him!". She casts Haste, boosting her allies' abilities.

Sorry, Troxell, I knew that.

Troxell takes precautions for a fight and toughens his skin.

Myhm barrels down the hallway, knocking one of the enforcers right off his feet as he charges through the crowd and bounds up the stairs in pursuit of Dovan.

The Masked Man spins the ring on its rope and seems seems to consider attacking Myhm as he passes, but holds off and remains focused on defending Alhari.

Teena casts a spell to haste her allies. Everyone hasted except Myhm.

Ignoring Shanee's well-delivered diplomacy, Alhari casts a spell that quickens her allies as well, then steps to the side, taking cover behind a wall. "If they try to leave, stop them. Try not to kill all of them."

The enforcers draw their weapons and make ready.

Upstairs, Myhm catches sight of Dovan as he dashes past two other enforcers. "Hold him off!" He shouts as he ducks into a room.

The enforcers draw their curved swords and move to intercept, slashing at Myhm with powerful swings that indicate they are not going to go easy on him.

Scimitar -Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Scimitar -Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

INITIATIVE - All PCs are Up!
Shanee
Troxell
Stroud
Xerexis
Myhm
Teena
Masked Man (ready action)
Alhari
Forturi Enforcers
Dovan

"We settle our scores old friend! Here! A gift from the Feralwood!"

Stroud moves forward and throws his pixie dust at the Prime Assassin of House Forturi!

Pixie Dust: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Teena casts Mirror Image on herself, wanting to avoid as many attacks as possible as the situation broke down.

Images created 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Ever so quickly, there were seven Teena's standing in the room.

Troxell steps over 5 feet and casts Frost Fall, targeting the masked man and one of the guards with extremely cold frost.

Cold Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

They both need to make a DC 16 Fort save or be staggered for 1 round. I've placed a square to indicate the spell area, if you start your turn in the area you'll take 1d6 cold damage (Fort save for half). This will include the original targets unless someone moves them before they start their turns. The spell will last 4 rounds.

Myhm barely feels the slashes as he pushes on past the man blocking his way, nearly running on all fours.

CMB Overrun double move, Rage, Powerful Build: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 26

"Well Crap"

@Shanee: Alhari is around a corner out of sight.

Shanee starts singing a song of inspiration

courage +2att damage and some saves to all allies in range

Stroud throws a pouch if fey dust, which causes the assassin's blurry form to solidify. It also coats the rest of the enforcers and leaves sparkling motes floating all about the balcony.

Shanee abandons diplomacy and encourages violence.

Fort Save Masked Man: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Fort Save Enforcer: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Troxell's magic causes two of the men to shiver, but slows down neither of them.

Xerexis, silent until now, declares, "I will go after Myhm and Dovan." With a magic word, he vanishes in a flash of light.

Teena decides it's wise to protect herself from blades with mirror illusions, since there seems to be quite a few being drawn and readied.

"You have a made a deadly mistake!"
Alhari calls from around the corner. Then, for reasons unknown, she begins a shrill laughing.

The Masked Man slips forward, the odd weapon in his hands spinning, a white mist coming from it. With a flick of his wrist he sends the blade flying at Stroud!

Ranged vs Stroud (fortune check 1): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
Ranged vs Stroud (fortune check 2: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16
Taking the first roll
Damage + Cold: 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (4) = 9
Poison! Stroud needs to Roll a Fortitude save vs DC 20 or take 1d3 ⇒ 2 Strength damage!

The blade stabs into his arm like a shard of frozen ice. A moment later Stroud feels a weakness spreading from the wound.

The house enforcers close in quickly with their curved blades. Two come at Stroud, one manages to tumble past him and slash at Shanee.

Acrobatics vs CMD 24 to Avoid AoO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

+1 Scimitar - Power Attack vs Stroud: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
+1 Scimitar - Power Attack vs Stroud: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
+1 Scimitar - Power Attack vs Shanee: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Both Stroud and Shanee take wounds!

Meanwhile, upstairs...

@My damage was incorrect last round. Reduce by 2 points per hit.
AoO: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
AoO: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Taking another flesh wound in the process Myhm blasts through another pair of enforcers and charges into the room after Dovan. Inside he finds Xerexis a few feet from Dovan, who stands next to an open secret door in the room's fireplace.

Acrobatics vs CMD 25 to Avoid AoO: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

With wide eyes, he avoids Myhm's grasp and dives through the opening and hits a catch on the other side. As the secret door slams in Mynm's face the two enforcers from the hallway arrive at the room in pursuit.

INITIATIVE
Effects: haste, bardic courage +2
Stroud - Up!
Shanee - Up!
Troxell - Up!
Xerexis - Up!
Myhm - Up!
Teena - Up!
Forturi Enforcers
Alhari
Masked Man
Dovan