R1
Bloodless will engage (either it has come to him or he drops down and whacks it...
Attack
Damage
Conversion
Damage
Cold Iron hits if that matters.
Ouchies. The dice gods have smiled upon you this day.
The creatures seems sluggish and transfixed in the presence of your celestial glow and barely manages to cut itself free from the net before you descend upon it with the fury of heaven.
With one heavy thunk your sword bypasses the tendrils that turn to scythin blades as you draw close. It cleaves through the black slug thing and it hardly even makes a noise as its body dissipates into a cloud of black vaporous smoke. There is nothing left of the thing which thoroughly massacred the goat but for a small dark stone...
"Charge?" Asmodia repeats, and laughs softly. She slides her tankard across the table so that Bejis might indulge, if he is inclined.
"A tankard of stout one night, a kiss another," she muses, brilliant blue eyes flashing. She leans forward in a play on romantic intimacy and whispers. "For you, darling, I would ask only that I am afforded the honor to serve beside you and your companions and battle diabolists in my Lord Cayden's stead."
Bejis declines the drink. "Can't. I start work shortly."
Returning the whisper, "A follower of Cayden? Eager to go into battle? I'm sure Gorum would approve. Well, if you want to join us in the frontlines, I, for one, would appreciate the healing. Bloody Goblins took a bite out of my leg last time."
Asmodia has no problem reclaiming her grog. "Fair 'nough." Alcohol is precious. She makes a face of disgust at the mention of goblins and washes it away with another hearty swallow of the foul concoction, typically reserved for sailors with hearty stomachs.
"I'll bet you have a variety of interesting scars," she answers. "I should like it better if I could prevent them in the future. Truth be told, that is the coin I prefer to deal in, but..." she trails and takes another swig. "Opportunities for such are exceedingly rare. And tend to shorten one's life span, in this country. And I like livin'," Asmodia smiles.
"As you might expect, I'm also quite interested in interviewing your associates. I chose you because... well, you were the only I could find that I could trust I might be able to outrun if this all went south."
Asmodia laughs. "I suppose you could say, so far as me and my Lord are concerned, I am more of a lover of men than a fighter. I... inspire courage in others with my brew, and will heal their aches, but I prefer to use my mind to assure that we're on the side that gets to tell the tale, later."
Bloodless stands bathed in his celestial light, ears wide open as he quickly gathers his caltrops and bear traps before bugging out of the ambush zone. The thrill and the exhiliaration a heady and intoxicating mixture.
Hitting the main road, he heads back quickly to the Children of Westcrown with the strange remains of the Shadowbeast in his pocket, determined to show them his prize before claiming his bounty.
On the third day Bloodless marches into the temple and regales the League with tales of investigation, stalking, and then killing the shadowbeast. Those who seem off put by you now are quite impressed by your skill at arms and those who were already enamored with you admire you as something of a hero. Yakopolio of course, merely sneers, spits and offers you a discount on the next time you're in need of some "female comfort".
Shortly after a gret deal of praise and the offer by one of the larger burlier of the men to buy you a round of drinks you drop off the small stone in the garbage heap. By the time you return to your home a mysterious sack of gold is sitting at your door for 100 gold. Soon rumors begin to circulate around town of the lone "white hunter" and his ambush of a very dangerous shadowgarm. An ambush predator itself and one of the weaker shadowbeasts. While this is certainly not novel in and of itself, the tale and the character allows the story to bloom into an epic struggle between light and darkness, within a few weeks the story gets blown to the point where the ORder of the Rack starts hunting down people who tell the tale in public lest they spread dissension of the House of Thrune.
The sack of gold reward makes his heart sing with joy, but not half as much as the looks of hope and appreciation on the faces of the League. He feels vindicated, finally as though he has done a good deed to show he is worthy of acceptance amongst their number; that his Angelic blood should not be held against him as a factor of suspicion and mistrust, but as a gift and a warmth for the vigil against injustice, and a bulwark against the dark things in the night.
"I'll bet you have a variety of interesting scars," she answers. "I should like it better if I could prevent them in the future. Truth be told, that is the coin I prefer to deal in, but..." she trails and takes another swig. "Opportunities for such are exceedingly rare. And tend to shorten one's life span, in this country. And I like livin'," Asmodia smiles.
"As you might expect, I'm also quite interested in interviewing your associates. I chose you because... well, you were the only I could find that I could trust I might be able to outrun if this all went south."
Bejis quietly speaks, "Let our leaders know you're looking for a more active roll. If you are around tomorrow, perhaps you can get rid of the Goblin bite for me then."
After scraping the last bit of "food" from the plate, Bejis stands up, ready to go. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Asmodia. We'll have to do this again later. But I'm afraid work calls."
Bejis is still interested in investigating the rumor: "The bastards of erebus killed another two people on the night you were trekking through the sewers a weaponsmith adn his wife..."
I'd like to find some names and the address, and at least walk by to take note of what is in the area. Also check local gossip for what others might be talking about.
"For me, as well," Asmodia answers, and smiles. "Perhaps in a less public venue next?" she teases, eyes flashing. "Do wash the bite thoroughly. The amount of bacteria in the mouth of a man is staggering, I shudder to think what goblins might host. If you can stand my bedside demeanor, I would prefer to examine it myself, but as time is an issue-"
Asmodia clears her throat. "Indeed, I will take your advice, Bejis and ask."
Based on Bejis's recommendation, Asmodia applies with the leadership to be placed with the group. For far too long her skills of a healer have been squandered casting paltry Cure Light spells post combat. Her inactivity has soured her mood, and put her too deep into her cups to be of any real use to anyone.
Bloodless has a more relaxed day, sharing hunting tips and strategies with those League members who have the time and inclination to listen, similarly covers off mostly defensive tactics designed to get the OUT of trouble.
His financial burden now a little lighter with the reward money.
The half-elf continues to enjoy her time away from her new ... companions, relief at not having to put up with their different set of morals making her enjoy her time alone even more. She knows there remains much to do in Westcrown and they are still her best means of accomplishing her goals, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating.
Just checking in to make sure everyone is still with us. HAven't seen LeVash post in a while.
Bloodless, though financially more comfortable, is still keeping an ear out for opportunities as an animal handler or tracker/hunter.
Did we sell this yet? Anything we want to stockpile at the Headquarters in case we need to arm the League?
Is that 10g 20s with 5 shares, one per PC, or is this money going elsewhere?
4x Box Crossbow Bolt = 4x 1 gp = 4 gp
4x Crossbow = 4x 35gp = 140 gp6x Longsword = 6x 15gp = 90gp
10g 20s
Total retail price: 246gp
Total sale price: 129gp
How many shares? Does anyone want anything from the pot?
Edit: Someone else had the horses and gems
LeVash sold the horses for a total of 112gp, 5sp. The gems have not been appraised yet.
Perhaps a Google Spreadsheet is in order, to help track who is managing what.
The next day, assuming Bejis runs into Asmodia at the temple: "Hello again." Bejis looks a bit unsure of himself. "Any chance you can take a look at that Goblin bite now?"
Asmodia's sapphire eyes glitter as she dons a slow and champion smile. "Normally it is not men who ask if they can take their pants down around me," she teases, "but, of course," she glances about and leads him to an otherwise unoccupied room with at least a chair.
From her backpack she produces a kit that smells of fragrant herbs and is packed to the brim with supplies. She nods to the chair. "If you've a mind for your chastity, you can pull the pant leg up over the bite, but I will be examining you for any sign of infection," she says coolly, with no hint of teasing or play.
She kneels down before the chair and sets her tankard beside her, and grasping her holy symbol, channels a measure of water into it. "Had you any manner of discomfort, or pain radiating specifically from the wound last night? Taken a fever? Chills? Any sudden bouts of dizziness or nausea?"
Bloodless is once again at the temple, offering any volunteer work he can; should there be nothing needing doing, he will head out looking for work again.
As the week ends various members of the League get in contact you and instruct you to meet with Janiven and Arael at the hideout.
As you gather you see that Arael is quite well recovered. You sit around a table with what looks like a carefully drawn street map marking what looks to be a church of erastil. The rest of the Haloran League are there sitting anxiously away from the table nervously.
As the last of you come in and have a seat Arael nods and starts to speak. "Welcome friends. As all of you know the goal of our organization is one of rebellion. However, we do not seek to kill officials or supplant those puppets in power with puppets of our own design. Our's is a rebellion of heroism and glory where tyranny and fear reign. We are to awaken the heart of this city to the glories it once knew and convince people that this can be achieved without the aid of Hell or any other dark entity. This is our calling and though up until now it has simply been assumed you are our allies I now ask you in earnest. Will you join us? Will you lend your skill at arms and at magic to our goal? Speak carefully for we will nto rest until westcrown is free, and even then we will not stop until all of Cheliax is free of the devil sons of Thrune."
"Will I join you? You ask the rhetorical. The Hellknights have been met with my stern resistance, I have been party to rescuing you from your captors, and just the last few evenings have shown my determination in seeking out and slaying one of the dark beasts that plagues this city. My pursuit of the goals of the League has been unresting and relentless. I would see that such a fervour is well continued"
"I am in"
Asmodia, standing to the side, amongst the anxious Children observes the white one's speech from this unique perspective. She has heard of him, the hunter who single handedly brought down a shadow beast, and is interested, but... such bravado, she wishes to ensure that his passion will not consume her and lead to her death.
His speech, however, is not one that her Lord Cayden would dismiss, for all her caution.
Asmodia rises, and strides up to the table. Her red hair is only slightly unkempt, as she had pulled it back to wash her face this morning before work, but tedium and cheap ink have misplaced and smudged it. Her fingertips are covered in more of the same, and her leather tunic is somewhat frumpy as well. She appears no better than a peasant, really, not at all like her noble Lord.
"Well said, friend," she says, and smiles at the pale hunter. "A very fine speech, worthy of a round and the telling of it by players, my Lord would say.
"But tell me, great hunter, whom or what tempers your passion for heroism? You say you have slain the beast, and make no mention of your companions. You say, 'I am in' without a single mention of their participation. Bold words, indeed, passionate, and honest, but also selfish."
Asmodia steps up to the hunter and regards him from beneath the ginger fringe of her eyelashes. "It appears to me, as I examined Bejis earlier, that you and yours are in need of a competent healer, and one whose care for all will eclipse her personal pursuits for glory, to ensure the greater victory. Will you allow me to join you, great hunter?"
"But tell me, great hunter, whom or what tempers your passion for heroism? You say you have slain the beast, and make no mention of your companions. You say, 'I am in' without a single mention of their participation. Bold words, indeed, passionate, and honest, but also selfish."
Asmodia steps up to the hunter and regards him from beneath the ginger fringe of her eyelashes. "It appears to me, as I examined Bejis earlier, that you and yours are in need of a competent healer, and one whose care for all will eclipse her personal pursuits for glory, to ensure the greater victory. Will you allow me to join you, great hunter?"
"Well that is all very simple and straightforward. My passion and heroism are tempered to some degree by strategy and logic. I don't seek an early grave, as that does no one any good, especially me... though with carefull planning and sound tactics I am willing to brave the slings and arrows. Yes I slew the beast, and I make no mention of my companions for they were not there, I acted as my own free agent - certain that if I showed the courage of my convictions I would no longer be muttered about or taunted by those I simply wish to aid, my friends as you put it, but finally be respected for what I am - a child of the angels, celestial blood flowing through my veins."
"Until someone chose to take a stand against the Shadows and won, any talk of attacking the beasts just would have led to more empty and fearful talk of it being impossible. I went on my mission knowing that if I won then the great gift of belief would fill the hearts of men, yet if I lost, then too few would give a toss about my disappearance. There would be very few here who would have grieved my departure"
"So you are correct, Lady, I say "I am in" quite certainly, as I do not presume to speak on behalf of those who have shown their tongues more than capable of wagging on their own."
"Anyhow, I am Bloodless, I am pleased to meet you, and would most warmly welcome your companionship in our shared victory, a victory that will never belong to me, but instead be a victory for the people"
Asmodia chuckles and steps back slightly, and appears to take in the entirety of Bloodless, calculating. There is a queer sort of smile on her lips, her blue eyes twinkling madly, then she gives a nod.
"Excellent! I approve!" she announces, and then thrusts out her ink-stained hand. "Asmodia Crispin. A child of diabolists. A ribald priestess of my goodly Lord Cayden, frequent and lucky drunkard, in my off hours, if it please you. Although, slaying the terrors of the night does sound far more heroic, should you seek assistance next," she winks.
Calla, leaning on the back of the chair she never actually sat down in, grimaces slightly at the long speeches from Arael and Bloodless, not to mention the new, disheveled girl.
"Must we always be with the speechifying? Ah'm still willing to help set Westcrown to right, as Ah was even before Ah met the lot of you. Ah just don't think we need to talk quite so much to get that accomplished."
She looks to Arael afterward, challenging, wondering if he'll object again to her and whether she would be better off trying to pursue her goals with others, or even by herself.
"Plenty of time for swinging swords coming up no doubt, but the good news is that talking before acting allows us to act in a superior fashion... the better we understand our challenges, the better we get the job done, and the less people needlessly get killed. Including you. Surely an intelligent champion as yourself can see the value in superior numbers to achieve a task"
Responding to Arael's speech, Bejis draws his greatsword, putting both hands upon it, and proclaims, "For the slaves and oppressed, the House of Thrune and any who would follow their ways must come down. I join myself to your rebellion and its cause. I swear before Gorum, I will fight!" Bejis ceremoniously places the greatsword down in front of himself.
"That's the way Bejis! Passion!"
Asmodia's mouth mimes the words intelligent champion and she looks to Calla and frowns.
"Speechifying?" she repeats incredulously. "I do grant that there is a certain charm to chaos. My good Lord espouses such notions, as his luck was greater than most, but as Bloodless, in matters of import such as these, I prefer some amount of logical order before acting."
Asmodia looks to Arael with a smile. "I appreciate your efforts, friend. One should never discount the ability of them of strong personalities to call others with competence to his aide in times such as these. Your words stir and bind us to the cause!"
LeVash stays silent through the interplay, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. When he finally speaks, his habitual rasp is back in place, "I don't know how compatible our methods are, Arael, but I agree with your basic goal."
"I'll join you, and if we decide later that we cannot work together, I'll hold your secrets."
"Speechifying, isn't a word in common I'm familiar with." Arael says as Janiven puts on a small smirk.
Arael continues in a solemn preachers voice. "Then in Iomedae's name let these words be your oath, your pledge, and the bond that takes us forward on this crusade." He closes his eyes whispering the prayer to himself. You note a couple of the others, particularly the halfling bow their heads as well.
When he lifts his head again his demeanoer changes from inspirational leader to s tern commander. "For your information Calla we have been doing, not unlike Bloodless here and his successful hunt for shadowbeasts, more than merely making speeches. We are to take down The Bastards of Erebus.
For those of you who don't know they are a group of bandits who have been invading homes and shops in the night. It is bad enough that they do this boldly regardless of the presence of the shadowbeasts. What makes matters worse is they have no qualms about murdering anyone who stand in their way and leaving their calling card, a wooden coin depicting mammon, on the bodies. The dottari have done nothing and people are living in fear."
Janiven snorts. "Incompetent asses won't even run fast to catch a murderer in broad day light if there's an inkling of a chance of catching him."
Arael shakes his head. "Corruption, more likely. The tradition of bribery is held high in this city." He says in disgust. "What they will not do, we must. That is our duty to the people we have sworn to free and protect. These tieflings must pay for their crimes. Janiven, if you would please."
"Right." She begins. "The man Arael was meeting knew the location of their hideout. They're located in Old Westcrown, little more than a slum now with abandoned buildings, in a dilapidated temple of Erastil just outside the wall. You'll be in the maingroup that takes them out within the temple. The rest of the children will spread out into the buildings and make sure there are no alternate escape routes. The guard on the belltower." She points to a square on one of the buildings. "Switches out every six hours. They can see in the dark but he won't be able to see anything until we're right up on the building at night. Since you're the ones who have to take the biggest risks, how do you want to approach this?"
Asmodia frowns, becoming far more sedate at the mention of the desecration of a temple of Erastil. Her previous flirty nature seems to be abandoned as she considers Arael and Janiven's words.
"Bloodless, as you have taken little damage after taking on the shadowbeast, I will assume you've a clear head for tactics. An arrow," she looks about her companions, and smiles sheepishly, "or any other projectile with cast upon it may keep him from being heard if we have the misfortune of being seen." Asmodia suggests.
"How... aggressive should we be? Capture every last one of them? Or we could simply watch the exits and torch the place. Though that seems too extreme. How do we make our move, and inspire the public that the Bastards of Erebus have been removed?"
Asmodia clicks her tongue against her teeth and shakes her head mournfully at Bejis's suggestion. "We will be approaching them on territory that is familiar to them. Who is to say that they have not secret entrances and exits prepared in the unlikely event of a raid. If we burn them out, we succeed only in announcing our intent to the city. And with the derelict buildings about," Asmodia points to those around the temple, "who is to say some spark will not travel and set the whole quarter ablaze? What will that inspire but terror?"
Janiven nods at Asmodia's statement. "As much as I want the bastards to burn we might only end up taking out a lot of innocent people in the process. There's very few that live in those ruins but a fire that speads that large would be impossible to keep controlled."
"It must also not be forgot that this is a temple to Erastil," Asmodia adds, placing an ink-stained fingertip on her wooden holy symbol. "While the Lord of the Hunt and mine may not agree as to the preference for order, they are both goodly gods. And Erastil the god of community..."
Asmodia appears to become more confident as she is speaking of religious matters and smiles brightly at Arael. "What better statement of our cause than to wrest this temple from them, whole and hale, and restore it as a symbol of our resolve to improve this city?"
"Well if you say they are invading homes and shops at night, then we stand a very good chance of having some of them already at large if we similarly hit them of an evening. Tielfings, like we Aasimar have an advantage in the darkness due to our excellent vision, it makes for a more level playing field if we hit at dawn, for not only my allies here but for the Children who would otherwise be hampered and confused in the dark... their torches and lightsources would otherwise herald their arrival most certainly"
Bloodless looks at the map on the table...
"If you could silence an arrow Asmodia, we could hit the guardpost with it, but hitting a well concealed fellow might be more complicated... if it is a belltower he'd likely have significant protection, as well as a way to get down out of the tower internally"
"Perhaps with a brief survey of the land there might be a concealed approach, or a way to create distraction. A reconaisance of the area would be ideal"
"Ah, but silence is not the only spell I would prepare. It has been some time since I've need of it, but I am also capable and, I dare say better than most, of conjuring celestial animals to my aide," she informs Bloodless. "If I were cast silence upon a flying animal, and have it hover near the guard, it may also prove beneficial. But you are correct, a more accurate ranging would be ideal. Then, perhaps, with your quick eyes and wit you may discover another entrance, or possible exit that may negate this dilemma completely."
"Ah find in dealing with people like these, it can be useful to use their own greed against them. P'rhaps another ambush before we attack the church? If someone -- like Sneak Face here," she says, nodding toward LeVash, "lets them know of a score they can't resist coming after, we can take out some of them away from the temple. Then we attack the temple before they realize some of their friends are missing, leaving us fewer to deal with there."
"...or we waltz back in as the 'returning hunters' after the hit"
Asmodia clears her throat noisily. "Beg pardon, Bloodless, and lady," she interrupts, "I am not certain if your impressive prowess has overlooked this simple fact, but I am a priestess, of Cayden no less. While I am not as visible as my large friend Bejis, it should be noted that sneaking is not among those skills that I cultivate easily."
"Well I was implying that if we hunted the hunters we would be able to wander straight up, hiding in plain sight as it were. If they expect a party to be returning, that party wont be skulking, but probably all lairy and menacing - out in plain sight"
"Well I was implying that if we hunted the hunters we would be able to wander straight up, hiding in plain sight as it were. If they expect a party to be returning, that party wont be skulking, but probably all lairy and menacing - out in plain sight"
"They'd also be tieflings." Arael says. "The group, by Janiven's reconnaissance consists almost entirely of them."
Asmodia Sense Motive
Asmodia looks to Janiven. "All, good lady? If that is the case, Bloodless is more likely than me to capture the wrong type of attention, claiming to be one of them."
Bloodless is too busy looking atthe map to notice the subtleties.
"Well their sight is as good as mine, around twenty yards even on the blackest night. Past that we are no more advantaged than anyone else... which means we could likely get as close as that before the game was up and they saw us for what we were. If luck held we could draw closer still."
"Personally I'd be just as happy hitting at first light"
"hmm...Dawn would make a great deal of tactical sense. They'll be letting their blood settle from the excitement of the attack", he looks at Bloodless, "but then you are by delaying condemning their victims for the evening...an acceptable risk to me; I'm not sure how it will sit with you."
"Have we enough daylight left that we can scout the area and their likely travel routes? Unless the area is quite open, we may be able to get quite close without ever being in sight of the belltower, and then we could strike at their raiding party as they leave. It would warn those within, but might split their forces enough to give us the advantage."
Janiven marks a path out on the map. "I already scouted such an area. Unfortunately it will only get you to within about fifty feet fo the temple before you ca be spotted."