Oberst's eyes seem to glow as he waves a hand in a strange motion. Three bight orbs of light appears and start frantically dancing all around his head. He starts playing an epically heavy riff and then begins to sing from the bowels of his soul.
CHUG CHUG!! (Lol, ive never noticed one of his Death Sounds is "your mom!", cracked me up!)
Driana looked at the old woman with one eyebrow arched high. The longer she had been at this market, the more wary of each booth she had become and that entire Owlbear business had done nothing to but her at ease. Finally she smiled, a slight hint of a wicked grin, before pulling out her money pouch.
"Sure thing there, uhm, lets see, uhm, "Ms Deary" yeah, sure things there Ms. Deary. She pulled out several gold coin in preperation for the price, adding:
"Tell ya what Deary, ill even buy two and ya can have one fer yerself, doesnt that sound nice? Then ya can eat yer own nice apple and still make a profit!"
Zern follows the Troll as it tries to slink away "What? WHAT'S THE MATTER TROLL? AREN'T YOU GOING TO GET ANGRY? Why are you running away!?" He follows the troll for a dozen strides before letting him slink away. He then turns his attention back to the old crone and Driana. He walks up as Driana offers the crone her own fruit and watches attentively.
Driana has a very strange feeling about this old woman... she seems to have sinister motives in regards to the green apples specifically.
When offered an apple as well, she quickly quips:
Oh dearie me, Dearie, I'm afraid I cannot accept your offer... I'm... allergic... to green apples... shame really. I do love them so. You really should just... eat it. Please.
Teeth barred, Driana lunged barehanded at a person for the second time that day, intent on forcefeeding the lying crone her likely poisoned apple.
"Ya think me a fool do ya Deary, well, do ya!??"
Driana easily picks up the frail old woman by the neck, whose voice suddenly becomes deeper and stronger...
oh no no no! Forgive me! I can't help myself... it is what I do... give this curious little apples to pretty young women... I HAVE to!
You then notice she has whipped out a wand...
Make a reflex save as a wave of fire blasts out of her wand and into your face.
Snarling at the old woman, Driana managed to avoid most of the flame, but what little damage it would have inflicted was easily absorbed by her ruddy hide. That didnt stop the attack from enraging her though.
Slamming the old woman into the ground, she quickly sat down on the womans chest, barring her vicious fangs down at her.
"Every time I try to be nice, someone goes and does something stupid. Makes me wonder why I even bother." Overcome with an excuse, Drianas inherited urges flared to the surface, an evil grin splitting her face from ear to ear as she leaned in, lips curling back far enough to reveal every serrated molar. "Mmmmmh, lets forget the apples shall we, there are so many other things to taste. Now, give us a kiss wont ya?"
Driana easily throws the old woman to the ground, pinning her.
The crone's face distorts in pain. She screeches:
AACCCK! Alright, you win *spit* TIEFLING! Eh, thought you could hide yer true self from the likes of me could you? Hehehehehaha! Why don't you let go of me here before the entire market wonders what a bloodthirsty savage like you is doing to a kind sweet lady like me, huh? Tell you what, what a couple of these green apples... I'm sure you can find... creative ways to use them.
Driana paused for a moment to hear the old woman talk, tapping one long finger nail against her cheek while she pondered her words.
"Well well well, arent we all clever like eeh Deary?"
Looking up for a moment, she looked about her, scanning both for the level of interest nearby people were taking in her little show, as well as checking if the old woman had a tent or wagon behind her stall.
All the while she kept a firm grip on the old woman, if anything her grip tightened as she took her eyes off her.
With your perception check, you don't see... anything... apparently. But there is definitely a wagon behind her stall. You remember seeing that when you approached initially.
But with your sense motive check, you can totally feel that several people are staring at the events unfolding with at best a passing interest. They have all seen some weird things, and don't seem to really care...
Also, Driana keeps the crone firmly pinned.
Driana cursed herself for being so careless. She had relaxed her grip while looking around. Luckily, the crone seemed too feeble to escape her pin even when she had been distracted.
Satisfied that her actions werent likely to garner much protest, she covered the old womans mouth with her hand, before retriving her morningstar from its hoop at her hip and slamming its pommel into the crones temple. She looked about ready to pass out from the first blow, but practicallity and that same vicious streak compelled Driana to land another solid blow to seal the deal.
Getting off the limp heap that was the old woman, Driana dusted off her own hands and pants, placed her morningstar back at her side, then grabbed the old woman and hoisted her over her shoulder. Moving towards the wagon, she said in a voice loud enough to carry.
"Oh boy Gran-Gran, I told ya this summer heat would get the best of ya! Better get ya into bed dont ya think?"
The bluff seems to fly. Anyone who saw you hit her was probably aware of her malicious apples anyways. She is a stereotypical poison-apple selling witch after all. She probably even has business cards that say that.
You take her inside her extremely cluttered wagon and see a small cot, several cages containing small birds and other small animals, books scrolls everywhere, and what seems to be an extremely large assortment of wands and other trinkets of a magical nature...
Driana flashed a grin as she opened the door to the wagon "Jackpot!". She had participated in enough looting after a mercenary job well done, to know this was likely to be a good haul if she played it right.
Moving in further she placed the old witch in her bed, just barely taking enough time to lower her down above it, before unceremoniously dumping her into it like a sack of potatoes.
Looking over the shelves, she started looking for potions, specifically some sort of potion that made people forget "Witches always got potions like that in all the stories."
As she looked she also took a moment to inspect the contents of the cages, as well as the assortment of wands.
Looks like Driana has found a pretty decent score of different items... probably worth quite a lot. This must be the stock for the witches store... when she isn't selling poison apples that is. The vast majority of everything is unlabeled... most likely so the witch can con people into thinking they are something else... or nothing at all.
Hum i wonder if one could reverse track the clock wizard? Hey now that is a good idea i really wonder if there is a reliable diviner here.
and esther will go look for someone with real magical divination skills
Zern watches Driana's impressive performance then follows her when she picks the old lady up, making sure to grab two of the apples and place them in his sack. He stands in the doorway of the wagon trying to look casual but feeling excited by the mayhem.
"So that's what happens to people who try to trick you. Remind me not to be on the receiving end of your wrath any time soon. Though, I noticed you like to.. *ahem*.". Zern is still struggling for words. And shakes his head a little confusedly. "You seem to have yourself a bit of a haul there. Need a hand carrying anything? I can identify Granny's potions here for you with a little time and work. So... Say a nice split?" He tries a grin, but all he manages to do is show a lot of pointy teeth.
Driana spun on her heels, practically taking out half the wagons interior in the process. With the lack of space, she once again whipped out her morningstar, brandishing it with a snarl.
"You again?" she gasped, instantly recognizing the other Tiefling from earlier, his rediculous horns making any mistake in the matter almost impossible. "What are ya, followin me? Bet ya was just waitin for a chance to rob me werent ya, aint noone cares if someone like me get robbed. damn vultures." Glancing back at the old woman to make sure she wasnt about to get up, she shot a suspicious glance back at the intruder. "What makes ya think I cant identify all this junk myself hmm? Ill have ya know im quite skilled at spellcraft myself." Edging over to one of the shelves, she grabbed a random wand and held it up. "Like this one, easy enough, its, uhm...." She was stood there squinting at the thing for several long seconds before realizing she had no idea at all what kind of wand it was. After a few more moments, she sighed audibly, lowering her weapon and shooting the intruder a look that said "This is such a bad idea"
"Well get in here then ya idiot and close the door, before someone who cares notices. Ya are so transparent, I doubt ya could talk yer way out of anythin."
Matthias dances on her shoulder as he plays and Niah's eyes widen with joy.
That was amazing! Woudld you, uhm, like to walk around the festival with me. I think we could probably have some fun or something. Only if you really want to though...
Oberst snerks.
ahha. Oh I would love to, unfortunately I'm trying to earn meself a bit of coin...
He nonchalantly nudges a hat on the ground towards you with his foot.
Zern, feeling flush from his Intimidation of the Troll, decides not to back down. "I'm a idiot? I'm not pointing wands at people. I wasn't the one who killed the owlbear, or throttled the gnome, or knocked that witch unconscious. And why would I need to rob you? I have my own wares I can sell!" Hopefully...
Zern stands firm in the doorway, not wanting to advance, but certainly not scurrying off. "Now you can be reasonable and take my help, and we can both make out well here. Or you can try to throttle me. Whatcha think?" He gives a big friendly attempt at a grin, which looks as ugly as the rest of him.
Esther:
You wonder the market looking for someone who can help. The trouble with the market is... well... few stalls come labeled.
But after much searching, you find a strange looking... woman... is your best guess, curled up in some blankets. Little can be seen of her save her eyes. Nothing is around her save a card that says: "Lost objects founds".
No further clues are anywhere to be seen.
Driana scoffed at Zern, sticking out her chin in definace at his words.
"Dont give me any ideas now..." grinding her teeth she continued.
"Pff all of em got what they deserved. Aint noone attacks me, or cheats me, or anythin else, unless they are damn ready for some consequences!" With an annoyed snort she tossed the wand into Zerns hands.
"And as for the robbin, aint noone robs me who dont already own plenty. They do it cause just cause I look this way they think they got the right. Ya should know." She advanced to the door, quick angry strides which would have made most think she was going to kick Zern in the head.
"Now ya take that there wand and leave me alone, or get in here and help me like ya suggested. If ya dont wanna be called an idiot, quit actin like one."
With that she stepped back a few feet, just far enough to let him in, but close enough to easily close the door if he decided to leave.
I ask her is a late Clockwork Wizard would count for a lost "object" for her divination.
Her eyes flash with a brilliant light underneath her blankets... Then die out for a few moments before renewing their "normal" appearance.
A voice softly issues from beneath the folds...
I can find anything that is lost... but I do not believe you even know what you are looking for... The wizard is not lost... not physically... but his mind... I sense... that perhaps... he may have lost himself... strange....
and with a brilliant flash, the strange woman is gone. Where she was sitting lays a new card that states: "courtesy of D. ex M."
if there still a bowl Esther will drop 2gp in it and take the card.
Hum i wonder what a Deus ex Machina is she ponder as she walks away.
then the realization that the clockwork wizard might not be coming hits her and the sadness of it almost sweeps her away.
i better report this to someone.
Esther will go an try to find any festival official to get an interview with the supervisor. There she will tell of the strange warning and ask if there are any information known about the wizard or he is has any good friend in the festival.
Driana, make a perception check. And maybe a couple of spellcraft checks. Zern, perception for you as well.
Esther:
Finding the festival supervisor proves to be rather problematic, as several different individuals claims that they themselves are the supervisor...
You eventually settle upon trying to get some information from a peculiar humanoid, bi-pedal rabbit with a golden crown and a fine green vest. The all festival patrons, he is known only as The Chancellor.
In response to questions about the Wizard, he says this:
ah... that old fello has been at the market since longer than I have... and I have been coming here for... oh me oh my... neigh on 200 years now!... he has long been a friend to all in the Fey Wild... and long been a keeper of secret knowledge.... hmm yes. He seems to have a knack for clockwork inventions the like of which have never been since... legends hold that he came into the wilds one day, riding upon a clockwork dragon, set up his shop, and has been here since... but bah! rumors be rumors!... but I find this news of his missingness very durturberrerering... hmmm... yes... never has he ever been late nono. being late is very distasteful... you know... there once was a gnome... what was his name.... tinkerston...tinkersmith... hmmm... Diggery Tinkertock! that was his name. He worked as a clocksmith for the wizard himself for many years! I believe he has been enjoying his twilight years relaxing in the hamlet of Cider Glen, only a couple days journey from here... say... I think it would do us all good to get to the bottoms of this yes i do!
Good to know Chancellor. Well count me in for the ride of you ever put some team to get to the bottoms of this. Divine magic is my trade.
Esther will resume enjoying the festival like the kid she once was.
Well Driana, you notice that suddenly, your clothes appear to be invisible. Or not there altogether. You aren't sure which. You believe it must have something to do with the wand that you've been groping, as it definitely radiates transmutation magic...
You also detect conjuration magic that seems to come from the wagon itself... and its magic is dominating the spectrum.
Looking down herself, Driana gasped "What the...BY ALL THE NINE HELLS!!" Looking up at Zern, then down herself and back up again, her eyes went wide with outrage at the man. "Getting an eyefull are we!?"
While she was used to casual nudity around the other mercenaries back when she had spent most of her days in the shanty town like conditions of the war camps, the skin on her cheeks none the less flared into a noticably deeper shade of red than the rest. Being intentionally nude while washing yourself and not being too bothered who might get a look or two was one thing, but being caught naked like this was somehow an entirely different matter.
Walking quickly back to the small bed, she quickly pulled a sheet from under the unconcious Witch, quickly whipping the cloth around her like a towel. She turned back to Zern, murder in her eyes.
"You reverse it this instant!"
Zern catches the wand and looks at it for a moment. Then he starts to take a step into the wagon."Haha, fair enough. We can both- Uhh, ahh!" He cries akwardly. He looks at Driana for a second then turns around swiftly at her eyeful comment..
"Wha.. what happened? Wait, reverse it? I don't know what happened? I can't use magic, I can just brew a few potions!" He peeks back to see her covered in a towel. "Something's not right. Maybe we should leave here?" He looks down at the wand now in his hand and starts to back out the door of the wagon.
Niah puts 10 gp in the hat.
Can you, uh, come with me now?
Driana shot Zern the stink eye, clearly not thrilled with the idea of leaving the wagon.
"What are ya, crazy? I aint leavin without my equipment! No way no how." She looked around at the interior with suspicion in her eyes, mixed with a fledgling fear she was doing her best to deny the existence of. She extended her hand towards Zern.
"Gimme back that wand then. If you cant fix it, I guess ill have to do it myself." Her fear of the Conjuration magic on the wagon got the best of her however "Who knows, this old bucket may teleport off to somewhere any moment!"
"Actually, hold onto it for now, and take this." using her free hand, she scooped a couple of handfulls of random wands and scrolls off the shelves and threw them into his arms. Taking a few quick looks around for something to grab herself, she finally decided on taking a couple of the small cages, then hurried out of the wagon.
Once outside, she made for the open areas outside the festival, shouting back at her new "friend".
"Well come on then, I aint sticking around here lookin like this!"
Driana and Zern, the second you cross the threshold of the wagon, everything that belonged in the wagon shoots out of your hands and back to where it was found... yes... along with the blanket you are using to cover up.
Fuming with barely contained rage, Driana just stood there, scowling at Zern. Finally she sighed loudly, bringing one hand up to rub her nose below the brow, the other on her hip, the unspoken "Why me?" stated clearly by her pose.
"Time for compromise." "I hate compromise!!" Atleast it wont draw as much attention as a naked woman in a place like this."
Weaving the fingers on one hand in a series of complex patterns, her appearance shift and ran like water for a few seconds, before solidifying into the look of a Werewolf, fur covering every surface. She was still tecnically naked, but atleast it didnt feel like she was.
"Alot of good ya were there..."Curly"...got a name to go with all the trouble?" she said, without looking at Zern, already preoccupied with looking for the fastest way to somewhere private where she could think.
Hahahahahaha! Zern just starts laughing almost helplessly. He watches Driana grow fur and continues chuckling. "Oh that's rich. Here, I'm not heartless." Zern offers Driana his cloak.
"My name is Zern. Zern Parq."
Oh dear beer of heaven, what do you want from me?!
Driana accepted the cloak, giving it a once over. "Hmm, I guess it will have to do." she said, before putting it on. The Werewolf illusion she kept however.
Moving behind the wagon to the edge of the market, she started scanning herself, trying to discern whether he gear was gone or somehow invisible.
Driana manages to craft herself a very convincing werewolf disguise. After retreating behind the wagon, she detects the magic cast on herself to reveal that her clothing has indeed somehow completely disappeared, nowhere to be found.
Realizing that her equipment was indeed gone, caution gave way to rage. With a gasped "That B*!~*!", she stormed back to the wagon. "Oh you done it now Deary, better cough it back up or im gonna make ya choke on that wand!"
When Driana reenters the wagon, she immedietly notices that the old crone is not anywhere to be found... as if she vanished into thin air. The wagon still detects as magical...
Esther is wondering about enjoying the festival. Niah is doing the same, except for fangirling over Oberst. Zern is watching Driana intently... everyone, for the most part, besides Driana, probably feels pretty comfortable.
And then you all hear what seems to be explosions and ruckus and rampage and all that stuff coming from the edge of the festival, near the Fey wild. Smoke fills the air over there. people scream and are running everywhere. What ever shall you all do?
esther will head to where the explosion came from (on the double)
Zern is heading over to the sound of explosions straight away.
Cursing loudly about the missing Witch, Driana started rummaging through the wagon, trying to find her stuff "I bet she stashed it somewhere, damn Witch!"
While the sudden sounds outside did catch her attention, it wasnt what was currently important "If I was a Breatplate, where would I be...?"
Driana, after several minutes of searching, you find a trunk hidden among miscellaneous items in the corner. Your Breastplate seems to be easily sitting inside the oddly large space within the small trunk... you think that this must be where that wand sends things... or something like that.
You find that this item, you can take out of the wagon without it returning. Anything else though suffers that fate.
Everyone that heads over towards the sounds of the explosions at the edge of the market sees the following (and I'm going to just assume everyone ends up there and Driana puts her armor on etc.)
Few stalls straggle out this far towards the woods. Many of them appear to have been destroyed by some sort of blast. There are small fires burning and a good deal of rubble. Strange market folk are fleeing rapidly away from the area.
It does not take long to realize the cause of the running, and most likely the explosions, is what appears to be a small band of odd creatures. Four look nearly identical, and are very small with bat-like ears and orange glowing eyes. They are all grinning like maniacs. The fifth one is a bit taller and resembles a short and slight elf wearing drab clothes and a wicked grin.
Equipment once again safely strapped to her person, Driana came running through the market. She wasnt used to running away from anything, even if walking the other way wouldnt technically be considered as such in this particular situation. But it sounded like there was another fight brewing up ahead, and that was all the reason she needed "Even if ya aint gettin paid for it, doesnt make it any less of a good time! Hahah, not like ya ever did any of it for the gold anyway! And besides, ya already got "paid" plenty today." At the thought she hoised her backpack more securely, the awkward shape of the small chest inside making it feel rather uncomfortable.
Spotting some familiar shapes up ahead, she called out in surprise. "You lot again? Last time ya were just sorta there, but this time ya must have come runnin. Guess ya like a good scrap as much as I do! "Hah! not likely. Aint noone loves a scrap like Driana!"