Akor uses his magic to sift the surrounding area for objects of note. There are some dry goods, food, nails, rope and other useful items that have been ransacked. People obviously took whatever they could care from the stores before running way. Some buildings are smashed and burned, probably by the orcs.
Many others were reduced to rubble by the demonic jungle. The inquisitor steps over some bodies to examine one building that seems mostly intact except for the collapsed ceiling and some burn marks from a fire. The building was one story, with a basement. His magic makes it obvious there's something down there.
The first floor has a large kitchen with very basic food supplies. A pot of gruel has burned and boiled over. The kitchen fire seems to have spread, scorching most of the room charcoal black before burning itself out. A quick glance in the stone containers reveals flour with rat droppings.
The adjoining common room is mostly burned, but enough furniture remains to tell it was used for meals and other kinds of meetings. There are several small pieces of black slate in a corner. Some still have chalk markings of the alphabet on them.
The stairwell to the basement is partly caved in, but Akor is strong enough to shift aside the beams to go down. The stairs lead to two doors, both black with soot and smoke. The doors are locked, but the frames have been damaged by the collapse of the building and the fire.
A few minutes of hard work forces open the first door on the left. The smell of filth overpowers the smoke. The floor is covered with straw and thin blankets that mark out places to sleep. The inquisitor finds 45 children packed into the room, most of them face down. A few are leaning against the wall, tiny scratch marks showing where they tried to tear out the chains that tether each little body to the wall.
Akor checks each body. None of them survived the heat and smoke.
The other room contains some locked up supplies, additional chains, chalk and other items. There's also a lockbox hidden in the back, which Akor wrenches open. Inside is a collection of gold and jewels, along with a ledger.
The building appears to have been an orphanage. The ledger lists the number of children currently housed there (45 souls) and who previously children have been sold to. A few were bought by families, but most appear to have been sold to the Technic League. A notation shows that schooling and other common factors in a child being sold don't appear to have been a concern for the League. The purchases by the Technic League started about six months ago, and the children were delivered to Gearmaster Morden-val Steamhammer.
Darnak jumps up on top of the metallic scorpion and studies the cockpit once the pudding disappears. The pilot is mostly gone, leaving behind only a gummy skeleton that appears to be leaking. A spellbook inside the cockpit is mostly ruined since it already was open when the pudding was summoned. The monk also finds a small pile of gems in the burned remains of a pouch that was probably in the man's clothes at some point.
While the monk is careful not to burn himself or his beard, Sparel examines the encrypted note. The code is quite complex, too difficult to discern at a glance. The message is written on very high grade paper with inks natural to Numeria. The seal is some modified version of the Technic League symbol, with a large stylized hammer.
Sparel grips the green dragon scale and begins to chant. Darnak comes back quickly and stays quiet. Malak briefly considers dancing around the elf, making funny faces.
For 10 long minutes, the mystic chants in draconic while waving his arms and fingers in odd directions. Sometimes, it appears as if he's drawing a map on the air in front of them. Other times you're certain a rather vulgar gesture in gnomish is part of the incantation.
Once he finishes, Sparel knows exactly where the green dragon is - deep in his lair inside the Echo Wood.
Once Sparel finishes his chant he stands still. Head down and eyes closed. For a long moment his breathing stops. Then he suddenly looks up and his eyes pop open.
"The Echo Wood." He says with absolute certainty.
"If everyone is ready we should be off."
Sparel will either lead the way if the location is within wind walk distance, or if not we'll link hands and teleport.
Im ready but has anyone seen Akor? He's probably preaching to someone right now about the beauty and benevolence of Iomedae and of course they wont be able to argue.
The elf found a spot out of the sun and casually leaned against a pile of rubble while they waited.
Im ready but has anyone seen Akor? He's probably preaching to someone right now about the beauty and benevolence of Iomedae and of course they wont be able to argue.
The elf found a spot out of the sun and casually leaned against a pile of rubble while they waited.
Seeing his cousin avoiding the sun and knowing full well why, but still deciding to rib him for it.
"Did you forget your parisol today, Cousin?" Sparel says after only glancing at his cousin briefly.
Hahahah...hahaha!!!...
Malak's laugh was hearty and came as easily when he was the butt of the joke as when he wasnt.
I did indeed not bring it Good Sparel. How could I? I didnt match my shirt!
Akor solidifies in front of the group, a mixed look of anger and disgust plain on his face "Were that the case Malak, I'd be in a much beter mood. Somebody was running some sort of vile slave ring orphanage, where no less than 45 children died when they couldn't escape due to being chained up in the basement. A fair amount were sold to one Gearmaster Morden-val Steamhammer. I will have words with him, even if I have go to the Boneyard and drag his soul back here myself" He tosses the lockbox down. "Another fifteen or so thousand to add to the cause, even if it likely comes from the sale of children. We'll see to it that's its put to a better use, yes?" Its clear the Aasimar will not tolerate a disagreement.
Akor solidifies in front of the group, a mixed look of anger and disgust plain on his face "Were that the case Malak, I'd be in a much beter mood. Somebody was running some sort of vile slave ring orphanage, where no less than 45 children died when they couldn't escape due to being chained up in the basement. A fair amount were sold to one Gearmaster Morden-val Steamhammer. I will have words with him, even if I have go to the Boneyard and drag his soul back here myself" He tosses the lockbox down. "Another fifteen or so thousand to add to the cause, even if it likely comes from the sale of children. We'll see to it that's its put to a better use, yes?" Its clear the Aasimar will not tolerate a disagreement.
"Remember the name and we will handle it in time. However, we may prevent deaths by making haste to the dragon. Let us handle that errand then bring Steamhammer's world around him after."
Malak's mirth died as surely as those poor children had at hearing Akor's story of their demise...nothing is as precious as a child's life...
The shaded elf nodded at the Inquisitor's vow. He was determined to be a part of it.
"We'll fly. Most likely we'll also be able to check on the refugees from the air as well. Concentrate to become insubstantial and come with me."
Sparrel concentrates and points at each companion in turn. Their clothes and skin all turn white as snow (prestidigitation). "The color will help blend with they sky and make us difficult to see."
Looking to his black skinned cousin. "It's temporary and serves the same purpose as yoru signature color. "
Unless someone has somehting else we'll be off. We should be there in about an hour.
Malak looked in amusement at his whiteness and contemplated being the negative of himself but how it would have a positive effect. He was a big fan of being harder to see and double meanings and his grin was evident.
Looks good to me!
The bleached elf willed himself back into the misty form and followed the others into the sky.
Stealth -
Perception -
perception
Stealth
"Not my best color, but I can handle it. I'm ready when the rest of you are." The old archer made his way through the clouds, keeping an eye out for trouble.
As Darnak makes his way back from the ship, he turns his thoughts upon Sparel again, ::"I found these.":: He shows him the gems. ::"The worth a bit o' coin. But that's about it.::
Akor will once again call upon his goddess' blessing to enhance his senses. He'll then take to skies
As Darnak makes his way back from the ship, he turns his thoughts upon Sparel again, ::"I found these.":: He shows him the gems. ::"The worth a bit o' coin. But that's about it.::
1d20 + 39
1d20 + 34
"hold onto them until we get back to civilization. We'll settle up then."
Darnak nods as he places the gems within his pack.
After a couple hours searching through the ruins and the bodies of Starfall, the Divine Daggers take to the air to hunt down the green dragon. It takes almost two hours to cover the distance, in part because the thick canopy of trees in the Echo Wood make it difficult to spot anything from above.
Slipping through the trees like mist is simple thanks to the Wind Walk spell. The unnatural weather seems to spook some of the larger animals as deer bound away and rabbits run into their burrows to hide. Smaller creatures only seem to react when a gaseous form floats through their territory.
Akor is the first to spot something other than animals in the forest. Deep in the wood two humanoids are walking a patrol – a savage orc covered in dried blood and a sun-darkened human with poor clothes.
All of you recognize him as one of the Numerians chained up as slaves near the entrance to the Demon Tree. Neither one of them appears to have noticed all the mist nearby yet.
Sparel looks for somewhere up in a tree to solidify while remaining stealthy,
Stealth
Sparel casts telepathic bond when we start to land as the Incoporeality is a non issue.
Malak enjoyed the freedom of flight and especially his insubstantial form. At the sight of the two patrolling figures he knew that fun time was over and it was back to work but he preferred that anyways. He veered off to the west and a little ahead of the two and settled behind a tree to reform.
Stealth -
Perception -
::"I'm going to land in front of them, you guys can stay hidden if you so desire, but I will not abide by slavery if that's what this is."::
Akor lands just ahead of the pair and reforms, drawing his blade as he does. "Afternoon gentlemen, how fares you this day?"
::"I'm going to land in front of them, you guys can stay hidden if you so desire, but I will not abide by slavery if that's what this is."::
Akor lands just ahead of the pair and reforms, drawing his blade as he does. "Afternoon gentlemen, how fares you this day?"
Sparel moves within Telekinesis distance.
Darnak follows after Akor; reforming right behind him.
As Akor asks his question, Darnak tips his hat to them in greeting.
Thad nodded at Akor ::I am with you, even if no one sees.::
He materialized in the trees, keeping an eye on the proceedings, as well as out for an ambush by territorial dragons.
The pair stops short as a cloud of gas pulls up in front of them. Over the next 30 seconds, it slowly solidifies into the shape of a man.
Akor draws his weapon and address the Numerian and the Orc in common.
The human looks startled and tries to fumble for a sounding horn that hangs on his belt. The orc draws his falchion and assumes a protective stance in front of the Numerian.
"Ztay wliri you ari! Jom't novi!" the orc says.
The orc and human are both intent on Akor, looking only at him.
Orc perception
Human perception
Seeing the Orc bring the sounding horn up, Thad decided that it wasn't quite right to kill someone Akor wanted to talk to, so he just decided to pin the horn to a tree. If he turned out to be a friend, they could always replace it, he reasoned.
Initiatve
If I beat initiative and they guy still has his horn I want to snatch the horn out of his hand and send it sailing away.
If he already lost the horn somehow I'll simply pin him to the ground with a telekinetic grapple.
Telikinetic CMB
Initiative -
Malak came around the tree as Thadicus's arrow flew towards the two poor bastards. He didnt see the two as much of a threat to the Divine Daggers and knew that the others could handle them with ease. So he had no reason to draw steel yet. He came closer and crossed his arms nonchalantly waiting to hear some answers from the pair.
Initiatve 1d20+4
If I beat initiative and they guy still has his horn I want to snatch the horn out of his hand and send it sailing away.
If he already lost the horn somehow I'll simply pin him to the ground with a telekinetic grapple.Telikinetic CMB 1d20+17
I think Thad knocked the horn out of his hand, so disregard this.
Edit: Plus the roll sucked. ;-)
Thaddicus fires, knocking the horn out of the Nuermian's hands. It lands on the ground in burning pieces, utterly useless. Sparel notices the orc also has a horn and rips it off the creature's belt with his telekinesis.
The two seasoned combatants do all this before the man even has time to draw breath to blow the horn. The human fumbles to draw his sword and stand guard with the orc.
"Killing us won't do you any good, the next patrol will know something is wrong soon enough," the Numerian says.
Both men appear to be in a defensive stance, waiting to see what happens next.
"Killing us won't do you any good, the next patrol will know something is wrong soon enough," the Numerian says.Both men appear to be in a defensive stance, waiting to see what happens next.
"No one said anything about killing you."
Sparel says as he flicks his wrist at the human's drawn swordTelikinetic Disarm
If successful Sparel will knock the sword away from the human.
Sparel motions to Aktor to continue knowing he's better at "diplomacy" than he.
"It would appear you've lost your horn. Now can we talk like civilized folk?
::"We're really not gonna waste our time with these two, are we? Find out what needs findin' out, Akor, and let's move."::
::"Paitence old chap, knowledge is power after all. Let me see if I can get any information out of these two."::
Darnak nods at Akor and crosses his arms, waiting. Hoping these two are smart enough to not do something stupid.
Sparel rips the Numerian's sword out of his hands and flings it into some nearby bushes. The orc's eyes narrow as he looks at the two Daggers, and then he speaks in halting common.
"No ... hurt. We guard forest. Me take him ... path."
The human looks nervous and stands to the side of the orc, who still has his sword out in a defensive position.
"He means route. He's teaching me the patrol routes. We must please the Master."
"Who might this 'Master' be?"
The man's face falls as he looks almost embarrassed.
"I ... can't pronounce it. I'm still learning how. It's Demi-thic-car-get or something like that."
The orc speaks up now.
"Dimithkarjic, the great wyrm. He ... save myself."
The human nods in agreement, eagerly.
"Yes, the great master rescued me and my family, too. A massive jungle destroyed our home overnight, and these bizarre plants were roaming from house to house, eating those too slow to run away. We were captured by Dmak here, along with my family. We were chained up for hours and then this horrible monster appeared."
The man shudders as a chill seems to go over him. You can the hairs on his arms stand on end.
"It was like nothing I've ever seen before. I don't even know how to describe it. The thing was black and seemed to ... dissolve the orcs. We tried to run away because it looked like it would kill everyone there, but eventually it just disappeared again. We tried to get out of the chains then. Sometime later the Master appeared. He told all of us to stop fighting each other. He said if we did stop fighting each other, he'd take us to safety. And he did. Now I'm working for the Master to make sure this forest is safe."
The orc nods in agreement even as he seems a bit puzzled over some of the words.
Stealth -
Malak had edged his way closer to the two as his fellow Daggers kept them talking and weighed their every word.
Sense Motive -
::These guys arent themselves brothers. They act like those blond maidens in Brevoy that Sparel used that charm spell on. Ah! That was a good night indeed.::
Knowledge Arcana
Knowledge Dungeoneering
Knowledge Engineer
Knowledge Geography
Knowledge History
Knowledge Local
Knowledge Nature
Knowledge Nobility
Knowledge Planes
Knowledge Religion
Spellcraft
::"They are definitely under some compulsion. Sparel, that kind of thing is your specialty. I could get rid of it the same way I de-bunnyed you, but I'd rather not waste such a powerful spell on these two"::
"So you're helping the green dragon we've heard had a lair in these woods. Besides these patrols, what else does it have you do? Can either of you tell us anything else about it?"
::You mean the one you wanted me to cast charm person on because she was interested in you? Regardless, they are charmed by something very powerful and a great wyrm has the ability to do such a thing. Also these plants aren't native. They would not survive here without tending. ::