Vertielle shows those gathered the flute she collected.
"I'm willing to bet that flute was the Piper's."
Wood shows the spellbook he collected. " I think I am going to need this. It is very precious to me!"
"If I recall info about the prisoners, The Splatter man was a wizard and that is likely his spell book."
Vertielle sighs as Wood grasps the spellbook protectively.
It would seem you've been influenced by the fell spirit of one of the prisoners, likely Professor Hean Feramin. Gkirkhan, you'd best take that book from him for now... Here, use this.
Vertielle calmly hands Gkirkhan her velvet cloth she was using to protect herself from the flute, and speaks in a comforting,if patronizing, voice to Wood.
Gkirkhan wants to gander at the pictures in the fancy book. He does so love pictures, and they're so lovely... Don't fret, now, I'll make sure he gives it back. Won't you give it back, Gkirkhan?
"We should avoid using any items found in that secret vault; so the Flute, the Book, the Hammer, the Axe and the collection of Holy Symbols.
These items should not be used unless in very extreme conditions were they can be of use, and even then it should be limited."
Blackfinger's buttons we won't. These are potent items rife with power, and the threat we face is grave indeed! If the northern custom is to forgo weapons, she looks at Eva's hardened fists, as seems likely, then by all means. I believe we should accustom ourselves to the powers of these items, use them against their masters!
"They may be rife with power, but that power is likely cursed by their actions."
Do you fear your heathen god lacks the peyssinian to protect us from an instrument?
Vertielle distaste is directed more towards Eva's deity than the monk herself, but it's pretty clear the bard hasn't taken very strongly to the golden-haired northerner.
Strength; courage; guts.
With a look somewhere between disgust and defiance, Vertielle brings the flute to her mouth and plays a short, mocking tune.
"I'll take that as a challenge."
Gkirkhan grabs the cloth from Vertielle. His manner of movement makes his agitation clear. He carefully wraps the cloth around his hand and tries to grab book. His other hand goes for the hammer.
"Ja, Hy will give it back." he growls.
"There is no need for the curse to go any further; I am in control of my burden. I think you can trust me to assess the damage and risk of this book. It is now minimized in my possession. I have mastered the dread tome of the Necronomicon -- some piker's spellbook is nothing."
Wood looks at Gkirkan.
"You aren't serious, are you, you want a book? That is like me wanting your big sword. If Vertiele's flute is similar, I think taking it from her is a big mistake."
Gkirkhans voice drops even lower and each word sounds like it was dragged out of a gravel pit. His cloth wrapped hand goes for the book, and his other hand pulls the hammer free of its hook on Gkirkhan's belt.
"The damn book is magic. Hy am not going to do something stupid like reading it." He holds the hammer out to the side, very much ready. "Now, give it here, or Hy start breaking bones."
"I'll hold you to your word to return this undamaged."
Wood attempts to hand the book to Gkirkan.
Gkirkhan wraps his cloth covered hand around the book and tries to pull it from Wood's grasp.
@Vertielle: will save, target 13.
Wood you find you have no problem handing over the spellbook.
Vertielle manages to wrest control of the flute from -something- though she still has a lingering desire to play the strange tune she heard in her mind as she began to play.
@Everyone: perception checks, please.
Vertielle, as you play you are aware the item is cursed. You also suspect it will effect its former owner negatively.
@Vertielle: i'm not sure from the description that the further negative effects occur if you made the first save, still, just for fun give me a fort save. Target is also 13.
@Que: As Vertielle plays, you hear the sound of wings in the night air.
"What the... Stop playing Vertielle!"
Que rushes towards Vertielle, pulling the pipe away from her to make her stop playing.
As Que lunges for the flute, two stirges appear. One dives onto Que as the other hovers, almost protectively, over Vertielle.
The first creature just misses Que.
Lets get initatives for all:
Que dives away from the attack from the stirge and in the same movement draws her sword and counterattacks
I'll have to learn to control them!
Damn that was fast! I only played a few notes!
With infinite calm, Vertielle pulls the flute back from Que, stowing it in her belt. Her bow materializes from her quiver, quickly followed by an arrow as she nocks the shaft.
The proboscis is long and sharp, but brittle. They fly in little figure eights, see? Their vision is poor to either side, use swings if you can.
Gkirkhan walks up to the closest stirge smashes it with his hammer.
Init order:
Vertielle
Que
Gkirkhan
Stirges
Evangline
Que misses the quick little monster, but Gkirkhan's powerful swing splatters it like the bug it resembles.
The remaining stirge swoops down toward Evangline, perhaps sensing -and drawn by- her fear of it, swiftly attaching itself and preparing to feed.
Vertielle trains her bow on the stirge that remains, waiting patiently, and perhaps a bit smugly, until the creature is detached.
init
"Be still Eva."
Wood carefully aims a splash of acid at the stirge if it is still alive, but completely misses unless he shot before it engaged.
@Wood, yes, you are before the stirg and Eva, so:
Wood molds some of his arcane energies into a small blob of acid that blasts the tiny beast to the ground, dissolving it.
Stirge:HP5-7=-2
@Vertielle: if you want to take the risks ( blowing saves or a ticked off half-orc smashing it) five more stirges will level you folks. ;-D
Wood shows Gkirkan the Necronomicon.
"I have carried this book for years and still fight evil with a passion. Let me have the other magic book back so I can master it and use it to fight evil too. I am still the same wizard that used his share of the loot to rent two magic baubles to stop some of your hits and keep you from falling into a pit."
Oops that missed, their touch is 16.
Looks like we're still in combat.
Sorry Eva.
We had to be sure the book was not interfering with your cognition, Wood. I suppose it is safe to return the book, Gkirkhan.
"But first, let's finish this stirge sucking Eva's blood."
Agreed.
"I really hate bugs!"
and goes for a punch
Eva, despite her fear, manages to crush the stirge on her.
@Eva: you still take 1 con point damage on it's turn.
It's possible that you would have left the other items secured in the Professor's old study. Only Wood and Vertielle specifically stated they were taking specific items.