While Arwen is at the church, Masao accompanies him like a dutiful bodyguard. When they are finished, he asks a local in or around the temple for directions to the smith Johan.
The party arrives at Johan's house at just about the same time. Hob is already waiting inside. Johan greets you at the door, saying Come on in! Hob's told me all about you.
Hob, looking somehow younger, comes out of the kitchen
"I made soup. Johan said his wine won't travel, so we're opening one of the old ones."
Kin peeks out from behind Johan's head, then stretches up and starts grooming through the sparse white hair on top of Johan's head.
"Well, no troubles getting into town, it seems. Hello, Johan, a pleasure to meet you. Masao bows politely to Johan. "Now we need to know something of this Baron and his men before we run into them."
Well, begins Johan, Lord Cedric is really the source of all this. Several of his men may actually serve him willingly, but I believe most of them are threatened or extorted to stay in his service. Although, if you intend to kill Cedric, very few, if any, will help you, as they are weak and afraid from years of oppressive leadership. Now, for the actual man himself, you should know that he is a skilled soldier, and is proficient with many weapons. His expertise is the longspear. I regret to say that I produced an enchanted spear for him before his cursed son...well, Hob has surely told you. His reasons for hating Cedric are much the same as my own. Now, as much as I'd like to help you more, I fear that I must leave tonight. I have all but been guaranteed that my life will end tomorrow at dawn if I do not leave. In fact, I would like to be going now. You may use my house, and I will donate any one of my wares to each of you for the cause. Do you have any last questions?
"Thank you Johan, that information is invaluable. It's best you follow your own heart and depart as you will this night, for your own safety. Do you think Cedric's men will come looking for you here? If so, it might be best if we found someplace else to stay. I guess we'll discuss it and decide tonight. Is there anything we can do for you before you depart?"
"And as for Cedric, I'm not sure if we intend to kill him or not, we do intend to end his rule here and see the slave trade ended. If that requires we take his life, so be it."
I am sure you are a fine smith, but I doubt you have the weapon I seek. What I need is a katana, a Minkaian weapon unlike the swords of the Inner Sea. But a chain shirt would be most welcome, thank you."
Masao bows to Johan in both thanks and respect. "Be well and safe, good smith."
Cedric's men will probably be here for me in the morning around the ninth hour. The executioner likes to sleep in...Anyway, I cannot ask anything of you. I thank you again for your cause, and wish you the best.
Johan replies I'll have you know, I can build to suit, but you are correct. I do not have one of those "katanas" at hand. Find me once you are done here. I will be in Augustana. I even intend to use my true name, since Cedric's rule is limited to Alvis alone.
"Until Augustana then. I have been working with Hob on the design of the sword, so perhaps the two of you working together might be able to produce one. Perhaps Hob can give you his notes to take with you and you can look them over when you get to Augustana."
His expertise is the longspear. I regret to say that I produced an enchanted spear for him before his cursed son...well, Hob has surely told you.
"Enchanted?" Hob is obviously impressed and wants to talk more, but stops himself from interrupting.
Yes, Hob. A simple magic, but enough to ensure an advantage.
"It's harder to build than you would think." Hob warns Johan, then breaks off
"I'm sorry you have to go. I hope we can see you in Augustana. We really appreciate you giving us the stuff."
"Masao; Cedric's ruined too many lives, now. If I get the chance to kill him, I will."
"If they're sending a bunch of guys out here to get Johan, maybe we could trap and kill them. Or sneak in while they're out."
"If they're sending people here to kill Johan, then they'll be sending people ready for a fight!" points out Kin
"But they're only expecting to fight one man, Kin. Against four of us, they might fare less well." He shrugs, and turns to the others.
"What do you all think.. should we find someplace else to sleep, or sleep here and leave before they arrive, or perhaps sleep here and lie in wait for them."
"Five." Kin corrects Masao.
Hob forms a fist
"I'd like the chance to show them what I think of them."
He considers, then turns to Johan
"Unless one of them is the one who warned you."
Masao laughs, "Alright, Kin, five." He looks to Hob and winks at him.
I hope all the best for you Johan. May Shelyn protect your steps and guide you.
As Johan leaves Arwen turns to others All men deserve a chance to change their way but I guess this Cedric is not one of those men. However, I would still like to speak with him during our confrontation to ensure that I am doing right thing. I will help you anyway in all possible ways I can offer to you
"What gear do the guards have now?" Hob asks Johan
Johan answers Hob In fact, their equipment is substandard and limited. Cedric refuses to make use of my services, so he is forced to import goods from Augustana. The cost of transportation forces him to buy junk.
Samant thinking to himself about what's to come, grabs a chain shirt Lighter then my hide armor and a glaive This will allow to fit at a distance equal to Cedric
What news if any on the main slaver camp and their connection to Cedric?
Johan answers Hob In fact, their equipment is substandard and limited. Cedric refuses to make use of my services, so he is forced to import goods from Augustana. The cost of transportation forces him to buy junk.
"Man's an idiot. He's got you and he's importing junk from Augustana!" Hob scoffs
Johan says I know nothing of these slavers Hob spoke of. I know that Cedric is an evil man, but I have no idea how far reaching that evil is. I apologize, friends. I must leave. I intend to see you again in Augustana. Until then, farewell. With that, Johan turns to leave.
"Farewell, good smith. May the gods grant you safe journey."
Masao finds himself a chain shirt among Johan's stock that suits him .
"Thank you, for everything." hob says, reaching out to Johan, then after a pause gathers him into a bone crushing bear hug.
"Good luck! I'll come see you when it is safe."
Well, it seems like we should confess this Cedric to surrender but if he is not going to... huoh, unfortunately then but for greater good we will have to remove him
Finding proof is going to be hard.
Early the next day, 4 guards arrive at Johan's door. The leader punds harshly on it several times, saying You are summoned to stand trial before lord Cedric! Present yourself at once! After a few more knocks, the leader steps out of the way and indicates the door to one of his companions, who pulls out an axe. The axe-wielder hacks at the door a few times around the hinges, then gives it a hearty kick. The door crashes in, and the two remaining guards rush through the door. A few seconds later, the call comes out All clear! He's gone! All four guards enter the house and search it for several minutes. After becoming convinced that Johan is gone, and that there aren't any valuables left, the guards leave, heading back to town square where they will have the crier make an announcement regarding a reward that is now on Johan's head.
Hob slowly and quietly rubbed at his left calf, wishing he could curse at Johan's neighbours for storing so much junk under their raised house. There was barely enough room for him as is; Johan's gift would never have fitted.
He stiffened completely when he saw he guards arriving and looked around, checking the coast was still clear.
The plan had called for him to wait, but he could feel his anger rising.
To distract himself he concentrated on activating the runes he had drawn this morning on himself and his club.
As the guard casually smashed down his mentor's door with the axe Hob felt his rage peak. He remembered working on that door. He built the hinges. Sandra had varnished it.
The wiry figure of the Smith burst out from under the neighbour's house and charged at the right side of the axe-wielding guard, retaining just enough control to throttle back a frenzied yell as he swung his club, glowing with eldritch runes, at the poor man.
Masao joins Hob right behind him, leaping out and attacking the rearmost guard, to hopefully be in position to block any that decide to run rather than fight.
Arwen standing up and yelling to guards to lower or drop their weapons, not wanting to kill more than required. Who knew if these people were threatened to serve under the Cedric
Diplomacy
Intimidate
Initiative
Please, drop your weapons! We do not want to harm you for the love of Shelyn! We are here to help you to get rid of Cedric power. I have no idea how he is threatening you but we are willing to help you to stop that. Just drop your weapons and avert your eyes to somewhere else. I promise in my honor and name, in the name of my Goddess that you will not have to fear anymore for your lives
exhaling fast and continuing but were you to resist us now, we will cut you down and send you to the hell to Asmodeus for your sins and deeds for serving a lord who is not worth of it. You will die because of your own fears and being coward to resist him
Samant from inside the house swings at the first man through.
Init
attack
Dmg
Hob, Masao, and Samant all take down their marks on the surprise attack. the last guard, turning to Arwen, says Alright! I surrender! What are you doing?
Hob stops, twisting his hands around his club like he wants to keep fighting.
"More coming?" he asks the remaining guard.
[B]No! No. We assumed four against one would be enough. Clearly we were mis...who are you?[b/]
Questioning might be more productive inside, move him in here and bring in the others and let's see if we can revive them, I don't think I hit mine too hard
Masao shrugs. "I barely scratched mine and he fell, I'm sure he's not knocked too deeply unconscious... I agree let's get them all completely inside and get the doors shut before this is seen and reported." That said, he immediately drags one of the wounded guards into Johan's place and deposits him on the floor. When all three of the wounded are inside with the party and the one conscious guard, he closes the outside door to the place and bars it.
Once everyone is inside, the conscious soldier asks again Who are you? What do you want?
Who we are is not important. let me see a copy of the warrant you have, or was carrying it?
We don't do warrants around here. Lord Cedric makes all the calls, and no one questions. Including me. I'm not at fault here. If you won't tell me who you are, then lets try question 2: What do you want?
Hob looks around, then back to the guard
"An end to slavery! Freedom for all! Death to tyrants!"
Well, that's not really in my hands. Perhaps you could go and kill some more helpless guards who are just doing what they're told. That would help your cause, I'd say.